readytorunbook Chapter 641 Earth-shattering
Chapter 641 Earth-shattering
The deep valley of Chu King Mountain was filled with hundreds of thousands of troops. The generals of the Daye Dynasty were in a state of panic and could not come up with any solution.
At the end of the valley were the temporary defensive fortifications built by the Wu Kingdom. Thousands of soldiers stood on the city walls, but Lin Ping and the others were kept outside.
"General Pang, I really have captured Bai Tiantian. As long as we have him in our hands, the army of the Daye Dynasty will not dare to act rashly, and you can also make meritorious contributions," Lin Ping explained earnestly.
"Take credit? What a joke! It was only because I, the general, held off the army of the Daye Dynasty that we were able to defend the city. What does it have to do with you? If you don't leave, these thousands of crossbow bolts will surely turn you into honeycomb briquettes."
"It's not that he doesn't trust you, but he's afraid you'll steal the credit. After all, capturing the enemy general is the greatest achievement, and you might surpass him in the future. It's better for him to take all the credit for himself," Bai Tiantian explained softly.
What he said made sense. If Pang Xingji let Lin Ping into the city, he would recognize Lin Ping's merit, and even if he himself would be promoted as a result, it would be better to take all the credit for himself.
As long as Lin Ping doesn't enter the city, the person who will stop the Daye Dynasty's army will be Pang Xingji, and the imperial court will definitely reward him handsomely.
Seeing Pang Xingji draw the bowstring again, Lin Ping deliberately feigned dejection.
"Retreat, retreat quickly!" Lin Ping led the remaining dozens of men in a rapid retreat, as they couldn't stay within the range of the crossbow bolts.
"Damn it, he clearly wants to monopolize everything!" a soldier nearby said indignantly.
They fought valiantly to defend Xuzhou, risking their lives countless times, only to be abandoned by the main army in the end. How could they not be furious?
"Tiger, don't talk nonsense. As soldiers, we can't presume to know what the general is thinking. Once the city gates are opened, the enemy might actually take the opportunity to rush in." Lin Ping stopped the man, preventing him from doing anything foolish.
"Commander, you're always so unambitious. You always give away even the greatest credit, and you're always trampled under Pang Xingji's feet." Hu Zi said angrily, "Didn't he become the commander entirely because of your merits? Even if you can tolerate it, the brothers can't stand it."
To make the play more convincing, Lin Ping pretended to be a captain, commanding fifty soldiers, though he was far less capable than Pang Xingji.
"To abandon you in order to claim all the credit for this is utterly foolish. With your abilities, the achievements you've brought him are far more than just this one." Bai Tiantian shook her head again.
"I'll say it again: as long as you're willing to submit to the Daye Dynasty, you'll start as a commander of a thousand men, and in the future, you'll be promoted to my deputy general, commanding an army of 100,000."
First, they sowed discord between Lin Ping and Pang Xingji, then they offered a huge, tempting offer.
“Commander, Wu Kingdom abandoned us first, so you are not guilty of treason. Why don’t you go to the Daye Dynasty with Bai Tiantian?”
One of the soldiers earnestly tried to persuade him.
They were willing to die for their country without regret, but if they were abandoned by their country, then there was really no point in fighting to the death.
"Shut up! Remember this: the reason we are fighting to the death is not for Pang Xingji, nor for the imperial court, but for the millions of people of Wu Kingdom! I, Chen Jiuri, was born a citizen of Wu Kingdom, and I will die a ghost of Wu Kingdom! Anyone who dares to utter the word 'surrender' again will face military law!"
Lin Ping said sternly, even drawing his long sword.
Knowing his character, the soldiers all lowered their heads and remained silent, feeling sorry for Lin Ping.
"Good lad, you do have some backbone. It's just a pity you were born into the wrong family, in the Wu Kingdom, otherwise you would definitely have soared to great heights," Bai Tiantian sighed.
The more Lin Ping said this, the more interested Bai Tiantian became in him.
Humans have a strange psychology: what we can't have is the best.
Bai Tiantian's reason for winning over Lin Ping was not simply to gain a good general, but also to satisfy her own competitive desire.
Lin Ping didn't lead them very far, barely managing to escape Pang Xingji's firing range.
They found a relatively flat ridge in the valley and used their limited supplies to set up a few simple tents.
In this way, they were positioned between the armies of the Wu Kingdom and the Daye Dynasty, making them vulnerable to being wiped out by either side.
"Kid, are you planning to just sit here and wait to die?" Bai Tiantian asked curiously, not understanding Lin Ping's purpose.
"I'm stalling for time. As long as you're in my hands, the Daye Dynasty's army won't dare to launch an attack, and the Wu Kingdom will have a chance to force you to retreat," Lin Ping replied without hesitation.
"Withdraw your troops? Are you kidding me? The Daye Dynasty has mobilized 300,000 troops to raze the Wu Kingdom to the ground. Why would they withdraw because of me, Bai Tiantian?"
Bai Tiantian continued, "After I am captured, the Black Iron Guard will elect a new commander, and the 300,000-strong army will also have a new leader. Perhaps they will consider our past relationship and spare my life for the time being, but if I starve to death, or if the court issues an order, they will break through the gates of Xuzhou without mercy."
They were caught between two armies, facing danger from both sides. Even if they weren't killed, they would starve to death.
Moreover, Bai Tiantian is an oddball; the confidants he elects are all ambitious people, some even harboring thoughts of killing him.
Even if they don't send troops to kill him directly, they won't let go of this rare opportunity. They will definitely trap Lin Ping and the others for ten days or half a month and then let them starve to death.
"General Bai, aren't you tired wearing this armor? Why don't you take it off and relax?"
Lin Ping smiled faintly, but changed the subject.
"I, Bai Tiantian, have a habit: from the day I set out on the expedition until my triumphant return, I will never take off my armor," Bai Tiantian said confidently.
"Do as you please, I don't want to see you looking ugly anyway," Lin Ping waved his hand and said in a nonchalant tone.
Is this being ignored?
Do not!
This is an insult!
Bai Tiantian's eyes were bloodshot, and she wished she could tear Lin Ping to pieces. She hated it most when people said she was ugly.
But he was, after all, a war god, and quickly calmed down, sitting cross-legged on the ground, his tone becoming much calmer: "Tell me your thoughts."
After the series of events that had just occurred, Bai Tiantian no longer believed that Lin Ping was the kind of person who would take things one step at a time.
The reason for this calm and uneventful situation must be due to some conspiracy or trickery.
Bai Tiantian didn't think Lin Ping could dislike any stormy seas, but she was curious about his thoughts.
Lin Ping also sat cross-legged, casually gesturing on the ground with a tree branch in his hand.
"General Bai's eyes are indeed sharp; he saw right through me. In this great battle, our roles are already minimal, so let's speak frankly."
Lin Ping said in a calm tone.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Bai Tiantian said gently, and even through the armor, one could sense the smile in his eyes.
"If I'm not mistaken, the one who wants to conquer the Wu Kingdom is not the Emperor, but General Bai!" Lin Ping said with a strange smile, his words astonishing.