518 Guarantee (1/2)

Shang Liao could not accept such an arrangement. Leaving Xiaoyao Lake would destabilize its uncertain foundations. Recovering a country as large as Shu-lik would take a long time. Moreover, fighting directly against the cavalry of Norland would not be an easy task.

”Dragon King, you are killing people with someone else. Do you want to get rid of me and the Golden Roc Fort? You don't have to go through the trouble. I will stand here. The army and soldiers on the north shore are not complete. They are all fish in your net and ready to be killed at anytime,” he said.

Anger and courage rose in his heart. Shang Liao did not care anymore. He held his head high. He had abandoned his scruples.

Dugu Xian and the Crown Prince of Shu-lik seemed slightly embarrassed. They shifted their gaze to one side. Prime Minister Zhong Heng stared at Shang Liao with interest. They thought that the Dragon King was right. He was someone who would spare no expense at achieving his own interests. He saw Xiaoyao Lake as his own possession and was vehement towards anyone who wanted to compete with him for it.

Gu Shenwei raised his head, too. He would not be threatened in front of the others. ”You and your army are not fit to be targets of mine. Return to your north shore. I will give you two weeks to get ready. We will meet on the battlefield. If you don't want to be fish meat, then show me your capability. Norland, the Golden Roc Fort and the Central Plains are all behind you. Whoever you want to rely upon, that's up to you,” he said.

The two men glowered at each other. Dugu Xian was even more embarrassed. He had never seen the Dragon King express his anger, so he was not used to this.

The Crown Prince of Shu-lik was a guest. The quarrels started with him. He felt inevitably ill at ease. He cleared his throat lightly and wanted to say something to ease the tension. Looking at Zhong Heng, who winked at him from the opposite side of the room, he kept his mouth shut.

Shang Liao was submissive. He was clear that as long as he declared himself to be an enemy of the Dragon King, his newly formed army would be divided. Without the army, which country would hold him in regard?

Falling out with the Dragon King was foolish. He was careless and was not able to control his emotions. To this, he had to salvage things. After a short hesitation, Shang Liao got down on one knee uneasily and said, as he lowered his head, ”Forgive me, Dragon King. I have repaid your kindness with evil. I am the Left General of the Dragon King. The army of the north shore will always be a part of the Dragon Army. Please give your order. I will lead the army towards Shu-lik immediately.”

”Rise,” Gu Shenwei nodded. Zhong Heng and the rest understood his meaning and excused themselves together.

The Crown Prince Shu-lik would need to rely on Shang Liao's army to return to the country. When he passed Shang Liao with a kind smile, Shang Liao's face was cold and he pretended not to see him.

These two generals were already hostile towards each other, even before cooperating.

Shang Liao stood motionless. He did not know what else the Dragon King had to say to him in private.

Gu Shenwei went to study the map again. After a while, he said: ”Your mission is not only to capture Shu-lik.”

”Your Majesty, please,” said Shang Liao.

”Firstly, training the army. Your army...” began Gu Shenwei.

”Your troops,” Shang Liao interjected, not daring to think that the north shore army was his own.

”Well, the troops that you have accepted are in panic and confusion. They are also not loyal to you. Staying in Xiaoyao Lake could be a tragedy. You will bring them to Shu-lik, showing them your trust. That way, you would have a chance of gaining their loyalty in the war,” explained Gu Shenwei.

”Your Majesty is right,” Shang Liao replied courteously. But he was indifferent. These words were just meant to save money. Anyone could have thought of them.

”Secondly, Xiaoyao Lake is sparse in population and cannot afford so many soldiers. Going to Shu-lik now would place all responsibility on the Crown Prince. This will resolve a burdensome issue,” continued Gu Shenwei.

”Actually the north shore army has not reached ten thousand people. It is still possible to keep these soldiers,” Shang Liao suggested, struggling a little. ”These soldiers might be beyond your means, but I can afford them. Even if the costs were twice as much, the influence of the Royal Family on Xiaoyao Lake is unmatched by any outsider. Those blinded old men sitting on the Jinshan are oblivious to this, however, and have blindly wasted the King's status and title. I will not repeat this mistake,” he mused.

”Not ten thousand, but thirty thousand,” said Gu Shenwei. He did not think to simply ask Shang Liao to fork over Xiaoyao Lake. ”There are over thirty thousand troops on the south bank. Very soon, they will be incorporated into the Dragon King's army. I will allocate 20,000 to you,” he continued.

Shang Liao was shocked. The Dragon King had just shown his utmost cruelty, but now he gave him 20,000 soldiers. This was akin to cutting his own flesh and giving it to other people. Even if the soldiers were problematic, there were many ways of resolving that. Sending them to the Land of Fragrance to reclaim the land was certainly more beneficial than simply giving them away.

”Dragon King...” Shang Liao was wavering between trust and suspicion. He was speechless for some time.

”I need not only the Right General but also an ally. You have this ability,” said Gu Shenwei.

Shang Liao got down on one knee again, his heart pounding. As someone from the Royal Family, he knew that the king's praises usually had hidden agendas and did not bode well. ”Shang Liao is a shallow man with small ambitions. I cannot afford to be an ally. I only want to serve the Dragon King wholeheartedly,” he pleaded.

”The arrogant and lackadaisical Shang Liao whom I first met is gone. He was penniless and had nothing then and would have wanted to use flattery to attract my attention. Since he mastered a big, but unstable power, he has started to weigh his costs and benefits,” Gu Shenwei reflected.

”Being an ally of the Dragon King, or being my henchman- just say what you want,” Gu Shenwei said, wanting to let Shang Liao recoup Shu-lik with his energy and enthusiasm. He could not force him, but must bait him.

”Except supplementing the necessary weapons and armor, I don't have any other requirements,” Shang Liao answered carefully as he rose.

”You only have one chance. Once you walk out of this tent, you will not be able to ask me for anything else,” said Gu Shenwei.

Shang Liao grit his teeth. ”After recovering Shu-lik, I hope Your Majesty will allow me to return to Xiaoyao Lake and implement the agreement we first reached, which is to let the Kang Kingdom expand its territory to the West,” he added.

”You will get your wish. But before this, you have to send troops from the West and join us in conquering the Golden Roc Fort,” answered Gu Shenwei.

Shang Liao had no contempt for the Dragon King. He had become cautious. ”You have a deal. I hope that this agreement will not be an empty promise,” said Shang Liao carefully.

Feeling that this sentence was amiss, Shang Liao quickly added, ”I'm not asking for a witness to sign a public agreement. I just need a piece of paper with a few lines of words written by the Dragon King. I will keep it a secret. It will not be known.”

Half an hour later, Shang Liao left the Dragon King's tent with satisfaction, feeling that he had gained more than he had lost. About recovering Shu-lik, he started becoming impatient.

The Dragon King gave him a secret agreement. Even though it was deliberately worded ambiguously, two things were clear. First, that Shang Liao could possess and mobilize the troops. Secondly, that he owned the Kang Kingdom and if the kingdom was ”threatened” and wanted to fight back, the Dragon King would support his actions.