Chapter 799
Wang Jin raised his hand to touch the back of his head, feeling at a loss, yet he spoke with a mix of admiration and resolve. “In the beginning, I was moved by what the Princess of Zhen said. The Princess of Zhen declared that the moral code of the Bai family’s army is to never abandon any comrade who has shared life and death on the battlefield. She said that even if the person trapped on Huoshen Mountain that day wasn’t Commandery Princess Gaoyi, but anyone in the Jin Army willing to sacrifice themselves to save their comrades, she would risk her life to save them. She said this was not about good or evil, nor about whether it was worth it. This is faith. This is morality. I felt deeply shaken and wholeheartedly agreed. That’s why I am willing to follow the Princess of Zhen.”
Even now, when Wang Jin recalled Bai Qingyan sitting high on her horse, proclaiming those words decisively, his heart burned with fervor and excitement.
He remembered every word Bai Qingyan said, clearly and accurately, able to recite it without a single mistake.
Wang Jin was willing to swear to follow a general like Bai Qingyan to the death on the battlefield.
Bai Qingyan nodded.
Wang Jin glanced at Liu Pinggao, then gathered his courage to clasp his hands and say, “I came with General Liu today because the soldiers of the Anping Camp can no longer stand waiting at the Qingxi Mountain Pass. We came to ask the Princess of Zhen why we haven’t attacked the city yet. Princess of Zhen, you have never been a hesitant commander in our hearts, always decisive in battle. Why have we been waiting for almost a month without any intent to attack? I heard from the scouts that reinforcements for Liuzhou City arrived three days ago.”
Liu Pinggao also said to Bai Qingyan, “Yes, if we wait any longer, our soldiers’ fighting spirit will be drained, and it won’t be beneficial for our Jin Army.”
“Not attacking the city is because in my eyes, the life of every soldier is extremely precious!” Bai Qingyan picked up a bamboo slip, rolling it up, and without hiding it from Liu Pinggao and Wang Jin, she spoke bluntly. “I am waiting for General Yang Wuce of Liuzhou City to pledge allegiance to the Jin Kingdom. Yang Wuce’s loyalty to the Liang Kingdom is very high. We need to give him time to think. I estimate that Yang Wuce should have received news from Hancheng in the Capital of Daliang by now. Soon, Yang Wuce will make his decision. We will wait a little longer. If Yang Wuce refuses to surrender, then it won’t be too late to attack.”
No sooner had Bai Qingyan placed the rolled bamboo slip on top of the small mound of bamboo slips on the desk than Bai Jinzhi walked briskly into the tent. “Eldest Young Lady, Yang Wuce sent someone to meet with General Zhao Sheng!”
Liu Pinggao and Wang Jin exchanged glances, with Wang Jin looking at Bai Qingyan with even greater reverence.
Bai Qingyan nodded and stood up. “Take Yang Wuce’s envoy to General Liu Hong’s command tent. Summon the other commanders. General Liu, accompany me!”
“Yes!” Liu Pinggao clasped his hands and complied.
After leaving Bai Qingyan’s tent, Wang Jin couldn’t hide his joy. Without waiting for the official news to be released, he ran back to the Anping Army’s camp to share the good news with the soldiers.
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Liu Hong, who had been waiting for these days, knew at once that Yang Wuce’s envoy coming to the Jin Army camp meant Yang Wuce wanted to pledge allegiance to the Jin Kingdom. In high spirits, he quickly summoned Zhao Sheng and Yang Wei, the envoy sent by Yang Wuce, to his command tent.
As soon as Yang Wei entered the tent with Zhao Sheng, he saw Liu Hong, looking pleased, seated at the commander’s position. In contrast, the Princess of Zhen sat solemnly below Liu Hong in her military uniform, creating some uncertainty as to who had the authority in the camp.
According to credentials and status, it should have been Bai Qingyan who held command. But since Liu Hong was seated at the commander’s position, Yang Wei was a bit conflicted.
Yang Wei glanced at Liu Hong hesitantly, then cupped his hands towards Liu Hong and turned to bow to the Princess of Zhen, “General Yang Wuce of Liuzhou City sent me to convey to the Princess of Zhen—tomorrow morning, General Yang Wuce will lead the officers and soldiers of Liuzhou City out of the city, and await the Princess of Zhen outside the city gate. He wishes to follow the Princess of Zhen to the death.”
This was the message Yang Wuce had instructed him to deliver. Yang Wei had to bring it forth, thinking that upon hearing this, the Jin Army’s commander, Liu Hong, would be displeased. Unexpectedly, Liu Hong was quite pleased, saying, “General Yang is wise and considerate for the citizens of Liuzhou City. I, Liu Hong, admire him. Although the Princess of Zhen is a woman, she has vast ambitions and is unmatched in leading troops into battle. General Yang joining the Princess of Zhen’s ranks shows his broad-mindedness as well.”
Bai Qingyan looked at Yang Wei and responded, “Please convey to General Yang Wuce that tomorrow morning, Bai Qingyan will be there without fail.”
A personal guard beside Liu Hong saw Yang Wei out. Bai Qingyan turned to Zhao Sheng and said, “This time, capturing Liuzhou City without bloodshed, General Zhao Sheng’s contribution is indispensable.”
If it wasn’t for Zhao Sheng going to Liuzhou City, seeing Yang Wuce and conveying Bai Qingyan’s words, along with delivering the prescription to Yang Wuce, perhaps Yang Wuce wouldn’t have made this decision.
Liu Hong nodded. “When we return to the Capital of Dadu, I will surely report General Zhao Sheng’s meritorious deeds to His Majesty and the Crown Prince as they are!”
Zhao Sheng quickly replied with humility.
“Tomorrow when we enter Liuzhou City, it will be secure…” Bai Qingyan looked towards Liu Hong. “General Liu Hong, Bai Jinzhi, and I will each lead our troops to advance on Hancheng from three different routes. We must capture Hancheng in the shortest time possible to defeat Liang.”
As soon as Bai Qingyan said this, the Jin Army commanders in the tent were filled with fervor, eagerly readying themselves for a vigorous effort.
Bai Jinzhi exhaled a long breath, barely containing his excitement.
Especially Lin Kangle, who had long envied the Bai Army’s victory in the war against Shu. Finally, it was his turn to participate in the campaign to annihilate a kingdom.
Bai Qingyan tightly gripped the sword at her waist. Through tireless effort, she had reached today. If they could capture Hancheng, she would be able to muster the forces to rebel against the Jin.
She believed it wouldn’t be long before A Yu completely subdued Beirong. With Beirong in their control, Daliang firmly in hand, they could defeat Xiliang, pacify Yan, and unify the realm.
This world should ultimately be ruled by the capable and those who prioritize the people.
The emotional Jin Kingdom commanders all looked to Bai Qingyan, whose expression remained relatively unchanged. In the past, the campaign to conquer Shu was her crowning achievement, beheading Pang Pingguo. They believed she could lead them to conquer Liang this time as well.
As Bai Qingyan and Bai Jinzhi left Liu Hong’s command tent, the dazzling sunlight made her squint. She raised her hand to shield her eyes, and then a soldier reported that someone named Yue Shi was outside the camp requesting to see her.
“Eldest Young Lady, it must be someone sent by Mr. Xiao!” Bai Jinzhi said excitedly. “I will go and bring Yue Shi in!”
Bai Qingyan gripped the sword at her waist tightly and said, “Let’s go out and meet them.”
“Alright!” Bai Jinzhi responded.
Yue Shi stood outside the repaired walls of the Qingxi Mountain Pass, leading two horses, craning his neck to look inside…