Chapter 6

Sitting in front of the mahjong table, Xiaoming drew a good tile, then another, and was just about to win, ready to shout "Hu!" and savor the immense pleasure, when he suddenly heard an extremely annoying voice: "Hold it! I'll take that!"

This feeling was almost like what Suning was experiencing at the moment.

What, what, what is this vast expanse of white? Suning squatted down, grabbed a handful, felt the icy cold, and quickly dropped it, tucking his hands into his sleeves and shivering. It turned out it was snowing, and the snow was quite heavy! Snowflakes as big as goose feathers were falling, and the snow on the ground had already piled up to his calves.

Suning hurriedly retreated into the tent, immediately feeling uncomfortable all over. When he woke up, his throat was dry and uncomfortable. It made sense; living in a tent at this time meant no ventilation, and the tent was full of smoke. It was no wonder he felt so uncomfortable! Hey! The material life and lifestyle in the Tang Dynasty were really quite monotonous!

He took out a tooth cup, scooped a cup of snow, and placed it in a warm spot to melt. Then he took out his toothbrush and toothpaste to brush his teeth and wash his face. Suning wasn't quite sure how the ancients cleaned their mouths, but he didn't have the time to worry about that now. He would think about it later when things settled down. He needed to use the toothpaste sparingly and see if there was a chance to make more. Although Suning knew it was basically impossible, toothpaste was a chemical substance, and he knew nothing about chemistry... But wasn't there Baidu? He would see if Baidu could help.

Suning looked around the tent and thought, he needed to install a chimney. Otherwise, the smoke could kill people. Suning was well aware of carbon dioxide poisoning. But then again, how could they fight in such heavy snow? It seemed they would have to rest for a few more days and wait for the snow to stop before setting out. But Li Jing had clearly said they would set out today. Taking out his smartphone, Suning began searching for the story of Li Jing's great victory over the Tujue. The materials showed that Li Jing had launched a night raid on Dingxiang in the midst of a snowstorm. So, did that mean Li Jing was going to lead the cavalry out in the snow?

Putting away his smartphone, Suning felt extremely depressed. What was going on? Were they really going to set out in the snow?

Just as he was feeling depressed, Suning felt the curtain behind him being lifted. It was the soldier who had brought him here yesterday: "Little Brother Su, the general is calling you to the main tent for a meeting." Suning was taken aback and turned to ask, "Sir, um..." The soldier, quick-witted, smiled and said, "I am Niu Geng. You can just call me Gengzi." Niu Geng was no fool. Seeing how Li Jing had taken care of Suning yesterday, he had his suspicions.

Suning nodded, "Gengzi, why is the general calling me for a meeting?" Niu Geng scratched his head and said, "I'm not sure, but it's probably about the heavy snow. The snow is so heavy that the army only has two days' worth of food left. We either retreat or wait. The general is discussing the situation with the other officers and asked me to call you to join them."

Suning's eyes darted around, and he nodded, "Alright, I'll go with you." As they walked, Suning thought about the situation. The army only had two days' worth of food left, and he didn't know how far it was to Dingxiang. But according to historical records, Li Jing's army had braved the snow and achieved a great victory at Dingxiang. So, it must not be too far, and two days' worth of food should be enough. But if Li Jing was holding a military meeting, did that mean he was considering retreating? This was a great historical event, and if Li Jing went ahead, Suning could also get a share of the credit. If Li Jing didn't go, where would the credit come from?

Thinking about this, Suning decided he had to persuade Li Jing to go ahead. He had to fight! He had to fight!

Arriving at the main tent, Niu Geng said, "Brother Ning, we're here. I can't go in, so please go in quickly!" Suning bowed to Niu Geng in gratitude and lifted the curtain, entering the tent. As soon as he went in, the thick smoke hit him. This had to change, but seeing Li Jing sitting in the main seat with a stern gaze and the other officers looking at him, Suning felt uncomfortable. He didn't like being the center of attention, but now he was forced into it.

"Suning, I have allowed you to join our military council because of your strategic mind. Do not disappoint me!" Li Jing's stern voice echoed. Suning's heart tightened, and he bowed to Li Jing, "Suning understands!" Li Jing nodded and asked, "Since you are here, I would like to hear your opinion. Our army only has two days' worth of food left, and with such heavy snow, we don't know how long it will take to reach Dingxiang. I am discussing with the officers whether to retreat or continue. What is your opinion? You and your master were trapped in the snow. Is the snow on the grassland truly so terrifying?"

It turned out Li Jing was scared by Suning's experience, worried that the entire army might also be buried in the snow. No matter what, he had to persuade Li Jing to set out! Suning was determined and said, "My master and I were trapped in the snow for multiple reasons. First, my master was old and weak and had caught a cold, making it impossible for him to move. Second, our horses were injured and could not continue. Third, the snow blocked the road, and we lost our way, falling into a pit. I was unable to help my master and the horses, so we were trapped.

