Chapter 396: You have read many books and know much, old sir [Thanks

【Have seen feedback from book friends, will try to use less flashback and reverse chronology】

The decisive battle between the Great Zhou and Bai Gao armies outside Keyi Gate took place on the tenth day of the ninth month.

The Great Zhou Emperor received the news and General Cao Lao prepared to attack Lingzhou on the thirteenth day of the ninth month.

On the night of the tenth day of the ninth month,

Xu Zaijing changed into the cloak of the Bai Gao Kingdom cavalry, held a torch, and led his subordinates to gallop toward Xingqing Prefecture in the south, following Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding.

If Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding hadn't turned around and fled, and the commander of the Bai Gao road hadn't been shot, Xu Zaijing would have just wanted to help block the enemy reinforcements to reduce the pressure his father faced.

But, first Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding disrupted his own army, and later the commander of the road ordered the shooting of Bai Gao soldiers to prevent the chaos from spreading.

The Bai Gao army on this road became even more chaotic!

Xu Zaijing followed the trend, and thus made the decision to go to Xingqing Prefecture.

Scouts were originally the vanguard for the army to explore enemy intelligence, and Xu Zaijing's action was fulfilling his duty.

And Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding first deserted in the face of battle, and later personally ordered the Lian Nu unit to shoot General Ren Duo!

If anyone knew about either of these two things, he would definitely have no way to live!

By the way, he also had a serious dereliction of duty in Bianjing before.

Surrendering at this time was truly seeking life in death.

Of course, Xu Zaijing's biggest reliance for this action was Zhao Taifeng in Xingqing Prefecture!

Night,

on the road,

amidst the thundering hoofbeats,

Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding took a look at the personal guard holding the torch riding in front and said: "Fifth Young Master, why are we going to Xingqing Prefecture at this time? Could it be that you want..."

Xu Zaijing laughed: "What's the matter, Zha Jue, don't ask yet. When we arrive at the gates of Xingqing Prefecture, do you really have the confidence to let us into the city?"

Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding nodded incessantly: "There is a way! The defender of the Zhenwu Gate in the northwest of Xingqing Prefecture is my elder brother; knowing I've returned, he will definitely be able to let me into the city."

"Fifth Young Master, rest assured!"

Xu Zaijing looked at Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding's face, which was flickering in the torchlight, and said: "Zha Jue, I know you want to seek life! This time, as long as we can enter the city with me, not only will your life be saved, but there will be no lack of a share of merit for you in the future."

"I believe in Fifth Young Master's ability! I also want to thank Fifth Young Master for your promotion! Actually... those people in Xingqing Prefecture before the army set out didn't have as optimistic expectations for the future as they expressed."

Xu Zaijing: "Oh?"

Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding was riding on his horse, and for some reason, he talked a lot.

He actually told Xu Zaijing about the history of Xingqing Prefecture.

To summarize: when the Bai Gao Kingdom was founded, the capital was in the east of the Yellow River, Lingzhou, which was later renamed Xiping Prefecture.

The original name was the same as the horse-raising land in the north of Great Zhou.

Because Xiping Prefecture not only had no natural barriers to defend and often had to face the Great Zhou's military edge, it also hindered the Bai Gao Kingdom's westward expansion policy—sending troops westward meant crossing the Yellow River.

So, the second monarch of the Bai Gao Kingdom moved the capital to Xingzhou, which is today's Xingqing Prefecture, west of the Yellow River.

Xingqing Prefecture had a superior location,

leaning against mountains and rivers,

with the Yellow River as a natural barrier on the east side,

the Helan Mountains on the west side,

the Keyi Gate mountain and river fortress on the north side, and sending troops could reach the Houqu Plain directly,

and on the south side, it simultaneously had the large city of Lingzhou and the Yellow River as a natural barrier.

When the current Great Zhou Emperor was young, he launched a massive expedition against the Bai Gao Kingdom, but the Great Zhou army just marched once and didn't even see the Yellow River before failing at the gates of Lingzhou City!

"Today, however, it is different!"

Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding continued: "In the south, there is the Hehuang region that Great Zhou has managed for nearly ten years; in the north, the Houqu land has been captured by Marquis Yongyi; and in the east, Lingzhou is facing Great Zhou's hundreds of thousands of troops."

