Chapter 651 An Extraordinary Woman [Seeking monthly votes at the end of the month!]
The military lineage, having survived the struggles between the Northern and Southern Dynasties, gradually consolidated and integrated during the unification of the chaotic northern regions by the Guanlong Group. It fell into the hands of the imperial power and the powerful families of the north, and finally merged into the system of the newly emerging unified dynasty, the Great Sui. Subsequently, it went through the Sui, Gan, and Zhou dynasties, and continued into the present dynasty.
The military and yin-yang schools of Taoism were both controlled by the imperial court. This was because the largest group of Qi practitioners in both schools had close ties with the Great Zhou Dynasty. In the form of powerful institutions such as the Guanlong aristocratic families, military nobles, and the Imperial Observatory, they were, in a sense, parasitic on... or integrated into the bureaucratic system of the Great Zhou Dynasty, achieving a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship.
Compared to reclusive sects like Yunmeng Jianze, the Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist sects go a step further, being closer to the secular world. The Taoist lineages of the Military School and the Yin-Yang School go even further, being directly and closely related to secular imperial power.
Therefore, the military lineage is relatively well-known, and the names of each rank are also like that, especially the early ranks.
As far as Ouyang Rong knew, the ninth rank in the military lineage was called "Wufu", the eighth rank was called "Wei Wuzu", and the seventh rank was called "Qin Ruishi".
Rank 6, weapon expert.
Fifth rank, military yin-yang master.
Rongzhen said that this Yi Qianqiu, a fourth-rank White Tiger Guard General, was a top-notch weapon expert recognized by the military.
That was undoubtedly a sixth-rank military strategist who cultivated Qi.
Ouyang Rong was actually quite familiar with this. Back then, when he killed Qiu Shenji, who had fallen to the lowest rank, Qiu Shenji was also a sixth-rank military strategist with spiritual energy cultivation. It took a lot of effort from Qiu Shenji, and Qiu Shenji almost lost all his energy and spirit and fainted to death.
However, if he were to return to his former self, he would probably be able to handle things much more easily.
It remains to be seen how the upcoming "top weapon strategist" Yi Qianqiu will compare to Qiu Shenji after his demotion...
As Ouyang Rong pondered...
A light cavalryman arrived in a cloud of dust, dismounted before the crowd, and rushed to report:
"Your Excellency, Your Excellency, it's terrible! River pirates have attacked the Yangtze River waterway and seized a supply ship from Xunyang City that was carrying provisions to the southwestern front! General Qin Yi has urgently sent me to request reinforcements..."
Everyone was suddenly startled.
Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen exchanged a glance.
"Where did these pirates come from? How were they let in? And where is the attacked waterway?"
Ouyang Rong asked questions one by one.
The light cavalry messenger bowed and reported:
"Two hundred miles from Xunyang City, this group of river pirates seems to be coming from the direction of Hukou County. General Qin Yi's men discovered that the characteristics of this group of river pirates are exactly the same as those of the group of river pirates who almost attacked the Prince of Xunyang in Hukou County."
"How dare these rebels and bandits!"
Rong Zhen said with a hint of anger on her face.
She hasn't sent too many people to Hukou County to surround, intercept, and suppress the gang of river pirates.
This was the result of a joint discussion between Rongzhen and Ouyang Rong.
We need to be wary that the rebels in Tiannan are using a diversionary tactic.
Even if some rebels managed to infiltrate the heavily guarded southwestern front, any place in Jiangzhou can be abandoned for the time being, except for the Xunyang Grottoes at Shuangfengjian, which must not be allowed to cause trouble.
Who would have thought that this gang of river pirates from Hukou County would be so rampant, sneaking in and now only two hundred miles from Xunyang City, and even daring to hijack the supply route!
I don't know why they are so arrogant. Are they afraid that the Supervisory Yuan and the Jiangzhou government won't pay attention to them?
“This group of pirates is very suspicious,” Ouyang Rong said immediately.
