Chapter 83 What if it's a trap?
That evening, the young master completed the steps he hadn't finished last time. After everything naturally fell into place, the brocade quilt rippled with crimson waves, a scene of boundless tenderness.
However, Lu Jinlan did not give him the chance to get pregnant. Although Xiao Heng felt a little disappointed, he was too embarrassed to ask.
He was still very happy that Lu Jinlan accepted him. He continued to restrain his spoiled attitude and diligently took care of Lu Jinlan's daily needs.
Two days later, at dusk, a secret letter was suddenly shot from the top of the prison gate.
Wen Ji rushed to Lu Jinlan with the letter in his hand. "General, Suo Hongzhu has invited you to a secret meeting in the valley outside the pass. Will you go?"
Lu Jinlan took the letter and looked at it. The handwriting was strong and powerful, and it should be Suo Hongzhu's own handwriting.
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "Go, why wouldn't I go? Henglang, help me get my clothes."
Xiao Heng hesitated and looked at Wen Ji, who quickly advised, "Think about it again, what if it's a trap?"
"She, Suo Hongzhu, is a renowned general of our time. Even if she were defeated, she wouldn't stoop so low as to plot against a young junior like me. To put it bluntly, she is my defeated opponent. Why should I be afraid of her?"
As Lu Jinlan spoke, she picked up a red cloak from the shelf. Xiao Heng quickly said, "This one was torn by the armor, and I haven't mended it yet. Wait a moment, I'll find one for you."
He quickly went to the wardrobe and took out an ivory-white dress. As he tied it on her clothes, he gently advised, "Take more people with you. Be careful of ambushes."
Lu Jinlan said, "No need."
Wen Ji then advised, "Then bring Generals Xiang Yan along, so that we can at least look out for each other."
"No, I'm not in the city, but they must be. No one needs to come with me; I'll go alone and come right back."
Lu Jinlan rode out of the pass alone at high speed and soon arrived at the valley that Suo Hongzhu had mentioned.
There was a carriage in the valley, and an old servant was standing beside it.
Lu Jinlan spurred his horse forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked, "Are you Senior Suo?"
An old but powerful hand lifted the curtain, and Suo Hongzhu looked over, smiling slightly, "Going alone, that's quite something?"
Lu Jinlan dismounted with a smile, walked to the carriage, and seeing Suo Hongzhu's slightly pale face and the white cloth wrapped around her body, hurriedly asked, "Are you feeling better?"
Her tone was so ordinary that anyone unaware of the situation would have thought she was a relative of the Suo family visiting someone who was ill. But ironically, all the injuries on her body were inflicted by her.
Suo Hongzhu snorted, "Thanks to you, it's just a superficial injury, nothing serious. Actually, the reason I asked you out today is because I have a question in my mind that I want you to answer personally."
Lu Jinlan hurriedly asked, "Senior, please speak. I will answer anything that is within my knowledge."
Suo Hongzhu said in a deep voice, "I want to know why you didn't take my life that day? You could have killed me, but you only took my weapon."
"As you said, if you killed me, you would no longer be an unknown person. You could become famous overnight, and all it would take is a fatal blow to the throat. Why didn't you do that?"
Lu Jinlan sighed, "Many people have asked me this question these past two days, but I haven't been able to explain it in detail. But since you've come to ask me in person today, I will naturally tell you the truth."
"Yes, I could have killed you back then. I had the ability to kill you, but I had no reason to kill you."
Suo Hongzhu asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"
Lu Jinlan said, "First, even if I don't kill you, I will still become famous and renowned in one battle. There is not much difference between defeating Suo Hongzhu and killing Suo Hongzhu, because Suo Hongzhu is a war god. You have never been defeated, but you were defeated by me, which is enough to shock the world."
"Secondly, we are only on different sides and have no personal grudges. From a personal point of view, you have a wealth of military achievements and are covered in battle wounds. Even in your sixties, you still don armor and go into battle, which I admire the most. I do not want to kill you."
"Thirdly, this is something I thought of later. I only had eight hundred men with me at the time. Even if I had killed you, my troops wouldn't have been able to break through the enemy lines. On the contrary, it might have incited the Jiang army to attack the city immediately. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't kill you then."
