Impératrices transmigrantes (hommes et femmes)

Chapitre 20

"Major General Dou, go and prepare. We will depart in one hour!"

Dou Huai was extremely puzzled, not understanding what he had done wrong to be replaced on the spot. However, military orders were absolute, so he had no choice but to leave the tent in anger!

An hour later, two thousand cavalrymen lined up and waited. Dou Huai kept his lips tightly closed, while Xing Ge remained silent to the side.

"Tell me honestly, what happened?!" Dou Huai couldn't hold back any longer, and his voice lost its usual gentleness.

"Xiaodou, just go and help General Dou attack the city. I'll explain everything to you later... You have to trust me!"

Dou Huai stared intently into Xing Ge's eyes, trying to discern something within them. Xing Ge met his gaze calmly, her eyes resolute.

"I believe in you!" Dou Huai patted Xing Ge's shoulder forcefully, then mounted his horse and fiercely cracked the whip.

As the horses and men receded into the distance, Xingge stood quietly in the wind, amidst swirling and flying yellow sand.

At dawn, a strange, gentle southeasterly wind began to blow through the camp. Xingge stood outside the tent, feeling the slightly damp and warm air, and for no apparent reason, thought of Jiangnan...

Turning back into the tent, she saw the bright red battle robe and silver armor already laid out on the rack. Xingge slowly began to put them on, her mind wandering elsewhere.

"Ge'er, I'm here to help you, I'm coming in!" Before the words were even finished, a head had already poked in from outside the tent.

"You can't tie this knot, can you? Let me do it!" Ran Yinqin helped tie the knot.

Xingge rolled her eyes. "Brother Ran, if the guards see us like this, I don't know what they'll say!"

"So you're saying we're just friends, we're a couple!" Ran Bo joked, not minding at all, while still carefully tying the knot in his hand.

Xingge gave a helpless, dry laugh. People can really be shameless when they want to be...

"Alright!" Ran finished tying the last knot, turned Xingge around to face her, and carefully examined her, her eyes filled with undisguised amazement.

His hair was tied up on top of his head, and his chest, back and legs were covered with white steel plate armor, while his arms were only covered with chainmail. His body was slender and strong, and he had an indescribable handsome and heroic appearance.

"Won't just covering the chainmail be too thin?" Ran asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, this way it's lighter!"

Ran was silent for a moment, then suddenly whispered, "You were reluctant to let Dou Huai take the risk, so you insisted on going into battle, right?"

Xingge paused for a moment, then patted Ran's shoulder and laughed, "What danger is there! You're acting like a complaining woman, haha!"

Ran gazed at Xing Ge without speaking, her eyes shimmering.

"Here we go again! Boss! Don't look at me like that, like I'm about to die!"

Ran suddenly reached out and covered Xingge's mouth, "Don't say that word, it's unlucky, you must, you must come back safely!"

Xingge chuckled lightly, "Don't worry! Alright, I'm going to see the commander!" Holding her helmet in one hand, she walked out, but suddenly turned around at the tent entrance, her expression serious.

"Brother Ran, you will be accompanying the Prince to watch the battle, right? No matter what you see or hear, do not say a word! Remember that!"

As Xingge stepped out of the tent, his right eye suddenly twitched. He blinked rapidly several times. It was a hallucination, it must be a hallucination!

Upon arriving at Jiu Ru's tent, Xing Ge waited for the announcement before lifting the curtain and entering. Jiu Ru was facing away from Xing Ge, and Mo Yi was helping him put on his armor. The two looked quite intimate!

Xingge sighed, "It's so unfair! Is it just because the prince is of noble status, or because Mo is too ugly? Why are there no rumors about these two?"

"Is everything ready?" Jiu Ru asked, having remained motionless for a while.

"Yes! This humble general is prepared to go through fire and water, ten thousand..."

"Enough!" Jiu Ru cursed inwardly. A major battle was imminent, and they still didn't know any restraint! She turned and sized up the handsome man before her for a moment.

"Why didn't you wear any armor on your arms? You're so careless!"

"Where are the enemies? I'm here to honor my friends!"

Jiu Ru chuckled lightly, "It's best if you think that way. Don't give me any foolish ideas about being a battlefield hero!"

"However, everyone in the camp says that the Prince drove away Major General Dou in order to promote a certain scoundrel strategist! If I appear too incompetent, the Prince will lose face!"

Jiu Ru laughed loudly, "After today, how many people in the Xicang camp will still respect me! Don't forget your promise to me!"

A promise? Xingge raises an eyebrow!

"I have not yet taken that throne!" Jiu Ru put on his helmet, looked deeply at Xing Ge through the eye holes, and went straight out of the tent.

