Chapter 723: Who are you looking for? (Part 1) [Requesting monthly votes]
The minister stood with his hands hanging at his sides, waiting for Zheng Qiao to make a decision.
After a long while, Zheng Qiao's cold voice entered my ears.
"Urgent dispatch! Order the garrison to ambush and kill Shen Tang!"
If Shen Tang possesses the Imperial Seal, Zheng Qiao will inevitably have to deal with it personally, because these tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves under his command are not to be trifled with. If the task of intercepting and killing Shen Tang is entrusted to them, the unclaimed Imperial Seal will definitely "disappear."
This undoubtedly creates a formidable rival for Zheng Qiao.
But now that it's confirmed the Imperial Seal isn't in Shen Tang's hands, Zheng Qiao naturally has no reason to go in person. He still needs to stay in Aoshan, suppress his own people, and intimidate the Dragon Slaying Bureau's allied forces across the Miao River. Insects that trespass on our territory should be swatted away.
Upon hearing this, the minister accepted the order and withdrew.
Slightly annoyed, Zheng Qiao closed the military book in his hand and slowly walked up to the high building to gaze into the distance. The viewpoint was excellent; looking up at the sky and out to the four corners of the world, the scenery was magnificent and beautiful. He could vaguely see a line of the river on the horizon, and a few water birds were soaring high, their songs seemingly ringing in his ears. Lost in thought, he felt as if he had transformed into a water bird, freely swimming between the water and the sky.
The river flows swiftly and vigorously.
His hands involuntarily gripped the windowsill.
He closed his eyes tightly again, suppressing the boiling anger in his chest.
Click—
The window sill, meticulously carved and painted with raw lacquer, was crushed by his force, the splintered wood mercilessly piercing his flesh. The wounds were small and inconspicuous, yet they brought a subtle, persistent pain, much like Zheng Qiao's current state of mind.
He didn't know what was wrong with him.
Sometimes he felt that everything was meaningless and the world was desolate; other times he wanted to destroy everything he saw, including himself.
These insects from the Dragon Slayer Alliance...
Each and every one of them must be crushed!
"Ah owe-"
Shen Tang rubbed her sore and itchy nose.
Sniffing to relieve the feather-like tickle, she muttered to herself, "Who's talking about me?"
No one answered, so she talked to herself.
"Tsk, at this critical juncture, only Tao Shenyu can do it." If curses could truly kill someone, Shen Tang wouldn't doubt that he would have been reincarnated eight hundred times over by now. Unfortunately, Tao Yan couldn't even win an argument with him, let alone curse him to death. "Noob."
The Miao River is swift and rapid; even from a distance, you can hear a thunderous roar, and the air is filled with a moist mist.
She asked Chu Yao, who was not far away.
"Wu Hui, how much longer is our journey?"
Chu Yao replied, "There is less than an hour left."
"An hour left?" Shen Tang counted on her fingers. They had traveled day and night, greatly shortening the normal marching time. Zheng Qiao should not have reacted yet, and it seemed that they could probably take advantage of the perfect time difference.
Shen Tang was in a good mood and ate five large pancakes in a row.
He beckoned to Lu Ji: "Zhizong, come here."
Lu Ji rode forward: "My lord."
Shen Tang said, "Our destination is not far ahead. Judging from the sun, it should be dusk. Go and inform the vicious dogs behind us to prepare for a secret river crossing. We will set off tonight."
Lu Ji clasped his hands in response.
Of course, her explanation was embellished.
At the very least, the words "vicious dog" must not be uttered to Tao Yan.
"Preparing to cross the river tonight? Has Shen Youli gone mad?" Tao Yan's face was extremely pale, with a hint of black. He couldn't out-argue Shen Tang, but he didn't need to hold back against Shen Tang's personal guards. His voice was loud and strange, "Cross the river? Does he think the Miao River is only knee-deep? Boats and rafts must be prepared. The flood season is approaching, and the river is turbulent. Crossing the river during the day is risky enough, let alone crossing it in the dark at night... Such a childish game, I, Tao, will absolutely not allow!"
His words and actions reflected a consideration for the overall situation and the well-being of the soldiers.
Shen Tang almost laughed when he heard the reply.
Why not sneak across the river at night, or brazenly do it during the day? Please, they're trying to cross into enemy territory, not go sightseeing. Besides, does Tao Shenyu know the flood season is approaching? Every day they delay, the temperature rises, the upstream glaciers melt faster, and the Miao River becomes even more turbulent and dangerous. The difficulty of crossing will only increase then…
Relying on Lu Ji to run back and forth to relay messages is not a good solution.
Shen Tang took people directly to see Tao Yan.
They took the initiative right from the start.
"Crossing the river is crucial to the success or failure of this strategic plan. I'm sure you, Lord Tao, have your own judgment on what's more important. Why are you making excuses and refusing to cooperate?" The young general was at the height of his youthful vigor and impulsive spirit. Although his appearance was becoming increasingly captivating, his eyes shone with righteous indignation. His questioning was laced with an oppressive aura.
