Chapter 38
Yuling County Town.
With the arrival of the second batch of medicinal herbs from Lingyang, the wounded soldiers in the army will be able to receive better medical treatment.
Last time, after General Liu Yi listened to the advice of the strategist of the reinforcements, he not only quickly drove the Rong people out of Yuling territory, but also caused heavy losses to the Rong people's forces.
Because of this, General Liu underestimated the enemy and was eager to take back the lost Lingnan City from the Rong people.
After repeated pursuits, they were ambushed by the Rong people's reinforcements.
He suffered heavy casualties, and he himself was almost ambushed, only to be rescued in time.
I fear he will not escape his enemies.
Fortunately, he arrived quickly and only injured his shoulder, saving his life.
This battle served as a wake-up call for Liu Yi.
Every day when Li Huijue came to discuss military matters with him, Liu Yi would always ask him to bring the young strategist along.
Upon hearing that the medicinal herbs had arrived, the generals in the military tent were all excited and praised the King of Qin for his sense of responsibility and consideration for the overall situation.
After all, the imperial court only sent it once, and in small quantities.
Seeing the King of Qin's great sense of righteousness, Liu Yi immediately got up from his bed and said excitedly, "We will never forget the kindness the King of Qin has shown to our soldiers and people in the southern border."
As he spoke, he bowed to Li Huijue.
Li Huijue was flattered and immediately helped Liu Yi up.
Unable to reveal the truth, she glanced at Ning Shiyu, who stood calmly beside her.
Only then did he politely return the courtesy, saying, "General, there's no need for such formalities. We are all subjects of Western Chu. With the southern border in trouble, it is only right that we in the northwest should do our part."
“Well said. In the future, whenever the King of Qin needs my help, I will do my utmost to assist him.”
He invited the two of them today to discuss the plan to retake Lingnan City.
After a few polite words, they returned to the main topic.
"In your opinion, when would be the best time to retaliate?"
Ning Shiyu said solemnly, "I think the opposite of what you say, General. These days are not the best time."
Liu Yi and his soldiers all looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Are we just going to let the Rong people continue to occupy our Lingnan City?"
Ning Shiyu calmly and deliberately explained, "Lingnan City is part of the territory of my Western Chu, and naturally we cannot give it up."
"You have all heard the story of a cornered beast fighting back. If we push you too far, aren't you afraid that the Rong people will destroy the city?"
"The commander of the Rong people this time is called Zuo Wu, the eldest son of General Mian Zhushan of the Southern Rong. He is skilled in using poisons."
"The fog that General Liu and his men encountered when they were ambushed on the road last time was a poison he used, called Divine Fire Flying Crow."
"Soldiers, when you return, have you been having trouble seeing clearly for the past few days?"
"Fortunately, no one stayed here for long. If they had stayed for a day or two, they might have gone completely blind."
Everyone fell silent instantly, and cold sweat broke out on their backs.
Seeing Ning Shiyu's confident words, he couldn't help but wonder, "How do you know so much, sir? You weren't even there."
"The doctor I brought found out."
Even so, it still didn't convince everyone. Some people insisted, "Are we just going to keep waiting because we're worried about him destroying the city and using poison?"
"Many of the displaced people in Yuling County are from Lingnan City. If this continues, the county will become chaotic and prone to trouble. How can we resettle these people?"
This is also why Liu Yi was so eager to retake Lingnan City.
Ning Shiyu said loudly, "Of course we won't wait forever."
"It's just a different approach."
Everyone looked at Ning Shiyu. "What method? Please explain, sir."
Ning Shiyu looked at General Liu.
Liu Yi understood immediately. "These men are all trusted confidants who have been with me for many years. Please speak freely, sir."
Ning Shiyu then revealed his plan: "Let's take a shortcut and launch a surprise attack on the Rong people's Wangkang City."
"They will withdraw their troops on their own."
This city of Wangkang used to belong to the small kingdom of Luoyue, and it was seized by the Rong people.
