She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

The former Marshal of Beiguan, who once shook the region with his power, now finds himself marrying a rural woman.

Moreover, to make his wife happy, he personally sets up a coop for chickens and ducks here.

At this moment, Hua Tianyou approached carrying a basket and said with a smile, ”Zhao Zun, didn’t your wife say she wants to raise pigs too?”

Zhao Zun nodded and replied, ”The space here is wide enough, I’ll set up an area for her to raise pigs later.”

Hua Tianyou patted Zhao Zun’s shoulder and teased, ”Then hurry up, if you delay, be careful tonight, your wife might cry and fuss and not let you into the house.”

Zhao Zun laughed, nodding, ”Alright, I’ll hurry up!” With that, he looked at Song Yuanqing and clasped his fists, ”Mr. Song, we need to get busy, farewell.”

Song Yuanqing watched Zhao Zun’s back as he turned away, feeling mixed emotions.

Suddenly, he called out, ”Mr. Zhao, wait a moment!”

Zhao Zun stopped in his tracks and turned back to ask, ”Mr. Song, is there something else?”

Song Yuanqing, sitting on his warhorse, looked down at Zhao Zun and said solemnly, ”Mr. Zhao, do you know that the Turkic forces are attacking Yong’an City en masse, and three countries have formed a coalition? The court has ordered us to quickly support Yong’an City.”

Zhao Zun shook his head, a trace of helplessness and sorrow appeared on his face.

In a low voice, he said, ”What’s that got to do with me?”

Song Yuanqing was taken aback, clearly not expecting such an answer from Zhao Zun.

He felt a pang of regret and couldn’t help but persuade him.

”Mr. Zhao, the rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every man. Eagles should spread their wings and soar in the sky. Although you now have no military authority, you should still be the valiant man galloping on the battlefield, a bulwark against foreign enemies, rather than a farmer dealing with chickens and ducks.”

Hua Tianyou, hearing this, couldn’t help but roll his eyes and snapped, ”What’s wrong with dealing with chickens and ducks? It’s certainly better than risking your life and getting nothing out of it!”

His tone carried obvious discontent, clearly defending Zhao Zun.

Song Yuanqing found himself momentarily speechless, knowing Hua Tianyou was discontented over Zhao Zun’s loss of military power.

He sighed and continued to persuade, ”I know it’s hard for Mr. Zhao, but I just feel that, with a great enemy at hand, it’s a pity for a hero like you, who strikes fear into foreign foes and is brave in battle, to be buried here. Why not join my ranks? I’ll make you Deputy General and we’ll support Beiguan together.”

Zhao Zun’s eyes flashed slightly, but then dimmed again.

He sighed deeply, ”What you say makes perfect sense, Mr. Song, but right now I am living well here with the Princess Consort and I don’t want to...”

Zhao Zun hadn’t finished speaking when Song Yuanqing interrupted him.

”But if the three countries break through Beiguan and march straight in, can you still raise chickens and ducks here in peace, Mr. Zhao?”

Zhao Zun fell silent, as if lost in thought.

His gaze turned toward Beiguan, as though weighing something.

At this moment, the soldiers of the Xuzhou Army began to urge him as well:

”Mr. Zhao, come with us!”

”Marshal Zhao, the Turkic, Ala, and Meng countries must know that you have left Beiguan, which is why they are attacking in coalition.”

”Indeed, Marshal Zhao, with you here, those three countries wouldn’t dare be so bold.”

”Mr. Zhao, stop thinking about it. Come with us and drive them out.”

Seeing everyone urging Zhao Zun, Hua Tianyou grew anxious.

He thrust the pole of his basket onto the ground, raised a hand and pointed at the soldiers, angrily saying, ”You... if my wife finds out you are encouraging Zhao Zun to go to the battlefield again, she will peel your skin off.”

The soldiers were amused by Hua Tianyou’s words and shook their heads.

However, their gazes remained expectantly fixed on Zhao Zun, as if waiting for his decision.

”Tianyou, don’t be rude.”

Zhao Zun finally spoke.

”Mr. Song and the brothers are right, regardless of my personal grievances, we should first unite against the external threat.”

Song Yuanqing smiled with relief upon hearing this.

He nodded, saying, ”Mr. Zhao, hearing you say that brings me great comfort.”

The soldiers of the Xuzhou Army cheered as well, as if seeing hope of victory.

Zhao Zun looked down at his dusty worker’s clothing, clasped his fists and bowed to Song Yuanqing.

He solemnly said, ”This humble servant Zhao Zun greets General Song. Please lead the way, I will return to inform the Princess Consort, then prepare and bring my trusted aide to catch up with you.”

By referring to himself as ”this humble servant”, Zhao Zun had agreed to be Song Yuanqing’s Deputy General.

Song Yuanqing was overjoyed. He nodded and said solemnly, ”Good! Off you go.”

With that, he waved his hand, and the Xuzhou Army set off once more, marching quickly forward.