Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn - Chapter 111
"If we can find a way to get rid of this person, we can resolve a hidden crisis. Who knows when the enemy will sneak up behind us again without us noticing?" Shen Zexuan sighed, looking quite worried.
Shen Haoyu also said, "Indeed, it would be even better if we could both eliminate this person and sow discord among the enemy generals."
"I've heard this man is rather arrogant. He once offended one of Chen Dan's generals with his words at a banquet. If he gets into a fight with that fierce general and then unfortunately dies, I wonder what the consequences will be," Shen Zexuan said, frowning. The two of them were exchanging barbs, and I felt a little uneasy listening to them. They never discussed military matters in front of us, but with so many people here today, they were being completely open about it. Could it be that they were really at their wits' end and had to confide in us?
Shen Haoyu shook his head and said, "It's a pity that our great nation doesn't have a single person like this. We can't even find someone with high martial arts skills who can eliminate this person without anyone noticing." As he spoke, he glanced intentionally or unintentionally in the direction where Gan Lin was sitting.
Shen Zexuan echoed, "If only we had someone like Gan Xiashi."
I stared wide-eyed at Shen Haoyu, then at Shen Zexuan, and finally at Gan Lin. I felt a tightness in my chest, a dull ache in my chest.
After Shen Zexuan said that, no one spoke again, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense in the silence. After a while, Gan Lin chuckled softly: "Are you two waiting for me to say something?"
Shen Haoyu then gave a fake smile: "Not at all, not at all?" I glared at Shen Haoyu with disdain. He was putting on this act in front of us.
Isn't that what they were planning?
Gan Lin ignored me, his smile fading as he coldly said, "I can kill someone, but you should know that there's a price to pay for me to kill." I looked at Gan Lin in surprise. Hadn't he given up being an assassin? How come he's started making a living off people again? The way Gan Lin spoke made me feel uncomfortable all over, as if he wasn't Gan Lin anymore.
Shen Zexuan extended his slender fingers and gently tapped the table: "I wonder what price Mr. Gan is asking for?"
"This matter can only be decided by Prince Qing." Gan Lin glanced coldly at Shen Haoyu, who was slightly surprised, but immediately smiled and said, "Please speak frankly and see if Prince Qing's mansion can do it."
Immediately, Gan Lin smiled slightly: "It's very simple, exchange the person you want me to kill for someone from the Prince Qing's mansion."
Who is it?
“Her!” Gan Lin pointed at me. “Mo Huai’en! As long as Prince Qing returns her indenture to her, that will be fine.”
I looked at Gan Lin in disbelief. Was this really a request? I glanced at the others; they all seemed incredulous at Gan Lin's request. But in Zinuo's eyes, besides disbelief, there was also a hint of—admiration. Why?
Shen Haoyu remained silent for a long time, so Gan Lin urged, "How is it?"
After a long pause, Shen Haoyu finally asked, "Why?" This was also the question I wanted to ask.
"I just want to ask the young prince to stop making her do things she doesn't like, to stop preventing her from doing what she likes, and to give her freedom." Gan Lin's voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, each one striking my heart, not with a tremor, but with a pang of sorrow.
Seeing that Shen Haoyu was about to speak, I quickly said, "No, Gan Lin, you don't need to take such a big risk to go deep into enemy territory. Besides, even without the indenture, I won't be free." How could I have done anything to deserve such treatment from Gan Lin, whom I've only known for a short time? He has saved me several times, far exceeding the help I gave him in the past. How could I let him take such a risk again? Moreover, even if I escape the Prince Qing's mansion, some people probably won't let me go easily. Otherwise, they might have already packed up their belongings and run away.
Gan Lin shook his head: "At least you don't have to listen to his orders anymore, and at least he has no right to hurt you again."
I lowered my eyes. Shen Haoyu can be a bit reckless when he's angry, but most of the time he's still very kind to me. And he already apologized for accidentally hurting me that time. If I were to leave the Prince Qing's mansion, it would definitely not be for that reason, and I certainly can't let Gan Lin be put in danger because of it.
“I disagree,” Shen Haoyu said, enunciating each word clearly. “We can find someone else.”
Besides, where can we find such experts? We also need to be careful to protect military secrets.
“I’ll go, I’ll assassinate that person and frame someone else,” Zi Nuo suddenly stepped forward and said, “to repay the young prince for saving my life in the past.”
What's wrong with one or two of them today? I looked at Zinuo with some annoyance, but Zinuo looked at me with a determined expression, and then looked at Shen Haoyu: "Zinuo is confident."
I'm not at ease with Gan Lin's martial arts skills, so how can I be even more worried about this little brat, Zinuo? Isn't this a joke?
Shen Haoyu looked Zinuo up and down and said, "Okay." I almost fainted.
