Chapter 119: One Rider Enters The City, Soldiers Part Ways—who Dares To Act?
Outside Jiu’an City, dust billowed faintly.
A scout rushed forward, knelt on one knee, and reported: “Great General, Deputy General Lu, the city gates ahead are wide open, and there’s no one on the city walls. No sign of rebel forces.”
Deputy General Lu listened and pondered, his brow furrowed, somewhat bewildered by the situation.
What kind of tactic is this?
Could it be a trap?
With that thought, Deputy General Lu respectfully said, “Great General, this humble subordinate volunteers to lead the vanguard into the city to scout.”
Lin Fan raised his hand and said, “No need. The entire army advances. Follow me into the city.”
Having spoken, Lin Fan reined in Night Shine and rode forward. Deputy General Lu wanted to say more, but the Great General didn’t give him the chance. With no other choice, he led the army forward, immediately giving orders for the shield-bearers to prepare their shields against a rebel surprise attack.
As they approached the city gates.
Deputy General Lu’s heart grew more tense.
He truly didn’t know what scheme the rebels were plotting. To his knowledge, the rebel army numbered in the tens of thousands, all elite soldiers and formidable generals, not to be underestimated.
Yet, when they reached the city gates, there wasn’t even the slightest sound.
Deputy General Lu took a deep breath. A strong smell of blood permeated the air.
This sent alarm bells ringing in his mind.
But at this moment, the most relaxed were Lin Fan and Ning Yu.
“Master, did last night’s surprise attack annihilate all the rebels?” Ning Yu asked curiously.
Lin Fan chuckled, “Do you think your Master has three heads and six arms?”
Ning Yu smiled, “In my eyes, Master, you’re no different from having three heads and six arms.”
Upon entering the city, the scene before Deputy General Lu’s eyes left him stunned, as if he had seen a ghost, staring foolishly at the situation.
He couldn’t help but gasp.
The streets before them were covered in blood, truly painting the ground a crimson hue. What he hadn’t expected was that many rebel soldiers stood on both sides of the street.
“Great General, danger…” Deputy General Lu exclaimed in alarm.
Lin Fan said, “Don’t be nervous, it’s fine.”
As Lin Fan appeared, these rebel soldiers, upon seeing him clad in the Profound Abyss Divine Martial Armor, were haunted by the abyssal scene they had witnessed the previous night, filling them with unease and fear.
Thump! Thump!
The rebel soldiers knelt, their heads bowed.
Lin Fan walked through them expressionlessly. The King’s army has arrived; do you rebel soldiers expect anything less than surrender and death?
Deputy General Lu’s mind went blank, unable to comprehend what had happened.
“Good. It seems you’ve taken my words to heart. You were told to wait here to surrender, and you actually waited. Speak up.” Lin Fan said with satisfaction.
The rebel soldiers remained silent, heads down. One brigade general, kneeling there, struggled to rise, his body trembling like a sieve, and walked cautiously before Lin Fan.
“What was your position under the traitor Wu Yun?” Lin Fan asked from above.
“Replying to the Divine Martial Great General, this humble subordinate was a brigade general in Wu Yun’s army,” Liu Dong said, his voice trembling.
He would never forget the events of the previous night; it was utterly terrifying, striking the depths of his soul. The Divine Martial Great General seemed like a demon god who had crawled out of the abyss, fighting with such ferocity that the heavens and earth turned dark, and rivers of blood flowed. The soldiers were as fragile as ants before him.
He was utterly mesmerized at the time.
The army within the city was directly routed.
At that moment, he saw that the soldiers were trembling uncontrollably from fear of the Divine Martial Great General, their will to resist long gone.
Lin Fan asked, “As a general of the Central Plains Dynasty, why did you collude with the traitor Wu Yun to rebel?”
Liu Dong knelt with a thud, “Great General, please see reason. This humble subordinate is from Yunnan. My parents and children are all here. If I hadn’t followed the traitor Wu Yun, my entire family would have been slaughtered. I beg the General for mercy and to give this subordinate a chance. I am willing to lead the remaining soldiers to fight the traitor Wu Yun to the death.”
Deputy General Lu looked at the scene, inwardly shouting, “Someone, please tell me what happened! Can someone please explain?”
Historian Wang analyzed the situation and began to write.
Although he didn’t know the specifics, he had a general idea. Connecting it with the Great General’s mention of a surprise attack last night, it must have been effective in crushing the enemy’s morale, leading these rebels to surrender.
