Chapter 2022 - 4: The God of War Would Rather Die Than Surrender

Ah Jiu stood before the main command tent, gazing from afar at the fortress opposite them—Chitang Pass. Ever since the war began, Beiyan had taken advantage of Prince Wei’s "purging the emperor’s corrupt entourage," raising troops in the Northern Region to punish Nanyue’s Emperor Jiaping, sweeping through Prince Wei’s great Northwestern base, and, in concert with the agents long since planted within the Northwestern Army, advancing with unstoppable momentum, morale soaring, taking city after city.

Until now, they had been snarled here, at this Chitang Pass.

Chitang Pass was an important military stronghold; once this pass fell, whether striking south from the north or driving north from the south, a victor could press forward swiftly, and a loser could still rely on mutual support.

Therefore, the one defending this pass was likewise Nanyue’s illustrious, famed general—the God of War, Great General Who Stabilizes the Realm, Old General Hong Zhentian.

Hong Zhentian had served under two reigns and fought in a hundred battles. Now, nearing seventy, his voice was still like a great bell, his movements vigorous, and stratagems poured forth unceasingly. With him guarding this Chitang Pass, Ah Jiu knew that taking it would be exceedingly difficult.

Indeed, in this back-and-forth probing between the two sides, nearly a month had already passed. Though they had clashed many times and Ah Jiu’s side held the advantage, they still had not taken the pass, and could only maintain the siege.

And they held the advantage only because Nanyue was riven by internal strife and hearts were not united, while Beiyan was of one mind from top to bottom; otherwise, they would not even have this edge.

"Your Highness, merely sitting here besieging them is no solution. Even if the Nanyue Court’s grain never arrives, the common folk at Chitang Pass are willingly supplying Hong Zhentian’s army with provisions; they can still hold on. Yet our morale will grow worse by the day." Standing beside Ah Jiu was Beiyan’s great general Zhang Yi. His refined face, with its gentle lines, made it hard to imagine he was a general of distinguished martial exploits; one would sooner take him for a scholar. No wonder the world called him the Jade-faced General.

Ah Jiu was playing with a string of Jade Bead in his hand and nodded. "This prince understands what you’re saying as well. General Zhang, what ingenious stratagem do you have?"

"This subordinate believes we should make attacking the heart our priority," Zhang Yi said. "The Nanyue Court is benighted, and now plunged into internal chaos. Prince Wei and Emperor Jiaping are locked in constant struggle, leaving the people unable to make a living. This subordinate has crossed blades with Old General Hong several times and understands him rather well. That old general enforces strict discipline in his army and cherishes and cares deeply for the common folk; thus he enjoys their ardent support."

Ah Jiu fell silent. He knew all this, which was why he respected and admired this old general from the bottom of his heart.

A general who both loves the people and defends his homeland is worthy of esteem. This was also why he had insisted on fighting this campaign against the other side with open, aboveboard stratagems.

"Your Highness, the people’s support is well and good, but if they discover they have no reinforcements, will they truly share life and death with Old General Hong? Let us suppose they are willing—but if they were to surrender and Your Highness spared them, treating them as Beiyan’s own subjects, would they truly choose the path of death when a road to life lies before them?"

Ah Jiu said, "You mean to seek out Hong Zhentian for negotiations?"

Zhang Yi nodded.

Ah Jiu smiled. "Do you believe that even if we go to negotiate, we will not but return empty-handed?"

"This..."

"Since you understand Old General Hong, how can you not know a general’s mettle? He is the God of War—he would sooner die in battle, die standing rather than live kneeling. He will choose death before surrender." If he yielded, how could he face the title "God of War"?

Zhang Yi fell silent; this was indeed reasonable.

"Your Highness." Yuan Ye came quickly, a military report in hand, and announced, "Prince Wei has proclaimed himself emperor in the south."

Ah Jiu raised an eyebrow, took the report from his hand, skimmed it swiftly, and said, "He truly could not wait any longer."

He had seized Jiangnan and ruled as he pleased, now declaring himself emperor. One wondered whether Zhao Mingjun would be driven to fury.

He thought for a moment, then said, "Send a messenger to Old General Hong. This prince invites the old general to share tea before the battle line."