Chapter 67: Watch him remain calm in the face of danger, watch him strategize...
Ji Chengning immediately straightened up, hesitated for half a second, and nodded to Cui Yao. Cui Yao immediately understood, and the corners of her lips subtly turned up, and she followed suit.
As Ji Chengnin strode out, he asked Li Bi, "What? Did the sentries find out something?"
Li Bi said, "As the general previously arranged, the soldiers sent out saw smoke and dust sweeping in from afar, so they urgently reported back!"
"So fast." Ji Chengnin pondered.
The three of them hurried out of the villa. Ji Chengning first sent Li Bi to gather the troops, while he led a small team of more than a hundred men to climb the city wall.
Looking out from a high vantage point, one could indeed see a great fire rising in the west. In the blazing light, like fire burning the heavens, billowing smoke and dust filled the night sky, indicating that a large army was gathering in the direction of Yan County!
The scorching wind, carrying sand and gravel, lashed against my face.
General Ruan Min, who was leading his personal guards on the city wall, saw Ji Chengnin hurrying up the steps and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
He thought that the young and proud General Ji had long been fooled by those old foxes and was indulging in their charms, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly.
Even without him sending anyone to inform them.
"General." Ruan Min was about to greet him when Ji Chengning raised his hand to stop him.
Ruan Min stood beside Ji Chengning and said, "I wonder how the general plans to deal with this? I will relay the orders to the army."
As a deputy general, second only to Ji Chengnin in the entire army, he naturally had the responsibility to command the troops and formulate tactics. Even if Ji Chengnin were present, he should have offered opinions and suggestions.
However, this veteran general, who had fought countless battles, adopted an extremely humble attitude, as if Ji Chengning held absolute power and brooked no dissent.
A strange light flashed in Cui Yao's eyes.
Given Ruan Min's seniority and reputation, the emperor's decision to appoint Ji Chengning as a general was clearly intended to suppress him and incite his dissatisfaction with Ji Chengning.
His submissiveness at this moment was not out of respect, but rather more like an unwillingness to take on any responsibility or risk.
If Ji Chengnin is not up to the task, it would be even better if he stepped in to turn the tide.
"This court is not worth your trouble," Cui Yao said expressionlessly as he looked at Ji Chengnin, who was fiddling with the telescope.
"Me?" Ji Chengnin held the bronze mirror tube, squinted, and turned the magnifier around a few times. The blurry image in front of him instantly became clear. "I was young and ignorant. When I heard about the enemy's surprise attack, I lost my composure for a moment. I hope General Ruan will not hesitate to enlighten me."
His tone was surprisingly sincere, as if he were truly a junior humbly seeking guidance.
Ruan Min looked at Ji Chengning.
The young general had his back to him, his strong and powerful back pressing down. He hadn't had time to change his armor yet, so he was only wearing the scarlet robe he wore to the banquet, the red robe with silver trim fluttering in the wind and sand.
When he didn't answer, Ji Chengnin turned his head slightly, "General Ruan?"
The flames burned fiercely, casting a mixture of light and shadow on the young man's face.
For a fleeting moment, he was reminded of the most dashing and arrogant Marquis Yongning.
Marquis Yongning loved to wear red, and many soldiers jokingly called him the Scarlet-Clad Marquis.
He ascended the platform to command the three armies, wearing no armor, only light clothes and a wide belt. His eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, and his red clothes were like blood. Standing on the command platform, he did not look like an ordinary person, but rather like a banished immortal who had descended to earth to experience the world.
Since he was a banished immortal, there will come a day when his soul returns to the heavens.
Ruan Min was stunned for a few seconds.
The tall young man next to Ji Chengnin suddenly turned cold and looked at him with hostility.
Ruan Min suddenly came to his senses.
He cleared his hoarse throat, as if he dared not look at Ji Chengnin's face any longer, and lowered his head. "I believe that we should immediately leave the city to confront the enemy, so as to uphold the dignity of the court."
Ji Chengnin gave Ruan Min a meaningful look.
At present, they know nothing about the enemy's numbers, their training level, the quality of their soldiers, the quality of their armor and weapons, or who the opposing general is, or whether he is cautious or reckless.
