Chapter 604: The Pacification of Sibao County (Part 6) [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Why?
Don't you have any self-awareness?
Qi Shan's gaze made Kang Shi instantly furious.
He desperately wanted to unleash his silver tongue and give Qi Shan a piece of his mind, to teach his wicked cousin what "generational oppression" meant, but the words he wanted to say were abruptly cut off. His face vividly portrayed the multifaceted darkness.
Qi Shan smiled innocently: "What does Ji Shou want to say?"
"I...I...you..."
Kang Shi endured it all, but eventually gave in.
She just added another mark to her grudge against her treacherous cousin in her heart. Tan Lezheng was truly despicable, while Yuan Liang was so kind and easily deceived...
No, she's pure, kind, and understanding.
Qi Shan added, "Ji Shou's way of the scholar should be used properly when it's needed, otherwise it's a waste to leave it unused."
It was just a matter of not explicitly stating that Kang Shi had no connection with military achievements.
Kang Shi: "..."
At this point, it was still the lord who jumped out to save face for Kang Shi. Shen Tang scolded Qi Shan in annoyance: "Yuan Liang, what nonsense are you spouting? The way of the scholar is only used in the wrong place, never useless. Ji Shou is sacrificing his own interests for the greater good, do you understand?"
Kang Shi: "..."
My lord, you'd be better off remaining silent.
Is this how he applies the principles of the scholar?
Of all those present, only Gu Chi understood his heartache.
A few lighthearted jokes successfully dispelled the serious atmosphere before the battle, even those who weren't usually cheerful couldn't help but chuckle or had a slight smile in their eyes. Ever since the attack on Nanyu County, Shen Tang's side had begun preparations for battle. After Beishang County, everything was ready except for the mobilization of troops. Shen Tang casually chose an auspicious day for breaking ground and relocating graves, set up a mobilization platform, and held a flag-raising ceremony before setting off.
The weather was kind; the wind blew and the sky was overcast.
In this era, everything has a sense of ritual.
The same applies to going to war.
Generally, three sacrificial animals are used as offerings, usually a pig, a cow, and a sheep, or a chicken, a fish, and a pig, depending on local customs. These are offered to the heavens to pray for military success and a prosperous campaign. Of course, the heads of enemies are even better.
At the same time, it also serves to boost the morale of the three armed forces.
Dressed in red robes and silver armor, Shen Tang slowly ascended the command platform, her gaze sweeping down upon the troops below—the three armies stood in perfect unison, their expressions resolute. Though silent, a chilling aura of killing intent emanated from them. This was a sharp blade yet to be truly honed.
She nodded in satisfaction.
All that could be heard was the flags fluttering in the wind.
Do you know what day it is today?
Although sixteen-year-old Shen Tang had passed puberty, his voice still lacked depth and sounded devoid of traditional "majesty." If one closed their eyes and listened carefully, they might mistake him for a handsome young man from a noble family. However, the soldiers below the stage dared not treat him with disrespect.
The lord is anything but weak when it comes to fighting in the martial arts arena.
Bai Su said firmly, "The day of revenge."
Shen Tang smiled and said, "Yes, the day of revenge."
She lifted the red cloth covering the offerings with her sword. On the table, besides the basic three sacrificial animals and their blood, were two heads that emitted a faint smell of decay. Because the preservation methods were somewhat rough, the heads did not look very fresh.
Do you know whose two heads they are?
Bai Su said, "They are the enemy."
This time, Shen Tang did not agree with her.
"No, they are sacrifices delivered to their doorstep by the enemy!"
"Because they were sacrifices, they appeared here today. They—" Shen Tang pointed her sword at the head. She didn't need to raise her voice deliberately; she only needed to gather her energy in her dantian and amplify it with her martial qi, so that her voice could be clearly heard by everyone on the wind, "plundering the grain we painstakingly grew, destroying the fertile fields we diligently cultivated, slaughtering the common people we tried so hard to protect, and causing four or five hundred households to hang white mourning clothes! Their cries echoed throughout the surrounding villages! Tell me, did they not deserve to die!"
