Chapter 2, Ambush

Once this order was issued, the generals understood it very well. Currently, the heavy snow continues unabated, and we are deep within enemy territory by several hundred miles, with supplies running low. The most useful item is winter clothing. The Hu people’s military uniforms were all stripped away, and the men were sent back into the snow, under the pretext of being released. Originally, having too many captives was a concern due to the potential for chaos and the consumption of food supplies; executing them would tarnish our reputation, yet truly releasing them would be tantamount to harming ourselves. Chengduo's order was extremely ruthless, effectively driving those twenty thousand captives into the snow to freeze to death. Whoever can truly crawl back will undoubtedly be the most cold-resistant person in the world

As soon as Cheng Duo entered the main tent, he set her down. The woman was tightly bound to a wooden stake, unable to sit or lie down. The moment she touched the ground, she felt her hands go numb and her legs weaken, and as her body leaned forward, she was caught by Cheng Duo, who effortlessly brought her to the couch. With a wild flourish of his hand, her clothing was sent flying into the air. The already tattered and mottled white satin thin cotton robe spun gracefully before falling to the ground.

Zhao Sun chuckled and teased, "Is that so?" His gaze, however, turned towards Yang Youlin. Yang Youlin, caught off guard by his look, quickly understood his meaning. He plunged his short knife into the table, raising his voice without shouting, "What are you looking at me for? I don't know! I was only busy fighting in the south, what do I care about that old sheep woman."

On the third day, Chengduo had withdrawn from the Yanzhou camp, and the head of the King of Xiu Tu was simultaneously wrapped in a battle flag and sent to his table. Chengduo secretly admired this iron tower general. In just five days, the so-called army of three hundred thousand led by the King of Xiu Tu had completely collapsed, and he himself had met a gruesome end. Their deep incursion of five hundred miles, with back-and-forth assaults, regardless of what consequences this battle might bring, was an unforgettable stroke of brilliance. This inevitably lifted Chengduo's spirits; he stood at the camp's forefront, gazing northward, and thought to himself: now, we can make it and sit down to wait a while. Turning around, he saw in the corner of the stable a group of women huddled together, each with disheveled hair.

The next day, the snow had still not stopped. Cheng Duo slowly retreated southward, establishing a camp at a strategic location. Reports from various units came in one after another; the remnants of Xiu Tu Wang's forces in Yunzhou attempted to provide support but were blocked by Zhao Ding. However, Li's troops engaged in close combat with the cavalry of Khan Hu Di. Meanwhile, Xiu Tu Wang himself was pursued by Yang Youlin's cavalry for a day and a night.

Cheng Duo looked thoughtfully outside the tent and said, "Is it still snowing?"

"I will be back shortly. At most three days, at least two days." Cheng Duo said as he stepped out of the tent.

According to this arrangement by Chengduo, the Resting Slaughter King is already at the mercy of others, it only depends on how the chef will make the final cut

In the past, when they were in the capital, Cheng Jin made a joke about him, saying: "The ancients said: 'One cannot associate with a person who has no quirks, for they lack deep feelings.' Fifth Brother actually has a cleanliness obsession, which shows his persistent nature; he is indeed a person of deep emotions." Once this was said, not only did everyone become aware of the little quirk of Prince Five, but the young nobles also began to exhibit various quirks, all in hopes of catching the attention of the Thirteenth Princess.

Zheren stepped outside the tent and happened to encounter Zheyi. Zheyi slightly shook his head, and Zheren understood immediately. After pondering over the report in his hand, he decided it was best not to disturb his master's enjoyment for the time being. According to Chengduo's rules, women were not allowed to spend the night in his tent. Therefore, during such times, Zheren and Zheyi always had to wait a bit, lest they be unable to summon anyone.

