Fengcheng Flying General

Chapter 35

"Upon learning that the Northwest Army's pay had been robbed, I immediately went out to investigate. Although there were dozens of low-level bandit groups among those who robbed the pay, there was a much larger force behind them. I captured a bandit leader in Sichuan, who said that among those who robbed the pay were over a thousand well-trained elite cavalry. Where would bandits and robbers have such a force? Moreover, as far as I know, the underworld in Sichuan and Shaanxi rarely robs military pay on a large scale, especially the pay of border armies, because regardless of success or failure, it would be despised and intolerable by both the legitimate and criminal worlds..."

Although Junyu also guessed that those bandits and thieves alone would not have such great skills, he was in the army and had no time to investigate, so he said, "According to reports, the court has ordered the Ministry of War to investigate."

"Those official documents are just empty words; I'm prepared to investigate them myself."

"Sister Shu, this matter is extremely dangerous. You must not put yourself in danger alone."

Before Shu Zhenzhen could say anything more, Junyu suddenly grabbed her hand: "Sister Shu, you are the closest person to me in this world. I would never want you to be in any danger."

Shu Zhenzhen smiled: "Okay. After the war ends, I will definitely go to Phoenix Village with you and see if I can help with your Phoenix Academy."

Junyu nodded happily.

The next morning, just as Jun Yu saw Shu Zhenzhen off, he received a report from Geng Ke that the Red Gold Clan army in Yanshiping had temporarily retreated under the charge of the Emei vanguard.

Junyu laughed and said, "They know that the Yushu army has abandoned all its supplies and is fighting with their backs to the river. How could they possibly launch a full-scale attack now? They must be waiting until everyone is too weak from hunger before launching a major offensive. You should rest here. How can you not wait for them while you are 'starving'?"

Sure enough, two days later, 20,000 troops launched a massive offensive, ready to easily defeat the Yushu army, which had been starving for two days. Unexpectedly, the Yushu army, which had been lying in wait for a long time, was strong and well-equipped, and caught up with them.

The enemy was shocked. Forty thousand troops clashed and fought fiercely for a day. The leader of the Red Gold tribe led several thousand remaining soldiers to escape into the grasslands to join Zhenmutier.

The 50,000-strong army rushed to Xining Prefecture without stopping.

Lin Baoshan and Zhang Yuan, who were guarding the camp, were overjoyed to see Junyu and bowed down: "Marshal's plan is brilliant. Those hundreds of carts of stones have indeed held back Zhen Mu Tie'er's 30,000-strong army."

The generals were astonished.

Zhang Yuan laughed and said, "Do you really think the Marshal would send us to rob the government offices?"

At this point, the generals realized that Junyu had used his large army to "threaten" the various government offices that the hundreds of carts of grain they claimed to have gathered were actually stones. In order to deceive Zhenmutier, Junyu had indeed sent 30,000 troops to "protect" these stones.

The Crimson Gold Clan army aimed to seize the grain. As soon as the two armies clashed, the main force set fire to the grain. They had expected the Northwest Army to fight to the death to protect the grain, but the 30,000-strong army, which had been preparing for a long time, disregarded the supplies and instead launched a large-scale attack while the Crimson Gold Clan was setting fire to the grain. By the time the Crimson Gold Clan army discovered that the bags were unburnt and filled with stones and rubble, it was too late; they had been caught completely off guard.

Although the Red Gold Clan's grain-seizing army suffered heavy casualties, their bravery and resourcefulness were second to none. Despite being caught off guard, they quickly adjusted, causing the Northwest Grain Protection Army to pay a heavy price, losing nearly ten thousand men.

The 70,000-strong army was reorganized overnight and divided into three routes: two cavalry routes and one infantry route.

Junyu stood on the high command platform, looked at the sky in the direction of the vast grassland in the distance, and said loudly: "The decisive battle has just begun. Zhenmutier is waiting for us on the vast grassland."

"Currently, the Crimson Gold Clan's army has 50,000 cavalry, and we also have 50,000 cavalry. Although we do not have as many warhorses as they do, with each person riding a single horse, we still have 20,000 infantrymen to assist us. This is a contest of cavalry, and the time has come to test the combat effectiveness of the Northwest Army's elite cavalry."

A thunderous response erupted from the audience.

As soon as the army left Yuguan Pass, it encountered a Red Gold Tribe elite cavalry force of more than 8,000 men. After a fierce battle lasting half a day, the Northwest Army, in high spirits, captured all 8,000 men.

As dusk fell, scouts reported that the Crimson Gold Clan army had already retreated without a fight, splitting into two groups: one group retreated to the outer grasslands, and the other to the desert frontier.

It turned out that after Zhenmutier's grain-raiding army suffered a setback, they immediately realized they had been tricked. Furthermore, rumors spread that the plague in the Northwest army had been completely contained and that large quantities of grain had arrived. Yanshiping's forces had also been utterly defeated by Geng Ke's troops. The once ambitious generals, large and small, were all shocked. They had already been wary of the "Flying General of Phoenix City," and now, seeing the enemy's thorough preparations, how could they dare to continue fighting?

