338 Pledging Allegiance (1/2)
Chapter 338: Pledging Allegiance
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
Zhong Heng was smart, sometimes too smart. All his previous bosses knew that none of their private matters escaped him, thus made sure that he was not frequently promoted and at last, his ambitions died. In his own words, he now wanted nothing more than to get rich and find a peaceful place to live his last years.
To him, pouring out his heart to someone was not only ridiculous but also dangerous. However, he decided to trust Dragon King, if only for the chance of fortune and security for the rest of his days. ”I pledge allegiance to you, to help you become a real king and even claim the entire Western Region.”
Gu Shenwei was slightly taken aback. He had always appreciated Zhong Heng and had learned many useful principles from him. Therefore, he found it hard to imagine that someone as slippery as him would take their chances with him, whose status was not yet established. ”Commandant Zhong is an Officer from the Central Plain.”
Zhong Heng gave out a wry smile. ”I am indeed, but the Superior Officer of the Central Plain wants me dead! Wei Song is crafty, he must have known who killed Wei Lingmiao and that I'm involved. Before, he was in the Central Plain giving a report of his work and could not do anything about me. Now he's the powerful Commanding Officer of the Western Region. How am I supposed to compete with that? To be honest, I have nowhere to go but to Dragon King.”
It sounded like a perfect reason, but Gu Shenwei still did not accept it immediately. For those who volunteered information too readily, there was a fine line between being too enthusiastic and invoking arrogance, and being too suspicious and making them disheartened. Gu Shenwei could not say that he could navigate it well; he could only try to get close.
”What about Shangguan Nu? He was also involved in the murder of Wei Lingmiao; isn't he worried about Wei Song's revenge?”
”He's a different matter entirely. He now holds an important position and is an indispensable pawn of Central Plain. In my opinion, if Jade City is in turmoil, and the Central Plain army is not ready to fight, Shangguan Nu will likely be made Supreme King. In the case of that, even if Wei Song knows Shangguan Nu is an accomplice, he can only play dumb.”
”Doesn't Shangguan Nu protect you?”
”Well, we never talk about it. But it's obvious. He has nothing to worry about, he is not on the same boat as me. Why would he protect me? But, if I am on the same boat with the Dragon King, we can help each other. No, you are the one steering; I'll help you row.”
Gu Shenwei was impressed. In truth, he had known Zhong Heng was at a crossroads; he just wanted Zhong Heng to say it out loud.
Words were magical, when they were buried in one's heart, they could grow into whatever form their owner wanted; but once they were spoken aloud, these fleeting syllables would take on a fixed form that would shape their owner instead.
Pledging allegiance was similar. When it was just an idea, betrayal and loyalty were just amorphous concepts, it could take on any form it liked. But, when it was spoken, it was binding.
The shaping could be modest, but also unbreakable. But no matter what, it began its work.
Gu Shenwei was familiar with both pledging and receiving an allegiance. He knew that the frequent pledges that Luo Ningcha required were only guaranteed by the power of words. Yet, at the same time, without prescribed rules, any allegiance could be untrustworthy.
He stood up and spoke the words that he had been pondering. He was not fully satisfied with them, but it was the best he could do. ”In my heart, Commandant Zhong has been a good friend and teacher. You have taught me a lot. Now that we have the same enemy, I'd like to fight against them beside you.”
Zhong Heng knew what he had to do. He knelt on one leg, bowed his head and said, ”Dragon King, please accept my allegiance.”
This was a simple ceremony. The two sides did not completely trust each other. But it had been an important step because they would not have to investigate each other but could go straight to business.
Zhong Heng wanted riches and Gu Shenwei desired information and advice.
”According to my estimation, in two more years, the provisions and supplies that the Central Plain will have stored in the Western Region will be able to feed an army of 100,000 soldiers. When countries like the Loulan Kingdom come to their aid, the army will expand to almost 150,000 soldiers. At that time, their only rival in the Western Region will be Norland.”
It was only now that Gu Shenwei knew how dire the situation was. All these years, the Central Plain had been expanding slowly in the Western Region, giving the impression that they would not act in the near future. But it had been a facade. Their soldiers could march into the Western Region anytime. What would finally cripple the Western Region was their supplies, and Central Plain had been secretly hoarding supplies, in order to get the Western Region under control once for all.
If the Great Snowmountain wanted to become independent, they had to possess a piece of land first. Fang Wenshi's plan to get the throne in five to ten years was far too optimistic.
”The Central Plain's only concern is Norland.” Zhong Heng continued. Having lived in the Western Region for years, he was accustomed to the mindset and felt indifferent to the country. ”Khan is badly sick and will die at any time. I guess the Central Plain is waiting for him to die and for Norland to go into turmoil. When they can't attend the Western Region in the south, the Central Plain will simply march through the main passage to the Western Region or even go up north.”
When the Central Plain seized the Western Region, Dragon King and his Great Snowmountain would become redundant.
Zhong Heng was a junior officer and had no access to confidential information. He could only speculate and had not developed any plans. Still, Gu Shenwei was in need of a resourceful counselor like Fang Wenshi.
But the threat of the Western Region was still far off. The nearest danger was from Wei Song. ”Special Envoy Mr. Lin has brought 50 guard troops, 10 of them are not local, they came from the Central Plain. I would say the bandits in the desert are just pawns, the real master is among the 10.”
”They were sent by the Central Plain?”
”I'm not sure, perhaps you might be able to tell. I'll arrange for you to meet them.”