Chapter 2: Armed Confrontation
The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, under the special command of His Majesty, has come to respectfully invite His Highness the Ninth Prince to the Yangguan Pavilion for a discussion!" The general said coldly, his crimson brocade battle robe fluttering fiercely in the wind. His gaze met Guo Lun's with a chilling intensity.
Step back! His Majesty only wishes to see the Ninth Prince! Upon seeing Guo Lun and the Imperial Guards following behind Ji Qingchen, intending to accompany her, Tie Yan suddenly let out a loud shout
A red steed was led before Ji Qingchen by the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry beside him
Thinking of her, Ji Qingchen's heart trembled, and her expression became somewhat despondent.
Guo Lun is undaunted and has already prepared to battle the Tiger and Leopard Riders
Your Majesty, the Great Yan not only has the Feathered Forest Guards, but also four elite troops: the Canglang, Ruibu, Longxiang, and Heiying. Given the current military strength of the departing nation, Your Majesty's ambition to unify the world may be somewhat overreaching. " Ji Qingchen slightly furrowed his brow and spoke in a calm and unhurried manner. He was well aware of the implications behind the young emperor's words.
Before departing on his mission abroad, His Majesty the Emperor had made it very clear that he must safely escort the Ninth Prince to Junlin, and he did not dare to be the slightest bit negligent
Riding alongside Tie Yan, they sped forward for the duration of a cup of tea, when they saw that the road ahead was guarded every five paces and had a sentry every ten paces, revealing a large contingent of cavalry. Then, they noticed a luxurious carriage quietly parked on the official road
He was momentarily taken aback, but quickly regained his composure and saluted the two individuals in the car, saying, "I pay my respects to Your Majesty and greet my teacher."
"Your Majesty's memory is truly poor! You only remember that thirty years ago, the war with your nation annihilated our Great Yan's 180,000 troops, yet you seem unaware that three hundred years ago, our renowned general Chen Qingzhi of Great Yan captured your capital city with just 7,000 white-clad soldiers?" Ji Qingchen replied in a calm tone
"Third Junior Brother, His Majesty and the Master are at the Yangguan Pavilion ahead. Please follow me immediately, so they do not have to wait too long!" Upon seeing Ji Qingchen, the youngest disciple of his own Master, Tie Yan's tone softened unexpectedly.
Upon getting on the carriage at https://www.hetushu.com, a hint of disappointment appeared on Ji Qingchen's face when she saw the people inside. She ultimately did not come after all! He let out a soft sigh in his heart
The teacher Li Qingyi, seated in the second position, slightly nodded to him in acknowledgment
Tie Yan has informed Ji Qingchen that the Emperor of the Li Kingdom wishes to see him
He is the commander of this cavalry, the cavalry officer Guo Lun.
Zheng Fang heard the voice of the Ninth Prince, hurriedly turned around, and saw that the Ninth Prince and Ye Shaoqing had already disembarked from the carriage. He responded with a "Yes" and retracted his long spear, stepping back two paces to clear a path for the two.
In the past, the Great Yan Dynasty boasted an army of one million soldiers, with three hundred thousand capable of fighting on horseback. Yet, it was not long ago, thirty years prior, during the Battle of Yanzhi River, that two hundred thousand elite troops were completely annihilated, and all the surrendered soldiers were executed in mass graves, their wails echoing like thunder. Consequently, the territories of Kui, Liang, Gua, and Qian, spanning eight hundred li, were entirely incorporated into the domain of the Great Li Dynasty
"Does His Majesty, the esteemed Emperor of the Great Li Kingdom, need to issue a decree to meet a hostage from the Li Kingdom?" Tie Yan shouted loudly, his eyes filled with murderous intent
Suddenly, he furrowed his brow, realizing that this friend, with whom he had shared a decade of camaraderie, did not appear joyful or excited about returning to his home country. Moreover, he remained so composed and at ease even while surrounded by his thousands of fierce Tiger and Leopard cavalry.
What does Brother Ji think? The exiled emperor was very serious, his eyes shooting forth a glimmer of cold light, unafraid as he met Ji Qingchen's icy gaze.
The two individuals locked eyes, akin to the sea meeting the rocks, unleashing a surge of chilling murderous intent
After silently gazing for a long time, the exiled emperor finally withdrew his gaze, seemingly finding it difficult to make a decision in his heart. "It is rumored that the Yulin Guards of the Great Yan are the imperial guards of your country, selected from among the three hundred thousand elite soldiers of the Great Yan. Today, I wish to ask Brother Ji, how do they compare to my Tiger and Leopard Cavalry? Can they engage in battle?"
The banners overshadowed the sky and the sun, and for a moment, the wide and long official road was filled with white.
