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Chapitre 100

"Giddy up!" With a sharp shout, the general cracked his whip, and the horse reared up and neighed, then pawed the ground and galloped forward, splashing mud and water in the puddles.

Behind the horse came the mournful howls of the city's leader. He was being dragged along by his warhorse like a sack, his body covered in a mixture of blood and mud, rubbing against the soft, rain-soaked ground, making it impossible to tell whether the blood was mixed with the mud or the mud with the blood.

Hearing the agonizing screams behind him, General Ma sneered, a look of vengeful pleasure spreading across his face...

Seeing their leader on the verge of death, the government troops panicked even more, lost their will to fight, and surrendered without hesitation.

Looking coldly at the prisoners of war kowtowing and begging for mercy, the Iron Cavalry General parted his thin lips slightly, and his chilling words drifted from his mouth to the ground below: "If you want to live, fine. Each of you, one sword, will slice this guy behind the horse to pieces! The timer is one incense stick's time. After one incense stick's time, if you have no flesh in your hand, you die!"

The trembling government troops on horseback were even more terrified upon hearing this. They knew that if this blade fell, there would be no turning back! Their entire families, along with any relatives even remotely related to them, would be branded as traitors! If captured by the court, they would be boiled alive…

"It seems you intend to die a heroic death." As if understanding their fear, the general immediately waved his hand at the iron cavalry on both sides with a cold expression: "Go and bring ten large vats!"

Staring at the soldiers whose faces had suddenly turned deathly pale, he immediately smiled sinisterly: "I've heard that human flesh lotus seed porridge is delicious, with a fresh and flavorful broth that leaves a lingering aftertaste. This general is very curious and would like to try it today. How about we take this opportunity to have you all make a small sacrifice to satisfy this general's appetite?"

Immediately after taking office, Ma Xin's words reminded everyone present of the brutal scene after the Battle of Tanya a year ago, of the pained and contorted faces, and of the heart-wrenching cries of agony...

The Iron Banner soldiers' eyes reddened, and the iron halberds in their hands clanged! The officers and soldiers were terrified, their faces pale, and they grabbed their long knives from the ground, their legs trembling as they approached their bloodied and mangled leader...

After capturing Fanyang, as before, notices were posted at the four gates of the city: "No matter their rank, any soldier who injures, robs, rapes, or murders will be severely punished." The notices also informed the city's inhabitants that anyone violating the law could file a complaint with the Military and Political Office. These notices established military discipline and reassured the city's residents. The emperor's tyranny and oppressive policies had led to widespread famine, rampant banditry, and unbearable suffering. Like father, like son; many corrupt and despicable officials in the court abused their power and oppressed the unarmed peasants. They dared not speak out against their anger. Now that a sudden foreign army had slaughtered the corrupt official who had oppressed them, they could only applaud and rejoice; how could they harbor any resentment? Their only worry was that this foreign army might commit atrocities such as burning, killing, and looting. But seeing their strict discipline and the clear legal framework that supported them, their anxieties subsided, and they felt more affection and respect for this foreign army. In truth, they didn't care whether they occupied their city or not, as long as they were treated well, they were willing to open their doors to welcome them…

"What?! Fanyang has fallen!!" Emperor Yongwu jumped up from his harem, his face, swollen from years of indulging in wine and women, filled with panic.

The old general, rushing to deliver the urgent report, quickly turned his eyes away from the glimpse of spring light leaking from inside the tent: "Fanyang has fallen last night. The defending general was executed by dismemberment, 30,000 soldiers were killed in battle, and 30,000 were captured..."

"What to do... what to do... Fanyang has fallen, Fanyang has fallen? In a month or two, they will reach the palace... what to do... what to do..." He paced back and forth in his bedchamber, wringing his hands in fear and dread, completely losing the dignity that an emperor should have.

This is their emperor of Louxi! With a sigh of utter disappointment, the old general suppressed his disgust and contempt and advised, "In my opinion, the only solution now is to immediately send someone to the Eastern Dynasty to plead with the Eastern Emperor for help, to extend a helping hand and bring us reinforcements..."

"That's right! How could I forget about the Eastern Dynasty!" Emperor Yongwu exclaimed excitedly, then slapped his forehead heavily. "I've been so foolish, so foolish! I've completely forgotten about the Eastern Dynasty! You, go quickly, go quickly and get the Eastern Emperor to wipe out the enemy bandits! Tell him to hurry, or his vassal states will be gone!"

Having received the imperial decree, the old general withdrew. Reflecting on the emperor's behavior, the words "clown" inexplicably came to mind...

"Envoy, please rest assured. After all, your Louxi Kingdom is part of our Eastern Dynasty. How can we stand idly by and watch others bully you? I will certainly inform His Majesty of this matter. I believe that in a few days, the rescue army will sweep those thieves away completely and restore peace and tranquility to your country." Speaking slowly and deliberately, Dongfang Yao gently lifted the lid of his teacup, blew away the steam rising from the rim, and began to sip his tea.

Upon hearing this, the kneeling envoy was moved to tears: "Young Prince, you are so understanding! We, the people of Louxi Kingdom..."

"If the envoy has nothing else to do, then he should return to the inn and rest well! Someone, see him out." Putting down his teacup, Dongfang Yao straightened his sleeves, stood up, and walked past the envoy as if no one else was there, leaving the reception hall.

