Jeune Premier ministre, un ermite

Chapitre 118

"Your Highness is absolutely right." Yan Jingguang's face showed admiration. Seeing is believing, and it seems that this King Feng is quite capable; his analysis alone is already very logical.

"Hurry up and eat and rest. We'll continue our journey in half an hour," he said, getting up, brushing the grass off his clothes, and walking forward. Miaozhou, who had been leaning against a tree trunk behind him, immediately followed.

Wei Zijun turned to look at him, a slight smile playing on her lips, "Aren't you tired of following me around all the time?"

Miaozhou remained silent.

Just as I was about to tease him a bit, I suddenly heard some voices coming from the woods to the side.

"Are you trying to kill someone by pushing them to the point of exhaustion? Look at his delicate skin, he probably doesn't go out all day, he's tired of playing in bed, so he comes out to torment people." A young soldier with thick eyebrows and big eyes complained.

"Shh, don't say that. If the Wind King wasn't capable, how could he have defeated the enemy so easily? I heard he's never been defeated. The only time was when His Majesty used an inside agent to facilitate the peace talks," a soldier whispered a reminder.

"Pshaw—undefeated? I reckon he just lay there on the battlefield, puffed out his chest, stuck out his butt, and made the commander-in-chief comfortable, and then the commander-in-chief withdrew his troops." The big-eyed soldier began to sneer and utter vulgarities.

"—Hahahaha—Hahahaha—" The soldiers burst into a raucous laugh.

"Oh, I heard he's the Turkic king's number one male favorite. Look at his seductive manner, I wonder how he tosses and turns in bed to please him."

"You should know how much His Majesty dotes on him; he's probably been suppressed by His Majesty countless times."

"Would you like to try it? Huh? Hahaha—"

"Tch—you don't want to? So only kings are allowed to have homosexual relationships? Why can't we try these refined things..."

Before they could finish speaking, Wei Zijun had already walked up to them. "How lively! Are you studying the enemy's situation?"

"Wind... Wind King..." The group was filled with fear when she suddenly appeared, wondering if she had heard what they said.

"We wouldn't study the enemy situation, we...we're having a wrestling match, haha..."

"Really? Who has the strongest grip?" Wei Zijun glanced at the group and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"He—" The group pointed in unison at the person who had just uttered those foul words.

Wei Zijun looked at him, "What's your name? What's your job title?"

"My name is Fang Gu, and I hold the position of Military Advisor," the big-eyed soldier replied.

"Fang Gu, good. How strong is Fang Canjun's military strength?" Wei Zijun asked, raising her eyes.

"My subordinates can break someone's bones in a contest of strength." The tone was tinged with pride.

"Oh? Is that so? Let me try." Wei Zijun took a few steps closer.

"Wind King, I'm afraid your physique isn't up to it. It's best not to try." The tone was full of disdain.

“Come on, give it a try,” Wei Zijun said casually, not taking offense at the disdain in his tone.

"Excuse me." The military advisor named Fang Gu grabbed Wei Zijun's hand, applying a little force, leaving a red mark on the back of her hand. Fang Gu glanced at her overly delicate and white hand and curled his lip in disdain.

The moment he pursed his lips, the crooked corner of his mouth froze on his cheek, and everyone heard the cracking sound of bones breaking. When they looked at Fang Gu, his expression was one of extreme pain.

Wei Zijun gently let go of his hand. "Let's have the army doctor bandage it up. These bones are so delicate, they'll break if you touch them. How can they go into battle?"

He turned and surveyed the soldiers, his gaze instantly turning cold. "Remember, on the battlefield, sticking your butt out is useless. If you stick your butt out, the enemy will only kick you in the butt. If you open your clothes, the enemy will only stab you in the chest. If you are so naive and still have such thoughts, then go home and take care of your children."

After saying that, she acted as if nothing had happened and continued her inspection, leaving a group of dumbfounded soldiers staring blankly at her departing figure.

The army continued its journey, traveling day and night. However, these pampered garrison soldiers, having not fought in a long time, were like mere decorations, unable to endure hardship or fatigue. By the fourth day, the entire army had collapsed and fallen into a deep sleep, refusing to be roused. Their horses, accustomed only to leisurely strolls, were far inferior to the superior Tibetan breeds. Finally, on the evening of the fourth day, scouts reported that Gongsong Gongzan's 100,000-strong Tibetan reinforcement army had arrived at Mantianzhai first.

"Your Highness, what should we do?" Yan Jingguang asked worriedly.

"What should we do? We have to find another way. What was originally a sure-win situation has been turned into a loss of the initiative." Wei Zijun's tone was cold and helpless. "Look at the troops you've led! Even if they're not going to fight, they should at least be prepared. How do you know the capital city isn't dangerous? Shouldn't the capital city have a stronger military presence? If it weren't for today, I wouldn't have known the capital city's military was so weak. His Majesty sent your troops because he heard you were a brave commander, but they turned out to be so incompetent. They looked imposing and powerful, but they're so useless."

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I only thought of them because they had risked their lives to get here. After they became garrison soldiers, I wanted to make them feel comfortable. I didn't expect things to turn out this way. I have failed in my duty." Yan Jingguang felt extremely ashamed.

"With our current strength, fighting against the fierce Tibetan cavalry is simply suicide," Wei Zijun sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Then, could Your Highness temporarily switch your Western Turkic army here?" the adjutant beside him suggested.

“It will take the Western Turks at least ten days to get here. In ten days, I’m afraid everything will be set in stone.” Wei Zijun waved her hand. “Alright, set up camp, go to sleep. When we wake up, we will be facing a fierce battle.”

Just as Yan Jingguang and the others were about to leave, Wei Zijun said again, "Gather the army tomorrow morning, I want to give a speech."

"yes--"

As dusk fell and the sky was filled with stars, the soldiers fell asleep, but the main tent of the Dayu army remained brightly lit. Delicate faces cast shadows in the candlelight, serene yet radiating a gentle warmth.

"Fourth Young Master, you haven't slept for days." Miao Zhou felt that she had been staring at the map for two hours.

Without looking up, Wei Zijun said, "Go to sleep, don't stay up with me."

In a flash, the marching map was pulled up by Miaozhou.

“Miaozhou—give it to me—” Wei Zijun reached out and grabbed his wrist.

The thirsty, hot fingertips made Miaozhou's hand tremble, and the map fell to the ground. Wei Zijun bent down to pick it up, spread it on the table, and began to look at it intently again.

Miaozhou glanced at him, gently rubbed his arm that had just been pulled, and quietly retreated to the tent entrance.

At dawn the next day, all the soldiers gathered in the open field, the endless expanse of black armor gleaming eerily in the pre-dawn light. Seated upright on horseback, Wei Zijun, with her handsome brows and cold eyes, a gentle, moonlit glow flowing around her, swept her gaze across the soldiers. With a slight concentration of inner strength, her clear, resonant voice echoed throughout the vast army.

The sound seemed to pierce through layers of clouds, through the vast world, reaching even the ends of the earth. Hearing that powerful and clear voice, every soldier felt a jolt in their heart.

This is not something an ordinary person can do.

"My comrades, you are all heroes who have risked your lives for your country, you were once the bravest of warriors. This battle will be a fight to the death, a fight to the last man. I promise you all that those who return victorious will be automatically promoted to the inner palace, and those who die for their country will receive double the compensation for their families. However, I hope that we can all return alive, because returning alive means our victory. Let us step over the enemy, show the same spirit you once displayed when you trampled them, and drive the enemy out of the land of our Great Yu. That is what makes us warriors of Great Yu. You are all warriors."