Eternal Forest Defense
Eternal Forest Defense
In the hastily set up and somewhat simple hall, Xia Shu's expression was solemn as he stared at the black-clad young man sitting in front of him with a carefree expression, as well as the four black-clad knights standing beside him as his guards. "Young master, is there anything you can say now? We haven't had a chance to ask about your and their backgrounds yet." Ye Li looked at the two of them and smiled casually, "No wonder General Murong would send two people to guard Yonglin City. Cloud Lieutenant is brave and bold, while Xia Lieutenant is cautious and prudent, indeed a rare combination." Xia Shu smiled wryly, "If it weren't for you and your companions arriving in time today, I'm afraid Xia Shu and Yun Ting would have had no choice but to apologize with our deaths." His gaze remained fixed on Ye Li, he wouldn't forget that the young man in front of him still hadn't revealed his identity.
Ye Li couldn't help but lift her hand to undo the bun on her head, letting a lock of black hair slide down her shoulder. She smiled faintly and said, "I am the Princess Consort of Dingguo."
Is that the Queen of Tingguo? Yun Tian and Xia Shu stared at each other in shock. The situation before them was unexpected, yet it seemed to make sense. Apart from the King of Tingguo, only the Queen of Tingguo could mobilize so many Black Cloud Riders. But how could the Queen, who had been rumored to be missing, suddenly appear at Shui Xue Guan with the Black Cloud Riders to rescue Yong Lin City? And... wasn't it said that the Queen was the daughter of the current Prime Minister and the granddaughter of Qing Yun, a delicate and refined lady from a good family? How could she... Yun Tian felt even more bewildered and stood aside, leaving everything to Xia Shu, who seemed calmer. Xia Shu was also frightened, but after a long while, he regained his composure and asked: "Your Majesty... how did you end up here?"
Ye Li smiled and said, "Originally, I wasn't here. I only rushed over after hearing the news that Shui Xue Guan was surrounded. Fortunately, I still made it in time. If you two don't believe my identity... is Miss Murong, General Murong's daughter, still at Shui Xue Guan?" Xia Shu's face changed slightly, looking a bit embarrassed, "I'm not doubting the princess's identity, after all, the Black Cloud Cavalry is the best evidence. It's just that..." Ye Li nodded, "I understand what Captain Xia means, no need to be tense. Please, both of you, take a seat."
Xia Shu and Yun Tian exchanged a glance, each bowing their heads in gratitude before taking their seats. The Black Cloud Riders had arrived to rescue them with great fanfare, but now they discovered that the leader of the Black Cloud Riders was none other than the Queen of Ding Guo. The two were momentarily at a loss for words and emotions. It was common knowledge that the King of Ding was in poor health, and if the Black Cloud Riders were to be mobilized, it would indeed require the Queen's involvement. However, the idea that such a delicate and frail woman could actually command such a powerful army and lead them against the tens of thousands-strong rebel forces of the Li Wang seemed unbelievable to both Xia Shu and Yun Tian. They exchanged a skeptical glance. "Your subordinates request an audience with Your Majesty," came the voices of An Er and An San from outside the door. Xia Shu and Yun Tian were taken aback, their eyes narrowing warily as they looked towards the entrance. Several men dressed in ordinary soldier attire walked in, but Xia Shu's keen eye picked out the emblem on their uniforms - it was unmistakably that of the Li Wang's forces from Fengzhou. These people were clearly not soldiers who had been let in by the city guards.
"You've worked hard, how's it going?"
"Following the queen's orders, we have executed the governor of Yongzhou. Unfortunately, there were too many people around King Li, and our subordinates were unable to bring back the governor's head. Please forgive us, Your Highness." Ye Li raised her hand, "It's alright, you've done well. Go take a rest first." The crowd took their leave, and Yun Chen exclaimed in shock, "You...you killed the governor of Yongzhou?!"
"Yun Tong, do not be rude." Xia Shu said in a deep voice. Since it has been confirmed that the woman in front of him is indeed the Queen of Dingguo, then for now, regardless of whether she has the ability to lead the Black Cloud Cavalry and the Yonglin army, she is not someone they can afford to be rude to. Although he was also shocked by what he heard earlier.
