Chapter 034: Snatching People (Part II)

Chapter 034: Seizing the Hostages

Wei Ba secretly smiled bitterly. He had no time to correct his father's outrageous behavior and once again approached Yang Yi, who was casting sidelong glances and sneering at him. Wei Ba's voice remained gentle, his demeanor courteous. “Adjutant, helping others is helping oneself. Are you truly unwilling to make an exception?”

The voices of the Wei father and son had been loud enough for Yang Yi to hear clearly. Their arrogance both angered and unnerved him. Truth be told, although he looked down on Wei Yan, he was well aware of Wei Yan's martial prowess. Despite having only a handful of men at his side, if Wei Yan truly got close, it would be dangerous. Thus, though his haughtiness remained undiminished, Yang Yi quietly stepped back two paces, moving closer to his personal guards to avoid being caught off guard should Wei Yan make a sudden move. When he saw that Wei Yan stayed put and only Wei Ba approached, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Among the three Wei brothers, Wei Ba was the weakest physically—even the youngest, Wei Wu, was much stronger. This was no secret, and Yang Yi, who kept close watch on the Wei family, knew it well. Though Wei Ba was already eighteen, taller than him by half a head, his frail frame posed no threat.

Confronted with Wei Ba's ultimatum, Yang Yi scoffed. “Without rules, there can be no order. Since the Chancellor has appointed me as Adjutant, in charge of the logistics camp, all matters here fall under my authority.”

“Is that so? May I ask you a question, Adjutant?” Wei Ba said.

Yang Yi paused, then smiled. So Wei Ba wasn’t here to fight, but to compete in learning? Good—he thought himself clever for inventing a new accounting method and making an abacus, did he? Let me show him what real mathematics is.

“By all means,” Yang Yi replied.

“A man carrying one stone can travel sixty li a day and eat six pints. A man carrying two stones can travel thirty li a day, still eating six pints. To transport one hundred stones over three thousand li with minimal time and food consumed, how many men should be employed?” Wei Ba posed his question as he moved closer to Yang Yi. His voice was not loud, and though those nearby were silent, the combined sounds of breathing and clashing weapons created considerable disturbance. Yang Yi had to listen attentively to catch the question, welcoming Wei Ba’s approach for clarity, oblivious to the menace hidden behind Wei Ba’s pleasant smile.

“This problem…” Yang Yi raised one hand, ready to calculate, when suddenly Wei Ba’s expression changed. His left hand seized two of Yang Yi’s fingers, while his right hand swung around to clamp Yang Yi’s neck, pushing him forward forcefully, all the while shouting, “You dare ignore the Chancellor’s orders! Wounded men are sent to the logistics camp, yet you refuse to arrange for their treatment. We need to host guests, and you obstruct us. How audacious! Come with me to see the Chancellor and settle this matter!”

Yang Yi, absorbed in thought, had not expected Wei Ba’s sudden assault. He stumbled forward, caught unawares. His personal guards, startled, moved to intervene, but hearing Wei Ba’s declaration to bring Yang Yi before Chancellor Zhuge, hesitated. Uncertain whether to follow, their pause contrasted with the swift reaction of Wei Yan’s guards, who quickly closed in, encircling Wei Ba and Yang Yi.

The sharp sound of blades being drawn echoed continuously. In moments, countless armoured soldiers brandished their swords, forming a tense standoff. Under the glow of torches, the cold steel flashed, and the surrounding air seemed to chill, casting a bone-deep sense of foreboding.

Wei Yan had been watching with arms crossed, and upon seeing Wei Ba successfully seize Yang Yi and retreat unscathed, he was delighted. As for the tense soldiers around him, he paid them no mind. He pushed aside his guards and strode up to Yang Yi’s captain, Yang Meng, frowning and snorting, “Boy, are you planning a rebellion?”

Yang Meng was startled, quickly recovering and shouting, “General, how can you accuse us? Clearly your son has taken the Adjutant hostage—how can you say we’re rebelling?”

Wei Yan retorted, “Which eye of yours saw my son take Yang Yi hostage? My son is simply bringing him before the Chancellor to reason things out. Are your ears stuffed with feathers, unable to hear properly, hmm?!”

Wei Yan’s final shout was thunderous, intimidating Yang Meng, whose spear trembled and grazed Wei Yan’s breastplate. Wei Yan struck suddenly, grabbing the spear with his left hand, sliding his right hand swiftly down the shaft, and delivering a fierce blow to Yang Meng’s chest. Yang Meng, seeing the approaching palm, instinctively tried to pull back his weapon, but with Wei Yan’s grip, it was impossible. Before he could react, Wei Yan’s palm landed firmly on his chest.