"Should!"
"Should!"
"Should!"
This time, it wasn't just Bai Su who responded, but the entire army below the stage. They spoke in unison, their voices resounding to the heavens.
As their voices faded, Shen Tang's seemingly calm expression betrayed a surging fighting spirit: "They certainly deserve to die! But they are not the only ones who deserve to die! Where is the culprit? He is still in Sibao County! Comfortably enjoying the food we painstakingly cultivated, smugly mocking our incompetence! Gentlemen, are you truly cowardly, incompetent, and afraid of battle?"
"Without fear or timidity!"
"Without fear or timidity!"
"Without fear or timidity!"
Shen Tang took a deep breath, raised his hand and with a single sword stroke, severed the hair buns of the two heads: "I am not afraid, and I am willing to fight alongside you all!"
"I am willing to fight alongside my lord!"
Tu Rong, sitting in the audience, blushed with excitement.
He raised his weapon high, his voice hoarse from exhaustion, some words even cracking, but no one laughed at him. Instead, they shouted in unison, "We are willing to fight alongside our lord!" The battle cries shook the heavens, and morale soared once more. Perhaps it was the rush of blood to their heads, or perhaps it was the infectious fervor of the entire army speaking in unison, but everyone was eager to disregard their own lives and rush to Qiu Cheng to claim a wave of military merit.
Shen Tang: "Raze Sibao County to the ground!"
"Raze Sibao County to the ground!"
They didn't stop.
The waves roared and spread out, each one louder than the last.
Even the dark clouds under the sky trembled.
Shen Tang exclaimed excitedly, "Capture Qiu Wenyan alive!"
"Capture Aki Fumihiko alive!"
Shen Tang completely ignored the long, rambling speech required for the flag-raising ceremony. The entire army below was illiterate; no matter how eloquent and passionate the proclamation she had someone else write was, they wouldn't understand it. It was better to use plain language that they could all understand.
Below the stage, Qi Shan's gaze was unfocused.
It took him a while to come to his senses.
She whispered to Chu Yao during a break.
Why did I think she was pure, kind, and quiet back then?
Chu Yao glanced at him indifferently: "You're blind."
Qi Shan retorted, "Aren't you the same?"
Chu Yao was not afraid at all: "I'm blind too."
Qi Shan: "..."
Sincerity is indeed the ultimate weapon.
He exhaled a breath of stale air, looked at the sharp and spirited young lord on the stage, and a faint smile appeared on his lips: "So it was just a blind cat catching a dead mouse?"
"You're a blind cat, but our lord isn't a dead mouse." Chu Yao frowned. What an auspicious day, yet he spoke with such ill omen.
The conversation between the martial arts performers and the audience needs no further explanation.
Shen Tang pulled out a scroll and opened it with a flourish.
The above is the pre-determined roster.
She appointed herself Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies.
At the same time, they revealed most of their assets.
The only unexpected thing was that Gong Shuwu stayed behind to guard the house.
This move is to prevent Qiu Cheng or his reinforcements from using a base-swapping tactic. As for the main force of the generals attacking the battlefield—
Haha, she did it herself!
Unless Qiu Cheng has a martial artist with the courage of Gong Xi Chou under his command, Dou Jiang will easily sweep her away!
Command of the main force was handed over to two veterans recommended by Chu Jie.
The first battle was in Linshan County.
Kang Jishou, as the military advisor and strategist accompanying the army, collaborated with Xianyu Jian and an old general, leading two thousand troops to create disturbances, provide flexible support, and launch feint attacks to confuse the enemy's firepower.
Lin Feng was also assigned.
Ensure the supply of provisions for this army.
The remaining main force didn't waste any time and headed straight for Linshan County.
"All troops, move out!"
(￣︶￣)
Taking a shower, going for my prenatal checkup tomorrow. Hopefully it's my last checkup in late pregnancy. (heart emoji)
(End of this chapter)
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