Chapter 48, the Forty-Eighth Victory

After capturing one city in Shu, the remaining cities were still tough opponents. Shu had many elite troops and generals, and the news of the massacre of the cities by the army shocked many of the weak and also strengthened many of the strong.

What awaited those who joined the army was undoubtedly a series of bloody battles.

The number of elite troops in the Sui Kingdom is decreasing, and a head-on confrontation is definitely not a good solution. Fortunately, Zuo Qinghou had already spread the news that Shu had opened its granaries and distributed grain, attracting a large number of refugees. However, it is not right to bring refugees on the march.

Zuo Qinghou paid no heed to these complaints. On the battlefield, she was like a fish in water, donning light armor and leading the charge. Her men were somewhat surprised, thinking that Zuo Qinghou had become arrogant after winning the battle. But Jiang Linzhi pierced through the shields with a single stroke, beheading three shield-bearing soldiers.

Not only the soldiers, but all the soldiers were shocked. The soldiers immediately reacted and, with great enthusiasm, followed Zuo Qinghou into the enemy ranks.

The Wu army was already in a panic because of these fearless cavalrymen. The Wu army was thrown into chaos and most of them were captured.

As soon as the city gates opened, the refugees who followed poured into the city. Zuo Qinghou said to them, "No matter what methods you use, as long as you don't hurt your own people, whatever you seize, you will have, and you will be able to stay here."

Upon hearing this, more than 10,000 refugees poured into the city to loot.

An adjutant, seeing the people of Wu being slaughtered, said with unbearable sorrow, "General, Shuzhou is now our territory. If we use killing to stop killing, I'm afraid it will be difficult to win over the people."

Zuo Qinghou was in a good mood and was willing to talk more: "Let me tell you a story. There was a wolf who, in order to eat a farmer's sheep, pulled out his teeth and claws and went into the farmer's house, intending to sneak into the dog's den and wait for an opportunity to strike. Guess what happened in the end?"

The adjutant said, "Farmers and dogs aren't stupid; they can tell it's a wolf."

Zuo Qinghou smiled meaningfully, patted the deputy general on the shoulder, and said, "We are the wolves, we are good at fighting, why should we give up our advantages and negotiate with a flock of sheep? If we distribute the Sui people to Wu territory and ask them to live in harmony with the Wu people, do you think it is possible? Would the Wu people be willing to give their land to our people?"

Zuo Qinghou glanced at the prisoners being driven into the pit and continued, "The Shu region has been controlled by the three great families for many years. We can't possibly figure out who we can use and who we can't in a short time. Moreover, too many people have been killed by the people because they pitied them. Not to mention the distant past, we just lost so many brothers recently, right? But as long as my people take root here, no matter how strong the wind blows, it won't blow us away. Do you understand?"

The lieutenant didn't understand why someone who looked so young would express such profound sentiments, and he nodded blankly.

I heard that the female general was almost burned to death in the city by the people because she pitied them.

This is probably something she learned from the female general.

Zuo Qinghou saw that the refugees below the city wall had already begun burning, killing, and looting. He didn't know how many waves of officials and nobles from the capital had already left, but the local ruffians and hooligans, like a malignant tumor, would always exist in the darkest corners of a city, surviving on a little mud and rain.

This is indeed not a good method, but it's the best option since she doesn't have capable people right now. Zuo Qinghou looked at his deputy and said, "No one else dares to ask, yet you're so bold. What's your name?"

"Your subordinate, Yanran."

Zuo Qinghou thought of her comrades who were almost all dead, the brothers who had fought alongside her against knives and rained down arrows, and said, "Do a good job."

Some people understood, while others remained confused. When Zuo Qinghou returned to camp, he saw someone anxiously pacing at the gate from afar. Without even thinking, it must have been Zhang Wanchun.

Sure enough, the man saw her and rushed over, saying, "Regardless of the refugees, something bad is bound to happen here sooner or later."

Initially, out of consideration for Chen Yusheng, Zuo Qinghou only thought he was a blockhead and was somewhat patient with him, willing to explain a few things. However, his foolish pursuit of justice led to the deaths of 3,427 soldiers, including Chen Yusheng. If they had obeyed her orders to flood the city, none of them would have died.

Anger stirred up the worst aspects of Zuo Qinghou's soul. She pretended not to know and asked with difficulty, "If the officials are not in place, are we going to hand over the cities we just conquered? I really have no choice. Do you have any ideas?"

Such respect for talent and the complete absence of disagreement surprised Zhang Wanchun. He quickly pledged his loyalty, saying, "General, you can proceed with peace of mind. I can temporarily act as the county magistrate and handle matters in the city. I hope the general will grant my request."

After dealing with matters in Shu, Miancheng was left to Zhang Wanchun. Before leaving, Zuo Qinghou saw Zhang Wanchun gazing at the fields but said nothing. He simply arranged for Yanran to be stationed in the nearest city, just in case.

Less than a year later, she returned to the capital, only to find the streets packed with people. Previously, to avoid stealing Jiang Linzhi's military merits, she would always return early and mingle in the crowd to present flowers.

Now, she sits in Jiang Linzhi's position, riding a tall horse, with everyone on the street looking up at her. The feeling is not unfamiliar; it's the same as when she reappeared before the court after many years.

Those who look down on ordinary people based on their own lives are indifferent and superior. Like gods and Buddhas, they coldly watch others toil and scheme.