Yes, that must be it.
No doubt about it.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense.
Lin Fan looked at Deputy General Lu, “According to the law, how should this situation be handled?”
Deputy General Lu replied, “Reporting to the Great General, rebels who commit treason are to be executed along with their entire families according to the law.”
Liu Dong’s face turned ashen. He kowtowed incessantly, his forehead striking the ground with a resounding thud, his skin breaking and bleeding as he begged for mercy.
Lin Fan said calmly, “According to the law, you should indeed be executed. However, His Majesty is benevolent and can grant you an opportunity to atone for your crimes by serving with the army to suppress the traitors. Afterwards, this General will plead for you to spare your lives.”
“Thank you, Great General, thank you, Great General,” Liu Dong repeatedly exclaimed.
Lin Fan loudly declared, “Soldiers advancing, do not disturb the populace, or you will face military law.”
Ning Yu looked at her Master with immense admiration. Given Jiu’an City’s terrain, any other general would take at least ten to fifteen days to make any progress.
To even break through the city gates would undoubtedly come at a great cost of lives.
But her Master was simply brilliant. A surprise attack at night, and by morning, he brought the army to take the city without any obstacles, everything going smoothly and effortlessly.
The army advanced.
Deputy General Lu had the surrendered rebels dispersed and integrated into the ranks. He then pulled Liu Dong aside to interrogate him, while Historian Wang stood nearby, cupping his ear, holding his notebook and pen, ready to record at any moment.
“What’s going on? Weren’t you rebels? Jiu’an City is difficult to attack and defend, and you surrendered?” Deputy General Lu was filled with confusion, genuinely unable to imagine what had happened.
This was highly illogical.
Liu Dong replied, “Last night, the Great General, alone, broke through the gates like a descending god, causing rivers of blood to flow. Not a single soldier could stop the Great General’s advance, resulting in countless casualties. The traitor Wu Yun and Dag Guang Dynasty’s Huo Ge were so terrified that they fled overnight. If it weren’t for the Great General’s benevolence, we would all have died.”
“Ah?”
Deputy General Lu’s mouth hung open.
He understood every word Liu Dong said, but when put together, it was like a foreign language, completely incomprehensible.
“Are you joking?”
“General, how would I dare to joke? It is absolutely true. The Divine Martial Great General’s might is unmatched. He is a god descended from heaven, protecting the Central Plains Dynasty. The traitor Wu Yun, ignorant of heaven’s will, dared to rebel, which is a most heinous act of disloyalty.” Liu Dong became increasingly agitated as he spoke.
Historian Wang remained silent, diligently recording.
【 The Divine Martial Great General single-handedly launched a surprise attack on Jiu’an City. The traitor Liu Dong was scared witless and surrendered on the spot. The Great General, in his mercy, granted them an opportunity to atone for their crimes. 】
Liu Dong respectfully looked at Historian Wang, “Esteemed Official Historian, you didn’t write my name, did you?”
Historian Wang replied, “I did.”
“Esteemed Official, perhaps…”
Historian Wang interrupted, “The historian’s pen is like iron; not a single word can be changed. The Great General has allowed you to atone for your crimes, but that does not make you not a rebel. Rebels should be nailed to the pillar of shame.”
Liu Dong lowered his head in silence, feeling utter despair.
From this day forward, he, Liu Dong, would likely be infamous.
…
Border defense along the coast.
“Governor, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Wu family is rebelling, and the Dag Guang Dynasty is intervening. Now, Lin Fan is leading troops to suppress them, leaving the Imperial Capital’s forces depleted. We can raise our troops and march north, launching a surprise attack on the Imperial Capital and capturing the Emperor.”
Qin Li’s confidant generals were all immensely excited, believing this to be a heaven-sent opportunity.
Qin Li held the letter, his brow furrowed in deep thought.
He was not indecisive, but rather, Lin Fan’s pressure was too great. That man always made him feel unfathomably deep. If he were to truly rise up, it would be a desperate gamble with no retreat.
Failure would mean utter ruin.
“Governor, what are we waiting for? Even heaven is on our side now. If not now, when?” His confidant generals held their lives in their hands, following Qin Li precisely for the hope of successful rebellion, of becoming kings and ministers, and enjoying glory and wealth.
Qin Li’s expression was stern, unmoved by his generals’ pleas.
