Chapter 348 Xiao Mo, what do you think? (4400 words)
After the main force of the Northern Wilderness Army joined the battlefield, the situation instantly reversed.
Not to mention that the arrival of the Northern Wilderness army at Yanmen Pass indicates that all eleven cities in the southern border have fallen.
This was absolutely unacceptable to the Wei army, and their morale plummeted.
"withdraw!"
Even though Guo Xin rose to power through connections, he knew that things were hopeless and decisively ordered a troop withdrawal.
Xiao Shi personally led his troops in pursuit for twenty miles before returning to the city.
After the great victory in the Northern Wilderness, Xiao Shi ordered a search and rescue operation for the soldiers on the battlefield.
If anyone still has a breath left, we must do everything we can to save them.
Inside Yanmen Pass, with the arrival of the main force of the Northern Wilderness army, supplies had also been delivered.
Xiao Shi ordered the distribution of grain, and every household was able to have enough to eat again.
Moreover, in accordance with the previous agreement, the Northern Wilderness Army compensated the wealthy merchants whose grain had been confiscated with silver or grain.
As for the defensive array of Yanmen Pass, the array masters are already working hard to repair it, and even need to strengthen it.
The top brass of the Northern Wilderness Army decided to devote all resources to turning Yanmen Pass into an impregnable fortress, making it a truly easy-to-defend and difficult-to-attack place.
If the Northern Wilderness Army continues its expedition and encounters setbacks, it can still hold Yanmen Pass.
Three days later, the casualties of all the Northern Wilderness Army soldiers defending Yanmen Pass were tallied.
Of the original 10,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders that Xiao Mo brought, only 420 remained.
In terms of infantry, including the surrendered soldiers recruited by Xiao Mo and the men conscripted at Yanmen Pass, there were a total of 60,000 men.
However, after the great battle, only 2,720 soldiers survived, including those pulled from the piles of corpses on the battlefield.
According to Qin military law, if the bodies of soldiers were found, they would be sent back to their hometowns.
If they cannot be found, their belongings will be collected and returned to their family.
The Qin state will also provide each household with sufficient compensation, and there will be various forms of support and convenience in their future lives, so that their families will not have any worries.
At Xiao Mo's request, all the fallen soldiers will have their tombstones erected on a mountain near Yanmen Pass, with their names inscribed to commemorate their achievements.
Five days later, the tombstone was completed.
Xiao Mo and all the surviving soldiers stood at the foot of the mountain, holding wine bowls in their hands, to send their fallen comrades off to heaven.
After the aftermath of the Battle of Yanmen Pass was settled, the soldiers were rewarded.
Since Xiao Mo had already become king, Xiao Shi could only write down Xiao Mo's achievements and send them to the court. After returning to the capital, he could ask His Majesty to bestow rewards upon him. Therefore, Xiao Mo remained unchanged.
After this battle, Xiao Mo's prestige in the Northern Wilderness Army was comparable to that of some veteran generals such as Fang Weiming and Zhang Kui.
Xiao Shi also waved his hand and handed over 50,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders and 200,000 Northern Wilderness Infantry to Xiao Mo.
Xiao Shi even specially ordered the creation of 50,000 masks identical to Xiao Mo's, indicating that Xiao Mo's Snow-Treading Dragon Riders could fight with their faces covered, just like Xiao Mo.
This action may seem insignificant.
However, in the eyes of generals like Fang Weiming, they knew that the prince had fully recognized Xiao Mo's strength and was already planning to groom Xiao Mo as his true successor.
The fact that Xiao Mo's 50,000 iron cavalry could cover their faces distinguished them from the other Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry, giving them a kind of nature that made them Xiao Mo's private army.
As for the soldiers defending the city...
Ordinary soldiers were rewarded with official positions or money based on their performance, and they were all recorded as having made great contributions, so they were given priority for future promotions.
Mid-level generals were promoted one rank in the Northern Wilderness Army, such as Xiao Gui and Sheng Xia, who were promoted to centurions.