"In eight hundred years, the Great Yan has only produced one Chen Qingzhi, yet our Great Li can establish a formidable cavalry force, the Tiger and Leopard Riders, capable of traversing the world in just ten years. It is clear, Brother Ji, who is superior and who is inferior, isn't it?" The Emperor of Li paused for a moment, then spoke with a smile instead of anger.
Riding at the forefront of the ranks, a warrior clad in a red cloak, his dark spear emanating a chilling gleam, stands like a mountain on horseback, his eyes fixed intently on the path ahead
The expression on the little prince's face turned somewhat cold, but when he inadvertently caught sight of the jade pendant at Ji Qingchen's waist, he recalled the advice of his most cherished younger sister, and his gaze gradually softened significantly
The cavalry had already charged right in front in the blink of an eye
The leading steed let out a long neigh, and the rider on its back raised the whip, immediately prompting someone to sound the horn. The battle-trained horses halted their iron hooves amidst the yellow dust, and the entire troop came to a swift stop in their gallop without the slightest disorder
The teacher is actually here? Ji Qingchen was a bit surprised, "I wonder what Your Majesty has summoned me for? Since you have sent Second Senior Brother to summon me, please let him lead the way!"
The emperor of Li Guo, after hearing Ji Qingchen's response, found his previously smiling expression turn somewhat awkward. However, he did not become angry; instead, he spoke in a condescending tone, mocking, "Brother Ji, the Yan Kingdom boasts of having a million armored soldiers and three hundred thousand cavalry capable of battle. Yet, in the battle at Yanzhi River thirty years ago, did they not still suffer defeat at the hands of my renowned general Li Qingyi and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry?"
Ji Qingchen did not argue with the Emperor of the Li Kingdom
Majestic Great Yan, shall never fall! Blood shall flow endlessly, and battles shall continue without rest! If Your Majesty wishes to fight, what fear does the Great Yan Imperial Cavalry have? However, let Qingchen speak honestly, the current Imperial Cavalry is still somewhat inferior compared to the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry of the Li Kingdom. " Ji Qingchen responded with neither arrogance nor servility, for he was not a person who belittled himself.
In an instant, a chilling atmosphere enveloped the narrow carriage, shrouded in the breath of war
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became bleak and tense
At that moment, accompanied by the thunderous sound of hooves, a cloud of dust suddenly rose on the official road ahead, followed by a sensation of the earth trembling, as if a furious tide were approaching. In an instant, a cavalry unit of three hundred appeared through the dust, all soldiers clad in red armor and riding red horses, holding high over a hundred pure white banners of the mighty lion. The banners obscured the sky and blocked the sun, and at the center of the white grand flag, the large character "Li" fluttered in the wind.
"Is it that my Ninth Prince of the Great Yan Kingdom can be casually commanded by a mere little guard general like you?" Guo Lun also retorted fiercely
At this moment, he had already ridden his horse to the front of the large carriage. The eunuch beside the carriage, upon seeing Ji Qingchen, immediately stepped forward and whispered to her, "Your Majesty has been waiting for a long time, Your Highness, please!"
"Disciple, please!" Tie Yan said
Friends for ten years, yet at this moment, we find ourselves at odds with each other
Suddenly, he recalled the advice of his mother when he left the city: "My son, the Ninth Prince of Dayan, Ji Qingchen, is quick-witted, adept at strategy, and valiant. He is not arrogant in victory nor discouraged in defeat, possessing the temperament of a thunderstorm while appearing calm on the surface. He is a talent worthy of a general. If he were to inherit the throne of Dayan in the future, he would undoubtedly become a great ruler. I hope you will handle this matter with caution and not allow personal feelings for Shu'er to cloud your judgment, leaving the nation with a hidden danger."
"Brother Ji, if Dayan had one hundred thousand elite cavalry like the Yulin Riders, it seems that my efforts to unify the world after leaving the country would be quite challenging, wouldn't it?" The young emperor of the departing country asked with a half-smile.
"Captain Guo, you wait here with everyone!" Ji Qingchen said to Guo Lun. Without waiting for Guo Lun to respond, he mounted his horse and hurriedly followed Tie Yan.
Guo Lun noticed the unusual behavior of the Imperial Guards, and he tightened his grip on the gun. He shouted loudly, "Mighty Great Yan, may you stand forever! As long as blood flows, we shall fight to the death!"
Ji Qingchen's heart suddenly trembled, and in an instant, his gaze fixed intently on the face of the Emperor of the Li Kingdom. After a long while, he finally calmed down and said slowly, "So, Your Majesty, your personal leading of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry here today is to keep Qingchen, is it?"