The snow on the grassland is not terrifying. It's similar to the snow in the Central Plains, just colder and harder to melt. But we have many horses, so what do we have to fear? I don't know where Dingxiang is, but I assume the general knows the general direction. We have two days' worth of food left. Should we use this food to survive or as a bet for glory? I don't know what the others think, but I believe that in a narrow path, the brave will win! We might succeed! Even if it's a one-in-a-thousand chance, as long as there's a glimmer of hope, we shouldn't give up! I hope the general and the officers will consider this carefully!"

Suning finished his passionate speech, feeling quite proud of himself. His ability to adapt and bluff was impressive. If he could successfully persuade Li Jing, it would mean his ability to deceive and inspire was considerable. Hehe! The Tang Dynasty lacked people who could inspire others, and his skills were truly unprecedented!

Suning's thoughts were quite devious, but Li Jing's mind was like a storm. This young man, who seemed lazy and afraid of hard work, was so determined in this situation, even when Li Jing himself had considered retreating. This young man was willing to risk his life for glory. He was someone who could achieve great things, for the greater the risk, the greater the reward. Li Jing had fought all his life and understood this. This young man was not to be underestimated!

Thinking this, Li Jing's ambition was rekindled. Yes, the young man was right. In a narrow path, the brave will win. He didn't know if the young man had come up with this himself or if it was his master or the bearded guest who had said it, but it was true. In such a difficult situation, only the brave could win. They had two days' worth of food left, enough to return, but the young man's words were right. Who wanted to survive by begging? Especially in the military, even if they thought it, they wouldn't do it. They couldn't afford to lose face!

If the Tang army retreated because of the snow, what would people think of them? What would Cheng Zhijie, Wei Chi, Shubao, Li Ji, and the emperor think of them? They might as well die! Yes, it was better to die in battle than to be humiliated!

Wasn't that what everyone was thinking? Suning's trick had worked. The officers looked at each other and suddenly knelt down, "We do not want to survive by begging. We want to achieve glory!" Li Jing laughed and stood up, "Ha ha ha! Good! As the young man said, we are Tang soldiers! We do not beg for survival! Even if it's a one-in-a-thousand chance, we will fight! In a narrow path, the brave will win!"

"In a narrow path, the brave will win! In a narrow path, the brave will win! In a narrow path, the brave will win! In a narrow path, the brave will win..."

At first, only Li Jing was shouting, then the officers joined in, and then the soldiers outside the tent heard and joined in. Finally, the shouts were deafening, piercing the sky. If they were on a snowy mountain, they would have rolled into a snowball and been crushed, but they were on the grassland, so there was no such worry.

Suning was also moved and excited by the scene. It turned out the Han people were never afraid of difficulties, and the dragon's blood flowed in their veins.

The bone-chilling cold was driven away by the soldiers' spirit.

Under the flying snow, three thousand black-armored cavalry were ready to set out, their aura intimidating. Suning leaped onto his horse and rode to the assembly point. Li Jing, in black armor and a red cloak, looked like a god of war, holding a long spear and shouting, "Set out!" The three thousand black-armored cavalry shouted, "Hu!" and the horses neighed. Suning was by Li Jing's side, wearing a white cloak, looking like a general, though he had no weapon.

Suning hadn't learned horseback combat, and Li Jing wouldn't allow him to use a long weapon on horseback. This young man had great potential and needed to be trained and brought along. He couldn't let him die before he was ready. If he trained him well and recommended him to the emperor, he would have a successor. His son, who was studying Buddhism, was a headache!

Suning didn't think that much. He just felt a strange and special feeling. Two days ago, he was a student who had been forced to drop out and was preparing to return home to farm. The day before, he had been mysteriously transported to the Tang Dynasty and was pulled into the Tang army. Now, he had the favor of the legendary war hero Li Jing and was riding with him in the snow. Such a dramatic change in life was hard to adapt to!

But he had been hardened by countless failures, expulsions, and even being called a failure. He had a heart of stone and a face as thick as a mosquito's. In the summer, mosquitoes often died around his head, almost writing their wills...

Suning had a strong ability to resist and accept non-physical attacks, so he wasn't worried about accepting this. After all, he was doing fine, right?

After this battle, he should have enough credit to catch the emperor's eye. If he and Li Jing captured Jiali Khan and achieved great glory, the rewards would be enough to secure his place in the Tang Dynasty.

But riding a horse was quite painful, and the white expanse ahead was hard to see. Fortunately, there was no sun, or he might have gotten snow blindness. This was not good, and it was very uncomfortable. How long would they ride? Suning regretted persuading Li Jing to set out. This torture might last for days, even two days! Ah! Heaven's will can be endured, but one's own will cannot be endured...

The Tang soldiers were truly amazing, especially the cavalry. They were all calm and determined, even Niu Geng, who was riding beside him, was determined, showing no sign of the earlier subservience. Suning had reason to believe that if he asked him to do something, he would stab him with his spear...

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