They would depart at dawn tomorrow, and a sudden midnight visit would inevitably cause people to overthink things.
If it were for so trivial reason, like coming to discuss tactics with Luo Ting, that would be too obviously fake.
And if he said nothing at all, only requesting a eting, the other party would certainly grow suspicious. Even if they t, Luo Ting would be on high alert.
Even as friendly forces, as an imperial prince sneaking over in the dead of night—it couldn't possibly be a small matter.
So, once again, he'd show his cards openly.
The characteristic of Langya city was that it had accumulated massive quantities of military supplies, equivalent to Jiangxia before the Battle of Red Cliffs back in the day. The reason Liu Bei had been qualified to form an alliance with Sun Quan was mainly because Liu Qi held Jiangxia, combined with Jiangxia's extrely robust military supply reserves.
They were about to head to Shuofeng—what could he possibly want from Luo Ting at this point?
Telling him the objective directly would actually put him at ease.
Could he possibly lend them the supplies?
Absolutely not.
But precisely because he absolutely couldn't lend them, he would be even more likely to see Wei Wusheng.
It was like borrowing money—when a friend invites you out to dinner and it's obvious they want to borrow money, the most conflicted situation is when you could lend it but also couldn't.
If you absolutely could lend it, no problem.
If you absolutely couldn't lend it, you could at least get a free al from your friend.
Of course, this also had sothing to do with Wei Wusheng's identity and his 'popular reputation.'
His Highness's current reputation among the people was his courage to face death generously, which inspired people.
"Your Highness, please—"
After entering the city, Wei Wusheng and his two companions were arranged to stay at the courier station, waiting for Luo Ting's response. Before long, a civil official ca personally to invite them.
Thus, in the dead of night, the three set off for the General's Mansion (which also served as the Prefect's Office).
Generally speaking, the Commandant and the Prefect were the two highest officials of a commandery. The Commandant held Senior Fourth Rank, the Prefect held Senior Third Rank. Though their ranks differed, they didn't have a strict hierarchical relationship and didn't hold concurrent positions—otherwise the administrative chief's power would be excessive. But in border regions like this, for the sake of unified command, so commanderies combined both positions under one person.
Of course, Liang Prefecture's Regional Inspector and Governor-General were still two separate people.
Because if these two positions were combined and held by one person, it would beco sothing truly terrifying—a Provincial Governor.
As the saying went: abolish the inspectors and establish governors, and you can end the turn.
The Great Han's true downfall stemd from abolishing inspectors and establishing governors, rendering imperial authority virtually aningless.
So this Luo Ting held real power indeed.
Moreover, his official position was General Gate Tooth, Senior Third Rank, not Commandant.
By rank, he was the sa as Wei Wusheng, though his military position was actually higher.
"Will General Luo see alone?" Wei Wusheng asked as they walked through the night.
"Yes," the civil official explained. "The General said that since it's important business to discuss, it wouldn't be appropriate to have other officials and commanders present. He also said the reception may be lacking and asks Your Highness's forgiveness."
"No matter, these are special tis."
Wei Wusheng raised his hand slightly, appearing quite composed.
Then the three entered the commandery office together.
In the main hall of the governnt office, Luo Ting was waiting to receive them in advance. The mont they t, he clasped his fists with both hands and knelt on one knee: "This humble general greets the Sixth Prince."
His military rank was indeed higher than Wei Wusheng's, but if he actually thought of himself as the superior officer, that would be courting death.
"General, please rise."
Wei Wusheng didn't even extend his hands to help him up, only saying those four words calmly, his attitude quite haughty.
But Luo Ting didn't take it too much to heart and stood up.
"Door, Xinyue," Wei Wusheng said.
Xinyue imdiately turned and closed the door.
At this mont, in the vast governnt office, only three people remained: Wei Wusheng in armor with sword, Xinyue without armor but with sword, and Song Shi'an.
Facing them was General Luo Ting—tall and solidly built with a handso, upright face. He had none of the air of a decorative vase about him. His scale-gleaming black iron armor was completely filled out by his fra, and the sowhat rusted scabbard of his Yu saber also seed full of stories.
This man was strong.
Not from a Qin Prefecture noble background, relying entirely on military rit to reach Senior Third Rank in the military before the age of forty—this was enough to demonstrate his exceptional qualities.
Trying to subdue him by force with Wei Wusheng and Xinyue seed unlikely.
Though their combat abilities were unclear.
But soone like His Highness who couldn't even beat an iron drum should probably step aside a bit.
"General Luo, please lend your military supplies to defend Shuofeng," Wei Wusheng said in a cold, stern tone.
Hearing this, Luo Ting's brows furrowed slightly.
He sensed that His Highness's tone wasn't one of consultation.
Or perhaps His Highness was very clear on one point—that borrowing was impossible.
So, he wanted to force him.
"My apologies, Your Highness."
Since that was the case, Luo Ting had no need to be gentle with Wei Wusheng either, responding directly: "If these were my personal assets, and Your Highness wanted to defend Shuofeng, then this humble general would willingly donate everything. But these belong to the court—forgive for being unable to lend them."
