They had, at most, only 100,000 n. Even if they captured a city in the Xichen Kingdom, how long could they hold it? Even if the Xichen Kingdom had lost 300,000 n, their nation was rich and its army strong. In less than ten days, they could dispatch 500,000 troops to crush them. What good would a temporary occupation be? When the enemy arrived, they wouldn’t even be able to outrun them; it would be a sheer waste of lives and resources. It was better to firmly defend Yanshan Pass and Yanshan City.
Yun No. 20 listened and scratched his head; he understood Xiao Yunjing’s aning. Only Feng Zhiqiang stared foolishly as the two spoke in riddles. He didn’t ask either. He knew his own limitations; with his pig-like brain, he wouldn’t understand even if they explained it.
Sure enough, about two hours later, the city gates opened once more, and a deafening RUMBLE echoed. Under Mr. Xiao’s command, cart after cart laden with provisions was transported into the city.
Xiao Yunjing was already waiting at the city gate. When he saw Mr. Xiao ride into the city, full of vigor, he hurried forward to greet him.
"Dad."
Xiao Yunjing took the horse’s reins. Once the animal halted, Mr. Xiao dismounted.
"Hahaha... Good lad! Tomorrow, we go pick up so ’guests’!" Mr. Xiao clapped Xiao Yunjing on the arm, laughing heartily.
Xiao Yunjing smiled and, leading the horse, accompanied Mr. Xiao back to the command tent.
Back in the command tent, the father and son discussed the situation within the Xichen Army Camp.
Mr. Xiao said casually, "If I hadn’t been in such a rush to get these supplies back, I’d have tied up every last one of them and brought them here."
A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Yunjing’s dark eyes. Yes, those n definitely need to be captured, he thought. But before that, I need to understand the precise situation in the Xichen Army Camp.
"Dad, it’s almost dawn. You should go back and rest. Your son can handle what cos next."
"Alright. Your mother is probably waiting up. Be careful!" With that, Mr. Xiao strode out of the command tent.
Xiao Yunjing watched Mr. Xiao depart. Then, with a wave of his hand, Yun No. 2 entered.
About an hour later, Xiao Yunjing led a large contingent of n straight into the Xichen Kingdom’s military camp and found General Yan Liang. At that mont, Yan Liang was sprawled limply on his bed, his face a mask of hatred as he stared at Xiao Yunjing. He, a veteran of countless battles, had actually fallen at the hands of such a young man.
"Tie him up!" Xiao Yunjing couldn’t be bothered to even look at Yan Liang. He waved his hand and barked the order. Imdiately, n ca forward and trussed Yan Liang up securely. This was a crucial bargaining chip for negotiations with the Xichen Kingdom.
There was another, even more important person. Xiao Yunjing ordered an imdiate search, intending to wait right there until the person was brought to him. In less than the ti it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Yun No. 2 returned, dragging a young man in opulent robes, and threw him down at Xiao Yunjing’s feet.
"Release at once!" the opulently dressed young man snarled the mont he saw Xiao Yunjing. "Or my Xichen Kingdom will annihilate your Daqian Kingdom!"
"The King of Ping’an, truly shaless in his boasting," Xiao Yunjing remarked coolly. Such arrogance, even as a captive.
Feng Zhiqiang listened, his beard practically bristling with anger. He leaned in to get a better look at this so-called King of Ping’an and then kicked him squarely in the backside. "Well, well! This pretty boy’s got quite the mouth on him! Planning to annihilate the Daqian Kingdom, are we? Co on, then! This old man is waiting!"
"You—!"
The King of Ping’an’s face turned purple with rage. He gnashed his teeth, glaring venomously at Feng Zhiqiang. How dare he kick my royal backside! Just wait until I get back! If I don’t dispatch troops to deal with these shaless curs, then I’m not the King of Ping’an! Who the hell could have predicted these bastards wouldn’t fight head-on, army against army, but would resort to such underhanded tricks as drugging our camp!
"What are you looking at, huh? Watch yourself, or this old man will gouge out your eyeballs and kick them around like footballs!" Feng Zhiqiang looked ready to kick him again.