He felt a deep panic within him, a strange sensation that told him if he truly raised his army to rebel, he would be utterly ruined.
How many years had it been?
He had never felt this way before.
“Governor…” his confidant generals called out urgently.
“Silence,” Qin Li rebuked, “This matter is not to be trifled with.”
“But Governor, this is a heaven-sent opportunity.”
“Heaven-sent opportunity? This could also be digging our own graves,” Qin Li waved his hand. “Immediately send someone to Yunnan to scout the situation. If the Wu family can contain Lin Fan, then we will march north. But if the Wu family cannot withstand Lin Fan, this matter will be dropped and never mentioned again.”
Having come this far.
Qin Li naturally did not want any problems to arise.
Only by proceeding step by step could they reach the other shore.
Several days later!
In the ancestral land of the Wu family, Wu Yun led his soldiers to retreat repeatedly. All the cities they had previously occupied were ceded to Huo Ge. He was still in shock from the events of that night.
He couldn’t snap out of it for a long time.
How could a person be so terrifying?
He knew of the Divine Martial Great General. Everyone said the Divine Martial Great General’s might was unmatched in the world, but was this might? This was simply monstrous!
An army of thousands could not stop him alone.
The enemy was in disarray, their morale plummeted.
The deputy general said, “General, what should we do now? The soldiers who returned with us are terrified, their morale is low. Just mentioning Lin Fan’s name sends shivers down their spines. If he were to attack, I fear the soldiers will have no will to fight.”
Wu Yun’s expression was grave.
He knew this all too well, but what could he do? Let alone the soldiers being terrified, even he himself was completely stunned.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard from outside.
“Report!!!”
Upon hearing the word ‘report,’ Wu Yun’s heart lurched. “What is it? Has Lin Fan arrived?”
“No,” the soldier shook his head.
Wu Yun breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn’t Lin Fan arriving, everything else could be discussed.
But the soldier’s next words left Wu Yun stunned, “General, Huo Ge has fled with his army.”
“What did you say?” Wu Yun exclaimed in shock.
The soldier continued, “Huo Ge led his soldiers to loot the wealthy households in the city, then abandoned it and left.”
Wu Yun’s body swayed slightly. Huo Ge’s departure with his army completely disrupted his plan. His original intention was for Huo Ge to hold off Lin Fan in the front.
While he waited for an opportunity. In his opinion, ceding the occupied cities, Huo Ge, as a general of the Dag Guang Dynasty, would surely defend them.
But who would have thought this old fox would abandon the city and flee?
“Damn it, damn it! How could he do this?” Wu Yun roared in anger, but now that Huo Ge had fled, there was nothing he could do.
The deputy general said, “General, now that Huo Ge has fled and there’s no news from Qin Li, what should we do?”
“What to do?” Wu Yun’s eyes turned cold. “What else can we do? We must fight them! Rebellion is a grave crime, and we have no way out. Since that’s the case, we can only fight.”
The deputy generals lowered their heads, full of worry. When they first rebelled, they were full of confidence, believing the vast Central Plains Dynasty was within their grasp. Who would have thought a Divine Martial Great General would emerge?
With one person’s might, he crushed the soldiers’ morale.
This was something he had never even considered.
Now, they didn’t know how this battle should be fought.
…
Jianggu City.
When Lin Fan and his group arrived in the city, they found the streets in chaos, with the common people showing looks of panic, as if the city had been plundered.
They then pulled aside a commoner to ask for information.
It turned out it had indeed been plundered.
The wealthy households in the city, upon learning of the arrival of the royal army, came forward one after another, weeping bitterly, recounting how the generals of the Dag Guang Dynasty had plundered their hard-earned fortunes.
The common people in the city had also been robbed by those soldiers.
Deputy General Lu volunteered, “General, this subordinate wishes to lead troops to intercept them. They are laden with the people’s belongings, so they cannot be moving very fast. If we pursue quickly, we might be able to catch up.”
Lin Fan waved his hand, “No need. The monk may run, but the temple cannot. Where can they run? Can the Dag Guang Dynasty move their entire territory?”
Huh!
Deputy General Lu looked at Lin Fan in astonishment.
The meaning behind the Great General’s words seemed somewhat difficult to understand.
But he didn’t dwell on it.
He simply felt these were the Great General’s stern pronouncements.
“Don’t stop. The entire army advances.”
Two days later.
The army arrived at the city gates.
