Chapter 352 Defection
To return home safely, they needed to take a hostage. Wei Shao had just taken a moment to look at the people around him while the others were gathering around.
Lin Changning must be the leader of the bandits, but he can't beat Lin Changning. However, the person behind him has guards protecting him, so he must be in a high position.
If we can't defeat Lin Changning, we'll find someone else to kidnap; otherwise, we'll really die here today.
Having made up his mind, Wei Shao quickly charged towards Li Mingde. Li Mingde's personal guards exchanged a few blows with Wei Shao, but were no match for him. Li Mingde then gripped his long sword and charged towards Wei Shao.
When Lin Changning rode after them, he saw Li Mingde about to fight Wei Shao, and alarm bells rang in his mind.
"Young Master! Get out of the way!!!"
She had just sparred with this man dozens of times; his marksmanship was quite remarkable, and most people would be no match for him.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Li Mingde was struck hard in the arm by Wei Shao's spear, his face turning pale as he fell off his horse.
Wei Shao was overjoyed, finally finding an easy target. Just as he was about to kidnap the person and rush out, Lin Changning attacked again.
Standing in front of Li Mingde, Wei Shao slashed hard on the shoulder with his sword. Li Mingde, behind him, turned pale, his shoulder throbbing with pain from the blow Wei Shao delivered with the shaft of his spear.
The guards beside him hurriedly helped Li Mingde up from the ground and withdrew. Wei Shao looked at Lin Changning, who was protecting Li Mingde behind him and confronting him again, and sighed slightly.
Thinking that this might be the end of my life.
After being helped onto the horse, Li Mingde clutched his shoulder and gasped.
Lin Changning pointed his long sword directly at Wei Shao, his voice cold: "Judging from your attire, you should be a centurion. Either surrender or die, your choice."
Wei Shao pursed his lips tightly. With his mother and siblings dead, he had lost all support. But if he surrendered, the court would not spare his family.
Lin Changning actually felt a pang of regret for this talent; the man's marksmanship was remarkable, and given time, he would surely become a renowned general.
Having fought in battles for so long, Lin Changning rarely encountered anyone who could withstand dozens of moves from him, so he couldn't help but extend an olive branch to Wei Shao, whose face was filled with sorrow.
"Are you willing to pledge allegiance to the King of Chu?"
Wei Shao looked up suddenly, somewhat puzzled. If he remembered correctly, when they came, they should have attacked Prince Sheng, who had already rebelled and was a traitor.
But judging from this man's words, he was clearly a follower of the King of Chu.
For a moment, I felt confused and at a loss.
Lin Changning said again, "Your marksmanship is excellent. Are you willing to abandon the darkness and embrace the light?"
Wei Shao's grip on the gun tightened and loosened, as if he was hesitating.
Lin Changning sheathed his sword and, seeing Wei Shao's hesitant expression, said again, "Even your armor is crudely made. Why do you still risk your life for the court? Or are you worried about your family? I can send someone to fetch your family to Taiyuan and I can guarantee their safety."
Wei Shao planted his spear in the ground and asked his question: "How come the King of Chu's men are here?"
Lin Changning raised an eyebrow: "Naturally, I'm here to pick someone up. You just need to tell me if you're willing to abandon the darkness and embrace the light. If you are, I'm willing to recommend you, and your position will remain that of a centurion. If you're not..."
Lin Changning remained silent, her phoenix eyes filled with murderous intent as she stared intently at Wei Shao. She chuckled softly, awaiting his reply.
Wei Shao remained silent for a long time. His family had served on the frontier for generations, always loyal to His Majesty. If he were to rebel, he would not know how he could face his ancestors.
But if he were to die here, he would really be worried about his mother and his younger siblings who were still young.
Wei Shao was caught in a dilemma.
After a long while, the desire to survive ultimately prevailed over pride. Wei Shao clasped his hands and said, "I am willing to serve the King of Chu. I hope that you will save my family."
