Chapter 463 Confrontation

Several hours later, a unit of the Tieyun Cavalry stationed nearby arrived at the small woods where the fierce fighting had taken place. Ye Tao and his group reorganized briefly and resumed their journey back to Gondor, while Chen Xiaolai, as the liaison officer, stayed behind. At this point, Chen Xiaolai had been explicitly told that whether he would have the opportunity to return to the main battle camp in the future would probably depend on Ye Tao and Liu Yong's wishes. He had performed too well earlier. Afterward, he would be appointed as Ye Tao's adjutant, but for now, he had to stay with this group from the Wei Ning Ding family as Ye Tao's liaison officer, helping them settle down in Yunzhou.

Ding Wei felt as if he had lived through another lifetime. Just a few hours ago, when their group was forced into the small woods by the approaching Flying Tiger Camp, they were almost in despair. But now, they were being well taken care of. They were first taken to the side of the Tieyun Cavalry, and housed in a place outside the military camp, usually used for visiting guests and family members. Chen Xiaolai told them that they were needed to assist in the investigation of how those Flying Tiger Camp members entered Yunzhou. During the investigation period, all their living expenses would be borne by the Northern Frontier Pacification Office. They would stay here at the Tieyun Cavalry camp for a little over a day, and then they would go directly to Gondor under the escort of a small team of soldiers. Although the Ding family was down on their luck, they carried a lot of valuables with them, including silver notes and even fixed-amount checks from the Nine Provinces Chamber of Commerce, the Seven Seas Trading Company, and the Yunzhou Bank. After all, they had brought all the assets they could with them. They didn't care about the cost of accommodation, but this simple care and warmth, and the casual attitude that didn't feel like charity, really relieved them.

The military doctor, who had rich experience in dealing with external injuries, re-examined and treated the wounds of the injured. When they were scheduled to depart the next day, a sufficient number of carriages were ready and waiting. All the wounded from the Ding family could get in the carriages to recuperate, and even if the entire group got into the carriages, there would be no problem. In an instant, the speed at which the entire team traveled comfortably was even faster than when they were fleeing before. They stayed in the Ruyi Chain Inn on both sides of Yunzhou's main road. Because the first and last carriages of their group were hung with the flags of the Pacification Office, and they were accompanied by Chen Xiaolai of the Guards Camp, they naturally received extremely enthusiastic reception. When the local Yunzhou people and traveling merchants who came up to talk to them learned that they had fled all the way from Northern Liao to Yunzhou, they didn't look down on them. Instead, they offered advice and suggestions to help them settle down locally. Because the Ding family had always been engaged in maritime trade, they knew quite a few people from the Seven Seas Trading Company, and in Yunzhou, they even met many executives of the Seven Seas Trading Company at various levels.

"Mr. Ding, the arrangements have changed slightly upon arriving in Gondor. Originally, it was planned to have you stay in a hotel on Central Avenue, but I just learned that Gondor is organizing some kind of competition, and guests from all over are gathering, and those places are all occupied. Now, I can only arrange for you to stay in an inn near the port area in the south of the city. It may be a bit noisy, please forgive me." After entering Gondor, Chen Xiaolai fussed around for a while before realizing that the original plan wouldn't work. If it weren't for the help of a few colleagues, he would probably have had to find a way to stuff these people from the Ding family into some empty military camp and have them eat in the military canteen. He knew that their stay in Yunzhou this time would not be short. At least they would have to wait until they found a suitable place, bought a house, and settled down.

"Thank you for your trouble, young man." Ding Wei cupped his hands in thanks. "It's good to be able to settle down. What does a little noise matter? The Ding family is a family of merchants, and we like lively places the most." He wasn't being polite at all. As soon as they arrived in Gondor, the young members of the Ding family were shocked by the beauty and prosperity of Gondor. Although Gondor looked brand new, judging from the population, the active markets, and the large number of businesses in the city, it didn't seem like a city with only a short history.

"The Pacification Office will send someone to contact you as soon as possible, but you can also come to me if you have any problems. Just go directly to the Ye residence and mention my name. I have to go back to report to Lord Ye." After the reception was over, Chen Xiaolai returned to the Ye residence. At this time, the Ye residence was heavily guarded, and generals were gathered. Ye Tao was holding an important meeting to discuss military direction. The Yunzhou army had always been aggressive. When the news that the Flying Tiger Camp had entered Yunzhou to pursue them spread before Ye Tao received the report, the command headquarters, under the command of Dai Yun, had already reacted quickly. So far, ten battalions had entered a state of combat readiness, and ten battalions could be dispatched at any time. The ten battalions that had entered a state of combat readiness advanced slowly towards the border with Northern Liao, creating a clear combat posture on the Dongping side of the actual control line, looking as if they could advance into Northern Liao at any time. Then, the later troops filled the gaps of the first batch of troops, conducting continuous patrols and searches. The Northern Liao Western Route Army also showed no weakness, deploying 60,000 troops and conducting drills in front of the Dongping army every day. For a time, a cloud of war hung over Yunzhou and Northern Liao, and a conflict could break out at any moment.

The Northern Liao side had its own difficulties. The news that a part of the Flying Tiger Camp had been basically wiped out hadn't reached Northern Liao yet. They could only roughly judge the military movements of Yunzhou, but they didn't know why it had suddenly erupted. A group of generals led by Gao Senqi believed that Dongping wouldn't act rashly because Yunzhou wasn't ready. The Western Route Army wasn't ready either, but they felt that given Ye Tao's personality, a war wouldn't break out, at least not for the time being.

