Chapter 345 The Exhausted Army

Lin Changning naturally knew it was hot, but they were in a hurry. If even they, a group of light cavalry, were in such a heat, who knew how the main army trapped in the new city was feeling?

Thinking this, Lin Changning looked at Wan Jin and said, "We'll rest in the forest when it's hottest, and then continue on our way when it's cooler in the afternoon."

Wan Jin gulped down several mouthfuls of water, too hot to even speak. Traveling in this weather was truly agonizing, and he still didn't know how his subordinate's injuries were going to get better.

Thinking this, Wan Jin asked, "Junior, what about your injuries?"

Lin Changning looked up, took a sip of water, and replied, "It's all fine now. It won't affect our journey or the fighting."

Having endured the hottest part of the day, Lin Changning led everyone on the road again. They did this for seven or eight days in a row, resting in the forest during the day and continuing their journey when it was cooler in the evening. On the evening of the eighth day, they finally arrived at the new city.

Lin Changning, riding on Mo Yun and with his men, looked up at the generals guarding the new city and shouted loudly.

"Lin Changning, the Right Guard of the King of Chu, has come to meet the Crown Prince."

The flag of the Prince of Sheng fluttered in the wind atop the city wall. The soldiers guarding the city looked down at the general and a thousand light cavalry and shouted back, "We will go and inform them. Please wait a moment."

Lin Changning rode his horse quietly outside the city gate, and soon the city gate creaked open.

A person rode out on horseback. It was too dark for Lin Changning to see clearly, but as the torches on the other side drew closer, Lin Changning was able to make out who it was.

Compared to his high spirits a few days ago, Li Mingde is now much more disheveled. He cupped his hands in greeting when he saw Lin Changning.

"My name is Li Mingde. May I ask your name?"

Lin Changning cupped his hands towards Li Mingde: "Lin Changning, Vice Commander of the Right Guard of the Prince of Chu, pays respects to Your Highness."

Having been traveling for the past few days and suffering from slight heatstroke, Old Ma lagged behind Lin Changning and gave a perfunctory bow.

"Greetings, Crown Prince."

Seeing Lin Changning and Lao Ma's somewhat perfunctory bowing, Li Mingde sighed softly.

Now he is a stray dog, no wonder people look down on him. When a military officer saw him, he didn't dismount to salute, but just casually cupped his hands, which was obviously a sign of contempt.

But thinking of his current situation and the difficulties at home, he shook his head helplessly and said, "You're too kind, sir."

Lin Changning was deliberately provoking him. After all, he was from Daxing. Although he was sent to provide support, he couldn't help but feel resentful.

If it weren't for the Crown Prince of Sheng leading his men to besiege Daxing, he and the commander wouldn't have been injured. If the Crown Prince hadn't arrived in time, they would have died in Daxing.

However, seeing Li Mingde's current dejected and humble appearance, it was not appropriate to vent any further.

Standing beside Li Mingde was Commander Sun, who couldn't help but feel resentful at Lin Changning's disrespectful attitude towards his young master.

When he led his men into the city, he finally couldn't hold back and started to challenge Lin Changning: "To be sent by the Prince of Chu to meet us, Lin Qianshi must have some extraordinary abilities."

Lin Changning glanced at Commander Sun lightly, chuckled softly, and said nothing.

Sun, feeling ignored, couldn't help but get angry. Having served as a border commander for so many years, he naturally had some ability. Although Prince Sheng was now in dire straits, his family would not tolerate such contempt.

Enraged by what he thought, Commander Sun drew his sword and pointed it at Lin Changning: "You're just a mere Vice Commander under the King of Chu! How dare you look down on us like this?"

"Commander Sun!!!"

Li Mingde interrupted Commander Sun's accusations, forcing a stiff smile at Lin Changning.

"Please forgive me, Vice Commissioner Lin, I was ignorant..."

Lin Changning narrowed his eyes, swiftly drew his sword, and with a burst of light, cleaved the sword in Commander Sun's hand that was pointing at him in two. The force was so great that Commander Sun's hand holding the sword trembled slightly.

Lin Changning said coldly, "It's alright, Young Master. I'm here to provide support, not to listen to people barking."

Commander Sun's face turned red with anger, and he wanted to point at Lin Changning and say something.

"You dog..."

Seeing Old Ma silently gripping his sword, preparing to draw it, and the cavalry behind Lin Changning already preparing for battle, Li Mingde angrily shouted, "Commander Sun! Shut up!"

After saying this, he cupped his hands towards Lin Changning and said, "I do not believe I have ever met Vice Commissioner Lin. I wonder where I have offended you!"

Lin Changning gave a soft hum: "Your Highness is too kind. It's not that we've offended you, but most of the people we brought are from the Daxing Border Guard. Your Highness has never offended us, but we have indeed suffered because of you."

Li Mingde looked up and glanced at Lin Changning's unfamiliar face. He suddenly understood why these people didn't like them. When Commander Sun heard that Lin Changning and his group came from the Daxing Border Army, he immediately shut up.

Li Mingde remained silent for a while before leading his men into the camp. After bringing Lin Changning to the tent, he said, "I was unaware that you, Vice Commissioner Lin, were from Daxing. I apologize."

Lin Changning looked up at Li Mingde: "There's nothing to apologize for, it's just a difference in perspective."

Knowing he was in the wrong, Li Mingde said nothing and directly arranged a banquet to welcome Lin Changning and his entourage.

Both sides felt somewhat awkward at the banquet, but Li Mingde, being a man of flexibility, smiled and raised his wine glass to toast Lin Changning.

"You've worked hard all summer long, sir."

One shouldn't hit a smiling face, especially since Lin Changning came with a mission. Looking at Li Mingde's amiable smile, Lin Changning couldn't very well make things difficult for him.

Holding the wine glass, he gestured to Li Mingde, pretending to drink the wine, but actually spilled it on the ground.

Having been involved in drinking parties for many years, Li Mingde naturally understood that Lin Changning was faking his drinking, but he didn't say anything.

My father wrote a letter a few days ago, saying that he had asked the King of Chu to send someone to meet them and bring my father and mother to Taiyuan.

Now we have to bow our heads under the eaves.

Moreover, this Assistant Inspector Lin is from Daxing, and their relationship is definitely not very friendly. It is understandable that he is wary of him. After smiling slightly, Li Mingde raised his wine glass again to toast Lin Changning and drank the wine in one gulp.

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Mingde couldn't help but ask, "Commander, we have 13,000 men stationed in our new city. Almost all of my father's troops are here. When shall we set off for Taiyuan?"

Lin Changning blinked: "Of course, the sooner the better. If we can finish the preparations by tomorrow, we'll leave tomorrow. After all, the longer we delay, the more dangerous it will be."

Li Mingde nodded in agreement: "There are four cities next to the new city, all currently in the hands of the imperial court, with a combined force of about 40,000. We might encounter them during the retreat, and the army is already exhausted; it needs at least two days to rest. What do you think?"