Chapter 87 Something's Wrong
Lu Jinlan smiled and sighed, "Persuade? It's not that easy, and the Ling family army doesn't have..."
She originally wanted to say, "The Ling family army didn't send any envoys from the Jiang Kingdom," but she figured Xiao Chengying wouldn't find the joke funny, so she didn't continue.
He simply said, "There's no good entry point over there, so I can only have my friend General Yan try. But I suspect the Ling family army is even more confused than we are right now. This whole mess was started by Marquis Dingbei, but she certainly didn't expect it to develop like this."
"She probably only intended to use this as leverage to force the Emperor to back down. She never expected that the Emperor would choose to fight her to the death this time, and now she's in a bind. It looks like the Marquis of Dingbei's conspiracy is about to succeed, but in reality, her life is about to end."
Xiao Chengying was puzzled. "What if the Jiang Kingdom's army and the Ling family's army get mixed up tomorrow and defeat us? Will she still have no chance to escape?"
Lu Jinlan chuckled twice, "Whether the Ling family army wins or loses tomorrow, it will make no difference to Marquis Dingbei himself. As long as the stalemate is over and he completely breaks ties with the Emperor, Marquis Dingbei's life is over."
"Don't forget, although the Ling family army is here, she herself is in the capital. The Emperor is determined not to let her out, probably because he's preparing for this day."
“If I were the emperor, even if the rebels had already stormed the palace, I would still go to the Marquis of Dingbei’s residence first and kill this traitor who colludes with the enemy.”
Xiao Chengying grew increasingly distressed as he listened, and said anxiously, "Can't you say something optimistic? You have to tell me we'll definitely win tomorrow. If you say the rebels storm the palace, I'm really not confident!"
Lu Jinlan was taken aback: "Huh? Wasn't this the 'what if' thing you mentioned first? I was being evasive with you, and you said I was lying to you. Now that I'm telling you the truth, you're afraid to listen. Okay, okay, I'll give you the real answer."
“Let me tell you, the Marquis of Dingbei is not here right now, but his daughter, the young Marquis Ling Zhaoren, is here. This Ling Zhaoren, along with General Yan, who was sent to seek help, are all classmates, so we can at least talk to each other.”
"The Ling family army in Beizhou City now listens to General Ling Xin. Although I have little contact with Ling Xin, I detained 30,000 of her troops, and she couldn't do anything to me. I'm sure she's easier to deal with than you."
Xiao Chengying glanced at Lu Jinlan guiltily, "It's hard to say, I can't do anything about it."
Xiao Chengying was not an insecure person; she was known for her arrogance and pride. This Crown Princess had been exceptionally capable since childhood, and before her, the Qu Kingdom had always designated the eldest daughter of the emperor as the Crown Princess.
Xiao Chengying was the third child, neither the eldest nor the legitimate daughter. According to the order of seniority and social status, she shouldn't have been in the top position. However, her abilities were truly outstanding. Whether in literature or martial arts, her achievements were far superior to all her sisters, and no one could match her.
The Emperor of Qu pondered deeply. Even if he appointed someone else as Crown Prince, given Xiao Chengying's temperament, he would certainly not be content to be subordinate to an ordinary person. Sooner or later, Xiao Chengying would seize the throne.
Therefore, for the sake of the greater good and the future of the Qu Kingdom, her mother made an exception for her, simply saving the trouble by directly appointing her as the crown prince.
Xiao Chengying took command of the army at the age of seventeen. Over the past ten years, he has led troops to quell rebellions several times within the territory of Qu Kingdom. He has gained considerable prestige in the army and can be described as a young man who has achieved great success and is in a position of great prestige.
Now, as the Crown Princess, she has come to the border battlefield to fight against veterans like Song Jingxiao and Suo Hongzhu, whose experience is many times greater than hers. It is truly not easy for her to fight to a standstill.
She firmly believed that she had only suffered from her youth and that given time, the future would surely be hers, until she met Lu Jinlan on the battlefield.
My first impression of them was terrible.
This person was ten years younger than her, yet his martial arts skills far surpassed hers. He was exceptionally intelligent and courageous.
What's worse, this person is also her enemy.
Tonight, Lu Jinlan visited again with her wisdom and courage, leaving Xiao Chengying feeling, for the first time in his life, utterly helpless and without any means of defense.