Wu Yun, clad in armor, looked at the approaching army below the city walls with a grave expression, especially when his gaze fell upon Lin Fan, clad in the Profound Abyss Divine Martial Armor. His heart couldn’t help but pound.
Indeed, even now, he was still deeply afraid.
Lin Fan, riding Night Shine, slowly approached the city. The soldiers on the city walls, seeing that figure, and having experienced the terrifying scenes of that night, couldn’t help but tremble.
Lin Fan held the reins, looked up, and said, “Wu Yun, your Wu family is deeply trusted by His Majesty, and your sister is the Empress. Why do you raise an army to rebel? Do you know that your actions are an act of treason?”
Wu Yun roared, “Lin, don’t pretend to be sympathetic! Who killed my nephew? If it weren’t for you, my nephew wouldn’t have died.”
Lin Fan replied, “Your nephew deserved to die. As the First Prince, he colluded with Japan and committed treason. His death is only right.”
“You’re spouting nonsense! If you hadn’t instigated him, how would my nephew have died?” Wu Yun shouted furiously.
He didn’t want to acknowledge any other point; he only cared about his nephew’s death.
Lin Fan smiled and said loudly, “Soldiers within the city, you are all citizens of the Central Plains Dynasty. You have parents, wives, and children. Do you truly wish to follow Wu Yun in rebellion and bring ruin upon your families?”
“This General does not wish to lay hands on you, but I hope you will see the error of your ways and not follow Wu Yun in making further mistakes. As long as you lay down your weapons and open the gates to surrender, this General guarantees to personally plead with His Majesty on your behalf to spare your lives.”
“However, if you stubbornly resist, then do not blame this General for a bloodbath. Your families will also be implicated, and your entire clans will be executed.”
These words spread far and wide.
The soldiers within the city heard them clearly.
Clearly, the soldiers were all pondering, especially those who had witnessed Lin Fan’s terrifying might. Their hearts were filled with unease, and they exchanged glances, deep in thought.
Wu Yun seemed to sense the soldiers’ wavering and roared, “Anyone who dares to have ulterior motives will be dealt with by military law! Kill without mercy!”
At this moment, he absolutely could not allow the army’s morale to falter, or they would be utterly defeated.
“Wu Yun, facing death, you still wish to resist. This General sees you will not shed tears until you see the coffin,” Lin Fan raised his iron rod high, pulling his arm back, and with a roar, he hurled it forward.
A whistling sound arose.
The iron rod became a streak of light and, with a thunderous crash, struck the city gate. With a bang, the gate was blown open by the astonishing power of the iron rod.
A piercing sound!
The iron rod, imbued with its powerful force, deeply penetrated the ground, slanted and vibrating.
Deputy General Lu watched, dumbfounded.
Huh?
He… he just threw an iron rod and blew open the city gate that should have cost countless lives?
Is this a dream?
At this moment, he seemed to understand how the surprise attack had occurred and why the soldiers in Jiu’an City had surrendered.
Lin Fan said, “The city gate has been breached. Those who wish to surrender, come out quickly. My words still stand: any who surrender, this General guarantees their lives.”
Wu Yun roared, “Quick, quick, take men and defend the city gate!”
He hadn’t expected the city gate to be destroyed so easily.
But as soon as he finished speaking, he heard soldiers’ voices from below, “Great General, we surrender, we surrender.”
One after another, soldiers threw down their weapons and ran out.
These soldiers had all witnessed Lin Fan’s terrifying methods.
When Lin Fan appeared before them, the fear from that night completely overwhelmed them, an unforgettable, unimaginable terror.
Lin Fan rode his horse calmly, waiting below the city. The soldiers who ran out knelt and begged for mercy.
Deputy General Lu watched this scene.
He was deeply shocked.
He had served in the army for many years and fought in numerous battles, but this was his first time witnessing such a spectacle.
Indeed, warfare had taken on a new form: breaking through the city gates by force before battle, thus gaining absolute advantage. Of course, this form of warfare was not something ordinary people could learn.
To learn it, one must first learn to break through city gates with brute force.
“Good, good, good! The Divine Martial Great General’s valor is truly…” Historian Wang trembled with excitement, his hand holding the pen shaking, overcome with exhilaration.
Lin Fan nudged Night Shine, and the horse stepped up the city wall’s steps, entering the city. He reached out and pulled up the iron rod leaning against the ground. Inside, soldiers still stood with weapons in hand.