"They came specifically for us."
Rong Zhen spoke with certainty, her face cold:
"It's possible that traitors Wei Shaoqi and Du Shuqing were among them."
"But why raid the supply lines at this critical juncture? Wouldn't that alert the enemy? Or is it to coordinate with the imminent counter-offensive by the Kuangfu Army at the front? Is that why they have such confidence?"
Rong Zhen took a deep breath: "Ouyang Lianghan, I cannot leave the grotto."
"Understood, I'll go."
Without a second thought, Ouyang Rong nodded, turned around and beckoned Yan Liulang to prepare the men to go.
After a moment, he turned around, helped the light cavalry messenger up, asked a few more questions, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.
“Ouyang Lianghan”.
Rongzhen suddenly shouted.
"What's wrong?"
Rong Zhen hesitated and said, "Why don't you wait for reinforcements? Commander Yi should be arriving soon. We can send a group of White Tiger Guards with you to protect you and capture the rebels."
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Rong." Ouyang Rong smiled brightly, a smile as gentle as a breeze in her eyes. "But it's no need, there's no time. I need to go check the situation first..."
Rong Zhen avoided eye contact, replying coldly, "Concerned? You're overthinking it. I just don't want to see a familiar colleague get into trouble..."
Just then, the light cavalry messenger asked timidly, "Lady Historian, Governor, are you waiting for reinforcements from the White Tiger Guard? And what about Commander Yi?"
Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen immediately turned around, both staring intently at him. This sudden, sharp gaze made the latter shrink back.
"That's right, you've seen it before?" Ouyang Rong asked.
The light cavalry messenger nodded and said:
"On my way to deliver this message, I encountered a large, heavily armored troop on the official road. The leader, a commander surnamed Yi, stopped me and inquired about the attack on the supply route."
The two were taken aback.
"And then?" Rongzhen pressed.
"Then it seems that Commander Yi led his troops to provide reinforcements."
"How much time has passed?"
"About two hours."
Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen exchanged a glance, both noticing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Seeing that the two men remained silent, the light cavalry messenger took his leave.
"Two hours have passed, and they still haven't returned..."
Ouyang Rong was speaking to himself when he took the reins from Yan Liulang and prepared to mount his horse.
Suddenly, a white line appeared at the end of the official road directly ahead.
The white line drew ever closer, like a wave rising with white foam on the shore at dusk, rolling in.
Everyone who came to greet them was immediately drawn to it.
As the "white line" drew closer, Ouyang Rong discovered that it was actually a massive procession of heads, all neatly arranged, wearing white headscarves, white robes, and silver masks, exuding a majestic and menacing aura.
The tall, imposing knight at the head of the pack rode a magnificent Akhal-Teke horse saddled in white cloth and adorned with a silver hood, exuding an imposing aura.
The entire group wore silver masks, shaped like fierce tigers, with the leader, a single rider, leading the way and leaving everyone else in the dust.
When he came a few steps away from Ouyang Rong and Rong Zhen, he reined in his horse high. The horse reared up and almost collided with them.
Before them stood a horse with a three-pointed, double-edged dagger hanging to one side of its body. Two round, black objects were pierced from the dagger, dripping blood in a continuous stream.
Ouyang Rong did not see the tall, white-robed knight make any move.
"Bang--!"
A three-pointed, double-edged sword resembling a spear was already stuck at his feet.
Ouyang Rong looked down and saw that what was hanging on it were two bloody human heads, both with wide-open dead fish eyes, their eyes wide open in death.
At this moment, the tall knight in white robes took something out of his pocket and casually threw it on the ground next to the two heads.
It was a familiar bronze short sword.
The tall, white-robed knight looked down at Rong Zhen, his gaze sweeping past Ouyang Rong, who was preparing to mount his horse.
"Lady Rongzhen?" A buzzing voice came from beneath the mask.
"It is I."
Rongzhen was not tall, but she held her head high with a cold face, seemingly confronting the tall and imposing man.