The merits of high-ranking generals like Zhao Guang and Li Jing also need to be determined by the Qin ruler. However, after this battle, it is a foregone conclusion that Li Jing and others will be granted titles. The final regulations for their titles will depend on their performance in the subsequent campaign against Wei.
The soldiers who were originally guarding the city all continued to follow Xiao Mo, and they were all willing to continue following this general who had risked his life with them.
During the days the army rested, Xiao Mo also learned the general course of events in the eleven cities of the Southern Territory.
The Horseshoe City that Xiao Mo captured was fiercely defended by the Northern Wilderness Army, who refused to let it go no matter what.
The Northern Wilderness Army attempted to gradually expand its advantage by exploiting this gap.
But how could Xiahou Nan not know what Xiao Shi was thinking?
Xiahou Nan's responses to the various situations in Horseshoe City were timely and accurate.
However, while the Northern Wilderness Army and the Southern Border were locked in a stalemate, an unexpected event occurred.
The affair between the wife of the city lord of Luoxia City and the deputy city lord was discovered by the city lord.
The deputy city lord killed the city lord of Luoxia City and then led Luoxia City to surrender.
The attack on Luoxia City was too sudden; Xiahou Nan didn't even have time to react. The Northern Wilderness Army then used this new opening in Luoxia City to break the deadlock.
Finally, Xiahou Nan could no longer hold out and knew that the situation was hopeless. He had no choice but to lead his army to break out horizontally from the border between the northern wilderness of Qin and the southern border of Wei.
Because of the urgency of the situation, Xiao Shi did not pursue any further and quickly led his army to support Yanmen Pass.
Although it was a pity that Xiahou Nan, a major threat, was not killed, the complete loss of Wei's southern border was like a piece of flesh being cut off for Wei, and this wound would never heal and would continue to bleed!
"It has been decided. Ten days from now, we will attack Yuetong Pass. After we capture it, we will divide our forces into five routes and march towards the capital of Wei."
In the main hall of the Yanmen Pass city lord's mansion, Xiao Shi and Xiao Mo, along with other generals, discussed and formulated their next strategy, and planned to let the army rest for another ten days.
"yes."
Xiao Mo and the others bowed respectfully and withdrew one after another.
As Xiao Mo walked back to his courtyard, he stopped as if sensing something.
Turning around, I saw Lian Li standing in front of me.
"Miss Lian has certainly been quite relaxed lately," Xiao Mo asked, looking at the woman in front of him.
Xiao Mo had let Lian Li leave earlier, but Lian Li did not leave immediately.
After the main force of the Northern Wilderness Army arrived at Yanmen Pass, Xiao Mo did not retract his previous decision and still allowed Lian Li to leave. However, Lian Li did not leave and chose to stay in the city.
However, Xiao Mo didn't care about her.
After all, during the previous great battle, Lian Li, a prisoner, inexplicably appeared on the city wall, which must have been seen by the Wei army.
If Lian Li were to return to the State of Wei, he would definitely be met with suspicion.
Moreover, someone needs to take the blame for this great battle. Lian Li was the first city to fall, and even if she is not suspected, she will probably be pushed to be the scapegoat.
Therefore, in Xiao Mo's view, it would be good enough if Lian Li could survive after returning to Wei, let alone regain command of troops.
Lian Li was naturally aware of all this.
"It's quite leisurely." Lian Li nodded. "When I was your prisoner, I felt okay being in the cage every day. Now that you've released me, I don't know what to do."
"What? General Lian still wants to stay in the dungeon?" Xiao Mo joked.
Lian Li tilted his head, then stepped forward and stretched out his hands: "It doesn't seem like it's impossible. Why don't you handcuff me again?"
Xiao Mo shook his head and said, "There's no need to handcuff him. If General Lian agrees to join my Qin Kingdom, he will surely be able to achieve something great."
Lian Li put down his hand: "Although the ruler of Wei is incompetent and tyrannical, no matter what, Wei is the country that gave me birth and nurtured me. I cannot lead an army to attack my own homeland."
“Then go find my master and learn some gun techniques from him,” Xiao Mo said.
