Chapter 445 Deployment

Chapter 445: Into Battle

Xiao Lin was beyond persuasion.

Xiao Lin was the ruler, and they were his subjects. Even if Xiao Lin had them executed in his anger, they could only accept their fate.

The Left General’s strategic retreat was both a tactical maneuver and an attempt to give Xiao Lin another chance.

If this alliance with Mobei failed to conquer Daizhao, once Daizhao regained its strength, it would be even more impossible.

Having spent half his life on the battlefield, the Left General knew very well that this was the last war he would fight in his lifetime. As a loyal subject of Nanyan, it was his duty to serve his country with loyalty and righteousness.

If they could capture Yicheng, obtain the army insignia of the 300,000-strong force, annex Daizhao’s territory, and expand Nanyan’s domain, it would be a historic feat that would echo through the ages—worthy even of dying in battle.

Battle honors were the greatest glory for a general.

The Left General looked up at the dark sky, then swept his gaze over the Nanyan military camp. Halfway through the war, they had no path of retreat.

To return in defeat would leave both him and Xiao Lin utterly humiliated.

For Nanyan and for themselves, he wanted to stake everything on this final battle.

The night wind swept down from Changling Mountain, blowing toward Yicheng.

The deep night was silent. Jiang Shu and Yu Zheng, fresh from bathing, prepared to retire for the night.

“Wait,” Yu Zheng removed his outer robe and was about to lie down when Jiang Shu stopped him.

“What is it?” Yu Zheng asked, puzzled.

Jiang Shu brought a box of ointment and a piece of cotton cloth, her eyes fixed on Yu Zheng’s hand. “Your wound hasn’t been treated yet.”

Yu Zheng had intended to say it was just a minor injury that would heal in a couple of days without attention. But seeing Jiang Shu’s solemn concern, he held his tongue and let her apply the ointment and bandage his wound.

After tending to the wound on his hand, Jiang Shu asked worriedly, “Are you sure there are no other injuries?”

Yu Zheng’s dark eyes showed faint exasperation. “Didn’t you inspect me thoroughly during our bath? Or do you wish to examine me again?”

As he spoke, he raised his hand as if to shed his nightclothes.

Jiang Shu stayed his hand, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she explained, “I meant to ask if there are any internal injuries that aren’t visible.”

Compared to external wounds, internal injuries were far more serious.

Seeing Jiang Shu’s deep concern, Yu Zheng took her hand and said, “If I were injured, I wouldn’t hide it from you.”

“I know you’re worried about my safety, but there’s no need to be overly anxious. I know what I’m doing.”

Her lips tightened as she said, “You must be careful. Yu Ziyou is waiting for us to return.”

“Yes,” Yu Zheng responded softly, his voice gentle. “Today’s battle was crucial. Nanyan’s forces have been greatly diminished, so the coming battles will be easier, and the danger will naturally lessen. Don’t worry.”

Under Yu Zheng’s repeated reassurances, Jiang Shu’s tense heart finally relaxed. She nodded and said no more, extinguishing the lamp and retiring for the night.

In the darkness, Jiang Shu lay cradled in Yu Zheng’s arms, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist.

Yu Zheng, finding her embrace almost too tight, lifted her hand to his chest and kissed her forehead lightly. “Sleep.”

After a long day, Jiang Shu was indeed exhausted. In Yu Zheng’s arms, feeling his warmth and steady heartbeat, she experienced a profound sense of safety. Soon, she fell asleep.

Over the next two days, Jiang Shu rushed between various fabric workshops and clothing stores, monitoring the leg armor production.

The great victory at Yicheng had the citizens buzzing with excitement. They worked harder than if they were just getting paid, starting early and finishing late, putting in more effort than ever before.

In just three days, ten thousand sets of leg armor were completed—way more than Yu Zheng had expected.

With these ten thousand leg armors and the toxic smoke Du Zhong’s medics brewed up, they now had enough to counter the remaining venomous snakes of Nanyan.