Lin Changning nodded: "Wan Jin, have a few people go and bring this... um... centurion's family to Taiyuan."
Wei Shao cupped his hands in greeting to Lin Changning: "My name is Wei Shao, thank you, sir."
After saying this, he planted his spear in the ground, dismounted, and knelt before Lin Changning: "Wei Shao swears to serve you to the death, my lord!!!"
Lin Changning also dismounted, though he was still somewhat wary. He casually waved his hand and said, "Commander Wei, please rise. Lu Shan, take the commander to find a set of finely crafted armor and have some men bandage it up."
Lu Shan accepted the order and dismounted. He looked at Wei Shao with some wariness, nodded to the man, and then prepared to leave with his men.
Wei Shao naturally noticed their wariness of him; his survival this time was entirely due to his excellent marksmanship.
Looking at his tattered armor, Wei Shao couldn't help but feel a chill, wondering if his father had worn something similar on the battlefield.
After sighing, Wei Shao followed Lu Shan toward the rear of the group. His gun had been taken away by the soldiers beside him, and his horse was being led around; there was absolutely no way for him to escape.
Lin Changning already had a new plan in mind. After having his men clean up the mess, he went to his tent and sent someone to invite Li Mingde.
Li Mingde was hit on the shoulder by Wei Shao's spear shaft and seemed to have suffered a serious injury. Lin Changning's waist and abdomen were also aching slightly, and he winced in pain when he gently touched his wound.
After we finish discussing things, she'll still need to rub the area with medicine. Right now, she doesn't even need to look to know that her waist and abdomen will probably be covered in bruises.
Li Mingde entered the tent and sat at the head of the table. He casually picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of tea: "What business does the Vice Commander have with me?"
Lin Changning raised his cup to the man: "I do have something to discuss with you, Your Highness. After we finish preparing tonight, we will head to the valley. I have a plan that I need Your Highness's cooperation with."
Li Mingde responded with interest, "Please speak freely, Vice Commissioner."
Lin Changning smiled at the man: "Wei Shao's spear skills are quite good, but I don't quite trust him. I always need to see if he's loyal. I want Wei Shao to go to the place where the imperial army is stationed and deliver a message, setting two traps to capture these people..."
Lin Changning clasped his hands together, stared at Li Mingde, and smiled cryptically: "To wipe them all out in one fell swoop."
Li Mingde was stunned for a moment. Lin Changning meant that Wei Shao was to surrender and send false information to the imperial army. They were taking the opportunity to set a trap, capture everyone, and wipe them all out in one fell swoop.
Li Mingde hesitated for a moment: "What if he's only feigning surrender?"
Lin Changning smiled like a cunning fox: "There are ways to feign surrender. A scheme within a scheme is not impossible."
Li Mingde understood: "You mean, Assistant Commissioner?"
Lin Changning just smiled and said, "This man's marksmanship is indeed excellent. If we can recruit him for the Prince, it would be a great thing. If he pretends to surrender but actually informs the court of false information, it would not be a problem for us."
Li Mingde thought about it carefully and asked, "What should we do?"
Lin Changning surveyed the valley's terrain and pointed to a small path, saying, "I will tell Wei Shao that our main force will rest in this valley tonight. See this place? I request that the young master act as bait, leading several thousand men to ambush us in the valley."
I led my men to surround you from the side. This part of the valley is quite steep. If the imperial court wants to surround you quietly, they will have to go up to your location from here.
I led my men to ambush halfway up the mountain. If Wei Shao gave false information, the imperial court would surely attack directly from the valley. We could then coordinate an attack from within and without to annihilate him.
If Wei Shao reveals our ambush, the imperial court will certainly not fall into the trap. Then we can safely return to Taiyuan from outside the valley and retreat in small groups from various cities to Taiyuan. The days they hesitate are our opportunity to quickly advance towards Taiyuan.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