But then Shen Haoyu said, "As long as you come back, I'll return your sister's indenture to you. As for whether you want to stay in the Prince Qing's mansion, that's up to you." What's going on? Didn't they just disagree? How come Zi Nuoyi says it's okay to go now?
“But if you don’t come back, your sister will never be able to leave the Prince Qing’s mansion again,” Shen Haoyu said.
Zi Nuo cupped his hands and said, "I will definitely come back."
I glared at Zinuo with displeasure, but he didn't say he was going for me. He just wanted to repay Shen Haoyu for saving his life. Could I stop him? It was because of this life-saving grace that he left the capital and came to this place that's unbearably hot and unbearably cold. Now Zinuo is going to risk his life again.
Having said all that, there seemed to be nothing more to say. Shen Zexuan got up and left, giving me a complicated look as he went. I was anxious, but I didn't dwell on it.
Gan Lin said softly, "Don't worry, I'll go with him." I looked up and nodded gently. With Gan Lin there, things would be better, right? I wouldn't bother going and holding them back.
With things settled, Shen Haoyu took Zinuo and Ganlin to his room, where the three of them discussed the details in detail. Song Zhixuan and Lin Zhao stayed with me in the garden. Seeing my worried expression, Lin Zhao said, "Don't worry, Ganlin is a very capable guy."
That very night, Zi Nuo and Gan Lin sneaked into Dingzhou. I was restless and anxious all day in Fengzhou City. Shen Haoyu went to the General's Mansion to discuss matters every day, leaving Song Zhixuan and Lin Zhao here to keep me company.
Two days later, Dai Chongyan led an army of 100,000 to attack Dingzhou. Seeing that the defenses of Fengzhou were weakened, the enemy forces in Huizhou seized the opportunity and launched a fierce attack, once again besieging Fengzhou. Under Du Zhai's command, Fengzhou defended diligently, and the enemy persisted relentlessly. With the weather growing colder, they needed to win this battle quickly, otherwise they would lose their advantage after winter.
At this moment, the 100,000-strong army that was originally going to attack Dingzhou turned back and launched a surprise attack. They surrounded the enemy army under the city, eliminated them one by one, and then attacked Huizhou City in one fell swoop. Huizhou finally returned to the hands of Youjing Dynasty.
Before we could even catch our breath after capturing Huizhou, Ganlin and Zinuo returned. I was overjoyed and pulled Zinuo up and down to check him over until I was sure he was not injured. Only then did I feel truly relieved. But then I realized that, without realizing it, Zinuo was actually taller than me.
I frowned and looked up at Zinuo's head, feeling somewhat unwilling: "Zinuo has really grown up. I don't know what good things he's eaten, but he's quietly grown taller than me."
Zinuo tossed his head with a hint of smugness: "What's this? In a few days, I'll grow even taller, and you'll only reach my height." As he spoke, he gestured to his chest. I chuckled: "Hmph, you've already measured it with your hand, so you won't grow any taller. You'll only be this tall from now on." I patted the top of my head, which I could still touch, and turned to sit down at the table. Ganlin, holding a cup of hot tea, looked at Zinuo and me with a smile.
The safe return of Zi Nuo and Gan Lin signified the success of their divisive tactic. Simultaneously, Dai Chongyan secretly dispatched a force to destroy the passage they had previously cleared, effectively isolating Dingzhou. Dai Chongyan led his troops to Dingzhou that very night, catching the two factions of Chen Dan and Min Wang, still locked in their struggle, completely off guard. With no hope of reinforcements, he trapped them like fish in a barrel and recaptured Dingzhou.
Dai Chongyan acted swiftly and decisively, employing a series of clever strategies to recapture two cities in one fell swoop. This victory was clean and impressive, igniting the first spark of a fierce battle.
Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 095
Chapter word count: 4177 Update time: 09-09-02 02:40
The victories at Dingzhou and Huizhou resulted in the enemy losing nearly 100,000 troops, bringing the two armies to a stalemate once again. To celebrate this victory, the army held a small celebration. Cui Lang displayed his archery skills on the drill ground, drawing gasps of admiration. Dai Chongyan was very impressed and promoted Cui Lang to the rank of lieutenant general, where he and Du Zhai would assist Dai Chongyan in military affairs.
Du Zhai was indeed a remarkable person. Even though Dai Chongyan, as a junior, was above him, he still handled his duties diligently as before, and there was no indication that he had any complaints.
On the drill ground, the soldiers sang some folk tunes that were popular in the army. The tunes were not beautiful, but they were very inspiring. In the chilly autumn wind, my blood began to boil.
Just then, I heard a very familiar melody. I turned around and saw Shen Haoyu casually playing his zither on the stands. I was dumbfounded: wasn't that the theme song of "Kangxi Dynasty"? How could he know it? Then I heard a melody from the flute blending in. It was Zinuo. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Zinuo had taught him; otherwise, I would have been really startled.