Chapter 119 Things I Never Got
At the beginning of September in the 21st year of Yongde, King Xiao Ming of Qi sent an army of 150,000 to attack the Northern Di people in accordance with the imperial order.
The army set out from Anzhou, with flags covering the sky, and marched north to the border in a mighty manner.
According to the plan previously agreed upon by the Prince of Qi and his son, Crown Prince Xiao Beiheng led 50,000 Dingbei troops northward. Once they reached the border, Xiao Beiheng would lead his troops westward alone, entering the fiefdom of Mei Cheng, the Prince of Xiliang, and await an opportunity to strike.
In advance, King Xiao Ming of Qi sent a letter to King Mei Cheng of Xiliang, saying that for the sake of national justice, King Qi was willing to send his son Xiao Beiheng to lead an army of 50,000 to help Xiliang fight against the Western Rong.
The letter was sent urgently over 600 miles, and it was almost stuffed directly into the mouth of the King of Xiliang.
It didn't matter what the King of Xiliang thought after reading the letter, nor did it matter whether he agreed or not. Anyway, the 50,000 troops were dispatched.
The only unexpected thing was that the messenger failed to deliver the letter to the King of Xiliang. The King of Xiliang was trapped in Leshan City by a 100,000-strong Western Rong army and was in imminent danger. The messenger had no choice but to turn back.
Everyone knew that Xiliang King Meicheng wasn't as heroic as his father and was a bit of a noob. I didn't expect him to be this bad.
"If the Western Rong conquer Leshan and the King of Xiliang is captured, then the last remaining Yongwei County might not be able to survive," Xiao Ming said to Xiao Beiheng, who was riding beside him, as he sat on his warhorse. "I didn't expect that neither the King nor the King of Jing could move as quickly as the Western Rong."
Xiao Beiheng smiled slightly:
"Father, why should you encourage the Western Rong people to be so ambitious? If the four counties are occupied by the Western Rong, I will take them back for you one by one."
As Xiao Beiheng spoke, he looked out at the endless army around him. Swords, spears, and halberds densely packed together beneath the azure sky, banners ripped open by the strong wind, and the soldiers' helmets and armor gleamed. The ground trembled slightly as their orderly footsteps shook him. He couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic spirit.
On the eve of the army's departure, news of Xiao Zhuo's victory over the Western Rong reached Anzhou. No specific details of the battle were reported, but it was known that Xiao Zhuo's 500 soldiers first defeated the vanguard of the Western Rong's 10,000-man brigade, which had been outflanking them, and then, with the help of the Western Liang cavalry, defeated the main brigade.
Think about it, even Xiao Zhuo's few hundred men could defeat the Western Rong vanguard. It's clear that the Western Rong are, at best, a group of mindless barbarians, not a formidable foe. He led an army of 50,000 elite soldiers and would definitely not disappoint his father.
This time he led the army on a westward expedition, with the ostensible goal of killing Xiao Zhuo for his father to relieve his father's hatred.
But these 50,000 troops weren't just for Xiao Zhuo. Although Xiao Ming didn't say it explicitly, Xiao Beiheng already knew that his father was going to fight against the two tigers, Prince Jing. The Prince of Xiliang was now dying, and was just the piece of fat meat that the two tigers were fighting over.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Ming shook his head and said:
"You are too ambitious. Xiao Zhuo is the enemy you need to deal with with all your strength. If you are not careful, you will definitely be defeated by him."
A flash of shame and anger crossed Xiao Beiheng's face, but it disappeared immediately. He lowered his head and said humbly, "Father is right. I have been studying and training hard while on the march."
It’s what I said again, my father said it again.
In his father's eyes, he was no match for Xiao Zhuo. Even if he had 50,000, Xiao Zhuo only had 500.
Xiao Ming was looking towards the west and did not notice Xiao Beiheng's expression.
"Prince Jing has always considered Xiliang his own, and this time we are snatching it from the tiger's mouth. If it weren't for the rebellion of the Northern Di, I would have led the army there for my father."
