newbobooks Chapter 396 Brothers reunite, grandfather and grandson meet, a grand banquet in Snow Moon City lasts
Chapter 396 Brothers reunite, grandfather and grandson meet, a grand banquet in Snow Moon City lasts
Ye Dingzhi's eyelashes fluttered, his eyes sparkling. He turned to look at Baili Dongjun's eager face, a warmth spreading through his heart. He reached out and gently pinched Baili Dongjun's nose, comforting him:
"Alright, alright... I'm by Uncle Baili's side, how could I be in any danger?"
Besides, I've already taken both feet into the half-step Divine Realm, so you can rest assured! If you ask me, you're quite something, becoming the revered Lord of Snow Moon City at such a young age, that's quite a burden!
I also heard that you took Young Master Wen, Sikong Changfeng, and a few others to Tianqi City a few days ago to have some fun and robbed a lot of treasures from the national treasury. That's what angered that old bastard Xiao Chongjing. Otherwise, why would Lu Ting'en abandon Yunzhou City to come looking for you in Xueyue City?
Hearing this, Baili Dongjun felt much relieved, and when Ye Dingzhi mentioned his "glorious past," he immediately raised his head and said with feigned pride, "Of course!"
"During the war in Yunzhou, many people were forced to leave their hometowns by the imperial court's increased taxes and levies. That's why they braved the wind and snow, risking their lives to cross snow-covered mountains and treacherous ridges to come to Snowmoon City to seek their lives..."
"Snowmoon City is located in a remote area, and the land is considered fertile. Even the people in the city have to buy food from outside. With tens of thousands of refugees, they are having an even harder time getting by!"
"Brother Yun, tell me, how could I possibly watch tens of thousands of people starve to death? I, Baili Dongjun, only believe in one thing—every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor!"
"Since these people became homeless vagrants because of the court's imposition of heavy taxes and extortion, then this debt must be settled with the damned Northern Li court!"
Ye Dingzhi laughed upon hearing this, "So you're just going to Tianqi City to demand an explanation? But I don't quite understand, since you have Young Master Wen helping you, why not just go to the treasury and rob some gold and silver treasures, instead of going through all this trouble to pretend to be some kind of immortal to swindle money?"
Baili Dongjun recalled the events in Tianqi City and pursed his lips: "It was all my cousin's idea. He said that even if Tianqi City was not good, there were still many experts. Our cultivation was not enough, and if we directly robbed them, there would probably be injuries or something..."
"Hey! If Brother Yun were here, with our tempers, we would have already cleaved Xiao Chongjing's palace in two with swords and blades, and robbed back all the valuables..."
At this point, the two brothers burst into laughter, and Baili Luochen, watching the two young men from afar, was also genuinely gratified.
Putting the jokes aside, Ye Dingzhi patted his stomach and said, "Dongjun, guess what I want to do right now?"
Baili Dongjun understood immediately upon seeing this. He pulled Ye Dingzhi over and then walked to Baili Luochen and Sikong Changfeng, reaching out to help his grandfather up, saying:
"Today's great victory over the Yunzhou army, and the reunion with my grandfather and brother Yun, are double the joy!"
"I, Baili Dongjun, will host the trip. Let's go into the city and drink to our hearts' content for three days and three nights!"
……
The beginning of the Chen hour.
The commotion outside the west gate of Snow Moon City gradually subsided, and the surrendered soldiers had been taken to a temporary camp outside the city for safekeeping. The other three gates also gradually returned to normal, and the gatekeepers of the city lord's palace were methodically repairing the city gates and outer walls damaged by the Yunzhou army.
The Pofeng Army set up camp on a flat area four or five miles away from the West Gate, and the inventory of supplies, weapons, and provisions was carried out in an orderly manner under the supervision of Baili Chengfeng.
According to Baili Chengfeng's rough calculation, including the deserters he and Ye Dingzhi captured from the left and right flanks, the number of Yunzhou soldiers who surrendered in this battle was more than 12,000.
Having been trapped and seeing no way to fight back, Lu Ting'en ordered his troops to surrender without resistance in order to avoid further casualties. As a result, the Pofeng Army suffered almost no losses in this battle.