She forced her to become her ally with no other choice.
Xiao Chengying had to admit that, despite her anger, she was also secretly relieved.
Because they finally stood side by side, no longer enemies.
*
Seeing Xiao Chengying fall silent, Lu Jinlan patted her shoulder reassuringly, "Your Highness need not worry. General Yan is shrewd and capable of winning over at least a portion of the Ling family army."
Xiao Chengying looked at her and said, "I hope that when green smoke rises over the Prison Dragon Pass tomorrow, your General Yan will have another reason to persuade the Ling family army to send troops."
Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "Don't worry about that. I already spoke with General Yan before she set off. No matter what color the smoke is tomorrow at the Prison Dragon Pass, she must tell the Ling family army that it is a signal that the Qu Kingdom has turned against them and the Song family army has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengying stared at Lu Jinlan for a long time before finally smiling.
"With an ally like you, how could I not be victorious?"
Lu Jinlan smiled and drank tea instead of wine. The ceramic utensils clinked gently, producing a pleasant, crisp sound.
After the two discussed the specific details of the operation at dawn, Lu Jinlan left first.
Xiang Ruzhen guarded the Prison Dragon Pass all night until dawn. In the darkness, a familiar and agile figure rushed out, accompanied by the clatter of hooves.
Xiang Ruzhen hurriedly said, "Open the city gate, it's General Lu!"
Lu Jinlan dismounted and galloped up the city wall, shouting, "Prepare to release the green smoke!"
As dawn broke, the general of the Jiang Kingdom saw a plume of green smoke shooting straight into the sky above the Prison Dragon Pass, which aroused his suspicion.
"Has our envoy returned from the Qu Kingdom's camp?"
"Reporting to the general, they haven't returned yet."
"Something's not right. Send a small team to meet them."
A small team of twenty or thirty people arrived at the Qu Kingdom's camp, where they were quickly greeted warmly. "Your envoys are discussing some important matters. Our Crown Prince invites you all to come in and talk."
The Jiang Kingdom envoy did not suspect anything until he saw several corpses in the tent.
Xiao Chengying stood outside the tent. Those inside could only see an enormous black shadow cast by the light and shadow, along with a decisive command: "Kill."
Instead of the returning envoy, the Jiang Kingdom's camp was met with a surprise attack.
After observing the battle for a moment, Song Jingxiao, who had led his troops to the scene, immediately ordered his men: "Flank around and cut off Jiang's army's retreat!"
Seeing that the situation was very favorable, Lu Jinlan immediately drew his longsword and shouted, "Soldiers! Qu Jun charged ahead for us, and Song Family Army blocked the enemy's retreat. Now, it's our turn to show them what's what!"
"We have 80,000 men, but we must fight with the momentum of 100,000. Follow me and unleash a massacre!"
The soldiers, their blood boiling with anticipation, could barely contain themselves any longer. They raised their weapons and shouted, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The gates of Qiulong Pass swung open, and soldiers, armed with iron spears and mounted on warhorses, charged forward, raising clouds of yellow sand like dragons emerging from the earth, roaring and roaring.
The deafening shouts of battle could be heard even from Beizhou City, which was more than ten miles away, and Yan Wuxin was extremely anxious.
In order to drag the Ling family army into the conflict, Lu Jinlan told Yan Wuxin that no matter what kind of smoke was used, it should be used to inform the Ling family army that they had secured two reinforcements.
The situation was urgent, and there wasn't time to explain things in detail. As a result, Yan Wuxin was completely unsure of what to do. She had no idea how Lu Jinlan would persuade Xiao Chengying to switch sides at the last minute.
Therefore, she still had doubts when she saw the green smoke.
Could this be something Jinlan deliberately placed there to mislead someone?
Regardless of whether there are actually reinforcements or not, sending the Ling family army to provide reinforcements is the safest option.
Hearing the deafening sounds of battle, Yan Wuxin became restless and could no longer wait.
Just as she was about to get up and leave, Yang Ning arrived with several generals. "These are all iron ladies who are willing to disobey orders and provide reinforcements. Everyone has some men at their disposal, but unfortunately, we can't publicize it in a big way, so we're still a bit lacking."
