Jeune Premier ministre, un ermite

Chapitre 96

"Khan," a soldier rushed in without being announced, "Chumu Kunyulichuo is dying, he wants to see you."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zijun left the others behind and strode towards Chu Mukunwu Lichuo's tent.

The person lying on the bed had fallen into a deep coma. His face was ashen white from blood loss, and the white cloth wrapped around his neck was soaked with blood. Although Wei Zijun had stopped the bleeding in time, the situation was still fatal.

"Wuli Chuo—" Wei Zijun called softly.

The unconscious man suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of joy on his face, "Khan—" he murmured from his cracked lips.

"Wulichuo, hang in there, just a little longer, and you'll be alright." Wei Zijun's voice trembled slightly; she didn't want to see the person beside her leave again.

"Khan, I...I can't go on...I'm about to die..."

With tears welling up in her eyes, Wei Zijun leaned down and said, "You won't die, you won't die. You must live well. We're going to fight. We'll crush the Tubo and the Dayu, and we won't let them bully us again. We'll kill them all."

"Khan, don't cry... Your Majesty, I am content to have served you... I hope... in the next life I can follow you." His hand trembled as he reached out, only to be firmly grasped by Wei Zijun. "Khan, if you were a woman... I would fall ill with lovesickness. Hehe, if you were a woman... how interesting..."

Wei Zijun's vision was blurry, and she gripped his hand even tighter.

"Your subject... cannot die, Your subject still needs to... help the Khan fight against the Tubo... fight against Dayu... fight against Dayu..."

The tightly clenched hand grew colder and heavier... until it lost all warmth.

Slowly lowering his hand and carefully straightening his clothes, Wei Zijun took a deep breath, stood up, and walked back to the main tent.

Facing the red candles on the table, with a group of generals behind him, he lightly stroked a long sword on the table, slowly running his fingers along the blade, picked up the sword, and thrust it behind him without turning his head.

A muffled groan came from behind, followed by the sound of someone falling to the ground.

Wei Zijun sighed, "Axijie Nishusijin, I only told you that my army would launch a direct attack on the unprepared cavalry. I trusted you so much. I told everyone else a false strategy, but I only told you the truth."

"Khan, I...I'm sorry...But I only made this one mistake. I had many chances, and I never betrayed you, just this once..."

"Khan... this is really the only time... Your subject regrets it... Your subject... loves the Khan very much... loves... loves..."

Wei Zijun's eyes filled with tears, and she didn't turn around even after the weak voice had faded away.

After a long silence, he said, "Take him out and give him a proper burial. Thank his family for their compensation."

Gently wiping away her tears, she said, "You may all leave."

After all the generals had left, he blinked his still-wet eyes, slowly turned around, and only halfway around did a wave of dizziness suddenly hit him. He quickly braced himself against the table and closed his eyes. After a while, the dizziness subsided.

He rubbed his forehead for a while, wondering why his usually healthy body had fainted. Perhaps he had overworked himself at the library? Just as he was about to turn around and rest for a moment, a voice called out from behind him.

"Khan, the Emperor of Dayu has sent a message requesting a meeting with you tonight," the person behind him whispered cautiously.

"Two enemies meeting on the battlefield! Ha! Does he think he's on a date?" Wei Zijun sneered. "If you want to meet, meet on the battlefield."

Spring, warming the heart and soul, yet fleeting in an instant; its cool and refreshing touch lingers, haunting the soul. Where has spring gone? Lonely, with no path to follow.

Even with such boundless spring scenery, it could not escape the trampling of iron hooves.

Hundreds of thousands of troops stood in fierce battle array in the wild spring weather. Under the sunlight, the dark heavy armor gleamed with a chilling light, swords and spears stood in a forest, banners fluttered, and the chaotic hooves of horses crushed the tender grass that had just sprouted.

A golden canopy, a cloak billowing in the morning light, a majestic procession, brocade ribbons fluttering in the air, a suit of golden armor shimmering in the sunlight. A slight pursing of the lips, long, arched eyebrows—a blend of domineering presence, sharpness, nobility, and composure—and a pair of dark, handsome eyes silently watch from beneath the helmet, long eyelashes trembling nervously, revealing a palpable anxiety and anticipation.

Finally, the thunderous roar of hooves from the opposite column suddenly erupted, and the middle column quickly parted, the hooves clicking in unison. From that parted column emerged a group of people.

When that figure came into view, Li Tianqi's heart started pounding.

It's him, that's definitely him!

He could still recognize that familiar figure, even after two years.

No one in this era has ever possessed such charisma, shining brightly from afar.

Only him, only him!

That figure was already etched into his heart, haunting him countless times. In the dead of night, his dreams were filled with that figure.

No matter how far away he was, he could recognize him at a glance.

Zijun, Zijun, am I about to see you?

The distant clatter of hooves approached, and my heart pounded with each step.

