Chapter 55: Quick Guide to the Soldier King (Thirteen)
I smiled, said nothing, and just looked into the distance again. I know that this battle will be extremely brutal, but I am ready. For the Ming Dynasty, for the people, and for our common ideals, I am ready to sacrifice!
The sound of the horn broke through the sky, and the battle was about to begin. Yun Tao and I led the righteous army and rushed towards the enemy like a tiger descending from the mountain. Amid the flashing of swords and shadows, the shouts of killing shook the earth, and the blood dyed the earth red, and also dyed my vision red.
The battle lasted a whole day and night. In the end, thanks to our familiarity with the terrain and carefully planned tactics, we successfully repelled the Qing army's attack and defended a large area of ​​territory in Jiangnan.
When the victory report reached the capital, Zhu Youwen was overjoyed and immediately decided to lead the army in person to join us in attacking the Qing army from the north and south and completely annihilate it.
"The Emperor is going to lead the army in person?!" When I heard the news, I was both excited and worried.
I am excited because with the Emperor's support, we are more confident of achieving final victory. But I am worried because the current situation is still complicated and changing. What if something happens to the Emperor?
"Zi'ang, what's wrong?" Yun Tao saw that I looked strange and asked with concern.
I shook my head, suppressed my anxiety, and said, "It's nothing. I was just thinking that we must win this decisive battle!"
Yun Tao nodded heavily, with a determined light in his eyes. He knew that this would be a decisive battle that would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty. We have no way out!
Amid the flashes of swords and sabers, I seemed to see countless heroic spirits floating in the air, shouting with their last bit of strength: "Kill the enemy! Kill the enemy!"
The long sword in my hand became more powerful, and every strike was accompanied by the belief of victory. Finally, after paying a painful price, we won the battle.
The Qing army abandoned their weapons and armor and retreated northward.
Watching them fleeing in panic, I heaved a sigh of relief and sat down on the ground exhausted. "We won..." I muttered to myself, with a slight tremor in my voice.
"Yes, we won." Yun Tao came to my side and helped me up. "You did a good job, Ziang."
I shook my head and looked into the distance, where many people were still displaced and their homes were broken. "This is far from enough, Yuntao, we must recover the lost land, rebuild our homes, and let the people live a stable and prosperous life."
Yuntao held my hand tightly and said firmly: "We will do it, let's work together!"
The news of victory spread to the capital, and the entire court was excited. The reforms implemented by Liu Xing also began to show results. The treasury was full, the people were at peace, and the Ming Dynasty seemed to have a new vitality.
Early that morning, the golden sunlight filled the earth, and we lined up to welcome a special guest - the Ming Emperor Zhu Youwen.
"Long live our emperor! Long live his life!" The deafening shouts resounded through the sky. The generals knelt on one knee, their eyes flashing with excitement.
I looked up and saw Zhu Youwen wearing a dragon robe and a crown, standing majestically on the high platform. There was a trace of fatigue on his face, but it could not conceal his determination and perseverance.
"All the generals, stand up!"
Zhu Youwen's voice was loud and powerful. He looked around and his eyes finally fell on Yun Tao and me. He nodded slightly, as a way of affirming our victory.
"I am leading the army today to fight alongside you all, to recover our lost territory and return our homeland to us!"
Zhu Youwen's words were so powerful that they excited the people and boosted their morale.
Afterwards, Zhu Youwen discussed the next strategic deployment with us. He decided to divide the troops into two groups. One group would be led by him personally to attack Huanglong and recover the lost territory in the north; the other group would be led by Yun Tao and me to continue to fight against the Qing army in the Jiangnan region and rebuild our homeland.
"Zi'ang, Yuntao, Jiangnan is handed over to you!" Zhu Youwen solemnly handed a marshal's flag to Yuntao, "I trust you!"
"We will definitely live up to Your Majesty's expectations!" Yun Tao and I responded in unison.
After seeing off Zhu Youwen and the Northern Expedition Army, we also began the action of recovering lost territory and rebuilding our homeland.
After seeing off Zhu Youwen and the Northern Expedition Army, Yun Tao and I did not dare to slack off and immediately set about arranging the defense line in the south of the Yangtze River. Yun Tao was indeed a victorious general, making strategic plans and winning battles thousands of miles away. He personally surveyed every fortress, from the terrain of mountains and rivers to the thickness of the city walls, asking about every detail.
"Zi'ang, look here. If we add a gun platform, we can have a clear view of the entire river several miles away. If the enemy ships dare to attack, they will never return!" Yun Tao pointed to a narrow river on the map and said excitedly.
I looked at his focused expression, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion in my heart. He was always like this, once he got into the battle, he was like a different person, exuding confidence and charm.
"Yun Tao, you have thought it through very carefully. I believe that under your command, Jiangnan's defense line will be as solid as a rock!" I praised sincerely.
"Haha, Ziang, you deserve the award. I still need to learn from you how to govern the country and ensure the people's safety!" Yun Tao laughed heartily, his eyes full of fondness.
Under Yun Tao's careful planning, strong fortresses rose from the ground, and defense lines were crisscrossed, firmly protecting the Jiangnan area. The people witnessed all this with their own eyes. They spontaneously delivered food and water to the soldiers, built fortifications, and their faces were filled with hopeful smiles.
"Thanks to General Feng and General Bi, we can live a stable life!"
"Yes, yes, they are really our guardian angels!"
Listening to the people's heartfelt words of gratitude, my heart was filled with relief. I know that this is what we should do. In order to protect this land and let the people live a peaceful life, we are willing to give everything!
The situation in Jiangnan gradually stabilized. The farmers' songs could be heard again in the fields, the markets regained their former bustle, and children chased and played in the streets. Everything was moving in the right direction.
The peaceful atmosphere of Jiangnan seemed to wash away the dust of years of war, and also washed away the haze in Yuntao and I's hearts. During the days of fighting side by side, my admiration for Yuntao gradually turned into a deeper feeling. He was brave and fearless, but also thoughtful. Whenever I was tired, he would always give me a cup of hot tea and a caring word.
One day, we stood on the newly built city wall, looking at the sparkling river in the distance. Yun Tao suddenly held my hand and said affectionately: "Zi'ang, when the war is over, you and I will find a place with beautiful mountains and rivers and get married, okay?"
My heart warmed up and I nodded shyly. Yuntao held me in his arms. At that moment, I felt unprecedented peace of mind and happiness.
Looking at all this beauty before my eyes, I seem to see the hope of the Ming Dynasty. It is such a great thing to protect the people and protect the children's growth. I will do my best out of the country's great love, and protecting the people is what I wish for.
However, just as we were immersed in the joy of victory, a secret report from the capital was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing all our enthusiasm. The secret report said that Dorgon was preparing his troops in the north, gathering several times more troops than before, and preparing to march south again!
"It seems that this brief peace will eventually be broken!" I murmured to myself, with an inexplicable uneasiness in my heart. Yun Tao's face was solemn. He knew that a more brutal war would be inevitable...
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