With a muffled thud, Yang Meng’s vision darkened, blood spewed from his mouth, and his knees buckled, nearly collapsing. Wei Yan seized him by the neck, shouting, “Soldiers, this man has dared to attempt an assassination on your general! I will take him for questioning. The ignorant are blameless—drop your weapons and stand aside. Anyone who disobeys, I will cut down without mercy!”

At his command, his ten guards shouted in unison, “Disobey, and you will be slain!”

Their shout was infused with a spirit of defiance, as if none could stand against them. Yang Yi’s subordinates exchanged glances, disheartened. In moments, Yang Yi was subdued by Wei Ba, while their captain, Yang Meng, was taken for allegedly attempting to assassinate the Northern Frontier General. Overwhelmed by Wei Yan and his men’s imposing presence, none dared step forward; they could only watch as Wei Yan dragged Yang Meng away like a dead dog. Yet, they did not dare abandon Yang Yi; instead, they hovered nearby, unable to muster the courage to attack, unwilling to retreat, frozen in indecision.

“We are going to see the Chancellor. Anyone who tries to stop us is a rebel—I know you, but my blade does not,” Wei Yan declared, drawing his long sword slowly. The blade, gleaming like snow, scraped against the copper scabbard with a chilling sound. His aura, already formidable, grew even stronger with the sword drawn, causing the surrounding armoured soldiers to involuntarily step back.

Wei Ba’s gaze swept contemptuously over the pale-faced soldiers, his long sword pointing at each face as he shouted, “A Feng, bring the man over!”

Wei Feng responded loudly, and two guards lifted Fu Xing, pushing past the helpless soldiers to join Wei Yan. Wei Ba glanced at Fu Xing on the stretcher and was shocked. Fu Xing’s face and body were covered in blood, both legs broken and twisted at unnatural angles. Yet, his eyes were open, and upon seeing Wei Yan, he struggled to lift his head in salute.

“Thank you, General,” Fu Xing croaked.

“We can talk later. Let’s go!” Wei Yan said quietly. Wei Feng took the hint, leading the way as their guards carried Fu Xing and escorted Yang Yi, Yang Meng, and Liu Yan out of the camp. Wei Yan personally brought up the rear, sword in hand, his mere gaze deterring any attempt at resistance, forcing the soldiers to watch helplessly as they withdrew, trailing at a distance.

Once outside the camp, Wei Yan sheathed his sword, mounted his horse, and laughed heartily. “How exhilarating! Let’s return—eat meat and drink wine!”

Wei Ba hurried to his side, grabbing the reins. “Father, we cannot return yet.”

“Why not? After such a satisfying feat, shouldn’t we celebrate with a drink? If we wait any longer, the mutton will be spoiled.”

“Father, can this matter be left at that?” Wei Ba was half amused, half exasperated. They had taken the Rear General hostage, then the Chancellor’s Adjutant, and his father’s only concern was the stew. Did he not consider how the Chancellor might react upon hearing the news? “Father, before the Chancellor learns of this, we must go to him at once and report everything directly, lest a villain gets there first and presents their side of the story. Otherwise, we will have to argue our case much harder.”

Wei Yan pondered briefly, then nodded. “That makes sense. Let’s go see the Chancellor.”

Wei Ba finally relaxed. His aim was to be the first to report, to frame the matter before rumors spread. If they delayed and the Chancellor heard from another source, given Wei Yan’s reputation, the outcome would not favor them, and it would be much harder to change the Chancellor’s impression afterwards. Moreover, if they returned to camp first, they would have to treat Fu Xing’s injuries, and by the time they spoke to the Chancellor, their case would not appear as dire or persuasive.

When it comes to complaints, the first to speak gains the advantage—a simple truth, though only someone like his father would dismiss it.

Wei Ba and his father carried Fu Xing, escorted Yang Yi and Liu Yan, and marched toward the Chancellor’s central tent. Though their numbers were few, their full armor lent them an imposing presence. At Wei Ba’s signal, they made a deliberate ruckus—accusing Rear General Liu Yan of reckless cruelty and abusing his subordinates, charging Yang Yi with personal vendettas and attempted assassination, and declaring their intent to seek justice before the Chancellor. Their righteous indignation echoed along the route, stirring every camp they passed.

Back in the Ma family’s camp, Ma Dai and the girl in white stood side by side, watching the Wei father and son’s noisy procession in silence. Ma Dai glanced at the girl, shook his head. She lowered her gaze, unwilling to meet Ma Dai’s eyes, but glanced wistfully at the departing Wei family, biting her lip in thought.

—Please recommend and bookmark!