Previously, due to Emperor Yongde's relationship, the two princes were reluctant to attack Xiliang. Unexpectedly, the Western Rong intervened, and now that the Prince of Qi had a reason to send troops, the Prince of Jing would obviously not remain indifferent.
"Hasn't my father already sent capable generals to assist me? I will discuss everything with them before doing anything." Xiao Beiheng spoke in a humble tone, but his hands held the reins tightly.
My father has never trusted him. This time, several generals are accompanying him, not just to assist him, but more to monitor him.
"If Xiao Zhuo has already joined forces with the King of Xiliang, the situation will be unpredictable," Xiao Ming nodded at him and galloped towards the front of the group. "Go check on the Crown Prince's Consort. Don't neglect her."
On this expedition, the Crown Prince's Consort Su Mo also came with the army. Xiao Beiheng didn't want her to follow, but Su Mo insisted, and he couldn't refuse.
Xiao Beiheng stopped his warhorse by the roadside and waited for a moment. Lin Kui rode his horse and escorted a convoy to the front.
"Your Highness, the Crown Princess said it's very windy outside," Lin Kui arrived first, tugging at his wind-blown cloak, "and asked you to get into the carriage to avoid the wind."
Xiao Beiheng shook his head: "I am the commander-in-chief. It is not proper for me to sit in a carriage."
Just as they were at a stalemate, a carriage drove up, the window opened, revealing Su Mo's beautiful smiling face:
"My dear, you caught a cold earlier and had a cough for so long. If it comes back, it will be troublesome. Come in the carriage. I asked the maid to make another large bowl of medicine according to Mr. Lin's prescription."
Xiao Beiheng sniffed and smelled the familiar smell of medicine that made him feel sick.
He glanced at Lin Kui, who lowered his head somewhat awkwardly.
The price of this panic is really high. Now that the illness has been cured, I still can't avoid this medicine.
"Here I come." Xiao Beiheng dismounted, threw the reins to Lin Kui, and got on the carriage.
Lin Kui took the reins, handed them to the guard beside him, and slowly moved forward with the carriage. He heard Xiao Beiheng's voice from inside the carriage:
"I'm done drinking... cough."
Su Mo's voice then said, "Bei Heng, since you are in the car, let's read this article together."
"What article?"
"The Strategies of Our Ancient Sages on the Teaching of Benevolence and Righteousness."
Xiao Beiheng sneered and said, "They are all pedantic people. How can they win if they only focus on benevolence and righteousness when marching and fighting?"
Su Mo replied in a stern voice, "Bei Heng, you lead a large army, hold a high position of authority, and yet corpses litter the ground and blood flows like a river at the mere sound of your command. If you lose your sense of justice and righteousness, how can you expect to earn everyone's support?"
"Xiao Zhuo has killed countless people and fought countless battles. He has also terrified the Northern Di..."
"He only knew how to kill, which is why he is in such trouble today. I don't want you to follow in his footsteps," Su Mo's tone became firm. "Come and read with me. The sage said..."
"Oh, the saint said..."
Lin Kui heard the conversation between the two people in the car and sighed inwardly.
Although the Crown Prince's wife is trying so hard, I'm afraid she won't be able to shake the Crown Prince's resolve.
Although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince never said it explicitly, as a close confidant who had been by his side for a long time, he had long noticed that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had always been secretly comparing himself with Xiao Zhuo.
During the battle against the Northern Di at the border, Xiao Zhuo became known for his cold-bloodedness. His Highness, in turn, became ruthless and bloodthirsty. Xiao Zhuo was a master of martial arts, and His Highness, diligently trained day and night, eventually developing a bow that never missed its target.
His Royal Highness had always wanted the King of Qi to recognize him and say that he was better than Xiao Zhuo, but he never got it. Even when the King of Qi wanted to kill Xiao Zhuo, he never belittled him in words.
Now His Royal Highness the Crown Prince finally has an army of 50,000 elite soldiers, and can carry out his grand plans.
He must prove to King Qi that he is no worse than Xiao Zhuo.
This is the first step.
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