Suo Hongzhu laughed heartily, "You're so honest."
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "I have a friend who is even more honest than me. She says whatever she thinks, which often surprises us. I am the least honest one."
Suo Hongzhu smiled and nodded, "Very good, thank you for your honesty, it has put my mind at ease."
Lu Jinlan quickly said, "I also have a question for you, senior."
Suo Hongzhu frowned. "I heard you never suffer a loss, and it seems it's true."
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "It's rare for us to meet, and I'm quite curious too. You said that countries are like neighbors, each living their own lives. Why did your Jiang Kingdom suddenly invade Hua's territory? At your age, you have already made outstanding military achievements. I don't believe you fought this war for fame."
"As for the benefits, the outcome of war is unpredictable. You may win today, but I may win tomorrow. It will only deplete the nation's strength and cause suffering to the people. What's the point?"
Suo Hongzhu closed her eyes and sighed, "Yes, why bother?"
She paused for a moment and said to Lu Jinlan, "You just arrived at Qiulong Pass, so you probably don't know that I've been claiming to be ill and not wanting to come to the front lines these past few days. To be honest, protecting our country is my duty. Even if I'm lying in my coffin, if I hear that someone has invaded the border, I can jump out and fight a battle."
"However, I did not approve of this attack on Hua Kingdom. But my emperor kept urging me, so I had no choice but to don my armor and go into battle. I never expected to be seriously wounded by you in the very first battle here. Well, I really need to go back and recuperate now."
Are you leaving?
"Yes, I'm going back to Shangdu."
Lu Jinlan said, "Then you should take good care of yourself. I'll come to the capital to see you when I have the chance."
She touched her body and found a small white bottle.
"I have a few painkillers here. You have so many battle wounds, and it's inevitable that you'll be in pain on cloudy or rainy days. Take one when you're in pain, and it should help."
She handed over the medicine bottle, and Suo Hongzhu looked at her as if she were looking at some novel species, her eyes gradually reddening.
She finally reached out, not to take the medicine bottle, but to grasp Lu Jinlan's hand.
Suo Hongzhu's palms were covered with thin calluses, yet they were extremely warm. Lu Jinlan could almost feel the surging blood bubbling within her.
"It's a pity you're not from our Jiang Kingdom, otherwise I would definitely recommend you as the Great General. You possess both sincerity and cunning, both ruthlessness and benevolence. Such a talent is rare in this world. Not being able to fight alongside you would be the greatest regret of my life."
Lu Jinlan said with emotion, "This is also my regret."
Suo Hongzhu patted the back of her hand, stroking the small medicine bottle, and hesitated before saying, "Child, there's something I shouldn't say. But I have to tell you now: you can't win this battle."
Lu Jinlan hurriedly asked, "Why?"
"Your country has a traitor within its ranks, how can you possibly win? Forget about winning, you'd be lucky to escape unscathed."
Lu Jinlan hurriedly said, "I had long suspected that the Marquis of Dingbei was colluding with the enemy. You also knew about this?"
Suo Hongzhu nodded, "I have read the letter she personally wrote to our Emperor."
Lu Jinlan's eyes widened instantly. "She really dares to do that? Does she believe me?"
Suo Hongzhu smiled and said, "Of course, it's in the Imperial Palace of Shangdu."
Lu Jinlan pursed her lips, seemingly lost in thought.
Suo Hongzhu added, "I advise you not to have any wild thoughts. The palace is heavily guarded. You should save your life and hug a few more handsome young men instead."
Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "No, I was just thinking that I would visit you in Shangdu after the war is over. I wasn't thinking of anything else."
Suo Hongzhu glared at her and then searched herself over.
Lu Jinlan hurriedly asked, "Do you have a letter written by the Marquis of Dingbei on you?"
"Dream on! What would I be doing bringing those things with me when I go to war?"
Suo Hongzhu searched for a long time but found nothing. Finally, she took off a gold-inlaid jade ring from her hand. "This ring is my cherished possession, and all my close friends and family recognize it. Let's use this as a token. If you arrive in Shangdu, you can use this token to find me."
