Chapter 94 "Ji Lin really didn't tell me anything..."
The heavens and earth trembled!
"General, General!" Ruan Min shouted beside him, pointing to the crack in the city wall not far away, "Should we charge in with the cavalry first?"
The gap was small, only enough for a thin adult to squeeze through. The soldiers were all wearing armor, and if they got stuck inside, they would be torn to pieces by the rebels on the other side of the wall!
Ji Chengnin resolutely said, "Absolutely not!"
Before he finished speaking, Xiao Dingguan on the city wall seemed to realize that simply sending men to block the wall was not enough. He ordered the archers to step forward, point directly at the open space closest to the crack, draw their bows, and prepare to fire.
"General!"
Ji Chengnin raised his voice and ordered, "Order the entire army: Do not launch a direct attack!"
If there is a way to minimize casualties, why should his soldiers risk their lives?
While soldiers and generals must be brave and fierce, a direct attack at this moment would only cause unnecessary bloodshed and casualties!
Ruan Min's expression changed slightly, and he couldn't help but look at the cannon closest to him, whose barrel was already glowing red.
"boom--"
As the shell was fired, the cannon shook violently, and the iron hoops seemed to break.
"Acting on impulse, so womanly!" Ruan Min cursed inwardly.
If we don't launch a strong attack now while the artillery is under cover, it will be even more difficult to capture the city once the shells are used up. The worst thing a general can do is to be soft-hearted. On the battlefield, what difference does it make whether one person dies, a hundred dies, or a thousand dies?
One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand soldiers; the so-called dead are just numbers!
He said urgently, "General, we don't have much gunpowder left. If you don't make a decision soon..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ji Chengnin shouted, "Order the cannons to move east!"
Before the people who were blocking the wall at the crack could even be surprised at why the cannon fire had stopped, the eastern city wall shook violently the next second.
"Quickly, go quickly!" an officer roared hoarsely, "Block the city wall!"
Ruan Min stared at Ji Chengning in astonishment.
But it was clear that the young general was not flustered because it was his first time on the battlefield; rather, he was simply employing the strategy of leaving an opening when besieging an enemy!
Even if they brought in twice the amount of gunpowder, their cannonballs wouldn't be enough to destroy the walls of Luanyang. If the stalemate continued, once they ran out of cannonballs, the initiative would be out of their hands.
Ordinary generals would try to create an opening by first blasting it open before sending troops to force their way in, but Ji Chengnin did the opposite.
Since we can't destroy the city wall, let's blast a few more cracks.
Sure enough, after the artillery fire subsided at the first breach, several soldiers looked out of the city in a panic. The gap was not big, but it was big enough for them to squeeze through. The centurion's reprimands for them to hurry up were drowned out by the cannon fire. The world was vast, the two armies were fighting, and they were the only ones who were noticed at the moment!
As long as, as long as they can get through this gap, a glimmer of hope flashes in someone's eyes. Even if they fall into the moat, it would be better than staying here and dying!
The previous court officials were indeed beasts, but Xiao Dingguan was nothing more than a hypocrite in disguise. How was he any different from Chen Chong and his cronies? Why did Xiao Dingguan and his cronies enjoy all the wealth and glory while I received no favors whatsoever, yet I was left to die?!
The soldier's molars were grinding together.
I felt a rush of heat to my head, and the next second, I was already squeezing into the crevice.
The rough, uneven rocks pressed down on him like a mountain. He took a few deep breaths and soon found himself outside the city.
"what you do?!"
The centurion behind him roared in shock and anger, "Do you want to betray the general?"
The soldier ran forward without looking back.
The roar of artillery fire filled my ears.
He thought to himself, "What nonsense! When have I ever pledged allegiance to Xiao Dingguan? I'm just a farmer tilling the fields, hoping my three mu of land will yield a few more bushels of grain. The moat is so close, its rippling water making my eyes light up. I've heard that General Ji has distributed the land previously seized by officials and wealthy families in Luanyang to the common people. If I go there, maybe I can get some land too, and next winter, I can buy my daughter a couple of feet of floral cloth."
"Whoosh!"
Arrows pierced through his vest.
A spray of blood splattered.
He stumbled and fell heavily to the ground.
Immediately, arrows swept in, instantly piercing him completely.
“Swish, swish, swish—”
The soldiers, who were on edge, didn't have time to tell whether the figure was from the imperial army or their own men. The moment they saw the figure, the arrows shot out from the tightly drawn bowstrings.
stupid!
Xiao Dingguan's expression changed drastically.
The scout, binoculars in hand, roared, "General, the rebels have shot and killed those who tried to escape!!"
Ji Chengnin's expression was unusually somber.
As the commander-in-chief, he should be happy to see that the rebels' every move was under his control. However, Ji Chengnin took a deep breath and signaled the archers to step forward.
