Taiping Lie 384. Reputation Lost

The war that lasted for half a year came to an abrupt end. The last few hundred thousand Beirong soldiers were all buried in Huifeng Valley. The whole valley was filled with blood and corpses. As for those Beirong soldiers stationed in various places, they were naturally even less important. They were wiped out by the Mohist Army in a swift manner. This war seemed to be neither surprising nor exciting, and insignificant, but in terms of the achievements alone, it was enough to rewrite most of the achievements in the history of the Mohist Army. More than one million Beirong soldiers, in the end, no one escaped back to Beirong. After this battle, Beirong lost not only more than one million soldiers and horses, but also nearly 70% of Beirong's generals. It would take decades for them to recover.

When they were cleaning up the battlefield, the person who was brought to Mo Xiuyao and others by the Mohist army was a surprise to everyone. This person was none other than Helian Zhen, the Flying Cavalry General of the Northern Rong. Even Yelu Ye died in the rebellion, but no one expected that Helian Zhen was still alive.

Mo Xiuyao's handsome eyes darkened slightly, and he glanced at the two soldiers escorting Helian Zhen. The two soldiers hurriedly said, "Your Highness, this person said he has important news about Beirong to tell you. That's why..."

Everyone understood that at the last moment, Helian was really afraid of death, so he had to do this to save his life. In response, the looks in the eyes of the Mohist army generals were not only contemptuous, but also hateful. Nineteen years ago, those Mohist army soldiers who died in vain did not even die at the hands of a hero, but a shameless person who was greedy for life and afraid of death.

In fact, nineteen years ago, Helian Zhen was not necessarily a coward. But he had not been on the battlefield for more than ten years, and even when he was defeated by Mo Xiuyao, he was far from his best. Over the past ten years, his original mind and bloodiness had long been worn out, and all that was left was the unwillingness to be defeated by Mo Xiuyao. When the facts proved that he was indeed unable to defeat Mo Xiuyao, even this unwillingness disappeared. All that was left was his life.

"Prince Ding, if you spare my life, I will tell you all the forces of Beirong." Helian Zhen said anxiously with fiery eyes. He didn't want to die. Even nineteen years ago, he didn't realize so clearly that he didn't want to die.

Mo Xiu Yao raised his lips in a disdainful sneer, "You haven't been in charge of military power for 19 years, General Helian, do you really know the distribution of Beirong's troops?" Helian Zhen said dumbly, "I... I can tell you everything I know, as long as you spare my life!" At this time, Helian Zhen finally realized that he did not have the capital to negotiate with Mo Xiu Yao, and said in a panic.

There was a murderous intent in Mo Xiuyao's eyes, but he didn't show it immediately. He slowly closed his eyes to calm his emotions, and when he opened his eyes again, he was already peaceful. But Helian Zhen felt that something was wrong.

All I heard was Mo Xiuyao's voice as calm as water, "Drag him out and chop him off!"

"Yes!" The two soldiers who had brought Helian Zhen in did not hesitate and dragged him out again. Hearing Helian Zhen's panicked cries and begging for mercy when he was dragged out, everyone felt a little sad for him. A famous general, he still couldn't escape death even though he had ruined his reputation.

There was a moment of silence in the big tent, and everyone looked a little dazed. Yun Ting and other young generals could hardly believe that they had really wiped out the Beirong army, which had more soldiers and horses than them and was no less powerful than them?

Sun Yaowu was stunned for a moment, and suddenly burst into tears. Although he did not have the hatred he had with the Northern Rong, three years ago the Northern Rong invaded Da Chu and killed countless people. Sun Yaowu's hatred for the Northern Rong people was no less than that of the old men of the Mohist Army.

Zhou Min patted Sun Yaowu on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Old Sun, you are too fond of crying. Isn't it a good thing that we won?" Sun Yaowu wiped his eyes and said angrily: "You know nothing! I am happy, you know?" Zhou Min touched his nose and decided not to bother with this rude man.

Mo Xiuyao looked calm and said in a deep voice, "Alright, the whole army will reorganize and rest for two days. Zhou Min, Sun Yaowu."