Xingge was surprised. "What? Are you worried I'll die?" "Pah, pah, pah, you said that word again!" He grabbed his helmet, fastened it, and hurriedly followed him out!

Just as the hour of Yi arrived, the army was already arrayed on the southern cliff. Jiu Ru and Mo Yi, along with Xiao Ran, stood on the high ridge at the western end, where they could see the entire battlefield of Tian Gou. General Lin stood not far behind them, awaiting orders. On the opposite side of Tian Gou, a massive army of 100,000 Northern Jurchens was also arrayed.

In the middle of the southern cliff, Xingge and Vice General Zhao stood on horseback beside the battle path. According to the usual practice of major battles, as the commander-in-chief, Xingge would first go down to the battlefield to fight the enemy commander-in-chief.

"The time has come, Deputy General Zhao, please give the order to beat the war drums!"

As the battle drums thundered, Xingge rushed westward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and leaped into the battle path, appearing in the ravine moments later, a line of yellow sand rising behind him.

Xingge reined in his horse and paused briefly in the middle of the ravine. He then saw a rider galloping towards him. After stopping abruptly and taking a closer look, he saw that it was a military general wielding a blue saber.

"Ye Xing, the commander of the Western Cang Army of the Celestial Dynasty!" Xing Ge clasped his hands in a fist salute and introduced himself in the Northern Jurchen language.

The newcomer paused for a moment, then muttered under his breath, "Not Dou Huai!" He then announced loudly, "Tuo Lanwei, the commander of the Northern Eagle Army!"

Upon hearing this, Xingge laughed loudly, "Eighth Prince?! Forgive me!" With that, he brandished his sword and attacked.

The snow sword and the green blade swirled and fought back and forth for dozens of rounds. Xingge had almost finished his act when he suddenly turned to the side and thrust his sword into his opponent's right arm. His opponent's hand trembled, and he reined in his horse and retreated three steps, staring in disbelief at the long sword in Xingge's hand that was gradually turning crimson.

Xingge smiled faintly, "Eighth Prince, do not be alarmed. I will not capture you and take you back to my camp. Go back quickly and give this to the Fourth Prince, and ask him to come down to the valley to meet you!" After saying that, he raised his hand and threw something out.

Tuolanwei reached out and caught it, and was even more shocked and speechless when he saw it. It was his brother's dagger!

34. Conspiracy

"Is it really you?" In less than a quarter of an hour, a warrior in golden armor, wielding a long, blue-bladed sword, appeared before them.

"Fourth Master, it's been a long time!" Xingge clasped his hands in a salute.

"Is that a 'Chao Dan' you're carrying? Are you one of Prince Qing's men, sir?"

"The Fourth Prince knows the Central Plains like the back of his hand! Hehe! Seeing you again today, you are even more dashing!"

"Sir, you didn't invite someone down into the valley just to catch a glimpse of his heroic figure, did you?" Tuolanxi gripped the long sword in his hand tightly.

"Fourth Master, I have something to discuss with you. Come, let's talk while we fight." As he spoke, he drew his sword.

Swords clashed and blades were exchanged, but neither of them used a killing move.

"Does Fourth Master still remember what he said at 'Du Chunfeng'?"

“I had many conversations with you, sir, at ‘Du Chunfeng’!” Tuolanxi understood what Xicang meant, but he remained expressionless.

"Fourth Master has lofty ambitions, so why are you hesitant to speak up now that the opportunity is right in front of you?"

"Hmph! I haven't moved an inch of troops in the past three years to show my sincerity, but Prince Qing has just taken over Xicang and he wants to start a war!"

"Back then, the Northern Jurchens took advantage of our misfortune to plunder, and the people of our Celestial Empire harbored deep resentment. How could we easily make peace without a fierce battle? Please understand, Fourth Prince!"

"How did it go?"

"Using this chasm as the boundary, the area south of the chasm belongs to our dynasty, while the area north is under the jurisdiction of the Northern Jurchens. Both countries shall open all post stations in Xicang City as commercial cities!"

Xingge paused, and seeing that Fourth Master remained silent, he continued.

"If the Northern Jurchens establish friendly relations with the Celestial Empire and trade becomes more prosperous, then the recapture of their homeland occupied by the Liao dynasty will be just around the corner!"

"Sir, your swordsmanship is superb!" Tuolanxi praised, but inwardly he was considering Xingge's words.

"Fourth Master truly deserves to be called the number one warrior of the Northern Jurchens! He is the rightful new Khan, and our Celestial Dynasty will certainly provide him with its full support!"

"Hehe, if Prince Qing were to contend with the Crown Prince, wouldn't he need the full support of the Northern Kingdom?"

"Fourth Master! It's up to you now!"

Tuolanxi spurred his horse forward and stopped, squinting at Xingge. "Sir, how do you think this battle should be fought?"