Lu Jinlan accepted the gift with both hands. "Thank you, senior. Please take good care of yourself and I hope you recover soon."
Suo Hongzhu nodded and said, "I hope we can meet again, and I hope the war will be over by then."
"Definitely!" Lu Jinlan watched the carriage disappear into the distance before mounting his horse and returning to Qiulong Pass.
As they approached the border, Yan Wuxin came out to greet them. He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her, saying, "It's good that you're back. I thought that old lady Suo Hongzhu was going to keep you here overnight."
Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "She has already returned to Jiang Kingdom. She just wanted to talk to me. Why are you in such a hurry to see me? Is there something you need?"
"Don't even mention it!" Yan Wuxin sighed. "Today is the day we need to replenish our supplies at Qiulong Pass. The strategist was worried that Ling Xin wouldn't send any. But she just sent someone to deliver the supplies."
Lu Jinlan: "That's great news!"
Yan Wuxin was both amused and exasperated. "What's so good about it? She's a cunning woman. She knows we don't usually let her people in. This time, taking advantage of the grain delivery, she sent her trusted general, Yan Lufeng, to help. We don't know her at all. She only revealed her identity after entering the pass, so we can't kick her out anymore."
Lu Jinlan took a deep breath; this problem was indeed quite tricky.
“The enemy came prepared; they must be asking me for those 30,000 troops. But after the change of general in Jiang State, there will definitely be a major battle, and I cannot give them a single soldier.”
Yan Wuxin hurriedly asked, "Then what should we do? Although you and Yan Lufeng are both third-rank generals, her title is higher than yours, so you can't go head-to-head with her. Ling Xin must have planned this all along before sending her."
Lu Jinlan said, "Let's postpone meeting tonight until we come up with a solution."
Upon returning to the interior, Lu Jinlan immediately summoned Wen Ji and his trusted generals to discuss countermeasures.
Wen Ji said, "I just sent someone to inform General Zhengbei that it is getting late today and General Lu is busy with military affairs, so we will see her again tomorrow."
Lu Jinlan instructed, "Send someone to keep an eye on her. Be extra careful no matter who she contacts."
Wen Ji said, "General, rest assured, I have made all the arrangements. The commander's personal guards are disguised as servants and are serving her in her room. Their every move is under our surveillance."
Lu Jinlan nodded repeatedly, "That's great, but we can't just rely on delaying tactics. We still need to find a way to shut her up."
Yan Wuxin said, "That would be difficult, unless..." She gestured at her neck.
Xiang Ruzhen said, "This person, as a general, deliberately sought defeat. She wanted to hand over hundreds of miles of territory, so it's not unjust for her to take her life. But with so many eyes watching, how can we explain the loss of such a person to the 80,000 Ling family soldiers in the city? How can we explain it to General Ling Xin of Beizhou? How can we explain it to the Emperor?"
After a moment's thought, Wen Ji said, "Perhaps we can find a reason that seems reasonable to everyone to get rid of her."
Lu Jinlan rubbed her forehead. "What reason can we give? We don't know her at all, we have no idea what her weaknesses are."
Yan Wuxin thought for a moment, "How about I go and ask Yang Ning? She has been in the Ling family army for many years and should know Yan Lufeng's temperament."
Lu Jinlan thought for a moment, "Is Yang Ning completely on our side? Are you confident you can persuade her?"
Yan Wuxin's eyes darted around, and an idea came to him: "I'll give it a try, and I'll know once I try."
*
Yang Ning was wiping her weapons when Yan Wuxin came to find her, carrying a pot of wine and sighing.
"Come, let's drown our sorrows in alcohol."
Yang Ning hurriedly asked, "What's wrong? We just won a great victory, what's there to worry about?"
Yan Wuxin sighed, "It's not that I'm worried, it's that I'm worried for General Lu. Did you see the General Who Conquers the North arrive?"
"I saw it."
Do you know why she's here?
What are you doing?
“Of course we should return your 30,000 troops.”
Yang Ning asked in surprise, "Didn't you say last time that the former general had already agreed to lend troops?"
