Chapter 351 When Autumn Comes on the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month, My Flowers Bloom and All Other Flowers Wither (4000 words)
The Northern Wilderness Army split into five routes and marched towards the capital of Wei from five directions.
The entire state of Wei was completely put on the defensive.
The imperial court has been divided into the surrender faction and the die-hard faction.
The surrender faction was mainly composed of civil officials, and these civil officials were the same kind of people who were extravagant, corrupt, sold official positions, and were arrogant and domineering.
In their view, as long as they surrender, their lives will be saved.
The ruler of Wei also had this idea, feeling that ceding territory to seek peace was the best course of action!
However, the moment the ruler of Wei had such a thought, he was dissuaded by his generals.
The die-hard faction strongly urged the ruler of Wei—
The Qin state mobilized all its resources to attack the Wei state, and the battle between the two armies had reached such a point that it was clear that the other side was aiming to destroy the Wei state.
How could this be something that Wei could solve by simply ceding a few states?
The fact that the King of Wei is now seeking peace will have no effect other than demoralizing the soldiers.
Not to mention that the Northern Wilderness Army is currently in high spirits, so how could they possibly agree to a peace treaty at this time?
With a major battle imminent, the imperial court was in complete chaos.
However, after being persuaded by the Prime Minister of Wei, the King of Wei agreed to fight first and then decide what to do next.
Meanwhile, Xiahou Nan also gathered the remaining troops and returned to the capital of Wei.
Xiahou Nan went directly to the palace to plead guilty.
Xiahou Nan lost the southern border, a transgression that, in principle, should be severely punished. Although the reason for Xiahou Nan's loss of the southern border was largely due to the mutual suspicion and indecisiveness of the corrupt officials in the court and the indecisiveness of the Wei king.
But how could the ruler of Wei possibly admit his mistake?
But now is the time when we need the right people. Xiahou Nan is a famous general and is deeply loved by the army. If he is dealt with now, the army will surely be in chaos.
Therefore, the Prime Minister tried his best to protect Xiahou Nan, and the Prime Minister of Wei even wanted to bang his head against a pillar.
The Prime Minister of Wei gave the King of Wei a way out, and the King of Wei took the opportunity to keep Xiahou Nan, allowing Xiahou Nan to redeem himself by continuing to lead the army.
However, the transgressions in the southern border required an explanation to the people, so the ruler of Wei executed the general who had committed the most serious offense, and this person was a relative of Xiahou Nan.
At this critical juncture, with the survival of the nation at stake, the ruler of Wei dared not act recklessly any longer.
He granted Xiahou Nan all military power, indicating that he could use whomever he wanted and fight however he wanted during wartime.
As long as we can win.
Oh no.
As long as the Northern Wilderness Army is prevented from getting any closer to the capital of Wei, everything is negotiable.
As for Guo Xin
Because Guo Xin's sister was the Empress of Wei.
Guo Xin was originally supposed to atone for his sins with his death, but he was ultimately spared.
However, it is impossible for Guo Xin to regain control of the military.
Therefore, Xiahou Nan promoted many of the generals they had long admired, regrouped, and prepared to lead the army into battle once again.
Xiahou Nan set off from the due south to block Xiao Shi again.
General Fu Liu blocked Zhang Kui.
West Wind King Bai Canfeng Damper Fang Weiming.
The newly promoted young general Zhong Wendang blocked Liu Xing.
However, Xiahou Nan was in a dilemma when faced with Xiao Mo.
Although Xiao Mo was just a young general.
The problem is that it was this young general, Xiao Mo, who held Yanmen Pass for thirty days!
His performance was in no way inferior to that of some veterans.
Even more so because he was young, energetic, and driven, the army he led was like a spear, even sharper!
Therefore, Xiahou Nan dared not underestimate him.
But who can stop this young player?
Finally, Xiahou Nan decided to visit someone in person.
This man was Du Beiwang, a pillar of the state of Wei who served three dynasties.
