usatvline Chapter 208: Coming to Spy on the Enemy
Chapter 208: Coming to Spy on the Enemy
"I'm very interested in the knife in his hand." Baines said with a smile.
Yi Tiangan understood the meaning of Beines' words instantly, and frowned a little. Beines, like Zong Yanli, was also accustomed to using a long sword, and he had a problem: when other generals went into battle, they all went for victory.
But he is different. His favorite thing to do is to disarm the enemy and take the blades from their hands.
It is said that he has stored countless precious swords and guns in his private treasury, all of which were obtained from enemy generals who were defeated by him.
"Don't blame me for not reminding you, Zong Yanli is not someone you can easily mess with." Yi Tiangan lowered his eyes and said, "Even Du Zhe was defeated by him, and only survived after his hand was cut off."
"General Bei and Du Zhe had a duel, so you must know Du Zhe's strength, right?" Yi Tiangan's eyebrows were cold, and he snorted and said, "Don't underestimate him, or you will lose the army."
"Hmph." Baines already knew about the affairs of Wuhuan and the Northern Kingdom. Naturally, he also knew that Wuhuan had rebelled against the Northern Army and joined the enemy camp.
He didn't look happy at the moment, sneered twice and said, "Don't worry, why would I go to the battlefield in person?"
Just as the two were exchanging information, a soldier's voice suddenly came from outside the tent: "General! We have captured an enemy spy!"
Yi Tiangan and Baines both stood up immediately, looked at each other, and immediately sent someone to bring the enemy spy up.
The person who was brought in front of the two men was none other than Duan Yuanqing, who had been missing for who knows how long. He was still wearing tattered Daqian military armor, his body was covered with wounds, and he was tied up and staggered as he was escorted in.
"General, I see that the armor on this man is quite good. He might be the enemy's commander. Just arrest him!" said the middle-aged man who was escorting Duan Yuanqing over.
"Where did you find this person?" Yi Tiangan nodded, looked up at the person in front of him who seemed to be completely confused and asked.
"It's not far from the battle site." The soldier gave a rough direction.
Today he received an order to patrol, and his original intention was to capture the enemy's scouts. Unexpectedly, he found this person in the bushes. At first he thought it was a dead body, but he did not freeze to death in such a cold climate.
Yi Tiangan stepped forward and asked a few questions, but Duan Yuanqing's eyes seemed a little distracted and he obviously couldn't answer anything.
"Take him away first and let him wake up." Yi Tiangan raised his hand and said.
Seeing that this man had quite a few wounds on his body, perhaps he was dizzy due to the infection and high fever, and was unable to answer because he was unable to wake up. Yi Tiangan naturally did not want him to die like this.
After Yi Tiangan had Duan Yuanqing taken away, he sent someone to invite Yu Jinghui and Zhuang Chengbi to formally introduce Baines.
Yu Jinghui was full of resentment because of the arrival of Baines. He didn't think that this man came to help at all. Now the Jin army had no room to speak. Seeing Yi Tiangan and Baines acting like brothers made him even more angry.
"General Yu." Zhuang Chengbi witnessed the Lu army joining the camp. Looking at the growing army, his expression was extremely solemn. Then he persuaded Yu Jinghui: "The current war situation is no longer under your and my control. Jin State... has long become a springboard for the Northern Army."
"My insignificant power is not enough to save Jin." Zhuang Chengbi took the initiative to resign after thinking deeply for a while: "I am a man from the south, and I don't want to be with the people in the north."
"Mr. Zhuang, what's going on..." Yu Jinghui looked up in shock.
Zhuang Chengbi bowed deeply to Yu Jinghui and said, "Bi is leaving today, and I would like to leave a few words for the general."
He raised his eyes and said, "The situation in the world is clear. Jin has invited a wolf into the house and there is no room for maneuver. If the king of Jin does not want to become a sinner in the world, I think he should surrender to Daqian. If he insists on his own opinion and still believes that the Northern Army is the one to rely on..."
"Then, one day, the damage will be done, and the demise of Jin will be in my own hands."
"General Yu should know clearly whether the northern countries are really coming for Jin or for the purpose of invading the south."
"Now that Liaodong and Lu have reached us, how far is Qi?" Zhuang Chengbi said with great emotion, "When that day comes, where do you think the northern countries will place Jin?"
"General, you should know clearly why the northern countries are invading the south. You also saw clearly what the northern army did in the city of Jin." Zhuang Chengbi paused and said, "Zong Yanli has gathered all his troops to resist the enemy. Do you think anyone in the southern countries can stop the troops of the northern countries?"
"If we lose, Jin will become the laughing stock of the world and a criminal."
"If we win, the Northern Army will completely conquer all the countries, burn, kill, loot, seize our land, and snatch our wives and daughters..."