Upon seeing Lin Fan, some soldiers instinctively aimed their weapons at him.
“Hmm?”
Lin Fan’s gaze turned cold, and an ineffable aura of dominance emanated from him. Those who met his gaze felt as if a mountain was pressing down on them, and they all lowered their heads, daring not to meet his eyes.
Some soldiers bent their knees, half-crouched, dropping their weapons, their bodies trembling violently.
Standing on the city wall, Wu Yun saw Lin Fan enter and roared furiously, “Kill him! Kill him! What are you all waiting for?”
His command at this moment seemed utterly feeble.
Not a single soldier around dared to move.
Soldiers blocked the path ahead, but as Lin Fan approached, those soldiers silently parted, making a path. They dared not meet Lin Fan’s gaze.
Historian Wang outside the city could not see what was happening inside and was burning with impatience. Without a second thought, he ran into the city. Upon seeing that none of the rebel soldiers inside dared to move,
He stood there dumbfounded, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
What a scene this was!
What power this was!
He felt that the words he commanded were insufficient to describe the scene before him.
Historian Wang followed Lin Fan’s steps, like a tail. He knew it was dangerous; if any soldier made a move, he could easily die on the spot.
But was the historian afraid of death?
No, he wasn’t.
If he were afraid of death, he wouldn’t be a historian.
He wanted to record this monumental scene in words.
At this moment, Wu Yun grabbed his deputy general, “What are you standing around for? Take your men and kill him.”
“Yes, your subordinate obeys.”
To be a confidant general of Wu Yun, one must have their head on the line. He waved his hand, but to his surprise, no soldiers dared to follow. Angrily, he drew his saber to strike, only then scaring a group of soldiers into following him.
“Kill!!!”
The confidant general charged towards Lin Fan, roaring wildly, unafraid of death.
But as he got closer to Lin Fan, the general felt his feet become heavier and heavier, as if they were filled with lead. When he was only five paces away from Lin Fan,
He found that his legs simply wouldn’t move, no matter how hard he tried.
He opened his mouth slightly, his eyes wide, looking at the Divine Martial Great General, imposing and majestic in his Profound Abyss Divine Martial Armor. At this moment, all courage within him was shattered.
He saw that the Great General’s expression was calm, his eyes looking at him indifferently.
It was just a very ordinary gaze.
But to him, it was like being stared at by an awakened tiger.
Clang!
The general’s saber slipped from his hand and fell to the ground with a clang.
“Move aside,” Lin Fan said.
The general’s lips trembled, his chest heaving like a bellows. When he heard the words ‘move aside,’ it was like a thunderclap exploding in his mind.
Thump!
The general’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, completely drained of strength, without even the thought of resisting.
Night Shine moved forward, its hoof kicking the general to the side.
“Where are my iron cavalry? Where are they?” Wu Yun roared. This was his trump card, his fortune, specifically prepared to deal with Lin Fan.
Maintaining the iron cavalry was very costly. The horses had to eat the best, the armor had to be the best, and the cavalrymen themselves had to be very strong.
This single thousand-strong iron cavalry could defeat a small country.
Suddenly.
The sound of dense hooves approached from afar; it was indeed the iron cavalry cultivated by Wu Yun.
“Great General, your subordinate has arrived,”
The commander of the iron cavalry shouted loudly.
Wu Yun rejoiced and pointed at Lin Fan, “Kill him! Kill him!”
Lin Fan looked at the soldiers kneeling beside him and said softly, “Come, pick up that spear and give it to me.”
The soldiers tremblingly picked up the spear and respectfully handed it to Lin Fan. Lin Fan grasped the spear, his arm muscles bulging, and threw it with force. A whistling sound echoed.
The seemingly ordinary spear transformed into a black shadow, whistling through the air.
With a thunderous crash.
The spear pierced the commander of the iron cavalry, sending him flying from his horse. The spear’s momentum did not diminish, and it continued to pierce through many iron cavalrymen behind him, stringing them together.
The charging iron cavalry slowly came to a halt, staring blankly at the scene. Then, they looked at the person a hundred paces away. Such a distance, and with just a thrown spear, to cause such devastation.
Was… was this still human?
Clip-clop!
Night Shine stepped up the city wall’s steps, step by step, finally stopping before Wu Yun.
Lin Fan looked down, “Wu Yun, your rebellion is over.”
