Chapter 61 The Guardian of Lingdong, attempting to defy the Emperor...
After leaving the imperial court, Song Yunyan went straight to the Lin family's residence.
The servants led him to Lin Qingyu's study. Since deciding to move away from the capital, Lin Qingyu had been extremely busy every day. Originally, Song Yunyan and he had worked together to handle the transfer of property, but now that was no longer possible.
Upon entering the study, Song Yunyan sat down casually. Lin Qingyu glanced at him and said, "I don't have time to hang out with you lately."
Song Yunyan clicked his tongue: "I didn't intend to just chat with you."
Lin Qingyu immediately became interested. "Then what are you here for?"
Song Yunyan: "Saying goodbye to you."
Where are you going?
“The Zhang family in the southeast has declared themselves kings. I have asked my father for permission to go and quell the rebellion.”
Lin Qingyu stood there stunned.
He had long known that Song Yunyan was an unruly person and that he had always dreamed of serving in the military, so his actions today were entirely expected.
only……
With Qingwu and Qingdai getting married, he is about to travel to the south, and now Song Yunyan is about to go to the southeast to quell a rebellion. It seems unlikely that his childhood friends will be able to reunite.
Is this what growing up is like?
Lin Qingyu couldn't help but sigh, feeling somewhat down and bitter.
Song Yunyan understood what he meant, but he was much more optimistic.
"Why are you so sad? Everyone's gone to do their own thing. It's not like we're going to die. We'll be reunited soon."
Lin Qingyu was exasperated with this person. "We're about to lead troops into battle, why are you talking about dying?"
"unlucky."
Song Yunyan was amused by him, "I didn't realize that the eldest son of the Lin family was so particular."
"Let me tell you, the southeast isn't far from Lingdong. Once I've taken down that Zhang guy, I'll go to Lingdong to see Dai Dai."
"It feels like it's been hundreds of years since I last saw our little Dai Dai. I miss her so much."
Lin Qingyu: "Then that's settled. Be careful on the battlefield. The southeast is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and there are many witchcraft practices there. It's best to be cautious."
His rambling made Song Yunyan tease him, "Lin Qingyu, why don't you just change your name?"
"Change it to Father Lin."
Lin Qingyu: "..." Ungrateful bastard.
Song Yunyan returned to the palace and went to see his mother again.
I'm about to leave, so I should spend more time with her.
To his surprise, upon arrival, he found the emperor there as well. The emperor and empress were drinking tea, and Song Yunyan recognized the aroma of the tea—it was the tea Dai Dai had given him when she left.
Song Yunyan bowed to the two of them, his appearance refined and upright, the mischievousness of his childhood nowhere to be found.
"Father."
"Mother."
The emperor said, "No need for formalities, please sit down."
Song Yunyan found the chair closest to the two of them and sat down. "Why is Father Emperor here?"
The Emperor said, "Come and see your mother. I'm afraid she'll cry if you go to war."
Consort Cen laughed, "Your Majesty really knows how to smear me. Such a glorious thing as suppressing a rebellion for the country has fallen on this wild horse's head. I'm too happy to cry."
Song Yunyan: "That's right, that's right."
The emperor said, "Alright, alright, you and your son are family, I am an outsider."
After sitting and chatting for a while, the emperor got up and left.
Song Yunyan stood up, ready to see him out. As they walked out together, the emperor suddenly reached out and patted Song Yunyan on the shoulder.
"Emperor Taizu admires martial arts. Seeing you like this, he will surely be pleased."
“Yunyan, accumulating battle merits appropriately is a good thing for you.”
Song Yunyan: "Yunyan only wants to do her part for her family, country, and father."
The emperor patted him twice more, "Then I wish our Yunyan a swift return in triumph."
Consort Cen watched the backs of the father and son walking together.
His thoughts were complicated, as were his eyes.
To be fair, she didn't want Song Yunyan to get involved in the chaos, as there was always danger involved. But she was ultimately influenced by Prince Jingxian's words and began to consider supporting Yunyan's ascension to the throne.
If they win this battle, Yunyan will be different from the other princes. He will have his mother and Prince Jingxian to rely on, and he will also have military achievements to his name.