"I'm here!" Zhou Min immediately stood up and answered loudly, and Sun Yaowu also stood up quickly.

Mo Xiuyao said: "I'll leave the border to you two. The rest of you will set off south in two days!"

"I obey your command." Everyone said in unison.

The northern border of the Great Chu is extremely long. Zhou Min and Sun Yaowu are the only two generals leading troops for the first time. It is not enough for one general to lead troops alone. But now is the severe winter. Even if the Northern Rong wants to reinforce or avenge Yelu Ye, it will take two months. Moreover, after the experience of the past six months, the two can also take on important tasks, so Mo Xiuyao is not worried.

Zhou Min was naturally happy to accept the order, and Sun Yaowu, as a surrendered general, was also very happy that Prince Ding trusted him so much. They all accepted the order happily, and the others also understood that they would have to fight countless fierce battles if they followed Prince Ding south, which also meant that there would be more merits, and they were also looking forward to it. For a while, the atmosphere in the big tent became heated.

Ye Li sat beside Mo Xiu Yao and quietly reached out to hold Mo Xiu Yao's hand. Mo Xiu Yao turned his head to look at Ye Li who was smiling beside him, and his eyes also showed a deep warmth and smile. At the same time, he held Ye Li's hand tightly.

Mo Xiaobao sat between the two of them, looked left and right at his father and mother, and smiled as he covered them with his little hands.

On a hill not far from Huifeng Valley, there stood an inconspicuous solitary grave. There was not even a tombstone in front of the solitary grave, and the grave was covered with dead grass. If you didn't look carefully, you might even think it was just a small mound of earth covered with dead grass.

Mo Xiuyao held Ye Li's hand and held Mo Xiaobao's hand and stood in front of the grave. Ye Li looked at Mo Xiuyao with some doubts, and a flash of understanding flashed in her eyes. Mo Xiuyao said softly: "A Li, this is my eldest brother."

Ye Li didn't ask any more questions. She nodded, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Sister-in-law Ye Li has met you, brother." She turned around and looked at Mo Xiaobao and said, "Xiaobao, kowtow to your uncle."

Mo Xiaobao blinked blankly. Although he didn't understand why he had seen his uncle's grave in Chujing before, and now there was another grave here, he still walked to Ye Li obediently, knelt down, kowtowed three times respectfully, and said, "Mo Yuchen kowtows to uncle."

Mo Xiuyao sighed slightly, lifted his clothes and knelt beside Ye Li, saying in a deep voice: "Brother, did you see that? I have avenged you." Ye Li leaned slightly and found that the location of this grave was facing Huifeng Valley. If a person stood here, then everything that happened in Huifeng Valley yesterday must have been seen clearly.

Mo Xiuyao was brought up by Mo Xiuwen when he was young, so he naturally respected his elder brother. So for so many years, Mo Xiuyao never forgot to avenge his elder brother. But no one thought that Mo Xiuyao would bury Mo Xiuwen in such a remote and desolate place far away from Chujing.

After kneeling, Mo Xiuyao helped Ye Li to stand up and sat down in a place not far from the grave. He held Ye Li's shoulder and said leisurely: "Everyone thinks that big brother's remains are buried in the ancestral grave of Dingwang Mansion in the capital. In fact, it is not. When I rushed to the border, big brother's remains had been cremated. So, I replaced him, and big brother's real remains are buried here. I want him to watch here. One day, I will avenge him and the soldiers of the Mo family army who died in vain."

Ye Li held his hand and smiled, "You did it, big brother will be very happy." Mo Xiuyao said at a loss, "I don't know if big brother will be happy. But... big brother will never come back." He had always wanted to take revenge, but when he really took revenge, he felt more lonely and empty. Mo Xiuyao had this feeling when Mo Jingqi died, and now this feeling of emptiness is even worse. Because, even if he killed all his enemies, the dead would never come back.

"Xiu Yao..." Ye Li called out with some concern.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry, I still have you, the Dingwang Mansion, and the Mo Army." He held Ye Li's hand with a smile, and then looked at Mo Xiaobao, who was rarely well-behaved, and Mo Xiuyao felt warm in his heart. Fortunately... Fortunately, Ah Li is here, and they still have their children and their family. Otherwise, Mo Xiuyao might really not know how to continue his life after revenge.

