Deposed Empress General Chapter 48

When Bi Chengjing awoke, half a month had already passed. He was after all old, and had witnessed Madam Bi perish beneath a blade, so his body had originally had difficulty bearing it. Additionally, he had also contracted the plague. If it wasn't for Yang Lianting's presence, he would probably have lost his life.

He opened his eyes, and discovered that he was lying on a bed, he moved left and right, but he didn't want to put in any more effort. He struggled as he turned his head, and saw by the bedside, a young person was currently helping to take his pulse. Looking more carefully, he had recognized this person. He opened his mouth, finally saying, "Doctor Yang?"

Yang Lianting lightly nodded, and waved his hand, and someone from Bai Yu sect passed forth medicine. Bi Chengjing said, "I...... why am I here?" Since he contracted the illness, he had been unconscious for a long time, and didn't know when he had left prison.

Yang Lianting said, "Have the person outside tell you." Actually, towards Bi Chengjing, he still held suspicion, as back then, when Yang Jiling was sent to prison under false pretenses, Bi Chengjing, as his favored teacher, had not saved him. But rather watched as he was beaten to death in prison.

At that time, Yang Lianting was after all young, and even though now he understood the words that some people couldn't help, and didn't have the capacity to help, but it was still a knot in his heart, ultimately not being able to be released.

So although based on social hierarchy, he should call Bi Chengjing a grandfather master, but for all these years, the Yang family was no longer around, and even if he was still around, the old ties already no longer existed.

He fed Bi Chengjing a bowl of medicine, and turned, leaving. Not long later, outside, already a group of old officials entered. The one at the front was exactly Bao Zhengshu. Seeing Bi Chengjing awaken, they were all very emotional. It was actually Yang Lianting that but in, "Don't talk too long."

Bao Zhengshu came forwards, and held Bi Chengjing's hand, "Old minister, you have suffered!"

Bi Chengjing shook his head, saying, "I'm just a bundle of old bones, so what is suffering? It's just a pity for madam, accompanying me for many years, having to work hard all the time, but dying brutally beneath the blades of the imperial guard!" At the mention of madam Bi, his eyes turned red, and a long time later, he asked, "Madam...... where is she currently buried?"

Bao Zhengshu said, "Country Stabilizing Gong assigned people to bury her at the Bi family ancestral grounds, and we have already gone over to pay our respects. After old minister gets a bit better, then you can head to pay respects, and it won't be late."

Bi Chengjing's eyes were filled with moving tears, and Bao Zhengshu said, "Old minister, currently within court, Jiang Sanyi is currently experiencing smooth sailing. Even the high officials involved in the construction of the Wan Pavilion have all been imprisoned, so what do you think we should do, ah?"

Bi Chengjing said, "Since his majesty allowed someone to incriminate this old one, it must mean he has already steeled his determination to get rid of this old one, so how could he still let me live to return to the old estate? Yang Lianting is Bai Yu sect's sect leader, and normally, unless he was specially summoned, he would not enter Jinyang city, so did his majesty order him to come and have me treated?"

Bao Zhengshu and the others thought it over, but it was still the minister's chief steward, Wei Tongyao that said, "Old minister, at the beginning we all put forth strong objections, but his majesty didn't actually seem like he was going to change his mind. Later on...... later on, Biao Qi General, Zuo Canglang, made a trip to the palace, and secretly spoke to his majesty for the length of a quarter hour. If we did not guess incorrectly, it must be the words she spoke, that released minister."

Bi Chengjing said, "Zuo Canglang? But this old one hasn't had any dealings with her, and although in name, she is Wenqi's wife, but in reality, she is really his majesty's confidante. Why would she speak on my behalf?"

Bao Zhengshu said, "This...... is also exactly what we lower officials can't understand, ah."

Bi Chengjing deeply said, "Currently, she holds military power, and also receives his majesty's favor, and can be said as a youthful success story. Asking for mercy for me, could it be that she wishes to build ties with us?"

Bao Zhengshu said, "But just as minister has stated, currently her position is already stable, so what would she need us for?"