"Plus the earthquake in Yanzhou before! Today's planning and struggling of the Bai Gao monarch and ministers have already failed."

"At this time, Xingqing Prefecture might not have received the battle report yet! Perhaps they will thank me for bringing you, Fifth Young Master."

Under the torchlight, Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding's face was no longer flickering; the more he spoke, the brighter his eyes became.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "It is the greatest good thing that Zha Jue can think clearly!"

At this time,

the sound of extremely fast hoofbeats came from behind the crowd.

Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding looked back and said: "It might be the urgent military report from Keyi Gate."

Military intelligence is like fire,

urgent military reports wouldn't cherish the horses' stamina; running horses to death was common, so the speed was naturally much faster than Xu Zaijing and the others.

Half an hour later,

Xu Zaijing and the others slowed down their horses in front of a Bai Gao Kingdom post station.

A group of people entered the post station, and Xu Zaijing and Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding sat down at a table.

The post station soldiers hurriedly sent water and horses to Xu Zaijing, Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding, and the others.

After some inquiries and relaying, Xu Zaijing knew that it was already the end of the Xu period (9:00 PM).

The post station soldier bowed and touched his chest before leaving, and after walking a few steps, he turned his head and took a look at Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding, who was pouring water for Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing held the bowl with both hands, took a sip of the water Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding poured into the bowl, and his brows furrowed, but he didn't say much.

Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding, while lowering his head to pour water for himself, said in a low voice: "Fifth Young Master, the well water at this post station is sweet and delicious..."

After pouring the water, Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding picked up the bowl and looked toward Xu Zaijing; looking at Xu Zaijing's expression, Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding said: "Hmm? Fifth Young Master, are you not used to drinking it?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded.

Saying this, Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding also took a sip, and then: "Puff!"

Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding spat the water out fiercely, then he stood up and shouted at the post station soldier who wanted to leave.

After a burst of gibberish scolding and answering, Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding waved the post station soldier away, sat back at the table, and said: "The post station soldier says the well water started to become turbid and bubbly and bitter in the afternoon."

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing put the water bowl he had only taken one sip of on the table.

The others didn't drink much either, rested for less than half a quarter of an hour, and continued to mount their horses and gallop south.

Xingqing Prefecture,

northwest corner, Zhenwu Gate,

torches were lit on the city walls,

outside the moat some distance from the city walls,

Xu Zaijing and his group held torches and waited not far from the big bridge.

Qingyun was very much in character with a face full of anxiety.

Wang Yan and Pang Wanchun were somewhat nervous, gripping the reins, and their breathing speed was somewhat fast, but under the circumstances of a long-distance gallop, it wasn't very eye-catching.

Perhaps disturbed by the atmosphere of the great battle,

Xu Zaijing felt the little Li horse beneath him somewhat irritable, so he hurriedly stroked the little Li horse's neck.

Not far away, Zha Jue Zhejue Zhongding was shouting anxiously in the Bai Gao language: "Urgent report from Keyi Gate! Open the city gates quickly!"

After Xu Zaijing calmed the little Li horse, he turned his head and said in a low voice: "Qingyun!"

Qingyun leaned over and pressed his voice low to reply: "Young Master?"

"Listen."

A moment later, Qingyun said in a low voice: "Young Master, is there something going on in Xingqing Prefecture? Why are the dogs barking so crazily!"

Xu Zaijing had a look of deep thought in his eyes, shook his head lightly and said: "You'll know when we get in!"

After some negotiation, the Zhenwu Gate soon opened a gap that could allow one horse to pass.

Similar to the procedure in Shizhou,

inside the gate tunnel, the thousand-jin gate had already been lowered.

After the big gate behind the group was closed and locked, the thousand-jin gate was lifted.

Xu Zaijing and the others finally entered the heartland of the Bai Gao Kingdom: Xingqing Prefecture.

In the city,

the sound of dogs barking wildly became even louder.

After entering the city,

Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding did not leave directly, but instead began talking with a Bai Gao Kingdom general who had descended from the city wall.

Wang Yan at the side translated a few sentences for Xu Zaijing; they were all about the war situation in the north.

That garrison general learned that the nearly one hundred thousand Bai Gao main army transferred away had been routed by the Great Zhou, and the Keyi Gate fortress had been lost; a heavy, deep sigh reached Xu Zaijing's ears.

Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding hugged the garrison general again, then came to Xu Zaijing's side.

Subsequently, the group, with Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding at the lead, circled west outside the northern palace wall of the Bai Gao Kingdom's palace city, then walked south.

"Lord Zaijue, do the dogs in Xingqing Prefecture bark so wildly every night?"

Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding was startled: "Ah? No! Tonight is also strange. Fifth Young Master, where are we going first?"

Xu Zaijing listened to the dog barking around them and said, "Let's go to Lord Zaijue's home first!"

Looking at Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding's somewhat terrified gaze, Xu Zaijing said, "Don't worry! Enough people have died today! I didn't come to kill people either."

Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding looked at Xu Zaijing's eyes, then nodded and led the people galloping toward the Zaijue mansion.

Along the way,

Xu Zaijing's group encountered Bai Gao Kingdom soldiers patrolling twice.

But, seeing that Xu Zaijing and the others were all in armor and on tall horses, they only asked a few questions, and upon learning they were people from the Zaijue family, they hurriedly let them pass.

Under the night color in the city,

Xingqing Prefecture in Xu Zaijing's field of vision did not have the prosperity of Bianjing along the way, and wooden buildings exceeding three stories were also rare.

In the due south, there was a tall building with lanterns hanging high; in this light, Xu Zaijing couldn't tell what it was used for.

Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding at the side followed Xu Zaijing's line of sight, looked at the lanterns lit in the distance, and said, "Fifth Young Master, that is the thirteen-story brick pagoda inside Chengtian Temple."

"This Chengtian Temple is named alongside Liangzhou's Huguo Temple and Ganzhou's Wofo Temple; inside the pagoda, there are even Buddhist scriptures bestowed upon the Li family by the Emperor in Bianjing."

Xu Zaijing nodded.

They had been walking for a while.

The group stopped outside a large gate with lanterns hanging.

At this hour,

The thick main gate had long been closed.

Xu Zaijing and the others tethered their horses to the horse-tethering post at the entrance.

Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding's personal guard stepped forward and knocked on the main gate; after some commotion, Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding led Xu Zaijing into the courtyard.

In the front hall, which imitated Great Zhou dwellings,

Candles were lit by someone.

In the candlelight, Xu Zaijing sat on a chair, with Qingyun and Wang Yan standing behind him.

Xu Zaijing looked with surprise as the maid placed a tea bowl on the table beside him; after picking up the tea bowl, he lifted the lid and sniffed: good tea.

'To be able to have prepared tea soup at this hour, this Zaijue family actually has something.'

Xu Zaijing thought of these things, and put down the tea bowl without taking a sip.

Listening to the vaguely transmitted roars and the crying and clamoring of women, Xu Zaijing's ears twitched.

Half a quarter of an hour later,

An old man wearing luxurious everyday clothes walked into the hall, followed by Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding, who was covering his face.

In the candlelight,

Although the old man's face was full of exhaustion, his eyes were very bright, containing hidden anger, and he looked younger than the Marquis Tuoxi.

After scanning Xu Zaijing, who had stood up, from head to toe, he said, "You little brat have quite the courage! Sit."

The old man spoke in Great Zhou language, sounding even more standard and fluent than Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding!

Looking at the slight surprise in Xu Zaijing's eyes, the old man sat in the upper seat on his own.

After the old man took the tea bowl offered by the maid and took a sip, he said, "Speak, you little son of the Marquis Yongyi family, what are you doing coming to my house!"

Xu Zaijing sat back in his chair and said, "Between heaven and earth, nothing is more valuable than people. I came here, naturally, to ask the old Lord Zaijue to take action, to avoid a military disaster and the suffering of the people in Xingqing Prefecture."

"Hmph!"

The old man sneered.

"That sounds nice! If I really let the Great Zhou soldiers in, the next moment a sharp blade will be stuck into this old man's neck!"

Xu Zaijing glanced at Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding and said, "If you don't let people in, today's events in the mountains outside Keyi Gate will spread to Xingqing Prefecture, and you might have an accident tomorrow."

The old man closed his eyes in some pain.

Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding lowered his head.

Xu Zaijing continued, "Old Lord! The Art of War says: Heaven's timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony—if you don't have these three, even if you win, there will be disaster. But our Great Zhou occupies all of Heaven's timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony."