Mo Xiaobao pouted, turned his eyes to Mo Xiuyao's arms and said, "Father, you still have me and my brothers and sisters. When I grow up, I will help you destroy the Northern Rong."

Mo Xiuyao glanced at him with a half-smile and said, "Really? I'll be waiting."

Mo Xiaobao snorted unhappily, "Father, you look down on me! Just wait, when I grow up, I will definitely destroy the Northern Rong for you to see!" Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, "Yes, I am just waiting to see."

Mo Xiaobao felt deeply despised by his father, and immediately screamed in anger. He grabbed Mo Xiuyao and refused to let go. Ye Li looked at the father and son fighting and couldn't help but smile. She whispered, "Do you want to move the remains of your elder brother back to Chujing?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head and smiled, "No need, just stay here. We will..." In the future, the ancestral tomb of the Mo family may not still be in Chujing. Moreover, it is quieter here. Don't you see, there are not many kings, generals, and emperors' tombs, which are magnificent and rich enough to rival a country. When the dynasty changes, it will be a good opportunity for tomb thieves.

In the past year, major events continued. At the end of the year, Mo Jingli, the regent king of the Great Chu, who was entrenched in the south of the Yangtze River, finally officially ascended the throne. Before the end of the year, there was also a shocking event in the north. The million-strong army that attacked the Great Chu was completely annihilated by the Mo family army, and no one returned to the Northern Rong. As soon as this news came out, the world was immediately horrified. Many of the subjects of the Great Chu who were forced to relocate at the time were in tears and secretly planned to return to the north. Unfortunately, although the Northern Rong was annihilated, the north was still fighting. The Chu Emperor Mo Jingli, who had just ascended the throne for less than half a month, led an army of 700,000 to the north, vowing to recover the country.

At this time, the Xiling army led by Lei Zhenting has also broken through Ruichang and besieged Weicheng. Weicheng is in danger.

Acropolis

On the tower, Nan Hou and Murong Shen sat opposite each other, each holding a chess piece. A few miles away from the tower was the Xiling army camp. The flags in the camp were flying, and one could sense the overwhelming fighting spirit just from a distance.

Murong Shen shook his head, threw down the chess piece helplessly and said, "Nan Hou, you are really patient. I have never liked these things." Nan Hou raised his eyes and smiled, saying, "General Murong, please be patient."

Murong Shen said impatiently, "Ruichang has been lost. Now Lei Zhenting's army is besieging Weicheng, but we are helpless. How can I stay calm?" Nan Hou smiled and said, "The situation is much better than expected, isn't it? Originally, the prince said that we could hold Feihong Pass within three months. Now it has been more than two months, and Weicheng is still in our hands. This shows that the situation is not beyond the prince's expectations. Our military strength is not as good as Lei Zhenting's, and our military tactics are also inferior to his. Why should General Murong blame himself?"

Murong Shen sighed, looked at Nan Hou with some embarrassment and said: "I can't hold it back any longer. It's true... I have been on the battlefield for half my life. This is the first time I have been beaten like this without any resistance." Murong Shen has fought hundreds of battles in his life, and of course he has won and lost, but this is the first time he has been beaten so hard that he can't even raise his head right from the start. It's inevitable that he is a little upset.

Nan Hou smiled and said, "Lei Zhenting is known as the God of War of Xiling. Throughout his life, he has only been defeated by the previous Regent Prince and the current Princess Ding. If it weren't for him, why would the prince take the risk of trying to destroy the Northern Rong first before focusing on dealing with Lei Zhenting?" As for Mo Jingli's Great Chu, to be honest, the Mo family army really doesn't take it seriously. Half of the famous generals in Great Chu are now in the Ding Palace, and there have been no reports of any outstanding young generals in recent years. With Mo Jingli being no less talented and Mo Jingqi being more suspicious, he will only firmly control the military power in his own hands to prevent the emergence of a second Ding Palace in Great Chu to divide his military power.