Yan Wuxin hurriedly asked, "How many men can you muster?"
Yang Ning said, "More than thirteen thousand people."
Yan Wuxin shook his head, "Not enough!"
Yang Ning gritted her teeth and said, "We don't have enough reinforcements, but we have enough for a mutiny. Shall we give it a try?"
Yan Wuxin steeled his heart and said, "Let's go! Take your most reliable men with you and come with me to see the former general."
*
The night before, Yan Wuxin had already said all the nice things to Ling Xin and persuaded Ling Zhaoren for half the night, his mouth was dry from talking.
Although Ling Zhaoren expressed her support for reinforcements, she still needed to discuss it with Ling Xin. Now that it was already dawn and there was still no news, it seemed that there was no room for discussion.
Then we have no choice but to take a risky and unconventional approach.
Yan Wuxin, along with Yang Ning and the others, set off to find Ling Xin in a menacing manner, only to encounter an embarrassed Ling Zhaoren on the way.
Yan Wuxin grabbed her wrist. "Where are you going?"
“I was just about to come find you. The former general... she only listens to my mother. No matter what I say, it’s no use.”
"Where is the former general?"
"On the city wall, I'm watching people reinforce the city's defenses."
Yan Wuxin grabbed her arm. "Come on, let's go see her together."
Ling Xin sat leisurely on the city tower, watching the wisps of smoke rising from the direction of Qiulong Pass through his binoculars. Suddenly, he heard someone behind him say, "Qiulong Pass hasn't fallen yet, but the former general is already busy reinforcing the city's defenses. Does he foresee that they will definitely be defeated?"
Ling Xin turned around and saw Yan Wuxin and the others. She nodded slightly to Ling Zhaoren in greeting, then said contemptuously, "Qiulong Pass was a doomed situation to be lost. Why did General Yan have to come after me? Didn't you say that releasing smoke meant reinforcements were coming? Why did you come looking for me? Come to think of it, I have already supported General Lu with 30,000 troops. I have done more than enough."
Yan Wuxin sneered, "It's their business to send reinforcements, why won't you? You have 300,000 troops at your disposal, you could reach Qiulong Pass in an instant. But you still refuse to send troops, what are your intentions?"
Ling Xin scoffed, "I have my reasons for not sending troops. I am your superior and you are my subordinate. It is not your place to question me."
Yan Wuxin gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, we don't see eye to eye, so I won't waste any more words."
Ling Xin sensed something was wrong in the tone and his heart pounded with alarm. Before he could warn Yan Wuxin, Yan Wuxin swiftly drew a dagger and held it to Ling Zhaoren's neck.
Ling Xin suddenly jumped up from his chair, and Ling Zhaoren exclaimed, "Yan Wuxin! What... what are you doing? What does her not sending troops have to do with me?"
Yan Wuxin sneered: "Zhaoren, I apologize for offending you. But if I don't take your life, I'm afraid the former general will think I'm all talk and won't bother with me."
Ling Xin hurriedly said, "Let's talk this out and release Young Master Hou!"
Yan Wuxin said, "I've said enough, and I don't want to say anything more now. I'll just ask you one question: shall we send troops or not?"
Ling Xin said urgently, "The Ling family army only obeys the Marquis of Dingbei. The Marquis's order is to withdraw the troops, not to send reinforcements. How can I disobey her orders?"
Yan Wuxin snorted coldly, "So you're just going to stand by and watch her daughter die?"
A sharp blade pressed against Ling Zhaoren's neck. Ling Zhaoren cried out in panic, "Send the troops! What's more important than my life?"
Ling Xin was in a dilemma. "This matter is of great importance. Young Marquis, please allow me to think about it. General Yan, please calm down. The city is full of Ling family troops. If you kill Young Marquis, there is absolutely no way you will be able to leave Beizhou City alive."
Yan Wuxin curled her lips into a sneer, "Who told you I wanted to live? I'll kill the young Marquis and then jump off this cliff. Don't forget, I'm Yan Weijin's daughter. My mother is the Prime Minister, her status is extraordinary. Do you think she'll spare you... or spare your families?"
Yan Wuxin's cold gaze swept over Ling Xin and her generals. "You should all know that the Ling family army is heading down a dead end. Reinforcing Qiulong Pass is your last chance to turn back."