Cheng Duo solemnly stated: "Since we have engaged in battle, we must not hold back. A full-scale offensive is inevitable. It is better to sever one finger than to injure all ten. We must not give the butcher king any opportunity to catch his breath. Therefore, in this battle, we must ensure the complete annihilation of his forces"

The night wind swept the snow, and apart from the chilling atmosphere of severe winter, this vast land of several hundred miles was not lonely. The Hu Di army, numbering tens of thousands, had set up camp in a long line from north to south. Just as the hour of Chou and Yin arrived, fires ignited in the large camps on both sides, and countless fire arrows were shot forth. The Hu people, having fled for the past two days, had no time to think and scrambled to escape again. Suddenly, a fierce battle broke out as they were blocked by two armies just a few miles ahead, leaving them disoriented. They turned and ran, only to feel that enemies surrounded them from all directions. In an instant, the cries of despair, the clashing of weapons, and the howling of the wind merged into a cacophony. The Chengduo army seized the night to launch a brutal assault.

Cheng Duo did not raise his head and said: "Rest assured, when the Hu people arrive, they will only think of fleeing north; they would not dare to consider heading south again. The four of you must work together, and the most important thing is to cut off the retreat of King Xiu Tu."

Yang and Zhao both wore serious expressions

A little smaller

Although she was slender, her figure was exquisite and well-proportioned. When he forcefully leaned in, he successfully noticed her calm brows furrowing. Cheng Duo suddenly smiled, his hand seeming to both soothe and control as it grasped her waist

The Fifth Prince is known for his obsession with cleanliness, which is quite peculiar. An obsession, by definition, is a form of fixation; some people are devoted to calligraphy and painting, others to wine and tea, and still others to antiques, dedicating their lives to these pursuits and finding joy in them. However, Cheng Duo has an obsession with cleanliness. In a family like that of the imperial lineage, there are strict rules, and changing clothes four to five times a day, along with bathing in the morning and evening, is not difficult to achieve as long as one does not mind the trouble. However, generals on expeditions often do not adhere to such meticulous standards. It is common for them to go ten days or even half a month without a bath. Cheng Duo can be considered the foremost figure of our time, capable of strategizing on foot and fighting on horseback. He leads by example, engages in fierce battles, and shares both hardships and joys with his men. Yet, there is one thing: even when provisions run out and he himself cannot eat, as long as there is water, he insists on washing at least once a day. After returning from a bloody battle, the first thing he does is remove his blood-stained robe and cleanse his hands and armor with water.

Cheng Duo slowly walked over, where a person was locked to a large wooden post near the stable. This person was half-kneeling and half-sitting on the ground, with their hands bound to the post at chest height, making it impossible for her to sit properly, suspended by the rope, seemingly asleep. The white garment was no longer recognizable as white, marked with stains. Only the delicate and pale contours of her face could be seen, with eyelashes lowered, resting on her lower eyelid.

Hearing this, Yang Youlin put down the plate and asked, "The prince's troops consist of only the ten thousand who were urgently dispatched here. Can we sustain them?"

The lamb has been scored with a dagger, marinated with sesame oil and cooking wine, and left to absorb the flavors overnight. During roasting, the heat must be moderate and smoke-free. First, brush a thin layer of oil, then apply a layer of sauce after it has heated up, repeatedly turning and brushing with the marinade. When it is nearly done, sprinkle a little cumin, and the aroma wafts for miles. At this moment, the lamb sizzles with oil, presenting a golden-red sheen, perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside

Cheng Duo scrutinized her for a moment before taking off his clothes. The texture of his shoulders and waist was supple and well-defined, and the muscles on his arms subtly emerged as he bent down to untie his boots. When his hand rested on her, she slightly recoiled her shoulder. Holding her was like embracing a fine silk, cool and delicate, trembling slightly in the crisp air, evoking an inexplicable excitement

Cheng Duo and Zhao Sun both burst into laughter

According to the principle of harmony and books, the woman that Cheng Duo desires should be flawless like a white jade, yet he does not see it this way. There are not many clean things in the world, but there are plenty of ugly ones. For instance, if one's feet get muddy while walking, it can be wiped off; if one has blood on their hands from murder, it can be washed clean. By this reasoning, these are all external matters; what does it have to do with women? Once they leave his bed, they are nothing. Therefore, his peculiarities are solely self-referential, materialistic, and do not involve morality or conform to societal norms. As for the women placed on his bed, they can be withered flowers or fallen willows, of lowly birth, or unremarkable in appearance, but they must not be dirty.

