Chapter 5.28 – Missing you like crazy (2)

Editor: DarkNaivety

Proofreader: PenguinStel

Finishing his cup of alcohol, he patted Xu Yan Ze’s shoulders hypocritically. “I’m troubling little brother¹tl says ‘worthy brother’ but more like a comrade in war. The other generals and I will definitely provide assistance.”

At present, Xue Qing Lin was full of confidence in his plan. However, he never expected for this battle to wipe out everything he’d spent half of his life painstakingly building.

The battle lasted for over three months, from late autumn until the next spring.

Under Xiang Han’s supervision, the provisions and weapons delivery did not cease. Without having to fear for logistics, Xu Yan Ze commanded his troops and easily swept away the Turk’s Crown Prince’s enemies and successfully placed him onto the emperor’s seat.

Just when Xue Qing Lin thought the crown prince had died in the internal struggle, Xu Yan Ze was running out of supplies, and everything was hopeless, both parties were currently enjoying a feast in the Turk Palace’s grand hall.

Due to his overconfidence, Xue Qing Lin only brought 30,000 men and was soon defeated without suspense. He rushed back to Jin Wu but Xu Yan Ze was already prepared. After the battle outside Yan Hui Guan, Xue Qing Lin’s 30,000 men had diminished to a few hundred and he was ultimately forced to flee Shuo Feng.

Just when everyone thought he would press on to capture the retreating Xue Qing Lin, Xu Yan Ze suddenly ordered for a halt.

“Why?” Jin Er was discontented. He steered his horse forward to ask. He was now a military officer.

Xu Yan Ze calmly replied, “There are 100,000 soldiers defending Shuo Feng. We only have 40,000 men who are exhausted after having fought for a long time. It won’t be favourable for us to face them.”

“But Xue Qing Lin is severely injured. We can definitely finish him off before Shuo Feng deploys their troops.”

“But what about after? Shuo Feng’s army has already ceased their attacks. Do you want another battle?”

Jin Er, “Ah…”

Xu Yan Ze glanced at him and continued, “Moreover, if Xue Qing Lin really dies, His Majesty may take advantage of this to dispose of us. Currently, the Turkic Emperor’s stance is unknown. If he sides with His Majesty to get rid of Xue Qing Lin, we are in trouble.”

“We almost always remember that the situation is constantly evolving. Don’t simply consider the short-term benefits. A moment of carelessness…”

“I understand. Xue Qing Lin isn’t a big deal.” Jin Er suddenly saw the light.

“This child is learning.” Xu Yan Ze snorted softly and brought his horse to a sprint. He never mentioned the most important point, which was the months-long expedition had made him miss his wife.

Xiang Han was still at the camp, researching weapons with Jin Da. Once Xu Yan Ze heard this, he cracked his horse whisk and headed straight for the research department after sending his troops back. After they shared an earth-shaking kiss, he panted, “I finally got you.”

He kneaded the other person and immediately frowned. “Why have you gotten thinner? You’re not as soft as before.”

Xiang Han instantly pushed him away in disdain. “You stink. Is that a beard? How long have you not shaved? Hurry up and go, it’s starting to smell.”

Xu Yan Ze, “…”

He deliberately hugged Xiang Han even tighter. “I missed you every single day while fighting. Did you miss me?”

“I didn’t. Hurry up and wash up.” Xiang Han kicked him in disgust.

“You really didn’t?” Xu Yan Ze didn’t believe him. He pinched Xiang Han’s jaw and asked.

Pierced by his stare, Xiang Han could only admit, “Fine, just a little.”

“Just a little?” Xu Yan Ze was still unhappy. “I thought of you every night, especially how you look below my body, extremely…”

“Are you finished? Go and take a bath!” Xiang Han kicked him away with a red face.

Although they messed around, Xu Yan Ze was serious in wanting Xiang Han to help him and he finally complied. However, he was too unskillful, nearly getting water in Xu Yan Ze’s ears.

