sbdcsierra Chapter 341: Xiyue Kingdom’s Ambition
Chapter 341: Xiyue Kingdom’s Ambition
It is spring in the south, and flowers of all colors are in full bloom. However, under the drizzle, the Liunan Kingdom and the Wucang Kingdom have already been on the verge of a war, and both sides have dispatched additional troops to their respective borders and are preparing for war.
Liunan Kingdom did not seek help from Jingsong Kingdom, and its neighbor Nanjiang did not dare to make any promises because of its small size and weakness. Other countries were far away, and although some sympathized with Liunan Kingdom and condemned Xiyue Kingdom for bullying the weak, they did not dare to take the risk of traveling thousands of miles because Jingsong Kingdom did not send troops to support them. Even though they were isolated and helpless, Liunan Emperor Guzhu Yan vowed to fight to the death with Wucang Kingdom to preserve the spirit of the Guzhu Dynasty, which would rather die than surrender.
Wu Cang Kingdom could rest easy because it had the help of Xiyue Kingdom, and the whole country was not as tragic as Liunan Kingdom. But now the reinforcements from Xiyue Kingdom have not arrived, and the Wu Cang army dared not to start a war rashly. So while they were anxiously waiting, they also hoped that Liunan Kingdom would not take the initiative.
However, the war broke out, the people were tired, and suffering followed. The people on both sides of the border had no choice but to flee with their families because of the upcoming war, and began to be displaced. Seeing that their homes where they had lived for generations were about to become a battlefield of bloody fighting, men, women, old and young in Liunan country all cried bitterly, and in an instant, there was another scene of grief.
On the top of a mountain in the southern border of Jingsong State, a father and son in armor were looking at the tens of thousands of troops stationed in Liunan State and Wucang State in the distance with frowns on their faces. They were the father and son of the Xiao family, General Xiao Hongzhong and his son Xiao Pengyue, who had been stationed in this southern border for more than ten years.
"Once the army of Xiyue Kingdom arrives, the small country of Liunan will be destroyed even if it has great character." The 17-18-year-old young general Xiao Pengyue couldn't help but sigh, then turned to ask his father: "I really can't understand why the court is unwilling to help Liunan Kingdom. Doesn't the emperor understand the principle of "lips and teeth are cold"? Moreover, we have always been on good terms with Liunan Kingdom. The destruction of Liunan Kingdom will do more harm than good to Jingsong Kingdom! I really don't understand what the emperor and the ministers in the court are thinking?"
"You can just say this in private to your father, but you are not allowed to discuss the court or speculate about the emperor in public. As his subjects, we have to be more careful with our words and actions when we lead troops outside all year round." General Xiao Hongzhong's expression suddenly became serious after hearing his son's words. He turned around and saw that his men were waiting a hundred steps away, so he felt relieved and turned to warn his son.
"Don't worry, father. I know my limits. I can only say these words directly in front of you." The young man Xiao Pengyue nodded and said with a smile.
"The imperial court has its own considerations. We are just soldiers guarding the border. We just need to do our duty loyally and dutifully." Xiao Hongzhong also smiled kindly, patted his son on the shoulder, and continued to teach.
"My father taught me what I want to say, and I will remember it." Xiao Pengyue also responded obediently.
He grew up with his father since he was a child. In Xiao Pengyue's heart, his father is upright, loyal, brave and resourceful. He is a real hero who is deeply respected and loved by military officers and local people. He has always regarded his father as a role model, so Xiao Pengyue will keep his father's words in mind.
"Give the order, if the refugees from Liunan Kingdom come to Jingsong, there is no need to intercept them, they should all be allowed to pass." Then, Xiao Hongzhong turned his head to look at Liunan Kingdom at the foot of the mountain and sighed.
"Yes, father." Xiao Pengyue bowed and turned to leave.
"General." Not long after, another soldier came behind Xiao Hongzhong, saluted and called out.
"Wang Ai, there's something I want you to do for me." Xiao Hongzhong turned around and looked at the deputy general in front of him who had followed him for ten years. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"General, please tell me if you have anything to say." Wang Ai said without hesitation and continued to bow.
"Although the court does not allow us to help Liunan Kingdom, I have been friends with General Zheng Yu of Liunan Kingdom for many years, so I have to help him for the sake of our personal friendship." Xiao Hongzhong took out a book from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Ai, and then said, "This is a book I have come up with after studying the combat methods of the Xiyue Army in recent years. I heard that the main generals sent by Xiyue Kingdom this time are Shufeng and Yan Han. These two are not ordinary people. I hope that my countermeasures can help General Zheng Yu to some extent."
"Yes." Wang Ai took the book, responded and turned away.
Xiao Hongzhong still stood on the edge of the cliff with his hands behind his back, and sighed with regret again. The Xiyue Kingdom had wolfish ambitions, and the Wucang Kingdom had made a fool of itself by inviting a wolf into the house. If the Liunan Kingdom could not be saved, the Wucang Kingdom would definitely be the next to be destroyed.
At the same time, outside Mucheng in the southern border of Xiyue Kingdom, the young general Shufeng and the magistrate of Mucheng County Situ Ting, together with various officials, went out of the city to welcome King Han who led his army and the minister Yang Xi who delivered the imperial edict.
"Prince Han, Lord Yang must have traveled long and hard on the journey!" Seeing Yan Han and Yang Xi, Situ Ting immediately stepped forward with a bow, saluted and smiled with a flattering face, and the officials following behind him also followed suit and saluted.
Looking at the officials in front of him who were all groveling, General Uncle Feng Qinglang couldn't help but reveal a sneer on his face. Then, he slowly walked forward and bowed to Yan Han and Yang Xi in a neither humble nor arrogant manner.
Seeing Yan Han still had a gloomy face and didn't say anything, Yang Xi simply took out the imperial edict and read it out. Shu Feng was shocked to learn that the emperor actually asked him to be the commander-in-chief of this campaign. He was happy to be the commander-in-chief, but why did he let King Han be the deputy commander? Everyone in the Xiyue Kingdom knew what kind of character King Han had. Even the princes had to hide when they saw him. How could a small general like him calm down this big Buddha?
But then Shu Feng changed his mind and thought, since he had the imperial edict in his hand and the emperor's support, why should he be afraid of King Han?
"General Shufeng, don't worry. The emperor has another oral order." After Yangxi finished reading the imperial edict, he dismissed all the officials, pulled Shufeng closer to King Han, and then whispered.
"Please come in, sir." Seeing that King Han did not avoid him, Shu Feng knew that the secret order was something that both of them had to know, so he bowed to Yang Xi.
"This is a great opportunity for my Xiyue Kingdom to expand southward. Our army can pretend to help Wu Cang, let them both suffer losses, and then we can reap the benefits." Yang Xi once again showed his majesty and conveyed the emperor's will to the two people in front of him.
"I will follow the emperor's orders." Shu Feng raised his eyes and glanced at King Han who was still silent, then saluted respectfully to Yang Xi again.
This secret decree did not surprise Shu Feng. After all, the ambition of Xiyue Kingdom since the previous emperor had been to unify the world and end the century-long conflict in the Central Plains as soon as possible. Now that Wu Cang and Liu Nan had caused trouble, it did give Xiyue Kingdom an opportunity.