Chapter 5

Listen, Shangdang.

Zhou Liang paced back and forth on the gravel path in front of the second gate of the courtyard, like a millstone. Lanterns hung from the four corners of the eaves, their flickering lights casting long shadows on Zhou Liang, which swayed across the entire courtyard, as if filled with ghostly figures. Suddenly, a servant dressed in a blue robe cautiously pushed the door open. Zhou Liang was overjoyed and rushed over to ask, "How is it?"

The blue-robed man shook his head in disappointment and whispered, "Sixteenth Lady is really determined this time. She won't rest until she gets the South Sea coral from Seventh Lady! Lord has been trying to persuade her all day, but she won't listen!"

Zhou Liang angrily said, "What time is this! Can she still throw tantrums? Sun, the steward, lead the way, I'll go talk to her!" With that, he waved his sleeve and charged straight into the door.

Sixteenth Lady was originally a beauty Zhou Liang had bought for a thousand gold pieces. He claimed she was his own cousin and presented her to Sima Teng as a concubine. Indeed, his efforts were not in vain, as Sima Teng treated her like a precious gem. In return, Sixteenth Lady also whispered sweet nothings in the ear of Lord Dongyi, the Governor of Bingzhou, and the Inspector, praising Zhou Liang as an exceptionally virtuous and capable official. However, at this critical moment, Lord Dongyi refused to meet with his officials and only focused on comforting his spoiled concubine, which made Zhou Liang extremely anxious.

Sun, the steward, was shocked and hurriedly held Zhou Liang back, "Lord has ordered that no one should disturb him. If you rush in like this, you'll be putting me in grave danger!"

Zhou Liang sighed deeply, "Sun, the steward, the imperial army has already suffered a defeat, and most of Bingzhou is in the hands of the rebels. The barbarians might be at our gates at any moment. This is a matter of life and death! If Lord doesn't make a decision, what if... what if..." At this point, the usually eloquent Zhou Liang shuddered and lowered his voice, "Those barbarians are cruel and savage, they eat raw meat and drink blood, they are not human!"

"Th-this-this..." Sun, the steward, was frightened, and recalling the rumors about the barbarians over the years, he could already picture them in his mind, wearing animal skins, drinking human blood, and eating human flesh. He hurriedly said, "Lord Zhou, don't be anxious, I have a plan!"

"Tell me quickly!"

Sun, the steward, nervously rubbed his hands, "In my view, Sixteenth Lady isn't really trying to quarrel with Seventh Lady. She just wants the coral that Seventh Lady treasures like her life. That coral is a rare treasure from the former richest man in the world, Shi Chong, and it is truly exquisite. It is said that there are only about twenty such corals in the world, and in Bingzhou, there are only two..."

"You...!" Zhou Liang was furious, his face turning ashen. He was about to explode, but then he deflated, "She's targeting me... Fine, fine, I'll give her the coral from my home. Go and inform Sixteenth Lady, and ask her to speak to Lord and have him meet us!"

Sun, the steward, was overjoyed, "Lord Zhou, you are truly wise and righteous! Please wait a moment, I'll go and talk to Lady!" With that, he ran off to the inner quarters.

Zhou Liang sighed helplessly and continued pacing like a donkey pushing a millstone.

While he was in a state of anxiety, someone was laughing in the distance among the trees.

"How is it?" Sima Teng, seated on a Hu bed, drained a cup of fine wine and asked with a smile, "Hasn't he brought out his best treasures?"

"Lord, you are truly divine in your calculations!" The beautiful woman beside him, holding a silver bottle, had her hair and jewelry in disarray. She giggled and refilled Sima Teng's cup.

The two were in the corner tower of the inner quarters, surrounded by light veils. The tall trees outside swayed, ensuring they wouldn't be discovered, while every move of Zhou Liang was clearly visible to them.

Sima Teng gently swirled the golden goblet inlaid with pearls, making the emerald liquid ripple under the pearl's glow, "The barbarians are cunning and fierce, so it's best to avoid their sharp edge. All the staff in the various residences, gardens, villas, and estates of the Dongyi Mansion have already started packing. We will leave the city at the third watch tonight and head to Ye City. However, this must be kept secret, and we must not let these cowards know in advance..."

When he said "cowards," the corners of his mouth turned down, revealing the characteristic sneer and mockery of the Sima clan: "The journey from here to Ye City involves hundreds of miles of treacherous mountain roads. The more people there are, the harder the journey will be!"

The beautiful woman looked admiringly at him, "Lord, I love your wisdom and decisiveness the most!"

Sima Teng laughed heartily, turned around, and pulled the woman into his arms, kissing her fiercely.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, a voice suddenly called out, "Lord! Lord!"

Then came the sound of the household servants trying to stop the person, but the voice continued, sounding quite urgent, "Lord! Your subordinate Li Yun requests an audience!"

Sima Teng's lips twitched, and he was about to fly into a rage, but he suppressed his anger. He pinched the woman's shapely buttocks hard, making her protest, before standing up, "It's Li Yun, I'll see him."

Li Yun's position in the Bingzhou army was not the highest. However, with the defeat of major generals like Nie Xuan and Chen Yong, and the scattering of tens of thousands of troops, Li Yun's ten-thousand-strong force was the only one Sima Teng could rely on. More importantly, as a local aristocrat, Li Yun had considerable influence in the region. Sima Teng's escape to Ji Province depended heavily on his arrangements.

Therefore, even the proud Sima Teng had to treat him with respect.

Sima Teng put on a wide silk robe, parted the layers of light veils, and stepped out of the tower, coughing authoritatively, "Li Yun, what is the commotion about?"

Li Yun hurried over and grabbed Sima Teng's sleeve, "Lord, we've forgotten something important!"

As soon as he said this, Sima Teng's face changed, and he exclaimed, "Indeed, we've forgotten! What can we do?"

He stomped his foot, "How long has the County Lady been gone? Quickly, send someone to bring her back!"

Li Yun sighed quietly, knowing that Sima Teng was already flustered, "Lord, the County Lady left Shangdang two days ago. She should be around Liting and Xijian by now."

"Isn't she right in the path of the Xiongnu army?" Sima Teng suddenly said in a nervous, sharp voice, "No... no! If anything happens to her, my elder brother will never forgive me!"

He grabbed Li Yun, gritting his teeth, "Forget about the matters here! Take two hundred... no, three hundred, five hundred elite troops, and ensure her safety no matter what!"

Li Yun was about to say something, but Sima Teng interrupted him, "Commander Li, no, no... if you succeed, I will immediately recommend you as a general... General Li! I have always treated you well, and now, in this urgent situation, my life depends on you! If you succeed, I will reward you generously, I promise!"

In that one sentence, Li Yun was first called Commander Li, then General Li, and finally "my brother," but Li Yun's face turned pale and red, and he didn't feel any honor. As a military man, he knew how dangerous this mission was, "Lord, this is... The Xiongnu have tens of thousands of troops, what can five hundred men do? Unless you lead them personally and hold the line at Tuncheng and Changzi..."

Sima Teng's narrow eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he interrupted Li Yun angrily, "What? Is Commander Li afraid?"

Damn it, the one who fears the barbarians the most is you! Li Yun cursed in his heart but didn't dare show it on his face. After hesitating for a while, he bowed his head, "I dare not. Since Lord has given the order, I will do my best to fulfill it."

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