The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 537: War Begins (2)_1

Chapter 537: Chapter 537: War Begins (2)_1

He looked sternly at Ma Zhicai with a heavy warning in his eyes.

"Yes, sir." With a silver note worth one hundred taels easily in hand, Ma Zhicai was somewhat excited, his attitude toward the young Tatar became far more respectful.

Ma Erlang looked enviously at Ma Zhicai, his nephew’s ability to obtain silver was far more efficient than his own. He had been scraping by in the North Country for over a year and had only managed to save a little silver. Being a scholar indeed made him resourceful.

"You may leave now." The young Tatar watched him for a while, and Ma Zhicai maintained a composed demeanor, not showing a hint of panic.

"Sir, I shall take my leave." He bowed his head and turned around to leave, appearing incredibly respectful.

"Sometimes, being presumptuous can lead to a quick death." Just as he was about to step out of the door, the young Tatar casually muttered a warning.

Ma Zhicai paused in his tracks, satisfying the young Tatar who squinted his eyes in approval.

Ma Zhicai then continued to exit. Ma Erlang, positioned among the Tatars, dared not move a bit.

"Your nephew is quite good. Go now, you have been away from home long enough. Take this silver along," the young Tatar said, tossing out a fifty-tael silver note.

"Thank you so much, sir." Ma Erlang quickly knelt to express his gratitude. Only after the Tatar nodded, did he pick up the silver note and hasten to leave.

"Sir?" Once Ma Erlang had gone far enough, all the men inside the room anxiously looked to the young man.

"There’s no rush, wait till Huda brings back the goods," he stated, feeling that he should alter the direction of his inquiries. Thinking of the situation in the Northern Land, his expression became serious. "We’ve erred. We only relayed the Emperor of Daqin’s threats to the Northern Land, but overlooked a surprising development."

"Bloody hell, who’d have thought someone could grow rice in a ghostly place like the Northern Land?" swore one Tatar.

"Tell that pretty-faced boy to keep an eye on the rice and corn yields."

"Yes, sir."

War requires knowing both oneself and one’s opponent; besides, food undeniably plays a significant role in determining the outcome of a war. Victory for the North Country hinges on their ample preparation.

"You were too reckless just now. Tatars are barbaric by nature; it would be a great injustice to die by their hands," Ma Erlang whispered reproachfully to Ma Zhicai inside his room.

Ma Zhicai remained silent. His recklessness had indeed been a bit excessive, but he had also succeeded in capturing the Tatar’s attention.

"Don’t brush it off. Spend more time around them and you’ll understand. When dealing with the Tatars, you essentially carry your life on your belt. This was the reason I initially tried to stop you," Ma Erlang said, a touch of sadness creeping into his tone. "You’re my nephew, and although I may be a bit of a scoundrel, I would never intend to harm you. Trust me, if you ever see a Tatar, you should steer clear."

"Then why doesn’t Uncle leave?" Ma Zhicai asked, chuckling softly.

"If I could speak freely, I would have left a long time ago." Ma Erlang’s face turned pale. He didn’t tell Ma Zhicai that, in order to earn the Tatar’s trust, he had committed murder in Border City. If his past actions were ever to be exposed, death would become his only option. Moreover, he couldn’t return to Shili Village and had no place to go – he simply had to continue surviving under the Tatar’s dominance.

Ma Zhicai didn’t say a word after hearing him out. As pleasing as Ma Erlang’s words may have been, Ma Zhicai had already taken the Tatar’s silver. The idea of withdrawing and distancing himself from the Tatars was simply a pipe dream. Besides, why would he want to withdraw? Prince Ling and Lin Ziyin had cut off his retreat. So, was he really to spend his entire life in ignorance within the Northern Land, forever a minor figure?