kvmb Chapter 905 The Crown Princess of Da Zhao
Chapter 905 The Crown Princess of Da Zhao
The general in charge of attacking Fengming Mountain in Northern Yan was named Huyan Jun, a fierce general under Helian Chi. He was originally the son of the chief of the Huyan tribe, but he was ostracized because his mother was a Han woman. After joining Helian Chi, he was promoted based on his military achievements and was appointed as a general to lead troops to attack Fengming Mountain.
Zong Shuo had fought with Hu Yanjun several times. Although Hu Yanjun was young, he was quite shrewd. If Huo Lin hadn't arrived in time last time, they would have already lost Fengming Mountain.
Over the past few days, Hu Yanjun has only made small-scale probes and has not taken any further steps.
It wasn't until that night that Zong Shuo received an urgent report: "Reporting to the general, our men have discovered that Northern Yan has dispatched Nalan Xiong to provide support, but the exact number is unknown."
Upon hearing this news, Yan Yue immediately stood up. "The Nalan tribe is one of the major tribes of Northern Yan. Even the Emperor of Northern Yan treats them with deference. Nalan Xiong is said to be the greatest warrior of Northern Yan. If he were to lead the army, Fengming Mountain would be—"
Huo Lin had just arrived in the North and was not very clear about the specific situation in Northern Yan. Hearing this, he frowned. "Before I came to Fengming Mountain, His Highness instructed me that we must not lose Fengming Mountain under any circumstances. The battle in Qinzhou has been going on for five or six days now. If I'm not mistaken, they sent Nalan Xiong to provide support, probably with the intention of attacking from both sides. Once we lose Fengming Mountain, Qinzhou will be in danger."
"All our soldiers combined are only a little over 40,000. If Nalan Xiong comes to our aid, he will bring at least tens of thousands of troops. In addition, the troops currently stationed in Yizhou are at least twice our size..." Yan Yue's voice grew heavy. At this time, the best course of action would be to immediately go to Yingzhou for reinforcements, but the round trip, plus the time required to mobilize troops, would probably be too late.
"We must defend Fengming Mountain. Even if we can't hold it, we must buy time. We cannot afford to lose Fengming Mountain so easily." Zong Shuo thought for a moment and looked at Yan Yue. "Yan Yue, send someone to Yingzhou to ask General Cheng for help. We should prepare for both possibilities and buy as much time as possible."
"What's the other backup plan?" Yan Yue asked Zong Shuo.
“Negotiation,” Zong Shuo replied.
"Negotiation?" Yan Yue and Huo Lin both looked at Zong Shuo.
“If it’s Helian Chi’s men who come, or if it’s still Huyan Jun as the commander, then this negotiation is meaningless and won’t even last half a quarter of an hour. But there are already conflicts between the major tribes of Northern Yan. Nalan Xiong is known as the number one warrior of Northern Yan, but his position in Northern Yan is very delicate. He is confident that he can never fail to take Fengming Mountain, so if we propose negotiations, he will definitely disdain them. But if it’s to annoy Helian Chi, he will still agree,” Zong Shuo said. “However, this is just my guess. We’ll have to try it to see if it works. If it doesn’t, we can only fight to the death and drag it out until Yingzhou provides reinforcements.”
Yan Yue loved gossip and knew a bit about the affairs of Northern Yan. No power struggle was without its rifts; this was true of Great Zhao, and it was true of Northern Yan as well. Northern Yan was originally a dynasty jointly established by several major tribes, gradually expanding to become the Great Yan it is today. The greater the power, the more conflicts arise. The major tribes enjoyed the best treatment, but were also equally feared; the marriage alliances of a few years ago were a case in point.
Therefore, the Northern Yan was not as peaceful as it seemed on the surface. The covert struggles between the major tribes were intensifying. This war would only further exacerbate the conflicts. If they could take advantage of these conflicts, there might actually be a chance for negotiation.
“I’ll make the arrangements right now, but…” Yan Yue looked at Zong Shuo with some difficulty, “If this really works out, who would be suitable to go for the negotiations? We don’t have any such talent here, and besides, it’s very dangerous.”
