Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Main General Zhan Lan of the Brave Army Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Main General Zhan Lan of the Brave Army After Zhan Lan beca the Main General, Dugu Yan also joined her army.
Besides Xue Lang, Chen Zi, Xie Yu, and Liu Chuang, Xiao Chen beca one of the five Deputy Generals.
After three major battles, Zhan Lan who understood Ye Xiuhan’s combat tactics won all three tis.
During the fourth battle, Ye Xiuhan changed his usual tactics and won against Zhan Lan once.
But overall, Nanjin was still at an advantage.
Emperor Xuanwu, who was closely following these events from Ding’an City, was overjoyed when he received the news of the first three victories, despite being ill.
Zhan Lan had managed to battle Beiyue and with minimal casualties, slaughtered forty thousand enemy soldiers.
Currently, the army led by Zhan Lan consists of two hundred thousand warriors, while Beiyue has one hundred and eighty thousand.
Emperor Xuanwu felt that his original judgnt was excellent, as it allowed for a female General like Zhan Lan to erge.
Victory and defeat are common in military affairs, and even with so battles lost, he had full confidence in Zhan Lan.
This woman was truly like a sharp blade that could be a deterrent wherever she was placed.
Emperor Xuanwu was greatly moved and felt that his health had sowhat improved over the past two years.
To motivate Zhan Lan to continue helping him annex Beiyue, he imdiately granted her the title of Brave General and rewarded her with ten thousand taels of Gold, as well as the designation of the Brave Army.
After receiving the imperial edict, Zhan Lan’s eyes sparkled, and from that mont on, she truly had military power in her hands.
The news of this exhilarated the whole country.
Upon hearing this news, Zhan Xuerou imdiately went to find the Princess.
The Princess, Si Yao, held Zhan Xuerou’s hand warmly and said, “My future sister-in-law, why have you co? And here I thought you’d be too busy being affectionate with Brother Si Jun every day to rember !”
The Princess’s words instantly made Zhan Xuerou blush deeply, and realizing that she was being teased, she nodded and said, “Please don’t tease , Princess. Without your help speaking so highly of Brother Jun in front of His Majesty, with my parents and grandfather opposing our betrothal so much, it wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
A year ago, Emperor Xuanwu’s health deteriorated, and he felt he owed a debt of familial affection to Si Jun, so he allowed Si Jun to return to Ding’an City from Lingnan.
Si Jun used his own blood as dicine, continuously treating his father the Emperor’s illness. Emperor Xuanwu was deeply moved,
and his attitude changed with the praise that Si Jun received from the public and the imperial court.
After enduring humiliation and bearing a heavy burden upon his return, Si Jun would have private etings with Zhan Xuerou every month.
Zhan Xuerou was gentle and considerate, and she genuinely cherished him, doing much on his behalf, which led Si Jun to also take a liking to her.
Thus, under the pressure of Zhan Xuerou’s threat to take her own life, Zhan Beicang finally agreed to their engagent.
Emperor Xuanwu, realizing his health was not improving, woke up to reality and gave up his pursuit of immortality.
His primary concern was choosing a successor from among his sons.
Zhan Xuerou was confident that with Si Jun’s wisdom, he would certainly beco the Crown Prince.
However, she still had one worry in her heart: the now rapidly rising Zhan Lan. Having undergone nurous battles and ensured tranquility for the citizens, she held high prestige among the people.
If Zhan Lan were to return to the imperial court with the rank of first-class Main General and with military power in her hands, would she pose a threat to Si Jun and herself?
Zhan Xuerou’s eyes shifted as she said, “Your Highness, the person you’ve planted in the army, why haven’t they made a move against Zhan Lan yet?”
Suddenly, Zhan Xuerou caught a flicker of displeasure in the Princess’s eyes; her manner of questioning sounded like an accusation, so Zhan Xuerou promptly explained with respect, “Zhan Lan is a cruel woman, she kills without blinking an eye, I just fear that delay may bring trouble.”
