Chapter 3: Love for What I Live For, Hatred for What I Die For
As a personal guard of Li Cunxiu, I followed him into battle for over a year. Additionally, Li Congjing has shown commendable bravery in combat this past year, and the "uncle-nephew" relationship between Li Congjing and Li Cunxiu is quite harmonious.
Having concluded the serious matters, Li Cunxiu's demeanor became more amiable as he smiled and said: "Your father has always been a pillar of the nation, a vital support to this prince. You are not bad yourself, possessing courage and insight. Do not let this prince down in the future"
However, "Ergouzi continued, "one has run away."
However, I will eventually go and take down this Lang's head.
At that moment, Zhang Lang, descending the mountain, suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned to glance at the mountain peak where Li Congjing and the other two were located
Li Cunxiu's eyes were filled with joy. In any case, this is a piece of news worth celebrating
Until someone came in from outside the camp to report, the scouts returned to the camp. Only then did Li Cunxiu's furrowed brow finally relax.
"I accept the order, thank you, King Jin." Li Congjing gladly accepted the order, feeling a surge of joy within. Being promoted to the ninth rank meant that he had transitioned from a commoner to an official, officially entering the ruling class. Generally, a regular team leader would not hold an official rank, but as a direct guard of Li Cunxun, his treatment was naturally superior, which was not surprising. However, Li Congjing could not help but ponder: it seems that this promotion is a bit modest; it appears that his contributions in inspecting the Liang army's camp have not yet been taken into account.
The Jin Army Camp
At this moment, Li Congjing was burning with anxiety; capturing and killing the enemy's commander would be a tremendous achievement, enough to elevate Li Congjing to great heights within the military. Seeing the opportunity about to slip away, he was unwilling to let it go. With a surge of determination, he shook off Li Rong and leaped up.
When the three men crossed the mountains and forests and returned to the place where they had parted ways with the others, they found Er Gouzi engaged in a fierce battle with a team of Liang army scouts, accompanied by Jin army scouts. The Liang soldiers were few in number, and both sides were locked in a struggle that was difficult to resolve.
"Li Ge'er." Er Niu followed Li Congjing, his simple face filled with confusion, "Why didn't you go to ambush that old thief Dai just now? That would have been a tremendous achievement"
On the other side of the hill, there were Liang troops everywhere, numbering no less than a hundred, presumably also the personal guards who had come up with Zhang Lang.
"How great a merit is required?" Li Congjing stretched his neck and asked tentatively
Li Rong laughed heartily, and with a fierce whip, struck the horse's rear, galloping away without regard for the horse's strength, loudly declaring: "Let them come and chase us, let's see if they can catch up with us!"
A group of Jin army scouts, at this moment filled with the joy of having accomplished a great feat, laughed heartily as they galloped away on horseback, deliberately mocking the Liang army's slowness and incompetence with their laughter as they departed
Li Rong also looked at Li Congjing, equally puzzled as to why Li Congjing had suddenly changed his mind
Li Cunxiu nodded slightly and suddenly lowered his voice to ask: "Do you feel that the position I have given you this time is too low?"
The man with a vertical scar on his face, Er Gouzi, said: "It is likely that Liang Jun has sensed something amiss and sent people to look for the scouts we killed in Xiaohe Village and along the way. They encountered us here. I thought we must not let them discover anything, so according to your military orders, I ambushed and killed them!"
The three of them could not help but let out a sigh of relief
Li Congjing took a step forward, reached out to touch his neck, then turned around and indeed saw Li Rong holding a hook-shaped jade pendant in his hand. The pendant was crescent-shaped and crafted with exquisite detail
The team is likely to be disappointed; how can a domestic dog catch up to a wild wolf? everyone laughed.
Fortunately, after a glance from Zhang Lang, there were no further actions, and he continued down the mountain
The familiar barracks of the Jin army brought a sense of peace to Li Congjing, who had just experienced life and death. Although it was filled with iron and blood, it gave him a warmth akin to that of home. In this era, most soldiers are professional soldiers; who does not consider the barracks as home?
This army is about to confront Zhang Lang. If you can achieve great merit once more, I shall grant you a lucrative position, allowing you to become a powerful general. What do you think?" Li Cunxiu said, and without waiting for Li Congjing's response, he stroked his chin and added, "However, it would require a significant achievement to make that happen...
Although Li Congjing was competing with Li Rong, he was still attentively listening to the sounds from the mountain top. The footsteps lingered in place for a moment before gradually fading away.
At this time, Li Cunxiu was still under the age of forty, having inherited the title of King of Jin fourteen years after the death of Li Keyong. He had led his troops in campaigns for many years. This King of Jin, who possessed an extraordinary appearance, was born with great expectations from others. Emperor Zhaozong of Tang remarked, "This child can be compared to his father," which earned him the nickname Li Yazi. Ten years ago, when Li Cunxiu achieved a great victory over Zhu Wen, Zhu Wen could not help but exclaim, "One should have a son like Li Yazi," and stated that compared to Li Cunxiu, his own son was nothing but a pig or a dog.
Upon encountering the gaze cast by Zhang Lang, the three felt a tightening in their hearts, and they immediately dared not even breathe.
