Fierce battle.. Prince Jing was relatively familiar with the situation in the northern border back then and pondered it over with horror. Dont tell that what Xie Yu reported, that he was trying to repel 200,000 Da Yu troops and protect the northern borders, that wasnt actually true, that it was actually you..Hecaan he still call himself a soldier? Does he feel no sha, laying false claims of ritorious deeds just to obtain a Marquis title and the Commanders seal?
Repel them? Wei Zheng sneered. Da Yu was established through military force. If it was rely to repel them, why has it been so peaceful these past more than ten years? If it wasnt for the concerted effort of our entire Chiyan army, who devoted our flesh and blood to eliminating their 200,000 strong imperial army, do you think Da Liangs northern borders would have enjoyed these thirteen years of peace?
But Da Yu has never His trembling voice trailed off mid-sentence as understanding dawned on him. 200,000 Da Yu troops were annihilated. Obviously they werent going to report to the Liang Court that We werent repelled by Xie Yu since we had already been destroyed by Chiyan. Very likely, if the Emperor of Da Yu had known the fate of the Chiyan army in iling that day, he would have been only too happy to further fan the flas. If his army hadnt been lost, this militant Emperor would probably have taken the opportunity to march south and invade again. As for the Liang Emperor who was safely ensconced in his capital of Jinling, how would he have known the true state of affairs in the northern border? He could only rely on official letters and Xuanjing Bureaus reports. Furthermore, suspicion and fear had long since been branded deep in his heart, and so in this way, he made the decision to weaken his own strength*.
*actual idiom used, literally translated: self-destruction of the great wall
So this is how it all ca to an end back then. Most of what we knew were false, Lie Zhanying said angrily, Wei Zheng, slowly tell it all to His Highness from the beginning. As long as the actual facts still exist, justice will be served one day!
Wei Zheng nodded, taking a mont to compose himself before saying, In the beginning, our garrison was at the northern line of Ganzhou. At this ti, we received an imperial order from the Emperor for the entire army to stay put. We never expected that just one day after receiving the imperial order, our scouts would return to report that Da Yu had dispatched their 200,000 strong imperial army. They had seized Sutai and were pressing towards iling. If we had obeyed and stayed put, should Da Yus army break through iling, it would be difficult to defend the next ten prefectures as they were primarily flat lands. It had always been the Chiyan armys duty to safeguard the borders and keep our citizens safe. How could we sit back and watch as millions of people faced fatal disaster? Moreover, in critical war situations, a general in the field is not bound by orders from the ruler, which is why Commander Lin sent an urgent report to the Emperor while at the sa ti issuing orders to strike camp and et the enemy. Later, this move also beca another proof of great cri.
Commander Lins report did not arrive in the capital at all. It must have been intercepted along the way. Prince Jing barely suppressed his anger, and with great effort closed his eyes montarily. Please continue.
We marched night and day, arriving in iling at almost the sa ti as the Da Yu army. Your Highness may be aware that because our numbers were reduced at the beginning of that year, we had only 70,000 troops at the ti. We couldnt fight recklessly, so Commander Lin ordered General Nie Feng to circumvent the Jiehun Valley in the north to provide flank support. The Chiyu Battalion was the vanguard to attack the northern valley. The main force would intercept and divide the enemy, and then we would attack. That night, strong winds and snow began to blow. Nie Zhen da ren accompanied the Chiyu Battalion, using the cover of snow to attack with fire by burning grease-soaked pieces of cloth..In that fierce battle, all 70,000 of us bathed in blood for three days and three nights, staking everything and exhausting every last bit of our energy to finally destroy the imperial army that was the pride of Da Yu, leaving behind only a few scattered remnants. Wei Zhengs face lit up with pride, but only for a brief mont before it darkened again. But we ourselves had also suffered heavy casualties, and our military strength was in critical condition. In our exhaustion, we had no choice but to remain there to rest and recoup. It was at this ti that Young Commander began to sense that sothing wasnt right, because the flank support from Nie Feng never appeared at all. There was a cliff separating Jiehun Valley and Northern Valley. Even though the terrain was dangerous, General Nie Feng, who was nicknad Swift Wind*, shouldnt have taken so long to arrive. So Young Commander ordered to proceed to the Southern Valley to check with the main camp. Who would have thought that as soon as I arrived, before I could approach the Commanders tent, Xie Yu and Xia Jiangs 100,000 troops had already rushed there.. Prince Jing suddenly slamd down hard, unexpectedly breaking off a corner of the hard pear-wood table, its wood shavings rustling as they fell to the floor. ng Zhi was also hearing these details for the first ti, and he felt rage surge in his heart. Gritting his teeth, he turned back and shot a glance at i Changsu, but was t by a blank face as he sat in the corner, his head slightly raised, completely still, as if frozen into a lifeless silhouette.
