Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 91 : Libei

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Zuo Qianqiu came just in time, leaving no chance for Qudu to send out a new general. "Thunder Sinking the Jade Stage" was known far and wide for his military achievements. He was the great general after "Silver Spear of Snow Pass", Feng Yisheng, and he was also Xiao Jiming, Qi Zhuyin, and Lu Guangbai's senior. It had been many years since he left Tianfei Watchtower. He had no private troops. Plus, he was also a child from a humble background that Ji Wufan, the Imperial Bodyguards Commander-in-Chief during the reign of Yongyi, adopted. He had no family background to get in the way. His willingness to come out of obscurity to lead the troops was something Hai Liangyi could not ask for more.

As Zuo Qianqiu waited for Li Jianheng to summon him, he stood with Xiao Chiye under the eaves to watch the rain.

"This entire journey has been a rush, so I didn't bring any message for you." Half of Zuo Qianqiu's overcoat was wet, all because he had never stopped the entire journey to rest except to change horses. He slowed his tone and said, "Jiming has already returned to the camp, and a military medic has been arranged to take care of him... Don't worry."

But Zuo Qianqiu omitted the extent of Xiao Jiming's injuries. Xiao Chiye partially lowered his head, then asked after a moment of silence, "What injuries?"

Zuo Qianqiu gazed out into the rainy night and said, "There are some words that you and I can only say while standing here. Jiming's food had been tampered with. Even Zhao Hui fell for the trap. The squad of soldiers dragged their sick bodies to the battlefield and just happened to encounter Amu'er, who is the toughest of the lot to battle. Jiming received three slashes. It was Zhao Hui who tumbled off his horse and carried him on his back while leading the ten or more remaining soldiers to break out of the siege."

Xiao Chiye clenched his fists.

There was darkness in Zuo Qianqiu's eyes as he said with a cool head, "Jiming has fought battles in the past while bogged down with ill health. He fought for so many years. He may seem to be fine on the surface, but in truth, he's already plagued by old ailments. This time, he could be said to have hurt his constitution. Using this opportunity to let him rest for half a year will permit him to recuperate and build up his strength again."

That might be the case, but Zuo Qianqiu had taught the two brothers, and he could not be any clearer about their temperaments. Xiao Jiming was soft on the outside but tough inside. He did not inherit Xiao Fangxu's extraordinarily strong and healthy physique, nor had he inherited Xiao Fangxu's uncompromising hard-nosed approach. Whatever he lacked, Xiao Chiye had it all. Perhaps someone else might be jealous, but Xiao Jiming cherished his family. He had the Princess Consort of Libei's compassion and benevolence ingrained in his nature, so he had never harbored the thought nor intent to trample upon his younger brother. He saw himself as a sanctuary for them and did all he could to self-heal his own wounds. All these years, he never uttered a cry of pain. Lu Guangbai repeatedly said before that he was human, but at the same time even as he retained his human desires, he forced himself to become the guardian of Libei.

Still, it was Xiao Jiming's half-a-lifetime of honor and glory that the military defeat this time destroyed.

It was at this moment Xiao Chiye abhorred his cage to the max. His wounds, as he struggled against his shackles, hurt the more he ground against them. They had already turned bloody. His gaze followed the raindrops and landed upon the ground, where the water puddle bore the weight of his silent agony. He braced himself and calmly said, "The meals in the military are all prepared by our own in-house errand-runners. Dage consumes the same food as the common soldiers. Harming him means harming thousands of men in the camp. We cannot drop this matter. I want them to pay with their lives!"