The Rong people's purpose this time was not to seize the territory of Western Chu, but to take Yuling County.
Yuling County produces agate and minerals, though not as abundantly as the Yunshan Mountains in the northwest.
Yet, in the barren southern region, it is a treasure.
Liu Yi and his men were certainly more familiar with the surrounding area than Ning Shiyu, but they had always followed conventional tactics.
I never thought of taking a risky approach and attacking from behind enemy lines.
If successful, it will indeed be twice as effective with half the effort.
It would be much less strenuous than fighting the Rong people head-on.
However, such risks are also very high.
After all, Wangkang City is much farther away than Lingnan City.
Many generals were already wavering after hearing this, which shows that their commander-in-chief had not expressed his opinion and dared not speak out.
Silence fell once again in the military tent.
Upon hearing this, Li Huijue immediately agreed with her cousin's suggestion.
I've been here for almost two months now, and I've come to understand General Liu's true nature.
This person was too conservative and rigid, and thought to himself that it was no wonder the Rong people would repeatedly invade the southern border.
Unlike his father, who was about the same age as him but much wiser, he would adopt any reasonable suggestion from anyone in the army.
They wouldn't hesitate or look back.
Seeing that Liu Yi did not express his opinion, Li Huijue took the initiative to say, "If General Liu feels that the risk is too great, I, the deputy general, am willing to lead our Northwest reinforcements to launch a surprise attack on Wangkang City."
"The general can remain in Yuling County."
Suddenly, a crisp female voice came from the entrance of the military tent, "Isn't a direct confrontation with the Rong people also risky?"
"I agree with Vice General Li's decision and am willing to go with him."
Everyone in the military tent turned around and saw Liu Yi's daughter, Liu Chanyu, stride in, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit.
Liu Yijian, seeing his daughter causing him headaches again, scolded her, "You're everywhere! Get out of here, we're discussing important matters."
Liu Chanyu argued, "I'm here to hear about important military matters. Father has always been indecisive, so I'd like to offer you some advice."
Seeing that his daughter showed him no mercy, Liu Yi lost face and shouted, "Guards, take her away!"
Liu Chanyu was highly skilled in martial arts, and many generals in the army were no match for her.
Although he was somewhat arrogant, he made numerous contributions in the army.
Yesterday, during my sparring match with Li Huijue, I experienced defeat for the first time, and I was very dissatisfied.
Before the soldiers at the door could take her away, Liu Chanyu had already casually sat down next to Li Huijue.
He gave Li Huijue a cold snort.
Li Huijue didn't argue with her. She didn't say a word when she was squeezed into a corner, and just moved to another spot.
She bowed respectfully to Ning Shiyu, saying, "Sir, I've been listening outside for a long time and I think your suggestion is very good and feasible."
“If my father does not agree this time, I am willing to lead my vanguard troops and launch a surprise attack on Wangkang City together with Vice General Li.”
Ning Shiyu nodded slightly and responded with a faint smile.
When Liu Yi saw that she showed no restraint even when she came to his military tent, he was so angry that he blew his beard and glared at her.
But he knew his daughter's temperament and didn't dare to really anger her.
He sighed and said, "It takes seven or eight days to travel from Yuling County to Wangkang City. The road is rough and requires crossing mountains."
"It's very physically demanding, and everything needs to be carefully considered from the beginning."
"We need to send someone to Wangkang City to scout things out before we take any action."
"Moreover, the defenses in Lingnan City must not be relaxed."
Upon hearing Liu Yi change his mind, everyone unanimously said, "We will follow the general's arrangements."
Liu Yi was still injured, but after devising a plan...
He dismissed everyone, leaving only Ning Shiyu behind.
After leaving the military tent, Li Huijue walked very slowly, wanting to wait for her cousin.
Unexpectedly, Liu Chanyu followed closely behind him. Seeing that most of the people had left, she stopped Li Huijue and said, "Tonight, I want to compete with you again."
Li Huijue resolutely refused, saying, "I am busy. Please find someone else, young lady."