Du Beiwang, the pillar of the Great State, was very old and had long since left the court and was living in retirement in the suburbs of the Wei capital, no longer concerned with court affairs.
At first, Du Beiwang still didn't want to pay attention to Xiahou Nan.
But after talking with Xiahou Nan all night, Du Beiwang finally decided to personally lead his troops to meet Xiao Mo, this younger generation!
However, just as Du Beiwang, a pillar of the Wei Kingdom, was advancing to resist Xiao Mo...
Xiao Mo has led the Snow-Treading Dragon Riders to conquer two cities within half a month.
Upon arriving at Fengshang City, a major military city in the Wei Kingdom, Du Beiwang and Xiao Mo officially faced off.
Du Beiwang did not close the city gates and stay out from the beginning.
In Du Beiwang's view, how could his elite troops be afraid of Xiao Mo, a mere brat?
Moreover, the morale of the Northern Wilderness army must be suppressed!
Du Beiwang ordered his deputy general Gu Yuan to lead troops out of the city to engage Xiao Mo in battle.
Du Bei watched the battle from the city wall.
The two sides challenged each other, and Xiao Mo, as the commander-in-chief, took the initiative to step forward and killed three generals from the Wei Kingdom. Although these three generals were all at the Golden Core Realm, they could not last more than twenty rounds against Xiao Mo.
Feeling that morale was high, Xiao Mo pointed his spear and led his troops out to attack.
Fifty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Riders, their faces covered in Asura, charged alongside Xiao Mo, resembling celestial soldiers.
Gu Yuan also led 50,000 cavalry and 400,000 troops to charge towards Xiao Mo.
The two sides' cavalry clashed, and although the Wei cavalry was not inferior, they were utterly crushed by Xiao Mo.
Moreover, Xiao Mo witnessed every single battlefield adjustment and change made by Gu Yuan. Xiao Mo was always able to adapt cleverly and even set traps, making it very difficult for Gu Yuan to fight.
Gu Yuan felt as if he had been completely naked, and Xiao Mo had seen him clearly.
Standing atop the city wall, observing the battlefield, Da Guozhu shook his head and sighed, saying to those around him, "This man's military expertise surpasses all of yours; he will surely be remembered for eternity!"
Gu Yuan suffered a major defeat in his first battle and led his army back to the city. Feng Mall closed its doors and refused to open!
Because the enemy's garrison was more than 100,000 stronger than his own, Xiao Mo knew that if he launched a direct attack, even if he managed to capture Feng City, the losses would be extremely heavy, and the subsequent battle would be virtually over.
Not to mention that the Northern Wilderness Army is skilled in cavalry, but when it comes to sieges, the cavalry can play a very limited role.
So Xiao Mo continued to challenge them from below the city.
But the other side, like that old tortoise Xiahou Nan, had no intention of leaving the city to fight.
On the seventh day of the standoff between Xiao Mo and Feng Mall, Zhenbei King Xiao Shi sent a letter stating that Xiao Mo only needed to hold off Du Beiwang and did not need to launch a full-scale attack.
Xiao Mo said he understood, but replied that he would definitely try if given the opportunity.
Afterwards, Xiao Mo once again perused the biographical records of Wei Guoguo Dazhu.
Xiao Mo felt that he might not necessarily be stuck in a stalemate at Feng Mall.
Although Wei Guo Dazhu was only a cultivator at the Dragon Gate Realm with a lifespan of no more than five hundred years, his military achievements were outstanding and he was famous throughout the country.
Xiao Mo didn't believe that such a meritorious veteran of three dynasties would really be content with simply guarding the city.
Not to mention that this great pillar of the nation is now over 450 years old. Due to his years of fighting, he has many old ailments and his health has always been poor.
It can be said that when Du Beiwang, the pillar of the Great Nation, set out on this expedition, he did not expect to return alive. Even if he did not die in battle, he would most likely die of exhaustion on the way.