At the side, Wei Tongyao suddenly said, "I don't know if everyone has thought of this or not, but his majesty towards her...... treats her entirely different from other court officials."

Everyone was startled, and the faction head Sima Cang said, "Speaking of it, when his majesty interacts with her, chief steward Wang usually stays away. Have you all ever seen a court official that when facing the ruler, Wang Yunzhao is not present?"

Everyone was stunned, and Bi Chengjing said, "That's why, you all are saying, that between her and his majesty, there is some behavior that cannot see the light of day?"

Bao Zhengshu said, "Speaking of this, if she dares to beg for mercy for minister, and can accomodate this matter, then it is a sufficient explanation."

Bi Chengjing said, "That's why...... if she desires to build ties with us, it could be that she intends on usurping the position of the queen?"

Everyone was startled, and Sima Cang said, "But...... she is after all Marshal Wen's widow, ah! Even if we all know that it is only an empty title, but Marshal Wen still has quite a few former subordinates in the military. Once these martial folks learn of the matter, I'm only afraid the situation could not be contained, ah!"

Bi Chengjing sighed, saying, "Currently, I'm also old, and I don't want to bother with any more matters. In the future, don't come so often to my place. His majesty considers me a thorn in his eye, so don't get dragged down because of me."

Bao Zhengshu and the others all knelt, "Old minister!"

Bi Chengjing waved his hand, "You should all leave, ah!"

This half a month, Zuo Canglang's wounds had pretty much healed. Although she still couldn't draw her bow or shoot arrows, but moving about normally was already unaffected. Murong Yan ordered her to attend morning court, which she also did attend, but within the court, she also didn't have any matters she knew of. She was a military official, so for the implementation of new policies, and towards the matters of taxation, etc. she would get a headache upon listening to it.

Thus within the entire court, she would usually not say a single thing, and it was difficult for her not to be bored. Additionally, as she was wounded, she also didn't need to stand for a long time. And a single session of court would usually last a pretty long time, and these days, Murong Yan would often just directly recess court, and have the officials that were involved with matters directly enter the study to continue discussions.

After a few consecutive times, the length of a court session was greatly reduced, and the old officials would look left and right, and think of the words Bi Chengjing had said last time, and all their hearts would feel a little bit unsettled.

Zuo Canglang recently had purposefully been avoiding Murong Yan, and after court was recessed, she would practically leave immediately, and sometimes, when she encountered eunuchs that came to pass on the edicts, she would also intentionally circumvent them to leave. After leaving the palace, she also wouldn't return to Wen estate much, practically meandering about outside on her own.

After Bi Chengjing's injuries started recovering, Yang Lianting also returned to Gu She mountain. Zuo Canglang lost an additional place to go, and spent most of her time loitering in teahouses.

This day, from Ping Du pass, news of combat was spread over, as Western Jing had once again attacked Great Yan. Western Jing had fought against Wenqi last time, bitterly fighting for many months, but didn't manage to make any gains, and suffered greatly to their national power. Currently, things had just calmed down, and the first thing they did was still to attack Yan.

They were pretty clear of the situation in Great Yan, as Great Yan had endured so many years of natural disasters, and had long exhausted its national power. Murong Yan usurped the throne, which harmed the nation to its core even more. Additionally, with Wenqi's death, Zuo Canglang's injuries, it could be called a heaven-gifted opportunity.

When news of the front spread to Murong Yan's hands, the court officials all had a lot to comment on. Actually, in the past, what the condition was, everyone was very clear of. Why did Murong Yan hurriedly improve agriculture? Wasn't it exactly because the military rations had been exhausted! He entirely didn't have the rations necessary to continue fighting.

Currently, Western Jing could still increase its taxation to accrue military provisions, but Great Yan, Murong Yan had just relaxed taxation, and the people of Great Yan were all extremely hopeful. He had no way to once again extract provisions from the people.

In court, everyone was deep in thought.

Murong Yan looked through the court, asking, "Western Jing has once again attacked my Suye city, and the reports claim the attacking forces are not less than one hundred and fifty thousand strong. Do all the present officials have any good plans?"