In an instant, arrows rained down, but the arrows that were shot out had no arrowheads, and the shafts were pierced with coarse paper.
Yellow paper was scattered on the city wall, piled up in layers, fluttering in the wind, looking from afar like a grand funeral.
"There are words on the paper!"
Someone exclaimed in surprise.
A commotion broke out on the city wall. "Don't pick it up! Don't pick it up!" the officer roared hoarsely, lashing his whip hard at the soldier who had reached out the hand.
The next moment, the cannon fire from below the city abruptly stopped.
Xiao Dingguan showed no joy whatsoever; on the contrary, he looked even uglier.
Before he could react, he heard a voice from the other side: "Listen up, you on the city wall!" Dozens of strong soldiers roared: "The rebellion is entirely Xiao Dingguan's fault! Anyone who surrenders with their armor on will be forgiven by the court. Don't be stubborn and die for Xiao Dingguan in vain!"
The soldiers on the city wall became even more agitated and couldn't help but look towards Xiaoding Pass.
“Spreading rumors and misleading the public,” Xiao Dingguan said, his face turning ashen. “These are words that are meant to demoralize our army. Have you all forgotten how the court officials oppressed and abused their power back then?”
These words only made the soldiers, who were covered in dust and dirt, look even more uneasy and strange.
If the battle situation were reversed today, they certainly wouldn't listen to the court officials. However, it's clear to anyone with eyes that the battle situation is deteriorating. They were gathered here for profit, so do they really have to be buried alive with Xiao Dingguan as the court army says?
Below the city walls, Ji Chengning continued issuing orders: "If there are any scattered refugees or soldiers at the breach, do not stop them; let them leave the city. If there are large groups of people, block them inside!"
Although the people inside Luanyang City could not hear Ji Chengning's orders, they could see the imperial army's intentions; they clearly had no intention of exterminating them all.
The morale of the army was thrown into chaos. Many soldiers and laborers who had been captured and forced to fill gaps in the artillery fire no longer cared about anything else and rushed to run out. Rather than be blown to pieces by the artillery fire that might return at any time, they would rather risk their lives to get out and seek a chance to survive!
The soldiers on the city wall were about to fire arrows again when one of them was grabbed by the arm and punched hard in the face.
"My brother is down there!" the man shouted, his eyes red and swollen.
Even amidst the thunder and cannon fire, it was still loud enough for those nearby to hear clearly.
The person who was punched by him trembled violently in both shoulders.
"boom!"
The cannonballs exploded on the battlements in front of them.
The sparks illuminated people's faces and eyes, making them appear red.
They all looked at Xiao Dingguan simultaneously, their eyes flashing with a ghostly light, like will-o'-the-wisps.
It's unclear who stepped forward first, but instantly, a massive crowd surged forward.
Xiao Dingguan drew his sword and thrust.
The sight of blood only fueled their frenzy, driving them to pounce even more frantically.
On this day, thunder roared.
The heavy rain that had been lingering all night finally came down, pouring down in torrents.
"Xiaoding Pass is here!"
A gaunt young man raised Xiao Dingguan's sword high and roared with all his might, "Open the city gates and welcome the royal army!!"
"Clang—"
"Bang—"
The sound of weapons falling was swallowed up by the torrential rain.
...
After capturing Xiao Dingguan alive, Ji Chengning gave only one order: "Do not torture him, and do not speak to him."
The person was tied up like a crab, with even their mouth stuffed full of cloth strips.
The post-war affairs were complicated, and as the commander-in-chief, Ji Chengning naturally had to handle the aftermath.
He only dealt with the aftermath, refusing all celebrations. While the soldiers took turns feasting, he led a group of people to his study to handle paperwork.
Once the data was calculated and submitted to his desk, he would review it and compile it into a formal memorial to be presented to the imperial court.
After the euphoria and excitement of victory, there was only boundless desolation.
Ji Chengnin was unaware of what he was thinking. By the time he finished the first phase of the task, it was already broad daylight.
Ji Chengning had a light blue ring around his eyes. He turned his head to look at Cui Yao, who was sitting beside him and still writing something. His expression softened.
Seeing him pick up his pen and ponder, Ji Chengnin smiled and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Want money."
Ji Chengnin was taken aback, and the relaxed smile on his face instantly froze. "Huh?"
Cui Yao's eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. He stuffed the calculated results into Ji Chengning's arms. "The reconstruction of the city, the grain and herbs used by the people in the city, the compensation and supplies for the wounded and the soldiers who died in battle, and the rewards for the whole army—I wonder where the young master plans to demolish the Ji residence to make up for these funds?"
Logically, they should have gotten promoted and made a fortune, but instead, one of them paid to fight a war, and the other paid to become an official.
Ji Chengnin couldn't help but rub his nose and mumbled, "The imperial court provides it."