Xu Yan Ze hurriedly stood up with his head tilted to the side. “Quick bring me a towel.”

Xiang Han stood there dumbfounded as he watched a certain fellow thrash about recklessly. His face heated up and he swiftly grabbed the washcloth to pass it while turning to look away.

Xu Yan Ze didn’t manage to grab it. “Where is it?”

“Here.” Xiang Han’s hand shook and his voice was muffled.

Xu Yan Ze finally saw him. After grabbing the towel, he asked strangely, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Continue washing on your own.” After handing over the towel, Xiang Han turned and left.

Xu Yan Ze caught a glimpse of his reddened ears. He looked down and immediately understood.

That night, a familiar sound could be heard from their tent.

Xu Yan Ze sat atop Xiang Han, forcing his hands towards his lower part as he panted, “Didn’t you miss him in the day? Why are you being so shy now? Come, greet it.”

“Who missed it?” Xiang Han’s face flushed. With his hands forced towards a certain part, he abruptly used force to grab it.

Xu Yan Ze let out a hiss and nearly collapsed. He laid above Xiang Han and muttered, “Be gentle. If something happens…”

Soon, the familiar sound began again. Short bursts of breaths grew heavier until the two people let out a low groan and the tent finally grew quiet.

Before long, Xu Yan Ze began to move again while Xiang Han tried to stop him. “This is a tent, we’ll be heard…”

“Be good and bear with it a little more. You can also bite me… Tss, on second thought, you should bite the blanket.”

The next day, Xiang Han supported his waist as he returned to Jin Zhou. After Xu Yan Ze settled his important matters, he hurriedly rushed over.

When they returned to the Jin Manor, Zhang Yong paid a visit before either of them could rest for a few days. He had come to suggest the way to split the 40,000 men left behind by Xue Qing Lin.

Xu Yan Ze happily agreed but found that it wasn’t easy to divide them up. Zhang Yong humbly took the initiative to say, “You can choose first, just leave some for me.”

“How can I do that? You have suffered a great loss in this expedition too. Why don’t we divide them equally?” Xu Yan Ze refused. He did not lack weapons or rations. He wouldn’t even bat an eye if he had to give Zhang Yong another 20,000 men.

Zhang Yong was elated once he heard this. “Brother, you’re really generous, unlike Xue Qing Lin.”

He rubbed his hands together. “Then… I won’t be polite? You’re also aware I’ve lost half of my original 30,000 men…”

“Of course, you can just take your pick. I’ll bring the remaining ones back to the camp later.”

“Ah, how is this proper. It’s still better for you to pick first.”

After a discussion, they were both satisfied. Zhang Yong felt he had reaped a huge advantage. His little brother Yan was really an honest person.

Xu Yan Ze felt that these 20,000 men didn’t belong to him in the first place. He was only pleasing the buddha with borrowed flowers to allow Zhang Yong to be loyal to him. This was a good deal. In the future, all of Jin Wu would belong to him. He couldn’t make the same mistake Xue Qing Lin did by offending the people by his side.

After reorganising the troops, an imperial edict was sent to the Jin manor. It was rewarding Xu Yan Ze for his meritorious deed and selecting him to replace Xue Qing Lin, the former Regional Commander of Jin Wu and Shuo Feng, who had been suppressed by their troops.

“Xue Qing Lin has been captured?” After receiving the edict, Xiang Han asked.

“Yes.” Xu Yan Ze nodded. “I heard he was charged with collusion with the Turks and accused of starting a rebellion.”

Xiang Han opened the edict scroll and took another look before grimacing. “You only got the position of Regional Commander and nothing else. They even want you to go to Shuo Feng. The emperor has dealt a good hand.”

Xu Yan Ze laughed, “He’s probably gritting his teeth right now since he wasn’t able to get rid of me with Xue Qing Lin.”

Hearing this, Xiang Han suddenly recalled that in the original storyline, the emperor really did make up his mind to get rid of Xu Yan Ze in the end. He hurriedly reminded, “That family isn’t anything good. You better not fall for their schemes or be soft-hearted. You have to fight for what you deserve.”

