Respect for the Veteran
brother Leng Qingyu who excelled both in martial arts and literary studies, Leng Haoyu was a good-for-nothing playboy who excelled in every form of debauchery. As someone from a military family and th...297. The Authority of a Veteran General
The speculations about Mo Xiuyao's intentions made Long Yang and Zhu Yan worry. After receiving Lei Tengfeng's message that the Mohist army had secretly dispatched quite a number of troops, their worries turned into reality. Sitting silently on his chair for a while, Zhu Yan sighed: "Good, you're indeed worthy of being part of the Mohist army!"
Seeing the worried looks of these two veteran generals, Lei Tengfeng knew that something must have changed. With a concerned look, he asked: "Senior General, what happened"
Zhu Yan and Long Yang exchanged glances before deciding to tell him everything. It was already useless to keep this from anyone at this point. Upon hearing what Zhu Yan and Long Yang said, Lei Tengfeng too felt shocked. Zhu Yan mentioned that you still have a group of over 100,000 elite troops under your command!
Speaking up to this part, he could not help but glance suspiciously at Long Yang beside him. In the last twenty years, the Southern Commandery王府 had always closely watched Zhu Yan living in Bian City. For these twenty years, Zhu Yan had never contacted his former subordinates and even kept a low profile in Bian City. Lei Tengfeng was about to be completely relieved of any worries he might have about Zhu Yan when he found out that the latter still secretly had 100,000 elite troops under his command.
While 100,000 men were not very significant compared to Xiling’s total military force of close to three million and which could always increase at any time, it was a terrifying number when used effectively. For example, in these twenty years, the Prince had visited Bian City several times; if Zhu Yan had suddenly risen up against him then… Lei Tengfeng trembled as he dared not think about what would have happened. He finally understood why his father always remained vigilant towards these veteran generals. Everyone says that civil officials and high-ranking ministers cause political turmoil, but in reality, those who truly change the dynasty or plot to usurp the throne are usually military officers. Without military power, everything is just talk.
Seeming to understand what Lei Tengfeng was thinking about, Long Yang sneered: This elite force was personally bestowed upon Zhu Yan by the late emperor; even the current Emperor has no right to take it back. How can you expect the Southern Commandery王府 to know about this Furthermore… this elite force was prepared specifically to guard against the Prince’s residence.
Lei Tengfeng remained silent as he believed Long Yang's words. However, there were some things that just believing in something didn't solve any problems. Moreover, discussing these matters at this moment wasn't appropriate either; having 100,000 troops wouldn’t serve much against the Mohist army.
"You're foolish!" Zhu Yan coldly scoffed: The late emperor was wise and long ago understood that the Mohist army was the greatest threat to Xiling. Therefore, he began preparing early on for countermeasures against them. If the late emperor had not suddenly passed away, it wouldn't have come to this... And as for Lei Zhen霆, back then when the Prince's residence suffered a great setback, he wasted an excellent opportunity by attempting to eliminate dissenters. Not finishing off the snake leads to today’s situation with the Mohist army besieging the city!
Lei Tengfeng was at a loss for words. Back then, when the Mohist army had suffered heavy losses and Mo Xiuyao was severely injured, it was during the most active period of pro-royalist groups in Xiling’s territory. To suppress these people, his father decided to abandon the opportunity to attack Great Chu. However, at that time, who really believed that Mo Xiuyao could recover Even if they didn’t participate in poisoning and severely injuring Mo Xiuyao, it did not mean they were unaware of what happened.
Senior General, what should we do now Lei Tengfeng noticed the tense atmosphere and quickly turned the subject back to: Zhu Yan sighed and said: Old Dragon, help the Prince defend the city. I’ll go face the renowned Prince of Ding Commandery.
Zhu Yan... Long Yang frowned; he was several years older than Zhu Yan but the latter wasn’t young either. Going out personally was too dangerous. Zhu Yan waved his hand and said: It’s alright, I can still move around. You’re right, we can't just watch Mo Xiuyao swallow my 100,000 elite troops! Long Yang knew this was the best option and sighed; Alright, be careful out there. I’ll tie down part of the Mohist army inside the city for you.
Be safe!
Take care. The two elderly men respectfully said their goodbyes before departing from each other. Zhu Yan turned around and left. His originally slightly trembling, hunched figure seemed to straighten up instantly. Long Yang closed his eyes as he watched the silhouette of his friend disappear in the distance. He instructed Lei Tengfeng beside him: Get ready, we're going out to fight!
That day was already midday on the third day. The Mohist army below the city walls continuously cursed while the Xiling defenders up top were equally ungracious and replied back harshly. Since both nations originated from the same source, there weren’t any cultural or customary differences, so they could insult each other without any hindrance. If it had been between Nanzhou and Beirong, half of them wouldn't have understood what was being said.
