Chapter 408: 408. Min Rou Arrives

Translator: 549690339

Unlike before, this time the Liang Country’s army didn’t start attacking the city right away, but challenged them under the city walls instead.

Xing Ji stood on the city building, watching the Liang Country’s army make way for an old, white-haired general on horseback from the back. His face darkened: it was actually Peng Wei!

Xuanbei City hadn’t received any news about Peng Wei in Nanping City, and he hadn’t shown himself before either. Xing Ji felt that there was only one possibility: Peng Wei had just arrived, and was forced to enter the battlefield immediately. And they sent a once seriously injured veteran like him to the front? Situ Xie’s sinister intentions were obvious!

Xing Ji’s father had a good relationship with Peng Wei years ago, despite their different national positions. A few years ago when Peng Wei was seriously injured, it was Su Liang and Gu Ling who saved him, and even helped to temporarily restore peace between the two countries.

Xing Ji was very clear that Peng Wei did not come voluntarily. The Peng family had already decided to lay down their arms and live a peaceful life after experiencing many difficulties.

As the bravest veteran in Liang Country, Peng Wei’s arrival at the forefront of the army immediately ignited the cheers of the Liang Country’s soldiers.

Qiao Jing, who grew up in Xuanbei City and had been in the army for several years, was very familiar with Peng Wei and knew about his good relationship with Qian Country. Naturally, he also guessed what Situ Xie intended to do with Peng Wei.

As such, Qiao Jing, who was supposed to lead the troops out of the city to fight, went up to the city building to discuss with Xing Ji how to deal with the situation.

As soon as Qiao Jing stood beside Xing Ji, he saw Peng Wei draw his sword and point it at him, “I am here by imperial edict to kill the traitor! Qiao Jing, do you dare to fight under the city?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the morale of the Liang Country’s army, who had been frustrated in their siege for half a month and deeply resented Qiao Jing, rose once again and shouted loudly.

However, Xing Ji could hear that Peng Wei’s voice was exhausted and full of fatigue.

Not to mention that Peng Wei was old, in poor health, and must have rushed here day and night without proper rest. Even at his prime, he was no match for Qiao Jing in terms of martial arts.

Xing Ji and Qiao Jing glanced at each other, and without saying it aloud, they both knew what Situ Xie intended.

If Qiao Jing did not accept the challenge, or showed mercy to Peng Wei, clearly having superior strength but unwilling to kill him, it would make people on Qian Country’s side doubt his loyalty.

However, if Qiao Jing treated Peng Wei as an enemy general and killed him in a normal battle, it would further fuel the hatred of Liang Country’s army towards him and Qian Country, and they would recklessly attack Xuanbei City in the next stage.

No matter what, Situ Xie had calculated that Peng Wei would be advantageous for Liang Country. As for his family in Yao City, Peng Wei didn’t dare to disobey the orders. Whether he would die or not, Situ Xie didn’t care at all. He might even hope that Peng Wei would die miserably under Xuanbei City, giving a morale boost to Liang Country’s army.

“Marquis, what should I do?” Qiao Jing was really in a dilemma. It was wartime, and sentiment could not be considered, but he didn’t want to fight Peng Wei at all.

Since no one from Qian Country responded to Peng Wei’s challenge, the Liang Country’s army began to shout “traitor” louder and louder.

Xing Ji turned his head and whispered to Bai Yang, who left quickly.

A moment later, an arrow shot through the air, aimed directly at the horse under Peng Wei!

The Liang Country’s army’s cheers came to an abrupt halt. Peng Wei saw it and tried to dodge, but failed. His horse fell to the ground with an arrow in it, and he himself also fell to the ground, only to be quickly carried away to the rear by his men.

Xing Ji, from his high vantage point, spoke loudly, “What traitor? General Qiao only chose the light over the darkness! If any of you want to become citizens of Qian Country like General Qiao, just lay down your weapons, and Qian Country will protect you. At least in Qian Country, you don’t have to worry about filling your stomachs, unlike in Liang Country. Can you have a full meal all year round? You came to fight Qian Country just to have enough to eat, and since you can’t win, why not just join Qian Country? Isn’t that simpler?”

What just happened, along with Xing Ji’s words, instantly extinguished the Liang Country army’s morale. On the other hand, laughter erupted from Qian Country’s side.

Qiao Jing sighed softly. As for Peng Wei’s challenge, this was the only way to deal with it. Fighting or not fighting would both play into Situ Xie’s scheme. The best solution was to simply ignore Peng Wei, and not mention him at all.

At this time, in the rear of the Liang Country’s army, Mo Yan, who had been watching everything silently, still said nothing. He Wei sneered, “What use is it to let that waste from the Peng family go up there? It’s just a waste of time.”

Mo Yan shook his head, “It is useful, but the use of it has failed.”

He Wei sneered, “Next, it’s time to show some colors to Qian Country.”

“Explosives are limited and not omnipotent. It’s still not easy for Liang Country to win this war,” Mo Yan said coldly.

