“Big Brother, you’re really something else!
With just a few words, you left Father completely stunned!
Look at the way Dad was looking at you just now, full of admiration!” Out of the main hall, Tao Ying immediately dropped his previous dazed state and started chattering nonstop.
Tao Shang looked at Tao Ying with pity: “Second Brother, it’s not that I’m criticizing you, but you really should be sent back to the womb to be reborn.
Your choice of words is truly unique…
‘admiration’…
How can you use that word on me and our father?” Tao Ying’s expression was adorably innocent: “Then how should I say it?” That one sentence left even Tao Shang stumped.
It did seem a bit hard to describe properly.
“Admiration?
Not quite…
Respect?
Doesn’t fit…
Reverence?
A bit closer…
Let’s go with prostrating oneself in admiration.
Yeah, prostrating oneself in admiration.” Tao Ying was hearing this phrase for the first time today: “Brother, what does ‘prostrating oneself in admiration’ mean?” “It means expressing great appreciation for someone.” “Oh!” Tao Ying nodded, seeming to understand: “Alright then…
Big Brother, Dad was truly prostrating himself in admiration toward you just now!” Tao Shang raised his hand to wipe away some sweat, unsure whether describing his own father this way would invite divine lightning.
“Big Brother, are you really going to lead the troops in Father’s place to attack Dong Zhuo?” Tao Ying’s expression remained adorably innocent.
Tao Shang sighed.
After thinking it over for so long, he realized this matter ultimately had no solution.
“No choice…
I’m being forced into it whether I want to or not.
This might be the retribution for being too idle before…
But the one who was too idle doesn’t seem to be me.
I’m just the transmigrator taking the blame?” Tao Ying didn’t understand: “Big Brother, what are you mumbling about by yourself?” Tao Shang: “…” “Big Brother, how about I go with you?” Tao Shang shook his head and said with a bitter smile: “I’m afraid not…
Father only has two sons.
One goes off to war, the other must stay to guard the family home.
If the one who goes to war unfortunately perishes, there will at least be one remaining heir so the family doesn’t face a succession crisis.” Hearing this, Tao Ying’s expression looked like he was about to cry: “Big Brother, no way, no way!
You won’t die!” Tao Shang turned around, patted Tao Ying’s shoulder, and comforted him: “Second Brother, don’t worry.
Big Brother definitely won’t die.
If I die, wouldn’t all the family property go to you?
Big Brother won’t do you such a big favor for nothing.” Tao Ying bit his lip, tears welling up in his eyes.
“Big Brother, you’re so good to me…” “You know it, that’s enough.” One day later, Xu Province Inspector Tao Qian issued orders, appointing Mi Zhu’s younger brother Mi Fang as the General Who Conquers the West.
He was to lead four Commandants along with a combined force of five thousand cavalry, infantry, and archers to join the coalition of feudal lords and march west to campaign against Dong Zhuo.
At the same time, he arranged for Cao Bao’s younger brother Cao Chu to serve as the Granary Officer, assisting Mi Zhu in overseeing the provisions and supplies for the western expedition.
In this way, Mi Zhu’s wish to get involved in Xu Province’s military affairs was fulfilled, but the Cao family’s people had also inserted themselves into the financial and grain matters that the Mi family had always managed.
Under Tao Shang’s strategy, the Mi and Cao families didn’t even have time to resent Tao Qian’s divisive move.
Instead, they became busy and anxious making arrangements to cope, gradually developing cracks between them.
As for Tao Shang, he received the appointment as Army Supervisor along with an iron Army Supervisor token.
Currently, the various feudal lords east of the passes had received Qiao Mao’s forged letter claiming to be from the Three Excellencies in the capital and had risen in arms one after another.
As far as was known, Bohai Administrator Yuan Shao and Henei Administrator Wang Kuang had both stationed troops in Henei.
Zhang Yang of Shangdang had also brought three thousand men to join them.
Zhang Miao, Liu Dai, Qiao Mao, Yuan Yi, Bao Xin, Cao Cao, and others had gathered their forces at Suanzao.
Yuan Shu and Sun Jian had stationed troops at Luyang.
Kong Zhou had stationed troops in Yingchuan.
Tao Qian first sent letters to the various feudal lords, falsely claiming that he was old and in poor health and thus unsuitable for a distant campaign.
He could only dispatch his son Tao Shang to join the alliance in his father’s stead.
After receiving replies from the lords, he immediately ordered Tao Shang and Mi Fang to draw up plans and discuss the details of the expedition.
