Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 67 Taking Luo Ting Hostage and Emptying Langya

We're leaving at dawn tomorrow, so a sudden visit in the middle of the night is bound to make people overthink.

If it were some trivial reason, such as coming to discuss tactics with Luo Ting, that would be too fake.

If you say nothing and just ask to meet, the other party will definitely become suspicious, and even if you meet, they will be more wary.

Even if they are allies, a prince like him sneaking in at night is by no means a trivial matter.

So, once again, the cards are out in the open.

The defining characteristic of Langya was its vast stockpiling of supplies, comparable to Jiangxia before the Battle of Red Cliffs. Liu Bei was qualified to ally with Sun Quan primarily because Liu Qi controlled Jiangxia, and Jiangxia possessed substantial military reserves.

We're almost at the north wind, what could be the point of coming to see Luo Ting at this time?
Telling him the purpose directly will put his mind at ease.

Is it possible to borrow that?

It's absolutely impossible to lend it.

But precisely because he absolutely could not lend it, he was even more inclined to meet with Wei Wusheng.

It's the same principle as lending money. When a friend invites you out to dinner, it's obvious they want to borrow money, but the most difficult situation is when you can lend it but can't.

If it's absolutely possible to lend it, then no problem.

If you absolutely cannot lend it, you can still eat a meal with a friend.

Of course, this is also related to Wei Wusheng's identity and his 'popularity'.

Your Highness's current popularity stems from your inspiring courage to bravely face death.

"Your Highness, please—"

After entering the city, Wei Wusheng and the other two were taken to the post station to await Luo Ting's response. Not long after, a civil official came to personally invite them.

So, in the dead of night, the three of them set off directly to the General's Mansion (which also served as the Prefect's Mansion).

Generally speaking, the Commandant and the Prefect were the two highest-ranking officials in a prefecture. The Commandant was of the fourth rank, and the Prefect was of the third rank. Although their ranks were different, there was no strict subordinate relationship between them, and they did not hold concurrent positions, otherwise the administrative head would have too much power. However, in border areas, in order to ensure that orders were obeyed, some prefectures had one person holding both positions.

Of course, the governor and the commander-in-chief of Liangzhou were still two different people.

Because if these two people were combined and one person were to hold the position, it would become a very terrifying thing—a governor.

As the saying goes: "Remove the historian and establish a governor, and the round will end."

The Han Dynasty effectively collapsed because of the abolition of the system of official records and the establishment of provincial governors, rendering imperial power virtually meaningless.

Therefore, Luo Ting is an absolute power holder.

Furthermore, his official rank was General of the Gate, a third-rank official, not Captain.

In terms of rank, he was the same as Wei Wusheng, but his military position was even higher.

"Did General Luo meet with me alone?" Wei Wusheng asked as they walked at night.

“Yes,” the civil official explained. “The general said that since it is an important matter to be discussed, it is not appropriate for other officials and generals to be present. He also said that he apologized for the poor hospitality, Your Highness.”

"It's alright, it's a special time."

Wei Wusheng raised his hand, appearing quite calm.

Then, the three of them went into the prefectural government office together.

Inside the main hall, Luo Ting greeted him in advance. Upon seeing him, he clenched his fists and knelt on one knee, saying, "This humble general greets the Sixth Prince."

His military rank was indeed higher than Wei Wusheng's, but if he really thought of himself as the superior, then he was going to overstep his bounds.

"General, please."

Wei Wusheng didn't even extend a hand to help, but simply said four words in a calm manner, his attitude quite arrogant.

But Luo Ting didn't take it too seriously and got up.

“Door, Heart Moon,” Wei Wusheng said.

Then, Xinyue turned around and closed the door.

At this moment, only Wei Wusheng, who was wearing armor and carrying a sword, Xinyue, who was not wearing armor and carrying a sword, and Song Shi'an remained in the huge government office.

The general opposite him, Luo Ting, was tall and sturdy, with a handsome and upright face. He had none of the airs of a pretty face; his gleaming black iron armor was fully supported by him, and even the slightly rusty sheath of his Yu sword seemed to tell a story.

This man is very strong.

He was not from a noble family in Qinzhou; he rose to the rank of a third-grade official in the army entirely through military merit, which is enough to show his extraordinary abilities.

It seems unlikely that Wei Wusheng and Xin Yue can subdue him by force.

Although it's unclear how strong they are in combat.

But Your Highness, who doesn't even have an iron drum, should probably move aside a bit.

"General Luo, please lend our supplies to our army to defend against the north wind," Wei Wusheng said in a cold tone.

Upon hearing this, Luo Ting frowned slightly.

He sensed that His Highness was not speaking in a tone of discussion.

Or perhaps Your Highness is very clear that it is impossible to borrow it.

So, you're forcing me.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness."

Since that's the case, Luo Ting saw no need to be gentle with Wei Wusheng anymore and replied directly, "If this is my private property, and Your Highness wishes to guard the north wind, then I am willing to donate it all. But this belongs to the imperial court, and I cannot lend it out."

