The Demon Lords

Chapter 950 - 212: Flames of War Rekindled (Part 3)

At this moment, under the night sky, Xue Rang stood on the city wall, gazing northward.

"Standing in this direction, isn’t it still a bit unfamiliar?"

A middle-aged man appeared behind Xue Rang.

"General Nian, you’re teasing me," Xue Rang said with a smile.

This man was Nian Yao, known as the first servant under the Regent of Chu.

In Yan, they have Lord Pingye, who rose from a commoner to nobility in just a few years, while Nian Yao, who came from servitude, is a model for the rise within the Chu army.

Especially in a country like Chu, which greatly values lineage and family heritage, Nian Yao’s success is even more admirable and precious.

Nian Yao teased Xue Rang about not being used to the direction, meaning that as the former commander of the South Gate of Dacheng, Xue Rang mostly stood on the wall facing south, guarding against the Chu army. Now, he faces north to guard against the Yan people.

"Do you understand the Regent’s intentions this time, General Xue?"

Xue Rang nodded, "I understand."

"Good that you understand, General Xue. I, old Nian, am a straightforward person, not fond of beating around the bush. This time, it’s our Chu that owes you."

"The General is being too kind."

"No, no, Yan people were the first to betray and slaughter 40,000 of our Blue Luan soldiers. This hatred cannot go unavenged. There’s something you can rest assured of, General Xue. Back then, it was because Wang River froze, and our Chu navy couldn’t reinforce Jade Plate City. Today, at this South Gate, Chu stands behind you, and the 100,000 royal guards led by this general are also behind you."

"General, there’s one thing I’m unclear about."

"Speak freely."

"When two countries clash, they fight or make peace. Why is our Chu always...?"

"Seem lacking in boldness? Heh, I think so too. The last annihilation of the Blue Luan army was due to this reason, but there’s nothing to be done. The Regent has it hard as well, the former emperor passed too quickly, too suddenly, causing our Chu to be in turmoil for so long, unable to focus externally.

Even now, truth be told, our Chu hasn’t managed to reconcile internally. The thoughts between those noble families are just too complex.

As for this time, it’s autumn, isn’t it? Let’s give the Yan people something to do. No matter how fierce the Yan cavalry is, can they really break through this city wall?"

Xue Rang shook his head, "I still don’t believe it’s just to tire the Yan people."

It’s known that after the Yan people massacred the Blue Luan army, Chu still acknowledged the treaty, indicating Chu wasn’t ready for a full-blown war.

But now, uncharacteristically aggressive actions are taken, even wanting to create a stir.

Although a surrendered general, Xue Rang, who survived the military camp, understood the situation well enough to have climbed to this position.

Nian Yao straightforwardly leaned over, lowering his voice:

"The official from Qian sent an envoy to meet the Regent, discussing a joint resistance against Yan."

"Qian has the nerve for that?"

If the Blue Luan army’s annihilation was due to overwhelming factors like the defeat of the main wild people and Wang River freezing, Qian was entirely trampled upon by Yan.

"Qian seems to have learned from the pain, after all, being humiliated with their capital besieged and horses drinking at the Bian River, it’s unacceptable even if Qian likes extravagance.

The official from Qian also mentioned their forces are being rebuilt and trained. Our Chu is currently purging internally, so we can’t invade Yan for now.

But we can’t let Yan rest easy after taking Three Jin. We have to give them some trouble.

The Regent agreed. Yan seems strong, but it’s overstretched and weak underneath. Before a real war, we can tire them this way.

Oh, and there’s something I shouldn’t need to say, but General Xue, I will mention it.

If the Yan bring an army to attack Town South Pass, with the royal guards under my command in the rear, there’s no way the Yan can break through.

But when acting, General Xue, be cautious. The Yan Southern Marquis is currently stationed in Fengxin. Don’t be greedy and advance recklessly.

If you do charge recklessly, General Xue, don’t blame me, Nian Yao, for not rescuing you."

"The General is overthinking. I, Xue Rang, am aware of my capabilities. No matter how confident, I don’t see myself on par with that Yan Southern Marquis."

"Exactly, that’s how it is. Our main force should stay within Town South Pass’s borders, ideally luring the Yan army to exhaust themselves here. As long as the Yan Southern Marquis is around, I wouldn’t dare confront him head-on."

"The General is too modest."

"No, like you, General Xue, I have some understanding. Qu TianNan lost because he had no self-awareness. We can’t be as foolish as him.

Moreover, this fighting and commotion here gives the Regent a reason to integrate private troops from the domestic noble families, using the Yan as practice. I think the official from Qian plans similarly.

Alright, Lord Xue, hehe, after dawn, you’ll be calling yourself Prince Xue."

...

In the second year of Yongping of the Yan State, in autumn, the commander of Town South Pass, Xue Rang, supported Situ Yong, a collateral descendant of the Situ family, for the throne, self-proclaiming as Prince Changping, reestablishing Dacheng.

The next day, three military orders were issued from Fengxin City, one to Yanjing, one to Ying Capital City, and one to Snow Sea Pass.

Due to the vast distance, communication was slow, so after Town South Pass’s incident, Snow Sea Pass received only one message, which was the report to the court by the main commander of Nanwang City, Hui Wenzu, that Zhong Tianlang, the new military governor of Liang Town in Qian, led 8,000 cavalry to actively invade borders, capturing two forts before retreating.

Qian’s provocative actions occurred even before Town South Pass.

And for Yan State, which had just quelled the wild people’s rebellion and was preparing to recuperate, fires reignited along two borderlines.

——————

More to come tonight.