Tao Shang had no personal possessions of his own.
His belongings were essentially Tao Qian’s.
Apart from clothes, he only had the ten thousand strings of cash he had borrowed from Mi Zhu, which belonged to him.
After thinking it over, Tao Shang decided to take the money with him.
A poor family should prepare for a rich journey; if the campaign really went badly and he was captured, he might be able to use this money to buy back his life.
Carrying his packed belongings, he prepared to head out to the military camp to report for duty.
Steward Tao Hong and his second brother Tao Ying saw him off at the gate.
The old man and the young one cried as if attending a funeral, as though Tao Shang would never return.
This left Tao Shang feeling quite wronged inside.
This was what they called an inauspicious start!
Once in the carriage, Tao Shang caught a glimpse with the corner of his eye of Tao Qian secretly standing by the gatepost, silently seeing him off.
Though it was only a silhouette, through the reflection on the ground Tao Shang could see that the figure leaning on a cane was like a crooked old tree, showing none of its former vigor and uprightness, as if already hollowed out by insects.
“Let’s go!” Tao Shang’s eyes felt a bit sore, but he did not linger.
With a crack of the whip, the carriage slowly carried Tao Shang toward the city outskirts.
Ten li west of the city was the current encampment of the five thousand troops led by Mi Fang.
When the carriage arrived outside the camp gate, Tao Shang presented the Army Supervisor token.
The soldiers respectfully guided the carriage into the camp and led Tao Shang to the command tent.
Mi Fang had already arranged for the troops to be stationed here several days earlier and was specially waiting for Tao Shang.
“Young Master!” As soon as Tao Shang entered the command tent, he saw the plump Mi Fang hurriedly trotting over to him, cupping his hands in greeting: “Young Master!
Long time no see!” Tao Shang was momentarily stunned: “Who are you?” Mi Fang clicked his tongue: “Young Master, such a noble person forgets easily!
This humble general is Mi Fang.
That day when the Young Master visited the Mi residence to see my elder brother, this humble one showed you the way.
Have you forgotten?” The more Mi Fang spoke, the less impressed Tao Shang felt.
Who is this kid?
Traitor!
Collaborator!
Lackey!…
Last time at the Mi residence, he even openly mocked me!
Historically, this Mi Fang followed Liu Bei for nearly twenty-five years, only to betray his lord during the Battle of Xiangfan, indirectly causing Guan Yu’s death.
Lacking loyalty and trust, how could he serve a ruler?
My father Tao Qian is a benevolent gentleman, and I, Tao Shang, am a little gentleman…
As a little gentleman, how could I associate with such a despicable scoundrel?
“Don’t talk to me!” Tao Shang’s gaze was filled with contempt and disdain.
“Huh?
Ah?” Mi Fang was a bit dazed.
Why did this Young Master’s face change so quickly?
It wasn’t like this the last time he smiled so brightly at their house.
“Young Master, did you mistake me for someone else?
It’s me!
Mi Fang!
We’ve met before!
You, me, and my elder brother, the three of us were together…” “Shut up!
Don’t try to get close to me…
you treacherous scoundrel!” Tao Shang was filled with righteous indignation.
Mi Fang was stunned by how quickly this Young Master flipped.
This kid must have some problem, why is he calling me a treacherous scoundrel!?
What did I do to you?
“Young Master, are you sure you didn’t mistake me for someone else?
Think carefully again.
A while ago you came to my house…
You still owe my family money, remember?
Ten thousand strings!” “…” The corner of Tao Shang’s mouth began to twitch.
After a long pause.
“Isn’t this Brother Mi Fang?
My eyes were blurry earlier and I didn’t see clearly…
It’s been many days since we last met, and Brother seems to have lost some weight!” Tao Shang grasped Mi Fang’s hand, smiling as warmly as a spring breeze.
Mi Fang was a bit dazed by Tao Shang’s rapid change and didn’t react for a moment: “Y-yes?
Have I?
I feel like I’ve actually gained a few pounds…
The Young Master has been exhausting himself for Xu Province, laboring with worry, that’s why you’ve lost weight!
This time coming to the camp, you must eat well and make up for it!” “Thank you for your concern, Brother Mi.
By the way, about the money I borrowed from your family last time…?” Mi Fang generously waved his hand: “I’ll decide on behalf of my brother, no need to repay it!” “Brother Mi, you are truly a gentleman.
What fate!”