Chapter 84

The next day, Wei Ji woke up early. After all, he was young, and after a night of deep sleep, his body had already recovered. Seeing that Chu Shaoling had not yet woken up, Wei Ji gently lifted the blanket and his inner garment to look at the wounds on his body. The few wounds had already scabbed over, with new flesh growing inside, causing some itchiness. Wei Ji gently touched them and no longer paid them any mind, lying back down again.

After returning from the battlefield yesterday, Wei Ji had fallen asleep and did not know what happened afterwards. Now lying on the couch, he silently planned, his thoughts the same as Chu Shaoling's. Wei Ji also felt that it would be best to continue fighting westward for a few hundred miles. The northwest was remote, and it was difficult to mobilize troops there. Now that they had come, they had to make Liaoliang lose its vitality. They couldn't just drive the Liaoliang people back and have them return as soon as they left.

Wei Ji closed his eyes and thought about the terrain after entering Karakash. In his mind, there were thousands of troops and horses. Just as he was planning, he suddenly felt warmth on his forehead. He quickly opened his eyes, and Chu Shaoling smiled lightly, "You're awake. Why didn't you call me?"

"I was afraid Your Highness went to bed late last night." Wei Ji sat up and took the clothes placed to the side, handing them to Chu Shaoling. "What time did Your Highness return last night? I vaguely remember hearing that Your Highness had returned, but I fell into a deep sleep again."

Chu Shaoling put on his clothes and smiled, "I woke you up. I came back at the Hai hour last night. The officers and soldiers had won a great victory and were making a bit of a ruckus late into the night. Only you were missing."

Wei Ji felt a little embarrassed, "I only suffered some minor injuries but went to bed so early. I was too frivolous and made the other generals laugh at me."

"What's the big deal? Yesterday's great victory at Karakash, you are the hero." Chu Shaoling was also afraid that the other officers would be disgruntled with Wei Ji. Last night, he had lightly reprimanded them, and he thought that in the future, there would no longer be behaviour like Bai Yunjiang's. Chu Shaoling leaned over and carefully examined the wounds on Wei Ji's body, nodding, "They are healing quickly."

Wei Ji smiled, "Your Highness used those good medicines on me yesterday. How could they not heal quickly? It's just too extravagant."

"The Empress Dowager sent them to me when I came. If not for you, who would I use them on?" Chu Shaoling helped Wei Ji put on his inner garment and casually scratched Wei Ji's face, smiling, "You don't know yet, but yesterday we captured 14,000 barbarian soldiers and over 4,000 warhorses. When we return, I'll give you 2,000 horses."

"My 2,000 cavalry all have horses now. This time, we lost about 700 or 800. If Your Highness can replenish them for me, that will be enough. Any more would be a waste." Wei Ji got up to get dressed and tied up his hair. After some thought, he said, "There are quite a lot of prisoners of war. How does Your Highness plan to deal with them?"

"When transporting the wounded to Xian'outuo, over 5,000 have already been escorted there. I'll have the prefectures there brand their faces one by one and register them as slaves. For now, just keep an eye on them. We'll deal with them after the war is over." Chu Shaoling sneered coldly, "I originally asked the Liaoliang King for 30,000 young slaves, but he refused to give them. Now, I've captured over 10,000 myself. When we are victorious, I wonder if Liaoliang will still be able to produce 30,000 people."

"What does Your Highness want so many able-bodied men for?" Wei Ji couldn't understand. "To keep them here as serfs? This place is too close to Liaoliang. If we're not careful, these people might run back. If there are any more unrest, it will be troublesome."

Chu Shaoling nodded, "I know. I don't plan to keep these people here. Once the war is settled, I will send people to escort these prisoners of war in batches to the south, to Yunnan, to open up wasteland and grow grain."

Wei Ji smiled, "That's a solution." This way, there would be people to cultivate the wasteland in the south, and these prisoners of war would have a place to go. Being able to hold onto a piece of land was better than living on the edge of a knife.

Chu Shaoling ruffled Wei Ji's hair, "The initial battle was victorious, but there's still more fighting to come. You'll see, I'll capture a hundred miles of land in all directions."

Wei Ji smiled, "Your Highness is valiant."

"I still have to rely on the Cavalry General." Chu Shaoling lowered his head and kissed Wei Ji's forehead. "I've already submitted the petition to confer you the title of First Class Duke. Are you happy?"

Wei Ji nodded, then suddenly asked, "After I am granted the title of duke, can I still stay in the prince's Manor?"

Chu Shaoling laughed, "Where else do you want to go? Do you want to open your own residence?"