Ye Li nodded slightly and said: "The governor of Yongzhou does not think of reporting to the country, and instead surrenders to the King of Lei's army. If we do not punish him with justice to set an example, I fear that other officials will be moved by his words and follow suit."
Xia Shu nodded in agreement: "What the Queen said is right. If it were not for the governor of Yongzhou betraying our king and surrendering to the King of Lei, we would not have the crisis of being besieged in Yonglin today."
Yun Tian looked at Xia Shu, then at Ye Li, and suddenly asked: "Princess, when will the reinforcements arrive?"
Ye Li pondered for a moment, shaking her head: "I don't know this either. I was originally in Nanzhao and only rushed back overnight after hearing the news about Suixue Pass. However... General Wu of Yongzhou was ambushed at Yunlan River, so it's unlikely that reinforcements will arrive within the next few days."
The entire area south of the Yunlan River can barely defend itself, let alone expect reinforcements. As for north of the river, only Yongzhou is closest to Yongzhou, and the troops of Yongzhou were ambushed, while the troops in other places may not have come out without receiving an imperial edict.
Soldiers. Yun Tian and Xia Shu are the commanders of the garrison in Yonglin City, not ordinary soldiers, so Ye Li has no intention of deceiving them. If the commander cannot see clearly what is happening before his eyes, then there is no need to mention anything else.
"Damn it!" Yunfeng cursed in a low voice. Even with the addition of two thousand Black Cloud Riders, their current forces were less than twenty thousand. If they weren't afraid to die, but if they could hold Yonglin by fighting, he would rather die on the battlefield immediately.
Xia Xi slowly took a deep breath and calmed himself before asking: "If that's the case, please ask the princess to leave Yonglin and return to the capital as soon as possible."
"Leaving?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow and asked.
Xia Shu smiled wryly and said, "Not to deceive the princess, although the two of us have made a military order in front of General Murong. However, Yonglin... can only do our best, we can guard for as long as we can. The grudge between the princess and King Li has been heard by me before. In case
"Time... so please, Princess Wang, it's best if you leave quickly." Ye Li smiled, "General Xia, do you think I came to Yonglin intending to just take a stroll and then leave? Besides... even if I were to leave, could you command the Black Cloud Riders?"
Xia Shu looked at Ye Li with some embarrassment, he indeed had this idea and hoped that the king's wife could keep Hei Yun Cavalry to help defend the city. But what the king's wife said was also right, if even the emperors of past dynasties couldn't touch Hei Yun Cavalry, then how could a mere captain like him possibly
"Commander's move? Ye Li raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a tangled expression, laughing: "What? Did the concubine follow you to guard the city and make you lose face?"
"Ah..." Xia Shu was speechless, but Yun Tian bluntly said: "Princess, the battlefield is too dangerous for you. You're a noble and a lady, how can we let you follow us to guard the city? Why don't you ask Hei Yun Qi's brother to stay behind and help us guard the city instead?"
You're safe now, and our defense of the city has gained a bit more confidence." Ye Li covered her mouth with a smile: "Cloud Lieutenant, I came in on horseback just now, not sitting in a sedan chair being carried by people, right?" Yun Tian was stunned, only then remembering the chaotic scene earlier
Indeed, I didn't see anyone deliberately protecting anyone else, so the woman in front of me, who was barely up to my shoulder, was actually the one I followed with all the Black Cloud Riders to kill our way out of a thousand soldiers and horses?!
Xia Shu coughed lightly and bowed his hands to Ye Li, saying: "I apologize for the mistake. General Murong is at Suixue Pass, why not ask the princess to see General Murong first before making plans?" Ye Li furrowed her brow in thought for a moment before nodding, "That's also good, the rebel army has suffered setbacks for two days now,
Mo Jingli won't rashly advance without investigating clearly. Since I've come, not going to see Murong General would be unjustifiable. Let's go to Suixue Guan first." Yun Tian volunteered: "I'll send the princess over!" Xia Shu smiled ambiguously.
He glanced at Yun Tian, seemingly understanding the small abacus in his heart, and smiled tolerantly: "I'll stay behind to guard Yonglin." Ye Li nodded, "Then I'll trouble Xia Xiao Wei. I will leave Hei Yun Cavalry to assist Xia Xiao Wei in strengthening the city wall's defense."