“But with the help of the Master, it would be much easier,” He Wei wasn’t just flattering Mo Yan. From his demeanor, he truly believed so.

When Xing Ji saw the catapult pushed out from the army of Liang Country, he did not let Qiao Jing lead the troops out of the city to battle. They just needed to defend the city today.

He Wei sneered, “They really think they’re ordinary stones.”

As his voice fell, several black “stones” flew high from the catapults. At the same time, a group of Liang Country’s archers suddenly rushed to the front, each accompanied by a soldier who lit their arrows.

At this moment, Xing Ji had also ordered to shoot the arrows. But when he saw the sudden flames at the front of Liang Country’s army, his expression changed drastically. He recalled the warning in Su Liang’s previous letter and immediately shouted, “Retreat! Everyone, retreat!”

Qiao Jing raised his bow and arrow, aiming at the archers below, and killed three in a row. Unfortunately, there were too many of them. It was impossible to kill everyone in such a short time and still couldn’t stop the flames and “black stones” from flying towards the city wall and gates of Xuanbei City, seemingly about to converge.

Qiao Jing threw away his bow and arrow, and Qi Jun had already grabbed the horn to blow it.

The soldiers on the inner side of the city gate were waiting for orders to go out of the city. Suddenly hearing the horn of retreat, they hesitated for a while and then all turned to run back.

Everything happened so quickly.

As a black “stone” hit the city gate, a ball of flame followed it. A loud explosion made the people inside and outside the city feel a sudden shudder in their hearts.

Then, consecutive explosions resounded.

The solid north city wall of Xuanbei City collapsed amidst the thick smoke and dark light of the fire.

When the city gate exploded, Xing Ji thought of Su Liang’s previous letter. While leaping down the city building, he shouted “Mo Yan,” but he didn’t know if Mo Yan was actually there. At this moment, even if he shouted his lungs out, the sound would be completely drowned out by the huge explosion, unable to reach anyone’s ears.

Not to mention that the army of Qian Country was in chaos; even the army of Liang Country was stunned: when did they have such powerful weapons and why didn’t they use them earlier?

Only a very few people knew about it. Even the soldiers who used the catapult didn’t know they were using special “stones” that were explosives. The soldiers shooting the “rockets” were merely following orders, not knowing that the power of the flames shot out was so great.

But after the shock and astonishment, the army of Qian Country began to fear, while the army of Liang Country quickly got excited because the city gate of Xuanbei City that they hadn’t been able to break through for half a month was finally broken!

Xing Ji ordered to continue retreating. The explosives were aimed at the city walls and gates, and as long as people retreated from that area, they would be safe. There were no large-scale casualties for the time being, but they dared not confront such weapons with their flesh and blood.

As for Qiao Jing, after coming down the city building, he disappeared. At this moment, he and Qiao Cong were rushing towards the city gate in a carriage, going against the direction of the army’s retreat. The carriage contained the secret weapon sent by Su Liang earlier. They were told not to use it if the enemy didn’t use it. Now, since Liang Country disregarded the code of Martial Arts, there was no need to be polite!

He Wei’s eyes flashed with excitement, and he could not wait to rush up and personally blow the city gate of Xuanbei City open with explosives.

And Peng Wei, who had been protected after his fall and retreated to the rear, looked at the collapsing city gate of Xuanbei City in disbelief. He turned his head to see the soldiers on his side, their eyes tainted with bloodthirsty light from the smoke.

Peng Wei had only arrived this morning, exhausted, and was forced to the battlefield. He had no other choice, even if he was killed by the Qian Country’s side, he would accept it. At that time, when the arrow was shot, he could have made his horse dodge it, but he dodged it in a way to ensure his horse was hit, then fell down, ending the fight.

Peng Wei knew nothing about the powerful explosives in the army of Liang Country and couldn’t understand why they were only used now.

There were fireworks and similar explosive substances in this world, but their power was not strong and did not have much use on the battlefield.

Such a heart-palpitating explosion like today had never happened before.

Peng Wei had thought that with the alliance of Qian Country and Yin Country, Liang Country had no chance of victory, but now seeing the smoke in Xuanbei City, he was unsure.

As the sound of the explosion subsided, a gust of wind blew by, and the collapsed city wall and the exposed large gap in the city gate gradually became clear.

And the Liang Country army couldn’t hold back anymore, just waiting for an order to enter the city and have a killing spree!

At this moment, He Wei asked Mo Yan another question, “Is this all we use today? Shouldn’t we give them some more, and blow up Qian’s soldiers?”

Mo Yan shook his head, “We’ll see.”

He Wei nodded, “Master is right. The explosives are for attacking the city, but for fighting, people still need to step up, otherwise, they will be used up quickly.”

At this moment, the signal horn for Liang Country’s attack sounded, and the vanguard troops shouted “Kill” as they rode toward the non-existent city gate of Xuanbei City.

But just as they were about to reach the city gate, another thunderous noise exploded the wall in front of them that had not completely collapsed!