"The Huangqiangxian lineage has always only accepted one disciple. Since you're not dead, my going would be useless."
"When did General Lian become so troublesome?"
“There’s an old saying in your Qin state—women and children are the most troublesome.” Lian Li looked directly at Xiao Mo. “General Xiao seems to have forgotten that I am a woman.”
Xiao Mo was speechless for a moment.
“However,” Lian Li changed the subject, “I have had some thoughts during my time in town, and I have come here today to say goodbye to General Xiao.”
"Where are you going, young lady?" Xiao Mo asked curiously.
"I want to travel the world," Lian Li said, looking directly into Xiao Mo's eyes. "I want to see what this world is really like."
"It's all right." Xiao Mo clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "Take care, young lady."
"Take care." Lian Li glanced at Xiao Mo one last time before turning and leaving.
"Oh, by the way." Just as Lian Li was about to leave the courtyard, she stopped and turned back to say, "That Qin princess you told me about before is indeed beautiful."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lianli disappeared into the night.
Xiao Mo shook his head, turned around and said to a big tree, "Come out, everyone just said you're pretty."
A short while later.
Wearing a long white dress, Qin Siyao emerged from behind the tree. The girl turned her head, put her hands behind her back, and pouted, "Who wants her to praise me! I don't care!"
"What does Your Highness like?" Xiao Mo asked with a smile.
"I like you." The girl walked up to Xiao Mo with her long legs swaying beneath her skirt, her eyes crinkling. "Speaking of which, this Miss Lian is quite pretty too, isn't she, Xiao Mo?"
“Not as beautiful as Her Highness the Princess,” Xiao Mo replied.
"Really? But these past few days, I've heard that you and General Lian are quite fond of each other, and even had a martial arts contest under the city walls of Ma Ti, and you're gradually developing feelings for each other?" Qin Siyao blinked her beautiful eyes at Xiao Mo.
"All of this is fake. At the time, I was merely using a scheme to capture Horsehoof City, attempting to alienate the Wei court and the southern border."
Xiao Mo knew that Si Yao would hear about this, but fortunately he had already prepared his words.
"However, this Lian Li is indeed skilled in martial arts and is also good at military campaigns. I was thinking that if she doesn't surrender, I would send her to your side and let you decide what to do with her."
"Really?" Qin Siyao looked at Xiao Mo with a skeptical expression.
"real."
“Actually, Xiao Mo, I’m not a petty woman. If you want to marry her as a concubine, I will agree.” Qin Siyao said understandingly.
“I am completely innocent with her.” Xiao Mo smiled. “When have I ever lied to you?”
"Alright then," Qin Siyao turned her head, a happy smile appearing on her lips. "I gave you a chance, you can't say I'm jealous."
"Of course." Xiao Mo knew perfectly well that the girl had just been fishing.
If I had agreed just now, I'm afraid I would have had to coax him for a long time.
"Speaking of which, it's so late, Siyao, why aren't you asleep yet?" Xiao Mo changed the subject.
"I can't sleep." Qin Siyao lowered her head. "Sister Peanut said that she has to take me back the day after tomorrow. The thought of going back to the capital the day after tomorrow makes me want to see you. I went to the courtyard to look for you just now, but you weren't there. I guessed that you should be in the main hall discussing military matters."
"Sorry, I've been quite busy lately." Xiao Mo thought for a moment and said to Qin Siyao, "Siyao, would you like to go to the military base? Li Jing and the others should be having a gathering tonight; they invited me over this afternoon."
"Is it okay?" Qin Siyao asked expectantly.
"The soldiers have been resting these past few days, so they're fine." Xiao Mo rubbed her head. "Let's go."
"Mmm."
Qin Siyao happily followed Xiao Mo.
Not long after, Xiao Mo brought Qin Siyao to the military camp.
Li Jing, Zhao Guang, Xiao Gui, and a dozen other generals were gathered around a campfire, drinking wine.
"Still drinking?" Xiao Mo led Qin Siyao forward.
"General!"
"General!"
"General, you've finally arrived! Quickly, have a drink with us."
"Her Highness the Princess has arrived too."