This so-called peace talks are merely a delaying tactic with virtually no chance of success. There's no possibility of any rule about not killing envoys during negotiations between armies, especially since those barbarians are incapable of reasoning.
"You go and arrange the trip to Yingzhou to seek help first. We'll discuss the candidates for the peace talks later. If we really want to negotiate, we'll have to wait for an opportunity," Zong Shuo said.
"I'll go right away!" Yan Yue immediately got up and left the tent.
Huo Lin looked at Zong Shuo: "If peace talks are truly possible, why don't I go?"
Zong Shuo shook his head: "You're not suitable. If we really want to negotiate, I'm the most suitable person to go. If I don't come back alive, you and Yan Yue will be needed to guard Fengming Mountain."
If peace talks are to be held, the negotiators must have sufficient influence to gain the trust of the other side; otherwise, the talks would be meaningless. Moreover, given the current state of war between the two armies, peace talks are virtually impossible.
Although Zong Shuo didn't know Huo Lin well, after observing him for the past few days, he could tell that Huo Lin was a capable, calm and composed person, while Yan Yue was quite quick-witted. The two of them working together were enough to replace him in guarding Fengming Mountain.
Huo Lin frowned. Although he wanted to refute, he understood what he meant. They were all people who had fought their way up from the battlefield. At this time, it was not a question of whether to give way or not, but who was more suitable and how to defend the land beneath their feet.
They are all people who disregard life and death; there is no distinction between them in terms of seniority.
Huo Lin cupped his hands in greeting, "As you command."
...
Before dawn the next day, bugles sounded outside the camp.
Zong Shuo picked up his spear, mounted his horse, and shouted, "Let's go!"
At the border of Fengming Mountain and Yizhou, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and the weather was exceptionally good compared to the dark clouds of the previous days.
Nalan Xiong's imposing body, as large as a small mountain, sat on his horse, with two enormous meteor hammers hanging on either side, reflecting a terrifyingly cold light in the winter sun.
“Zong Shuo, you brat, we’ve known each other for a long time. If you surrender now, I might consider taking you back to be my live-in son-in-law!” Nalan Xiong’s contemptuous voice came from a great distance, yet it was still very clear.
"Damn it, this old man is dreaming!" Yan Yue cursed under his breath as he followed Zong Shuo.
Zong Shuo, without changing his expression, met Nalan Xiong's gaze from afar. "General Nalan, I have always admired your bravery and have no desire to engage in warfare with you. I wonder if you would consider peace talks? As long as you do not cross Fengming Mountain, we can discuss the terms of the peace talks."
"Peace talks?" Nalan Xiong laughed as if he had heard a joke, and the Northern Yan soldiers beside him also laughed.
Hu Yanjun cautiously warned, "General Nalan, be careful, it might be a trap."
"Do I need you to teach me how to do things? You're just a kid who hasn't even grown his hair yet, and you dare to interfere in my business?" Nalan Xiong didn't even glance at Huyan Jun, showing utter disdain for Helian Chi's lackey. "Either shut up, or I'll kill you first!"
Hu Yanjun's face was grim, but he had no choice but to swallow his anger. Now was not the time for infighting. Even if there were infighting, his tens of thousands of troops would not be able to defeat the elite of the Nalan tribe.
“Zong Shuo, you little brat,” Nalan Xiong responded loudly, “you’re fair-skinned, and if you came to talk in person, I might give you face, but you have to come yourself. Think it over, I don’t have much patience, this is your only chance.”
Yan Yue hurriedly looked at Zong Shuo, "General, we can't be fooled!"
At that moment, a clear female voice rang out.
"General Nalan, is there an opportunity for me to speak with you?"
From the other direction where the two armies clashed, a group of people appeared, led by a woman in silver armor and a red cloak, who was particularly eye-catching.
"Who are you?" Nalan Xiong shouted.
"The Crown Princess of the Great Zhao Dynasty!"