Such a proud old man, this great pillar of the state would surely want to reclaim the lost territories while he is still alive, so as not to fail the late emperor in the afterlife.
On the tenth day of the standoff between the two armies, Xiao Mo wrote a poem, intending to provoke the old general.
"When autumn comes on the ninth day of the ninth month, my flowers will bloom and all other flowers will wither."
The fragrance of incense fills the air, permeating the capital of Wei; the entire city is adorned with white-scaled armor.
As Du Beiwang read the letter that had been shot onto the city wall by an arrow, the more he read, the more his eyes revealed his appreciation.
"What a fine poem! Truly a fine poem! No wonder it's written by a twenty-year-old; only youthful vigor could produce such verses." Du Beiwang looked at the generals beside him and exclaimed, "Tell me, how come our Wei Kingdom, one of the Seven Warring States, has never produced a young man like him?"
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All the generals lowered their heads, their faces showing shame.
"Sigh," Du Beiwang shook his head, "Now, in my Wei Kingdom, factions are forming and corruption is rampant, and the court is full of treacherous officials. Even with such a fine young man, it's difficult for him to rise to prominence. How could my Wei Kingdom be in such a state?"
“Great General, this is Xiao Mo’s way of provoking you. I hope you will not take it to heart and hurt your spirit,” a deputy general stepped forward and clasped his hands in a salute.
“I know,” Da Guozhu shook his head. “But do you really think that even if we stop Xiao Mo and Xiahou Nan stops Xiao Shi, can the other generals really stop those famous generals from the Northern Wilderness? When the capital falls, what use will it be for you and me to hold out here?”
Everyone: "."
Du Beiwang shook his head: "Xiao Mo wants to use me as a breakthrough point, but aren't we the same?"
The two teams faced off on the night of the seventeenth day.
Du Beiwang personally led 10,000 iron cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Xiao Mo's camp, but Xiao Mo was already prepared.
Xiao Mo led the Snow-Treading Dragon Riders in a charge, and the two sides clashed.
Xiao Mo chased Du Beiwang for thirty miles, all the way to the city wall, but unfortunately, he still managed to get Du Beiwang back to Fengshang City.
In addition to launching occasional night raids on Xiao Mo's camp, Du Beiwang would also send men to cut off Xiao Mo's supplies and even attempt to breach the dikes to flood Xiao Mo's army.
However, Xiao Mo had considered everything that needed to be considered.
Although Xiao Mo did not completely outmaneuver Du Beiwang during the game, he was indeed outmaneuvered by Du Beiwang twice, giving Du Beiwang a slight advantage.
However, in most cases, Xiao Mo still comes out on top.
After thirty days of stalemate between the two armies, Xiao Shi sent a letter—the Chu Kingdom in the west had broken its alliance and taken the opportunity to attack the Qin Kingdom. The Qin king was greatly alarmed and ordered the Northern Wilderness to quickly meet the enemy. Xiao Shi decided to have Xiao Mo abandon Phoenix Mall and lead the army to repel the Chu people.
Xiao Mo had a big argument with Xiao Shi's envoy, saying that he would definitely break through Fengshang City, he just needed to give him some more time, or let other Qin generals guard against Chu.
A few days later, Xiao Shi wrote again, saying that the State of Chu had captured a city and strictly ordered Xiao Mo to go there immediately.
Xiao Mo was so angry that he couldn't sleep all night, but he had no choice but to agree.
All of this was known to one of Xiao Mo's surrendered generals, who secretly wrote a letter to Feng Shangcheng.
Upon learning of this, Du Beiwang immediately summoned all the generals to discuss the matter.
"According to a report from one of Xiao Mo's surrendered generals, the State of Chu has launched an attack on the State of Qin. Now the Qin front is tense. Xiao Shi has ordered Xiao Mo to resist the State of Chu. I intend to take advantage of the situation to reclaim the lost cities. What do you all think?" Du Beiwang asked the generals.
"Da Guozhu, I think it's a good idea. This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The cities like Yanmen Pass are currently undefended, which is our best chance to reclaim our lost territory."