"I have received His Majesty's sacred edict, granting authority to mobilize supplies and troops on the battlefield."
Having just said "lend," he now claid authority to mobilize—the self-contradiction in Wei Wusheng's words was completely unmasked, not even pretending anymore.
"Then please, Your Highness, show the imperial edict."
Maintaining his distance from Wei Wusheng, Luo Ting extended his palm. At the sa ti, his eyes sharp as an eagle's watched the other's every move.
"It was a verbal edict."
"Without a palace seal-bearing eunuch present in person, no one else's verbal order can mobilize the army."
"A eunuch's words are useful, but this prince's words aren't?" Wei Wusheng continued pressing aggressively.
Moreover, he stepped forward, one step at a ti.
Luo Ting also retreated step by step, intentionally avoiding him: "A eunuch's words represent the sacred edict. Your Highness's words do not."
"You're arrogant!"
Stopping in his tracks, Wei Wusheng's hand was already on his sword hilt.
Song Shi'an and Xinyue beside him also did their best to pressure Luo Ting with murderous glares.
"Your Highness wants to hold Shuofeng, so you want to draw away Langya's supplies. But Shuofeng is absolutely impossible to defend, even if you empty all of Langya."
While reminding him, Luo Ting earnestly persuaded: "Please, Your Highness, return to the riverside military camp right now. This humble general knows not a single word of today's events. If I reveal anything, may I be struck by five thunderbolts and die a terrible death."
And while speaking so earnestly, Luo Ting's hand unconsciously and gradually moved closer to his blade hilt.
If these three were killed, or if he severed one of their arms, military authority would be seized.
Next, the entire sky over Liang Prefecture would change.
In their angry confrontation, Wei Wusheng noticed his hand was about to touch the blade hilt.
So abruptly, Wei Wusheng drew his sword.
By instinctive reaction, Luo Ting also drew his blade.
"How dare you!" Right then, Song Shi'an imdiately roared, "Are you trying to assassinate an imperial prince?!"
This single sentence made Luo Ting's heart shook.
The blade in his hand beca unsteady.
"Drawing a blade against an imperial prince is treason, punishable by extermination of nine generations!" Song Shi'an deliberately shouted loudly.
This voice could definitely be heard outside the door.
And if others heard it and ca to see this scene, then Luo Ting would be equivalent to "intending regicide."
"Put down the blade!"
Song Shi'an issued a final warning.
After holding his breath, Luo Ting threw down his blade.
It clattered loudly.
The mont it hit the ground, Xinyue kicked the blade far to the side.
"Kneel!" Wei Wusheng commanded majestically, sword in hand.
Luo Ting slowly knelt on both knees before Wei Wusheng.
Treating a General Gate Tooth with illustrious military achievents this way was indeed rather excessive.
But political struggle was no ga.
Gentleness didn't exist.
"Give the order—transport all military supplies onto ships and send them to Shuofeng."
Looking down from above at this general, Wei Wusheng's anxious heart finally relaxed.
It worked.
But the next mont, Luo Ting suddenly raised his hand to grab the sword and pulled the sword tip toward his own neck, inch by inch.
Wei Wusheng froze imdiately.
Xinyue and Song Shi'an were also sowhat at a loss.
"Death reduces the cri by one degree—please fulfill this humble general's wish, Your Highness!"
He also deliberately spoke loudly, attracting people to co.
At the sa ti, both hands gripping the sword blade were already bloody and mangled. The sharp sword tip drew closer and closer to his Adam's apple, gradually piercing through the skin, seeping with blood.
Wei Wusheng's mind went completely blank in an instant.
This developnt was completely beyond expectation.
He had even prepared for the extre asure of severing one of the man's arms, but never imagined he would seek death.
And he was seizing the sword with great force—if Wei Wusheng didn't pull back with all his strength, his neck would be pierced through instantly.
"Let go, I order you to let go!"
Watching the blood flowing from his hands, Wei Wusheng grew anxious for the first ti.
His first kill—would it be now?
"Forget it." At this mont, Song Shi'an suddenly said, "Your Highness, let's go."
Hearing this, Wei Wusheng felt as if a burden had been lifted from his heart, saying: "Luo Ting, let go. We won't take the supplies."
He did want to seize power.
But there was no reason for Luo Ting to die. Killing such an important minister and good general—how could that be acceptable?
Both were hearts loyal to the country—was his own sohow more noble?
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Luo Ting finally released his hands.
Wei Wusheng's sword also slowly lowered.
Suddenly, Xinyue swiftly drew her sword from her waist along with its scabbard, swinging it down like a crescent moon with force, striking Luo Ting hard on the back of his neck.
His eyes rolled back, Luo Ting fainted on the spot, falling face-first in front of Wei Wusheng.
The thud froze Wei Wusheng like a zombie, completely dumbfounded.
Without exchanging a single word, Song Shi'an and Xinyue quickly knelt beside Luo Ting, their hands searching all over him.
Finally, Song Shi'an pulled out a half-palm-sized bronze tiger tally from Luo Ting's body and tossed it directly to Wei Wusheng: "Your Highness, go quickly!"
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