A gentle breeze brushed against my sore eyes. I blinked hard, letting the wind carry away the tears, calming my turbulent emotions, and spurred my horse forward.

Closer, closer.

Standing before the army, she glanced at them with alluring eyes, exuding a languid and indifferent air.

Her snow-white riding clothes enveloped her body, and her bright red cloak fluttered in the wind. Her sharp and dazzling aura was so captivating that it was hard to open one's eyes.

Two years had passed, but her appearance hadn't changed at all. She had just lost some of her childishness, and her brows now held a subtle charm. Her eyes, however, remained clear and bright, as if the passage of time hadn't diminished their brilliance.

Seeing Li Tianqi emerge, Wei Zijun gently spurred her horse forward. She rode slowly to the front of the two armies and stood still.

The face before him remained as handsome as ever, his once bright features now imbued with a sense of majesty. Standing on his horse, he exuded an air of disdain for all things, as if he were sitting on a cloud.

"Brother Li, how have you been?" Her lips parted slightly, a faint smile curving at the corners.

"Zijun won't even call me Second Brother?" Li Tianqi's face revealed a smile he couldn't help but smile.

"Second Brother?" Wei Zijun burst into laughter. "It's not that I don't want to call you that, it's just that I can't. Brother Li, you have such a bad memory. We've already severed all ties, so where did this 'Second Brother' come from?"

"Brother Wei, you certainly hold grudges well. With such a good memory, do you still remember your vow?" The genuine smile that had just appeared was forced back down.

"What? A vow? I have no connection with you, so I can't remember any vow." Wei Zijun casually fiddled with her nails, looking completely nonchalant.

The burning, expectant gaze turned cold. "Since Brother Wei can't remember, I don't mind telling you again. You once said that even if we became enemies, you wouldn't harm me. Brother Wei, do you remember?"

“Oh, I seem to remember that. But I remember saying ‘I won’t hurt my second brother,’ when did I ever say I wouldn’t hurt you?” Wei Zijun smiled and gave him a look that said, “You just want to.” “My second brother is no longer alive, and you are nothing but a bandit who invaded our country. Brother Li, stop having such delusions.”

Seeing her gaze, Li Tianqi chuckled. "Still as sharp-tongued as ever. Seeing you makes me not want to fight this battle anymore. Zijun, how about coming back to Dayu with me? I know what you want, I know what kind of life you want to live. With your personality, how could you be willing to be bound to the position of the ruler of this country? I will give you everything you want. Leave this poor and desolate place. This place is not worthy of you."

"Brother Li flatters me. I am but a mortal, and naturally I enjoy being admired and fawned over. I find that feeling quite pleasant," Wei Zijun chuckled self-deprecatingly.

Li Tianqi sighed, "Knowing it's not true, you still insist on saying it. Do you really care that much about that person's request?"

“That position is far more attractive to me than the entrustment. The pleasures of being the ruler of a country are far more than that. For example, the three palaces and six courtyards, for example, the clouds of beauties, for example, the nights of passion.”

Li Tianqi flicked his sleeve and said coldly, "Fine, then enjoy your time as a ruler. But, while you can, seize the day. I'm afraid you'll have no more chances after this battle."

“Li Tianqi—” Wei Zijun suddenly straightened her voice and said coldly, “You and I are both rulers of a country. You have responsibilities, and so do I. Being a ruler is an identity, but behind this identity lies responsibility. Responsibility is a shackle, but neither of us has the right to remove this shackle. My responsibility is to protect this country and not become a ruler who destroys it.”

Shackles, yes, responsibility is shackles, and she bears responsibility. Her frail shoulders must bear a heavy burden; she cannot break free, nor can she escape.

“But my goal is for you to become the ruler of a fallen kingdom.” Li Tianqi took a deep breath.

"Give it a try." He turned his horse around and galloped away.

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Note: Baishan. Today's mountain range.

Suyab. The area now encompassing the Chu River valley in Central Asia and the Kyrgyz Republic was part of the Western Turkic territory. The Turks were quite powerful back then.

Leaping attacks. Attacks involving leaping and tumbling, a hit-and-run tactic repeated multiple times. A common trick of the Western Turks.

Volume Two, Turkic Chapters, Chapter Eighty-Six: Spring's Lament

The war drums thundered, the warhorses of both armies began to neigh, and tens of thousands of iron cavalry roared. The heavy cavalry of the Dayu army, wielding long spears, came in orderly formation like a group of steel monsters, their menacing gleams gleaming.

The golden wolf head fluttered in the wind, exuding a sharp and restrained killing intent. The bright red cloak could not conceal its intense and fierce light. With a calm and elegant demeanor, she raised her hand and said coldly, "Crossbow!"

Immediately, a row of crossbowmen swarmed out from the left, bows and arrows nocked.

The crossbow, a weapon with a longer range and greater power than the bow and arrow, can inflict considerable damage on enemy heavy cavalry.

