Chapter 591: First time meeting the general (2/2)

“After hearing that Your Highness Duke of Qin is planning to lead troops up north, this soldier came in person to express my gratitude!” Great General Ning said sincerely.

“Weeding out the Chu and supporting the Long as the legitimate heirs is the natural duty of your lordship. What are you thanking me for?” Long Feiye asked coldly.

“This soldier brought my cavalrymen and the two generals supporting me in the west just to thank Your Highness for saving our lives! Our forces are hardly enough to guarantee success against the Chu Clan troops without tragic deaths in the battlefields. But if the Duke of Qin can transfer soldiers to reinforce us in the north, it will not only strengthen our forces and give us momentum, but strike fear into our enemies’ hearts as well! As a general, I rejoice over the fact that we’ll be able to minimize injuries and loss of life!” Great General Ning looked like an elegant gentleman, but spoke with all the sonorous force of an impressive general used to fighting.

“Minimizing injuries and deaths are part of your lordship’s duties as well. Why would I need your thanks for that?” Long Feiye asked again.

Great General Ning immediately clasped his hands in front of his chest and bowed. “Yes! This soldier made an indiscreet remark.”

He was quick to react and good enough to hide any sign of his feelings! Han Yunxi observed him silently all the while, paying close attention to the fate since his identity would determine Lil Thing’s fate.

“Your Highness Duke of Qin, this soldier still has one more things to report,” Great General Ning continued.

“Mm.” Long Feiye’s tone was very cold.

Great General Ning had no choice but to continue himself. “From what this soldier understands, Cloud Realm Trade Consortium has provided red coat cannons to the Chu Clan. Moreover, it’s already been delivered to their forces.”

Long Feiye’s icy eyes finally flickered at that statement. “How many?”

“At least three!” Great General Ning declared.

In Cloud Realm Continent, gunpowder was controlled by the various military factions. But red coat cannons were not, because they were only made by one specialized craftsman who happened to live on the lawless land of the Three-Way Battlefield. He spent most of his days in the Three-Way Black Market and refused to ally himself with any nation. It took him years to make a single cannon, which he only sold in the black markets. Over the past few years, news had spread that there were no more cannons for sale. But who knew that Cloud Realm Trade Consortium had already bought three of their own!

Even Han Yunxi was surprised by the news. Although red coat cannons were akin to museum pieces in her eyes, they were still a formidable existence in a time period where wars were fought with steel weapons.

“And your point is?” Long Feiye asked.

“The Chu Clan’s full of crack troops and strong archers. Now they even have red coat cannons on their side, making them a tiger who’s grown wings. They can’t be underestimated. In this soldier’s humble opinion, my forces combined with the two generals of the west can attack them from the east, while Your Highness’s soldiers can ambush from the south. Then we’ll call in Western Zhou’s forces from the west and hem them in from three sides! In this way, the Chu Clan troops will have no choice but to fall before our superior numbers!” Great General Ning explained.

Long Feiye nodded in silence. He rapped his knuckles against the table and indicated that Great General Ning should take a seat. The general respectfully found a chair on the side and began to explain the situation with the eastern provinces in earnest.

Han Yunxi grew bewildered again. Great General Ning’s that determined to face off against the Chu Clan troops? Was our 70 percent chance a wrong guess? Maybe he has no relation with Cloud Realm Trade Consortium or any deals with the Chu Clan at all?

Long Feiye didn’t speak a word while Great General Chu waxed on, even when the man finished talking. Finally, he said, “Good! Your lordship will take care of matter on Emperor Kang Cheng’s side.”

Great General Ning was thrilled and hastily rose to his feet. “The Duke of Qin is wise and brilliant! This general dares to venture and ask Your Highness Duke of Qin to take the throne, thus restoring the glory and awe of our Tianning!”

Long Feiye gave a cold laugh. “You’ve betrayed Tianhui today. Will you betray your lordship tomorrow?”

Great General Ning immediately fell to one knee. “This soldier is only loyal to Tianning, my officers and men, and the people! Emperor Tianhui has grown fatuous and muddle-headed pampering on Empress Chu, thus causing calamity to the nation. This soldier has no choice but to rebel! If there comes a day when Your Highness Duke of Qin follows in Emperor Tianhui’s footsteps, this soldier will rebel again all the same!”

Long Feiye seemed to nod in amusement. “Fine! Your lordship will remember this!”

Once Great General Ning was gone, Han Yunxi lost herself in her thoughts. This guy, he’s the textbook example of a upright and loyal type! Her previous confidence felt shaken by his words. Maybe this time I’ll really lose the bet.

While she was thinking, Long Feiye had long focused his gaze on her. Now he asked coldly, “Have you seen enough yet?”

Urk….

“What do you mean by that?” Han Yunxi didn’t understand.

“He’s already gone, but you’re still staring after him?” Long Feiye’s voice grew colder.

Indeed, Han Yunxi was staring out the door, but that was only because her thoughts had wandered off! “You! I… What did I do?” she asked, utterly lost.

“Answer your lordship!” Long Feiye demanded.

His jar of vinegar’s spilled over again… Han Yunxi didn’t know whether to rage or laugh. She walked over and sniffed him up and down, before standing in front of him with her conclusion. “Sour!”

Long Feiye simply pressed her close, leaving Han Yunxi’s face to bump against his chest…