However, today's situation seems a bit different. The sounds inside are ambiguous and faint, which they can understand, as the girl is mute; yet, it is almost dawn, and the prince has not yet driven anyone out of the tent, leading them to feel an infinite sympathy for that girl

She was not a beautifully wrapped gift, and he effortlessly stripped her bare. The woman was frail, yet not emaciated, sitting dazedly by the bed. The last time Cheng Duo saw her, Asihai had said she was the plaything of the King of the Butchers. Just thinking about such a status could easily strike a nerve in a man, coloring his impression of her with a sense of decadence. However, this color was utterly incompatible with her true self; now that he had stripped her bare, he still did not perceive her as that kind of woman. Just thinking about such a status could easily strike a nerve in a man, coloring his impression of her with a sense of decadence. However, this color was utterly incompatible with her true self; now that he had stripped her bare, he still did not perceive her as that kind of woman

Zheren responded and left

The next day, when Zhao Sun returned with the results of the battlefield cleanup, Cheng Duo was reading a memorial. Upon seeing him peek into the main tent, he raised the document and said: "The Hu chieftain's subordinate, King Gu Li, over in Yunzhou has already begun to make moves. I suspect he is also unclear about the situation and is merely feigning action to create a diversion."

Overnight, the entire camp at the front line of Yanzhou raised the general's eagle flag of Chengdu. The sudden heavy snow blanketed the area outside the fortress in a vast expanse of white, making human traces increasingly sparse. However, at this moment, the central tent of the Yanzhou camp was warm and inviting. On the main table of the tent, papers, folded notes, and ink were haphazardly piled. A large map hung on one wall, marking the defensive line and stationed troops from Yanzhou to Yunzhou, a total of 2,000 li. On the opposite side, there was a five-foot-long rectangular iron stove, burning bright red charcoal. Currently, a whole sheep was being roasted on that iron stove.

Cheng Duo did not like to force women, yet he had never encountered a woman like this, as if such matters held no significance for her, and she could ignore them completely. He playfully grasped her shoulder, his fingers caressing her skin. Soon, the sensations of the body replaced his exploration of her eyes, and he pushed her down onto the couch.

Cheng Duo led his troops in a relentless pursuit, killing from midnight until dawn, and from dawn until dusk. The forward troops had already discovered the rear route of Zhao Sun before finally halting. He urged his horse to survey the high ground, where the snow had gradually deepened, and the hooves of the horses sank halfway into it. After contemplating for a moment, Cheng Duo turned to the makeshift tent, removed his armor, and wiped the blood from his hands and face with the snow. Zhe Ren rode in swiftly, dismounted, and saluted Cheng Duo with a military gesture, saying: "My lord, the enemy troops have suffered over half in casualties, and some remaining soldiers have surrendered. Several generals are currently pursuing and eliminating the fleeing remnants. Please instruct us on how to proceed." Cheng Duo contemplated for a moment, then turned to the makeshift tent, removed his armor, and wiped the blood from his hands and face with the snow. Zhe Ren rode in swiftly, dismounted, and saluted Cheng Duo with a military gesture, saying: "My lord, the enemy troops have suffered over half in casualties, and some remaining soldiers have surrendered. Several generals are currently pursuing and eliminating the fleeing remnants. Please instruct us on how to proceed."