*literal translation of ji feng
When we first saw them, we thought..we actually thought..they were reinforcents.. The grief and desolation in Wei Zhengs voice could crush even the hardest of hearts. He raised his head and looked straight at Prince Jing, The ending.Your Highness is already aware. The Southern Valley was reduced to hell, and the Northern Valley..it was set on fire and beca scorched earth. All our swift and brave brothers who endured against Da Yus imperial army finally and unexpectedly fell under the hands of our own friendly forces. Many of them didnt understand what was going on even as they were standing at deaths door. I tried desperately to rush to Commander Lins side, but he was already seriously injured and dying. His last words were for us all to run, if even one more of us could survive, then we should. I can only imagine how much his heart ached at that mont, the cold, the hurt. Perhaps it is a blessing that he died without seeing the thick smoke rising above the Northern Valley..his deputies, his n, not one of them left him, even if in the end, they were only protecting a corpse. But I wasnt able to, because my commander was Lin Shu. I wanted to rush back to the Northern Valley, but there were too many of them. I was only halfway when I collapsed, and when I woke up, I had already been rescued by my foster father Valley Chief Su..
Prince Jing clenched his jaw tight, barely restraining himself, but in the end, he still couldnt stop himself from burying his fist in his palm. ng Zhi, too, turned his head to the side and wiped the hot tears from the corner of his eyes with his finger. Lie Zhan Yings tears had long since fallen like rain. Only i Changsu continued to maintain his original position, his eyes staring faintly at the rough surface of the wall before him.
After a long while, Prince Jing took a deep breath to steady himself before asking again, Chief Su..why was he there at the ti?
iling has an unusual dicinal ingredient, one that is extrely rare. At the ti, my adoptive father and his old friend were there to gather dicine, and stumbled across this tragic situation. In that chaos, they couldnt do much. It was only when Xie Yu finally started clearing the battlefield that they could disguise themselves to enter, to find a way to save so people.
Then Nie Duo..
At the ti, Nie Duo was dispatched by Commander Lin to check on Nie Fengs situation. On his way back, he detected sothing unusual and did his best to escape.
Prince Jing lowered his head and remained silent for a long ti. Then he asked again what he had asked before, Wei Zheng, the Northern Valley..were there really no other survivors?
Wei Zheng avoided his gaze and whispered, Ive not heard of any..
Although he had long understood in his heart that hope was slim, after hearing Wei Zhengs reply, Xiao Jingyan still couldnt help but feel heartbroken. His friend, the one whom he had played and rolled around with since they were young, the friend with whom he had studied and trained, who was always strutting around with self-importance, trying his best to show off but who was in actual fact the most attentive and considerate friend that friend who fought on horseback and was on the battlefield with him, friends who entrusted each other with their lives, the friend who laughed and persistently asked him to bring the pearl back before he left. He was really never coming back.
The pearl from the South China Sea was still lying cold and lonely deep in the chest by his bedside, but of the young general who was originally intended to be its owner, he didnt even know where his bones had been scattered. Thirteen years had passed, but the soul was still restless, the na not cleared. Even if he had seven pearls on him and imasurable honor, what was the point?!
Your Highness, please dont be rash. i Changsus soft voice carried over. This case was decided by His Majesty. Its implications are extensive, so it will not be so easy to overturn it. At the present mont, Your Highness can only make plans, and have no choice but to temporarily suppress your grief and anger. Pace yourself. As long as the goal has been decided, stay the course, and solidify your core strength one step at a ti. Why feel sad about it?
Thats right, ng Zhi was also a little calr now, and said soothingly in a low voice, To reverse the verdict, you must first get His Majesty to admit his mistake. But this mistake is too great. Even if His Majesty believed it, he may not acknowledge it. Besides, Wei Zheng is now a traitor. Whether or not his words will carry weight and whether or not he would get to speak them at court, all these are unknown. Your Highness must absolutely not act prematurely!
Butbut.. Lie Zhanying cried, How can we endure such injustice? Is this the only ending for our comrades in that bloody battlefield?
This case is not about the Chiyan army, i Changsu said quietly, Whats more important is that it involves the blood of the Emperors eldest son. Getting His Majesty to reverse the verdict would be equivalent to getting him to rewrite history for future generations, to leave behind a reputation for unjustly killing his son and loyal minister. Which man, let alone the Emperor, wouldnt care about his reputation after he dies? If Your Highness Prince Jing wants to achieve your final goal, you absolutely must not propose a retrial of the Chiyan case at this ti.