For example, to take the enemy general's head amidst ten thousand troops
Li Cunxiu silently gazed at the Dragon Scale Sword in his hand, a hint of annoyance evident between his brows
There are not many people around Old Zhang, and with Li Ge'er’s skills, along with the team leader you and I, it is not impossible to catch and kill that old thief by surprise. " Er Niu suddenly said, his copper bell-like eyes sparkling with light
At this moment, everyone noticed the commotion caused by the deployment of the cavalry unit
Li Congjing : `` ... ... ''
Li Congjing, obey the order!" Li Cunxiu suddenly said
Under the blazing sun, the jade pendant emits a soft glow, particularly clear and translucent
Could it be that they have been discovered? This was the only thought that crossed the minds of the three individuals in that moment
In recent years, through various campaigns, Li Cunxiu's achievements and reputation have already shaken the world, attracting heroes from all directions to join him. The strength of the Jin army has been continuously growing, and to this day, many have been advising him to declare himself emperor. Not long ago, Li Cunxiu had just achieved a great victory over the Khitan, and now he is determined to win in the battle against the Liang army. For decades, the conflicts between Liang and Jin have been frequent, and this battle, which has continued from the previous generation, remains unresolved.
I hereby appoint you as the Commander of the Left Capital Army, with the rank of Ninth Grade, and bestow upon you a jade belt adorned with nine tassels and a copper fish talisman
"Return the item to me, Dongxi." Li Congjing extended his hand, indicating the jade pendant held in Li Rong's grasp.
Accomplishing merit is very important, and achieving great merit is even more so. However, with so many people around Zhang Lang, if we kill him, it would be difficult for us to escape unscathed. Li Congjing smiled, put away the jade pendant, and his smile under the sunlight was quite innocent. At any time, being alive is the most important thing.
What are you still doing here, waiting for Liang Jun to treat you to a meal? Hurry up and leave!" After completing the task, Li Rong immediately signaled the two to slowly retreat.
Li Rong nodded and said, "Well done"
Li Congjing humbly stated: "The Jin Wang's generous favor, I, Congjing, will certainly not disappoint the Jin Wang's expectations"
Li Rongzheng frowned as a thunderous sound of hooves echoed.
"Chen Ergou, what is going on?" Li Rong asked while putting on his armor.
"What are you still dawdling for? Hurry up and count the camp, the view here is excellent!" Li Congjing turned around to see Li Rong, who looked ashen. As he spoke, his tone gradually calmed down.
He first glanced at Li Congjing and noticed that Li Congjing's expression had become rather calm. Li Rong then looked ahead, and the Liang army camp came into full view, with fortifications densely packed, troops crisscrossing, and banners like a forest. Although there was no clamor of voices, it was still exceptionally lively.
The scout's horse is naturally the fastest; where can ordinary cavalry catch up? This is why Li Congjing and others dare to be so arrogant
Li Congjing and others did not dismount before the main camp, and their warhorses directly galloped into the military camp, a privilege typically reserved for scouts and a very few others in the army. The scouts who entered split up within the camp, with only Li Congjing and Li Rong dismounting in front of the central military camp. Upon entering the military tent, Li Congjing saw Li Cunxiu
"Your subordinate is here." Li Congjing quickly responded
At the foot of the mountain, a line of soldiers is descending; who else could it be but Zhang Lang? Meanwhile, the Liang army soldiers who are to be dispatched here for defense are still in the process of being deployed.
"I am fortunate not to have failed in my duty; I have now ascertained the true situation of the Liang army's camp." After performing a military salute, Li Rong reported the gathered intelligence to Li Cunxun. Throughout the entire process, Li Congjing remained silent.
Three individuals suddenly sprang out from the woods, like tigers descending from the mountains, and joined forces with Er Gouzi and others to launch a pincer attack against the Liang army scouts. With the addition of these three, they quickly annihilated the Liang army forces, and the three successfully reunited with Er Gouzi and the others
At dusk, after discussing matters with the generals, when Li Cunxiu returned to his tent to rest, it was already past the hour of Hai. He rubbed his brow to dispel a hint of fatigue, first picking up the "Spring and Autumn Annals" placed on the table to read for a moment. A trace of impatience quietly crept onto his handsome and resolute face. He casually set the book down, walked out from behind the table, and took down the Dragon Scale Sword. With a soft chant, the sharp sword was drawn from its sheath. At that moment, combined with his tall and robust figure, with just one step, he exuded an aura of a divine being.
After Li Rong finished his report, Li Cunxiu expressed a few encouraging words with great pleasure and then dismissed him.
As the sun sets, twilight begins to envelop the earth, and the layers of clouds at the horizon unfurl like a comb, transitioning between shades of red and black. The green mountains whisper, and the wild grass remains silent. From a distance, a line of knights clad in black armor, their bodies only discernible as silhouettes, gallops across the horizon, their hooves stirring up clouds of dust.
Li Congjing, who was mounted, pointed in the direction of the Liang army's camp and mocked, "The old fellow has discovered that his cattle and sheep have been stolen and has set his dogs to bite people."
Li Rong failed to seize Li Congjing firmly, but he yanked an object from around his neck with force, glaring angrily as he shouted: "Li Congjing, are you seeking death!"
"Yanyue Camp." Li Rong muttered to himself. As an experienced scout, he could easily discern the composition and number of the enemy's infantry and cavalry, as well as whether the enemy soldiers were elite, through his observations of the type, size, and layout of the camp.
Li Rong was momentarily stunned, and only then did he realize that Li Congjing had not gone after Zhang Lang. Although he did not understand why Li Congjing had suddenly changed his mind, upon hearing his words, Li Rong immediately sneaked over with Er Niu.
Li Cunxiu sighed and said helplessly: "It is not that I am stingy, but there has truly been no vacancy in the horse ranks..."
Li Congjing took two steps back and leaped onto the mountain peak, but instead of charging forward, he lay down on the ground and gazed into the distance
Li Rong had a clear view of the Liang army's camp. As he saw the general, who resembled the Liang army's commander, descending the mountain, and noticed the soldiers on the hillside who were on guard beginning to regroup, he felt that Er Niu's words were not without merit. Thus, he turned his gaze towards Li Congjing.