The tall, white-robed knight circled on his horse, surveying the entire scene, seemingly appraising the officials who had come to greet him. After a long pause, he asked in a curt tone:
"Have all the officials of the ninth rank and above from Xunyang City arrived?"
Rong Zhen was about to nod when she glanced at Ouyang Rong's clothes and changed her mind:
“A Chief Clerk surnamed Yuan is unwell and has requested leave to come, but it is not serious. All the key personnel are present. Commander Yi, please feel free to give any instructions.”
At this point, she turned her head and first introduced:
"By the way, this is Ouyang Lianghan, the prefect of this prefecture..."
A louder voice, emanating from beneath the mask of the tall, white-robed knight, interrupted her:
"That group of river pirates has been temporarily defeated by me, and the remaining ones have fled and hidden in the marshes."
"We have found a Yunmeng Token on the two beheaded bandits, confirming their identities as accomplices of the rebels in the Tiannan Jianghu!"
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
No wonder he arrived with such a menacing aura; he's a living Yama.
Rong Zhen glanced at the rear of the White Tiger Guard cavalry and asked:
Where are the Xuanwu Camp men?
Although it's unknown how she, being a short girl, could see so far beyond the crowd, it might be due to the unique aura-gazing technique of the Yin-Yang School.
"The two Xuanwu Battalions are escorting too many carts. I will lead the White Tiger Guards ahead. General Wei and the others will be half a day later, and are expected to arrive before evening."
Rongzhen nodded: "I see."
At this moment, Yan Liulang bent down, picked up the Yunmeng Token, wiped off the dust, and handed it to Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the tall knight in white robes.
The voice behind the mask... it has a woman's tone!
He was somewhat surprised, wondering if he had misheard.
So he carefully examined the neck area beneath the silver-white mask of the tall, white-robed knight and indeed found no Adam's apple.
But apart from that... he's no different from a man.
Unexpectedly, the burly, tall body that resembled that of a northern man belonged to a woman. However, her voice was somewhat hoarse, suggesting that she was not young, probably around thirty years old.
"This female general?" Ouyang Rong asked again to confirm.
"This is the Commander Yi I told you about, Yi Qianqiu." Rong Zhen turned around and introduced, "A fourth-rank White Tiger Guard Lieutenant General, who is highly favored by His Majesty."
"Commander Yi is a woman?"
The tall, white-robed knight suddenly interrupted:
"quiet!"
The entire hall fell silent. She dismounted, took out a silk scroll, and read it aloud:
"His Majesty decreed."
Everyone accepted the imperial decree.
After listening for a while, it was a new imperial decree, ordering Miaozhen to stay in Xunyang City and be responsible for the safety of the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, and not to be allowed to fail.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes slightly.
Rongzhen glanced at him, whose reaction was calm.
Yi Qianqiu's mask was patterned with a ferocious tiger's face, seemingly made of silver. It was unclear whether this was her natural voice or if the sound emanating from it had a built-in buzzing effect.
"Besides recalling Lady Miaozhen, His Majesty is concerned about the Prince's safety and has ordered me to send three hundred White Tiger Battalion guards to protect the Prince's residence. I have already selected the men on the way; they are all elites from the White Tiger Guard. I have also chosen a steady and reliable young general to lead them. They can go to protect the Prince's residence now. As for Lady Miaozhen, let's hand over the reins."
Ouyang Rong frowned more and more as he listened.
This woman arrived with a commanding tone, taking charge of these crucial matters without consulting him and Rongzhen.
Ouyang Rong didn't speak for the time being, but turned his head to look at the two thousand White Tiger Guards behind him, who were all dressed in uniform white robes and had their faces covered, and pursed his lips.
A military man with troops certainly has a strong backbone, but ordinary military generals wouldn't dare to be so domineering and arrogant.
During the reigns of Emperor Qianlong and Emperor Zhou, civil and military officials were not separated; even civil officials serving as chief secretaries in border prefectures could lead troops to fight the enemy.