When the heavy cavalry of Dayu had reached within 150 paces of the Western Turkic camp, Wei Zijun said, "Fire the arrows."

Countless crossbow bolts rained down on the heavy cavalry of Dayu. Horses were struck by arrows, the sharp arrowheads piercing through their armor, and countless heavy cavalrymen fell from their horses.

Those heavy cavalrymen who hadn't fallen continued charging forward, spears in hand. When they were sixty paces from the Western Turkic army, Wei Zijun raised her hand, waved her banner, and a troop of cavalry charged out from the right flank, flanking the heavy cavalry. Countless iron hammers and heavy axes struck the heavy cavalrymen's heads and chests. The clumsy heavy cavalrymen were unable to turn and fight back; the vibrations from the hammers and the enormous impacts to their heads and chests caused them to collapse from their horses, suffocating. At the same time, another troop of Western Turkic cavalry, wielding long-handled swords, attacked the squires behind the heavy cavalry.

In a short time, the fierce Dayu heavy cavalry was routed. The cumbersome heavy cavalrymen fell to the ground and could not get up, while the wounded warhorses in front of the battle jumped and neighed incessantly.

Seeing this scene, Li Tianqi's brows furrowed deeper, but his eyes shone brightly. It was the first time he had witnessed that person's troop deployment and military tactics; his reputation was indeed well-deserved. Such troop deployment could only be described as stunning.

This won't work. The best way to break his formation is through chaos, and he needs to capture him in the chaos.

"Order the entire army to attack and capture the Western Turkic Khan alive, but do not harm him. A reward of a thousand taels of gold will be given for his capture." The deep tone could not conceal the sharpness within it, and as soon as the words were spoken, the first man charged out.

The entire Dayu army followed closely behind, sweeping across the Western Turkic army like a black whirlwind rising from the ground, almost blotting out the sky and stirring up a cloud of dust.

Seeing Yu Jun's entire army mobilize and swarm towards them, Wei Zijun knew inwardly that something was wrong. He was actually using such a desperate fighting style, completely disregarding the army's follow-up strength; he was going to burn his bridges. "Retreat!" she shouted.

As soon as the commander's banner was unfurled, the Western Turkic cavalry retreated in unison, then flanked them from both sides. Seeing this, Li Tianqi said in a deep voice, "Surround them from both sides and make sure they are trapped." The army then surged forward to encircle them again.

Seeing the two armies clash rapidly, Wei Zijun sighed inwardly: Li Tianqi, you're putting me in a position of injustice and cruelty. She didn't want to be stained with the blood of the Dayu people, but why was he forcing her like this?

Left with no other choice, he brandished his Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword) and charged towards the onrushing Dayu army. Under the bright sun, his crimson cloak fluttered like a blood-red phoenix rising from the ashes. His colorful, silvery wings spun and sliced through flesh and blood, their chilling light piercing countless chests. He tore off his cloak, leaped forward, and his Mo Dao sliced down, sending a spray of blood shooting down like rainbows, scattering countless fallen petals across the ground.

Staring intently at the sweeping, undulating figure, Li Tianqi remained motionless, momentarily captivated. That dazzling figure, like a bewitching phantom, danced a breathtakingly beautiful dance, her snow-white body, brimming with radiant light, seemed to vanish into the azure sky. That figure was truly beautiful, so beautiful that it stirred his heart and made his blood boil.

He spurred his horse forward, galloping towards that snow-white figure, determined to catch him, to capture that beautiful figure.

The spring wilderness had turned into a hellish pool, the lush green earth drinking in the gushing blood. The sun was blinding, the iron and blood were merciless, and more and more Western Turkic soldiers fell to the ground, causing Wei Zijun excruciating pain. She could no longer bear to see more soldiers fall, and with a command, she ordered, "Retreat!"

This kind of brute force is not her style; she wants to win with intelligence, not by risking her life to achieve victory.

The longswords flashed like a demon's dance, and the leader charged ahead, leading his troops to break through the encirclement. The Western Turkic army fought and retreated, with the Yu army following closely behind.

"You all step back, I'll cover the rear." Wei Zijun rushed towards Yu Jun, who was hot on her heels.

"Khan—" Geshu Quesijin followed.

"Geshu Quesijin, go over there and help Shaboluo Yehu." Wei Zijun glanced at He Lu, who was entangled with Yu Jun.

Geshu Quesijin did not move, but continued to follow closely behind her.

The Dayu army swarmed forward, but because of Li Tianqi's orders, no one dared to use force, fearing that they might hurt the Khan. So they could only surround him and make feints.

In the midst of this chaos, Yu Jun suddenly rushed out, wielding a Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword) and slashing fiercely at Wei Zijun's right arm.

Wei Zijun sidestepped and blocked, then swept her sword across. However, just as she was about to hit the body, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her. She swayed for a moment and was about to fall down. In her dazed state, she only saw a face full of jealousy and hatred and a fluttering sleeve.