"I couldn't find anyone else, so I looked for you."
"If you don't want to come, then... I'll accept my sachet."
Liu Chanyu took out a sachet she had just embroidered from her bosom. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she looked directly at Li Huijue.
Li Huijue was stunned for a long time, her ears burning, and then she turned and left.
Liu Chanyu, however, was not satisfied and stopped Li Huijue again, saying, "You have to choose one."
This was the first time Li Huijue had received a woman's sachet, and she was somewhat at a loss, seeing Liu Chanyu's hesitation.
He replied dismissively, "Miss Liu, I already have a woman I like."
"I cannot accept your sachet."
After a moment of frustration, Liu Chanyu took back the sachet and stuffed it into her bosom, saying bluntly, "Whether you have someone you love or not is none of my business. Since you won't take the sachet back, then make your move."
She didn't give Li Huijue a chance to hesitate at all, swiftly drawing out the soft whip in her hand and attacking Li Huijue.
The two guards beside Li Huijue quickly went to stop her.
Liu Chanyu, however, feinted to the east while grabbing at Li Huijue from behind.
Li Huijue had no choice but to accept the challenge.
He swiftly used a reverse scissor press to force Liu Chanyu to stop, and said in a low voice, "What exactly do you want?"
Liu Chanyu stared intently at Li Huijue, leaned closer and whispered, "I've taken a liking to you. If you spend one night with me, I'll stop bothering you."
Li Huijue's mind went blank; she had never seen such a bold woman before.
I had heard that women in Lingnan are naturally bold and unrestrained; once they set their sights on a man, they will take him to a cave for a tryst.
He thought it was a joke, but unexpectedly, he actually saw it today.
Li Huijue was so embarrassed that she quickly withdrew her hand.
However, just as he turned around, Liu Chanyu moved even faster than him.
A kiss landed on his cheek.
When he came to his senses, she was nowhere to be seen; only a gentle breeze carried her faint fragrance.
After a long while, Ning Shiyu came out of his military tent, his legs seemingly disobeying him, and went to the hilltop where Liu Chanyu had arranged to meet him.
Upon arriving at the place, he found no one there and was secretly annoyed, thinking that she must have been mocking him as he was about to leave.
Suddenly, he felt a heavy weight on his back as a woman's small hand forcefully dragged him into the woods.
*
After Ning Shiyu came out of General Liu's tent, he heard Mu Li report that a message had been sent from the manor.
His tired expression brightened, and he quickened his pace.
When he returned to his military tent, the servant from the Ning residence who had accompanied him to deliver the medicine had been waiting for him for quite some time.
Ning Shiyu recognized the man; he was A-Wu, the servant boy next to Granny Yu.
He asked impatiently, "Who delivered the message?"
A-Wu handed a bundle to Mu Li and replied truthfully, "Reporting to Master, it was brought by Granny."
Ning Shiyu's eyes dimmed instantly. He sat back down at his desk and waved for Zhuang Xing to take his men to settle in.
Mu Li knew what he was thinking, so she didn't say anything more and brewed him some tea.
They began to unpack the bundle that Granny Yu had brought.
Ning Shiyu rested his hands on his forehead, feeling utterly empty inside.
After waiting for so long, he still hadn't received the letter he most wanted to see. He murmured to himself, "It seems she's still angry with me."
"I wonder if she's recovered yet? I wonder what she's been doing these days?"
The sound wasn't loud, but Mu Li heard it clearly.
This accelerated the process of unpacking the baggage.
Upon opening them, one would find that they were all Ning Shiyu's clothes and everyday items.
There was no letter.
Mu Li saw his master's concern for Fu'er.
She couldn't help but resent Fu'er's cruelty.
Just then, Zhuang Xing walked in with Zhu Qing.
Ning Shiyu knew that Zhu Qing had put a lot of effort into preparing and transporting the medicinal materials.
He was about to instruct Mu Li to give him a reward.
Then Zhu Qing said, "Master, Miss Fu'er brought you a message."
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