Dongfang Yao's arrogant behavior infuriated the envoy. However, remembering that he needed Dongfang Yao's help, he suppressed his anger and followed the servants of the mansion with feigned trepidation, except for the palace grounds…

Two years is enough time for an emperor to recover from grief. He reined in his tyranny, buried his sorrow in the deepest corner of his heart, and only in quiet solitude did he dare to bring out the excruciating pain and savor its bitter taste… He understood that he was not only a man, but also an emperor, bearing the weight of the people and the responsibility for the vast empire on his shoulders. He could not afford to have too much emotion, much less lose control, and those days when he lost control were already the limit of what an emperor could do…

Even though he thought he had controlled his emotions well, his heart still ached every time he saw Yao Di. Because seeing Yao Di always reminded him of that arrogant woman with the smug smile…

After listening to Dongfang Yao's strategic plan, Dongfang Lie focused his mind and pulled back his wandering thoughts.

"Does Yao Di intend to personally lead the expedition to Louxi?"

He knew perfectly well why Dongfang Lie was dazed. Pain pounded through his internal organs, and he instinctively turned his face away. Dongfang Yao said nonchalantly, "Yes, the battlefield is the best place to temper one's will. If one is used to a life of ease and comfort, laziness gradually surfaces. If this continues, I fear one will become utterly corrupt. That's why I'm thinking of putting myself through hardship to temper my laziness."

Dongfang Lie frowned in disapproval: "But Brother Yao, you must understand that war is not child's play..."

"I know that, of course. In war, swords don't discriminate, and life and death are unpredictable! Don't worry, Your Majesty, I'm not going into battle myself. I'm just going with the general to broaden my horizons. At most, I'm just going through the motions!"

"You, why are you still so playful!" With his peach blossom eyes raised, Dongfang Lie was about to reach out and touch Dongfang Yao's head, but his hand suddenly remembered something halfway through and he sadly withdrew it.

"Ah, I really wish..." Hearing Dongfang Lie's sighing murmur, Dongfang Yao understood, and felt a pang of sorrow. He knew his elder brother longed to return to the past, to the days when they were inseparable, laughing and joking together. Not only did his brother want this, but he did too. But both he and his brother knew clearly that they could never go back, never again. An invisible chasm had formed between them, insurmountable...

Volume Two: The Resolute Heroines, Chapter Thirty-Two: Chen Lai

Hundreds of large black porcelain vats were bubbling with boiling water. Thousands, even tens of thousands, of unarmed prisoners of war struggled in the steaming, bubbling water, screaming in agony. All around, the twisted, hideous faces of demons grinned savagely, laughing maniacally, jeering and shouting, seemingly not satisfied with just that, they kept adding fuel to the scorching black vats...

"We will repay the general's kindness in our next life!"

"General, you must live on and avenge us!"

"Kill these sons of bitches, avenge our brothers..."

"Revenge, General..."

...

Ah! I woke up from the nightmare, gasping for breath. I wiped my wet cheeks and realized that tears were streaming down my face.

With a flick of her long sleeves, she resolutely wiped away the tears welling in her eyes, her cold gaze revealing determination and fortitude. Tears are a sign of weakness, they change nothing. She had no right to cry, nor any need to! She wiped away her tears, hardening her heart. Only by becoming stronger, only by standing higher, only by being the butcher and the fish, could she have strong enough wings to shield those around her from the wind and rain, and prevent them from suffering the pain inflicted upon her!

After putting on her black riding boots, Rongyue rose and walked to her desk. She pulled out a map of the area south of Fanyang from a drawer and began marking it with her bamboo-patterned silver halberd. Fanyang had already fallen to them. Separated from the capital by a city, two ravines, and three rivers, if they advanced, her iron cavalry would storm the capital in less than half a month and take the head of the Western Lou Emperor. However, the problem was that a secret report had arrived the other day that the Eastern Dynasty seemed to want to intervene—or rather, to reap the benefits. They planned to wait until both sides were exhausted from fighting, then wipe them out in one fell swoop and dominate the Western Lou Kingdom! What a grand ambition, what a ruthless scheme! That foolish Western Lou Emperor probably didn't even realize that he had introduced a wolf eyeing his kingdom!

The Eastern Dynasty... I heard that Dongfang Yao has also come with the army...

Dongfang Yao? Ha, what does that have to do with her! Mentioning that name now, aside from a slight surprise, doesn't stir any emotion in her heart. Just a nobody! Oh, well, not exactly a nobody; at least now he's her enemy!

"General." The door opened, and the strategist's voice rang out.

"Come in."

Lifting the curtain, the strategist, wearing a turban and waving a feather fan, strolled in leisurely. He approached the table, glancing at the topographical map spread out on it. His gaze lingered on the circles on the map, sometimes nodding with admiration, sometimes shaking his head in disappointment, leaving everyone puzzled.

I'm used to his feigned mystery. After dipping the brush in ink and applying even pressure to the square inkstone a few times, Rongyue moved the brush to the painting, her wrist lowering as she prepared to add ink…

The pen tip suddenly stopped half an inch from the drawing. Gently holding Rongyue's hand that held the pen, he slowly moved it to the hidden cliff behind Mohe, and began to draw a circle.

Turning her head to ponder, Rongyue's eyes lit up after a moment: "Strategist, what a brilliant plan!"

Setting down her pen, Rongyue looked at the strategist she had accidentally 'picked up' a year ago, raising an eyebrow: "As a Louxi native, why do you help outsiders invade the country?"

A deep look, unfathomable to Rongyue, flashed in his eyes. Waving his feather fan, he strolled unhurriedly to the round table, pulled up a chair, sat down, and fiddled with the white jade cup on the table, a smile playing on his lips: "General, do you know what news I've heard?"