In fact, the Northern Liao side was partly correct. Ye Tao had no intention of starting a war at this moment, but he strongly agreed with taking necessary military deterrence measures. Dai Yun knew Ye Tao too well, and that's why he had arranged such a large-scale feint without any scruples.

Chen Xiaolai originally wanted to wait for the meeting to end before finding time to report on the situation of the Ding family, but unexpectedly, he had just stood at the door when Liu Yong beckoned him to enter the conference room. "This is Ye Tao's new adjutant, Chen Xiaolai." Liu Yong explained to everyone present. The generals of Yunzhou praised him. Although Ye Tao's adjutant was just a small soldier, his power was no less than that of a battalion commander in the Yunzhou army, and his influence in administrative matters might be even deeper. Everything would depend on how this seemingly honest adjutant handled things. Everyone present understood that a powerful figure in Yunzhou might be starting from this moment.

"Lord Ye, generals... The Ding family has been settled in a hostel in the dock area..." Chen Xiaolai sighed inwardly. His identity had been determined in this way, and he couldn't argue with it. This important position would indeed make him a little complacent. He said in a deep voice, explaining to everyone what he knew about the Ding family.

"Are you saying that many people from the Ding family are still fleeing?" Cheng Chi asked.

"Yes, General." Chen Xiaolai explained, "But according to the Ding family, they haven't been able to contact each other much. It's also very possible that they fell into the hands of the Northern Liao government."

"I will arrange for people to investigate this matter." Xie Jingting, the director of the Yunzhou branch of the Intelligence Bureau, who was also present, nodded and said.

"If this Ding family becomes the trigger for a war between our two countries, then they can be said to have made history." Dai Yun joked. But this almost became a reality. The confrontation between the two countries had never stopped, but it seemed that this was the first time they had played it so excessively and on such a large scale.

"Hehe, Gao Senqi is not that kind of person. He needs time more than we do, and he is far more difficult than us." Ye Tao suddenly asked, "No matter where the remaining members of the Ding family are, I can ask them for people. I want to see them alive, or see their corpses if they're dead... I think they will definitely hand them over. The people of Northern Liao should also know how we treat our own people, right? Since there is the first person to come to us, then there will be a second, a third... But, I want to remind everyone. In addition to ensuring safety, no one is allowed to provide assistance to the Ding family in any way in terms of business. This is Yunzhou, and everyone's opportunities are equal. Our strength comes from the people of Yunzhou, Zhenzhou, Benlang Plain, and the grasslands. Treating others preferentially is unfair to them. Whether they can revive their reputation in Yunzhou is a matter of their own ability. Chen Xiaolai, you go back and convey my words."

Chen Xiaolai said solemnly, "Yes... But, Lord, I request that the task of negotiating with the Northern Liao Western Route Army also be given to me."

"Oh?" Everyone present looked at Chen Xiaolai with great interest. This was undoubtedly a super dangerous mission. This type of negotiation now generally involves sending someone unimportant who the other party doesn't think is worth killing to deliver a message, and then the two sides agree to meet and discuss the matter in a neutral location. However, now that the two armies are in such a fierce confrontation, and Dongping took the initiative to provoke the conflict, it is too dangerous to send someone at this time. Most of the time, this kind of thing is something that people accept with resignation, although the Yunzhou soldiers are very brave, they have no interest in seeking death.

"Why?" Ye Tao asked with a smile, "Isn't it good to be my adjutant?" When Liu Yong announced that Chen Xiaolai would be his adjutant, this guy didn't show any joy, but rather a bit of loneliness, and Ye Tao could still see that.

"I wouldn't dare!" Chen Xiaolai straightened his back, looked directly at Ye Tao, and said sincerely, "Being able to serve Lord Ye in any way is the best destination for us Yunzhou people. To live like this, to die like this. It's just that I personally originally hoped to enter the main battle camp to kill the enemy. Being able to serve Lord Ye, being able to do more things, and being able to influence more people, but it's not exciting enough... I still quite like that feeling of being on the edge of life and death. Please grant my request, Lord."

Ye Tao chuckled and said, "Alright. I'll give you this opportunity. I think you misunderstood. I didn't mean to use you as a clerk or errand runner. When you return safely, I will let you know that the days of being an adjutant can be just as exciting."

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Notification of Change of Author Name

It has been almost four years since I typed a string of letters, Absolut, while looking at the bottle of wine on the table. Under this name are books that are considered to have a little bit of fame, such as *Digital Life*, *Wild Heart*, and *Heart of Time*, into which I have put a lot of emotion. However, this name also makes me feel very depressed. When I applied for this author name, I didn't expect that everyone's reaction to the string of letters would not be very good. Explaining my pen name to readers, editors, and friends time and time again was really a lot of effort. The most tragic thing is that the pseudonym Absolut is actually more famous than "A Night in the Grid", the real me. Heaven knows, I really didn't think there would be such a day.

After much negotiation with the editors, after crying and begging, kneeling in the snow, threatening to discontinue the updates, and tempting them with delicious food and wine... I finally got their approval, and I can finally restore my real author name.

Absolut = A Night in the Grid.

For a period of time, this will naturally cause some sense of alienation and unnaturalness, but since the person behind this name is still me, I believe everyone can understand my actions. Since everyone has recently seen the subprime mortgage crisis, the collapse of Lehman Brothers, and the fact that Americans actually have a black president, and the real estate and stock markets have plummeted... I believe this is really not a big deal.

Please continue to support me, please support me even more, please wait and see the climax of the final chapter of *Heart of Time*, please wait and see my new book that I have been preparing for two years.