Who says the prince is weak and can't take care of himself?

Chapter 198 The God of Death Descended from Heaven

Qi Xiao saw the sadness in Tang Ling's eyes disappear, and he opened his mouth, but first asked about Tang Ling's plan: "Zi Yi, why did you insist on keeping Han Chaosheng? We don't need any military secrets or city defenses. Chi Yue's disguise skills are enough to make a fake look real, so why should we keep a disobedient Han Chaosheng?"

If Han Chaosheng could be persuaded to surrender, that would be the best. Nothing could shake the morale of the Qi army more than a general surrendering. But if he refused to surrender, it would be a problem.

"Keep it. I'll need it in the future. No matter how skilled Chi Yue is at disguise, he can't wear that mask day and night. Two or three days might be fine, but any longer and the skin won't stick and will peel off. Otherwise, Chi Yue wouldn't have used his true appearance to sneak into the capital."

"Then let Chi Yue stay and help you."

Tang Ling smiled softly: "He is inseparable from Zong Sheng now."

Qi Xiao also smiled, but within that smile he gave Tang Ling a deep look. Chi Yue was from the Tiance Camp. He didn't know if His Majesty had given him any other missions before leaving Yuanjing. Qi Xiao couldn't rest assured leaving him with Tang Ling. Chi Yue's loyalty was to His Majesty, so if he could get half of what Qi Xiao wanted, it would be good. It was better to keep him by his side.

"You must be tired. Go take a nap after lunch."

Tang Ling nodded.

It was very quiet during the meal, the house was very quiet, the city wall was very quiet, and it seemed as if the entire Bashan City was very quiet.

Tang Ling ate very little, so Qi Xiao didn't force him. He took him to the inner room and said, "Take a nap with me."

Qi Xiao held Tang Ling in his arms, wrapped her tightly in the quilt, and rubbed her hands: "It's too cold. Did you catch a cold last night?"

"I'm fine. I've just been afraid of the cold since I was a child. Fortunately, Xiao'er is warm." Tang Ling leaned against Qi Xiao's chest.

Qi Xiao laughed. Tang Ling occasionally acted coquettishly with him, but rarely called him Xiao'er. This was clearly an attempt to put him off. Qi Xiao held Tang Ling's hair and whispered, "You only ordered Han Chaosheng to be detained and guarded, but you didn't order any torture, let alone let Chi Yue carry out the punishment. Did you say those things to Han Chaosheng because you knew I had imprisoned his wife and children? Were you saying it to scare him, or for me?"

Tang Ling smiled. "In the midst of war, I don't have the luxury of kindness to spare. I'll use whatever means are necessary. He might not be afraid of physical pain, but I can only make him worry about his wife and children. I can't let him live too comfortably."

"But your words of admonition to him were not meant to bluff, were they?"

Tang Ling didn't say anything for a long time.

"Should I not ask?"

Tang Ling held Qi Xiao's arm and whispered softly, "There's nothing I can't tell you. It's just that I haven't told anyone about my mother..."

Qi Xiao kissed Tang Ling's forehead without interrupting him.

"When my mother died, I was less than a year old. I know nothing and remember nothing. My father never allowed me to ask, let alone mention it. When I was little, I didn't understand. My nurse said my father loved my mother so much that he was sad and didn't want to talk about it. Later, I realized that although he was sad, it was far less than the guilt. My mother was poisoned, not died of illness. The poisoner's motive was simple: to make my father withdraw his troops from Liujiang."

Liujiang... is located in Qi territory. The person who poisoned them could only be from Qi, and such tactics were most likely carried out by the Zhanshi Office. Judging from the results, Xun Anhou did not fall for their threats.

"I've had Xingluo Guards around me since I was a kid... My father wanted to protect me... but..."

However, when the war broke out again, Xun Anhou chose to send his only son to Dachen as a hostage.

Qi Xiao hugged Tang Ling tightly and said in a low, hoarse voice, "I choose you, and it will always be you."

Tang Ling sighed softly, "I hated my father, deeply, and he knew it. That's why he brought me with him, brought me into the military camp, and let me see his country and his world, as well as his sorrow and guilt. The words he couldn't say to me... I gradually understood them."

Qi Xiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this moment. He felt sorry for Tang Ling, but was also glad that he was sent to Dachen so that they could meet and have the chance to love each other, instead of fighting to death in front of the two armies one day.

"You are willing to work for His Majesty and ally your army to destroy Qi, is it because of your mother?"

"National hatred and family feuds may sound simple, but they are actually complicated. If I were to hate someone, I would have too many people to hate."

Tang Ling turned around and embraced Qi Xiao. "Do you know why my father never remarried after my mother died, not even taking a concubine?"

"He really loves your mother, right?"

"My father did love my mother very much, but ultimately, the late emperor didn't want my father to have an heir, and he didn't want the Tang family to become too powerful. And because I was born weak, I was able to survive."