Although the war is over, there will definitely be a lot of trouble when he gets back. For some reason, those civil officials hate him so much. Ji Chengning thought to himself, did he take their children and jump into the well?
“This is a matter for the Minister of Personnel to worry about,” he said, reaching out to squeeze Cui Yao’s stiff shoulder with a gentle but intimate touch. “It’s a pity that I, as the commander-in-chief, have failed in my duty, and I have to trouble my cousin to take care of the calculations and arrangements for me.”
Cui Yao couldn't help but glance at Ji Chengning with a smile.
The young general's hand was right on his shoulder, inches away.
A long, narrow bloodstain clung to the back of Cui Yao's hand, and a faint fishy smell lingered in Cui Yao's nose.
He silently parted his lips and tasted a sweet, metallic flavor mixed with the smell of gunpowder.
Adam's apple bobbed.
He gave Ji Chengning an exceptionally harmless smile.
...
A soft light brushed my face.
"Creak—"
The door opened.
It brings a cool breeze unique to the morning, along with the pungent smell of blood mixed with sulfur.
The fishy smell wasn't particularly strong, but it was enough to send chills down one's spine.
Yes, it's the kind of flavor that comes from bones steeped in the aura of slaughter.
Xiao Dingguan struggled to lift his head.
In the morning light, the young general smiled slightly, "How have you been, General Xiao?"
Xiao Dingguan's pale, chapped lips trembled a few times before finally uttering a dry, soft sound.
Ji Chengnin stepped forward. "What?"
Xiao Dingguan stared at the young general's face, which was so close to his own. It was so similar, so very similar.
He was barely able to suppress his trembling. How could the Marquis of Yongning at his prime, the spirited Ji Lang at his most outstanding, look exactly like his mother?
It's so similar, yet so stupid.
Even their blind loyalty to the emperor is exactly the same!
He uttered two words, "Idiot."
"Whoosh!"
Before he could finish speaking, a knife was already at his throat.
The cold blade pierced to the bone, causing a sharp, painful sting to the skin.
"How dare a prisoner be disrespectful to the general!" Li Bi rebuked angrily.
Xiao Dingguan laughed instead of being afraid, his eyes, covered with thick blood vessels, still fixed on Ji Chengning's face.
Ji Chengnin pushed the knife aside, his tone heavy yet tinged with amusement, "The victor is king, the loser is villain. I understand the displeasure of a defeated general."
Xiao Dingguan's throat made a hoarse sound, and his face turned pale, as if he was very angry at Ji Chengnin's words.
But immediately, he took a sharp breath and gave Ji Chengnin a strange smile. "Young Marquis Ji, I have something to say to you," his voice was unusually hoarse from the smoke, "would you mind dismissing everyone?"
Before Ji Chengnin could speak, Li Bi immediately turned her head towards him, her eyes filled with worry, hesitant to speak.
Xiao Dingguan is no good person. Although we don't know what he's up to, we know he'll definitely be a threat to the general.
Ji Chengning met Li Bi's worried gaze, gently shook his head, and indicated that he didn't need to worry.
He smiled and said, "You may all leave. I'd like to hear what General Xiao has to say to me."
The officers filed out.
The door was pushed open and then quickly closed.
A ray of light shone on Xiao Dingguan's eyes, and Ji Chengning then noticed that his eyes were not pure black, but rather had a deep blue hue. However, in the darkness, they were no different from those of ordinary people from the Central Plains.
He stared at Ji Chengnin, the curve of his lips widening.
However, those deep green eyes were completely expressionless, filled with hatred and excitement as they stared at him.
It was like a venomous snake, its fangs brimming with venom, poised to strike.
Xiao Dingguan's gaze swept over Ji Chengning's face, and he suddenly laughed, his voice so hoarse it sent shivers down one's spine. "Ji Chengning, has Ji Lin never told you that you look a lot like your mother? No, you and your mother look exactly alike. When I see you," a deep resentment flashed in his eyes, "it's like seeing Ji Lang."
Ji Chengnin's expression froze.
What is Xiao Dingguan saying? Didn't his mother commit suicide after his father died in battle? How could Xiao Dingguan know his mother?
What's more, Ji Lang—Ji Lang is his aunt!
It's Consort Ji from the palace!
Upon hearing such absurd words, Ji Chengnin first laughed, his face remaining impassive, but his heart was already churning with turmoil. "General Xiao, you wouldn't have gone mad with anger after your defeat, would you? My aunt..."
"Aunt?" Xiao Dingguan burst into laughter. "Ji Lin really didn't tell you anything, you idiot, you idiot! The emperor killed your mother, and you still work for him. Ji Chengning, your whole Ji family are indeed idiots!"
-----------------------
Author's Note: A red envelope will be dropped in this chapter, muah!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