“I don’t think so,” another lieutenant said. “Xiao Mo is a cunning man. What if this is a lie? What if that surrendered general was deliberately sent by Xiao Mo to deliver the message?”
"Impossible. It would be a waste for Xiao Mo to lead 50,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders to waste time here. The best way is to deal with the Chu army first. Otherwise, if the Chu army penetrates deep into our territory, I ask you, what will become of Qin?"
"How do you know that the other border cities of Qin will be breached so quickly? What if Qin holds firm and we fall into their trap, then Xiao Mo takes Fengshang City and sends reinforcements? What will we do then?"
"Do you think Xiao Mo dares to gamble? Do you think the King of Qin dares to gamble?"
"Why wouldn't you dare? Xiao Mo is the son of the King of the Northern Wilderness. Even if the capital of Qin is conquered, and he occupies Wei and launches a counterattack, then he will be the ruler of both countries!"
"So, are we just going to let this opportunity slip away completely? Wait until Xiao Mo has defeated the Chu army before confronting us?"
What if we're ambushed?
Inside the tent, they argued back and forth, creating a noisy scene.
After an incense stick had burned for a while, Da Guozhu tapped the table, and everyone gradually quieted down:
"In the next few days, send out more scouts to keep a close eye on the movements of Xiao Mo's army. After Xiao Mo withdraws his troops, he will prepare to send troops to recapture the city. As for ambushes, we are traveling on the main roads, which are all plains. How many traps can Xiao Mo set up? Not to mention that Xiao Mo's army has a total of 250,000 men, while our army has a total of 350,000 men. When the two armies clash, it is not certain who will win or lose."
After speaking, Da Guozhu sighed: "At this critical juncture for the survival of our Wei Kingdom, it's no use dragging things out with Xiao Mo here. Now, it's not a question of what choice we should make, but rather that we have a choice, yet have no other choice."
Four more days passed.
At dawn, Xiao Mo ordered the army to break camp and retreat.
The following day, Du Beiwang, the Grand General, personally led his army out of Fengshang City and marched into Shengxue City, intending to recover the lost territory.
Throughout the march, Du Beiwang was extremely cautious. Although he encountered some traps, they were not serious and only delayed his progress a little.
Just as Du Beiwang was about to lead his army across this nameless plain, a masked man in white armor, with ten thousand iron cavalry, blocked the way in front of the Wei army.
Apart from the rear of the Wei army, the remaining 40,000 iron cavalry and 200,000 troops of the Northern Wilderness surged toward the Wei army like a snow tide.
"The Chu Kingdom is invading. Is the Frost King truly unwilling to defend the border? Do you firmly believe that the border city can be held?" Du Beiwang calmly looked at Xiao Mo and slowly spoke.
"I don't believe it." Xiao Mo shook his head.
"Was that letter, supposedly sent by a surrendered general, the work of General Xiao?" Du Beiwang asked again.
“It’s true that he surrendered, and it’s also true that I asked him to send him away,” Xiao Mo added. “Your Wei Kingdom also has people who are utterly loyal.”
"Is the content of the letter also true?" Du Beiwang continued to ask, as if he were having a casual conversation with an ordinary person.
"Fake."
Xiao Mo shook his head.
"I was just acting. What His Majesty actually said was—even if the capital of Qin falls, do not withdraw your troops. Let us take Wei in one fell swoop."
His Majesty also said that the Chu kingdom was a mere child, and he could handle it himself; at most, a few cities would temporarily fall, but afterwards he would take the entire territory of Chu.
"One last question," Du Bei looked around at the Northern Wilderness army, "Does the Frost King truly believe he can defeat me?"
Xiao Mo, mounted on his horse, clasped his hands in a salute and said, "Please, Grand Master, give me your guidance!"
Du Beiwang stood tall and straight, pointed forward, and his aged yet powerful voice resounded across the plains:
"kill!"
(End of this chapter)
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