Chapter 796: The Joy of New Year’s Eve
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Qin Canglan and Su MO came over very quickly.
At this moment, Su Xiaoxiao was in Xiao Duye’s tent, treating the tool, Xiao Duye, for a cold.
Leng Kui wanted to chase this irksome little girl out, but other than her, Xiao Duye did not want to see any other physicians. He said that their medical skills were not as good as hers.
Su Xiaoxiao gave him a prescription. The list was filled with herbs. The medical official took the prescription and went to get the herbs.
When Qin Canglan and Su MO arrived at Xiao Duye’s tent, he had just finished a bowl of bitter medicine.
“Your Highness.”
Qin Canglan looked at his precious granddaughter and cupped his hands and bowed to Xiao Duye with Su Mo.
Xiao Duye frowned at the bitterness. He seriously suspected that this girl had deliberately prescribed such bitter medicine for him. It was so disgusting.
He nodded and held back the bitterness in his mouth. “How are the remnants of the Northern Yan?”
Qin Canglan said without changing his expression, “They escaped into Little
Phoenix Mountain.”
“Where is Little Phoenix Mountain?” Xiao Duye was not familiar with the terrain of the border.
Qin Canglan said, “It’s a mountain ten miles outside the southern gate of the barbican. The entrance is a canyon with mountains on both sides. There’s a very empty valley. Currently, the army of the Northern Yan is stationed there.”
Xiao Duye almost died at the hands of the Northern Yan army. He hated the Northern Yan deeply.
Qin Canglan looked at Xiao Duye’s expression and struck while the iron was hot. “The situation at the border is chaotic. With Your Highness presiding over it, the soldiers are much more at ease. I wonder why Your Highness suddenly came to the border?”
Xiao Duye was wearing tall hats tonight and felt a little smug.
He cleared his throat. “You don’t have to ask about my mission at the border. However, since I’m here, I won’t sit back and do nothing about the situation at the border. Northern Yan is too much. Old Protector Duke, do you have a good plan?”
Leng Kui was unhappy to hear this. He was the general at the border. Since he was commander-in-chief in all but name, he felt that King Liang should ask for his opinion first.
It would be strange if Xiao Duye asked him. If not for this guy giving up Jia County, he would not have had to hide in the cellar for so many days.
Qin Canglan said seriously, “I think we should fight a big battle with Northern
Yan and chase Northern Yan out of Broken North Pass!”
Leng Kui went forward and said, “Your Highness, there are 100,000 troops in Northern Yan. We don’t have enough troops. Fighting with them is no different from throwing an egg at a rock. Other than causing unnecessary casualties, it might also threaten Your Highness’ safety!”
The old rascal also knew to drag Xiao Duye into it.
Qin Canglan snorted. “What do you mean? Are you trying to say that His Highness is a coward? A mere 80,000 troops has frightened you so much. No wonder Northern Yan dares to attack. It’s because of a coward like you!
Northern Yan is fearless! If you don’t dare to hit Northern Yan, I’ll do it!”
“Qin Canglan!” Leng Kui was furious. He had been a general for too long and no one was suppressing him. He had long forgotten what it felt like to be stepped on and scolded.
Even when Qin Canglan came to the border this time, he had always listened to him. He really thought that Qin Canglan was afraid of him.
Heh, what was there for Qin Canglan to be afraid of!
He didn’t embarrass him in public because he didn’t want to mess up the morale of the army.
He really treated himself as the main dish!
“Stop arguing!” Xiao Duye had a headache. “One of you said that there are 100,000 troops in Northern Yan, and the other said that there are 80,000 troops. How many are there?”
Qin Canglan said, “Your Highness, my granddaughter destroyed 5,000 Beiyan troops in Jia County and 10,000 in Linzi. Including the 2,000 that she had exhausted previously, Northern Yan only has 85,000 troops now.”
Leng Kui’s expression turned ugly.
She had silently destroyed nearly 20 ,ooo troops. Even the men of the Leng family could not achieve such merit.
“How many troops do you have?” Xiao Duye asked.
Qin Canglan looked at Leng Kui and said, “If we include the 50,000 troops in General Leng’s hands, there are a total of 70,000 troops. Your Highness is guarding the rear, and the morale of the soldiers is high. I think that the difference of 10,000 troops is not a problem. Our chances of winning are very high!”
“Then fight!” Xiao Duye said impatiently.