So she had no choice but to agree.
The following day, before the heavy haze and cold fog had dissipated, Li Hengsheng and Song Yunyan led their troops out of the city.
The Ministry of War officials, Zhang Huining and Lin Qingyu, rode their horses to escort them out of the city.
The crowds on both sides of the road hadn't seen such a grand spectacle in years, and they couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Who are they going to fight? The line is so long you can't see the end of it, their opponent must be very strong."
“I heard from my cousin who came back from the southeast that the Zhang family in the southeast has rebelled.”
"Rebellious? Don't you want your head?"
"The remnants of the old dynasty are always somewhat resentful. Who wouldn't want to sit on the supreme throne?"
"I heard that General Ji and General Wu are fighting? The world is not peaceful anymore."
"Yes, I don't know when it will end."
"I can understand fighting the rebels, but what about the infighting between two great generals? Are they going to ignore the border?"
Public anger spread in a very low voice, and although it was quickly swallowed up by the cold morning wind, it was a real and tangible thing.
...
The main force of Ningdong Army finally set up camp 30 miles away from Tianyun City. Cong Xin and Chen Siliang, who had failed in their raids on Wuyue City and Chengtian City, led their troops to join the main force.
After that, everything fell silent.
Ten days passed in a flash, and the Ningdong Army made no further moves.
On the towering city walls of Tianyun City, Wu Tingshan and several of his old subordinates gazed in the direction of the Ningdong Army's encampment.
Huang Zhenquan, a general under Wu Tingshan: "What exactly is Ji Yujing doing this time? Can his meager family fortune in Lingdong support him to spend like this?"
It's been ten days, and it hasn't moved an inch.
Strategist Chen Hao: "Now, the mistress of Lingdong is Miss Lin the Second. With her around, Ji Yujing will never lack money."
Another valiant general, Tian Hua, suggested: "General, why don't we take the initiative and strike quickly to avoid any unforeseen complications?"
Wu Tingshan pondered for a moment before saying, "Let's see. If he's not in a hurry, why should I be?"
There was something he didn't say.
He was actually looking forward to Ji Yujing's next move, wanting to see if this amazing young man from Xun Kingdom was really as strong as the legends said.
Late the next night, it suddenly rained in Tianyun City, which had been suffering from drought for more than half a month.
The rain was torrential, and the wind was howling.
Despite the extremely bad weather, Ningdong Army suddenly launched a massive attack with 50,000 troops, led by Chen Siliang and Congxin.
With the enemy at the city gates, they didn't even bother to call for battle before launching a forced assault.
The city gates were pounded by battering rams, and ladders were erected one by one.
Upon hearing the news, Wu Tingshan rushed over.
"court death."
"Stones, archers, prepare!"
The torrential rains caused widespread flooding, making the siege extremely difficult.
However, at the same time, due to the low visibility caused by the rain, the accuracy of the enemy's attack was also greatly reduced.
The main battlefield is engulfed in fierce fighting.
An hour later, an urgent report was sent to Wu Tingshan.
Ji Yujing personally led 10,000 elite troops in a surprise attack on Lingxiao City, a city surrounding Tianyun City, during the torrential rain. The two sides are still locked in a stalemate, but Ji Yujing and his 10,000 elite troops are simply too fierce, and the defenders of Lingxiao City will likely not be able to hold out for long.
Wu Tingshan was so angry that he smashed a cup. Despite all the precautions, it still didn't stop him.
Ji Yujing did not come to Tianyun City with the main group at all; his gaze was on Lingxiao City from the very beginning.
He had long been prepared to fight a protracted war, so he had to capture a city to alleviate the logistical pressure brought about by the long-term battle.
"Ji Yujing, I have underestimated you."
But now it's too late for regrets.
"Tian Hua".
Tian Hua stepped forward and said, "Your subordinate is here."
Wu Tingshan: "You personally lead 20,000 troops to support Lingxiao City. While the situation is still chaotic, take back Lingxiao City."
Tian Hua: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will muster the troops and set off immediately."
Outside Tianyun City, Ning Dongjun also received the news and immediately ordered, "Shield bearers, prepare."