Xu Yan Ze was silent, only pulling him closer and giving him a deep kiss.

After receiving the imperial edict, Xu Yan Ze didn’t act according to the emperor’s wishes. He immediately brought his troops to Shuo Feng to train instead. Occasionally, he would hold training drills with Zhong Yong.

This continued until the emperor began to grow anxious and sent a few soldiers to Shuo Feng. After the investigation, both the emperor and Xue Qing Lin were furious.

Half a year later when the soldiers and horses, rations, and weapons were sufficient, Xu Yan Ze finally set out.

Perhaps due to a lack of security, Xue Qing Lin frantically expanded his army after escaping Shuo Feng half a year ago. In less than six months, from 100,000 troops, Shuo Feng now had 150,000 soldiers. He wasn’t able to provide for his troops and resorted to plundering the common folk, inciting their anger and disharmony.

Xu Yan Ze only took 80,000 of his elite soldiers with him, leaving Jin Wu to Zhang Yong’s protection. Knowing Shuo Feng was lacking rations, he merely surrounded the city and displayed no intention of attacking.

Having guessed his plans, Xue Qing Lin could only launch the first attack but because 50,000 of his men were able-bodied men he’d forced into the military, they were extremely lacking in ability. After a few rounds, they were beaten by Xu Yan Ze and lost more than they’d gained. Their morale took a hit.

Xue Qing Lin no longer dared to stake everything in one battle. He retreated for several days and only reappeared once he restored morale.

However, Xu Yan Ze had abundant food and weapons, his troops were in pristine condition. Many times, he left Xue Qing Lin’s vigour in shambles. Another half a month passed until Xu Yan Ze decided to no longer wait. He ordered, “Let’s besiege the city.”

Jin Er hesitated, “The city is probably out of ammunition. If we were to wait a few more days, they would naturally surrender without a fight. But if we were to attack the city now, we would be gratuitously incurring more loss.”

“It’s better to attack it now.” Xu Yan Ze sighed. If they waited a few more days, the city would face a shortage of food.

Although Jin Er didn’t understand, he followed orders. The weapons Jin Da had researched on were quickly transported over and the two sides began to battle. It went on from the afternoon and lasted till the night without rest.

Jin Er cursed, “Damn, this Xue Qing Lin is really hard-headed.”

Seeing that the battle showed no signs of ending, he finally suggested, “Commander, do we withdraw for now to take a break…”

Just as he said so, loud cheers came from the city gates.

“It’s fallen, the city has been breached…”

“Attack!”

“The city has been breached?” Jin Er rushed forward.

The soldiers flooded into the city like a tidal wave and finally captured Shuo Feng.

While cleaning up the battlefield, Xu Yan Ze learnt that it was the civilians who’d flocked to the city gates during the last wave. They’d killed the guards and opened the city gates.

He sighed and told Jin Er, “Send a message to Jin Wu to tell them to deliver more provisions.” Then, he asked, “Have you found Xue Qing Lin?”

“Not yet. There are hidden passages in the city. He must have escaped.”

Xu Yan Ze frowned. “Let’s forget about him from now. We need to appease the people and prevent them from revolting.”

Shuo Feng’s food supply had been cut off for many days which resulted in instability throughout the country. What he was most afraid of was the emperor or other neighbouring states playing tricks. The next day, he sent some people to retrieve supplies from Jin Wu.

After the people in Jin Wu received the notice, they were quick to deliver the goods within three days. The one in charge of transporting them was still Xiang Han.

When Xu Yan Ze saw him, he froze and instinctively asked, “Why is it you?”

The smile on his face instantly slipped away once he heard this. “What? You don’t want to see me?”

“How can that be? I definitely want to.” Xu Yan Ze immediately pulled him into a tight embrace.

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  tl says ‘worthy brother’ but more like a comrade in war ↩︎