“…Tang Ling…Zi Yi.” Qi Xiao didn’t know what to say. He was so heartbroken that he couldn’t speak.

Tang Ling scared Han Chaosheng just now because she was resentful towards Xun Anhou, or perhaps she was resentful towards himself. He should have been resentful, but he forgave Xun Anhou's choice back then, and even made the same choice as his father when he grew up. He knew that Han Chaosheng would make the same choice.

For the sake of the country and the king, one can give up everything and sacrifice everything. Even if one has to bear the guilt and pain for a lifetime, one must still forge ahead on this path, or should we say, go all the way to the end without changing one's mind.

For that nation and that ruler, they were mere pawns. They might be useful, they might be important, but so what? How many people throughout history have single-handedly accomplished something lasting for generations? After one game of chess, there's always another. Not only the pieces, but even the players might not always be the same.

At this moment, Qi Xiao suddenly felt that this trip south was not worth it. If he couldn't even protect the one he loved, then even if his name was recorded in history, it would only leave behind a lonely, empty and sad memory.

"Qi Xiao, you have never led an army, so you will naturally choose me. After some time..." Tang Ling was suffocating in Qi Xiao's arms. There were some things he wanted to say, but he was afraid that Qi Xiao would hear them. Not only was he afraid that he would hear them, he was even more afraid that he would answer, so he spoke very softly.

Qi Xiao held him in his arms, and this time he didn't interrupt or respond. It didn't matter what he said or how he responded. He knew his choice clearly in his heart, and after some time, Tang Ling would also know, and he would do it.

***

Half a month later, the news that Qi Xiao had captured Bashan was reported back to Yuanjing. In Chengming Palace, only Zhang Suian was serving by his side, and His Majesty was looking at a portrait.

The portrait was painted by Tang Ling, and the person depicted was none other than His Majesty. When Tang Ling had agreed to paint His Majesty's portrait, His Majesty had initially dismissed it as a farce. Unexpectedly, Tang Ling was so meticulous that she actually delivered the portrait to the palace before leaving Yuanjing. The painting was also incredibly good, showing her dedication.

"Zhang Suian, take a look, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty is making things difficult for me again. How can I understand this?"

"Can't you tell whether it's similar or not? I think it's not that you don't understand, but that you can't see at all."

"I am too blind to speak so recklessly. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

His Majesty waved his hand: "Old fox."

"Your Majesty taught you a lesson."

"This Tang Ling..." His Majesty sighed and did not say the rest of the sentence for a long time.

Zhang Suian secretly glanced at His Majesty's expression and lowered his head even more.

There were reports of victory coming from Qi territory one after another. Qi Xiao took Jialin Pass, Xingtian Pass and Bashan in just a few days. The reports were brief and did not mention anything specific. Instead, the secret letter from Xuanji Camp in Bashan described it in detail. Tang Ling persuaded the people of Bashan to surrender with just a few words. The six thousand people Qi Xiao brought to Qi only suffered a few casualties in the snow on Fenglin Mountain. After fighting three battles in Qi, they only suffered a few minor injuries. It was incredible.

"This Old Nine..." His Majesty paused before continuing, "I hope he won't disappoint me. Zhang Suian has ordered the cabinet to draft an imperial edict, ordering Chen Heng to lead the Dingyuan Army into battle."

"Yes."

***

On the 22nd day of the first lunar month, the Waking of Insects, Tang He, Marquis Xun'an of Zhou, led an army of 100,000 soldiers to Ningtang on the border between Qi and Zhou, with the intention of advancing to attack Qi.

The news reached Shuoliang, causing an uproar in the Qi court.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the troops and fight!"

"Your Majesty, last year, Chen and Zhou fought at the Taihua River. Zhou's treasury was empty and its national strength was depleted. This is only half a year away. Zhou certainly doesn't have the strength to declare war on us. This must be a treacherous plot."

"Your Majesty, no matter what Marquis Xun An is planning, we cannot ignore him. Why don't we follow General Fu's advice and have him dispatch reinforcements to Ningtang? At the same time, we can send Lord Zhen to the Kingdom of Zhou to see what they are up to."

"emperor……"

"emperor……"

"Stop arguing! Just follow the advice of the Left Prime Minister..."

"Report... report... report... urgent military intelligence... Chen's army has marched south and has already taken Bashan!"

The Emperor of Qi was horrified and stood up suddenly: "Say, what did you say?! Say it again?!"

"Your Majesty, the Chen army suddenly marched south, conquered Bashan, and captured General Han alive!"

"Wha...what?! Bashan...Bashan?!"

"Who is commanding the Chen army? How many people are here?!"

“…No, I don’t know…”

The emperor was so angry that his eyes went dark and he fell down.

The court meeting could not continue, and all the important military officials were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, gathering outside the imperial study, anxious and angry. Urgent reports came one after another, while the Emperor of Qi was still unconscious in the imperial study. The Queen of Qi, three imperial concubines, and several princes were all in the side hall, and they were all fidgeting.

