The Demon Lords

Chapter 800 175: Gale_7

"After the oath, I immediately ordered the gates to be opened!"

Having said that,

Qu TianNan looked at Tian Wujing.

After a short while,

Tian Wujing spoke:

"With Heaven above and Earth below as witness, I, Tian Wujing, if I violate the covenant, let my body decay, my soul perpetually fall, and Heaven abandon me!"

Qu TianNan watched Tian Wujing finish his vow,

turned around,

and gestured to the rear.

"Creak…"

The gates of Jade Plate City, sealed for several months, were slowly opened from the inside at this moment.

Squadrons of Chu soldiers, visibly starving and even pale-faced, lined up and walked out from within the gates.

Their weapons were all discarded at the gate.

Qu TianNan turned back to Tian Wujing on the Pixiu and said:

"If there is a chance in this lifetime, I will also release you, Tian Wujing, once."

Prince Jingnan did not respond,

as the Pixiu turned and returned to the ranks.

Jingyang also walked out of the gates, arrived beside Qu TianNan, and said:

"Zhuguai, the regent knows of your toils and hardships."

Qu TianNan shook his head and said:

"These words should wait until after we return to our own country."

Soon after,

realizing his words were too cold, he added:

"You too have worked hard with all your travels and labor."

"Zhuguai, your words are too weighty. You may form your ranks; I shall go to the Yan Army to make the final closing of the covenant while asking the Yan people to give us some food first according to the agreement.

The soldiers have all suffered."

Hearing this, Qu TianNan sighed.

When he set out, he really hadn't thought this battle would come to this, and conclude in such a humiliating manner.

…

"Hah, it turns out there's still such a play at hand."

Even though Lord Zheng had long known the general outcome of the covenant, he still found it amusing that in this age there was such a practice of releasing captives.

Of course, the Chu people did not see themselves as captives, for a covenant was made, so the Chu army naturally returned to their country.

The Yan State also hoped, using this Blue Luan army as a bargaining chip, to exchange more benefits from the Chu State.

However, Zheng Fan had also heard from a blind man that Chu people's customs were different from elsewhere because their governance was in the hands of great nobles.

Thus, there would be instances where even if they captured the opposing main general after clashing arms, they would send him back in the end.

In war, soldiers may die, but nobles must live.

In fact, the Spring and Autumn Period that Zheng Fan knew well played similarly, where main generals and nobles were captured and later returned after receiving ransom.

The European Middle Ages were the same, such that even in war, both sides would tacitly protect noble lives.

They all thought of themselves as nobles, so their lives were naturally worth more than ordinary soldiers.

It mattered little if humble commoners were expended.

As the Chu people were leaving the city, Jingyang found Mao Mingcai, asking him to allocate a batch of provisions first according to the covenant.

After Prince Jingnan returned to the army, he did not stop, but directly rode his Pixiu towards the Wang River.

Zheng Fan and a group of guards followed behind.

Prince Jingnan dismounted the Pixiu and stood by the Wang River.

The guards did not dare approach, fearing to disturb the prince.

Only Zheng Fan came over.

Prince Jingnan extended his hand, pointing at the Wang River in front,

and said:

"What do you think of the scenery here?"

Zheng Fan responded: "The river is vast, the sky high and the clouds are faint."

"Indeed, too faint."

"Your Highness, letting them go this time, after recuperating for a few years, I will accompany Your Highness, and then we will take them back again."

Tian Wujing smiled,

turned around,

looked at Zheng Fan,

and said:

"I told you before, as a general, one must have great boldness. Do you think what the prince cares about now is this?"

"No, Your Highness, that's not what I meant. The breadth of Your Highness's heart is naturally greater than the sun and moons, and my admiration for Your Highness is as boundless as the waters of this Wang River… "

Tian Wujing raised his hand, interrupting Zheng Fan's redundant flattery.

Zheng Fan wisely shut his mouth.

Tian Wujing turned to face the Wang River, standing with hands behind his back.

Zheng Fan stood with him.

After a long time,

Tian Wujing spoke:

"Zheng Fan, the general of Snow Sea Pass, hear my command."

Zheng Fan paused but immediately knelt with one knee, sincerely saying:

"I am here!"

Tian Wujing squatted down,

cupped some river water in both hands,

washing his hands quietly as he said:

"Extirpate them all."