Jiang Sanyi and Gan Xiaoru took a glance at each other, neither daring to speak. With Murong Yan's personality, nobody dared to suggest he make peace talks. But currently, other than peace talks, was there a better method?

Murong Yan's gaze flitted over to Jiang Sanyi, asking, "Beloved subject Jiang, as you see it, what should we do?"

Jiang Sanyi came forwards, saying, "Your majesty, based on this subject's view, General Zuo is unmatched in her command of the troops, so why not have General Zuo combat the Western Jing."

Zheng Zhizhou came out to support the suggestion, and Gan Xiaoru couldn't ascertain Murong Yan's intention, and didn't dare to speak out of the blue. Bao Zhengshu's faction, after Bi Chengjing's stern words, also prepared to draw a clear line with Zuo Canglang. At this time, they also did not speak.

Everyone knew, at this time, Murong Yan couldn't gather the military provisions, and if they fought the Western Jing now, if they couldn't attain victory within fifteen days, the provisions would be exhausted, and there would be no resupply.

Western Jing's one hundred and fifty thousand troops came violently, and in their rear, whether they still had reinforcements, nobody knew. Once they could not rapidly attain victory, they would suffer a great defeat.

Among the branches of the military, who, at this time, still dared to accept the order to fight?

Murong Yan's lips curled into a scoff, and at this moment, he finally looked at Zuo Canglang, saying, "Beloved subject Zuo's wounds are not yet healed, so the matter of fighting the war, I'm only afraid, she cannot bear it. This king knows, that minister Jiang has beneath him, his oldest son, Jiang Qi, who is knowledgeable in the arts of war, so why doesn't minister suggest him to fight?"

Jiang Sanyi's expression changed, and his two knees fell to the ground, kneeling, "Your majesty, my son is young, and it is difficult for him to bear such a heavy responsibility! General Zuo has a lot of military accomplishments, so having her fight against Western Jing, there would still be a greater hope for victory."

Murong Yan scoffed coldly, and directly said, "Court is recessed! Beloved subject Zuo, please head to the study to discuss matters!" Jiang Sanyi was covered in cold sweat. He didn't know, whether Murong Yan was intentionally scaring him, or whether he wanted to leave Zuo Canglang some time to recover.

In the royal study, Wang Yunzhao brought forth tea, and brought Xiao Anzi and the others to retreat. Zuo Canglang was still kneeling on the ground, and Murong Yan said, "Rise, ah, today you have seen what has perspired in court."

Zuo Canglang's lips carried a smile, saying, "Leading troops to fight battles was originally the responsibility of military officials. Lord master asking minister Jiang, it would be hard not to be disappointed."

Murong Yan harrumphed coldly, saying, "With your wounds, you still can't enter the battlefield."

Zuo Canglang said, "It's exactly because this subject can't enter the battlefield, that we have a chance of victory." Murong Yan looked at her, and she said, "I beg lord master, to let this subject try it."

Murong Yan held her hand, slowly pulling her into his embrace, saying, "Then go, the matter of military provisions, I will think of a way." Zuo Canglang nodded, but would there really be a way?

That night, Zuo Canglang spent the night preparing troops, and heading towards Suye city. Currently within Jinyang city, there was only Luan Di Diao, Tao Feng Gao, and Yuan Xi's confidante, Yuan E. Zuo Canglang didn't even waver when saying, "Yuan E, accompany me to head to Suye!"

Yuan E loudly affirmed, and Luan Di Diao, Tao Feng Gao came forwards, "General, since the Ping Du pass event, this soldier had once followed General Zuo and General Yuan. Suye's terrain, this soldier understands well." Zuo Canglang seemed unconcerned, and ordered Yuan E to go and make preparations, but Luan Di Diao Tao Feng Gao was not satisfied, "General, has this soldier had any failings? Why does General and Marshal Wen's main force not use this soldier?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Stop wasting words, as you should stay with Zhou Xin to garrison Jinyang, and this is a military order!" But he then continued, saying, "General, this soldier is willing to be an infantryman, but only wishes to follow general, and after returning to Suye, to fight back the Western Jing bandits!"

Zuo Canglang was finally angry, shouting, "Can't you hear my words?!" Just with your name, someday if you are wounded or if you perish in combat, how is this old one supposed to write the military report!!