However, the White Tiger Guard was special and outstanding. The White Tiger Guard's fourth-rank general was indeed not inferior to the Jiangzhou governor, who was of the same rank.
At this moment, under the shade of a tree not far away, Granny Song opened her eyes and walked forward.
Yi Qianqiu glanced to the side, flicked his toe, and the three-pointed double-edged sword flew back to the horse, where it was caught by the four white-robed armored warriors of the White Tiger Guard.
This weapon, made of some unknown metal, is incredibly heavy, yet Yi Qianqiu handles it with ease.
"I hope Vice Supervisor Song is well."
Yi Qianqiu clasped his hands in a fist salute, his posture becoming slightly more serious as he faced the old woman who had rolled her eyes at him.
"Commander Yi is still as heroic and valiant as ever, a woman who is no less capable than any man. She truly deserves to be one of the four extraordinary women of our Holy Emperor. No wonder His Majesty favors Commander Yi so much, regarding her as a beloved general and often summoning her to Yingtian Gate to oversee the palace..."
"That's an overstatement; it's all just empty praise."
Yi Qianqiu reacted calmly. Beneath his silver tiger mask, his pair of heroic eyes glanced around, as if he were somewhat absent-minded.
At this moment, Miaozhen, who had been avoiding Ouyang Rong, arrived from who knows where. After learning about the imperial edict, she greeted Yi Qianqiu with a serious expression, then calmly stepped forward to hand over the three hundred White Tiger Guard soldiers.
The three hundred White Tiger Guards selected by Yi Qianqiu were led by a young general in white robes.
Ouyang Rong glanced sideways, his attention temporarily focused on Miaozhen and the young general in white robes.
Yi Qianqiu gracefully dismounted and went to Rongzhen and Granny Song's side, waving his hand in greeting:
"There is some intelligence that needs to be discussed with Deputy Supervisor Song and Lady Rongzhen. All other personnel may leave."
The three walked to the side, and Ouyang Rong, who was not an outsider, followed them.
Yi Qianqiu stopped, not looking at Ouyang Rong, and asked Rong Zhen and Granny Song in a muffled voice:
"Why did you bring a civil official or scholar with you?"
Granny Song did not turn around.
Rong Zhen glanced at Ouyang Rong and gently shook her head.
As if recalling her words, Ouyang Rong calmly stopped.
He stood there, watching the three women's figures disappear into the distance.
It's unclear what the three women were discussing.
"Your Excellency."
Yan Liulang greeted them, stepped forward, and gestured with his eyes to Miaozhen, who was handing over armor to the left rear.
"Walk."
Ouyang Rong didn't look at it for long and chose to return to the city immediately.
It is estimated that Miaozhen will need some more time before she can reach the Prince's Palace.
On the way back to Xunyang City at top speed, Ouyang Rong frowned slightly in the carriage.
What was the purpose of Yi Qianqiu's sudden conversation with Rongzhen and Granny Song?
Could it be related to those river pirates? Or perhaps a secret imperial edict?
While pondering, Ouyang Rong first returned to the main hall of Jiangzhou and routinely arranged the provisions and logistics needed for the reinforcements from the White Tiger Guard and the Black Tortoise Guard.
He glanced at the sky, realizing that Miaozhen and the three hundred White Tiger Guards should not have arrived at the Prince's Mansion yet. He strode out of the main hall, preparing to go to the Xunyang Prince's Mansion to discuss the new edict and Miaozhen's matter with Li Xian.
At this moment, Yan Liulang rushed in to report:
"It's bad, Your Excellency! Military Advisor Chen from the west gate has sent word that Yi Qianqiu, the White Tiger Guard Lieutenant General, has led his men to Xingzifang!"
Ouyang Rong's figure suddenly stopped.
In the next instant, he rushed out of the hall.
...
——————
(PS: Begging for some monthly votes! or 2)
(End of this chapter)
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