Yan Wuxin was taken aback. "Yes, back then... we agreed, but now we've gone back on our word. After all, you guys kept losing to the former general. As soon as General Lu came, we won. It's understandable that the former general couldn't save face and wanted to cause some trouble."
Yang Ning said angrily, "Understand what? I don't understand! It's all thanks to your arrival, otherwise this Prison Dragon Pass would already belong to the Jiang Kingdom. The former general is too petty."
Yan Wuxin chuckled, "Who says otherwise? Jiang's 450,000 troops are just 30 miles away, watching us like tigers eyeing the city. They might attack at any moment. The battle to defend the city will definitely be difficult. If she withdraws 30,000 troops at this time, isn't that like cutting off the fuel supply? General Lu is so worried that he can't even eat. Alas! I can't help him."
Yang Ning immediately stood up. "I'll go and try to persuade General Lu."
Lu Jinlan was holding the urgent letter that Song Jingxiao had just sent when she said to Xiao Heng, "Your royal sister has sent someone to ransom you. You can go back now."
Xiao Heng was taken aback. "You really want me to leave?"
Lu Jinlan said, "Of course, Qu Kingdom is your home. There's no use for you staying here, and it's not safe either. Hurry up and go back with the people who came."
Xiao Heng was shocked by her resolute attitude. A pang of sorrow gripped his heart, and his eyes welled up with tears. He said sadly, "Was all the kindness you showed me just a lie? Don't you care about me at all? Even if we never see each other again, won't you miss me?"
Just as Lu Jinlan was about to say something, Yan Wuxin brought Yang Ning to request an audience.
Wen Ji quickly pulled Xiao Heng aside and advised, "After the war ends, General Lu can visit you in Qu Kingdom, and you can also come to Shenjing. Don't be sad, go back and pack your things."
Lu Jinlan glanced at Yang Ning, then at Yan Wuxin behind her, and asked, puzzled, "General Yang, what is it?"
Yang Ning said earnestly, "I heard that General Yan came to ask for people. General Lu, we are about to have a major battle, and defending the pass will be a tough battle. You must not let her withdraw her troops."
Lu Jinlan glanced at Yan Wuxin discreetly. Yan Wuxin shrugged and thought to himself: It's not my fault. I had only dug half of the trap when she started crying and shouting that she wanted to jump in.
Lu Jinlan instantly understood, and feigned surprise, saying, "Wu Xin, why did you say these things to General Yang? Her position is awkward; aren't you putting General Yang in a difficult position?"
Yan Wuxin continued, "I'm a simple-minded person. I just blurted it out when she asked me, without thinking too much about it."
Yang Ning hurriedly said, "General Lu, please don't blame General Yan. She didn't tell me this on purpose, so I'm not embarrassed. I've figured it out. This former general doesn't care whether we win or lose, or whether we lose the city. We can't go along with people like that; we have to go against them."
Wen Ji immediately seized the opportunity, saying, "General Yang is right. It's rare to find someone as understanding as General Yang. But now that General Yan has arrived, we need a reason not to return our troops."
Yang Ning said bluntly, "What reason do I need? I'm not returning it. She wants to move me to Beizhou City, and I won't go, but it's hard to say what others might say."
She slapped her thigh and said decisively, "Fine! I might as well go all the way. I'll secretly finish her off tonight and see how she tries to retreat."
The people inside the room exchanged glances and were completely relieved.
Xiang Ruzhen had no choice but to repeat what she had just said.
"No! With so many eyes watching, a perfectly healthy person has been killed. How is General Lu supposed to explain this to the 80,000 Ling family soldiers in the city? How is he supposed to explain this to General Ling Xin of Beizhou? How is he supposed to explain this to His Majesty?"
Wen Ji added, "Even if we want to get rid of her, we need to find a legitimate reason."
Lu Jinlan nodded slightly and looked at Yang Ning, "None of us know Yan Lufeng. Do you know what her weaknesses are?"
“I know.” Yang Ning said decisively, “The old men in the Ling family army all know that she is a lecher.”
"Lustful?" Wen Ji looked at Lu Jinlan meaningfully.
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