"Your Highness, how did you get here?" General Xie was eager to know about the kidnapping.
Leng Qingning took a sip of tea and instructed the soldiers beside her to prepare food, as the child had been starving these past few days.
She then told everyone that she had an accident while traveling by boat back to Dayue and ended up here, without mentioning that she had been kidnapped in Huaizhou.
Firstly, we are currently at war with the Azure Sky, and there is no need to distract ourselves and waste our forces on a small tribe.
Secondly, she didn't want to label Xiaoyu as a traitor. Since Sang Ci and the others were going to die anyway, if Xie Meng and the other generals found out that she almost had her eyes gouged out, they might take their anger out on Xiaoyu.
She had promised him that she would take care of him and protect him.
General Xie and the others were furious after hearing this.
“These thieves are incredibly audacious. They dared to hijack the ferry and almost injured Your Highness. This old minister will definitely investigate the matter thoroughly.”
"General Xie, were the passengers on the ferry rescued?" Leng Qingning asked with some doubt, "Why wasn't a rescue operation launched immediately after the ferry exploded?"
General Meng bowed to Leng Qingning and said, “Your Highness, this was our dereliction of duty. At the time, we were fighting against the Cangqiong army. All commanders above the rank of commander-in-chief were out of the camp to direct the battle. Those below the rank of commander-in-chief in the camp did not dare to use the warships without authorization from their superiors. They rowed small boats to rescue some of the survivors on the sea.”
"Therefore, the search for nearby islands has been delayed. We beg Your Highness to punish us."
"How many survivors are there?" Leng Qingning asked.
General Xie replied, "The patrol just reported that 3,417 people have been rescued so far."
“More than three thousand people…” Leng Qingning said regretfully.
There were approximately 10,000 people on board, meaning that more than 6,000 people perished.
"Continue to expand the search and make sure all survivors are found."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Jin Yan saw the deep regret and sadness on Leng Qingning's face. He could feel her emotions. As a young general of the Jin Kingdom, he was also deeply saddened when he heard the news.
"General Xie, General Meng, you may continue your discussion. I will take Xiaoyu to have a meal first." Leng Qingning concealed her emotions, finished giving instructions, greeted the generals, and then led Xiaoyu out of the tent.
At night, Leng Qingning sat outside the tent, gazing at the starry sky, silently mourning for those who had perished.
"Sister, brother said that people turn into stars in the sky after they die, so those who died didn't really leave, but turned into stars to protect their families at all times, right?" Xiaoyu asked innocently.
Leng Qing gazes blankly at the night sky. Does Sang Ci also have such thoughts?
“Your brother is right, they are just leaving this world in another way.”
Just like your brother.
Xiaoyu looked up at the sky with melancholy: So my family didn't leave either; they will also turn into countless stars like the victims!
More than twenty days have passed, and Sang Yu knows in his heart that Sang Ci and the others have most likely been executed by their clansmen.
He had to accept this fact.
…
The battle resumed, with General Xie leading his troops to defend the front, while Jin Yan led the Jin Kingdom's assault team to attack from the flank. The battle raged for three days and two nights, leaving both sides severely weakened.
The forces in the sky far outnumbered those reported by intelligence.
Despite two battles already fought, the Jin Yue army has still failed to breach the defenses of the Azure Sky City.
Everyone was at a loss. The number of wounded and dead soldiers was gradually increasing. If the situation dragged on any longer, they would face a shortage of food and supplies, which would be very disadvantageous for Jin Yue's army.
Leng Qingning was very familiar with the layout of the inner city of Cangqiong. After careful consideration, she decided to intervene in the matter and convened an emergency meeting of the generals.
The hand-drawn map of the main city of the Azure Sky, once placed on the table, was like a timely rain after a severe drought, or a charcoal stove sent from the snow.
With a clear mind, Leng Qingning offered advice to everyone, pointing to a mountain range. Jade Mountain was low and flat, making it the easiest to break through. Moreover, Leng Qingning had heard of the city lord of Jade Mountain. Next to it was Cangshan, the grain storage mountain range of the Azure Sky.
Jin Yan led 50,000 troops in a feigned breakout, while the Jin deputy general led 100,000 elite troops in an ambush behind them...
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. In three days, we will officially engage in the decisive battle against the Azure Sky!"
"Understood!" The generals shouted, their voices shaking the heavens.
December 1st
The sky was just beginning to lighten, a gentle morning breeze entered the tent, and the first rays of warm winter sunlight shone on the earth.
Leng Qingning donned her silver-white armor and stepped out of the tent, where the soldiers' morale was high.
Not far away, Jin Yan, clad in golden flowing cloud armor, seemed to be surrounded by a faint golden light, which accentuated his exquisite and noble appearance.
"Your Highness, everything is ready."
"very good."
Without further ado, Leng Qingning mounted her horse, with Jin Yan following closely behind.
Yushan
The young general sat proudly on his magnificent warhorse, his battle robes fluttering in the wind, and the long spear in his hand gleamed with a cold light, pointing diagonally to the sky in the morning light.
Beside him, a bright young girl on a Akhal-Teke horse had a solemn expression. Her silver-white armor was extraordinary, and she naturally possessed the aura of a king who could rule the world.
Behind them, the iron hooves stretched as far as the eye could see, and thousands of soldiers, their morale awe-inspiring, stood ready with swords in hand, awaiting orders.
"The army is under command; set out immediately."
"Understood."
With Leng Qingning's command, the young general, dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, led 50,000 troops in a charge forward. The black hooves sped by like lightning, kicking up dust on the road.
Their iron hooves trampled through the grass and trees, advancing straight towards the gate of Jade Mountain.
At the summit of Jade Mountain, Chi Yan stood with his hands behind his back, overlooking the battle at the mountain gate. He immediately spotted the golden figure on the steed.
"Could he be the King Ao Yan, who was bestowed the title by the Jin Kingdom and has repeatedly made military achievements and won every battle?"
The Lord of Yushan City stood aside, his face disdainful, not taking the Jin soldiers seriously at all. He casually glanced down and said, "It does seem to be that young prince." He felt even more contempt for the Jin Kingdom. To appoint a man as a prince, this Jin emperor must be senile.
Chi Yan stared intently at the figure. "This man is brave and skilled in battle. It seems that the Jin Kingdom sent him to conquer our Cangqiong in one fell swoop."
They seriously underestimated the power of the heavens.
"Your Majesty need not worry. Do you think they dare to launch a strong attack with just tens of thousands of men? They are nothing but a rabble and cannot cause any trouble."
Chi Yan's eyes were sharp and his face was solemn. How did the Jin soldiers know that Yushan was weakly defended and easy to attack but difficult to defend?
"We must not let our guard down. We must immediately send 150,000 reinforcements to defend Yushan."
"You will personally go out of the city to command the battle."
The city lord paused slightly, "Uh, this..."
"Hmm?" Chi Yan's expression turned cold.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The city lord bowed in acceptance, but as he left, he wondered to himself, "Is the Lord giving them too much credit? Is it really necessary to attach so much importance to a mere few tens of thousands of troops?"
Half an hour later, reinforcements from Yushan arrived, and a fierce battle was inevitable.
The Jin army held out for only half an hour before retreating in panic.
Chi Yan looked at the hastily retreating Jin army and felt that it was strange and unsettling. Retreating without a fight was not the style of the Jin soldiers.
Before the Jin troops had completely withdrawn, the bugle sounded at the mountain gate, and the Lord of Yushan City donned his armor and took it upon himself to lead an army of 180,000 in pursuit...
They didn't even have time to inform their lord...
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