Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 814 - 811: Rest Now

Yang Wuce sat on his horse without dismounting, looking at Cao Renyi, and chuckled lightly. He felt that Cao Renyi was exactly as the Princess of Zhen had anticipated, wanting to negotiate terms with the Princess using Daming Prefecture.

However, the Princess of Zhen had already instructed that Cao Renyi was proud and arrogant, so leave him be and see him after taking Daming Prefecture.

Yang Wuce said, "The Princess of Zhen has sent General Zhao Sheng to lead a unit to Daming Prefecture. The forces from Daming Prefecture have been dispatched in full strength, so I believe... it will soon be taken by General Zhao Sheng."

Cao Renyi widened his eyes, shocked and unable to regain his composure for quite some time. He shouted, "How many men did Zhao Sheng take?"

"Less than sixty thousand! General Cao, rest assured... the Princess of Zhen has given orders; thus... after General Zhao enters the city, there will be no harm to the citizens!" Yang Wuce cupped his hands towards Cao Renyi and said, "The Princess of Zhen has other instructions, and we will discuss them afterwards, General Cao!"

Cao Renyi felt a surge of blood in his chest, snarling inwardly. Discuss?! Discuss what? Discuss the kindness of my surrender and being captured alive by you?!

The disarmed Liang soldiers were gradually leaving with the Jin Army, being detained in batches.

Because Cao Renyi and Yang Wuce were old acquaintances, the Jin Army still showed some degree of care, sending a military doctor to bandage Cao Renyi.

Just before dawn, news came from the direction of Daming Prefecture that Zhao Sheng and Zhao Ran had taken the city and were welcoming the Princess of Zhen into the city.

On the morning of the first day of January, the eighteenth year of the reign of Xuanjia, the Jin Army captured Daming Prefecture, and the Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan, led her forces into the city.

Once Zhao Sheng entered the city, the local officials were very obedient... they had already moved their families out of their residences, providing the Princess of Zhen with a place to stay.

After ensuring the soldiers had thoroughly searched the place, Zhao Sheng invited Bai Qingyan to reside there.

Doctor Hong and other military doctors followed into the city, going first to the treatment center to treat citizens affected by the epidemic.

The soldiers had battled through the night and were worn out, but still couldn’t contain their excitement and exhilaration at having taken Daming Prefecture overnight. Especially after entering the city, when citizens came forward to welcome them, kneeling and begging the Jin Army to treat their family members’ illnesses, the soldiers managed the infected according to the prior orders from the Princess of Zhen, until Doctor Hong and the other military doctors took over.

Bai Qingyan hadn’t slept all night and inspected the camp upon entering the city, as was customary. Xiao Rongyan did not persuade Bai Qingyan to rest either, following her from one injured soldiers’ camp to another.

The wounded soldiers were in the injury camp, cleaning their wounds. Some soldiers saw Bai Qingyan, who had led them to a victorious surprise attack on the Liang Army last night, and hurriedly stood up to greet her.

Bai Qingyan waved her hand, indicating for them to sit down and continue cleaning their wounds, not to mind her.

These soldiers, mostly former Liang soldiers, had previously only heard of Bai Qingyan’s unrivaled victories. Later, when they were under Bai Qingyan’s command in Jianye City and Yongan City, they either surrendered or had no chance to witness Bai Qingyan’s true capabilities.

This time Bai Qingyan predicted Cao Renyi’s attack and prepared in advance, commanding Zhao Sheng to capture Daming Prefecture. From the soldiers’ perspective, Bai Qingyan’s control over the battle seemed divine, making them confident in fighting under such a commander.

An old soldier, who had his ear cut off in the siege battle and had bandaged it, sat against the wall talking with a new soldier who also had his wound bandaged about survival techniques from numerous battles, completely unaware that Bai Qingyan had entered the injury camp, speaking with animated gestures.

"To tell you the truth, although I am not skilled in anything, I am the best at eating! But I know how to hide; that hiding... comes with experience! Otherwise, if you hide in the enemy’s arms, it’s just a swift cut, and your head falls! Isn’t that a waste?"

The old soldier, seeing several new soldiers stretching their necks to listen to his experience, deliberately kept them in suspense. He knocked the sand out of his shoes on the ground before putting them back on, then said, "I’ll tell you, but keep it secret! This life-saving trick on the battlefield... when the two armies start fighting, others charge straight ahead... but I don’t! I run sideways to the edges, avoiding both the overseers’ eyes and saving my life! Remember, the fiercest enemies usually charge straight ahead. Those running sideways are lifers like you! Few dare to wield a big knife for real! Not everyone is as fearless as the Princess of Zhen!"

"Besides... you know we are originally ordinary Liang citizens conscripted into the army out of necessity. Now we have to fight for Jin against our fellow Liang people. No need to risk it all! I plan to take the compensation for losing an ear and seize a chance to escape quickly! Otherwise, next time I may lose my head instead of an ear!" The old soldier continued laughing, "We are Liang people and injured together. Because of this connection, I’ll share my survival skills from many battles with you! Be smart on the battlefield, don’t waste my effort!"

The new soldiers nodded constantly as they were about to ask the old soldier how to escape when they saw Bai Qingyan standing behind the old soldier. Startled, they hurriedly stood up: "Princess of Zhen!"

Though they hadn’t met Bai Qingyan before, no one else in the camp wore silver armor and a red cloak besides the Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan.

The old soldier first thought the new soldiers were tricking him. He turned his head with a smile and saw Bai Qingyan; his face turned pale as he trembled, fearing that Bai Qingyan had overheard his intentions to desert. Frightened, he tried to stand up against the wall but was pressed back down by Bai Qingyan.

Xiao Rongyan followed Bai Qingyan, observing the soldiers around who had been influenced by the old soldier and had expressions suggesting desertion. His gaze fell on Bai Qingyan.

According to conventional wisdom, a commander at this time should punish the instigator to deter these new soldiers, extinguishing their thoughts of desertion forever.

However, Xiao Rongyan saw that Bai Qingyan was not angry but smiled slightly. He anticipated whether Bai Qingyan had a better way to handle the situation. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"Princess... Princess of Zhen!" The old soldier quickly knelt down, kowtowed to Bai Qingyan, pleading for forgiveness, "I... I was just rambling! Please forgive me, Princess of Zhen!"

Bai Qingyan smiled and told the new soldier next to her, "Help him up!"

With a smiling face, even though her armor was stained with blood, Bai Qingyan showed no sign of the murderous intent from the previous night, unexpectedly displaying a relaxed demeanor.

The slightly injured new soldiers quickly stepped forward to support the trembling old soldier, who stood beside them. If not for the two new soldiers holding him, the old soldier would have surely collapsed to the ground.

"Fear of death is natural. On the battlefield, if you don’t have the ability to wield a knife against an enemy, finding ways to survive is understandable." Bai Qingyan spoke with a relaxed tone and posture, causing many soldiers to relax.