Smoke billowed again, and debris flew wildly. Startled horses neighed, and the previously high-spirited Liang Country vanguard troops with their swords drawn had turned pale!

The Liang Country army behind them was also stunned by this sudden change and stopped in their tracks, wondering: was that not Liang Country’s secret weapon? What was going on with that last attack?

He Wei’s smile froze on his face, and he frowned heavily, “Qian Country has it too?”

Mo Yan narrowed his eyes, “With Gu Ling there, it’s not surprising. But how did he know that the Liang Country army would use explosives? This must have been prepared beforehand, waiting for Liang Country to use them first.”

He Wei’s heart skipped a beat, yes, how did Gu Ling know? In theory, he and Su Liang shouldn’t have known about Xingluo Island and Mo Yan, let alone that Mo Yan was helping Situ Xie!

Suddenly remembering what had happened when he went to Qian Country’s capital city to assassinate Duanmu Chen earlier, He Wei blurted out, “He… can predict the future?”

Mo Yan’s eyes narrowed, “Perhaps.”

“What do we do now?” He Wei asked, frowning and looking at the halted Liang Country army.

“We only gave them that much explosives today,” Mo Yan shook his head, “Move forward or retreat, it depends on them.”

He Wei believed that under such circumstances, the Liang Country army would not dare to enter Xuanbei City again. Who knew how many explosives were waiting for them? They were the attackers, and Qian Country was the defender, so while Liang Country could blast the walls of Qian Country, Qian Country could blast the people of Liang Country.

As the second explosion sounded at the gate of Xuanbei City, a signal horn for retreat soon sounded among the Liang Country army. The main general was not Peng Wei, who was just a tool forced to come, and it was very dangerous to recklessly enter Xuanbei City at this moment. They had to think of a long-term plan.

The Liang Country army retreated like a tide. Their mood today could be described as a rollercoaster, with victory seemingly in sight, only for it to vanish again.

Mo Yan took a deep look at the collapsed wall of Xuanbei City and left with He Wei.

Xuanbei City.

Qiao Jing threw two explosives, both avoiding Liang Country’s people. He was also a soldier, but he didn’t like to kill, especially in such a destructive manner.

The fact that the city gate was blown open made the Qian Country army feel frustrated and vulnerable, and Xing Ji ordered the civilians of Xuanbei City to evacuate to the rear today to avoid innocent casualties, while also arranging for people to urgently repair the city wall.

Even if the repairs were easily destroyed again, it was still meaningful, as it could at least consume some of the enemy’s explosives.

The atmosphere in the Meeting Hall was gloomy for the first time since the start of the war.

“How much do we have left?” Xing Ji asked Qiao Jing.

“We only used a tenth of it today,” Qiao Jing said.

Xing Ji sighed deeply, “In the end, we still reached this point. That man with the surname Mo is nowhere to be found. How can we pass Su Liang’s words to him?”

Qiao Cong said irritably, “In my opinion, if we can find him, let’s just blow him to pieces! Better yet, just kill him! He’s always messing things up!”

“That man is very dangerous. Su Liang has warned us not to get in touch with him rashly,” Xing Ji shook his head. If it was that simple, Su Liang and Gu Ling wouldn’t have been so wary, and they wouldn’t have been reminded in every letter they received.

“I don’t think their explosives are inexhaustible either.” Qi Jun said.

“But we still need to plan carefully for the next battle,” Qiao Jing sighed slightly. Neither side knew much about the other’s weapons, and there would be many unpredictable variables.

Just then, a very familiar voice came from outside the Meeting Hall door, “Make way! I am the Regent King’s master!”

Xing Ji was stunned for a moment, and Qi Jun had already run out, his face full of surprise, “Master Mu, why are you here?”

Qiao Jing appeared behind Qi Jun and saw a young girl with an unfamiliar face following Master Mu. He asked somewhat uncertainly, “Su Liang?”

Min Rou quickly shook her head, “No, I’m not.”

“Oh.” Qiao Jing felt a bit awkward and turned back.

Master Mu brought Min Rou in, introduced her as Minister Min’s granddaughter, and everyone was a little confused.

Then Master Mu explained that he was sending Min Rou to Nanping City to find Mo Yan and stop him from continuing to help Liang Country in the war.

“My grandfather is Mo Yan’s confidant, and he watched me grow up,” Min Rou explained herself.

Xing Ji asked, “Do you know how to find him?”

Min Rou nodded, “I know how to find my grandfather. Let’s give it a try.”

“We are still late.” Master Mu said irritably, “Damn it!” They heard the explosion before they even entered Xuanbei City.

“She… can she really be trusted?” Qiao Jing asked Master Mu in front of Min Rou.

Min Rou frowned, and Master Mu snorted, “Anyway, Su Liang trusts her, you can believe it or not, kid!”

Qiao Jing: …

“Bring me some food. I’m starving!” Master Mu sat down with Min Rou, “We’ll go find that bastard with the surname Mo after we eat!”