Murong Shen nodded and said, "Thank you, Nan Hou, for your reminder."

Nan Hou patted his shoulder and said with a smile: "Don't worry, no matter how bad it is, we have to stay in Weicheng until the prince comes back. We can't go to Feihong Pass to cause trouble for the veteran generals, right?" Murong Shen nodded and smiled: "Your Majesty is right."

"Reporting to the Marquis, General Murong has arrived in an emergency from 800 miles away!" A soldier hurried up from the tower and handed over a wax-sealed letter. Nan Hou took it, opened it and was overjoyed. Seeing his strange expression, Murong Shen hurriedly asked, "But is there any good news from the prince?" Nan Hou nodded and smiled, "That's right, the prince wiped out the Beirong army in Huifeng Valley. He killed the seventh prince of Beirong and captured Helian Zhen alive."

Hearing this news, Murong Shen was also very excited. Although they have now joined the Dingwang Mansion, they are still people of the Great Chu, and their hatred for the Northern Rong people is definitely no less than anyone else. Now hearing the news that Dingwang annihilated the Northern Rong army, he couldn't help but feel a breath of anger in his heart. Nan Hou grabbed Murong Shen and said with a smile: "The general is anxious, and the prince will feel it in a few days. But before that... the news cannot be leaked."

Murong Shen understood, looked up at the Xiling camp in the distance and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Nan Hou, I guarantee that not even a bird can fly over the top of the city." The two looked at each other and couldn't help but stand up and laugh. The soldiers guarding the city outside heard the laughter of the two commanders, and although they didn't know why the two commanders were so happy, they couldn't help but show a little relief.

In the big tent of Xiling Camp, Lei Zhenting frowned as he looked at the memorial in front of him. He glanced at the generals below and asked in a deep voice: "Is there any news from Beirong?" Lei Tengfeng stepped forward and said: "Father, there has been no news from Beirong in the past few days. Now that the north is severely cold, I am afraid that the Mohist Army and the Beirong Army are also moving slowly. It is normal that there is no news."

Lei Zhenting's gray eyebrows locked even tighter, and he shook his head and said, "No. Mo Xiuyao knew that Mo Jingli's army would soon approach, but he still dared to run to the north. He would definitely not procrastinate. I'm afraid... there is already a problem with the Northern Rong."

"Father, what you mean is..." Lei Tengfeng was stunned, and said with some disapproval: "The Beirong army is not weaker than the Mo family army, and even stronger. Even if Mo Xiuyao wants to completely defeat the Beirong army, I'm afraid he won't be able to do it within a few months."

Lei Zhenting shook his head, looked at Lei Tengfeng with some regret and said: "Tengfeng, you are good in everything, but you are always bound by common sense and dare not have wild ideas." Lei Tengfeng looked a little embarrassed and said puzzledly: "Is wild ideas... a good thing?"

Lei Zhenting said with a smile: "If you can't do it, it's just wishful thinking. If you can do it, it's strategic planning."

"Father, do you believe that Mo Xiuyao can defeat the Northern Rong army in just two months? But they have already dragged on for several months before, and have only won small victories." Lei Tengfeng frowned.

Lei Zhenting frowned as he pondered, "So, I suspect that Mo Xiuyao deliberately concealed his strength. Although the performance of the Mo family army was good in the past few months, compared with previous battle records, it can be said that the performance was mediocre, or even... below standard."

"Then, if Beirong is really defeated..." Lei Tengfeng frowned.

Lei Zhenting said: "Then it's our turn to face Mo Xiuyao head-on. Now that Mo Jingli's army has arrived, even if Mo Xiuyao comes back, we have a better chance of winning. And... I would rather face Mo Xiuyao head-on than let him plot in secret." Only by looking back and thinking carefully can we see what kind of chess Mo Xiuyao has laid out. Whenever he thinks of it, Lei Zhenting feels a wave of fear. The situation in the world in the past few years, so many struggles, and the evolution of the power structure have actually been under the control of Mo Xiuyao. In other words, the current changes in the situation in the world are basically in line with Mo Xiuyao's expectations. How can such a mind and ability not make people afraid. No wonder... No wonder the Emperor of Great Chu was so cautious and jealous of Prince Ding's Mansion.