"General, how well do you think Jin will be treated?"
Every word and sentence of Zhuang Chengbi was like a piercing blow to the heart.
Yu Jinghui felt very disappointed after hearing this, and he also realized that Zhuang Chengbi was determined to leave.
He really couldn't bear it, and tried to persuade him to stay, but in the end he failed to keep Zhuang Chengbi. After a short silence, he asked, "Mr. Zhuang, do you want to go to Daqian?"
Zhuang Chengbi shook the dust off his sleeves, shook his head and said, "I have a grudge against the annihilation of my country. This time I leave Jin State and go back home. I haven't seen my father for many years... It's time for me to return to my parents' knees and show my filial piety."
Yu Jinghui could no longer say anything to stop Zhuang Chengbi after hearing what he said. In the end, he could only bid farewell to Zhuang Chengbi. He stood up and said, "Since you have decided to leave, don't stay any longer. Leave tonight."
"I will cover up for you for two days, using the excuse that you have caught a cold and are still sick and can't see anyone." Yu Jinghui looked at Zhuang Chengbi and said, "You can go as far as you can."
"Bi, thank you, General."
Zhuang Chengbi bowed deeply, looking at Yu Jinghui with complicated eyes, and finally took a step forward, took Yu Jinghui's hand and said: "General Yu, if you tell your Majesty what I said today, your Majesty will not listen to it at all. General... why don't you make plans for yourself as soon as possible."
This was the last sentence Zhuang Chengbi said to Jinghui. After that, Zhuang Chengbi packed his bags overnight and left Jin State alone in the dark.
Yu Jinghui looked at the dark night sky, felt the biting cold and sighed deeply.
Zhuang Chengbi has shown such talent. If Yi Tiangan knew that he intended to leave, he would definitely send people to trap and kill him here. Since he could not be used for his own purposes, he would be killed to prevent him from surrendering to the enemy.
In fact, Yu Jinghui knew it very well. Although Zhuang Chengbi said he wanted to return home, he knew that if Zong Yanli learned that Zhuang Chengbi had left Jin, he would definitely send people to look for him.
Perhaps Zhuang Chengbi would refuse at first, but after being persuaded and moved by Zong Yanli, would he really be willing to live with his parents?
Yu Jinghui closed his eyes and began to think about what Zhuang Chengbi said. After pondering for a long time, he turned back to the tent and wrote down the crisis of Jin State in his own words. He even used the actions and words of the king of Qing State as a warning and persuaded the Emperor of Jin to make plans early.
The east wind thaws the ice and it turns into rain.
The rain that fell after the New Year's Day was even colder. Zong Yanli had personally visited several places in Shanping Pass in the past few days. When he stepped on the rain, the water seeped into his shoes and socks, making his feet numb from the cold.
Gao Feilin boiled some hot water, and Zong Yanli had already taken off her shoes and socks. The socks were soaked and completely frozen stiff, completely stuck to her foot skin. Zong Yanli could not even feel the pain when they were torn off, because her feet were completely frozen and numb.
She bent down and rubbed her feet. Gao Feilin saw that Zong Yanli's feet were almost frozen purple, and there were even blood stains oozing from the frostbitten cracks.
"General..." Gao Feilin was a little stunned. He put down the kettle and went to get the ointment for frostbite.
"It's okay." Zong Yanli didn't rush to soak her feet, but rubbed her feet with her hands first, waiting until her feet, which were numb from the cold, regained some temperature. After a long while, she soaked her feet in the water. Gao Feilin wanted to come forward to help her wash them.
"No need." Zong Yanli blocked it.
Gao Feilin stood aside and felt a little embarrassed. Since she became a personal soldier under Zong Yanli, she had never ordered him to do anything menial.
Gao Feilin might have cared about it in the past, but now his admiration for Zong Yanli is no longer the same as before. How could he care about these little things? Especially when he saw Zong Yanli's bruised feet, he felt extremely ashamed.
His feet are two points better than the general's. The general, who is already the commander-in-chief, is still so hardworking and diligent. How can he not be ashamed?
"Bring the military book on the table." Zong Yanli opened the door and called Gao Feilin. She didn't even want to waste the time for soaking her feet.
"General!" Sang Caijie came back in a hurry, still a little damp on his body. He was wearing woodcutter's clothes without military armor. Zong Yanli sent him to the town behind Shanping Pass to gather information, so Sang Caijie was dressed like this.
"What's wrong?" Zong Yanli didn't care that he was soaking his feet and directly called Sang Caijie in to talk.
"I went out on the street today in Jing County, Guannei Township, and found two people. I suspect they are spies of the enemy army." Sang Caijie saw Zong Yanli soaking his feet and was wondering if he came at the wrong time. But when he heard Zong Yanli's question, he answered naturally.