Standing side by side in front of the army were Yun Ting and Chen Yun looking at the distant city gate. Yun Ting somewhat impatiently remarked: This Long Yang and Zhu Yan are supposed to be veteran generals from Xiling; how come they act like turtles refusing to come out! Chen Yun helplessly shrugged; he didn’t know.
Could it be that they're trying to buy time Wait for Lei Zhen霆's reinforcements to arrive Chen Yun said uncertainly.
Don't joke. Even if we wait for Lei Zhen霆 to reach us, the fastest would also be a month later. Yun Ting replied; they only have three days left and are yet to even get close to Bian City’s city gate. In these three days, they tried various methods such as direct attacks, sneak attacks, etc., but still couldn’t find any weaknesses in the defenses of this veteran general. Such an impact made several young generals look increasingly grim every day. Even now, Yun Ting had a sallow complexion. If Yun Ting knew that not only him, even his lord and lady hadn't found the defense loopholes of Bian City for the time being, he wouldn’t be so dejected.
Look, aren't they coming out Chen Yun pointed to the flags on the wall and said. Clearly, there was a rapid movement of troops there.
Yun霆 narrowed his eyes and showed a trace of冷笑 on his young face. Zhu Yan! Brothers, keep insulting him!
The soldiers behind him once again loudly cursed Zhu Yan's ancestors and relatives.
Long Yang led people to appear on the wall, squinted at the young man showing off below, smiled, and shouted: Young fellow, give me your name.
Yun霆傲然道： Eagle Regiment of the Mohist Army's Deputy Commander Yun霆!
Long Yang was taken aback. Such an obviously different military organization made it hard for him to determine Yun霆's identity at first, but he could guess something from his age. A young and spirited fellow like this would most likely not be a main commander of one army. He looked at Yun霆 with a smile and said: Where is the commander of the Mohist Army Is there no one left in the Mohist Army
Yun霆 was displeased, raised his head to glare at the old man on the city tower, and said: This general is the main commander! A place like Bian City doesn't need others' help. Let this general show you what our Mohist Army can do! Long Yang didn't get angry but seemed to look at a naughty little boy. He said with a smile: What Then let your old man see what abilities the young general of the Mohist Army has. Also... Your old man isn't Zhu Yan.
Long Yang! Yun霆咬牙切齒.
Indeed, experience is invaluable. Without even officially engaging in battle and just having a casual exchange of words, Yun霆 had already been put in a disadvantageous position.
Beneath the city tower, the tightly closed city gate suddenly opened, and the drawbridge over the moat was lowered. The soldiers from Xi Ling who had previously been hiding inside the city surged out like a tidal wave to attack the Mohist Army's formation. These days not only were the Mohist soldiers frustrated, but these reinforcements brought by Lei Teng Feng felt the same way. Being freely insulted by the enemy while unable to charge down and kill them was their greatest disgrace as soldiers. Now they could finally come out of the city, so naturally, these soldiers would rush forward with bloodshot eyes at the Mohist Army soldiers who had been showing off in front of them.
The battle was about to begin; for a moment, the drums and shouts of killing filled the air.
On the city tower, Long Yang calmly watched the fighting below. Whether it was the Mohist Army or Xi Ling's army, their combat effectiveness could be considered quite good, so when two strong forces met, the battle would naturally become even more intense. Long Yang smiled as he looked at the young white-robed commander and gave a faint smile. He raised his hand and waved the small red flag in it.
The Xi Ling soldiers wearing gray uniforms quickly changed their formation under the guidance of the flag. From the city tower, one could clearly see the entire battlefield. The black Mohist Army's formation was rapidly split and surrounded by a sea of gray troops, then broken down piece by piece. Yun霆's reaction wasn't slow; he also directed his forces to form up as quickly as possible. However, he was always a step behind Long Yang. As Xi Ling's army changed its formation again, it acted like a giant gray dragon rampaging through the Mohist Army.
Although the Mohist soldiers were brave and fierce, on the battlefield, it wasn't enough for just individual soldiers to be valiant. When a Mohist soldier had to face three Xi Ling soldiers at once, when a small squad of Mohist soldiers was surrounded by a large detachment of Xi Ling troops, Yun霆 could only watch as his men fell one after another in front of him.
He suddenly turned around and saw an elderly man dressed simply on the city wall. He looked like a common villager from the countryside. However, the confidence and pride that shone in those ancient eyes revealed this old man's extraordinary nature. Being looked down upon from such a height, Yun霆 originally shouldn't have been able to see the other person's expression clearly from afar. But he distinctly felt that in the other's eyes, he was as insignificant as an ant.
