Chapter 1300 - 320: Fall (Part 2)

Chapter 1300: Chapter 320: Fall (Part 2)

But the world praises him for his high virtue, envying that his old master indeed found a good son-in-law;

Moreover, he had several encounters with Lord Pingye of Yan, though defeated, he still managed to maintain a certain order, and as Lord Pingye’s reputation grew over the years, his own rank also soared.

Yet, Lord Pingye doesn’t remember who he is.

The first time they met in battle, Lord Zheng was still under the command of Li Fusheng, who led the central army to rout the Qian State coalition whose central army was under the Zu family. When the army pursued, Lord Zheng initially wanted to claim Han Laowu’s head, but found him to be a tough nut to crack, prompting the typically cautious Lord Zheng to decisively "rein in on the brink of the cliff."

There was a rumor in Qian State that Han Laowu once fought Lord Pingye of Yan fiercely for three hundred rounds amidst the chaos, ending as equals, with Lord Pingye praising his bravery as invincible, and both gaining a sense of mutual admiration by the end.

Han Laowu never denied this;

Yet he didn’t know that he indeed once locked eyes with Lord Pingye on the battlefield. Had he known the identity of that person then, he might have turned his horse and tried to snatch a chestnut from the fire!

However,

If he had killed him ahead of time, he wouldn’t have had the great fame he later achieved, and killing him himself seemed meaningless.

As for the second encounter, it happened under the city of the imperial capital. Han Laowu claimed in the name of his father-in-law a disbanded army, and played a game of chess under the imperial capital with Lord Pingye. Although he lost, he lifted the siege of the imperial capital, showcasing his loyalty and valor!

Moreover, with Baili Sword and Baili Xianglan turning on their heels without drawing a sword, Han Laowu’s fearlessness was even more highlighted!

However,

Actually, that day Lord Pingye just found a landlord’s house in the suburbs of the imperial capital to take a bath.

Most importantly, the Baili Family can’t possibly make statements or explain anything regarding this matter, but the truth is, the Baili siblings had a great opportunity to kill Lord Pingye that day.

Because Lord Pingye didn’t have many guards around him at that time, and he didn’t encounter the Sword Saint of Jin land either,

But oddly enough Han Laowu’s maneuvers attracted the attention of the Yan Army camp, bringing in a battalion of soldiers, forcing the Baili siblings to turn back. To some extent, Han Laowu helped Lord Zheng out of a jam.

However,

Fate is like that, give and take.

He, Han Laowu, got his reputation with the help of Lord Pingye, to some extent deservedly, and repaid the favor actually, even though he himself didn’t actually know.

As for Yue Huan, three years ago he was in a coalition army with Han Laowu; the two once retreated in defeat, only that after Han Laowu fled south, he saved his father-in-law, while Yue Huan led his remnants north, recapturing several cities occupied by the Yan people.

Of course, the so-called recapture was mostly exaggerated, as the Yan people swiftly invaded, many small counties were settled with a mere order, and hadn’t even changed chief officials. Once they saw the King’s army, they quickly killed the "traitor" chief officials and happily welcomed the King’s army again!

And when the Yan people withdrew, they did so at lightning speed, and Yue Huan didn’t really manage to impede them, but this maneuver was enough to earn him significant political capital.

Crucially, the battle three years ago was fought so miserably by Qian State, that they had to elevate generals from amongst those who, though defeated, still shone in some aspects, for propaganda.

Thus, Yue Huan and Han Laowu now have the qualifications to sit under the command of Zhong Tianlang and Jia Tianhua as commanding officers.

"In recent days, the official house sent three internal decrees, making it clear that as the Yan people attack Chu State, our Qian State’s northern expedition against Yan State is already set in stone."

Jia Tianhua spoke while fiddling with an amber ring on his left ring finger, gifted personally by His Majesty, to reward his more than ten years of hardship on Qiong Island.

Zhong Tianlang spoke: "The northern expedition is inevitable. If our Qian State doesn’t undertake it now, but instead sits back to watch the tigers fight, it would be too shortsighted."

"Ha ha." Jia Tianhua shook his head and chuckled, sympathetic towards this young and promising general before him, having suffered himself in his youth due to haste, he said: "These words can be spoken before me, before Commander Han and Commander Yue, but never written in a memorial.

Know that in the court, there are many ministers fond of sitting back to watch the tigers fight."

Zhong Tianlang disdainfully said; "They’re all idlers eating their fill."

Jia Tianhua sighed: "You can’t say it like that. Actually, by reason, sitting back to watch the tigers fight is correct. Yan State attacking Chu State, Chu State will certainly go all out; two tigers fighting, it will certainly be a long-lasting struggle."

Zhong Tianlang then spoke: "But what if the Yan people break through Town South Pass and sweep through Chu State, how will our Qian State stand? Throughout history, those wishing to watch the fire from across the river end up with no good fate."

"No, no, no, that’s not how you say it. Because only losers will be labeled as ’watching the fire from across the river,’ winners, are usually ’strategizing from afar.’

Managing a great nation is like cooking a small fish, even though our Qian State has been sharpening its swords in recent years, the gap with Yan people, remains vast.

Three years ago, seven thousand Yan soldiers were able to march straight to our imperial capital, causing the official house embarrassment;

A hundred years ago, our Qian State dispatched five hundred thousand elite troops for a northern expedition, only to end up in that manner, even Yinlang County in Yan State was renamed because of it.

Zhong Tianlang directly stated: "Sir, don’t talk about that battle three years ago, back then, peace had prevailed for a hundred years, the Yan people suddenly caught us off guard and our Qian State was negligent on border matters, resulting in a great disaster;