"I have been granted the authority by His Majesty to mobilize the supply train and troops in battle."

He just said he was borrowing, but now he claims to have the power to allocate resources. Wei Wusheng's words are contradictory; he's not even pretending anymore.

"Then please, Your Highness, show me the imperial edict."

Maintaining his distance from Wei Wusheng, Luo Ting extended his palm, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, watching the other's every move.

"It was an oral order."

"If it weren't for the presence of the chief eunuch in the palace, no one else could mobilize the army by word of mouth."

"The eunuch's words are useful, but my words are not?" Wei Wusheng continued, his tone aggressive.

Furthermore, he continued to walk forward step by step. Luo Ting also retreated step by step, intentionally avoiding him: "The eunuch's words represent the imperial edict. His Highness's words do not."

"You're arrogant!"

Wei Wusheng stopped in his tracks, his hand already on the hilt of his sword.

Song Shi'an and Xin Yue beside him also tried their best to put pressure on Luo Ting with their murderous gazes.

"Your Highness wishes to hold Shuofeng, so you need to transfer Langya's supplies. However, it is absolutely impossible to hold Shuofeng, even if you empty the entire Langya."

While reminding him, Luo Ting earnestly advised, "Your Highness, please return to the riverside camp immediately. I know nothing about what happened today. If this is revealed, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."

As he spoke these earnest words, Luo Ting's hand unconsciously moved slowly towards the hilt of his knife.

If any of the three opponents are killed or have an arm severed, their military command will be taken away.

Next, the weather in the entire Liangzhou will change.

During the angry standoff, Wei Wusheng noticed that his hand was about to touch the hilt of the knife.

Suddenly, Wei Wusheng drew his sword.

Instinctively, Luo Ting also drew his knife.

"How dare you!" Song Shi'an shouted angrily at that moment, "Are you trying to murder a prince?!"

These words sent a jolt through Luo Ting's heart.

The knife in his hand was no longer very steady.

“To draw one’s sword against a prince is treason, punishable by the extermination of nine generations of his family!” Song Shi’an deliberately shouted loudly.

That sound could definitely be heard from outside the door.

If others heard this and witnessed it, then Narattin would be considered to have 'intended to murder the king'.

"Put down the knife!"

Song Shi'an gave a final warning.

After taking a deep breath, Luo Ting threw down the knife.

It made a clanging sound.

The moment she landed, Xinyue kicked the knife away.

"Kneel down!" Wei Wusheng, sword in hand, commanded sternly.

Luo Ting slowly knelt down before Wei Wusheng.

This is indeed going too far for a general with such a distinguished military record.

But political struggle is not child's play.

Mildness doesn't exist.

"Order that all military supplies be transported onto ships and sent out to the north wind."

Looking down at the general from his elevated position, Wei Wusheng finally felt a sense of relief.

Got it.

But the next moment, Luo Ting suddenly raised his hand, grabbed his sword, and slowly pulled the tip of the sword toward his neck.

Wei Wusheng was immediately stunned.

Xin Yue and Song Shi'an were also somewhat at a loss.

"Death would lessen my crime by one degree; I beg Your Highness to grant my request!"

He also deliberately spoke loudly to attract attention.

Meanwhile, his hands gripping the sword were already covered in blood, and the sharp tip of the sword was getting closer and closer to his Adam's apple, gradually piercing his skin and oozing blood.

Wei Wusheng's mind went completely blank for a moment.

This development completely exceeded expectations.

He was even prepared to cut off the other man's arm, but he never expected that the man was trying to commit suicide.

Moreover, if Wei Wusheng hadn't pulled back with all his might, his neck would have been pierced instantly by the force of the sword snatching.

"Let go! I'm ordering you to let go!"

Seeing the blood trickling down his hands, Wei Wusheng became anxious for the first time.

Could this be his first murder?

"Never mind." At this moment, Song Shi'an suddenly said, "Your Highness, let's go."

Upon hearing this, Wei Wusheng felt as if a burden had been lifted from his heart, and said, "Luo Ting, let go. We don't need the supplies anymore."

He did indeed want to seize power.

But there's no reason for Luo Ting to die. How can we kill such an important minister and general?

The same desire to serve one's country—is one's own desire inherently more noble?

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Luo Ting finally released his hands.

Wei Wusheng slowly lowered his sword.

Suddenly, Xin Yue swiftly drew her sword from her waist along with its scabbard, and brought it down with the force of a crescent moon, striking Luo Ting squarely on the back of the neck.

With a thud, Luo Ting fainted on the spot and collapsed in front of Wei Wusheng.

With a thud, Wei Wusheng froze like a zombie, completely dumbfounded.

Without exchanging a single word, Song Shi'an and Xin Yue quickly knelt beside Luo Ting, groping around with their hands.

Finally, Song Shi'an pulled out a bronze tiger tally about half the size of his palm from Luo Ting and threw it directly to Wei Wusheng: "Your Highness, go quickly!"

(End of this chapter)