"Yesterday I heard several generals speaking with Beijing accents, so your families probably live not far from the capital. I believe that once news of my death reaches the capital, your entire families will be wiped out."
"If we send troops today, you all still have a reason to live. If we don't send troops today, you can only wait to be reunited with your families in the underworld."
Ling Xin's generals wavered and looked at him, saying, "General, let's send out the troops!"
"General! Our families are utterly innocent! The Prime Minister is ruthless and cruel..."
"General, if something happens to the young Marquis, he won't be happy either. If the Emperor blames us then, wouldn't we be offending both sides? At this time, we still have room to maneuver!"
"General..."
"Shut up!" Ling Xin shouted, hesitating for a moment, but knowing the situation was hopeless, he had no choice but to say helplessly, "Send the troops!"
Someone hesitated and asked, "How much...how much?"
Ling Xin slumped into a chair, dejected, and said, "Those who want to go, go."
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone around her immediately withdrew, and they rushed back to muster their troops and rush to the aid of Qiulong Pass.
Yan Wuxin sheathed his dagger and said to Ling Zhaoren, "I'm sorry, I really have no other choice."
She finished speaking and was about to leave when Ling Zhaoren suddenly chased after her and called out, "Wait a minute!"
"What's wrong?"
Ling Zhaoren asked blankly, "Was my mother making a big mistake by insisting that the Ling family army withdraw?"
Yan Wuxin pursed her lips. In fact, she had already hinted to Ling Zhaoren last night that Dingbei Hou's constant retreat was against common sense and suspected of colluding with the enemy.
Ke Lingzhaoren didn't catch anything; perhaps she hadn't realized what had happened during this time. With her limited intelligence, she wouldn't overthink things. Naturally, the Marquis of Dingbei wouldn't tell her about such a significant event.
Yan Wuxin hesitated for a moment, then dodged the question, saying, "It's hard to say. Let's discuss the merits and demerits in detail after the battle is over."
Ling Zhaoren then asked, "If I perform meritorious service on the battlefield, can I take the blame for my mother?"
"No...no...I don't know." Yan Wuxin stammered, ultimately unable to reveal the cruel truth.
A glimmer of hope ignited in Ling Zhaoren's eyes, "Then I'll go with you, and we'll fight the enemy and earn merit together!"
*
This war was exceptionally long for the Jiang army. The Jiang army had never fought such a difficult battle, from being suddenly attacked by the allied forces to being attacked from both sides, and finally finding that the enemy was like blood gushing out of a wound.
Enemies were everywhere, and despite wearing different uniforms, they seemed to have gone mad, rushing in from all directions and attacking the same target in perfect unison.
Even on his deathbed, King Jiang couldn't understand what had happened. How did a battle that was sure to be won turn into a crushing defeat?
Of course, many unexpected things happened on the battlefield.
Towards the end of the battle, General Ling Xin also arrived at the battlefield, seemingly in a respectable manner.
However, by then, only a small remnant force remained. The Qu Kingdom army, which had been the first to engage in the battle, had already begun clearing the battlefield.
Ling Xin led a small squad to hunt down a few remaining soldiers when a poisoned arrow shot from the shadows. Soon after, news spread that the former general had been killed in action.
Back in the city, Yan Wuxin rushed to find Lu Jinlan, "Did you see how Ling Xin died?"
Lu Jinlan nodded slightly, "I saw it, and I also saw the person who did it; he was wearing our military uniform."
Yan Wuxin nodded repeatedly, "I saw it too. I thought you sent someone to do it."
Lu Jinlan said speechlessly, "I also thought it was you who sent someone to do it, so I pretended not to see it. I should have caught that person on the spot and questioned him. Something's not right."
As the two were talking, Xiang Ruzhen rushed back from outside, covered in blood, and pushed open the door, saying, "Someone is trying to assassinate Ling Xin."
The two quickly replied, "We saw it."
Xiang Ruzhen was taken aback: "You saw it, why didn't you grab that person?"
The two of them made an "uh" sound and quickly found an excuse: "We didn't have time to think about it at the time."
Xiang Ruzhen complained, "It took me twenty miles to catch her."
Lu Jinlan and Yan Wuxin exchanged a glance. "Where is he?"
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