"Don't stop! Hundreds of thousands of eyes are watching! Has the Northern Jurchen army reached 100,000 this time?"

"yes!"

"Our army has 160,000 men. Within two hours, our 60,000 men and the Northern Jurchen army's 90,000 men will descend into the valley to fight fiercely, unable to retreat. After two hours, our 60,000 men should be almost wiped out, and our 100,000 crossbowmen will shoot down all the Northern Jurchen troops in the valley. In this way, Fourth Master can use 90,000 men to hold off our 160,000-strong attack, and our 60,000 men will annihilate the enemy's 90,000. After this fierce battle, both countries will have resentment among their people. At this time, it is certain that the proposal for peace will be successful, and only then can Xicang enjoy lasting peace!"

"After the war, my army only has 10,000 men left, while the Heavenly Dynasty's army still has 100,000. If you cross the ditch now, how will my army cope?!" Tuolanxi said dismissively.

"Fourth Master, if the Heavenly Dynasty army wanted to cross the ditch, they would have done so long before your army arrived. Why wait until now? Besides, the rest of our troops are all soldiers from the Southwest, who are not good at riding and archery. The 100,000 reinforcements from the Northern Jurchens will arrive in two days! Our army will return empty-handed even if we cross the ditch!"

"How could the Celestial Empire's crossbows possibly seal off the entire valley?"

"I have made some minor improvements to the crossbow, which can now be fired at your army flag from a distance. Your Highness's current position is definitely within the range for a precise shot."

What if I refuse?

"Fourth Master, I have come here to prepare you. Even without my words, if our army launches a strong attack, would you not send troops to stop us? With our cavalry and crossbowmen working together, we can definitely lure your 100,000 troops into the valley. After that, whether we make peace or fight, the outcome of this battle will not change."

"Does Prince Qing really regard the lives of his soldiers as worthless as grass and dust?!" Tuolan Xixiang seemed to be confirming something.

Xing Ge smiled faintly, "Fourth Master, you can rest assured. You and Prince Qing were both born into the imperial family. How could you not understand the principle of sacrificing small righteousness for great benevolence? The royal family talks about the common people every day. This world belongs to the royal family!"

Tuolanxi smiled with relief, parrying Xingge's attack with his longsword. "Since Prince Qing has such a kind offer, I naturally appreciate it. However, words are not enough..."

"Hehe, if Fourth Master doesn't mind, you may take me back as proof. After five moves, I will leave my left arm open, so please don't be too heavy-handed!"

Xingge laughed nonchalantly, thinking that if he were captured, he wouldn't have to worry about having nowhere to hide during the battle in the valley later! After five moves, he was left with an open left arm, and as the long sword came down, he felt pain!

But, but, it wasn't painful enough to fake being captured! Blood seeped from under the chainmail, and Xingge frowned, "Fourth Master, this strike isn't enough!"

"Sir, you have pledged your life, and I believe you! If our commander is captured, the battle will be far too ugly! I struck to avenge my eighth brother and to restore some honor for our army. Let's exchange ten more blows, and I will experience your true skill firsthand!"

Ah! Xingge was both amused and exasperated. Why did he always end up getting hurt whenever he encountered this person? He brandished his longsword and said, "Fourth Master, I'll learn from you!"

The sharp energy of the sword struck out, clashing with the green blade. The golden and silver figures became entangled in a ball of light and shadow. Suddenly, the light and shadow leaped from the fighting on horseback into the air, making both armies anxious.

As the light and shadow returned to the horse, one man with disheveled hair and a cut on his neck clutched a piece of silver-white chainmail armor, attached to half of a bright red robe sleeve. The other man had a bare arm, mostly bleeding, and held a golden helmet in his hand.

"Why don't you take my life, sir?" Tuolanxi's long chestnut hair danced wildly in the wind, her light brown eyes smiling as she watched Xingge.

"Fourth Master, there's no need to be modest! I have no desire to be a one-armed swordsman!"

"We will proceed as you suggested, sir. I will arrange a meeting with Prince Qing five days after the battle! We have archers lying in ambush at the cliff edge, capable of firing three arrows in quick succession, capable of killing anyone within thirty feet. Swords and blades have no eyes on the battlefield, so please be careful, sir!" With that, he turned his reins and spurred his horse northward.

Singing and urging their horses onward, they returned to the command tent to find the war drums already beating.

On the western cliff, Jiu Ru watched everything in silence, his face gloomy and his lips tightly pressed together. Xiao Ran, on the other hand, was already drenched in cold sweat from shock.

"Major General Ye, that fight was truly spectacular! If you could take the helmet, why didn't you take the man's head? He looks like at least a general!" After the fight, Deputy General Zhao was now looking at Xingge with new respect, holding the helmet in his hands to examine it.