Leng Kui said, “Your Highness! You can’t fight!”
Qin Canglan said, “Aren’t you waiting to be bullied by Northern Yan?”
Leng Kui said, “His Majesty…”
Qin Canglan cupped his hands. “If His Majesty knew that His Highness won this battle, he would definitely praise His Highness.”
Indeed. If he defeated Northern Yan, he would have established his second battle achievement this year. How could his second and third brothers compare to him?
The more Xiao Duye thought about it, the more he felt that it was feasible. “It’s settled then. General Leng, Old Protector Duke, discuss the battle plan. This battle can only be won and not lost!”
Leng Kui’s expression changed. “Your Highness…”
“Yes!”
Qin Canglan agreed loudly.
Leng Kui was so angry that his eyelids twitched. “Your Highness, it’s time to eat dumplings.”
The guard carried a bowl of steaming dumplings in.
Xiao Duye had just drunk a bowl of bitter medicine and his stomach was churning. He had no appetite when he saw the dumplings.
The guard smiled and said, “It’s New Year’s Eve today. When you’re outside, things can’t be compared to the palace. Make do and eat.”
Xiao Duye was enlightened.
It was New Year’s Eve.
Qin Canglan brought Su Xiaoxiao and Su MO out of the tent.
It was snowing heavily. Jing Yi lit a small fire to roast sweet potatoes at the side and Su MO went over to help him.
Qin Canglan took off the shawl on his shoulder and draped it over Su Xiaoxiao.
“The battle is tomorrow.”
“Will Leng Kui ruin it?” Su Xiaoxiao asked.
“He doesn’t have the guts.” After all, since Xiao Duye was here, Leng Kui couldn’t harm him no matter what. Otherwise, if His Majesty pursued the matter, Leng Kui would lose his official position.
“Killing generals before the war is a big taboo in the military. I understand what you’re thinking. There’s always such helplessness in life. This is the battlefield. Everything is important.”
“Yes.” Su Xiaoxiao nodded.
Qin Canglan patted her shoulder. “You fought well in the first few battles. Tomorrow, it might be a little harder.”
Su Xiaoxiao paused. “I understand.”
Whether it was killing the trusted aides of the Leng family or attacking the soldiers of the Northern Yan, they won by surprise. It was more or less due to luck and trickery. However, the Northern Yan, who had suffered two defeats in a row, would definitely be on guard. Tomorrow was the real battle.
Laughter came from the drill ground.
Tonight was New Year’s Eve, so Su Xiaoxiao gave the Crimson Shadow Army a break.
Wei Xun pulled Li Da and the others to light a few large bonfires on the school grounds. They surrounded the bonfire and ate dumplings and roasted sweet potatoes. As they ate, they started playing. Some played tricks, some juggled, some toy with someone, and even some broke rocks on their chests.
The drill ground was extremely lively, attracting Leng Kui’s troops.
When Su Xiaoxiao went over, Zhang Yong had just finished practicing a set of fist techniques. Everyone clapped and cheered.
Actually, everyone knew that the war with Northern Yan would officially start tomorrow. Some of them would stay on the battlefield forever. The people they protected might not know who they were at all. They would not know that so many young men had died on the battlefield.
“Boss, sit!”
Wei Xun gave up his seat to her and pulled Li Da to the side. “Go, go, go! Who’s next?”
Perhaps it was because Su Xiaoxiao’s arrival made the soldiers a little shy and nervous, but for a moment, no one went forward. The atmosphere turned cold.
Wei Xun was so embarrassed that he dug his feet.
Su Xiaoxiao looked at the burning bonfire in front of her and suddenly remembered her days in the military camp in her previous life. She chanted softly,
“Amidst the vast sea of people, which one am I? In the surging waves, which one am I? In the army that conquered the universe, the one who silently contributed is me. In the long river of glorious career, the one who will always run is me!”
“I don’t need you to know me- I don’t long for you to know me- I’ll melt my youth into the river of my motherland-”
“The mountains know me- The rivers know me- The mountains and rivers won’t forget- They won’t forget me-”
The soldiers sang along. “The mountains know me- The rivers know me- I‘
At first, there were only one or two. Gradually, there were dozens or hundreds. Soon, the entire drill ground sounded with heartfelt singing.
The soldiers’ eyes turned red as they sang.
Even Leng Kui’s army was filled with tears.
Yes, even if they died in battle, the mountains and rivers would remember them!