"Head to Yan Pass? Why is that? I don't quite understand."
When Dai Sheng heard Yang Qing say this, he asked the question.
"Naturally, I want you to come with me to Yan Pass to resist the enemy."
Yang Qing smiled faintly at Dai Sheng. "Lord Dai, your remaining days in Yan Prefecture can already be counted on your fingers. Don't you want to experience the smoke of battle at Yan Pass before you leave?"
"Well, may I really accompany you, my lord?" At these words, excitement surged through Dai Sheng's heart.
Who had not, in their youth, harbored grand ambitions of charging across the battlefield amid gleaming weapons and armored steeds?
Yet fate toyed with men. His youthful passion had long since been worn away by bending over his desk, writing furiously day after day, year after year, and navigating the treachery of officialdom.
Only today had Yang Qing's words struck straight into Dai Sheng's heart.
Dai Sheng steadied himself and said to Yang Qing, "If you need me, my lord, I am willing to accompany you! It's just..."
Seeing the hesitation on Dai Sheng's face, Yang Qing asked, "Are you concerned about Deputy County Magistrate Wu?"
"Precisely. Although that issue of the Court Gazette has been lost, an imperial command cannot be defied. If I accompany you to Yan Pass, what is to become of the affairs here in Yan Prefecture?"
"If you trust me, Lord Dai, leave this matter for me to handle. Would that be acceptable?" Yang Qing asked.
"Everything shall be as you command, my lord!" Dai Sheng no longer hesitated.
"Good. If I encounter Deputy County Magistrate Wu later, I shall inform him of this." Having said that, Yang Qing calmly stepped over the threshold of the County Office and went inside.
While Yang