"Where are the people?" Zong Yanli immediately straightened up and asked.
"I have sent people to watch secretly, but there has been no unusual movement." Sang Caijie said hurriedly. He felt that this was not a trivial matter, so he ran back in a hurry.
"Hmph." Zong Yanli narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly, "No need to hold back. If you see suspects again, arrest them directly. If they are confirmed to be enemy spies, kill them directly!"
Zong Yanli didn't want to waste time on such things. Those who could sneak into Shanping Pass at this time were just here to spy on the enemy, so he would kill them without mercy.
In order to show the determination to fight against them, all merchants from the State of Jin were not allowed to enter the Daqian Pass. This was also to prevent the enemy spies from entering the country disguised as merchants and stealing our military secrets during the war between the two countries. However, in the past, if they were caught, they would at most be tied up and sent back.
But now, Zong Yanli killed him cruelly.
"If there is any accidental killing..." Sang Caijie hesitated a little.
"Since we have already issued a strict ban on merchants from Jin, if they still dare to come here, I will assume that they are spies, how can we say they were killed by mistake?" Zong Yanli looked cold, lowered his eyes and looked at Sang Caijie and said, "General Sang should know that kindness does not lead the army."
"Yes, I understand." Sang Caijie was startled and immediately nodded in agreement.
Zong Yanli gave him a few more instructions, asking him to pay attention to the movements in the towns within the pass. Then he wiped his feet, put on new shoes and socks, and went to the table, preparing to write down the city defenses he had visited today, as well as some places that needed to be changed.
When Gao Feilin went downstairs to ask people to prepare meals, he met Wen Nian who had returned from outside.
Nowadays, Wen Nian is often away. Although Zong Yanhongjing is responsible for the aftermath of Dong Haoqiang's death in battle, the soldiers under his command need to be taken over. Zong Yanli originally wanted to let Gao Feilin lead the army, but he has been with Zong Yanli for a long time and it is time for him to lead the army.
Unexpectedly, Gao Feilin refused and said frankly that he wanted to stay with Zong Yanli forever.
It would be difficult for Zong Yanli to train another personal soldier who understood her living habits and temper. After much deliberation, she could only let Wen Nian take charge for the time being.
Wen Nian is no longer the bloodthirsty madman he used to be. Zong Yanli had long intended to let him lead the army, but he never found the opportunity. Moreover, his command was already full of generals and he was not in a hurry, so he never made any arrangements.
Besides, Wen Nian himself didn't have the intention to lead the army, but now it was different. Not only did Dong Haoqiang die in the battle, but Duan Yuanqing was also missing.
Zong Yanli couldn't find a suitable person, so he had to let Wen Nian take over.
After all, the soldiers Dong Haoqiang brought with him were all from Zong Yanhongtu's army, and she wouldn't feel at ease if it was someone else.
Wen Nian was really not a good leader, so Zong Yanli finally transferred Huo Wenqi over to help him keep an eye on the troops. For this reason, Huo Wenqi often came to Zong Yanli to complain, saying that although Wen Nian was brave, he knew nothing about commanding his subordinates, and Huo Wenqi helped to deal with many of the poor situations.
He has many advisers under his command, but he doesn't use them in this way.
Zong Yanli had a headache, thinking about who to use. This Wen Nian...
It’s better to stay by her side and be her deputy.
Just when Zong Yanli was at a loss, Zong Yanhongjing sent someone to him.
"Fourth uncle!" Zong Yanli was very surprised when he saw Zong Yanfeiyi. Since his father came, Pingnan Camp was handed over to Zong Yanfeiyi. Because Zong Yanfeiyi married and had children in Shouxi County, Zong Yanhongjing let him stay in Pingnan Camp.
"Haha, Ali!" Zong Yanfeiyi's eyebrows raised. The bearded Zong Yanfeiyi looked a bit like his father and second uncle. He also became much more stable and no longer as unreliable as he used to be.
Zong Yanli was very surprised and asked about Zong Yanfeiyi's recent situation. Zong Yanfeiyi casually said that his wife and children were safe and nothing serious happened.
He then said, "I have long intended to come to help. I heard that the battle situation was tense, so I came here after receiving the letter from my third brother."
Zong Yanli was very happy: "It's great that Fourth Uncle can come."
Zong Yanfeiyi continued, "I handed Pingnan Camp over to Qian Zhixing. Qian Zhixing, do you still remember him?"
"Of course I remember." Zong Yanli was stunned at first, then nodded in response.
"Hahaha! I know you are brothers. Thanks to him running between Shouxi County and Pingnan Camp over the years, he is a capable man. I recommended him to my third brother. Now there are garrisons left in Pingnan Camp, and he is capable of doing the job!" Zong Yanfeiyi said.