Every word is as powerful as gold.
Tao Yan kept repeating the same old arguments.
Shen Tang narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at Tao Yan for several breaths without saying a word, making the other party avoid his gaze: "Since that's the case, I won't force you. Let's part ways here and now. When Alliance Leader Huang brings it up later, we can both tell the truth."
Having said that, the young general snorted coldly, cracked his whip, and prepared to leave.
This action is very much in line with Shen Tang's character.
They simply don't tolerate players like Tao Yan who drag the team down.
Upon seeing this, Tao Yan felt a throbbing pain in his head again.
He was truly afraid of Shen Tang.
Previously, Shen Tang threatened to quit the Dragon Slaying Bureau at the slightest provocation, nearly causing the bureau to disband. Now, she's trying to kick him out again and cross the river alone, leaving no room for negotiation. Tao Yan has never seen anyone so willful in all his years of life.
Seeing that stalling for time was not working, Tao Yan could only lower his voice and try to persuade Shen Tang to stay, but he used a provocative tactic: "I would like to ask, why is Shen so eager to get rid of me?"
This is a complete reversal of the truth!
"Tao Jun, that's an interesting question. What do you mean I'm eager to get rid of you? Do you suspect that I, Shen, am secretly colluding with the tyrant?" Shen Tang deliberately fell for the provocation.
Tao Yan said righteously, "True or false? Hmph, only you, Shen Jun, truly know the answer..."
Shen Tang glared at him with murderous intent.
Tao Yan was not afraid of her threatening gaze at all.
"snort!"
Shen Tang finally withdrew her gaze.
Whether you are willing to cross the river tonight or not is entirely up to you.
Because Ganzhou and Yanzhou are separated by the Miao River, travel between the two places relies entirely on ferries and a few narrow bridges. Following the defeat at Chaoli Pass, half of Yanzhou implemented a scorched-earth policy, taking away able-bodied men and food supplies, and destroying the most convenient bridges for crossing the river. They also requisitioned a large number of civilian ferries, destroying those that couldn't be taken. If Shen Tang and her group wanted to cross, they would have to find a ferry.
In a normal ancient world, the next steps would be to send people to search for boats suitable for crossing the river and order soldiers to go into the mountains to cut down old trees and build simple rafts. However, this is a fantasy world of supernatural powers where science is completely obsolete…
Efficiency could actually be even higher.
It is known that soldiers' morale can be used to create trench bridges for crossing moats during sieges, and can also be used to create temporary rafts for crossing rivers. At worst, there are incantations like "Crossing the River in White Robes." However, considering cost-effectiveness, simple rafts are the most suitable.
Why can't we cross the river in white?
As the lord, it's not unreasonable for her to be on a good ship, right?
If all else fails, let her cross the river in a straw boat.
Shen Tang's suggestion was ultimately not fulfilled.
As the lord, she was only assigned one relatively large raft, and each raft was covered with a pre-prepared black cloth. Zheng Qiao had placed Ganzhou under martial law, and it was hard to guarantee that there weren't patrolling soldiers near the Miao River. As night fell, the black cloth blended seamlessly with the river water.
Tao Yan could only follow suit.
They chose a secluded spot in the groundwater, where the temporary rafts formed by their magical words were more sturdy than real rafts, and the river's current could not break them apart. Each raft was also linked together with ropes to ensure the overall formation and stability.
Shen Tang's troops led the charge.
Tao Yan led his troops to the rear.
After getting into the water, Chen Tang sat cross-legged on the raft, eating a flatbread. She took several bites, then childishly held it up to compare it to the moon, until she had gnawed the flatbread into the shape of the moon before she was satisfied: "Wang Chao, do you want the moon?"
She waved at him while holding up half a pancake.
Gu Chi coldly refused, "I don't eat leftovers."
Unexpectedly, a large pancake flew towards him. Gu Chi subconsciously tilted his head back, and the pancake was caught by a hand.
This pancake is whole.
Shen Tang chuckled and said, "You can eat it yourself."
Gu Chi: "..."
Bai Su rolled her eyes as she ate the pancake: "My lord is just teasing you."
Feeling utterly dejected after being tricked, Gu Chi turned away, his back to Shen Tang's arrogant laughter, which seemed to blend seamlessly with the roaring river. A moment later, Bai Su offered him half a pancake, teasingly asking, "Strategist, do you want the moon?"
Gu Chi snatched it away, saying, "It was mine to begin with."
Standing on the raft, Jiang Sheng vigilantly observed Tao Yan's troops, barely managing to spare a glance at the commotion on Shen Tang's side. He quietly looked at his lord, who only knew how to say "makka pak ka," then at the commotion on Gu Chi's side, stroked his beard, and rolled his eyes.
After Shen Tang stopped laughing, she stretched.
"If I were Tao Shenyu, I would strike now. Most of their troops are still on the shore, while we have already gone into the water and can only stand on a simple raft. If a few volleys of arrows come at this moment, we will be inescapable targets."
Lu Jidao said, "They don't have the guts."
