C23 (1/2)
”Ye Qing, Ye Qing, this name makes people think of bamboo.” Zhao Handong lit another bag of cigarettes, and said.
Kong Sheng nodded his head, ”She is also like bamboo, upright, kind and pure.”
As if he had made a great decision, Zhao Handong asked, ”You keep saying that your sister was only missing, is it possible that Lady Xiu’er ~ ~”
Kong Sheng smiled bitterly and waved his hand, ”Ye Qing is three years younger than me. She was twenty-five years old at the time of the accident. I'm 30 years old. If she's still alive, she should be 27. This Lady Xiu’er only looks like she's sixteen or seventeen, it's absolutely impossible. ”
Zhao Handong nodded his head helplessly. He knew that it was impossible, and only wanted to find a reason or excuse for Kong Sheng, but this Lady Xiu’er really didn't have enough of both sides, so he couldn't even make up a reason for it. Helplessly, Zhao Handong advised Kong Sheng a few more times, urging him to no longer have the will to die.
Kong Sheng nodded his head in agreement. After all, attacking the Moqiu Army Battalion on his own accord was already a matter of licking blood from the blade, especially when he had to guard against the enemy's counterattack. Previously, he still had an excuse to steal food, but now, he didn't have a single excuse. Furthermore, his life was saved by the Lady Xiu’er, so before he could repay the favor of saving his life, if he, Kong Sheng, died just like that, he would be laughed at by others even after entering the Underworld.
Seeing that he had calmed down, Zhao Handong did not say anymore. Instead, it was Kong Sheng who opened his mouth to ask him about the progress of the Moqiu Army direction. Zhao Handong told Kong Sheng that his Moqiu Army was already prepared to leave.
Just as Kong Sheng had fainted for the past few days, the scouts' reports had continuously come from the north and south.
At the north, there was indeed a gathering motion at the beginning of the Moqiu Army. The surrounding troops were constantly moving towards the central tent, completely determined to take revenge. However, the movement of troops had also exposed their current strength. Although the four sides of the tiger flags were fluttering in the wind, according to the scouts' observations, most of the camps at the back were actually just filled with smoke, without any signs of anyone being there. It was exactly as Kong Sheng and Zhao Handong had guessed, the other side had used a method to increase and decrease their strength, just like how the scouts had predicted. But even so, the number of troops that the Moqiu Army could mobilize was still as high as fifty thousand. With regards to the current Phoenix City Pass, this number was still difficult to match.
Just as the Phoenix City Pass was in a state of tension, the report of the battle from the south arrived. Compared to the disheartening actions of Moqiu Army in the north, the reports from the south were like a jug of delicious wine that seeped into everyone's hearts.
The scouts reported: The imperial reinforcements' vanguard troops had arrived at Pang Lai County, and the Demonic Beast army was on the verge of collapse. Currently, a friend had sent a scout to deliver a military report. If there were no other unforeseen events, Imperial Army would arrive in three days.
Zhao Handong was overjoyed upon hearing this, and asked the scouts how many reinforcements had arrived, which general was leading them. The scout was at a loss of words, saying that he had never seen the emblem on the other party's banner before. In the end, he simply passed the military report to Zhao Handong, letting him read it himself.
Zhao Handong took the notice and opened it. At that time, he kneeled down together with a few provincial authorities. It could not be blamed that the scout had not seen this badge, it was a special symbol used by the Fire Phoenix Empire Royal Family. Being able to put this imprint on the military announcement could only mean one thing: Her Majesty's Imperial Guards!
Without waiting for Zhao Handong and the rest to stop smiling, another good news came from the north: The Moqiu Army that had been meticulously prepared for two days has suddenly withdrawn. This time, they really did retreat, with the supplies in front and the infantry at the back, using an extremely cautious and orthodox strategy of retreat, they retreated right under the noses of the scouts in the direction of Pill King Valley.
It was a rare occasion that good things came in pairs. These two good news made the entire city go mad with joy. Now that the enemy had retreated, the reinforcements came. Furthermore, it was the Her Majesty who led the troops herself! How great was her reputation! Not to mention this remote Phoenix City Pass, even amongst the millions of citizens in the other sixteen provinces, how many of them had personally seen the Her Majesty before? Furthermore, the new emperor had only succeeded him for less than a year and was the first female emperor in the Empire's thousand years of history. This sort of honor, this sort of opportunity, would probably only happen this once in a lifetime, right?
Hearing that, Kong Sheng suddenly interrupted Zhao Handong: ”That, Old Zhao, according to what you said, doesn't that mean that the Her Majesty will arrive the day after tomorrow?”
Zhao Handong's eyes became a slit as he laughed merrily and said, ”That's right, that's why I came over to see if you, Old Kong, are awake or not. You are our surrogate commander, the highest-ranking officer in our Phoenix City Pass, the first meritorious service we receive from our people. If we cannot see your Her Majesty right now, wouldn't that mean we lost our lives? ”
Kong Sheng forced out a smile on his face, and replied, ”That's right, that's rare.”
Zhao Handong glanced at him, ”Old Kong, why is it that I don't feel happy? That's right, all of your Red Camp are from the Imperial Military Academy, so you still have to be a palace guard for two years. So you don't care now? ”
Kong Sheng waved his hands, ”Don't spout nonsense, it's not like the Royal Princess is free to walk around the palace grounds, it's not so easy to see. If anyone heard your words, they would have to be careful of your big head!”
Zhao Handong rolled his eyes and said: ”Enough, I won't waste my breath on you. I will stroll on the city walls, so that some bastards won't be lazy.” If someone were to steal our camp at this critical moment, even the heads of everyone in Phoenix City Pass will not be enough to kill us. ” With that, he stood up and walked out.
Kong Sheng immediately greeted her. ”Hey, hey, didn't you get someone to deliver the food over here? Now that you're gone, are you not going to eat? ”
Zhao Handong didn't even turn his head to look at him. You haven't eaten in three days, I don't have the confidence to snatch you away. ”
Kong Sheng laughed bitterly and shook his head. When Zhao Handong left the room, the smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a look of worry. He heaved a long sigh. This Zhao Handong, his guess just now was really accurate.
Two days later, the surrogate commander, Viscount Kong Sheng of the Empire and Zhao Handong, dressed in wrinkled military attire with dirty ribbons hung on their bodies, leading Zhao Handong, Xu Tiandao, Ling Zilu and a bunch of other officials of the Phoenix City Pass to solemnly stand at the entrance, waiting for the arrival of the Her Majesty. It was not because he wanted to be so slovenly, but just as Zhao Handong had said, being in the border of Phoenix City, he was afraid that he would never be able to see the Her Majesty again in his entire life. Furthermore, there were many battles happening too, so he was lucky to be able to find this set of clothes, even though it was a little wrinkled, it was still better than the army uniform that had not been washed for some time.
Everyone stood under the scorching sun for over two hours, the noon sun was in front of them and the cold wind of the Northern Kingdom was blowing gently, causing Kong Sheng to feel uncomfortable. However, it was not good for him to do anything out of line in front of his subordinates, especially when looking at the serious faces of the royal guards on both sides, Kong Sheng could only grit his teeth and straighten his body.