The various military folks present all began laughing into a ball, and Yuan E said, "I bet ten pieces of silver, that with the six words in your name, the general would read four words incorrectly! And write five characters incorrectly!"

Jgqka Jkxznvnpnbc Crbroxv, Tq Parbcuxb vxqcare gqk oxqmgqjvu, "N zrk ktrbku dnrmrj, axaxax ax."

At the side, finally, someone walked over, poking fun, "What the frack are you all laughing about?! A group of old and rough dudes, do you all have any sense of propriety? Can't our general still read two letters correctly?!"

Pqg Mxbcvxbc: ......

Luan Di Diao Tao Feng Gao clenched his teeth, and walked before Zuo Canglang, "Actually my mother is Madam Wang, and this soldier still has a name called Wang Nan!"

Zuo Canglang finally said, "Let's go!"

The group rushed overnight towards Suye city, and when leaving the city, Murong Yan sent her. The two rode their horses slowly, and Wang Yunzhao understood, and ordered the others to wait for them where they were.

After the group had gone somewhat distant, Murong Yan said, "Suye was originally a border city, and currently, it is also surrounded by Mayi city and Xiaoquan mountain, so we are facing foes on two sides. If you really can't, temporarily threw it to Gu Zhu, and having them compete with Western Jing isn't unacceptable."

Zuo Canglang said, "This subject understands, and if the situation is truly dire, I will pull the army out of Suye."

Murong Yan bent his waist, and Zuo Canglang lowered her head, discovering that he had tied a Safety Knot on her waist. [TN: It's essentially a superstitious trinket used for keeping the bearer safe.] She reached her hand out, holding his wrist, "Lord master......"

Murong Yan said, "Don't worry about Suye city, as the land outside of Ping Du pass, if you really can't hold it, it can be given up. But you must take care of yourself."

Zuo Canglang's right hand held onto that safety knot, her fingers brushing over it, having a soft and delicate feeling. She nodded, and seriously said, "I will."

The army packed the camp, and atop her horse, Zuo Canglang turned back, and saw that Murong Yan hadn't turned yet. The wind billowed, lifting the military banner, she heavily spoke, "Onward!"

The horse beats were like thundering hooves, lifting a cloud of sand.

The situation at Suye was more serious than expected. When Zuo Canglang rushed over, Western Jing's General Ren Xuan had just happened to breach Suye city's gate.

Zuo Canglang's reinforcements had rushed there overnight, and were long exhausted. She didn't advance to assist Suye's defeated troops in withdrawing. But rather, she stopped to the west of Suye city at the White Wolf lake. The surface of the lake had already frozen over, and the bed of the lake was like a steep canyon. Time was of the essence, and there wasn't enough time to make preparations, as when the defeated troops had gone there, Ren Xuan led troops, planning on pursuing them there, so she ordered all her troops to ride out, to wave their banners and shout.

The entire canyon quaked, and arrows shot out. Ren Xuan was greatly startled, and immediately retreated to Suye.

After the pursuing troops retreated, Zuo Canglang finally reorganized the defeated troops by Kang Hua line. But, after understanding the situation, she frowned---- the defeated troops had practically dropped their arms, not to mention their supplies.

The several tens of thousands were camped at Kang Hua line, their provisions only enough for two days. And the more frightening matter, was that there were no reinforcing supplies coming. They lacked clothes, medicine, and the weather was also ungodly frigid. Yuan E and Wang Nan could only bandage the injured troops simply, and Zuo Canglang ordered them to take the clothes off the deceased. In the middle of the night, when it was deathly chill, having a few extra clothes was still good.

Yuan E and Wang Nan ordered people to take the clothes from the dead, and then Yuan E laughed, "Why is general having us take clothes from the dead? Something that can be this difficult for the general, whether or not we can keep our lives is still a big question. Hey little guy, do you regret following along?"

Wang Nan discovered an injured soldier who was still breathing, and lowered his head to investigate, "No, I am a soldier, and I want to stay on the battlefield. In the past...... even when Marshal Wen couldn't help it, he was also unwilling to bring me onto the battlefield." If I had earlier known that I needed to change my name, I would have long changed it.

