Looking at Tai'an from the full moon

Chapter 316: Chaos in Tai'an

Five years passed by like a flash.

Wangyan City and Beiguan, these two important border towns that have experienced hardships and wars together with Xiao Zuochen, have long been rejuvenated under the careful governance of Xiao Zuochen and Chu Yao.

On the city wall, flags fluttered, soldiers were in high spirits, and their eyes were fixed on the distance. Inside the city, the market was prosperous, the people lived and worked in peace, and the laughter of children and the shouts of vendors intertwined, forming a harmonious and peaceful picture.

However, these five years of peace were not without disturbances. Although the tribes in Miaojiang did not dare to invade on a large scale, small-scale harassment occurred from time to time. Whenever night fell, there were always a few enemy squads trying to cross the border and attack the grain warehouses or outposts in Wangyan City. Xiao Zuochen had long anticipated these tricks. He ordered his men to lay many traps on the border and sent elite cavalry to patrol day and night.

Chu Yao's martial arts improved greatly during these five years. For some reason, he suddenly became obsessed with the spear. During these five years, his spear was as powerful as a dragon, invincible. The enemy was terrified and dared not attack easily.

Cangyan State also sent troops to the border of Beiguan several times to test, but each time they were defeated by the Shura Army. Xiao Zuochen used the terrain to set up an ambush, and used the strategy of sowing discord to create conflicts within Cangyan State, eventually forcing it to withdraw. Over time, Cangyan State also realized that Beiguan was not a place they could easily get involved in, so they gradually restrained their ambitions.

In the past five years, the people of Wangyan City and Beiguan have long been accustomed to this occasional tension and long-term peace. They know that as long as King Yun and Master Chu are there, this land will not fall into chaos. In the school in the city, children recite poems and books, and the elderly leisurely drink tea in the teahouse and talk about interesting things in the city. In the military camp of Beiguan, in addition to training, the soldiers also grow vegetables and raise livestock in their spare time. They are self-sufficient and live in an orderly manner. The people of the two cities take care of and support each other.

However, the emperor, who was far away in the capital, was not as peaceful as the common people.

Over the past five years, his health has deteriorated dramatically due to excessive worry. The ministers in the court are no longer talented and knowledgeable, and the remaining ones are all fighting for their own interests. Every time he goes to court, he can't rest. The turmoil on the border also makes him unable to sleep and eat. He has sent people to Wangyan City and Beiguan several times to try to recall Xiao Zuochen and Chu Yao, but they have declined every time. Gradually, he also realized that he was no longer able to control these two people, and he had no intention of causing trouble for them. His health was getting worse and worse, and the government affairs were gradually neglected. In addition, he had no heirs, so the issue of succession to the throne became the biggest concern of the court.

On this day, Xiao Zuochen and Chu Yao stood on the tower of Wangyan City, looking at the mountains in the distance. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the two of them, reflecting two heroic figures. Five years was neither long nor short. The two had long since shed their youthful appearance and became more stable.

Xiao Zuochen smiled slightly, turned to Chu Yao and said.

"It has been five years. Everything here has been on track. The people live and work in peace and contentment. The enemy dares not invade. It is time for us to let go."

Chu Yao nodded, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

"Yes, we have paid too much for this land in the past five years. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been tied down for five years. You must take me with you wherever you go in the future. You must be responsible for me!"

Xiao Zuochen smiled bitterly and nodded, then looked into the distance with a deep gaze.

"Xiao Zuoming is no longer able to manage us, and the disputes in the court have nothing to do with us. I think it's time to hand over Wangyan City and Beiguan to Yunfeng and his team. They are young and promising, and are capable of taking on this important task. And the teachers are now setting up a school, and they will train a group of capable and worthy talents in the future. The world will eventually be theirs, so we might as well withdraw early and have less worries."

Chu Yao smiled and patted Xiao Zuochen on the shoulder.

"You always think so carefully, even thinking of the next person in charge. I feel sorry for your three teachers, who still have to help you train talents~

However, that is exactly what I was thinking. Yun Feng has learned a lot from us over the years. His martial arts and strategies are not bad. I feel relieved to leave it to him."

The next day, Xiao Zuochen and Chu Yao summoned the core generals of Wangyan City and Beiguan and announced their decision. Although Yun Feng and others were reluctant, they also understood the intentions of the two and solemnly took over the important task. Xiao Zuochen explained the affairs of the city one by one, and handed a book of military tactics he wrote to Yun Feng, and gave him instructions.

"The peace of Wangyan City and Beiguan is now in your hands. Remember, only by combining wisdom and force can you be invincible."

Chu Yao handed his spear to Yun Feng's deputy general and said with a smile.

"This gun has been with me for many years. Now I give it to you. I hope you can use it to protect this land."

After everything was arranged, Xiao Zuochen and Chu Yao quietly left Wangyan City under the gaze of the people. They did not bring too much luggage, only a few sets of clothes and some silver. The two rode their horses all the way south, heading towards the unknown distance.

On the way, Chu Yao asked with a smile.

"Zuochen, where are we going next?"

Xiao Zuochen smiled slightly, with a hint of cunning in his eyes.

"The world is so big, where can we not go? We can go to the south to enjoy the flowers, go to the frontier to see the snow, go to the seaside to listen to the waves, go to the mountains to find seclusion. In short, we can stay away from the power struggle and live the carefree life we ​​want."

Chu Yao laughed and patted the horse's back.

"Okay! Then I'll listen to you and let's travel around and see all the beautiful scenery in this world!"

The two chatted and laughed all the way, no longer bothered by the intrigues in the court, nor worried about the war on the border. They were just two ordinary travelers, embarking on a new journey with a vision for the future.

Five years later, news came from the capital that the emperor died in the palace due to his worsening illness. However, he had no children, and the ministers in the court were involved in a fierce struggle for the throne, which eventually led to the vacancy of the throne and chaos in Tai'an.

However, all this had nothing to do with Xiao Zuochen and Chu Yao. They were standing on a small bridge in the south of the Yangtze River, watching the fish swimming in the river, listening to the fishermen's songs in the distance, and enjoying the tranquility and freedom that belonged to them.

As the sun set, the two figures were stretched out. Chu Yao suddenly smiled.

"Zuochen, tell me, if we hadn't left back then, what would it be like now?"

Xiao Zuochen smiled slightly, his eyes looking far away.

"Perhaps, we are still troubled by those meaningless disputes. But isn't it better now?"

Chu Yao nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, that's better."

The two smiled at each other and continued to walk forward. Their backs gradually disappeared in the afterglow of the setting sun, leaving behind only a peaceful world and endless carefree days.