Xia Shu was overjoyed, everyone knew that the Black Cloud Riders were good at attacking, but similarly, those who are good at attacking must also understand where their defensive weaknesses lie. Being able to observe the Black Cloud Riders up close is an honor for every soldier. Upon hearing this, Yun Tian became even more conflicted, wondering whether it was really worth seeing the princess.
Is General Murong worth considering or should I stay and watch the Black Cloud Riders stir up excitement? Looking at Ye Li who had already stood up, Yun Tian's heart clenched into a fist. It was absolutely necessary to win over Queen Ding first, if he could still speak after this battle, he would ask Queen Ding to let him join the Black Cloud Riders.
Even if he is just a small soldier, he would be willing!
Snow Pass
Murong Shen walked into the big tent with a bloody body, his dragon-like strides and tiger-like steps. As if he knew that the Li Wang rebel army was approaching, today's offensive by the Nan Zhao people outside the city became even more fierce. In the end, it was still Murong Shen who personally led the troops out of the city to fight back, and after a good fight, they managed to drive them back. Only now could he catch his breath.
He was furious, and Mu Rong Shen didn't even have time to change his clothes as he hastily returned to the main tent to receive the battle report from Yong Lin City. "General, early this morning, the Li King personally led 1.5 million soldiers to arrive at the foot of Yong Lin City."
Murong Shen waved his hand and said, "Nonsense! Outside Yonglin City is just a small piece of land. Where can he deploy 1.5 million troops?"
One of the generals under his command stood up and said, "Those 1.5 million troops are probably for us at Shui Xue Guan. Yesterday, Yun Tian and Xia Shu, those two kids, killed off Lei Wang's vanguard and cut down the pathfinders. Today, those two kids will probably have a hard time." Murong
Cen nodded and said: "Yunfeng and Xia Shu fought well this time."
"General, why not let me take some men to Yonglin and have a look. Those two young ones may not be able to hold on today." A middle-aged deputy general said with some worry. Mu Rong Shen's expression was heavy as he shook his head, "The Nan Zhao army will come to attack at any time, how can we spare more troops..."
Support them." The generals fell silent. To send troops from Shuizhen Pass was equivalent to letting the Nanzhao people enter Shuizhen Pass themselves. If they didn't send troops, the 200,000 soldiers and horses in Yonglin City would be eaten away by the tens of millions of Li Wang's army sooner or later, and at that time, both sides would not be able to hold out against the siege of Shuizhen Pass. What was even more pitiful...
They can't even break through, because they are guarding the Snowflake Pass, defending the gate of Great Chu. Unless the soldiers of Snowflake Pass die out, it is absolutely impossible to let foreigners step in. This is the creed written by the guardians of Snowflake Pass for hundreds of years with their lives and blood.
"Damn it! Li Wang actually colluded with the Nanzhao people!" The hot-tempered generals couldn't help but curse. What's more suffocating than fighting to the death in the bloody rain, only to be stabbed in the back by your own people? A royal prince, the emperor's own brother, colluding with foreigners - what kind of thing is this?!
"Reporting to General, Yonglin City Battle Report!"
"Hurry up!" The angry shouts in the big tent suddenly stopped, and everyone looked at the soldier who came to report with a solemn expression, fearing that they would hear bad news from his mouth.
"Report to the General, this morning the rebel army of Li Wang attacked the city, for a whole hour. At noon, the rebels were already repelled. Xia Xiao Wei asks the General to be at ease, as long as Yonglin has one soldier and one general, we will never let the rebels cross the city of Yonglin." The soldier reported loudly.
"Excellent, these two young men are indeed not bad." Murong Shen was overjoyed. In fact, before sending Yunfeng and Xia Shu to Yonglin, he still had some worries in his heart, after all, both of them were too young. However, the Broken Snow Pass really had no one else to send. Unexpectedly, these two young men won battle after battle for two consecutive days. After thinking about it, Murong Shen asked with some doubt: "The Li Wang's army of over a million has already arrived, how did Yunfeng and Xia Shu manage to repel them?"
The soldier who reported the news did not conceal it, "Originally we were unable to hold on, but suddenly a large number of black-clad cavalrymen appeared out of nowhere and killed off the enemy. Moreover, the governor of Yongzhou was also killed in the army of Li Wang."
