Chapter 199 - Venturing Alone into the Enemy Camp (1/2)

Xiao Baoshan nodded. “Yes, I have no other choice.”

“But even if the two armies meet, we won’t necessarily lose. You don’t need to meet with him alone. He’s so hostile to you. I’m worried…”

Biao used to be a subordinate of the sixth prince. He knew everything about Xiao Baoshan including that had once saved the sixth prince and him from danger.

“Biao.” Xiao Baoshan watched him and spoke earnestly. “I don’t want to see anyone else die. With any luck, I can save many lives. If I don’t return, please help me to protect Baozhu and the sixth prince. By then, my battle plan will help you to reach a draw with Qian Qi or even defeat him.”

Biao stared at this tough man with furrowed brows.

Baoshan then raised his horsewhip and soon disappeared off into the slanting rain.

…

Qian Qi’s army was taking a rest at the foot of a mountain in Dinghe county. Although the rainstorm had turned to drizzle, he still did not continue on with the journey. That day, some soldiers saw the distant figure of a man riding in their direction on horseback. They took up their weapons, poised to fight.

Xiao Baoshan approached them and said immediately, “I’m Xiao Baoshan. Tell your general that I want to meet with him.”

His name was well-known throughout the barracks. Even the lowest-level soldiers knew of him. A soldier left immediately to report the news to Qian Qi.

At that moment, Qian Qi was reading a military book intently in a camp. He was slightly surprised to see Xiao Baoshan arrive there. But soon, he calmed himself down. He walked over to a rack of weapons and selected a broadsword. But then, he put it down and picked up a spear. After a moment of hesitation, he finally chose a rapier.

After a while, Xiao Baoshan was led into the barracks. A row of bows and arrows greeted him at once, but he looked calm and fearless as he walked across to the largest camp.

Separated by the archers, the two men stared at each other in the rain. There wasn’t any trace of fear in Xiao Baoshan’s eyes. In contrast, strong fury and other complicated emotions were written across Qian Qi face.

“How dare you come here!” Qian Qi shouted as he drew his rapier.

Xiao Baoshan replied, “I don’t want to fight with you. I was hoping we could have a good talk. After that, you can kill me if you want.”

“Humph! I know this is just your stalling tactic. Traitor. It was you who caused the deaths of so many two years ago. Why did you bother to beat the enemies back this time? Did you want to try and prove that you’re innocent? I know you’re enlarging your army to prepare for a second betrayal.”

Xiao Baoshan stared at Qian Qi for a while before he burst into laughter. He raised his head back and laughed long and wildly.

Shocked at this, the archers around him couldn’t help backing away slightly.

“Xiao Baoshan, what are you laughing about?” Qian Qi asked.

Xiao Baoshan stretched out his hands and turned to Qian Qi’s deputy general. “You can tie my hands. Now that I’m here, I’m at your disposal and won’t rebel against you.”

Astonished by his boldness, the deputy general obeyed and shackled him immediately.

Xiao Baoshan said, “Can you talk with me now?”

After a second of hesitation, Qian Qi pointed at his camp and let Xiao Baoshan in. The deputy general was still worried. He said, “General, I can go in with you.”

But Qian Qi waved his hands in disapproval. “No. Wait for me outside. Now that he’s been shackled, I should meet him alone. I don’t want to be laughed at by others.”

…

Qian Qi gestured to Xiao Baoshan to sit down and poured him a cup of tea. Xiao Baoshan took the cup with his shackled hands.

“Thank you,” he said.

Qian Qi asked, “What do you want to talk with me about? You want to stop me from attacking Baoning city? You should know I can’t disobey the orders of the imperial court.”

But Xiao Baoshan laughed and responded by asking, “So that’s why you’re delaying the journey? You don’t want to attack Baoning city.”