“Are you human or ghost?” Wu Yun retreated repeatedly, terrified. He couldn’t understand why things had turned out this way. He had prepared so thoroughly; why had it ended like this?
How could one person’s might alter the course of a battle?
Let alone Qin Li, even Tudan of Mengye Country couldn’t achieve this.
Lin Fan said, “Wu Yun, His Majesty is aging. You are an imperial relative, and moreover, His Majesty’s brother-in-law. Can’t you let His Majesty live more comfortably?”
“Can you let this General fully operate the Divine Martial Department? It’s been a month since the Divine Martial Department was established, and I haven’t tried a single case.”
He was extremely troubled by this.
In order to lead troops on campaign, he had even started reading military treatises. He had never worked so hard in his life.
Wu Yun retreated step by step, the soldiers behind him parting. Only when Wu Yun retreated to the edge of the city wall and was blocked did he stop. But to Lin Fan’s surprise, Wu Yun suddenly stepped out.
“Lin, don’t come closer. It seems I have lost, but don’t think you can capture me. Even if I die, I will not be taken back by you,” Wu Yun roared. “The winner becomes king, the loser becomes a bandit; I accept that. But don’t think you’ll have it easy. Your achievements have already overshadowed the ruler. Even if the current Emperor can tolerate you, the next new ruler cannot. I’ve already seen your fate.”
“You call me a traitor and say I rebelled; I guarantee you will also rebel in the future.”
“No one can resist the temptation of unifying the world.”
“You absolutely cannot resist.”
Lin Fan looked at Wu Yun, “Enough of that. Temptation and all that. The throne, even dogs wouldn’t want it. You’re exhausted to death every day, and you have to entertain this and that at night. There are so many rules, it’s annoying. All the civil and military officials chatter incessantly, giving me a headache. If I were Emperor, I’d execute them all.”
These were treasonous words.
Historian Wang whispered, “Great General, your subordinate hasn’t recorded this yet. Perhaps you could say something else? I will pretend I didn’t hear that just now.”
Lin Fan said, “It’s fine. You record whatever you want. As a historian, you must record truthfully, without the slightest falsehood. Those words were spoken by me, and anyone else would be the same.”
“Oh,” Historian Wang nodded.
Wu Yun pointed at Lin Fan, “Lin, you are lawless, arrogant, and truly rebellious! You will not have a good end.”
Lin Fan said, “Stop talking so much. If you want to jump, jump quickly. This General still needs to arrange for someone to collect your corpse and send it back to the Imperial Capital for His Majesty’s judgment.”
“Haha.” Wu Yun retracted his leg that was hanging outside the city wall. “Lin, I don’t want to die anymore. I will inform everyone in the world of what you just said. I will ensure you don’t have a good end either.”
“Don’t bother yourself with that. Historian Wang has already recorded it. It’s not just the world; future generations will also see it. People like you focus too much on your persona, pretending every day is so tiring. You should learn from this General.” Lin Fan said.
Wu Yun roared, “Learn from you? Lin, if you didn’t have this strength, you would have died long ago, without knowing how.”
“Eh, then I’m sorry, this General truly has the strength. What can you do about it?” Lin Fan chuckled.
“You… you…” Wu Yun clutched his chest, speechless at being rebutted by Lin Fan.
Lin Fan, having no desire to say more, looked at the soldiers beside him. “What are you all standing around for? Quickly arrest your general. Who feeds you guys? Who provides you with a stable life? You silly fools, you rebel just because someone tells you to?”
“The money Wu Yun pays you comes from the court.”
“All of you are so foolish. If it were any other general, you rebels would have been executed long ago.”
The surrounding soldiers lowered their heads.
Filled with awe and trepidation.
Soon, Deputy General Lu, somewhat dazed, led his troops into the city. The thousand iron cavalry personally trained by Wu Yun had served no purpose, having been completely intimidated.
“General, everyone has been controlled,” Deputy General Lu reported.
Lin Fan said, “Go, quickly lead your men to arrest the entire Wu family and send them back to the Imperial Capital immediately for His Majesty to deal with.”
“Yes, General.”
“Wait.”
“Does the General have any instructions?”
“Select eight hundred iron cavalry for me, prepare seven days’ worth of rations, and travel day and night. I will go to the Capital of the Dag Guang Dynasty. Damn it, invading with troops and then just leaving? Do they think the Central Plains Dynasty can be entered and exited at will?”
