Chapter 25: Garrisoning East Ning Pass

Big brother, what's wrong?

You can't bring yourself to harm these refugees?

Originally supposed to command that group of barbarian youths and go up the city wall together with them, Jin Wuchu had secretly slipped away at some point and returned to Yuwen Chengdu's side.

Hearing these words from his sworn brother Jin Wuchu, Yuwen Chengdu glanced at him and said nothing.

Yuwen Chengdu possessed an iron‑clad, resolute manliness and a lofty heroic spirit; he couldn't control others, but he did not want to point his weapon at people who lacked even the strength to truss a chicken.

Even they had just been refugees fleeing south not long ago, merely wanting to survive; as a result, they were duped by Jin Wuzhu, dazedly picking up weapons and coming to East Ning Pass.

"Those who accomplish great things are not bound by trivialities; big brother, your heart is still not ruthless enough!"

Jin Wuchu, standing beside him, saw Yuwen Chengdu's reaction and naturally knew what he was thinking.

Having grown up together since childhood, he understands this elder brother's mind; don't look at his usual quiet demeanor—his inner self is actually softer than anyone's.

He is a person whose martial skill and personal character are beyond reproach; even his enemies admire his character.

Jin Wuchu is different; he is a qualified Commander-in-Chief.

And an excellent Commander-in-Chief's most basic quality is: on the battlefield, one cannot have womanly benevolence!

Therefore, sacrificing these fellow‑tribe refugees who fled here is to achieve his own goal.

Jin Wuchu does not feel much psychological pressure about this.

It is precisely for this reason that Su Ye let Jin Wuchu follow Yuwen Chengdu to jointly lead a large army.

Besides the fact that Jin Wuchu and Yuwen Chengdu are brothers, it is also because Yuwen Chengdu's virtue is too excellent, and precisely for that reason.

"A gentleman can be deceived with proper methods!"

War has always been dirty; any means can be employed.

If Yuwen Chengdu were to lead the army alone, he might easily fall into a trap.

Jin Wuchu, however, can perfectly complement him; Yuwen Chengdu only needs to be responsible for charging and breaking the enemy army.

The darkness behind other wars shall be borne by Jin Wuchu on behalf of Yuwen Chengdu!

"Hey, is your plan done?"

He slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, Yuwen Chengdu turned his head away from the scene, and asked Jin Wuchu beside him.

"Out of sight, out of mind!"

"Of course, as long as this bunch of cannon fodder dies, the commander of East Ning Pass will again die in the barbarians' plot!"

"Then big brother, this general who leads troops to come rescue East Ning Pass from fire and water, is naturally the only choice for the 【acting】 commander of East Ning Pass."

Jin Wuchu beside him spoke up, patiently explaining his plan to Yuwen Chengdu.

"After all, the barbarians have prepared so thoroughly; who knows whether there won't be a second barbarian army?"

Jin Wuchu chuckled, very subtly.

"As long as we want, a second barbarian army can come to besiege the pass at any time."

"You should know, there are not few of the steppe barbarians fleeing south this time!"

Looking at Jin Wuchu talking eloquently, he said with a smile such a cruel remark.

Yuwen Chengdu suddenly felt that he was somewhat unfamiliar.

But he did not speak out to stop it; capturing East Ning Pass is the task given to him by his adoptive father and Jinyu.

Even if this act somewhat goes against his original intention, Yuwen Chengdu will still do it.

This was also within Jin Wuchu's expectations; he knows Yuwen Chengdu.

He has principles, but is even more foolishly loyal!

For the lord he serves, letting him break his principles once is nothing at all.

"General, the enemy troops beneath the city wall have all been wiped out, do you see?"

Just as Jin Wuchu was busy giving Yuwen Chengdu ideological work, the slaughter on the front battlefield had also ended.

Those remaining able‑bodied youths had already climbed up the city wall along the wooden ladders, still unaware that their rear had already been stolen.

"Go open the city gate and go up onto the wall."

"The city gate is already open."

Jin Wuchu, holding the Gold Sparrow Axe beside him, gave a steady order.

