The sky was dark, and lightning flashed from time to time. The rain continued to pour down, and the soil on the ground became damp. Every time someone stepped on it, they would be covered in mud.
"Quick, quick." The officer shouted. At this point, the crowd was extremely anxious. Some of them were too slow and fell to the ground. No one helped them up. Some of them were unlucky enough to be trampled into the mud by the people behind them.
The sky gradually brightened, and the clouds started to crack. Sunlight shone down on them. At the foot of Mount Yong Yuan, they set up camp. Since there were no tents or fences, they couldn't dig a trench. Instead, they started a bonfire. After an entire night of running and drenched in the rain, everyone was in a sorry state.
Ji Bei Hou sat on a huge rock. Not far from him was a bonfire, which brought warmth. His hair was stuck together, and his lips were blue from the cold. His face was pale as well.
"My Lord, we have no tents or rations. We didn't even bring many weapons. Please punish us." Shen Zhi knelt down and bowed to Ji Bei Hou. He knocked his head on the ground, which was covered with mud.
"I don't blame you." Ji Bei Hou's heart felt like it had been submerged in boiling water. He raised his head and looked up at the sky. The sky was dark, and rays of sunlight shone through the cracks in the sky.
"Haha!" Ji Bei Hou laughed out as he stretched out his hands, as if he was trying to grasp fate. However, he couldn't, "Fate?"
"Duke?" The officer beside him called out softly. Ji Bei Hou's condition wasn't right.
Hearing the officer's words, Ji Bei Hou stopped laughing. After some time, he replied, "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me."
Ji Bei Hou then closed his eyes as tears rolled down his cheeks, "Take stock of the soldiers!"
"Yes, Duke."
The officer replied loudly as he turned around to take stock. After some time, he reported, "Duke, I've checked. The main camp has been destroyed, and the rest of the soldiers have been wiped out. The main army didn't suffer many losses. There are still about 7,000 soldiers left."
"But they fled in a hurry, and didn't have any rations or tents. Everyone is starving."
"I got it." When Ji Bei Hou heard this, he felt dizzy. He felt a fishy taste in his mouth. He swallowed it, and his body swayed.
"Marquis, I'm afraid that the Imperial Court's army is about to catch up. Please take care." Shen Zhi said, "The most important thing now is to gather the generals and quickly come up with a strategy!"
"You're right. Summon the generals immediately!" Ji Bei Hou said, "I was just feeling anxious. Now, I'm fine. You don't have to worry!"
As he spoke, even a general and three or four lieutenants came in with unsightly expressions.
"Everyone, sit on the ground." Ji Bei Hou spoke as the light from the fire reflected on his face, "We're in a very bad situation now. The most important thing is that we can't just wait here. There's no food or water here. If we're surrounded, we'll collapse immediately. We have to get out of here as soon as possible. At the very least, we have to recuperate."
"I've looked carefully. The nearest Wulang County is very suitable for us to reorganize. Wulang County used to be our county, but it might not be reliable now. However, there are only a thousand people there. If they resist, we will immediately kill our way through and enter the city to obtain rations."
When the generals heard this, they were enraged and replied, "Yes!"
Ji Bei Hou then spoke out, "Now that we've taken this county, we shouldn't stay here any longer. Bring all our weapons and rations, and return to the city."
"While the news has yet to spread, send men to order the remaining two counties to bring their rations and troops to the city. We cannot delay any further." Ji Bei Hou's face was pale, and his voice was weak. However, his words were concise and clear. He managed to explain the situation very clearly. He was direct and decisive. Everyone was secretly impressed by him.
Shen Zhi's face was pale as he pondered for sometime, "My Lord's decision is correct. Now that we've lost, the other two counties can't hold on any longer. Instead of attacking them one by one, why don't we gather our forces at the city. The two counties have ten thousand soldiers, and the city has another ten thousand soldiers. Including our main army, we have thirty thousand soldiers.
"Besides, we have the navy. As long as we hold on, King Lu will be able to enter the city and expose the Crown Prince's fake edict. When that happens, the siege will be over." Shen Zhi bit his lips as he spoke. He then looked at the generals and lieutenants.
If it was before, he would have given the order. But now that Ji Bei Hou had been defeated, he had no choice but to listen to them. The generals and lieutenants lowered their heads and thought for sometime. They felt that this was the most feasible plan. They then replied, "Yes, we shall obey."
"Good!" Ji Bei Hou clasped his hands together and said, "It's decided. If Wu Lang County doesn't resist, then so be it. But if they do, after we've conquered it, all the food will belong to us. Gold, silver, and women will be yours to take!"
Ji Bei Hou waved his hands and everyone retreated out of the room.
North Muse City
The sky was dark and gloomy. Only the rain had stopped. The dark clouds covered the sky, and the sun shone through the cracks. Everyone on the battlefield was cheering, "Victory! Victory!"
Count Zhong Qin and Chen Yong brought several generals and bowed to Pei Zi Yun, "We pay our respects to the Dao Master. We couldn't make it in time. Please punish us."
"You guys came just in time. Everyone worked together to achieve victory." Pei Zi Yun looked at Count Zhong Qin and Chen Yong before he laughed out loud.
The three of them looked normal on the surface. However, the incident in North Muse City last night had already caused Pei Zi Yun to feel uncomfortable. However, he had still sent out his troops in the end. Count Zhong Qin was a meritorious person. Hence, if he were to really impeach him, he wouldn't be able to do much harm to him. Hence, he didn't reveal any emotions on his face.
A general was galloping towards them. He stopped about ten meters away from Pei Zi Yun and jumped down from his horse. He then knelt down and reported, "Dao Master, our army has achieved victory. We've captured twenty-five thousand soldiers."