Yuan E compassionately pat his shoulder, and the two of them lifted the injured soldier, returning.

The weather was indeed too cold, and White Wolf lake had entirely frozen, with a thick layer of ice. Atop it, horses cold ride. Zuo Canglang rode over it many times, and a long time later, shot out an arrow. Although the surface of the lake was shot, but it was still solid.

Zuo Canglang observed it for a while, and used Nine Dragons' Tongue, repeated shooting it many times. The layer of ice finally broke, and slowly revealed freezing water. Yuan E and Wang Nan looked at each other, and Yuan E said, "The general's mood is not bad." The situation is already so dire, and you're still over here playing with ice!

Zuo Canglang went to where the ice had broken and took a look, but Wang Nan quickly came forwards, "General, be careful! In this type of weather, falling into the ice is no joke!"

Zuo Canglang stood where she was, taking a look, and a while later, said, "Yuan E, immediately order the entire army to prepare formations to return, and at four in the morning, we will head back to Suye city's gate to prepare for combat."

Yuan E received the order, and immediately issued it. Zuo Canglang then said, "Wang Nan, melt all the candles within the city, as I want to use a bucket of wax. Bring along-- and accompany me."

Wang Nan finished preparations, and the two of them followed White Wolf lake, walking for a while, but Zuo Canglang pointed in front of them. "Roll up the layer of ice, and have them crack."

WAng Nan asked, "Chisel the ice?"

Zuo Canglang shook her head, "No, make the ice crack."

Although Wang Nan didn't understand, he still used his crossbow to shoot several layers of ice. Zuo Canglang also personally helped, and not long later, they already cracked large piece of ice.

Zuo Canglang walked over, and poured wax over it. Not long later, the wax solidified again. Wang Nan, seeing it, felt his heart ache, as he worried that in night time, there were no longer any candles left to use.

Zuo Canglang took a look, and on the surface of the ice, poured on a layer of water. Not long later, the water had solidified into a thin layer of ice, covering the surface.

She said, "In the night, I will draw people out. You all should think of a way to delay the troops in the back, it won't take a long time."

Wang Nan lowered his head, his heart thinking, is Ren Xuan your family's dog, that he will come out if you want him to come out. But he had followed Zuo Canglang before, and knew she was still someone you could count on, and didn't say more, only affirming the order.

Around four in the morning, Zuo Canglang led troops to attack the city. Ren Xuan found it very unexpected, as how could...... Great Yan had been in internal strife for so long, how could it still have the military forces to take the initiative to attack the city?

According to reason, they should just directly retreat to Daji city! Indeed, after changing a ruler, even their way of doing things had changed.

He was just thinking of it, when Zuo Canglang appeared beneath the city. Ren Xuan's eyes stopped on her, as Western Jing's spies in Great Yan had returned with news that Zuo Canglang's wounds could not possibly have recovered so quickly. He observed at the gate, but saw that Zuo Canglang refrained from taking action, and although the entire army was fighting bitterly, but there was no other movements.

Could it be....... that this person was making a ruckus to draw away attention?

He was still considered a careful personality, and refrained from attacking. All the way until midnight, when at the city gate, he began to see Zuo Canglang coughing. He had spies that had leaked the prescription of Zuo Canglang's medicine, and based on calculating from this prescription, her woulds wouldn't recover without a full month.

She was a military official, and military officials were always better at bearing pain than the civil officials. It meant that if she looked like she had recovered by eighty percent, in actuality, she had really only recovered by fifty percent.

This person, had carried such heavy wounds to the city gate to fight. Ren Xuan's heart carried some admiration, Great Yan's Biao Qi General, ah! If he managed to get her head, it would be such a great merit, as he had never previously fought against Zuo Canglang. He didn't believe a teenage girl could have any earth shaking abilities.

As he had observed for half the night, he finally sent out a small attachment of soldiers, planning on charging Zuo Canglang's formation. Zuo Canglang shot out two arrows, and they were still accurate, but quickly, she couldn't use her bow anymore. Ren Xuan's breathing slowly quickly, as he could almost confirm, Zuo Canglang's wounds were indeed extremely serious.