Wei Ji quickly shook his head, "I don't want to."

Chu Shaoling smiled, "What are you thinking about again?"

After the two of them got ready, they had breakfast together. At the second quarter of the Chen hour, everyone came to Chu Shaoling's tent to discuss matters, which was nothing more than yesterday's battle. Chu Shaoling spread out the map and said, "We are now at the westernmost part of Karakash. If we continue west, we will reach Retong. After capturing Retong, it's another 300 miles north to Liaoliang's imperial capital, Fenghe. The Liaoliang King will likely be on guard. As long as we cross Retong, it will be easy to negotiate. By then, the Liaoliang King will probably be eager to come and discuss peace."

Everyone laughed upon hearing this. Lian Yu asked, "If we negotiate peace, will the Grand General still have the same conditions?"

Chu Shaoling smiled confidently, "My conditions can only increase, not decrease. If the Liaoliang King doesn't agree, that's fine too. We'll just fight directly to Fenghe and into the Liaoliang palace. By then, he will surely agree."

What Chu Shaoling said to Wei Zhan yesterday had already spread. Once they entered Liaoliang, they could take silver and money as they pleased, and whatever they seized would be theirs. Everyone was not stupid. Chu Shaoling was clearly rewarding the officers and soldiers. Everyone had a tacit understanding and wanted to truly charge into Fenghe.

After Chu Shaoling had given all the instructions, he ordered, "Let the soldiers rest for a few more hours. After the noon meal, break camp. Leave 20,000 soldiers to defend, and the rest must reach Retong before sunset."

Everyone stood up, bowed in response, and left the main tent.

Wei Ji carefully rolled up the sheepskin map and put it away. Chu Shaoling hugged him from behind and said softly, "I'm afraid we'll have to go to battle again the day after tomorrow. Can your body handle it?"

"Even if Your Highness wants to go to battle today, I can handle it." Wei Ji turned around and smiled, "Only Your Highness would make a fuss over such a small injury."

Chu Shaoling smiled, "How can you say something so sweet? Are you happy that I'm making a fuss?"

Wei Ji couldn't stand Chu Shaoling's teasing and changed the subject, "When can Your Highness call for the noon meal? I'm... I'm a bit hungry."

"Hungry?" Chu Shaoling glanced at the hourglass in the tent and said, "If you're hungry, I'll have them serve it now. Is there anything you want to eat?"

Wei Ji shook his head, "The usual dishes are very good."

Chu Shaoling ordered for the meal to be served. After the two of them ate, they leaned on the couch and rested for a while. At noon, they broke camp. The prisoners of war and the wounded have been taken care of. Chu Shaoling ordered Wei Zhan to secure the provisions. With everything settled, Chu Shaoling boarded the carriage where Wei Ji was peering out the window. Chu Shaoling smiled, "What are you looking at?"

Wei Ji let down the curtain and grinned sheepishly, "Your servant was looking for his few thousand soldiers."

Chu Shaoling laughed, "Afraid of losing them? Hopeless. Let me see the wounds on your body."

Chu Shaoling undressed Wei Ji and applied medicine again. After tidying up, the two leaned against the carriage to rest. Wei Ji's heart was elated thinking about the upcoming battle. He tossed and turned, pondering the terrain. Chu Shaoling originally wanted him to sleep for a while, but Wei Ji couldn't fall asleep even with his eyes closed. Chu Shaoling chuckled, "You're like a child. There won't be fighting today. Sleep obediently."

Wei Ji smiled. After a while, he said, "Your Highness, your servant wants to capture Retong for you and plant your grand flag in the Liaoliang imperial city, letting the Liaoliang people know that the future emperor of Great Chu is different from the current one. In the future when Your Highness ascends the throne, you won't tolerate anyone's invasion."

Chu Shaoling's heart suddenly felt like a jar of five flavors had been spilled. He was stunned for a long time before kissing Wei Ji on the head. Silly thing.

The army reached Retong before sunset. Further ahead was the territory of Liaoliang. Chu Shaoling gazed at the endless wilderness, silently strategizing. They had to penetrate deep into Liaoliang's heartland. With the front line stretched too long and Liaoliang having supplies while they didn't, they needed to march quickly and fight decisively, crippling the Liaoliang forces before they could react, in order to solve the problem of insufficient provisions.

Wei Ji's thoughts were the same as Chu Shaoling's. Wei Ji also liked swift battles, not just because of supplies. In Wei Ji's view, one-third of warfare depended on morale. Charging forward in one vigorous effort could frighten the enemy and make them timid. With the enemy's confidence shaken, the rest would be easy. At this time, Wei Ji didn't know that his fame had already spread to Liaoliang. Without him doing much, just raising the banner of General Ji with his halberd insignia was enough to make the Liaoliang people tremble in fear.