Yuwen Chengdu said nothing; he merely held the nominal title of Chief Commander, but the actual command of this operation was in fact exercised by Jin Wuchu, who holds the position of Deputy Commander, and he is only responsible for charging and breaking through enemy lines.

Both of them are doing work opposite to their identities.

As for the city gate, it had already been opened by spies even before Heaven's Net launched a massive slaughter inside the city.

However, nobody had noticed that the guards of the city gate had already been dead for a while.

The garrison on the city wall still thought they were just sleeping there and paid no attention.

"Yes, sir!"

Squeak!

As the city gate was shoved open with a great push, the reinforcement troops waiting outside streamed in through the gate in single file, charging up the wall to clear out those barbarians wielding broken copper and rotten iron, the so‑called 'elite'.

"Thank you, General, for arriving in time; otherwise this mighty stronghold of East Ning Pass would surely have fallen today!"

When Yuwen Chengdu and Jin Wuchu led the large force into the pass, the mob of trash fish and rotting shrimp on the city wall had already been dealt with by the troops that rushed in.

Yuwen Chengdu's army was actually headed to reinforce Peace Pass to fight a bloody battle with the Xiongnu barbarians.

Its combat strength naturally wouldn't be weak; within the Cangzhou Army it is already considered very strong.

Thus, as soon as Yuwen Chengdu entered the city, he was surrounded by a group of officers wearing armor in the style of Great Qian Colonels.

Earlier, upon hearing that the barbarians were attacking the pass, they had been frightened into staying at home, trembling; now that they saw the barbarians had been dealt with, they immediately came out again.

There's no way; the officers currently in East Ning Pass are either here to retire, here to gild their resumes, or have been transferred here under pressure.

In this situation, what's the point of risking one's life?

Defending against the foreign tribes can get you killed!

Moreover, East Ning Pass actually has no shortage of brave and fierce people, and there are quite a few.

However, when they heard the commotion on the city walls and were preparing to go out.

Just as they stepped out the door, the next moment they were sideways lifted back by the Heavenly Net assassins!

Now the few who can still stand before Yuwen Chengdu are all not on the Heavenly Net's list.

Hmm, the no‑kill list!

"General, this time the foreign tribes come with great force; even the Left General fell to their vicious hands."

"If they haven't taken East Ning Pass yet, they surely won't give up easily; please, General, save us!"

Plop!

Just as Yuwen Chengdu was about to speak, a Colonel opposite suddenly knelt down and performed a great salute.

Very quickly!

Even Yuwen Chengdu, the War God, was a bit slow to react.

"This, our great army is actually heading to support Peaceful Pass."

"The fighting over there is a bit strained."

While Yuwen Chengdu was thinking, Jin Wuchu beside him suddenly spoke, with difficulty.

After speaking, he glanced at that Colonel.

Hmm, after confirming the look, he's one of our own!

"Please, General, save us and safeguard the safety of East Ning Pass."

"This time the foreign tribes' covert attack on East Ning Pass surely aims to breach East Ning and march straight into the Heavenly Capital."

"General, by defending East Ning Pass you are defending the Heavenly Capital."

That kneeling Colonel suddenly launched into his acting, tears streaming and voice choked.

As he spoke, he elevated his words to the level of defending the Heavenly Capital.

"But we have already received orders from the Cangzhou Inspector; we're afraid we can't stay longer in East Ning Pass."

Jin Wuchu spoke with difficulty, his face showing 'unwillingness'.

"General, rest assured, everyone in my East Ning Pass can guarantee for the two generals."

"The two generals stayed because they wanted to preserve East Ning Pass, only after our pleas!"

That Colonel seized the opportunity, immediately following Jin Wuchu's words.

The two of them, in concert, in just a few words settled the matter of leaving Yuwen Chengdu as the acting commander of East Ning Pass.

Watching the two earnestly perform, Yuwen Chengdu, being discreet, lowered his presence, feeling out of place among them.

Don't look at me, I'm not very familiar with them.

Unrelated!

(End of chapter)