Chapter 55: Reunion in the Same Boat

  After returning to King Yue, Wu Zetian lived in the military camp, eating and drinking with the six hundred cavalrymen under his command every day. The Flying Tiger Camp cavalry was the most important force under King Yue's command, not to be underestimated.

  The two men gained Wang Wei's trust and worked hard to train the soldiers with all their might.

  That day, the two were on leave and left the military camp together to go to the county town. They planned to buy some commonly used items in the city. After entering the county seat of Wuji County, they strolled around the city, bought a few sets of clothes for changing and ordinary jewelry, and then planned to return to the military camp outside the city. The two chatted while walking towards the outskirts of the city.

  As they were walking down a small alley, two people with their faces covered and heads bowed came towards them. Neither of them paid much attention and continued walking forward. At the moment they passed each other, the two people suddenly made a move and snatched the packages from Yu Du and Sui Gu's hands.

  "Chase!"

  With poisonous gas urgent, he pulled his legs and chased up.

  He also chased after the person who snatched his package, opening his legs wide. Although there was nothing valuable in the package, the commander of the Fei Hu Camp of Wuji County being robbed would be a ridiculous joke if it got out, so the two men rushed to chase after him.

  It's actually quite interesting to chase after them.

  The two thieves who stole the package had surprisingly quick feet, and they first left Yu Du and Sui Gu in a cloud of dust, forcing them to chase after with all their might. After the distance between them opened up, the two thieves slowed down slightly, allowing Yu Du and Sui Gu to catch up. However, no matter what, Yu Du and Sui Gu just couldn't catch up, and they chased for nearly half an hour, running who-knows-how-far, before the fleeing thieves finally stopped running.

  This place is very remote, with old and dilapidated houses around, and few people come here.

  "Huff... huff..."

  Panting heavily with a ferocious expression, he bellowed: "Run, if you dare! You stole from Old Man Yu, are you tired of living?"

  Wu Gong was also adjusting his breath, and this sudden pursuit had consumed a huge amount of physical strength.

  "When did Yu Du start calling himself 'Yu Dàye', how arrogant!"

  A loud voice rang out, and one of the thieves who were stealing spoke up. He took off the cloth that covered his face, revealing his cheek. Yu Du and Sui Gong saw him, their faces showing an expression of incredulity, and exclaimed in surprise: "Bai Rao!"

  The person who came was Bai Rao, a brave general under Zhang Yan's command of the Black Mountain Army.

  The people around him took off the cloth that covered his face, and Yu Du and Shi Guang shouted: "General!"

  It turned out to be Zhang Yan who came.

  Bai Rao and Zhang Yan met, Yu Du and Sui Gu's expression was hard to remain calm.

  These two people were once comrades-in-arms.

  "Follow me!"

  Zhang Yan walked forward with a gloomy face, her sleeves fluttering behind her. Bai Rao followed closely behind Zhang Yan, and Yu Du and Sui Gu exchanged a glance before deciding to follow as well. After all, both of them had once been members of the Black Mountain Army, and even if they had surrendered to Wang Liao, they couldn't erase the past. Moreover, some things needed to be clarified in order to put their minds at ease once and for all.

  Before long, the four of them arrived at a secluded residence.

  This house has long been abandoned and almost no one comes here, making it a suitable place for Zhang Yan and others to talk.

  In the hall, four people sat down.

  Yu Du and Miao Gu sat on the right side, Zhang Yan and Bai Rao sat on the left side.

  Zhang Yan's eyes were calm, and she spoke in a very light tone: "I heard that you two have surrendered to Wang Lei and are now in charge of the Flying Tiger Camp under his command. I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate both of you."

  Yu Du's face turned red with embarrassment, unable to say a word.

  These words, spoken by a soldier in the army, were flattering, but when they came from Zhang Yan's mouth, they took on a completely different tone, clearly laced with seven parts mockery and three parts disdain. Because Zhang Yan had once been the commander of Yu Du and Sui Gu, but now Yu Du and Sui Gu had changed masters, it was only natural that Zhang Yan felt uncomfortable in his heart.