Seeing the low morale of his troops, Zhenmutier, no ordinary man, immediately and decisively ordered a retreat, withdrawing his troops to the Mongolian steppes and the Tarim Basin to preserve his strength.

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Chapter 108: Young Master Zhu Shatters the Jade

The army's main camp was brightly lit, and the generals were discussing whether to pursue Zhenmutier. Although the troops that had retreated to the desert posed no significant threat and could be temporarily ignored, the more than 30,000 elite cavalry who had retreated to the outer steppes were a major threat that could return at any time.

Zhou Yida said, "Zhenmutier's main force is retreating to the outer grasslands. We should take advantage of the Northwest Army's good preparations and high morale to pursue and strike them hard, thus eliminating future troubles."

Zhang Yuan replied, "The imperial army's provisions have not yet arrived. If we rashly venture deep into enemy territory alone, we may run out of supplies and be surrounded and annihilated."

Junyu nodded. This was indeed a good opportunity to press the advantage and pursue Zhenmutier. Once missed, it would never come again. However, provisions and supplies were indeed a major problem.

She pondered for a moment, then ordered Zhou Yida and Geng Ke to lead 20,000 elite cavalry to pursue the enemy on the Mongolian steppe. Lin Baoshan and Lu Ling were to lead 10,000 troops to assist the imperial army as soon as the supplies arrived. The rest of the troops were to retreat to Yushu Town and Xining Prefecture.

On the first day of May, the sun shone on the vast Northwest land. Several large trees outside the Xining Prefecture military camp were covered in green leaves. When the wind blew, the swaying shadows of the trees began to chase the footsteps of early summer.

Around noon, a messenger rushed in to report: "Marshal, the first batch of rations from the imperial court has arrived ten miles away."

According to the estimated schedule, the first batch of supplies would not arrive until mid-May at the earliest. Junyu stood up in surprise: "How could it have arrived so quickly?"

The soldier replied, "I don't know either."

"Who are the people escorting the grain supplies?"

"I don't know either."

Zhou Yida's vanguard had already engaged in sporadic skirmishes with the Crimson Gold Clan's army. Due to dwindling supplies, they dared not venture too deep. Now, with the supplies arriving, it was truly a timely rain. Junyu, though surprised, was overjoyed and strolled alone to the city gate of Xining Prefecture to await the approaching supply army.

The city gates were open, and a rider galloped in. The rider, dressed in white with a jade pendant, had a cold expression. When he suddenly saw Jun Yu standing on the city wall, he paused, reined in his horse, and stopped.

Junyu was quite surprised: "Zhu Yu, why are you the one escorting the grain?"

"I've long heard of the formidable bandits of Sichuan and Shaanxi. I'd like to come and see just how formidable they really are."

Have you met with him?

"No."

The military mess hall in Xining Prefecture.

Zhu Yu and the escorting officers were eating. Zhu Yu stared at the very coarse food on the table, then looked at Jun Yu, who was eating calmly: "Is this what you've always eaten?"

Junyu sighed and said, "The Northwest is a bitterly cold place. Those veterans have been eating this for one or two decades. I've only been here for a year, so what does it matter to me?"

Zhu Yu paused for a moment, then picked up her rice bowl and began to eat slowly.

This is the most rudimentary marshal's mansion Zhu Yu has ever seen.

In the spacious room, there were rows of temporary meeting chairs on both sides; in the center was a large desk and chair. On the large desk, various very detailed and complete maps and battle strategies were neatly stacked.

On some official documents with instructions, the calligraphy is elegant and graceful in small regular script, while on some paperweights, it is bold and powerful in writing.

Zhu Yu looked around and sighed, “‘How can we say we have no clothes? We share the same robes’ describes someone like you. No wonder Lin Baoshan no longer obeys my father’s orders and opposes you. You should know that three Northwest commanders have already been ousted and transferred by them.”

Junyu smiled and suddenly asked, "Why did the first batch of grain arrive so quickly?"

Zhu Yu withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the ever-smiling face opposite him: "This batch of grain supplies originated from Chang'an."

Junyu nodded. If it hadn't started from Chang'an, which was just one province away, how could that batch of grain have arrived so quickly?

As early as the initial stages of the grain and provisions being seized, the imperial court ordered all prefectures and governments in the northwest, especially the relatively wealthy Chang'an, to provide assistance. However, each region had its own excuses, and Chang'an made every effort to evade the task. Almost all the important officials in Chang'an were protégés of Prime Minister Zhu. Although Zhu Yu personally supervised the grain supplies as the commander of the capital's army, it was hard to imagine that he could have gathered such a large amount of grain in such a short time without using his status as the young master Zhu.

Does your father know about this?

Zhu Yu remained silent. "Although you volunteered to deliver the supplies and had the court's approval, you abused the Prime Minister's connections and power without authorization. This will put both of you in a difficult position. It will also give the Prime Minister's political enemies ammunition and leverage. Even if he holds a high position and great power, serving the emperor is like walking on thin ice. What you did was extremely inconsiderate."