At the moment he heard the thunderous sound of galloping hooves, a glint of fierce light flashed in his eyes, and he shouted urgently, "Enemy attack! Prepare for battle!"
Suddenly, at the moment when Tie Yan drew his sword, someone among the Imperial Guards shouted loudly, "Zheng Fang, you have quite a nerve! How dare you be disrespectful to His Majesty the Emperor of Li Nation? Withdraw at once!" Immediately, one could see Ji Qingchen and a middle-aged scholar stepping down from a carriage guarded by the Imperial Guards not far away.
In the world, who can compete with this leopard cavalry that has galloped and maneuvered across the vast territory of the Great Li Dynasty, spanning thousands of miles from north to south like wolves and tigers
Majestic Great Yan, may it stand forever! Blood shall flow endlessly, and we shall fight to the death without rest! The cavalrymen of the Feathered Forest immediately followed suit, loudly chanting the battle song of the Yan State, which steadied their hearts.
The cavalry leader beside him received the order and immediately urged his horse forward, drawing his battle knife to form a semicircular cavalry formation in front of the large cart, protecting the cart in the center and standing ready for battle
The exiled emperor shifted his tone, a flash of murderous intent gleaming in his eyes, and narrowed them slightly as he said, "However, to speak frankly, although the military might of the Yan Kingdom is formidable, I do not feel any fear in my ambition to unify the world. Yet, in my heart, I do fear one person. Brother Ji, do you know who it is?"
In the feathered cavalry formation, someone shouted a name, and upon hearing it, the knights on horseback stirred restlessly
Thank you, Lord Zhao. Ji Qingchen nodded slightly, dismounted from the horse, and strode towards the large carriage
It is the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry
However, upon seeing this large vehicle and the thousands of Tiger and Leopard Cavalry surrounding it, Ji Qingchen's body still trembled. In the morning, he had already bid farewell to the Emperor Li Changchuan of the Li Kingdom at the Daqing Palace. Yet, the young emperor of the Li Kingdom had come out ten miles from the city to see him off, accompanied by so many elite cavalry. Could there be another reason and ulterior motive behind this?
Well! It turns out to be the royal guard cavalry of His Majesty the Emperor of the Exiled Nation
Ji Qingchen approached with a composed demeanor, facing Tie Yan on horseback, and bowed, saying, "Qingchen pays respects to Second Senior Brother"
The dust kicked up by the cavalry swept over with the wind, and Guo Lun and the Imperial Guards dared not obstruct it. In the dust, he could see nothing clearly, his heart raced, and his grip on the gun tightened. He pointed the dark long spear in his hand forward, his eyes fixed intently on the enemy cavalry's commander, and shouted in a cold voice filled with murderous intent, "This is the carriage of the Ninth Prince of Dayan. We have received the decree from Your Majesty the Emperor of your country and are about to head south to return home. I am Zheng Fang, a lieutenant of the Dayan Imperial Guards. May I ask who the general ahead is? Why do you block His Highness's carriage?"
"Since General Tie has come to respectfully invite Your Highness, please present the imperial edict from your esteemed Emperor. Otherwise, the request for the release of Guo Lun cannot be communicated." Guo Lun said coldly.
In the several hundred years of history of the Li Kingdom, this is the most disgraceful period. The monarchs of the Li Kingdom have always used this to admonish their descendants. They also thought of avenging this humiliation, but ultimately, they did not succeed
Hmph! Tie Yan let out a cold snort, feeling somewhat annoyed by the lack of awareness from the Feather Forest Cavalry. His right hand slowly gripped the five-foot-long saber "Blood Breaker" at his waist, preparing to issue an attack order, intending to show this cavalry from the Yan Kingdom a thing or two.
The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry Departing the Country
Speaking of the renowned general Chen Qingzhi of the Great Yan, known for his white robe and silver spear, the emperor of Li Nation's expression darkened slightly, as he found himself at a loss for words. Three hundred years ago, Chen Qingzhi was indeed a nightmare for the Li Nation, having swept through with just seven thousand troops from the Northern Capital, cutting a path straight into Li territory, and effortlessly breaching the defenses of the capital city, which was guarded by one hundred thousand soldiers of the Li Nation. Three hundred years ago, Chen Qingzhi was indeed a nightmare for the Li Nation, having swept through with just seven thousand troops from the Northern Capital, cutting a path straight into Li territory, and effortlessly breaching the defenses of the capital city, which was guarded by one hundred thousand soldiers of the Li Nation
The young exiled emperor, seated in the center, remained silent, merely shifting his gaze to Ji Qingchen, scrutinizing this friend of ten years with a discerning look.
Ji Qingchen leaped and mounted the horse's back