"Father is right. Now we should attack Weicheng with all our strength. If we can take Feihong Pass before Mo Xiuyao comes back, we will have the upper hand." Lei Tengfeng said. Lei Zhenting nodded and smiled, "Not bad. As for Mo Jingli... send someone to tell him not to think about Chujing all the time. Even if he takes Chujing now, he can't defend it. Let him march west and flank us from the north to join us, so that Mo Xiuyao won't defeat them one by one." In the end, Lei Zhenting still didn't trust the ability of the generals of Da Chu. Although as the King of Xiling Zhennan, he didn't have to worry about the lives of the people of Da Chu. But now they are an alliance. If they prosper together, they will prosper together. If they suffer together, they will suffer together. Lei Zhenting couldn't help but worry.

"Yes, father." Lei Tengfeng nodded and accepted the order.

Lei Zhenting gave the order, and the attack on Weicheng became more intense. Nanhou and Murong Shen, who had been struggling to support the city, also felt that they could no longer hold on. Standing on the city tower, watching the blood flowing like a river below the city, the soldiers on the city also looked exhausted. The Mohist army stationed in Weicheng repelled the attack of the Xiling army again. But they all knew that the Xiling army would not retreat so easily, and would rush up again after a short rest.

Murong Shen stood on the tower, looking at the Xiling army not far away and squinting his eyes, saying: "Is Lei Zhenting crazy? He has been attacking continuously for several days. Even if he captures the city, he will suffer heavy losses."

Nan Hou sighed and said, "Perhaps Lei Zhenting already knows that the prince will be back soon."

Murong Shen frowned, and Nan Hou smiled and said, "Even if we block the news, he will be suspicious if he doesn't receive any news. With Lei Zhenting's intelligence, it is not difficult for him to guess the news of Beirong's defeat." Murong Shen thought so too, and when he glanced at the city and was about to speak, his face changed and he said, "Here they come again!"

The drums of war were deafening, and the soldiers who were resting rushed forward immediately and waited for the battle. In the distance, the Xiling army rushed over with banners flying. Lei Tengfeng took the lead and rushed to the city. He pointed the whip in his hand at Nan Hou and Murong Shen on the city wall and said with a smile: "Nan Hou, General Murong, why do you have to resist? You only have a few hundred thousand soldiers in the city now. How can you stop my Xiling army of one million? Why don't you surrender to me? My father will definitely treat you two with great courtesy, and it goes without saying that you will be promoted to higher positions."

Nan Hou smiled faintly and said, "I am grateful for the respect shown to me by the Prince of Zhennan. However, although I have no talent or virtue, I am not capable of betraying the enemy in battle."

Murong Shen was in no mood to talk nonsense with him, and said loudly: "Stop talking nonsense, and fight if you want to!"

Lei Tengfeng's face darkened slightly, and he smiled faintly: "Why are you two so angry? I am also thinking about the two generals. Both generals are famous generals of their generation. Why should they risk their lives for a battle that they are bound to lose?"

Murong Shen snorted, grabbed the bow and arrow from a soldier beside him and shot an arrow at Lei Tengfeng. Lei Tengfeng stepped aside, his face becoming a little ugly. He pointed his long whip at the man on the top of the city wall and said in a sharp voice: "Murong Shen, if you don't know how to behave, don't blame me for being merciless."

Murong Shen sneered, "I don't know what kind of relationship I have with the Prince of Zhennan. If you want to fight, then fight! There is no one in the Mohist Army who is greedy for life and afraid of death."

Lei Tengfeng was embarrassed by Murong Shen's serious attitude towards the Xiling Army, so he didn't want to say anything more. He shouted: "Attack the city!"

Behind the Xiling army, Lei Zhenting watched Lei Tengfeng's actions from a distance, and shook his head helplessly. He sighed softly, "Tengfeng still can't keep his temper." It's not that he must persuade Nan Hou and Murong Shen to surrender, but Lei Tengfeng was so easily angered, which was not what a superior should do.