On the twenty-fourth day of the first lunar month, after two days of rest, Yu Zheng and Zhou Boxu led their troops out of the city, making a beeline for Changling Mountain.

The Left Wing General was getting his wounds dressed when the scout delivered an urgent report. He stiffened on the spot and asked in a grave voice, "How many troops has Daizhao mobilized?"

The scout replied fearfully, "A hell of a lot more than before—an estimated eighty to ninety thousand."

What!

Was Daizhao throwing everything at them?

The Left Wing General stood up in shock, ignoring his half-wrapped wounds, and urgently ordered, "Get the troops moving now! Also, send someone to inform His Highness immediately."

Xiao Lin had gone to Shuncheng the previous day and was supposed to bring backup today.

But it wasn’t even noon yet. Even if Xiao Lin had set out with his troops at dawn, they’d barely be halfway there. It would take at least another hour and a half to reach the Changling Mountain camp.

An hour and a half—the General doubted they’d last that long.

Xiao Lin had barely squeezed in the trip to Shuncheng yesterday after rushing through critical military affairs the day before.

They had never seen this lightning strike coming from Daizhao.

All they could do now was buy time and wait for reinforcements to arrive.

As the Left Wing General racked his brain for a plan, he turned to leave.

"General, your bandages aren’t finished yet," the physician hurriedly reminded him.

The Left Wing General paused and urged, "Make it quick."

His injuries were severe and required immediate treatment.

The physician, aware of the urgency, swiftly finished dressing the wounds and tying the bandages.

With Xiao Lin absent, the Left Wing General was the one holding Nanyan together—he couldn’t afford any mishaps.

The moment the physician secured the bandage, before he could even withdraw his hands, the Left Wing General rushed off.

Daizhao’s forces were advancing aggressively, and the Left Wing General dared not take the situation lightly. He ordered the entire Nanyan Army to march out, throwing every snake and tiger they had into the fight.

The day was gloomy, with no trace of sunlight, and the temperature was much lower than in previous days.

The cold made the snakes sluggish, needing drugs to wake them up.

By the time Nanyan was fully prepared, Daizhao’s army was just three li out from their camp.

The Left Wing General was out of time and immediately marched his men out to face them.

Any further hesitation, and Daizhao would’ve had them completely surrounded.

"Wooom—" The sound of Daizhao’s war horn blared, calling them out to fight.

Though aware that Daizhao had toxic smoke to counter the venomous snakes, Left General had no choice but to release them to reinforce their troops and stall for time.

Naturally, Left General used a tactic—dividing the venomous snakes into several batches. A small portion was released first to lure Daizhao into using the toxic smoke. Once the smoke dissipated, the remaining snakes would be unleashed to maximize their combat effectiveness.

If this had happened two days ago, the tactic would have worked. But today, everything was different.

The first wave of venomous snakes was dispatched, and Daizhao ignited the toxic smoke—just as planned.

Yet soon, the Nanyan forces noticed something wrong and rushed to report back.

"General, Daizhao's troops are no longer afraid of our snakes today."

Left General’s heart sank. "Why?"

Commanding from the rear, he didn't know the details.

The general replied, "Daizhao's troops are wearing some strange leg armor—they're protected from snake bites."

"What kind of armor?" Left General pressed.

After thinking for a moment, the general described, "It seems... made from shoe soles."

"Yes, shoe soles—no wonder they looked familiar." The general had an epiphany.

Shoe soles?

Even Left General, accustomed to improvised battlefield defenses, was stunned.

"Prince Jing of Daizhao is truly unmatched in both wisdom and courage," Left General remarked, partly admiring, partly resigned, his face serious.

This battle was turning out much harder than he had anticipated.

Yet with the two armies already engaged, no matter how difficult, they had to fight on. He could only hope that Xiao Lin, upon receiving the news, would come quickly with backup.