Yun霆! What are you doing Charge out! Chen Yun kicked aside the stunned Yun霆, and a dart narrowly missed the spot where Yun霆 had been standing. Chen Yun glared at him angrily: You dare to daydream on the battlefield Do you want to die
Only then did Yun霆 come to his senses; in that moment, he was so intimidated by Long Yang's aura that he forgot he was on a battlefield. He dodged a nearby saber and sweat trickled down his back as he shivered with lingering fear: This is the might of the Western Regions' God of Killing!
The sound of metal clashing to signal withdrawal rang from behind. The Mohist soldiers no longer lingered but broke through Xi Ling's encirclement and charged out. However, their retreat had a bit of the awkwardness that the Mohist Army hadn't shown in years. On the city tower, Long Yang also signaled for withdrawal when he saw the Mohist troops retreating. Lei Teng Feng frowned: General, why not pursue them while we're winning
Long Yang said indifferently: Today was just a test; it seems that the Mohist Army has indeed split their forces. Just now, as the Mohist Army was about to be defeated and no one came out to support them but instead sounded the retreat.
Well...
Don't rush it, try them again tomorrow.
The dejected Yun Ting and his group returned to the camp after their defeat. They intended to beg forgiveness from His Highness and the Duchess, but were told by Zhuo Jing at the tent entrance that they had other matters to attend to. All military affairs were temporarily entrusted to Chen Yun and Yun Ting. Yun Ting was so frightened he nearly fell to the ground in a dead faint, while the equally pale Chen Yun followed behind. They did not underestimate themselves; their experience and seniority made them far from qualified to lead an army by themselves, let alone take charge of the entire Mo Army. Both men were drenched with cold sweat as they looked at each other helplessly. Yun Ting turned to Zhuo Jing for help.
Zhuo Jing shrugged his shoulders, patted Yun Ting on the back, and said sympathetically: Since His Highness entrusted you with this responsibility, he believes in your abilities, so don’t worry.
But... but we just lost!
Yun Ting said shamefully. He had thought that failing to complete his mission would result in military law being imposed on him. But now, he was better off with a punishment than the current situation.
Zhuo Jing smiled calmly: You narrowly avoided defeat; you’re not defeated yet! With an encouraging look at them both, Zhuo Jing turned and walked back into his tent. Yun Ting wanted to cry but had no tears; if you hadn’t called off the attack, I would have died on the battlefield.
A small county town was located a hundred li southwest of Bian Prefecture. The area covered by this town did not even amount to one-tenth that of Bian Prefecture, but it sat right in the middle of the official road connecting Western Capital and Bian Prefecture. It meant that if soldiers were sent west from the capital, they would have to pass through here. Three days ago, Zhang Qilan led seven thousand troops to occupy this town at Mo Xiyao’s orders. Since Xi Ling was focusing their defenses on Bian Prefecture, this small town had very weak garrison forces. Zhang Qilan occupied it with ease.
The seven thousand soldiers were now stationed there as if idle, but Zhang Qilan knew that a contingent of over ten thousand elite troops was nearby. Although the Mo Army’s most capable soldiers hadn’t been able to find them exactly, Zhang Qilan knew they were hiding in the mountains thirty li away. It would not be wise for the Mo Army to enter the mountains, so Zhang Qilan waited. The only way for this troop to approach Bian Prefecture was through here, and he wasn’t in a hurry.
Not far outside the town, on an off-road path, some soldiers from the Mo Army were chasing after a group of people. There were five in total: four men guarding a plain-clothed girl as they retreated while fighting. Although these men had good skills, their opponents greatly outnumbered them and the soldiers were no ordinary fighters. Yet the four still managed to protect the girl.
Miss, hurry! We’ll hold them off for you. Go to the capital... find the general in the capital!
The man pushed her forward onto a narrow path as he yelled. However, before his sentence was complete, he fell dead from an abdomen wound. The other three didn’t even have time to look at their fallen comrade. One dragged the girl away while the others fought off the soldiers.
They ran for quite some distance, but the young woman couldn't keep up and soon collapsed. I’m too tired... Go on without me…
No way! Miss, you must go back to the capital! The general ordered that you live!
The guard pulled her along through the forest. A short while later, they heard the sound of soldiers approaching and guessed that the other two guards had been killed.
They hid in thorny bushes; when the soldiers found them missing, they searched for half an hour but couldn’t find anyone before leaving with the corpses of dead guards.
The forest fell silent. After a while, movement was noticed by the side of the road as the young woman emerged from the grass covered in dirt and blood. She nudged the unconscious guard next to her: Wake up! You must wake up… But her hand was stained with blood; she screamed at the sight.