Cheng Duo thought for a moment and said, "You should take a break first. I will go on patrol shortly. After that, this place will be handed over to you. Yang Youlin has not returned yet, so keep an eye out for him." As he spoke, he stood up

Let them guess; they have not finished guessing yet, and King Xiu has already ordered us to take action. Zhao Sun obviously felt quite pleased, as he unsheathed a gleaming sword and leaned it against the side, then picked up some water to drink.

Chengduo bent down, extended his hand, and lifted her chin. The woman suddenly opened her eyes, and in the dim light, her gaze seemed to shimmer with brilliance. For a moment, Chengduo was somewhat entranced, and she appeared surprised as well. He quickly regained his cold demeanor, while she looked bewildered again. Chengduo recalled that this woman was the one captured by Yang Youlin during the night raid on Queen Xiu.

Cheng Duo scrutinized for a moment, frowned and said: "Did I not tell you to clean her up?"

Zhao Sun exclaimed: "Is the prince leaving?"

Cheng Duo glanced at the still falling heavy snow and said leisurely: "Our troops will rotate for rest. Order Zhao Dingyi and Li Dequ to withdraw to my flanks. Zhao Dingyi's unit will move westward for fifty miles to secure the supply line at Yunzhou; Yang Youlin and Zhao Sun will combine their forces and withdraw to thirty miles in front of me. Take away anything useful from the Northern Army and burn the useless items. Release all the surrendered soldiers and let them head north; I have no food to support these rascals. Those with strong wills can crawl back on their own."

Zhe Yi saw Cheng Duo approaching and had already followed him. Now, standing beside him, he called out "Master" and lowered his head, waiting for Cheng Duo's instructions

Zhe Yi, upon hearing his question, quickly replied: "It has already been handed over to the old woman in the rear camp to take care of, but the clothes are old." Cheng Duo made a gesture, and Zhe Yi then untied the locked ropes. The woman collapsed to the ground for a moment. Cheng Duo extended his arm, lifted her up, and carried her on his shoulder, walking towards his main tent. The other women, huddled in a corner of the stable, looked towards him with apprehension.

The three people sitting nearby had already rolled up their sleeves and were enjoying their meal with great delight. Cheng Duo was meticulously cutting the lamb on a copper plate, slicing it into small pieces to put into his mouth, and slowly said: "I let you all rest for a day, today I will treat you to a meal, and once you finish, get on your horses and leave immediately"

She was as quiet as a plant, her hair abundant and soft, though it had lost its luster due to the dust of the world, yet when held in hand, it was still soft and smooth. He felt inexplicably that her eyes were like a metaphor that was on the verge of being spoken, now gazing directly at him, calm as the vast sea in the deep of night. When he tried to discern something from them, he could only see his own reflection in those profound eyes.

Zhao Sun said slowly: "It is said that there are 300,000 troops, with a portion stationed along the Yunzhou front. The personal guards of Xiu Tu number no more than 100,000. The left flank has already eliminated 30,000, and after days of retreat, only about 40,000 to 50,000 weary soldiers remain. Given our forces, it should not be difficult to defeat them."

Zhao Sun turned to Yang Youlin while holding the plate and said, "He is not trying to invite us; he clearly just wants to eat lamb himself"

Cheng Duo, however, paid no heed and continued: "After Li Dequn's sudden strike against the right flank of Xiu Tu, he advanced one hundred miles north and is currently in hiding and regrouping; General Zhao is waiting one hundred miles to the left after engaging the vanguard of Xiu Tu. You two will each lead five thousand men tonight, taking the left and right routes respectively, carrying sulfur fire signals. Approach the camp of Xiu Tu and set the fires; Zhao and Li will use the flames as a signal. You should try to converge towards their positions and push your forces towards my side."

Chengduo looked up at them, picked up a piece of lamb with a dagger and brought it to his mouth, smiled, and said: "However, you are right, the lamb from the northwest is indeed delicious. The sheep from the south are both old and tough, and the people there are not much to speak of, except for the women who are somewhat presentable."