"Great Zhou has Heaven's timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony?"

The old man opened his eyes and asked in return.

Xu Zaijing said, "It has been less than a year since the Liang Yi family rebelled; their foundation is not stable! The weather is also clear and crisp in autumn, neither cold nor hot, and Northern Liao is busy dealing with the Jin Kingdom in the east, completely unable to look west!"

"Old Lord, if this isn't Heaven's timing, what is?"

"Great General Cao, Lord Wang Shao, my father, Marquis Yongyi, are surrounding and attacking Bai Gao from three sides! My father, Marquis Yongyi, previously even captured the Houqu region, moved south to attack Keyi Gate, completely without needing to cross the Yellow River while facing the enemy!"

"In the coming days, when troops arrive under the walls of Xingzhou City, it will be even more so!"

"This isn't geographical advantage?"

"And the Bai Gao Liang Yi family rebelled, wantonly slaughtering the Bai Gao Kingdom's royal clan and generals, and appointing people through nepotism—to our Great Zhou, isn't this human harmony?"

The old man stood up all at once, his tone full of anger as he said, "If it weren't for you injuring my Bai Gao prince and good general! How could my Bai Gao Kingdom have so many disasters and turmoil!!!"

Xu Zaijing shook his head and said, "The original Bai Gao prince first provoked the spirits of our Great Zhou! After being defeated by me, he shot a sneak arrow from behind! If the arrow hadn't been poisoned, he wouldn't have spun a cocoon to bind himself and eaten his own fruit!"

"Clearly it was he who was asking for it! Why is the Old Lord pointing at me and scolding me at this time?"

"You!!!" The old man glared and pointed at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing exhaled and said, "Old Lord, listening to the commotion outside, let me ask you one thing: do you really feel this Xingqing Prefecture can hold out?"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing raised his arm and pointed outside the front hall.

The front hall was quiet, with only the sound of dog barking coming from outside.

The old man looked at Xu Zaijing with some surprise.

Xu Zaijing was about to speak,

Suddenly,

"Ah!!!"

A maid's scream came from outside.

The old man's expression sank; Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding hurriedly walked outside and scolded a few times in the Bai Gao language.

Before long, Zaijue Zhejue Zhongding returned to the hall and said, "The maid said that swarms of rats are running out from the courtyard."

Hearing this,

Xu Zaijing looked at the old man, his eyes filled with unclear meaning: "The Old Lord hasn't gone to bed, not just because Bai Gao is calling for help from three sides, right?"

"By the way, when Lord Zaijue and I came back, the water at the post station on the road turned bitter."

"You speak Great Zhou language so well, you must have read quite a few Great Zhou classics."

The old man closed his eyes, and his entire aura began to shrink.

Dogs barking wildly, rats running in chaos, abnormal movement in the well water—the old man naturally knew what this was; these were the precursors to an earthquake recorded in books!

South of the Bai Gao Imperial Palace,

Chuichuan Division.

Division Minister Zhao Taifeng was playing chess in the room by candlelight.

Footsteps came,

"Division Minister, the battle report from Keyi Gate, we have been defeated!"

A moment of silence,

The clerk who came to report raised his head,

Seeing the Division Minister wave his hand, he hurriedly retreated from the room.

A moment later,

Someone else came outside the room,

"Division Minister, Old Lord Zaijue invites you to his mansion for a talk."

On the eleventh of the ninth month,

Great Zhou cavalry, one man with two horses, appeared around Xingqing Prefecture.

On the twelfth of the ninth month,

The Great Zhou main army moved south to Keyi Gate and entered the plains of Xingqing Prefecture.

That night,

An earthquake occurred in Bai Gao's Xingqing Prefecture; city walls were damaged, and the moat stopped flowing!

On the thirteenth of the ninth month,

Early morning,

Xu Zaijing stood in Xingqing Prefecture city; everything around was in shambles.

Only the tall pagoda of the temple in the distance still stood there.

In the morning, part of the Great Zhou army entered the city.

The news of Marquis Yongyi entering Xingqing Prefecture, along with the earthquake, reached Xiping Prefecture and Lingzhou.

Lingzhou City opened its gates and surrendered to Zhou.

(End of chapter)