When the soldiers were searching, the guard had shielded her against blows. There was a long wound on his back that kept bleeding; he was unconscious. The pale girl looked at the desolate landscape and cried out in despair.
In her tears, she saw a white figure appear before her and raised her head, blurry-eyed: Help me...
The young man in moon-white clothes silently looked down at the collapsed guard and unconscious girl. His fine features were slightly furrowed as he studied their wounds; they had fought hard, but the soldier was dead and the girl’s delicate beauty indicated she must have come from a high-ranking family. He could easily save them both, even those soldiers who died, but his special status meant he needed to think carefully before acting, so he watched quietly as the guards were killed one by one, and the girl cried alone.
Master, what should we do
The servant asked in a low voice behind him.
The young man was silent for a moment, then said: He mentioned a general; whose daughter is she
The servant shook his head. I don’t know; it must be someone’s general’s daughter who lost to the Mo Army.
He thought about it and asked: Are there any tokens on them The man stepped forward, crouched down, and found a jade pendant around the unconscious guard's neck and a purple jade bracelet from the girl’s wrist. He presented these respectfully to the tall young man in moon-white clothes.
The man took it and frowned as he looked at it: This is the personal guard of General Hu Wei, Yang Hu. This purple jade bracelet... was a tribute from the Western Regions during the reign of the previous emperor. The previous emperor awarded it to then-Chancellor Ling. And the wife of General Hu Wei is Chancellor Ling's daughter.
The guard whispered: So this girl is the daughter of General Hu Wei General Hu Wei guarded Lichi City, and ten days ago he was killed in battle. This girl...
After a long moment of contemplation, the man finally said: Take her back.
In a hidden mountain range, several courtyards and houses were scattered about. Hidden by dense forests and year-round mists, outsiders could hardly find any traces of them. In a simple room, a sleeping girl seemed to suddenly wake from a nightmare and sat up abruptly. She saw a handsome young man sitting not far in front of her, ah! Save... me...
Stop talking, the young man said gravely.
The girl cowered fearfully into the corner of the bed, covering herself tightly with the quilt: You... who are you
The young man replied solemnly: It should be I asking you that. Who are you
The girl bit her red lips and wouldn't speak, Where's Ar Lin He... he...
She trembled slightly, as if afraid to ask further. The man said calmly: He’s still alive, if that is what you’re asking. The girl finally breathed a sigh of relief. That’s good, that’s good... did you save us
The man neither confirmed nor denied it and asked blandly: Who are you
I... I am Yang Xianya. My father is General Hu Wei. My father… my father...
Her eyes reddened as she said this, tears rolling down from the corners of her eyes. She began to weep softly. The man frowned slightly and sighed: I know. General Hu Wei died ten days ago while defending his post. He wanted a guard to escort you out
The girl nodded, Yang Xianya. Biting her lips, she said softly: Before the city was breached, my father had already sent people to escort me back to the capital. Originally there were twelve of them. But now... only Ar Lin remains. Waaaaah...
The man frowned and asked again after some thought: Why did the Mo family army persistently hunt you down Although she is General Hu Wei's daughter, it’s far from so important to the Mo family army. Their relentless pursuit thus seems unreasonable.
The girl shook her head in confusion: I don't know. My father only told me to go back to the capital and find my uncle.
Standing up, the man said: Alright, rest well first. After your injuries heal, we’ll send you back to the capital. With that, he turned and walked out.
You... I don't know what your name is yet... The favor of saving my life, once I return to the capital, I will definitely repay you. The girl whispered.
The man paused slightly before saying indifferently: Zhu Ling.
Upon exiting the door, a guard was waiting outside already. Seeing him come out, he hurried over and said: Master, we’ve found out. After the late Chancellor Ling’s daughter married General Hu Wei, she indeed only had one child. General Yang and his wife were very fond of this daughter, perhaps even pampering her too much. The current Chancellor Ling, who is also Miss Yang's uncle, regards her as if she was a member of his own family. It seems that Miss Yang turned seventeen this year and has been betrothed to the eldest son of Lord Ling since childhood. If it weren’t for the sudden attack in the northwest, General Yang would have brought his daughter back to the capital shortly to hold their wedding.
The man nodded and said: I’ve also asked her about it. It’s basically what you just said.
“Then... is what she said believable” The guard inquired.
Zhu Ling replied: Leave her here for now. My grandfather has a good relationship with the Ling family. If she truly is their granddaughter, we can’t leave her to die or it won’t be easy to explain later on. Have people watch over them properly. Ding if only he were interested; unfortunately, he wouldn’t even come for a look."Being so harshly rebuked by her own grandfather, Mengmu Mingyan was blushing with shame but soon turned pale and coul...