So when she saw them overjoyed and hailed her, the general who had slaughtered the city, as a hero, she found it all laughable.

When she looked up, she caught sight of Nan Jinping upstairs. Seeing her looking over, Nan Jinping immediately suppressed her joyful expression and arrogantly raised her chin at her.

Zuo Qinghou beckoned her down, but Nan Jinping, unaware of his true intentions, suppressed her joy and went downstairs in full view of everyone.

Before she could finish speaking, Nan Jinping had already leaped onto her horse. The crowd, who had been wondering how a young girl could be so skilled in battle, saw Zuo Qinghou lift Nan Jinping onto the horse with just one hand around her waist.

With that kind of arm strength, you could easily swing a meteor hammer.

Sitting on the tall horse, under the gaze of everyone, Nan Jinping felt a little uncomfortable and whispered, "What are you doing? Put me down."

Zuo Qinghou remained expressionless, smiling at the crowd, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Sit quietly and let me show you what it means for one person to achieve enlightenment and even their chickens and dogs to ascend to heaven."

"You insulted me!" Nan Jinping realized what was happening and secretly kicked Zuo Qinghou.

Zuo Qinghou quickly grabbed her misbehaving foot and said, "Behave yourself, your foot is strong even if it's not strong."

Feeling the force coming from her feet, Nan Jinping felt that her legs had no strength at all. Even though no one knew what they were saying or doing, she felt that everyone had seen their little actions.

Her heart was pounding, and the heat rose up her neck to her face. Nan Jinping lowered her head and said to Zuo Qinghou in a low voice, "You're so annoying! Zuo Qinghou, hurry up and leave, put me down."

"Alright~" Zuo Qinghou let go of the reins and picked them up again. "We're almost at the Meridian Gate. There are no civilians there. I'll put you down. Remember to go home on your own."

"I know, I'm not a child anymore," Nan Jinping said softly, but her tone sounded more like she was being coquettish.

Zuo T smiled and continued walking forward in a good mood. Before parting, seeing that Nan Jinping didn't want to leave, he asked, "What are you doing at home these days?"

"As a princess, I can do whatever I want." Although Nan Jinping wanted to talk to Zuo Qinghou, she stubbornly refused to speak.

Zuo Qinghou wasn't annoyed. He said, "We don't lack grain now, but we have more work to do in farming. Merchants and officials are all new avenues. Wu thought they could control us by holding onto grain, but they didn't expect we had already exchanged it for gold. Now they're severely weakened, and snuff bottles definitely won't sell well in the short term. The Ministry of Works is also definitely short of people..." Looking at Nan Jinping's surprised and bewildered expression, Zuo Qinghou sighed, "That's enough. There's no point in talking to you about this. Just be your useless princess."

Nan Jinping stomped her foot in anger and said sullenly, "This princess is not a good-for-nothing."

Zuo Qinghou leaped onto his horse, affectionately ruffled Nan Jinping's hair, and said, "Alright, I'll be watching."

September 14th is an auspicious day for encoffining and offering sacrifices, but it is inauspicious to meet with relatives and friends.

Cui Jiu handed the letter to Zuo Qinghou, who had been busy with social engagements for the past few days. With his back to the woman still dressing in front of the mirror, he held his sword, looked out the window at the sky, and asked casually, "Have you made up your mind?"

"I made my decision more than ten years ago when I divined that sword. Ah Jiu, this is a good thing, a good thing for everyone. You've been working for Jiang Jinyi for so long, it's time for you to take a break and do something for yourself." Zuo Qinghou covered the scar on his eyebrow and painted himself into the image of a refined businesswoman.

Cui Jiu didn't think so, but Zuo Qinghou seemed very happy, so it was probably a good thing. Cui Jiu asked, "What is your name? So I can write it down during holidays."

Zuo Qinghou smiled brightly and said, "I don't have a name."

Back in the tribe, people called her "Cuoge," which meant "knife" in their dialect. Later, after Zuo Qinghou saved her, she named herself Jinmai. Later still, Zuo Qinghou was given the name Jiang Linzhi, and the name "Zuo Qinghou" became hers.

Of all the names available, she still prefers the one she chose herself.

After a pause, Zuo Qinghou smiled and said, "Just call me Jinmai."

Cui Jiu recalled Zuo Qinghou, whom he had found years ago while scavenging for scraps. Back then, she lay among a pile of garbage, rotting in a dark corner of the street, emitting a repulsive stench. Even after she recovered, she was never this happy, just like a pile of cleaned garbage.

No one can change someone who wants to become trash, so Cui Jiu gave up the idea of ​​stopping her and said, "Wait for your signal."

Zuo Qinghou put on her favorite golden dragon robe. She loved black; it gave her an endless sense of security. But Zuo Qinghou didn't really like it. The person said she was beautiful and should wear bright colors.

Looking back now, why should I listen to her? I look good even in a rag. So Zuo Qinghou quickly changed into that outfit and narcissistically admired herself in the dressing mirror.

Turning around, Zuo Qinghou saw that Cui Jiu still had a cold face. Looking at the golden peaches outside the window, he asked, "Did you see those fruits?"

"I saw it."

“You don’t know if it’s sour or sweet until you’ve tasted it, right?” Zuo Qinghou tried to explain using what he knew.

Seeing that Cui Jiu didn't understand, Zuo Qinghou continued, "You've never died, so how do you know if death is sour or sweet?"

Cui Jiu suddenly turned his head and began to seriously examine Zuo Qinghou's soul again.