He was originally someone who excelled at horsemanship, and that posture she had while drawing the bow could not deceive him. Want to head down? If it's unsuccessful, there's always enough time to return.

He clenched his teeth, finally ordering the city gates to be opened, to exit the city and prepare for battle. Zuo Canglang was amongst the soldiers, and shot out two more arrows, one arrow passed by his right arm. Ren Xuan clenched his teeth, and rose directly towards her, and pulling out his bow, he shot an arrow out, which Zuo Canglang dodged. He pulled out his spear, drawing near with his horse. Striking towards her head, Zuo Canglang avoided him, but that strength, was it something she could resist?

She only felt her wrist numb, her wounds tearing, as if her entire arm had broken. She quickly escaped, flying past. The Western Jing force made a loud roar in excitement. And Zuo Canglang retreated a large distance, and Ren Xuan had clearly seen, blood was slowly seeping out of her body.

She got on her horse in a hurry, they had torn her old wounds! Ren Xuan immediately pursued behind, preparing to stab his spear again. Zuo Canglang turned her horse, retreating. Ren Xuan issued the order to attack, but seeing Zuo Canglang retreat, he originally didn't plan on chasing, as the sky was dark and the road was difficult to see, so how would he not know the danger? He only randomly shot out an arrow. He didn't expect to hear Zuo Canglang utter a groan, and as he looked over, he discovered that arrow had shot into her back!

This girl was Wenqi's wife, Great Yan's Biao Qi Great General, ah! Once she was captured alive, Great Yan's entire army would be greatly demoralized! Perhaps they could even take Daji city tomorrow!

He no longer wavered, but galloped his horse, pursuing ravenously. Zuo Canglang rode her horse in a hurry, the horse beats beating through the scene, its steps still stable. She held tightly to the bridle, and the cold wind penetrated her body, and she only felt a heart and lung piercing cold.

Ren Xuan once again drew his bow, and show out another arrow. Zuo Canglang shifted her body, avoiding it, losing her balance, she almost fell off her horse.

She picked up a piece of candy that was used to feed horses, stuffing it into her mouth. Each breath she took turned into cold tea. But she did not dare to relax any of her focus. Was it here? Victory or defeat would all depend on this one moment, and if it failed, this place would be her burial ground.

She slowed her speed, falling off the horse, and grasping onto her wound, she ran wildly on the ice. Ren Xuan rode his horse in pursuit, the cold moon like sleet, the surface of the ice like a belt of jade. Her blood dripped on the surface of the ice, drop by drop, strand by strand.

Ren Xuan's eyes were filled with the joy of victory, and right as he was about to draw his bow to fire another arrow, suddenly, he felt the ground beneath him shake, and before he reacted, he, along with his horse, fell into the ice!

Zuo Canglang knelt on the surface of the ice, her heart and lungs practically feeling like they had frozen solid! She had lost excessive blood, and she started feeling cold. The pain from her wound actually numbed.

Within the ice, there was the sound of someone struggling, and the cracked ice slowly shattered, the person inside frantically searching for a source of salvation.

But the surrounding area was all one large piece of cracked ice that had been sealed with wax. Finally, he struggled, kicking the ice. His lips turned purple, staring dazedly at Zuo Canglang, atop the ice.

Zuo Canglang still had her bow and arrow in her hand, so she struggled to stand up, placing Nine Dragons' Tongue on the ground, and notched a bolt into the crossbow, aiming straight towards Ren Xuan.

The four eyes were exchanged, and Zuo Canglang ripped her clothes, stopping her bleeding, but not pulling out the arrow.

The life sign in Ren Xuan's eyes slowly flowed away, but Zuo Canglang didn't go over there, as right now, she also didn't have much energy left, and she only needed to wait for him to die. Something on the surface of the ice reflected the moonlight, and she picked it up, discovering that it was also a small gold lock.

A long-life lock, one that was given to children.

She touched it for a while, asking, "Is it for giving to a child?"

Ren Xuan's teeth chattered, "I, after I die, send me back to Western Jing......"

