Chapter 443: Heavy

Blow General Zuo, who had fought for many years, had expected that Dazhao might intercept him halfway when he received the news that he was defeated at Nanmen and was asked to withdraw his troops, so he asked the messenger to report to Xiao Lin and send troops to support him.

However, on the way back to the camp, no reinforcements were seen, and General Zuo thought that Xiao Lin did not send anyone to support him.

General Zuo was not surprised by this.

Xiao Lin must be furious when Nanyan was defeated, and it was normal for him to ignore his speculation.

As a minister, he could only do his duty, and the rest was beyond his control, so he just had a clear conscience.

He had already made up his mind to die in battle, but the cavalry suddenly arrived, which surprised General Zuo.

But now is not the time to delve into details, it is important to deal with the enemy.

"General, we have 7,000 people." The cavalryman who was asked answered.

After hearing this, General Zuo's heart skipped a beat and he made a prompt decision: "You guys stay behind and cover the infantry to withdraw first."

After the fierce battle just now, more than half of the 8,000 infantry were killed. There were also many wounded among the remaining 3,000 people. Together with the cavalry, they could only barely tie with Dazhao, which was meaningless.

Moreover, it was getting dark and it was almost impossible to see. The infantry had no horses to travel, so they moved slowly. The longer they delayed, the more casualties they would suffer.

After receiving the order to retreat, the cavalry did not hesitate to fight and immediately covered the infantry to withdraw.

Most of the infantry were injured to varying degrees. They supported each other as they fled, gritting their teeth and heading towards the Nanyan military camp.

The cavalry that was left behind blocked the Dazhao cavalry until the infantry had crossed the hill and disappeared, then they quickly retreated.

"Your Highness, do you want to chase them?" The cavalry commander asked, panting, holding a bloody knife.

Yu Zheng, who had just finished fighting, was also panting. He looked at the bloody sunset in the sky, then looked back at the blood on the commander's knife. For a moment, he couldn't tell whose was redder.

"No need, go back to the city." Yu Zheng gave the order in a solemn voice.

This place is very close to the Nanyan military camp, and the Nanyan support will be very fast. If they chase after them, they will be surrounded and killed, which would be a loss.

After the sun set, it got dark very quickly.

When Yu Zheng and the cavalry returned to the barracks, it was already dark.

As soon as he entered the barracks and had not dismounted, he saw Jiang Shu standing in front of the burning brazier, holding her hands and looking anxious and worried.

Yu Zheng sighed, dismounted and walked towards her.

"Are you injured?" Jiang Shu didn't care that they were still outside, and didn't care that this was a barracks, and pulled Yu Zheng up and down to check.

Yu Zheng held her trembling hand and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm fine."

"Really?" Jiang Shu didn't quite believe it.

Every time there was a battle, so many generals would be killed or injured. Even Zhou Boxu was injured in the last battle. How could Yu Zheng be fine?

The sky was dim, and the jumping firelight was not very clear. Jiang Shu was afraid that he would miss it.

Yu Zheng pursed his lips and thought: "If we must count, then this is the only place."

As he spoke, Yu Zheng stretched out the back of his left hand in front of Jiang Shu.

Jiang Shu quickly held Yu Zheng's hand with both hands and looked at it carefully.

There was a shallow wound on the back of Yu Zheng's left hand. The blood that had seeped out had already coagulated, leaving only a thin bloodstain, which almost crossed the entire back of his hand.

This was when he was fighting with General Zuo, and he was injured by his blade. If Yu Zheng had not reacted quickly, his hand would have been gone with this knife.

Of course, Yu Zheng did not tell Jiang Shu about the thrilling inside story, so as not to make her worried and scared.

But Jiang Shu was not stupid, and she could guess it even if Yu Zheng did not say it.

A drop of hot tears fell on the back of Yu Zheng's hand and rolled over the bloodstain.

Yu Zheng's heart shuddered, and he raised his right hand to wipe Jiang Shu's tears, but he saw that his hand was stained with blood and dust, and he froze in shock.