Lin Fan was furious. If Huo Ge had stayed and fought him to the death, he wouldn’t have been this angry, nor would he have intended to go to the Dag Guang Dynasty so quickly.
But for them to flee, that was too much.
He never held back his anger.
“General, this matter…”
“Hmm? Why are you so long-winded? Did you ignore everything this General said earlier?” Lin Fan frowned. He had previously discussed numerous military strategies, and it seemed the deputy had not heeded a single word.
“Yes, your subordinate obeys.” Deputy General Lu dared not say anything more, his mind solely focused on obeying the order, with no other thoughts.
“Master, take me with you,” Ning Yu pleaded.
Lin Fan said, “No. You return with Deputy General Lu. Eight hundred iron cavalry entering the heart of the Dag Guang Dynasty requires speed. The journey will be perilous. If you accompany me, I will have to look after you, which could easily delay military operations.”
“Oh, I understand.” Ning Yu stopped pleading. Her Master had spoken so seriously, it must be very dangerous. As a disciple, she definitely couldn’t be a burden.
Lin Fan mused inwardly that after dealing with the Dag Guang Dynasty, he needed to get the Divine Martial Department operational. Ning Yu had finally wanted to become a constable, and he couldn’t lead her astray by making her interested in military campaigns.
After all, war was not a child’s game.
It was not appropriate.
“Great General, your subordinate fears no death. May I accompany the Great General?” Historian Wang understood that the Great General leading eight hundred iron cavalry on a surprise attack against the Dag Guang Dynasty would undoubtedly be a monumental event. To be able to follow and record it would be worth dying for.
“Historian Wang, you should not go. With your frail health, how could you endure such a bumpy journey?” Lin Fan said.
Historian Wang was about to say more when Lin Fan waved his hand, his meaning clear: he wouldn’t bring him.
At this time, Deputy General Lu carefully selected eight hundred iron cavalry. Upon hearing that they were to launch a surprise attack on the Dag Guang Dynasty, many iron cavalrymen volunteered, hoping to be chosen.
This was a matter of bringing honor to their ancestors.
Even if it meant losing their lives, they were willing.
Faced with numerous requests, Deputy General Lu was helpless. The Great General needed exactly eight hundred, not one more. In the end, he could only select eight hundred men based on past assessments.
“Great General, they have all been selected,” Deputy General Lu reported.
“Mhm, let’s go take a look.”
When Lin Fan arrived before the eight hundred iron cavalry, he nodded with great satisfaction. The eight hundred iron cavalry before his eyes were spirited and vigorous, with bows on their backs, swords at their sides, and halberds in hand. It was evident they were the elite of the elite.
“All soldiers, I will lead you to surprise attack the Capital of Dag Guang Dynasty later. If this matter is to succeed, you will all bring glory to your ancestors,” Lin Fan said.
“Follow the Great General to war!”
“Follow the Great General on the campaign!”
The eight hundred iron cavalrymen’s morale was high, especially after witnessing the Great General’s might. They had already developed a fervent admiration for Lin Fan and would not harbor any doubts.
As long as the Great General believes it can be done, they will surely achieve it.
This morale is the most terrifying.
Any general leading troops into battle hopes that the soldiers will have such morale, but this kind of morale is truly rare and hard to find.
“Set off.”
Lin Fan waved his hand and led the troops away without any delay.
Deputy General Lu stood on the city wall, gazing at the iron cavalry that was leaving in a vast, mighty procession. He felt envious in his heart; this expedition would completely transform the status of the eight hundred soldiers.
In Deputy General Lu’s opinion, the greatest use of these eight hundred iron cavalry was probably not for fighting enemies in battle, but rather because the Great General might have felt bored on his journey and specially brought the eight hundred iron cavalry to relieve his boredom.
Of course, such a surprise attack would be a situation with no chance of survival for other generals.
Once entering the enemy country, bypassing the cities and heading straight for the capital, if the enemy country realizes it, all their escape routes will be cut off, plunging them into a crisis of being surrounded by enemies.
The final outcome will be a dead end.
But now, the army is led by the Divine Martial Great General Lin Fan.
Deputy General Lu always felt this matter could succeed.
…
Imperial Court.
“Report!!!”
Outside the Golden Palace Hall, the voice of a messenger was heard.