Murong Shen was taken aback, somewhat unclear about the identity of these black-clad knights. However, the fact that the Taishou of Yongzhou had been killed was a good thing. "Well done! Go back and investigate those cavalrymen's information, bring it back as soon as possible."
"Yes!"
"Report to the General: Yun Tong, the Colonel of the Cloud Thunder Regiment, requests an audience."
"Yun Tong? How did he come? Let him in!" Murong Shen furrowed his brow and ordered with a wave of his hand.
Not long after, Yun Tianxiang hastily walked in and called out to Murong Shen as soon as he entered the door: "General, look who's here!" Murong Shen was about to scold Yun Tianxiang for his impatience, but when he raised his head, he couldn't speak for half a day. Although Murong Shen didn't like socializing in the capital, Ye Li also didn't like going out. However, Murong Ting and Ye Li were indeed close friends. As the general who loved his daughter dearly, Murong Shen had seen this famous Ding Wangfei several times in the capital. Although she was wearing black clothes and men's attire at the moment, her slightly changed elegant face and calm smile made a deep impression on Murong Shen, "Wang..." Murong Shen tried his best to swallow the word behind it, only to hear Ye Li bowing and smiling: "General Murong, it's been a long time since we parted in the capital, are you well?" Murong Shen was after all a general who had fought for half his life, so he quickly regained his composure and bowed back with a smile: "Thank you for your concern, General. I should thank you for helping to resolve the crisis in Yonglin." The black-clad cavalryman, seeing the sudden appearance of Ding Wangfei, Murong Shen couldn't guess who had resolved the crisis in Yonglin if he wasn't the one who had followed Mo Liuqing into battle.
The Snowfall Pass generals present, although they did not know who the black-clad youth was who had followed Yunfeng and resolved the crisis at Yonglin City, clearly sensed that General Murong recognized this person, and so also relaxed their guard, curiously looking at Ye Li. General Murong glanced around at everyone, waved his hand to have them withdraw first, then invited Ye Li to sit down. Ye Li thanked him without ceremony and walked over to sit down on one side. "General, can Snowfall Pass be defended?" Ye Li was very clear about General Murong's temperament and did not want to waste time beating around the bush with him, so he asked directly.
Murong Shen gazed deeply at Ye Li, and after a long while, he sighed and said: "I won't hide it from the queen, if there weren't tens of thousands of soldiers behind King Lei, Murong Shen guarantees that not a single person from Nanjiang would be allowed to step into Shuixue Pass. However... once Yonglin City falls... Hehe, Shuixue Pass might not even last half a day." There was no barrier between Shuixue Pass and Yonglin City; if the rebels passed through Yonglin City, it would be equivalent to handing over the backs of the defending army to the rebels. At that time, with a pincer attack from both sides, the Nan Kingdom wouldn't need to exert any effort, and the defenders at Shuixue Pass would be able to annihilate themselves.
Ye Li naturally understood that Murong Shen was telling the truth and frowned, saying: "In your opinion, General, how many more days will it take for the reinforcements to arrive?"
Murong Shen's smile was bitter, "If... the reinforcements will arrive in at most two days. But now... within ten days, I'm afraid you won't even see a shadow of the reinforcements."
Ye Li raised an eyebrow, "So General's meaning is that Su Xue Guan can't be defended?"
Murong Shen gritted his teeth and said, "We must defend even if we can't. As long as I, Murong Shen, still have a breath of life, the Nanzhao people will not be able to set foot in front of Suixue Pass." Ye Li was silent for a moment, then looked up and asked, "General, how many more days do you think we can hold out?" Murong Shen replied in a low voice, "That depends on whether Yonglin can hold on today. I don't know how many Black Cloud Riders the princess has brought this time."
Ye Li sighed, "This time it's purely coincidental that the Black Cloud Riders only have a mere 2,000 men. General... if Shattered Snow Pass can't be defended, is it possible to... retreat to Yunlan River?" Murong Shen waved his hand firmly and said, "Others may retreat, but Murong Shen cannot! Since His Majesty has sent Murong Shen to defend Shattered Snow Pass, I will only share the same fate as Shattered Snow Pass!" Ye Li furrowed her brow and said, "So, General, have you considered that if Shattered Snow Pass is breached and the Southern Barbarians take advantage of the situation and march north, what then? The 20,000-strong garrison of Yongzhou has already been defeated at Yunlan River, and now not only is Yongzhou in danger, but also there are no troops to defend Yongzhou."
