Chapter 1043 Heroes' Short-Lived Spirit
Upon hearing Yuwen Ye's words, the soldiers who had been so nervous that their palms were covered in cold sweat and who had been touching the hilts of their swords breathed a sigh of relief and released their weapons. The other soldiers all knelt down and said repeatedly, "Thank you, Your Highness Prince Qin!"
"Your Highness is wise!"
"We swear to follow His Highness the King of Qin!"
Seeing the ecstatic expressions of these people, and then looking at Yuwen Ye's cold and stern face, Zhao Deyan stood there dumbfounded, unable to utter a single word.
Two soldiers had already walked up to him: "Let's go."
Although he was young, he had made many contributions and was considered a veteran. So everyone gave him face and did not drag him away. Zhao Deyan lowered his head and followed without saying a word. The remaining generals who had just joined him in provoking and finding fault all turned pale and dared not breathe.
Yuwen Ye said, "Today I will only punish Zhao Deyan; the previous matters will be disregarded. But from today onward, anyone who dares to disrupt the morale of the army will be executed without mercy!"
Everyone answered in unison, "Yes!"
After speaking, everyone dispersed, and Yuwen Ye also led Mu Xian back to his tent.
Although he had just swiftly dealt with a matter that could affect morale and the overall situation, Yuwen Ye remained calm and composed, as if nothing had happened. He sat back down at his desk, took a sip of tea, and said, "By the way, why haven't we heard anything back from Mengjin Pass yet?"
Mu Xian, who had been somewhat distracted, immediately replied upon hearing this, "This humble general has also sent people to inquire over there, but it should be soon."
Yuwen Ye said, "It's been three days already."
The three days he mentioned refer to three days ago when Shen Tu Tai received his order to lead troops to attack Mengjin Pass.
Although Mengjin Pass lost 5,000 soldiers in the previous battle, and the main force fled or ran away, leaving less than half of the troops to avoid battle and defend themselves, it seemed that it could no longer pose any impact or threat to them. However, Yuwen Ye was still not at ease. After all, Mengjin Pass was located west of Xiaopingjin Pass, forming a pincer movement to control the throat of the Yellow River and serving as the northern gateway to Luoyang. If they launched an attack on Hulao Pass in the east and Mengjin Pass took the opportunity to launch a pincer attack from both sides, they might find themselves in a predicament of being attacked from both sides.
This place must be completely captured before any troops are deployed.
Therefore, Yuwen Ye ordered Shen Tu Tai to lead the remaining troops of Cijian to attack Mengjin Pass. Once this pass was captured, he would have no more worries about his westward advance.
Three days have passed now; whether it was a victory or a defeat, there should be a result by now.
Mu Xian said, "This humble general has been calculating the days. If everything goes smoothly, General Shentu's message will arrive no later than tomorrow morning. Your Highness, please wait a little longer."
Yuwen Ye could only nod.
Mu Xian then said, "These dishes have gotten cold. Shall I have someone reheat them and bring them over?"
Yuwen Ye glanced down at the two bowls of food he had brought. They had indeed cooled down a bit, but perhaps because he had just lost his temper, he felt a little hungry and said, "No need."
After saying that, he picked up his bowl and chopsticks and began to eat.
Seeing him like this, Mu Xian breathed a sigh of relief, a slight smile appearing on his face. Yuwen Ye took a bite, then looked up at him upon hearing his voice: "What's wrong?"
Mu Xian hesitated for a moment before smiling and saying, "This humble general thought that Your Highness would—"
He realized his mistake halfway through his sentence and swallowed the rest of his words, but Yuwen Ye seemed to understand what he was going to say and said, "Do you think that I, like Zhao Deyan, will hold a grudge against those who killed Lei Yi?"
Mu Xian said, "This humble general dares not."
"..."
"But I know that Your Highness must be feeling very bad."
As soon as he said that, he regretted it. Sure enough, Yuwen Ye, who had just taken a couple of bites, also felt the tightness in his chest rise up. He put down his chopsticks and said in a deep voice, "Of course I feel bad."
"..."
"But what I just said is also true."
"..."
"Once you're on the battlefield, there's not much room for sentimentality. Even if you can't bear to do it, you have to do some things."
"..."
“If someone helps me solve a problem, and I then hold a grudge, that would be the behavior of a petty person who benefits from others and then complains. I can’t do that.”
Mu Xian said, "This subordinate understands."
"..."
"However, General Lei is indeed too stubborn. He could have surrendered. Based on our past friendship and the good relations between our two families, Your Highness would not have made things difficult for him. Why did you have to go to such extremes?"
Yuwen Ye was silent for a moment, then said, "He's probably worried about Lei Yu."
Mu Xian was taken aback: "Miss Lei?"
Yuwen Ye said, "Lei Yu was arranged by Liang Shide to marry the young prince of the Western Turks. Previously, Ashina Zhuxie killed his father and ascended the throne—" At this point, his throat tightened slightly, and he coughed lightly to clear it before continuing, "He also killed that young prince, Yiasu. If I'm not mistaken, Lei Yu was likely killed by him—"
"ah?"
Previously, although everyone knew about what had happened in the Western Turkic Khaganate, few people would have noticed the figure of a small woman amidst such major events as bloodshed and the seizure of power, or cared about her joys and sorrows, her fate. Mu Xian only realized this now, and sighed with regret.
Yuwen Ye's eyes dimmed, and after a moment of silence, he continued, "So, Lei Yi must be worried about her safety."
"..."
"If he surrenders, how difficult will it be for Lei Yu?"
"..."
At this point, Mu Xian was unable to speak.
Although he had only been Yuwen Ye's attendant before, he had met Lei Yu many times and greatly admired her forthright personality and superb martial arts skills. He never expected that such an outstanding woman would end up in such a situation.
Life is so hard...
Upon hearing Mu Xian murmur these words, Yuwen Ye's expression darkened.
He may not have been unaware of the dilemma Lei Yi faced, but from his own standpoint, he had no choice but to continue advancing, either to fight him personally or to achieve the outcome he had anticipated.
Yuwen Ye said, "Life is full of regrets and dilemmas, so we should cherish the luck and fulfillment we have."
At this point, he suddenly felt a pang of sadness as he thought of Shang Ruyi. How incredibly lucky they were to have found each other amidst seemingly disparate fates, to have recognized each other amidst so many misunderstandings, obstacles, and difficulties, and to have finally stayed together.
Looking back on everything that happened, he could hardly believe that he had such good luck.
Upon hearing his words, Mu Xian nodded repeatedly.
Just then, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly rang out outside, and someone reported from outside the tent: "Your Highness, a report has come from Mengjin Pass!"
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