We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? - Chapter 388: A Thread of Hope
In Xiao Mo’s military camp, after Crown Prince Qin Jingsu, Xiao Yang, and others learned what happened in the Zhao Kingdom, their feelings were very complicated.
Bai Qi’s death was definitely an enormous loss for the Qin Kingdom.
Even if Bai Qi had later redeemed himself through meritorious service, it would have been better than dying in vain by taking his own life but Bai Qi’s edge was too exposed. He was too young and too proud.
They weren’t unable to understand what was in Bai Qi’s heart because Bai Qi, like the Frost Prince, had never been defeated in a single battle throughout all these years of campaigning.
This defeat dealt a great blow to Bai Qi.
Most importantly, Bai Qi’s personality was stubborn. From a certain perspective, even somewhat obsessive. He was the same way when commanding troops.
When Bai Qi commanded troops, military law was strict and impartial, regardless of closeness.
So it was also because Bai Qi issued a military pledge. He believed that since the city had fallen, then according to military law, he must atone with his death.
Perhaps in Bai Qi’s heart, he was also thinking of “atoning to Heaven with death.”
He perhaps thought his stratagem’s failure was due to karmic backlash from the Heavenly Dao.
Bai Qi hoped not to bring calamity upon the army because of his own killing karma.
Whether it was coincidence or the Heavenly Dao truly didn’t pursue punishment against the Qin Kingdom army because Bai Qi took his own life.
After Bai Qi’s death, that Ghost Separation Fire that had been burning for several miles actually truly stopped.
Several hundred thousand Qin Kingdom troops were spared. However, the loss of Shuihou City ultimately left behind enormous future troubles.
After learning of Shuihou City’s fall, Xiao Shi knew he had not only been cut off from his supply route but would also be attacked from both sides. So he decisively led his army to fight their way back.
In the end, Xiao Shi gathered the remaining three hundred thousand troops from Bai Qi’s forces, then garrisoned Wei’e City, which could be considered temporarily stabilizing the situation but the most ominous situation was that Xiao Shi had encountered an accident during the great battle.
He was severely wounded, and his condition seemed extremely bad.
“What are everyone’s views?”
Xiao Mo asked the Crown Prince and other generals.
Zhao Guang shook his head and spoke, “Our Qin Kingdom is fighting on three fronts. The two most important points are that General Xiahou can hold back the Qi Kingdom, and our army and the Northern Pacification Prince’s army can gain the advantage.
But as a result now, with this incident befalling the Northern Pacification Prince’s army, I’m afraid that while the Zhao Kingdom army’s morale greatly surges, they’ll also be able to free up their hands. Things on our side will be very unfavorable.”
“Indeed.” Li Jing nodded. “If this continues, the disadvantage of the Northern Pacification Prince’s army will spread to us here. Our side must immediately achieve results. Unless we capture the Jin Kingdom, otherwise in this great battle, for our Qin Kingdom, I’m afraid the odds are against us.”
“But the problem is, how else can we speed up our siege progress?”
Hei Daniu scratched his head.
“Although I’m a crude person, I’ve also read some military strategy. The Jin Kingdom isn’t a plain where we can push through unobstructed. Attacking cities always takes time, not to mention that after the Jin Kingdom soldiers hear news of the Zhao Kingdom’s great victory, their will to resist will definitely be stronger than before.”
“Perhaps we can also adopt the Northern Pacification Prince’s method.”
Just then, Crown Prince Qin Jingsu stroked his chin and spoke.
“What does Your Highness the Crown Prince mean?” Xiao Mo looked at Qin Jingsu, vaguely guessing what Qin Jingsu was about to say.
“Everyone, please look.”
Qin Jingsu pointed at the sand table and slowly spoke.
“Currently, the Jin Kingdom’s capital isn’t very far from us at all. The reason we haven’t reached the Jin Kingdom’s capital is entirely because we need to capture the surrounding cities to eliminate any worries for our army’s rear.
But if we advance through the line of Yaoqin City, Cangmang City, and Mingyue City, as long as we pass Three-Foot Path, the army can directly strike at the Jin Kingdom’s imperial capital!
Once the Jin Kingdom is destroyed, we can still turn the overall situation around!”
Xiao Yang spoke, “But Your Highness the Crown Prince, if we do this, we need someone to defend Caiyun City to the death, like General Bai Qi defended Shuihou City, to protect our army’s rear route.
More critically, at that time we’ll be attacked from all sides! Wanting to hold this city will definitely not be easy!”
“But as long as we hold it, won’t that be enough?” Qin Jingsu turned around and bowed to Xiao Mo. “If the general trusts Jingsu, Jingsu can defend Caiyun City. I won’t let even a wild goose pass!”
“…”
Hearing everyone’s words, Xiao Mo’s brows furrowed.
Finally, Xiao Mo shook his head, “This matter is not trivial. Let me think it over carefully. All of you may withdraw for now.”
“Yes, General!”
The various generals clasped their fists in salute and withdrew from the command tent.
Sitting in the command tent, Xiao Mo took a sip of tea, his gaze fixed intently on the sand table before him and just as Xiao Mo finished drinking half the teapot, he set down the teapot and sighed, “I knew His Highness the Crown Prince would definitely come find me again.”
At the tent entrance, Qin Jingsu stood straight, looking at Xiao Mo with a smile, “Brother-in-law, you should know what I’m going to say.”
Xiao Mo shook his head, “This matter is too risky. If something goes wrong and Caiyun City isn’t held, our army will fall into danger. At that time, the Qin Kingdom will truly be finished…”
“So, this Caiyun City can only be defended by me!”
Qin Jingsu walked to Xiao Mo’s side, his smile gradually fading as he spoke with extreme seriousness.
“The battle has progressed until now. General Xiahou’s defense grows increasingly difficult. On the Zhao Kingdom front, our Qin Kingdom’s advantage is completely lost, and the Northern Pacification Prince is even severely wounded.
If this continues, our Qin Kingdom will become increasingly unfavorable.
Rather than this, we can only take a gamble! Only then can we have a thread of hope!
And I am the Qin Kingdom’s Crown Prince. Only if I staunchly defend Caiyun City can I better unite the soldiers’ hearts and boost their morale.
Furthermore, brother-in-law shouldn’t underestimate me.
In the military camp, when it comes to defending cities, I still have considerable insight!”
“…” Xiao Mo still remained silent, not answering.
Qin Jingsu continued, “Brother-in-law, I know what you’re worried about. You’re afraid I’ll do something foolish. But rest assured, I’m not a fool. If I can live, naturally I won’t seek death! I’m not acting impulsively, and I won’t act impulsively in the future. I will definitely hold out until the Jin Kingdom’s capital falls!”
After Qin Jingsu finished speaking, the command tent fell into complete silence.
Xiao Mo and Qin Jingsu looked at each other.
“How many troops does elder brother need?”
After a long while, Xiao Mo spoke.
In his heart, Xiao Mo also understood that to reverse the overall situation now, they had to stake everything on one gamble.
“Two hundred thousand!” Qin Jingsu spoke. “I only need two hundred thousand troops! I can definitely hold out until the day the Jin Kingdom’s royal family falls!”
“Good! I agree to elder brother’s request!” Xiao Mo nodded. “But elder brother must also not forget what you promised me. You must return alive! Elder brother is the Qin Kingdom’s Crown Prince. Right now, the Qin Kingdom has no other princes!”
“I understand.”
The corners of Qin Jingsu’s mouth curved up. After bowing in salute, he turned and walked out of the command tent. His voice came from behind him.
“When I return, brother-in-law must properly prepare a victory feast for me!”