In this situation, did Ruan Min propose to leave the city to meet the enemy?
Ruan Min was startled by Ji Chengning's gaze. In fact, Ji Chengning's expression was not harsh, but it gave him the illusion that his thoughts had been seen through.
He almost instinctively took a half step back, forcing a smile as he asked, "General?"
Ji Chengnin raised his lips slightly, "General Ruan's ambition remains undiminished."
"Thank you, thank you for your praise, General," Ruan Min said, forcing a smile.
This child is still young, but his cunning far surpasses that of ordinary people. Looking at Ji Chengnin again, one can't help but feel a bit more wary.
The next moment, Ji Chengnin called out, "Someone come here!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
With his sword drawn, Ji Chengnin's command was firm and resounding: "Prepare to defend the city!"
"yes!"
The general relayed the detailed orders one by one.
Ji Chengnin stood high above, his face calm and indifferent. His orders were precise, swift, and decisive, unlike someone who was leading troops for the first time and had no experience. He seemed more like a seasoned general who had been through many battles.
Apart from suppressing bandits, the Luoyang army had never had any real combat experience before, so the officers were inevitably a little uneasy. However, seeing their commander-in-chief's calm and composed command, they were all relieved.
The young general stood calmly and upright on the city wall. The flickering lamplight created a chaotic interplay of light, making him appear like a sword already drawn from its sheath, its cold gleam sharp and menacing.
That's enough to pierce the long night.
Cui Yao stared intently at Ji Chengning.
He didn't know what he was looking at, yet he couldn't look away, as if he were under a spell, uncontrollably chasing after Ji Chengnin's figure.
See how calm he is in the face of danger, see how he plans and strategizes.
The soldiers had already taken their positions, waiting for the enemy to approach.
However, it was not the enemy formation that arrived first.
But then a commotion erupted, like thunder, exploding in everyone's ears!
Startled, he looked up and saw the enemy forces surging in from the west like a dark tide.
They weren't close enough, and what everyone could see most clearly was a figure adorned with jewels, her crane-feather cloak fluttering in the wind along with the purple robes she wore underneath, making her appear like a celestial being from another world.
He did not ride a horse, but instead rode in a carriage carried by four men, with beaded curtains swaying and fist-sized pearls shimmering.
Ji Chengnin stared wide-eyed in surprise.
He was riding in a royal carriage on the battlefield?
After realizing what was happening, Ji Chengning laughed in exasperation.
On both sides of the imperial carriage, there were also giant drums, and strong men with bare upper bodies were beating the drums, making them thump loudly, but not with the loud noise they had heard before.
As the sound of the giant drum grew louder, the rebels all started chanting something aloud.
A low, husky male voice mingled with the powerful drumbeats. The night wind was fierce, like the wailing of ghosts, and the sky was as black as an overturned chessboard. Only an ominous firelight illuminated a patch of land. Everyone who witnessed this bizarre scene felt a chill run down their spines.
Ji Chengnin, who didn't understand the southern dialect at all, grabbed a soldier from Yan County at random and asked, "What are they saying?"
The soldier had never been so close to his superior, especially one whom even Lords Zhang and Chen had to serve with utmost care. He was incredibly nervous and stammered, “They basically said that if you join our religion, you will live as long as heaven and earth, and shine as brightly as the sun and moon. If you join our religion, you will be forever free from suffering and will never fall into the cycle of reincarnation!”
These words not only bewitch people, but also terrify them.
Although they were not exactly ignorant, they still revered heaven and the gods. Seeing that the leader seemed unafraid of death and certain that he would not die, a shadow fell over their hearts, and they subconsciously looked at Ji Chengning.
Ji Chengnin frowned.
Ji Chengning said, "What are you muttering about? It's all nonsense and I can't understand a word you say."
General Ji waved his hand, and a crimson command flag spun twice in mid-air, illuminated by the firelight, resembling a red dragon calming the sea like a surging tide.
Ji Chengnin said, "The distance is right, release the arrows!"
-----------------------
Author's note: My wife is going bald, so I'll stop here for now. *kiss*
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