Zhu Yu continued staring at a paperweight with flamboyant calligraphy, and after a long while, she finally looked up and said coldly, "When did you become so long-winded?"

Junyu remained silent, and Zhu Yu continued, "Actually, it's not entirely because of you, but more because of my father. I have to do something to alleviate the Emperor's suspicion of him."

Junyu shook his head and gave a bitter smile. The emperor's dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Zhu had a long history, and Junyu had already clearly learned this fact from his two private visits. The reason he hadn't taken action yet was simply because he was still too weak to act. Although Prime Minister Zhu's death was not a pity, when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. And how innocent was Zhu Yu?

Zhu Yu picked up a piece of calligraphy written in a casual, vigorous style, then looked at the slightly worn-out brush on the table and said, "When I was little, there were two things I particularly hated about you."

Which two items?

"When you first came to Qiansi Academy, it was Meng Yuanjing who greeted you first, not me."

"What about the other one?"

“You have your own room, but I don’t.” Zhu Yu laughed. “Back then, Mr. Zhu often warned us: ‘We come to the academy to learn, not to be young masters.’ But I was very resentful. Why was Junyu so special? My teacher’s wife was too biased towards her.”

He stared intently at Junyu, hoping to glean something from her composed smile.

From the first time he saw Junyu after he became an adult, he felt a very strange sensation. Subsequently, he witnessed Junyu's loss of composure twice more, due to the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Zhu and Luo Luo. But at that time, how could he believe that the "Flying General of Phoenix City," who commanded respect among both Han and non-Han peoples, was a woman?

His earliest suspicions stemmed from the demonic spell cast upon Junyu in the "Hanjing Garden." Despite being severely injured, Junyu remained unaffected by the spell, and even more remarkably, the enigmatic "Bokdo" managed to remain conscious and save her.

Later, Zhu Sihuai brought back the news that Lanxisi "only had daughters and no sons." Considering the time Junyu attended the academy and the various special circumstances of her childhood, he had already completely determined Junyu's identity.

However, for some reason, he still hoped to get confirmation from Junyu himself.

Junyu smiled and brushed it off. Zhu Yu was a little disappointed, but she didn't bring it up again. The two changed the subject and talked about the situation in the Northwest Army.

The conscripts who delivered the grain began to be repatriated.

As the horse left the city gate, Zhu Yu turned around, hesitant to speak, but ultimately remained silent. He then cracked the whip, raising a cloud of dust.

Junyu returned to the marshal's mansion and suddenly noticed a very special jade pendant on the table. It was Zhu Yu's jade pendant. Since she met Zhu Yu, Zhu Yu had always worn this. She picked up the jade pendant, looked at it thoughtfully, and then flew out the door, taking the young marshal's hand.

"Lord Zhu."

Zhu Yu reined in his horse, turned around, and saw a smiling young man on horseback opposite him.

Zhu Yu waved his hand and said to the group of soldiers, "Wait for me up ahead."

The horses' hooves kicked up another huge cloud of dust. As the dust settled, the early summer sun in the Northwest shone brightly on the shimmering Qinghai Lake in the distance, turning the sky into a deep blue emerald.

The young man opposite him had a smile that was more dazzling than the blue-red jade. Zhu Yu was overjoyed and a deep smile appeared on his face. He said, "What? Does Young Master Jun want to see me off for eighteen miles?"

"You left something behind."

Junyu smiled and handed over the jade pendant.

Zhu Yu's expression changed, then instantly returned to its cold and mocking tone: "Oh, I don't know when it fell." He didn't reach out to catch it, but said, "It's such a trouble for the busy 'Flying General of Phoenix City' to personally deliver it from so far away. My apologies. My apologies."

Junyu's hand stubbornly remained outstretched in mid-air, but Zhu Yu ignored it, turned his head, and prepared to ride away.

"Zhu Yu".

Jun Yu flicked his hand, and the jade pendant flew precisely to Zhu Yu's chest.

Zhu Yu held the jade pendant for a long while, her gaze icy.

Junyu sighed, "Don't do too much for me."

"Why?"

"Because I'm selfish. I don't want to feel uneasy."

"And what about Tuosang?" Zhu Yu gripped the jade pendant tightly. "The Northwest Army was ravaged by plague and its pay was cut off, yet it managed to turn the tide in just over a month. Apart from the neighboring 'Bokdo,' tell me, who else would extend such a huge helping hand to you?"

Junyu remained silent, unable to speak.

“No matter what Tuosang does for you, you feel at ease, right? But me…” Zhu Yu laughed loudly: “Even if you owe me a little favor, you will repay it with your life, right? It’s the same in Hanjing Garden, and it’s the same after you leave Hanjing Garden.”

"You are all my friends."

"I am not your friend. Not when we were kids, and certainly not now. I will never be your friend." Zhu Yu's laughter grew louder and louder. With a sudden burst of strength, the jade pendant shattered like his heart. He flung his hand, throwing the handful of fragments far away.

"Zhu Yu".

Zhu Yu did not answer, but lashed the horse's back hard with the whip, and the horse galloped away like a madman.