I understand what Sir is saying. Prince Jing raised his head, his eyes red, his face ashened. But I would also like to remind Sir that my ultimate goal is to wipe this case clean. If there are others, we can put them on hold for the ti being.
i Changsu returned his gaze for a long ti and smiled faintly. Yes, Su mou will keep that in mind.
Will Wei Zheng continue to stay here Sir?
Even though they have relaxed the search for him, it may still be too risky to send him back to Yao Wang Valley, as mishaps may happen enroute. My people are discrete, so it will be safe for him here. Your Highness need not worry.
If so, I will then have to trouble you, Sir Prince Jing then turned towards Wei Zheng and said, We were able to rescue you this ti due entirely to Mister Sus clever strategy and accurate foresight. While living here, you must obey Mister Sus orders.
Wei Zheng imdiately clasped his hands before him, saying Yes! Wei Zheng will definitely obey Mister Sus orders!
He responded so quickly and directly that Prince Jing was a little startled. Though i Changsu had rescued him, it shouldnt have been so easy for a general with a fiery and forthright disposition to proclaim such words of obedience.
There are no rules in our house. General Wei is too polite. i Changsu smiled and changed the topic. If there is anyone you shouldnt provoke, its Physician Yan. Your wounds have not healed completely, so he would most likely attend to you. When that happens, you must not offend him at all costs, otherwise I will also get into trouble.
I have also t this old physician. He is indeed very intimidating, ng Zhi added on, And Mister Su is rarely afraid of others.
Lie Zhanying stepped forward, pinching his brows as he suggested softly to Wei Zheng, Why dont you co and stay in Prince Jings mansion? There are many old friends, and its safe there..
i Changsu shot him a quick look, frowning slightly. Lie Zhanying realized his mistake, and quickly took two steps backwards, bowing his head. In this way, however, Prince Jings attention was thus distracted, and he said reprovingly, Zhanying, you shouldnt interfere with Mister Sus arrangents.
Yes. As a high-ranking general, Lie Zhanying wasnt being blindly impertinent, and he was also naturally sensible and experienced. He imdiately bowed down to apologize, Zhanying spoke too much. Please forgive .
General Lie is His Highnesss personal bodyguard. In future, please be more thorough in your thinking to keep him safe. i Changsus words were direct, after which he turned towards Prince Jing and said, Has Your Highness made arrangents for your people to remain behind during the Spring Hunt?
They have been properly deployed. The Spring Hunt will last for a full half a month. In the capital, the imperial order will be observed. Prince Yu will also remain behind. We really cant be careless.
i Changsu sighed softly and murmured, Actually, my thoughts are now similar to Xia Jiangs then, hoping that they would make a move. Unfortunately, as far as the situation is concerned, Prince Yu may not dare to take such a risk. Your Highness just needs to take care to leave people behind to keep an eye on them.
Prince Jing nodded, his expression beginning to look a little distracted. The details and facts revealed that evening had made him both angry and heartbroken, as if a huge boulder was pressing down on his chest, causing great anguish. He actually wanted to hold himself up, to continue to discuss matters with i Changsu as usual, but after those few sentences, he realized he couldnt do it anymore, at least not tonight. He couldnt think of anything else because his whole head was hot like lava, and he was unable to suppress it, to return to his normal state.
Your Highness, please go back and rest. There was a trace of weariness in i Changsus voice. He moved his gaze away from Prince Jing, taking a few steps back. Silence descended over the room. Xiao Jingyan slowly stood up, his eyelids hanging low, concealing his emotions. He patted Wei Zhengs shoulder, as if to say sothing to him, but in the end he didnt say anything. Instead, he turned around to walk towards his own doorway, followed closely by Lie Zhanying. ng Zhi originally intended to stay behind for a while, but observing i Changsus expression, he had no choice but to leave with Prince Jing.
The stone door closed slowly, cutting off all sound. i Changsus body shook slightly, and Wei Zheng imdiately stepped forward to hold him tightly, supporting him.
Thank you. The forr Junior Commander moved part of his weight to his deputy generals supporting arm, but his exhaustion was overwhelming him and it was almost impossible for him to fight it. Lets go. We should go.
Wei Zheng extinguished the lights in the secret chamber and the light from the passageway spilled in, faint in the darkness, bringing with it a sense of the distant past. i Changsu stopped when he reached the line dividing light and shadow, his gaze deep in thought.
Wei Zheng stood to the side, quietly looking at his profile, and suddenly said, Young Commander, I think we can tell..
The Chiyu Deputy General swallowed the rest of his sentence when his Junior Commander turned his head to glance at him.
The aning behind that glance was very clear.
Those words, dont ntion them again.. After saying this, i Changsu withdrew his fierce gaze and once again returned to his tired and confused state, as if that fierce and burning gaze from just a mont ago was nothing more than just Wei Zhengs imagination.
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