  Bai Rao's expression was urgent, and he interjected: "Yu Du brothers, I know that surrendering to Wang Yue is a reluctant move, but it's not too late now. As long as you rebel against Wu Ji County and bring the 600 cavalry back to the Black Mountain Army, you will not only be cleared of your crimes, but also become heroes of the Black Mountain Army. Several hundred cavalrymen are a powerful force within the Black Mountain Army."

  Zhang Yan narrowed her eyes, a hint of expectation flashing in them.

  Yu Du looked at him with a firm gaze, nodded and said in an unyielding tone: "General, Yu Du addresses you as General once again. I have submitted to the master and will not betray again."

  "We are favored by our lord and will not do anything disloyal to him."

  A hint of gloom flashed across Yan's eyebrows, and a cold light flickered in her eyes.

  Bai Rao gritted his teeth and roared: "You bastards, you two are loyal to Wang Lei, do you think that's worthy of the Grand Marshal? Yu Du, Sui Gu, I look down on you. You two have wasted the Grand Marshal's favor."

  Yu Du and Miao Gu's expressions were painful and helpless.

  But once decided, it will no longer be changed.

  Yu Du took a deep breath and said slowly: "General, Bai Rao brothers, I and Sui Guo have made a decision, we will not be repetitive people, I hope General and Bai Rao brothers can understand." After a pause, Yu Du continued: "Although the lord is young, his martial arts are extraordinary, he is generous and has abilities but no airs, with great wisdom to assist him, even if temporarily trapped in a county, the future prospects are immeasurable."

  "In the previous battle between Xinshi County and Wuji County, General and Bai Rao brothers must have known."

  "Such achievements can be called brilliant."

  "General, White brothers, it's not wrong for the brothers to hide in the valley, but it's not a long-term solution. We can hide in the valley, but what about our wives and children? Can they hide in the valley all their lives? If we want them to come out, we must surrender to the lord, so that our wives and children can walk openly on the streets. General, White brothers, you should also surrender to the lord and become a helper under his command."

  With a poisonous smile on his face, he had thick expectations.

  "General, Yu Du's words make sense. Our lord is not like other officials who look down on our humble origins. He treats us equally and entrusts us with important tasks, he is a capable lord."

  Zhang Yan hummed a tune, but Bai Rao was so angry that he shouted loudly. Unexpectedly, Yu Du and Sui Gu came over to persuade them.

  But thinking carefully, there is some truth in what he said about poison.

  Zhang Yan took a deep breath and said, "You insist on surrendering to Wang Wei, I won't stop you. When I was in charge of the Black Mountain Army, I once said that brothers can choose to come or go freely. Since it's your choice, I won't stop you." After a pause, Zhang Yan asked, "Are you familiar with Wang Wei's martial arts and weapons?"

  "Not familiar!"

  "You and Gu are no match for our lord's martial arts skills," Yu Du shook his head and said.

  "Alright, let's go! You all leave through that door and from now on, we'll be going our separate ways. We'll meet again on the battlefield."

  Yu Du and Miao Gu's expressions were helpless, but they could only get up and pay their respects.

  The two of them lifted their robes and knelt down, with a thud they kowtowed to Zhang Yan, then left without looking back.

  Bai Rao's face was painful, and he said: "General, Yu Du and Miao Gu are definitely being deceived by Wang Xue. As long as we persuade them more, they can still be persuaded to return to the Black Mountain Army. General, give them another chance."

  Zhang Yan shook her head lightly and said in a cold voice, "Since it's already been decided, then there's no use regretting it. Perhaps their choice is the correct one. Xiao Bai, asking them to surrender to Wang Yue is one thing, but we still need to figure out Wang Yue's martial arts skills and identity. Unfortunately, Yu Du and Sui Gu don't know, so we can only go to the county government office to investigate ourselves."

  "It's too dangerous! General, you can't go." Bai Rao hastily said: "I'll go to the county government office for a trip, you wait here for my news, I will definitely not disappoint you."

  "I won't let you go, I'll go myself!"

  Bai Rao couldn't persuade him, so he had to discuss with Zhang Yan how to sneak into Wuji County Government at night.