Chu Shaoling only ordered to make camp when it was too dark to see the road. After settling in and having dinner, he ordered everyone to sleep immediately. The night watch was also split into three shifts to ensure all men could get some rest. The next day at the third quarter of the Yin hour, they would break camp and continue westward.

Chu Shaoling's approach was fierce. The Liaoliang king never expected them to keep attacking. He hastily gathered 50,000 soldiers and ordered them to defend Retong to the death.

In front of the formation, Chu Shaoling looked at the Liaoliang army and laughed, "I heard that this time, the Liaoliang crown prince is also in battle. Pass on my order. Whoever kills the Liaoliang crown prince will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold."

"What about capturing the Liaoliang crown prince alive?" Lian Yu, who was also at the vanguard this time, asked eagerly, "What will the great general reward?"

Chu Shaoling chuckled lightly, "Ten thousand taels of gold."

The soldiers cheered upon hearing this. When the horn sounded, they charged toward the Liaoliang troops with a roar. This time, Chu Shaoling's army was evenly matched with the Liaoliang army in numbers. They had to seize the initiative to have a chance of winning. With the Liaoliang crown prince personally leading, the morale of the Liaoliang soldiers was also high. After battling for an hour, the casualties on both sides were almost equal.

Wei Ji led his personal troops and plunged into the front of the Liaoliang formation. With Wei Ji's reputation preceding him, the Liaoliang officers and soldiers were quite wary.

Wei Ji ordered his men to form an eagle formation and charged into the Liaoliang formation. Wei Ji still remembered Chu Shaoling's words just now and was determined to capture the Liaoliang crown prince alive. The Liaoliang troops weren't fools either. Batch after batch of Liaoliang soldiers rushed up to act as human shields, resisting the attack of Wei Ji's squad. Wei Ji's eagle formation attempted to encircle them several times but failed.

Wei Ji narrowed his eyes slightly and ordered his men to change to a shield formation.

"Cavalry General Ji!" Wei Ji's personal troops kept shouting, "The shield formation is good for defense but difficult for offense, and it's even harder to surround the Liaoliang crown prince!"

Wei Ji shook his head, "No matter! Change to the shield formation! I have my ways! Quickly!"

The soldiers hurriedly gathered around Wei Ji. Wei Ji ordered the soldiers to still switch to horse sabers, engaging in melee combat just like in the battle of Karakash. Wei Ji's soldiers all clustered together. Countless sabers chopping actually tore open a gap at the front of the Liaoliang formation. The soldiers led by Wei Zhan also rushed over. They all hacked at the scattered Liaoliang soldiers.

Wei Ji's squad took the opportunity to charge into the Liaoliang formation. Wei Ji's eyes were like torches as he said in a low voice, "The one with a red ribbon tied on his head in the northwest is the Liaoliang crown prince, right?"

Wei Ji's personal guards also saw him. They were now less than a hundred yards from that person. The guards were overjoyed, "General! Let's surround him!"

Wei Ji wiped the blood from his saber and shook his head, "No need."

The Liaoliang troops were defending their crown prince to the death. It would be too difficult to capture him alive. A hard fight might not succeed and would cost too many soldiers. Wei Ji had already given up. He ordered the surrounding soldiers to cover him as he put away the saber at his waist and took the six-jun great bow that had been slung across his horse's back.

After all this time of bloody fighting, perhaps everyone had forgotten that Wei Ji's greatest skill wasn't the saber but the longbow.

Wei Ji drew out an arrow and nocked it on the bow, closing his left eye. The distance was too far and there were still many people in front of the Liaoliang crown prince. Wei Ji steadied himself, exerted strength with his right arm to fully draw the bowstring. Wei Ji held his breath, his right eye staring fixedly at the red on the Liaoliang crown prince's head. His right hand suddenly released. The arrow whistled away!

Wei Ji didn't pause for a moment. He immediately took up another arrow and nocked it on the bow. This time, without the slightest hesitation, he fully drew the bowstring and released it right away. The second arrow flew toward the Liaoliang crown prince. The fletching of the arrow scraped against the air, making a sharp sound. The two arrows were only an instant apart. The first arrow was blocked by the person in front of the Liaoliang crown prince. Before the prince could react, the second arrow pierced his heart!

The Liaoliang crown prince struggled for a moment and tumbled off his horse. The Liaoliang army instantly fell into chaos.