Chapter 810
Similarly dressed in the black armor of the Jin Army, Xiao Rongyan sat beside Bai Qingyan, without avoiding suspicion.
The leaders in the tent all knew that this wealthy merchant from the Wei Kingdom, Xiao Rongyan, was Bai Qingyan’s fiancé, who had rushed here tonight to spend the New Year’s Eve with her. No one said much about it.
“Report…”
A soldier under Zhao Sheng’s command ran swiftly to the outside of the commander’s tent, knelt on one knee, and said, “Reporting to the Princess of Zhen, two scouts from Daming Prefecture have already headed in the direction of Daming Prefecture. Our army has let them through!”
The candlelight made Bai Qingyan’s deep eyes flicker. She straightened her back, grasped the sword at her waist, and looked at the leaders in the tent.
“Today is New Year’s Eve, but you have to face your former comrades in battle. Bai Qingyan knows… you all feel guilty towards your former comrades! However… in General Cao’s eyes, we are all enemies of the Liang Kingdom and vow to destroy us! This is not something that can be resolved with a few words!” Bai Qingyan cupped her hands towards the soldiers, “The reason we take up arms today is to quickly pacify this chaotic world, to ensure that in the future there won’t be compatriots killing each other! Peaceful times are far away, but pacifying with arms, although it is killing, is to stop war by war and establish the achievement of peace for the world! Bai Qingyan earnestly asks everyone… to do your utmost in this battle, to make sure the defenders of Daming Prefecture can’t fight back. Only then… we can prevent further conflict and greater casualties. Quickly pacify Daming Prefecture!”
Bai Qingyan’s words lifted the spirits of the leaders in the tent, and the guilt in their hearts towards their comrades vanished!
They fight to establish the achievement of peace for the world, using war to stop war!
Only in this way can they quickly pacify Daming Prefecture, quickly conquer Hancheng in Daliang… and lay the foundation for the unification of the world!
Bai Qingyan’s every word resonated deeply with the leaders.
The stirred Zhao Sheng straightened his back, cupped his hands, and shouted, “Swear to follow the Princess of Zhen to death!”
“Swear to follow the Princess of Zhen to death!”
The soldiers straightened up, cupped their hands, and shouted, their hearts filled with battle intent.
In the command tent, except for Zhao Ran… all the others were former soldiers of the Liang Kingdom, but they were united under Bai Qingyan’s command for the same goal, swearing never to retreat.
“Zhao Sheng, Zhao Ran, listen to orders!” Bai Qingyan looked towards Zhao Sheng and Zhao Ran, “Order Zhao Sheng to lead fifty thousand soldiers and Zhao Ran to lead five thousand Shuoyang Army, hide on the right side of the camp, wait for orders, and do not act rashly!”
“Zhao Sheng accepts the order!”
“Zhao Ran accepts the order!”
Zhao Sheng and Zhao Ran cupped their hands to accept the orders.
“Yang Wuce, Yang Wei, listen to orders!” Bai Qingyan looked towards Yang Wuce and Yang Wei, “Order you two to lead fifty thousand soldiers and hide on the left side of the camp. Once the defenders of Daming Prefecture enter the camp, surround them and attack from inside and outside. If there are unexpected changes… follow General Yang Wuce’s orders without mistake!”
“Yang Wuce accepts the order!”
“Yang Wei accepts the order!”
Bai Qingyan stood up, held her sword, and with eyes like torches, swept her gaze over the soldiers in the camp, her voice sonorous and clear, “The rest of the soldiers will be the bait with me, waiting in the camp for the Liang Army to attack. We will work together with the two General Zhao and the two General Yang to annihilate the enemy!”
“Annihilate the enemy!” Zhao Sheng was the first to shout.
The entire command tent echoed with shouts of annihilating the enemy.
Xiao Rongyan stared at the dignified and solemn Bai Qingyan, finally understanding why the warriors under Bai Qingyan were fearless. Bai Qingyan’s ability to inspire the soldiers’ morale was unmatched.
·
In Daming Prefecture, the Liang Army was also rigorously preparing, the army gathered inside and outside the gates of Daming Prefecture.
The leaders gathered at the top of the city gate under Cao Renyi’s leadership, looking into the distance, waiting for the news of the Jin Army’s camp lights going out before they set off.
“General! Look…” A leader beside Cao Renyi vaguely saw two fast riders in the dark and immediately pointed them out to Cao Renyi.
Cao Renyi raised his hand and shouted loudly, “Be on guard!”
The archers drew their bows and aimed into the distance, even the soldiers lined up below the city wall readied their swords.
The sound of hooves grew closer and two scouts returning reined in their horses below the city wall and shouted, “General! The Jin Army’s lights are out!”
Cao Renyi gripped the sword at his waist, and upon hearing the Jin Army’s lights were out, he felt confident, his eyes shining brightly.
Tonight is New Year’s Eve, he had sent Liang wine and Liang specialties, seemingly to reconcile, but actually… to deceive the Princess of Zhen… making her believe that he really intended to surrender like Zhao Sheng and Yang Wuce, while also disturbing the minds of the Liang soldiers under Bai Qingyan’s command.
They were attacking their own country, and must feel guilty, the Liang wine and specialties would awaken their feelings for their homeland, making the fight easier. This was… winning without a fight, similar to Liu Bang’s strategy against Xiang Yu’s Chu Army.
“Soldiers of the Liang Kingdom! Today should have been a day of family reunion on New Year’s Eve, but we must protect the Liang Kingdom here, protect our families! Without the country, where is the family?! If the country is lost, where is the home?! Instead of hiding in the city waiting for the Jin Army to attack, it’s better to strike first, taking advantage of surprise! Drive the Jin dogs… out of our Liang Kingdom!”
“Drive out the Liang Kingdom!”
“Drive out the Liang Kingdom!”
“Drive out the Liang Kingdom!”
The Liang Army soldiers shouted in unison.
Seeing the soldiers’ morale rise, Cao Renyi shouted hoarsely, “Set out!”
The leaders of the Liang Army below the city wall mounted their horses immediately, shouting, giving orders to the soldiers to extinguish their torches, and the army set off.
Cao Renyi walked down the city wall and turned to his deputy general, “Are you certain all the scouts sent by the Jin Kingdom have been killed?”
Cao Renyi’s deputy general nodded, “Rest assured, General, I have instructed the leaders in the ambush along the way to kill all the Jin Kingdom scouts without letting any return to report.”
Cao Renyi nodded, “Very well! I will lead the army to the Jin camp. The city is empty… you must guard Daming Prefecture! If we are defeated, gather the people to defend the city. Whoever disobeys, kill one as a warning. You must hold until reinforcements from the Imperial Court arrive.”
“The General has never been defeated! Leading six thousand soldiers in this battle, you surely will not fail, definitely will slaughter the traitors of Liang, and behead the Princess of Zhen from Jin Kingdom to avenge the Fourth Prince! I will wait here for the General’s triumphant return!” Cao Renyi’s deputy general looked at him with confidence.
Cao Renyi shook his head, “The Jin Army has fifteen thousand, we only have six thousand… you must be prepared.”
Despite saying this, Cao Renyi was determined to lead six thousand in a surprise attack, to make his name known throughout the states in this battle, also to avenge his former acquaintance, the Fourth Prince.