Zuo canglang's voice was also cold, "Marshal Wen, was killed by you?"

Ren Xuan's voice kept shaking, and it was difficult to make out his tone, "I, I also sent him back to Great Yan. I beg you, you must send me back to Western Jing."

Zuo Canglang was curious, "Why?"

Ren Xuan said, "Seeing my body, the imperial court will take care of the deceased's....... estate and take care of my parents my wife, my children....... I beg you......"

Zuo Canglang was startled, "So....... you also, at the first moment, sent back Wenqi's body?"

Ren Xuan already couldn't be discerned if he was nodding or not, "I don't have any hatred or vengeance towards him, I don't hate him."

Zuo Canglang said, "If you surrender to Great Yan, I will save you."

Ren Xuan wavered, and then shook his head, this time, it was a very apparent head shake, "I will not become a traitor general. Please..... please you must send my corpse back. I have entered the army for nineteen years, and even if I died in combat, it would only be a small failing, and my king seeing my corpse, would also not be angered. Believe me, if Marshal Wen was present, or if Yuan Xi was present, they would definitely also do this......"

His voice grew quiet, and he had already fallen unconscious, but tightly held onto the surface of the ice, his five fingers frozen.

Zuo Canglang slowly crawled over, and felt the ice beneath her shaking, so she quickly stopped. This type of icy surface, it was impossible to carry someone that was heavy like a bear onto it.

"Why did I have to speak with you." She said, but thinking it over, tore off her own inner shirt, and rolled it into a cloth rope. Looking left and right, around her, her own horse was still not far away. She called the horse over, and tied one end of the rope around Ren Xuan, and the other end around the horse's neck.

The horse exerted effort, and finally pulled Ren Xuan out of the icy pool, pulling him onto the shore. Wang Nan and the others still hadn't come over. Zuo Canglang grasped a bundle of snow, rubbing it on his body, he slowly awoke, quivering, said, "My....... leg......." before passing out.

Zuo Canglang peeled away the leg of his pants, and discovered this his legs had already swollen. She slowly clenched her teeth, and wiped his two legs dry, and pulled them into her bosom.

When Wang Nan and Yuan E rushed over, Zuo Canglang removed Ren Xuan's military seal and personal seal, "Change into Ren Xuan's clothes, and have the soldiers change into the defeated soldiers of Xi Jing's uniforms that surrendered during the morning. Use Ren Xuan's signals, to attack Xiao Quan mountain."

Wang Nan and Yuan E were startled, and Yuan E said, "General, Xiao Quan mountain is currently held by the Gu Zhu peoples. If we suddenly sent troops to attack, wouldn't we create hatred with Gu Zhu?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Hurry and go!"

Thus before it was even light, before it had gotten bright, Xiao Quan mountain's Gu Zhu peoples saw Western Jing banners, and a group of Western Jing troops attacked the city.

Gu Zhu, Tu He and the other tribes, due to fighting over Yu country's old land, had originally already built up a lot of hatred against Western Jing. At this time, right when they had learned that Western Jing had taken Suye city in the morning, but who knew that at this time Western Jing would suddenly change their target to their own Xiao Quan mountain!

Gu Zhu was greatly enraged, and fought tooth and nail. Zuo Canglang of course would not really attack the city, but only attacked it for two or so hours, before ordering the withdrawal. Gu Zhu pursued, and then even threw away Ren Xuan's military seal.

That day, Gu Zhu attacked Mayi city. Suye city's Western Jing troops lost their head general, and their rear was being attacked. Forced by circumstance, Ren Xuan's vice general Ji Guang pulled the troops out of Suye city, returning to defend Mayi city.

Zuo Canglang and the others once again seized back Suye.

That day, Mayi city was filled with the sound of killing, as the Gu Zhu people were as adept at warfare as the people of Western Jing. Zuo Canglang stood at the head of Suye city, looking in the direction of Mayi city. At that time, the wound on her body had only had the bleeding roughly stopped, and on her clothes, the stains of the blood were still fresh. The soldiers had also fought for days, and their faces were covered with snow and ice. Zuo Canglang looked down from up high, with an inspiring voice, said, "Last year, in the eighth month, Marshal Wen left the city from here, heading out of the mainland, and beneath Mayi city, suffered forty arrows, perishing."