Pei Zi Yun asked, "How many soldiers do we have who aren't injured?"
The general thought for some time before replying, "Thirty thousand."
"Thirty thousand?" Pei Zi Yun paced a few steps before nodding his head, "That's enough. I'll take thirty thousand soldiers to recapture the county. Chen Yong, you shall follow me."
"Yes, Dao Master." Chen Yong looked at Count Zhong Qin and replied.
Pei Zi Yun then looked at Count Zhong Qin and laughed, "I've already made arrangements for the war. You'll have to work hard to guard these captives and recuperate the injured soldiers."
Count Zhong Qin's expression changed. This was blatantly making things difficult for him. He was extremely displeased in his heart, but he could only agree, "Yes!"
Pei Zi Yun's heart was clear. Actually, those who were good at fighting did not have much merit. Unless they were the leader of the army, they would be at a disadvantage. Most people did not know the weight of the battle, and only felt that it was easy for them to fight. Since it was easy for them to fight, they would naturally give less merit and rewards.
If he was really a "good general", how would they fight?
They would have to fight back and forth. At the beginning of the crisis, they would overcome it in the end. After one bloody battle after another, tens of thousands of soldiers would die. Then, the generals would be satisfied. They would win the bloody battle again and again, their contributions would be recorded, and they would be promoted and become rich.
The commanding general was satisfied as well. Seeing how brilliant and difficult the battle was, he also received contributions and was bestowed the title of duke or marquis.
As for the soldiers who died, and the rations they spent, that belonged to the imperial court. What did it have to do with him?
Actually, Pei Zi Yun wasn't addicted to cleanliness. However, he couldn't bring himself to do such a thing. He was a Daoist, and could not enter the system. No matter how many merits he had, it would be useless.
However, since Count Zhong Qin was up to something, he couldn't give him the chance to do so. He had to stay behind and recuperate his soldiers. Thinking this way, he then said, "Also, inform Prefecture Prince Cheng Sheng of this good news."
"Yes, Dao Master." An officer replied.
Hearing the officer's words, Pei Zi Yun ignored him and looked at Chen Yong, "Chen Yong, prepare to move out."
"Yes, Dao Master." Chen Yong replied loudly as he ordered his soldiers to turn around. In the blink of an eye, the sky above the battlefield was reduced by half.
"Count?"
Count Zhong Qin was silent for a long time before he sighed, "Clean up the mess!"
Mount Yong Yuan
The soldiers of the imperial court arrived at the foot of Mount Yong Yuan. Beneath the flags, there were countless soldiers. If there were more than ten thousand soldiers, there would be no end to the army. Furthermore, there were thirty thousand of them.
The army set up camp. There was a river at the foot of the mountain. Although there were thirty thousand soldiers, there was enough water for them to drink. Immediately, they dug trenches and set up camp.
Inside the tent
Not far away, there was a pool of blood. A headless corpse dressed in official robes was being dragged out.
"Dao Master!" Pei Zi Yun laughed coldly, "County Magistrate of Wu Lang County. Initially, I could have forgiven you for surrendering to the bandits. However, Ji Bei Hou has been defeated. He only lost seven thousand men. With this city, don't tell me you can't even hold out for a day or two?"
"As long as we hold out for a day, our army will be able to catch up to them."
"He didn't resist. Instead, he allowed Ji Bei Hou to enter the city and looted the county's treasury and granary. Not a single pound of grain was left. Yet he still has the guts to ask for an audience. If I don't kill him, who else should I kill?"
"Pass down my orders. All the remaining officials of Wu Lang County are to be stripped of their positions and detained for interrogation!"
"Yes!"
"What other news do you have?" Pei Zi Yun's anger subsided as he smiled and asked.
"Dao Master, I've just received news that Ji Bei Hou has ordered the two counties to retreat to the capital. That means they've given up. The two counties have surrendered." Chen Yong hurriedly replied.
Pei Zi Yun frowned, and his smile disappeared. After some time, he sighed, "Ji Bei Hou is an old general. He's very decisive. If he didn't do that, when our army reaches thirty thousand soldiers, the two counties would have surrendered. Both counties have surrendered, and the capital only has ten thousand soldiers. How can we resist?"
"Even if we order them to retreat, as long as we wait for news of our defeat to spread, it's hard to say how the two counties will react."
"While they're still in power, we should order them to return to the capital and let them have their way."
"Now that there are thirty thousand soldiers in the capital, it's going to be troublesome."
Pei Zi Yun didn't really mind that it was troublesome. He then said, "Don't go to Wu Lang County. The county can't hold thirty thousand soldiers. Besides, they don't have any rations. It's even more troublesome than camping in the wild. Let's set up camp here."
"As for the two counties' Prefects, they didn't rebel. Instead, they surrendered. The two of them shall be stripped of their official titles and await punishment from the Imperial Court!" Pei Zi Yun said plainly. Everyone present felt a chill down their spines. Since they didn't agree to pardon them and hand them over to the Imperial Court, it would be hard to wash away their crimes. These two were finished.
Pei Zi Yun placed the scroll on the table and stood up. He then looked out at the mountain, "This mountain is not bad. It looks like there's even a monastery nearby. I shall go up and take a look. Ai, in the blink of an eye, it's almost June. Time really flies!"
Since the Commander was in such a mood, there was no one who didn't want to support him. Chen Yong bowed and said, "Yes, Dao Master's strategy was flawless. That was how we managed to achieve such a great victory. You must be tired, please rest here for a while."
"I have some miscellaneous matters to attend to, please pass them to me."
"Mm!" Pei Zi Yun nodded his head and waved his hands before leaving.
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