The chief clerk accompanying the Broken Wind Army had handed over the inventory ledgers of military equipment and provisions to Baili Chengfeng's tent. Baili Chengfeng took the ledgers, glanced at them briefly, and found that the amounts were almost identical to his estimates. He then put down the ledgers and shouted orders outside the tent:
"Sige outside the tent, quickly invite Grand Commander Lu in; I have something to say to him!"
"As ordered!"
A moment later, two of Sige's personal guards outside the tent brought Lu Ting'en, who was bound hand and foot, into the tent.
Lu Ting'en was a burly man, almost half a head taller than Baili Chengfeng. Two of Sige's personal guards pressed down hard with both hands and then struck him hard in the back of the knees. Lu Ting'en's knees immediately buckled, and he knelt down in front of Baili Chengfeng's desk.
Baili Chengfeng remained silent, simply waving his hand. The two Sige personal guards bowed and slowly withdrew from the military tent.
He then turned his gaze to Lu Ting'en under the table. At this moment, Lu Ting'en had long been stripped of his armor and was only wearing a dark-colored outfit. There were still faint teeth marks and bloodstains at the corners of his mouth.
'This man seems to be of a fierce nature, unwilling to suffer humiliation. Yet, as a general, he was willing to be the first to surrender in order to save the lives of his soldiers. He is indeed a remarkable figure!'
Baili Chengfeng pondered to himself, then looked directly at Lu Ting'en: "General Lu, Yunzhou City has been captured by my Pofeng Army, and now your remaining ten thousand men have all surrendered to the Marquis of Zhenxi. Do you have anything else to say?"
Lu Ting'en's facial muscles twitched a few times, and his breathing became somewhat heavy as he said:
“What face do defeated generals have left… Baili Chengfeng, I only beg you to let me die quickly so that I may repay His Majesty. If His Majesty hears that I, Lu Ting'en, have sacrificed myself for the country, perhaps he will treat my family well!”
Baili Chengfeng suddenly stood up, took a few steps to stand in front of Lu Ting'en, and stared at him intently:
"Innocent!"
"You, Lu Ting'en, are considered one of the top generals in the Northern Li territory, so how come you can't even tell what kind of person Xiao Chongjing is?"
"If he were truly fair in rewarding and punishing and honest in his actions, why would my father, the Marquis of Zhenxi, have raised the banner of rebellion? Not to mention you, a border governor, even his sworn brother, the military genius Ye Yu, and my father, Baili Luochen, were suspected and framed, ultimately turning against each other?"
"If news of your defeat were to reach the Tianqi City Imperial Palace, I bet you would only have one fate."
Lu Ting'en looked up at Baili Chengfeng, somewhat incredulous: "What happened to him?"
Baili Chengfeng pulled him up: "The treacherous officials in the court will surely frame you for secretly colluding with my Pofeng Army. Xiao Chongjing might just issue an imperial edict to exterminate your entire clan!"
"Impossible, absolutely impossible! His Majesty has bestowed upon me the title of Marquis of Yunzhou and placed me under the military command of the southwestern prefectures. What an immense favor this is! His Majesty would never betray me..."
"Bai Li Chengfeng, don't try to confuse me with your lies. Even if I die by your sword, I will never betray Da Li!"
Baili Chengfeng chuckled, and a flash of sword light appeared in his hand. Lu Ting'en subconsciously closed his eyes.
He thought that if his attempt to persuade Baili Chengfeng failed, Baili Chengfeng would kill him with a single sword stroke, but after waiting for a long time, he did not feel any injury on his body.
Lu Ting'en slowly opened his eyes and realized that the ropes binding him had broken inch by inch. Not understanding Baili Chengfeng's intentions, he asked:
"You...you're going to let me go?"
Baili Chengfeng sheathed his sword, sat back down at his desk, and said with a helpless smile, "There's an old saying that's true: you're the kind of person who won't shed a tear until you see the coffin! I'll make a bet with you. Here's a fast horse; you can take a few attendants and ride back to Tianqi City overnight to give the old emperor a detailed account in person..."
Lu Ting'en became more and more confused as he listened. Baili Chengfeng continued, "If Xiao Chongjing deeply appreciates your hard work in protecting the country, and that you remained loyal despite the defeat, and did not lose your military integrity, then I will withdraw the garrison of Yunzhou City and return the soldiers' weapons and equipment confiscated today to you. What do you say?"
Lu Ting'en's eyes lit up suddenly upon hearing this: "Really?"
Baili Chengfeng nodded: "Of course it's true!"
……