Si Yao sneered and said: “Zhan Lan is nothing but a dog of our Si Family. She still holds value now, so naturally we will find a good place for her once she is of no further use!”
“No hurry, the day Beiyue is defeated will also be the day Zhan Lan ets her death.” Si Yao, clad in armor, gently patted Zhan Xuerou’s hand.
The person she had planted in the army had been waiting for the right mont to deliver a fatal blow to Zhan Lan.
Zhan Xuerou concealed the joy in her heart; everything was developing in a favorable direction for her.
She added fuel to the fire and said: “Your Highness, I’ve heard that Seal Keeper Mu Yan is extrely fond of Zhan Lan. He has been to the border several tis just to see that wretched woman, giving away gifts and money without a second thought.”
The Princess looked aningfully at Zhan Xuerou, “You don’t need to worry about Seal Keeper Mu Yan. A woman that he can’t have is rely a novelty to him. What’s this? Even with my Brother, you’re still pining for other n?”
Over the years, Si Yao had seen plenty of strife among the won of the harem. She understood that sotis Zhan Xuerou simply wanted to use her hand to deal with Zhan Lan.
She too disliked a woman like Zhan Lan, who outshone others with her brilliance.
Thus, she was also willing to let Zhan Xuerou co to her for help in dealing with Zhan Lan.
Zhan Xuerou quickly explained, “That’s not it, Your Highness. Many ladies in the noble circle loathe Zhan Lan to the core; it’s just what I’ve heard!”
The Princess sneered, “Their affairs have nothing to do with . However, since Mu Yan likes her, I would rather not let him get his way!”
The Princess recalled how Mu Yan had humiliated her at a banquet, not giving her any regard, and was burning with rage!
…
In the blink of an eye, sumr arrived. There was no war at Heifeng Pass this month, and the weather was hot and dry, with heat steaming off the parched land.
Zhan Lan said to Dugu Yan, “Yan’er, go to Luoshui City today and buy so waterlons for the soldiers.”
“Yes, Main General!” Dugu Yan’s smile was radiant. Now a grown girl, her skin was a healthy, wheatish hue, with lively and elongated eyes slightly upturned, a high nose with a slight hump, and lips full and rosy. Her features had fully matured, like a beautiful but dangerous and captivating poppy flower.
After a while, Dugu Yan returned disheartened and said, “Zhan Lan, it’s bad news. The first batch of waterlons has been bought up; there are none left!”
Zhan Lan said calmly, “Try again tomorrow, and if there are none, make an advance order.”
“Yes!”
Zhan Lan sat under the shade of a tree, massaging her back, which had been injured by Ye Xiuhan.
In the last battle, Ye Xiuhan’s war spear had forcefully struck her back, but Zhan Lan had not let him off lightly either – with a turnabout spear thrust, she had pierced his arm.
She took a small wooden stick and began drawing on the ground, and as she drew, she outlined a man’s face.
With the stick, she quickly erased the drawing on the ground; although Mu Yan would co to see her every so often,
It seed she occasionally also thought of Mu Yan.
“An idle fancy!” Zhan Lan got up and stamped on the ground twice, erasing the drawing.
“Main General! Seal Keeper Mu Yan has sent waterlons!” Huang Gun ran over with a grin. He too had grown up, becoming a third-rank military officer with well-developed muscles and dark skin, but still as unserious as ever.
“Who did you say sent the waterlons?” Zhan Lan, hands behind her back, inquired.
“Seal Keeper Mu Yan, ah, your man… It’s rare for our Seal Keeper Mu Yan to be so thoughtful, having waterlons delivered all the way from Luoshui City. The soldiers are all waiting for you!”
“That’s right, there’s a cartful of waterlons specially picked out for your tent. Seal Keeper Mu Yan is really good to Main General; we get to enjoy the benefits too!”
Zhan Lan gave him a sidelong glance, “Stop spouting nonsense, let’s go!”
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