The Emperor was discussing matters with the ministers. The atmosphere in the Imperial Court was very heavy, and everyone dared not speak recklessly. The First Prince was executed, the Empress seemed to have gone mad, the Wu Family raised an army in rebellion, and the Dag Guang Dynasty invaded accordingly.
These matters combined were enough to give everyone a headache.
The officials could see that the Emperor looked very haggard.
Now the Grand Tutor has resigned.
The officials have defected to the Second Prince, but Grand Tutor and Grand Protector, being somber and never showing their edge, have always stood on the same front line with His Majesty as long as the Second Prince was not implicated.
“Announce!”
The messenger hurried into the hall, respectfully holding the battle report with both hands, and shouted: “Your Majesty, the Divine Martial Great General has led the army to recapture Jiu’an City! The Great General launched a surprise attack at night, catching the rebels off guard. They abandoned the city and fled overnight, and countless rebels were captured.”
“The Great General said these soldiers were forced to act against their will and surrendered voluntarily, hoping Your Majesty would grant them an exemption from the death penalty.”
Hearing this news, the Emperor showed a rare smile. He couldn’t wait to open the battle report and read it carefully. The more he read, the happier he became. He suddenly stood up and laughed: “Good, good! As expected of my Divine Martial Great General, he has never disappointed me. Jiu’an City is the throat of Yunnan. With Jiu’an City recaptured, the army can advance directly, and pacifying the rebels is only a matter of time.”
“As for the exemption from the death penalty mentioned by the Great General, I grant it.”
The officials of the Imperial Court looked at each other.
The Grand Tutor said: “Your Majesty, this old minister believes the Great General is indeed the pillar of our dynasty, capable of turning the tide. If the Great General can quell the rebellion this time, I believe he should be heavily rewarded.”
“Oh? How does the Grand Tutor suggest we reward him?” the Emperor asked.
The Grand Tutor said: “I think we should grant the Great General a marriage, bestow the Eighteenth Princess to the Great General, to show the vastness of the imperial grace.”
The Emperor waved his hand: “No, no, my beloved minister is different from ordinary people. I know the Great General is quite particular about marriage matters. Besides, is this considered a reward? This is not a reward. My beloved ministers, can you help me think of how I should reward the Great General?”
The officials present were all shrewd.
The Emperor asking this question clearly meant he had already decided.
Now the Great General holds a First Rank position, controls immense power, combining civil and military authority, his power is boundless. How else can he be rewarded?
The only reward is to be ennobled as a King.
However, no minister dared to propose this matter of ennobling a King, as ancestral teachings were in place. Whoever dared to touch it would be in trouble. If it were to be proposed, it would be by someone else, not them.
“Can none of my beloved ministers think of anything?” the Emperor asked.
The officials were speechless and looked down in silence.
“Grand Tutor.”
“I am here.”
“You go back and think carefully about how I should reward the Divine Martial Great General. Do not disappoint me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Grand Tutor was helpless and extremely troubled. He never expected this matter to actually fall on his shoulders. If he were to truly propose ennobling him as a King, the Emperor would be happy, but he would be in trouble.
Who could guarantee what would happen in the future.
What if His Majesty passed away, and a future ruler was dissatisfied with the actions of the Divine Martial Great General? While he, the Grand Tutor, might not be around, his family would still be implicated.
At this time.
Huo Ge led his troops back to the country. His marching speed was slightly slower. He truly did not expect the situation to turn out like this. Thinking of the terrifying strength of the Divine Martial Great General, he was filled with dread.
That night, his soldiers suffered the most casualties.
They truly suffered countless deaths and injuries.
Now, whenever he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with Lin Fan’s figure.
It was unimaginable.
Although they suffered heavy losses this time and did not capture a single inch of land from the Central Plains Dynasty, the wealthy households of the Central Plains Dynasty were indeed affluent, filling up dozens of horse carriages.
Upon returning, he would have to report truthfully to the Dag Guang King.
They should curb their greed for the Central Plains Dynasty, at least until Lin Fan dies, before they can plot against the Central Plains Dynasty. Otherwise, no one will be his match.
However, what he did not know at this moment was.
Now, a group of iron cavalry was charging towards the Dag Guang Dynasty. Their route was not the one they took, but a different one.
Given Huo Ge’s current marching speed, by the time he returns to the Capital of Dag Guang Dynasty, Lin Fan’s eight hundred iron cavalry would likely have arrived much earlier.
It’s just a pity.
Huo Ge is currently completely unaware of this matter.