The soldiers didn't know why, but they all suddenly felt their noses grow wet. She looked over the masses, saying, "Before this, I had always thought my husband was just a Marshal looked up to by everyone. After that night, every time I stood at the head of Suye city, I would always think of him. That night, Suye city, was illuminated by the moonlight, a light breeze enveloping it. Since then, the identity as Madam Wen made me feel proud.

I think, all of your wives and children, are also this way."

Everyone was silent. But in this moment, this woman's voice had melded with Marshal Wenqi's voice. Some soldiers loudly proclaimed, "Madam, issue the order! We will seize Mayi city!"

Half of Zuo Canglang's face was covered with blood, and she raised up Nine Dragons' Tongue with her hand, "Attack towards Mayi city, massacre the people of Western Jing, attain vengeance for Marshal Wen! After we take the city, pillage it for a day. Tomorrow, before noon, other than taking the provisions to resupply the national treasury, all gold, silver, precious stones, women, will all belong to you all."

That day, Western Jing's Mayi city suffered Gu Zhu and Great Yan's combined attack, ultimately, taken by the Yan troops. The Yan troops once again pillaged the city, and of all Mayi city's Jing peoples, not a single one survived.

When the military report was returned, the angry Western Jing, and the northern group of Gu Zhu that had had their military effort seized all quietly retreated their troops. In a single day, Great Yan had not only taken back Suye, but actually taken Mayi city. Additionally, their troops, at Mayi city, had done a brutal job pillaging. Where the troops had passed by, blood stained the city walls.

The casualties suffered in this battle, far exceeded that which had occurred in Hui Ye Gardens. The three words Zuo Cang Lang, was even more frightening to the Western Jing people than Marshal Wenqi from back in the day. If speaking of Wenqi, he was a blunt blade, but she was just a blood stained sharp blade.

At this time, Murong Yan began conducting the trial regarding Wei Weishu. This was a bit awkward, as Wen Weishu's wife was Murong Yuan's younger sister, and Murong Yan's aunt. Murong Yan obviously did not give this aunt any face, and when announcing Wen Weishu's crimes, seized the Princess Consort's estate.

Wen Weishu had privately sold troops and weapons, and it was easy to imagine how much he had grafted all these years. When he fled with Murong Yuan, he brought along a portion of his wealth. But the land and estates he had left within Jinyang city, as well as antiques and paintings, etc., just accounting for these, it was already more than some three hundred thousand pieces of silver in value.

Murong Yan directly used these silvers to resupply the military provisions, and just as he was about to send people to Suye city, the military report returned.

When Murong Yan received Zuo Canglang's personal letter, he rested his head against a blanket, smiling, "She really is a fast blade, isn't she?"

Jiang Bilan had been by his side this whole time, her expression changing, "Zuo, General Zuo once again issued the order to pillage a city? Mayi City is a city filled with the old and the young...... although Marshal Wen perished at the hands of the Western Jing, but back then, it was him personally charging below Mayi city, so what does it have to do with the people of Mayi city? How innocent are they? Why did she have to pillage the city?"

Murong Yan turned to look at her, a long time later, slowly brushing her long strand of hair, "Because she doesn't have provisions. She cannot resist these civilians' unceasing resistance."

Jiang Bilan stood up, "Then should the people of Mayi city just have died without a cause? Then are they not born of their parents, and flesh and blood?! Big brother Yan, that is peoples' lives!"

Murong Yan smiled, and spread his arms, pulling her into his arms, "Okay, Lan'er. Stop speaking of this."

Jiang Bilan avoided him, "Big brother Yan, she is murdering people!"

Murong Yan tossed the military report to a side, and pulled her into his embrace, rubbing her, "Okay okay, after Ah Zuo returns, I'll scold her."

TN: Just my thoughts. Jiang Bilan is kind of an ungrateful idiot. I don't think she understands that if it wasn't Mayi city, it would probably be Jinyang city that is at the other side's beck and call.