Murong Shen chuckled and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. After receiving the news of Wu Zongbing's death, I thought of this possibility. So I ordered people to monitor Henghui Bridge on Yunlan River day and night. If reinforcements arrive first, then it's fine. But if Shuixue Pass is broken and reinforcements have not arrived, those who stay there will destroy the bridge at all costs. Whether the Nanzhao people want to rebuild the bridge or take a boat across the river, or detour, the journey will be delayed for at least half a month. By then... the imperial court's reinforcements should also arrive. It's actually Your Highness, thank you for your help this time, and please leave Yongzhou as soon as possible to ensure safety."
Ye Li stood up and bowed her head in respect to Murong Shen: "Since the general's mind is made up, then... how about handing over Yonglin City to me?"
"Princess?" Murong Shen looked at her in surprise, Ye Li smiled and said: "As the Princess of Dingguo, how can I leave first when Yongzhou is in danger? Ye Li also wishes to live or die with Yonglin City, so as not to betray the name of Dingguo Wangfu. Isn't that right?"
Murong Shencheng fell silent for a long time before finally saying, "No wonder..." No wonder the Black Cloud Riders would listen to Empress Ding's commands. It was indeed not something that ordinary palace ladies could compare to. Everyone thought that only Emperor Ding and Empress Ding could command the Black Cloud Riders, but they didn't know that even among the empresses of past generations, there were only two or three who truly had control over the Black Cloud Riders. As for the previous generation's Empress Ding, it wasn't necessary to mention her, even Emperor Ding's birth mother, the empress who had a deep relationship with Regent King Mo Liu Fang back then, never had the right to command the Black Cloud Riders either.
Ye Li raised an eyebrow, waiting for Murong Shen's next words. However, Murong Shen only shook his head and didn't continue speaking, instead looking up at Ye Li and saying: "In that case, Yong Lin will be entrusted to the queen. This general cannot provide any assistance to the queen, but can only allocate another 10,000 troops to the queen." These 10,000 troops were originally intended to be sent as reinforcements when Yun Tian and Xia Shu's support was dwindling. They were also the only troops he could mobilize.
Ye Li nodded, "Thank you for General's trust."
After receiving Murong Shen's military token, Ye Li also got up and prepared to return to Yonglin City. Murong Shen was a veteran general on the battlefield, if it wasn't for this sudden event and the fact that the military strength was vastly different, he wouldn't have been caught off guard like this. The defense of Suixue Pass naturally didn't need Ye Li's interference either. As soon as she left the camp, she saw Murong Ting rushing towards her with a sword in hand, "Ting'er?"
"Huh?!" Murong Ting was originally in a hurry to find her father, but she heard a familiar voice and hastily stopped in her tracks. Staring at the person who was both familiar and strange in front of her, it took her a while to come back to her senses, pointing at her, "You... you... you..."
"How dare you!" Murong Shen followed behind and walked out, staring at Murong Ting and said: "How can you be so rude to Young Master Xu?"
"Xu Gongzi?!" Murong Ting shrieked. Ye Li smiled and raised an eyebrow at Murong Ting, "I am Xu Qingliu, nice to meet Miss Murong."
Murong Ting's face turned red, and she quickly hid beside Murong Shen. She glared at Ye Li with a resentful gaze. It was really not her fault that she suddenly became shy; it was all because the man accompanying Ye Li looked too good. Even without makeup to change his appearance, he still looked like a handsome young man with a hint of innocence, without any feminine mannerisms. Murong Ting had always thought of herself as having a bold and heroic personality, but she couldn't help but admit that even if she wore men's clothing, she wouldn't look more like a boy than the person in front of her. Even though she knew Ye Li was a real woman, looking at a handsome young man with some innocence still lingering on his face made Murong Ting feel somewhat embarrassed.
Watching Murong Ting's rare blush, Ye Li couldn't help but smile at her. The young man in the sunlight was handsome and elegant, and even his black clothes couldn't hide his clean and transparent youthful energy. Murong Ting could only stare with wider eyes, silently cursing: "Seductress!"
"General, I'll take my leave first." Ye Li didn't bother Mu Rong Ting and turned to bid farewell to Mu Rong Shen. Mu Rong Shen nodded and said seriously, "In that case, we'll trouble you at Yong Lin Castle."