"Feng Zhiqiang, tie him up and take him away! Yun No. 2, go through the camp one more ti. Tie up everyone holding a military rank," Xiao Yunjing ordered, stopping Feng Zhiqiang before turning to Yun No. 2.
News of these events would soon reach the desk of the Xichen Kingdom’s Emperor. By taking all their officers captive, I’ll have a much stronger hand in the negotiations, Xiao Yunjing thought. I refuse to believe the Xichen Emperor would disregard the lives of his own son and so many of his generals. He’ll have to agree, even if it pains him. Otherwise, who would be willing to lay down their lives for him in the future?
"Yes, General."
"Yes, Master."
Feng Zhiqiang instantly dropped his thuggish deanor and strode out of the tent with Yun No. 2.
About two hours later, nearly a hundred captives were brought back, all of them significant figures. Xiao Yunjing had no interest in the common soldiers or minor personnel. Taking them would an having to provide food and lodging. Three hundred thousand of them? Far too many. I can’t support that.
This victory, achieved without the loss of a single soldier, had neutralized an army of 300,000. Compared to the previous day’s defeat, the soldiers’ morale soared instantly, sweeping away the oppressive gloom of that loss. Furthermore, vast quantities of supplies had been seized, and they had captured an enemy prince, along with his top commanders and their deputies. This battle was a trendous boost to morale, a deeply satisfying triumph. The border garrisons had long suffered under the Xichen Kingdom’s oppression and had never achieved such a resounding victory. It didn’t matter what thods were used to defeat the enemy; a win was a win. As the art of war dictates: all’s fair in war. The battlefield is inherently unpredictable, and employing cunning, deception, and unconventional tactics to achieve victory is perfectly acceptable. Moreover, the enemy numbered 300,000, while our side had only 100,000 troops and had also recently suffered from the Earthworm’s upheaval. We were weaker by any asure. Yet, the enemy chose such a mont to attack. How could their actions possibly be considered honorable or fair?
Xiao Yunjing imdiately ordered the captured supplies to be distributed. The soldiers’ padded winter coats were from the previous year and no longer offered adequate protection against the cold. Food was also distributed to the inhabitants of the city and the disaster victims seeking refuge around its walls. For a ti, the tense situation at the border eased considerably. The soldiers now had warm clothes and full als. Their spirits soared, and their daily shouts from the training grounds seed to shake the very heavens.
Xiao Yunjing smiled at this sight, but he deliberately withheld a full report of these events from the Capital City. He had his own agenda. He was waiting for the Xichen Kingdom to send envoys for negotiation.
In Qiyang County, Gu Qingli had been rushing to the dical Clinic every day. Earlier in the year, Wushuang and Wuqing had purchased several estates outside the city. Half of the dicinal herbs planted there had been harvested, but the other half were not yet mature. All of the harvested herbs had been transported to the dical Clinic, where everyone was working overti to process them. Once processed, the dicines were sent to the disaster victims.
Wushuang had arranged for the more than two hundred servants they had purchased to go to the estates and build wooden houses. Over the past few days, Wuxin had taken in another hundred-odd people, who were then sent to Tiger Head Mountain by Yun No. 200. Yun No. 200 had also dispatched n into the city specifically to gather parentless orphans and other destitute individuals with no one to rely on. Within ten days, they had gathered over a thousand such people. Afterward, Yun No. 200 sent soone back to Qinghe Village to check whether the base and the tunnels there had been destroyed.
Just then, Chu Yan’s party finally arrived, having overco many difficulties on their journey. Upon arrival, Chu Yan imdiately opened the granaries and had shelters erected outside the city. He had been purchasing supplies throughout his journey, and the vast quantities he brought with him instantly alleviated the most pressing needs of tens of thousands of disaster victims. He then dispatched n to other counties to procure more winter supplies and have them delivered.
In the Qiyang County governnt office, Zhao Shijin observed as this supposedly "idle prince," so often ridiculed, thodically arranged one matter after another. In the eyes of the world, he was a good-for-nothing prince. But now, who would dare call this "idle prince" useless? If anyone dared, I’d beat them to death!
Chu Yan surveyed the few individuals standing before him, his gaze lingering for a mont on the deferential-looking Zhao Shijin.
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