"Cover the retreat of the main force."
In fact, although 50,000 troops were deployed, only the vanguard participated in the raid, and their retreat was relatively easy.
According to the pre-arranged strategy, if Lingxiao City is captured, the attack will be suspended. Controlling a city, even a small one, is enough for the Ningdong Army to recover its losses, giving them a chance to wear down Wu Tingshan for a long time.
If Lingxiao City is not captured, the offensive will continue, and a decisive battle will be fought.
After all, if Ji and Kyoto cannot seize a city from Wu Tingshan, then the chances of success for anyone else are slim. A direct confrontation is inevitable.
Fortunately, the outcome was lucky...
Upon receiving the order, the vanguard troops immediately withdrew.
This kind of training has been done countless times in Lingdong, and for the raiding squad, it can be said to be ingrained in their very bones.
Swift as a gust of wind.
For a moment, rain splashed everywhere, and those with good mental fortitude even pretended to "waile," confusing the Tianyun City garrison whose vision was obscured by a gray haze.
...
Ji and Jing entered Lingxiao City. It was late at night, and the people were all asleep. A heavy rain began to fall, the sound of the rain pounding on everything drowning out the sounds of fighting. Just as Ji and Jing had planned, the affected area was kept to a minimum.
"General Ji, why fight amongst yourselves?"
“Lingdong and Tianyun City have always suffered from an uneasy border, and we should help each other.”
In the pouring rain, Lingxiao City Lord Xiao Jing and Ji Yujing stood face to face, surrounded by desolation. The only light came from the lamp Xiao Jing carried. The light was faint, but enough for the two to see each other clearly.
Hit by the torrential rain, the two were soaked to the bone and looked utterly disheveled.
Blood stained the ground beneath Ji Yujing's sword. It was the blood of the soldiers of Lingxiao City. Xiao Jing was heartbroken at the sight and couldn't help but offer words of comfort.
Ji Yujing stared at him coldly, like a wicked demon who had come from hell and had all his emotions stripped away.
"If an imperial edict were to fall upon Lord Xiao's head, what would the Lord do?"
Xiao Jing immediately understood the deeper meaning behind the words.
Ji and Jing were acting on imperial orders; if they did not fight, it would be the Ningdong Army defying the imperial decree.
Ji Yujing didn't seem to care whether he understood or not. He slowly raised the sword in his hand, until the tip was pointed at Xiao Jing's heart.
"Hand over the city lord's order, and the massacre will cease."
Xiao Jing instinctively wanted to refuse, because handing over the city lord's token would mean that the city had completely fallen.
As the city lord, how would he face his fellow villagers and General Wu in the future? But if he didn't hand it over, he really couldn't guess what Ji Yujing, who was under the emperor's orders, would do.
A jumble of emotions surged through Xiao Jing's mind, gradually bringing tears to his eyes. His hand, which was resting at his side, clenched into a fist, so tightly that the veins bulged.
Ji Yujing watched coldly, and suddenly, he drew his sword and walked towards Xiao Jing.
The sound, subtle and suppressed, emanated from the swift, watery footsteps, piercing the heart when it reached the ears.
Xiao Jing thought he wanted to kill him, and suddenly he had the answer.
So be it, at least I'll perish with this city. A person lives only once, and there's always something they want to hold onto.
He closed his eyes, his expression calm; he was prepared to die.
However, the result was unexpected. Ji Yujing placed a sword against his neck and said in a low voice that only the two of them could hear.
"If the city lord trusts Ji and Jing's character, then hand over the city lord's token. I will return the token to the city lord within two months at most."
Xiao Jing paused for a moment before finding his voice, "That Wu..."
Ji Yujing didn't let him finish speaking, "The Song family may betray him, but the people will not."
The term "all people" naturally includes Ji and Jing.
Looking into Ji Yujing's icy yet pure black eyes, Xiao Jing finally became certain that Ji Yujing harbored no hatred for the West. He was using his own methods to eliminate all crises.
The guardian deity of Lingdong was pushed out of Lingdong by the political situation, attempting to resist imperial power and protect more people.
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