"Military emergency report!"

"Bring it!"

The Emperor of Qi fainted, so the urgent military intelligence report was naturally presented to the left prime minister Ji Wenjin.

"Prime Minister, what does the report say?"

"...The commander-in-chief of the Chen army is the ninth prince, King Qi Xiao of Chu."

"Who?"

"Ninth Prince?"

Left Prime Minister Ji Wenjin added, "...Arrows and arrows, the celestial wolf, appear, flutes and drums spread across the prairie..."

"what?"

"What do you mean?"

Jialin Pass and Xingtian Pass were breached one after another. Qi Xiao's men set fire to the city, burning almost every inch of it to scorch. In Xingtian Pass alone, 70,000 people were displaced. Since the city was destroyed, they naturally had to flee towards the provincial capital in the south.

The hexagram "Arrows and arrows appear, the wolf appears, flutes and drums spread across the prairie" spread to several prefectures overnight along with the refugees, and along with it came the name of Qi Xiao, the ninth prince of the State of Chen.

"Legend has it that the Ninth Prince of Chen was born with the vision of the Sirius shining alone. Ancient sayings say that Sirius heralds war and calamity in times of chaos. This Ninth Prince of Chen is the God of Death sent down from heaven!"

"Nonsense!"

"I'm talking nonsense? Okay, I'm talking nonsense, then ask them. Those people on the street have just escaped from Xingtian Pass. Ask them!"

"He's right! Absolutely right! That's a killer who came from the sky!"

"That's right! On New Year's Eve, for some reason, fires broke out all over the city. I went out to the streets to help put out the fire, but the streets and alleys were ablaze and there was no way to put out the fire. Just when I was in a panic, those people suddenly appeared like ghosts and killed all the palace soldiers who were guarding the city and patrolling the night. The blood flowed like a river!"

"They even hung General Chen He's head on the city wall!"

"So many people died overnight! The whole city is full of dead bodies!"

The rumors grew more plausible and more outrageous. Tang Ling had deliberately spread the rumor, "The bow and arrow Heavenly Wolf has appeared, and the sound of flutes and drums is expected to set the prairie on fire." But once it reached Shuoliang, it became more than just that. Qi Xiao's reputation as the Heavenly Wolf God of Killing spread far and wide, and he even had the ability to command ghost soldiers. Xingtian Pass was breached by 100,000 ghost soldiers, who slaughtered the 30,000 defenders in a single day. So much so that even the military reports sent to Shuoliang were vague about the exact number of Chen troops led by Qi Xiao.

***

"Heh." Xun'an Hou Tang Yan, who was far away in Ningtang, also received the message and couldn't help but sneer. "One hundred thousand ghost soldiers obey the orders of the God of Death? What kind of nonsense is this?"

Tang He casually handed the letter to his deputy general Zhao Changfeng.

Zhao Changfeng glanced over it and couldn't help but laugh. "What a brilliant plan, young master! You've managed to build momentum for Qi Xiao this way. The Qi court is in turmoil right now, and the situation is pressing. The First and Second Princes, coerced by Grand Tutor Zhou Ran and Left Prime Minister Ji Wenjin, are only concerned with ostracizing each other. Xu Zheng and Fu Shouguang haven't even received the Tiger Tally and left Shuoliang yet. With such chaotic government, how can it not be ruined?"

"A broken ship still has three thousand nails. Even if Qi's internal affairs are in turmoil, it still has over 200,000 troops available. Zi Yi has less than 5,000 men guarding Bashan. How can it be so easy? How can ignorant people believe the absurd talk of 100,000 ghost soldiers? How can Xu Zheng believe it?"

"My Lord, do you want me to send someone to sneak into Qi State and support you?"

Tang He raised his hand to stop Zhao Changfeng. "No need. I'm worried about my son, but doesn't the Emperor of Chen worry about his own son? That old man is incredibly ambitious, plotting to annex Qi and Zhou. If we rush our troops, once we reach Liujiang, Lu Fangjin will cross the Taihua River and attack us. If that happens, we'll be caught in a dilemma, and the Great Zhou will be doomed."

"...What about the young master?"

"The Xingluo Guards have already been dispatched. If Bashan can't be defended, then so be it. As long as he can escape unscathed, that's all that matters."

"Can……"

But that was the heartland of Qi State, there were only a few Xingluo Guards, and Tang Ling didn't know any martial arts, so how could she escape unscathed?

Zhao Changfeng didn't dare say this out loud. Didn't Tang He know this? As a father, he had been so cruel in sending his only son to the State of Chen as a hostage. For the past six months, every day had been filled with fear and anxiety. Why did Zhao Changfeng need to remind him again?

"According to the previous plan, all news within Qi State must be delivered to Tang Ling as quickly as possible."

"clear."

(I set a publishing time, but the system seems to publish it directly according to Melbourne time, which means 5:00 every day Beijing time! Mmm~)