Chapter 139 - 138: A Winter Tale (Part 2)
The snow at the border was flying, and the vast expanse of snow turned the mountains and fields into a silvery spectacle, while soldiers stood guard against the wind and snow, with snowflakes accumulating on their cold iron armor.
Deep in the military camp, inside a tent,
several military leaders were studying a sand table. The leader was a middle-aged man, with a face full of weathering, and the scars and dark red bloodstains on his armor testified to his distinguished battle achievements.
This person was none other than Marquis Chengyang, one of Yunzhou’s two Military Marquises, a legendary figure renowned for his military achievements.
"Marquis," one of the leaders pointed to a spot on the sand table and said, "With this heavy snow, the White Lotus Sect will surely take the opportunity to bolster their logistics, and here is an ideal granary. Once the snow stops, we can destroy this granary first."
Marquis Chengyang nodded slightly, his expression very serious, and said, "This is indeed a good idea and worth studying from this angle. However, what concerns me most now is when the Court’s supplies will arrive. The White Lotus Sect can’t afford delays, and neither can we!"
"Humph, the Court," a leader complained, "we’re fighting life and death on the front line, while those officials in the Court only care about indulging in pleasures and won’t care about whether we live or die. If the supplies reach us here, even ten percent would be a miracle!"
The tent fell silent.
Nowadays, the Court’s actions truly disheartened the soldiers.
If it weren’t for the Court’s delay in sending supplies, there wouldn’t have been a need to engage in a prolonged war with the White Lotus Sect here.
Marquis Chengyang sighed, saying, "Such words can only be spoken among ourselves. Don’t say them out loud, or it would be troublesome if someone with ill intentions hears them!"
"Humph," a young general muttered, "some people can’t fight but are very adept at maneuvering behind the scenes for power and gain. Our Marquis serves the country loyally, yet there are always those who try to blame him for the fall of Dragon Pass..."
"Enough," Marquis Chengyang reprimanded in a deep voice, "such words are not to be spoken again. The fall of Dragon Pass was my responsibility for failing to provide timely reinforcements, and I can’t deny it."
"Why should it be us?" a leader said, "it was their own damned plan, which they didn’t inform the Chengyang Army of at all. Now that they’ve lost, they put the blame on us; where’s the sense in that?"
Just then,
a soldier outside reported, "Reporting to the Marshal, Director Qin of the Astronomical Bureau seeks an audience."
Marquis Chengyang’s brow furrowed.
In the tent, all the generals looked displeased.
"Here comes the Astronomical Bureau again, always messing things up, only good at internal power struggles!"
"Truly, they use their authority where it doesn’t belong and meddle in military affairs too."
"Marquis, Qin You has always been close to Marquis Liu, seeking every method to incriminate you. He probably doesn’t come with good intentions!"
"Marquis..."
Marquis Chengyang waved his hand to ask the generals to stay while he himself left the tent.
Shortly after,
Marquis Chengyang entered a small tent and immediately saw an old man with white hair, dressed in a long robe, sitting by a brazier, poking the coals with a stick.
"Director Qin, long time no see," remarked Marquis Chengyang.
The old man slowly lifted his head, revealing a sharp face and a beard lightly swaying in the night breeze. His aura exuded an indescribable feeling. He slowly got up, smiled, and cupped his hands, saying, "Marquis Chengyang probably doesn’t welcome me."
Marquis Chengyang replied indifferently, "Director Qin must be joking. I’m quite willing to deal with you, but Director Qin has always had some misunderstandings about me."
"Whether or not there are misunderstandings, let time prove it!" Qin You rose and said, "I have intruded to express my condolences to you, Marquis!"
A flicker of killing intent flashed in Marquis Chengyang’s eyes,
His son, Ling Jing, had died in Linjiang City, and although this news had not yet spread, he had known for some time.
"Director Qin, are you gloating?" Marquis Chengyang asked coldly.
Qin You waved his hand and said, "Marquis, you’ve misunderstood. I’ve come to deliver something."
After saying this, Qin You took out several letters and handed them to Marquis Chengyang.
Marquis Chengyang took the letters and looked through them. They were items related to Ling Jing’s sudden death that had not been processed in time.
Marquis Chengyang put away the letters, his expression unchanged, and asked, "Your conditions?"
Qin You said, "First, now that the border battle has paused, Marquis, I don’t want the military to have infighting during this period. Second, Crown Prince Ling died heroically, falling at Jiming Posthouse."
Marquis Chengyang pondered for a while and then slowly nodded.
"Thank you, Marquis."
Qin You smiled faintly and turned to leave the tent, his figure disappearing into the snowstorm.
Watching Qin You vanish, Marquis Chengyang snorted coldly and said to the empty tent, "Notify the residence to stop all retaliation against Linjiang City."
Within the tent, a faint surge of Primordial Qi suddenly occurred.
A ghostly figure appeared behind Marquis Chengyang, cupping his hands and saying, "Marquis, will you just let it go with the Crown Prince dying in Linjiang City?"
Marquis Chengyang squinted his eyes and said, "Qin You came personally, and with so many traces left by Ling’er not cleaned up, let’s end this matter here!"
The ghostly figure hesitated and asked, "But how should we explain to the lady?"
Marquis Chengyang thought for a moment and said, "We can’t settle accounts with Linjiang City now. Qin You’s prized disciple, Yang Yuzhi, is in Linjiang City. With Yang Yuzhi’s skills, if I forcibly settle accounts now, he could truly cause chaos for the Chengyang Army. As for the lady, just bring the head of the person who killed Ling’er to the residence."
"Yes, understood," the figure bowed and suddenly added, "By the way, Marquis, the one who dares such things is named Gu Zhan. He’s also killed Qi Baiyu’s younger brother, Qi Qianyu. It is said that Qi Baiyu has left Weishui to avenge him personally."
"This Gu... Gu what?"
"Gu Zhan."
"Right, where is that brat Gu Zhan now?" Marquis Chengyang asked.
"Still investigating," the figure said, "Yang Yuzhi previously blocked the news, and the brat took the opportunity to escape. We are currently tracking him and have confirmed he’s heading to Yunxi!"
Marquis Chengyang pondered for a moment and said, "Don’t let that brat successfully enter Yunxi. Otherwise, it would be troublesome on the Yunxi side. If he’s already in Yunxi, let Qi Baiyu handle it. Also, do not use Government Office forces throughout the process to avoid leaving unnecessary evidence.
Additionally, go back and tell the lady to rest assured, the people of Linjiang City will be settled once the time is right, and I’ll see to it that the whole city accompanies Ling’er in death!"
"Understood, sir."
The ghostly figure cupped its hands and slowly disappeared.
In the empty tent, only Marquis Chengyang remained, quietly watching the flying snow outside. He sighed lightly and murmured, "Ling’er, rest assured, however many there are, I’ll make sure they all go down to accompany you. But at present, I can’t act directly!"
Clenching his fists tightly, Marquis Chengyang said coldly, "Marquis Liu, Qin You, Yang Yuzhi... you all deserve to die!"