"I will definitely not disappoint General's trust." Ye Li smiled and said.
Murong Ting looked at Ye Lian and turned her eyes, "Dad, ah... what does Mr. Xu want to do in Yonglin?"
Murong Shen furrowed his brow and said: "Xu Gongzi has gone to assist Yun Tian and Xia Shu in defending the city." Murong Ting hastily said: "I'll go too."
"What's the point of following him and causing trouble? Xugongzi is handling official business."
Murong Ting was so angry that she stomped her feet. Earlier, she said that as a daughter, she couldn't go to the battlefield, but now they were letting Ye Lian go to the battlefield? "I don't care, I also want to help defend the city! I am Father's daughter, not just a useless thing who only eats and drinks in the military camp! Ah... Xu Gongzi, take me with you, okay?" In her excitement, Murong Ting forgot that Ye Lian was still wearing men's clothes and pounced on him, grabbing his sleeve and shaking it. This caused passing soldiers to glance over at them. Ye Lian lightly coughed and pulled away her hand, smiling and saying: "Murong... there is a distinction between men and women."
Murong Ting only then noticed the strange glances of the passing soldiers, and quickly let go of her hand to make a ghostly face at Ye Li. Turning back to pull on her father's sleeve, "Daddy... let me go, I promise I won't cause any trouble for anyone."
Murong Shen was entangled by her and had no choice but to look at Ye Li. Ye Li lowered his head and smiled: "If the general is willing, let Murong go with me." Murong Shen sighed, now that the situation was critical, staying in Suixue Pass or going to Yonglin City really didn't make much difference. Even if he stayed in Suixue Pass and waited for a real battle to start, he wouldn't be able to take care of her anyway. "Forget it, this girl will trouble Xu Gongzi. If she dares to act recklessly, Xu Gongzi can deal with her according to military law, no need to show mercy!"
"Thank you, Father!" Murong Ting was overjoyed and completely ignored the military punishment mentioned by her father afterwards. At least this shows that Father is willing to treat her as a soldier rather than an ignorant little girl?
"Thank you, Father!" Murong Ting was overjoyed and completely ignored the military punishment mentioned by her father afterwards. At least this shows that Father is willing to treat her as a soldier rather than an ignorant little girl?
Bid farewell to Murong Shen, Ye Li and his party stayed in front of and behind the Snowy Pass for less than an hour before starting their journey back. Murong Ting rode on horseback with a face full of envy, looking at the fine horse ridden by Ye Li and the several Black Cloud Knights following her. With just a few people, they already had such momentum; if the entire Black Cloud Cavalry were in front of them, what a magnificent sight it would be! Just thinking about it made one's blood boil with excitement. "Ah... Ah, Master Xu, how did you come to Snowy Pass? My father really trusts you; I told Father that I wanted to go to the battlefield, but he wouldn't agree. However, when you came, Father actually agreed to hand over the defense of Yonglin to you." Thinking about this, Murong Ting felt a bit sour in her heart - did Father really think she was useless and therefore didn't let her go to the battlefield?
Ye Li smiled and said: "I went to Nanjiang to take care of something and happened to run into you."
"Prince Wang actually allowed you to come to Nanjiang alone? Prince Wang is really a good person. Unlike my dad, who would nag me every day that girls should be obedient and stay at home to take care of household chores, and be virtuous... I don't want to stay at home obediently." Murong Ting complained in a low voice, the last sentence was almost a whisper. However, everyone present had extremely good hearing, so they all heard clearly. Yun Tian smiled: "Miss Murong, you said that Cold Gongzi would cry." Murong Ting bared her teeth and hummed at Yun Tian before galloping forward on horseback. Ye Li followed with a smile, saying: "General Murong also dotes on you, afraid you'd be in danger."
"I know, but Father only has me as his daughter, and I want him to be proud of me too. Besides, I'm not a child anymore, so I won't act impulsively. Since Father doesn't allow me to go to the battlefield, no matter how anxious I am, I won't sneak out behind his back."
Ye Li nodded, Mu Rong Ting although occasionally a bit willful, actually very understanding of the situation and wouldn't let people really worry about her.
Digression
The male and female leads meet, and their feelings start to warm up~