Jiang Shu noticed it, and took the initiative to move her face forward, wiping her tears on Yu Zheng's hand.

"Shu'er." Yu Zheng held her in his arms and sighed slightly.

He was not afraid at all when fighting with General Zuo, and he didn't feel much pain when the back of his hand was cut. But seeing Jiang Shu's tears at this time, he was afraid and distressed.

Jiang Shu hugged Yu Zheng back, and she felt that Yu Zheng's body temperature and heartbeat were the same as before, and her heart gradually settled down.

After calming down, Jiang Shu took the initiative to leave Yu Zheng's embrace and whispered, "You go and do your work. I'll get you some food."

"Okay." Yu Zheng agreed and watched Jiang Shu leave before going to the meeting room.

Zhou Boxu and the generals were discussing matters in the room. When they saw Yu Zheng, they hurriedly stood up and saluted, asking about the battle situation.

After a brief explanation, Yu Zheng sat down at the top, listened to the battle report, and discussed military affairs.

"As the prince and Lord Zhou expected, Nanyan's attack on the north gate was just a cover to disperse our military strength. I followed the prince's instructions and only defended but did not attack, so the casualties were not great."

Yu Zheng nodded after hearing this and asked about the east gate.

Zhou Boxu said: "Xiao Lin personally took command, intending to advance together, but our army did not give him a chance. We fought for a day and did not let Nan Yan get close to the city gate..."

The general of the South Gate followed up and said: "Although our army suffered a lot of casualties, Nan Yan was more vulnerable. After this heavy blow, Nan Yan's troops should only be around 50,000, while our army has 90,000."

"Today's great victory over Nan Yan is really a relief. The prince's wisdom and bravery make the whole army admire him." All the generals were smiling and proud.

Yu Zheng said: "Today's great victory is due to the contributions of all the generals and soldiers in the army, not just my efforts. When the war is completely over, we will reward them according to their merits."

The generals were even happier when they heard it.

"Now that Nanyan has been badly defeated, our army is very motivated. Should we seize the opportunity and attack?" the general of the East Gate asked.

Before Yu Zheng and Zhou Boxu could answer, the general of the South Gate said, "It will always be a problem if the Beast Army is not resolved. Today, Nanmen won a great victory because of the terrain. If we take the initiative to attack, we will not be able to dig a pit to kill the poisonous snakes of Nanyan."

Although Nanyan only has about 50,000 people left, they still have the Beast Army, which is equivalent to 60,000 troops in total. There is a chance of victory, but the casualties will be too heavy.

"What should we do? We can't just keep wasting time like this." The general of the East Gate was unwilling.

The other generals looked at Yu Zheng and Zhou Boxu at the same time, waiting for their instructions.

Yu Zheng thought and said, "Let's rest for two days first. When the first batch of leg armor is ready, we will send troops to attack Nanyan and take back Changling Mountain."

"Yes." All the generals responded in unison.

Indeed, after a day of fierce fighting, the generals of Dazhao also suffered casualties and needed to recuperate. In addition, it takes time to sew and temper the leg armor and poisonous smoke of the Nanyan venomous snake.

Victory is just around the corner, and we must be steady and not rush.

After discussing military affairs, the generals stood up and took their leave, dragging their tired bodies away.

When they walked out of the meeting room and saw Jiang Shu outside the room, everyone greeted him.

"Hello, princess."

"No need to be polite, everyone has worked hard, go back to eat and rest." Jiang Shu's tone was caring.

Everyone nodded in response, and was very respectful.

At the beginning, Yu Zheng asked Jiang Shu to enter the military camp to manage the military affairs, and everyone was dissatisfied. But after these days, they were all convinced.

Princess Jing's reputation has spread from Shangjing to Yicheng. It is not just a false reputation, but a well-deserved reputation. Everyone respects her and everyone obeys her.

After seeing off the generals, Jiang Shu and Leng Xing carried the food boxes into the tent and let Yu Zheng and Zhou Boxu have dinner.