Shen Tang took a bite of the flatbread and said with a wicked smile, "I have some."
He has a rather villainous air about him.
No sooner had she finished speaking than she suddenly burst into uncontrollable giggles, seemingly remembering something, and given her easy sense of humor. Lu Ji, who hadn't seen his lord so cheerful in a long time, asked, "Why is my lord laughing so much?"
Shen Tang coughed lightly, pointed at the Miao River, and said in a deep voice, "People say that Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang were resourceful and wise, but I think they were incompetent. If an army were to ambush us here, we would all be helpless! Hahahaha—isn't that funny?"
Lu Ji: "..."
She completely missed the point of Shen Tang's humor.
However, seeing that the lord was laughing so heartily must have been quite amusing, so I chuckled softly in response.
Boss Cao's flag ultimately did not fall on Shen Tang.
Although the rafts were simple, those with martial arts skills could row continuously and rapidly, even striking the river surface with their palms to use the recoil to propel the rafts forward. Before long, the vanguard successfully reached the opposite bank of the Miao River, then pulled the ropes connecting the rafts to help those behind. When they were still several feet from the riverbank, Shen Tang used his lightness skill to perform a water-skimming act, wading ashore.
The others didn't have her knack for finding fun in every spare moment; they were honest, methodical, and waited patiently in the vanguard.
At this time, Tao Yan's vanguard also arrived at the center of Miaojiang.
Shen Tang raised his hand and gave Lu Ji an order.
Lu Jixin understood immediately: "I obey!"
Shen Tang entrusted the Imperial Seal to Kang Shi, and her Imperial Seal was the Mother's Sword, so naturally she had no sword to use at the moment. However, she was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and could use her martial energy to create different weapons. A dark light flashed in her left palm, and the Silver Dragon Longbow appeared in her hand.
She asked, "Are our people ready?"
Shen Tang planned to kill Tao Yan while crossing the river, but he couldn't guarantee that all of them would be wiped out, as there was always a possibility that some would escape. Therefore, Jiang Sheng arranged for his own messengers in advance. Once the operation was launched, the messengers on the opposite bank would send the news that Shen Tang's troops had been ambushed by Tao Yan to the Allied Army. Before the news arrived, Kang Shi would make a scene with the "evidence" that Tao Yan had colluded with the enemy.
Even if Tao Yan's remaining troops managed to send the message back...
We can rest easy now.
She killed Tao Yan and then went to ambush Zheng Qiao's troops.
Chu Yao said confidently, "Everything is ready!"
Shen Tang gave Gu Chi a wink.
Gu Chi nodded: "Everything is in order!"
Choosing this location to cross the river was not only suitable, but also sufficiently secluded. Shen Tang had previously worried that Zheng Qiao's troops would patrol along the river, but Gu Chi replied that there was no need to worry. Scouts who landed half a day earlier also reported that everything was safe.
Shen Tang was completely relieved.
"Tao Shenyu, if Heaven grants you an opportunity but you don't seize it, you'll suffer the consequences; if the time comes but you don't act, you'll suffer the calamity. It seems even Heaven intends for you to perish in the Miao River." If any one condition is not met, Shen Tang will postpone the plan. As she spoke, Tao Yan's main force crossed the middle of the Miao River. Shen Tang raised her longbow. Before drawing the bow, she turned her head and glanced at Gu Chi.
Gu Chi also looked over as if by telepathy.
I walked through the crowd and saw her eyes.
She said, "Wangchao, you've got it right!"
The silver dragon longbow in the young lord's hand swelled to its fullest extent with a resounding clang.
Although Shen Tang led a portion of his elite troops to launch a surprise attack on Zheng Qiao's rear, the remaining forces should not be underestimated.
Huang Lie thought he would finally have some peace and quiet for a few days, but just as he was about to go to sleep that night, a commotion broke out outside his tent.
The sound was getting closer and louder.
Huang Lie had no choice but to stand up fully clothed: "What happened?"
The guard said, "It is the person in charge of Longwu County."
Huang Lie wondered to himself, "What is he doing here?"
After Shen Tang led his troops away, those who remained became much quieter. Although they would attend the Allied Forces' operational meetings in Shen Tang's place, they remained silent throughout, like background figures, as quiet as if they were mute. Why would they break into the central army camp tonight?
Huang Lie was puzzled, but still said, "Let him in."
Logically and emotionally, as the leader of the alliance, he couldn't neglect Shen Tang's subordinates while she was deep behind enemy lines; it would easily draw criticism. However, he forgot that "birds of a feather flock together," and there was a reason why some people could get along.
When Kang Shi got into business, he didn't care about anything else.
He angrily kicked open the curtain of the main tent.
He demanded, "What are Alliance Leader Huang's intentions?!"
()
My darlings, I'm only 10 average daily subscriptions away from 10,000 subscriptions! I should break 10,000 during the day on April 6th.
P.S.: There are still 300-400 spots left for the monthly pass event, and it expires on the evening of the 7th. Those with monthly passes should participate quickly; each pass earns a subsidy of 200 Qidian coins.
(End of this chapter)
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