Upon seeing Xiao Mo arrive, Li Jing and the others all showed happy expressions and quickly made room for Xiao Mo and the princess.
"Quickly, stop drinking." Zhao Guang nudged Yu Guang beside him. "Where's the stool? Quickly get a stool for Her Highness the Princess."
"Huh? Oh? I'll go look for it in the tent." Yu Guang quickly put down the wine jar and got up from the ground.
"It's alright, it's alright, it's not necessary," Qin Siyao waved her hand.
“Your Highness, we roughnecks sit on the ground, which is covered in dust. We’re afraid it will soil your dress,” Yu Guang said.
"So what?" Qin Siyao looked at Xiao Mo beside her. "Wherever he sits, I'll sit too."
"This," he glanced at Xiao Mo out of the corner of his eye.
Xiao Mo smiled and said, "If the princess says it's not necessary, then it's not necessary. You can drink yours."
"Okay."
Yu Guang sat down on the ground again. Since the general had already said so, he decided not to go find a stool.
After Xiao Mo sat down on the ground, Qin Siyao brushed her skirt aside, not caring at all that her skirt was covered in dust, and sat down beside Xiao Mo.
Qin Siyao stood close to Xiao Mo, listening to him chat and laugh with the generals of the Northern Wilderness Army, and hearing them talk about the battles between the two armies.
Although Qin Siyao couldn't understand, she thought Xiao Mo looked even more handsome than usual, exuding confidence and charisma.
Moreover, Qin Siyao could sense that these generals genuinely admired Xiao Mo from the bottom of their hearts.
"Your Highness, would you like to try our Northern Wilderness Sangluo Wine?"
After Xiao Mo and the generals had drunk several rounds of wine, a general named Hong Hai asked with a smile.
"Your Highness should definitely try it. Our Northern Wilderness's Sangluo wine is quite famous," the other generals chimed in. "In our Northern Wilderness, both men and women drink Sangluo wine. As the Frost King's Consort, how can Your Highness not drink Sangluo wine?"
"Then... shall I try it?" Qin Siyao asked Xiao Mo.
“Siyao, this Sangluo wine is no ordinary rice wine. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators can get drunk from it, let alone someone like you who has never drunk alcohol before.” Xiao Mo shook his head.
"It's okay! I'll just have a sip."
Qin Siyao took Xiao Mo's wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
"Cough cough cough"
The fiery mulberry wine burned her throat, causing the girl to cough a few times.
"Are you alright? I told you not to be stubborn." Xiao Mo took the wine glass. "And you guys, why are you making such a fuss?"
"Hehehe," the generals scratched the back of their heads, somewhat embarrassed.
I was just joking, I never expected Her Highness to actually drink it!
"I'm fine." Qin Siyao shook her head. "But Xiao Mo, why do you have two heads?"
"..." Xiao Mo said with a helpless smile, "Because you're drunk."
Qin Siyao puffed out her pink cheeks and looked at Xiao Mo with her big, bright eyes: "I'm not drunk!"
"Okay, I'm not drunk." Without waiting for Qin Siyao's reply, Xiao Mo scooped her up in his arms. "You guys drink first, I'm taking Her Highness the Princess back."
"Yes, General."
"General, please take care."
Everyone stood up to see them off.
Xiao Mo carried Qin Siyao out of the military camp and back to the city lord's mansion.
Just as Xiao Mo was about to send Qin Siyao back to her courtyard.
Qin Siyao, leaning against Xiao Mo's chest, stretched out a delicate white finger and gently poked Xiao Mo's heart, softly calling, "Xiao Mo."
"Hmm?" Xiao Mo responded.
“They…they call me Princess Frost,” the girl said softly, her cheeks flushed.
"These guys are foul-mouthed, don't take it to heart, I'll punish them tomorrow."
"It's fine"
Nestled in Xiao Mo's arms, the girl raised her head to look at her beloved, her clear eyes seeming even gentler than the moonlight.
“I think the title ‘Princess Frost’ sounds better than ‘Your Highness’.”
Xiao Mo.
What do you think?
(End of this chapter)
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