Chapter 344 Rescue
Before Lin Changning and Li Mingshu had finished their selection, Wan Jin suddenly came scrambling up from downstairs, panting: "Commander, hurry, hurry back to the team, the commander said he has something important to tell me to come find you."
Lin Changning placed Yue'er, whom he was holding, on the ground, his brows slightly furrowed: "Now?"
Wan Jin, panting, looked at Lin Changning: "Hmm, seems to be in a hurry."
Lin Changning couldn't help but turn to look at Li Mingshu. Li Mingshu waved to Lin Changning: "Military affairs are important, Changning, you go ahead. Xiangxiang and I will go back after we finish picking out the jewelry."
Although the princess said that, Lin Changning didn't dare to take it seriously. He looked at Wan Jin and said, "I'm going back now. You stay here and watch over the princess and Miss Qin."
Wan Jin took a breath and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lin Changning: "Yes, Vice Commander."
Lin Changning rubbed Yue'er's head, handed her over to Li Mingshu, and turned to go downstairs. His vacation was about to end, and if someone came looking for him now, it must be because something extremely urgent had happened.
Therefore, Lin Changning dared not delay. After going downstairs, he saw the horses parked at the door, jumped on them, and rode towards the Commandery.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the military headquarters, Lin Changning dismounted, handed his horse to the guards, and trotted towards Qi Rong's tent.
Upon arriving at the entrance, Lin Changning saw Qi Rong sketching and writing in front of the sand table in the camp and called out, "Commander? What's up?"
Upon hearing Lin Changning's voice, Qi Rong's furrowed brows relaxed slightly. He looked up at Lin Changning and waved to him.
"Come on, come in first and we'll talk."
Lin Changning strode directly into the tent, stood beside Qi Rong, and looked at the four points marked by Qi Rong on the sand table with some doubt.
"This is... the fiefdom of Prince Sheng?"
Qi Rong nodded: "That's right. I didn't want to call you, but there have been a lot of unexpected events lately, so I had to cut your vacation short. Are your injuries fully healed?"
Lin Changning nodded: "He's fully recovered. He's been protecting the princess these past few days."
Without further ado, Qi Rong pointed directly to the new city in Prince Sheng's fiefdom and said, "The imperial army will soon take over Da Ning. Prince Sheng sent word a few days ago that he would have his heir take the remaining troops to Taiyuan."
We're short one person to go as backup, and this task was assigned to our Right Guard. Originally, we wanted to send Lao Ma and Lao Zhou together, but Lao Zhou injured his leg a few days ago and has been bedridden for the past two days. Lao Ma is too rough around the edges, and Lao Zhang isn't very thoughtful. After thinking it over, we decided that you were the most suitable person, so we called you over.”
Lin Changning looked somewhat surprised, not expecting that the Prince of Sheng would send his child with the remaining troops to join the Prince of Chu.
Back when they were in Daxing, this prince caused them a lot of trouble. To put it bluntly, if this prince hadn't occupied Yongping, they wouldn't have been forced to defend a lonely city.
Why was this task assigned to us?
Lin Changning said what he was thinking. Qi Rong saw through Lin Changning's thoughts and sighed: "Prince Sheng has more than 10,000 troops, and his heir is not a simple man either."
The implication was that they were about to rebel, and that these 10,000 troops were enough for them to put aside their personal grudges. Moreover, the Crown Prince of Sheng was a capable man.
Lin Changning clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I understand, Commander."
What happened back then was simply a matter of perspective between the two sides. However, if it weren't for Prince Sheng's heir, they wouldn't have been forced into such a dire situation, and Old Liu wouldn't have been in this predicament...
Lin Changning lowered his eyes and sighed softly. But the matter was over, and as a subordinate, he naturally had to do his job well.
Qi Rong patted Lin Changning on the shoulder: "Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. The Crown Prince of Sheng is currently stuck in Xincheng with his troops. The imperial army is attacking Da Ning with all its might. I will give you a thousand soldiers. You will go into battle as light cavalry. You need to quickly meet up with the people. You must lead them from Xincheng to Taiyuan. If you encounter the imperial army along the way, avoid them if you can. Your only goal is to return safely."
Lin Changning nodded: "When do we depart?"
Qi Rong looked at Lin Changning with a hint of apology in his eyes: "Of course, the sooner the better."
Lin Changning nodded: "I understand the command. I will reorganize the troops and head to the new city in a moment. Please send someone to my home to inform them."
Qi Rong nodded: "I will help look after the family. Come back as soon as you have met them. The imperial army is stationed there, so be careful."
Lin Changning responded and walked straight out. The person to meet him was heading to Taiyuan, which didn't seem too difficult.
However, it will take at least half a month for the round trip.
Having only rested at home for half a month, Lin Changning had to get back to work. He stepped outside and looked up at the bright, sunny sky. Going out to fight in the sweltering summer heat was truly torturous.
After sighing, Lin Changning walked to Lushan's tent and instructed him, "Lushan, now go and organize the troops. When Wan Jin returns, bring half a month's worth of provisions, a thousand cavalry, and light cavalry to accompany me to Xincheng to meet the Prince of Sheng."
After Lu Shan clasped his hands in agreement, Lin Changning said, "After everything is settled, let people rest for an afternoon, and we'll set off tonight."
In summer, one should travel at night; traveling during the day will quickly lead to heatstroke.
After saying this, Lin Changning went back to his tent, changed into his everyday clothes, fastened his sword, and instructed someone to feed Mo Yun. Then he turned around and lay down on the bed to rest.
I haven't slept well these past two days, and I had to travel during the cool nights, so I'll catch up on some sleep now.
Lin Changning woke up feeling refreshed. After stretching, he was about to go out when he ran into Wan Jin and Lu Shan, who had returned to report to him.
Wan Jin clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Commander, the rations have been prepared and our men have been assembled."
Lu Shan nodded: "The person is waiting outside the door. Shall we set off now, Commander?"
Lin Changning nodded, led Lu Shan and Wan Jin to the stable to get his horse, mounted it, and galloped away.
On the drill ground, the thousand men had already been assembled. Lin Changning rode forward on his horse and shouted, "Everyone! Let's go! Head to the new city!"
After saying that, he led Lu Shan and Wan Jin at the forefront, rushing out of the command post and heading towards the outskirts of Taiyuan City.
The night breeze was much cooler than the daytime breeze. Lin Changning led his men on light cavalry and traveled for most of the night. Just as dawn was breaking, they finally arrived outside Zhen Ding City.
It wasn't too hot in the morning, so Lin Changning led his men to rest for a while before continuing towards the new city. By noon, the sun had become increasingly scorching.
Lin Changning ordered his men to go into the woods to rest. After fetching water from the river and washing his face, Lin Changning sat under the shade of a tree and ate a somewhat hard flatbread.
"It's so hot, sir. Traveling in this weather is really unbearable."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com