We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 351: When Autumn Comes on the Eighth of September, My Flowers Bloom and All Others Perish

The Northern Frontier army split into five routes, advancing toward the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital from five different directions.

The entire Zhei Kingdom fell into complete passivity.

In the imperial court, factions had already divided into the Surrender Faction and the Fight-to-the-Death Faction.

The Surrender Faction was mainly composed of civil officials, and these civil officials were precisely those who were usually extravagant and corrupt, selling official positions and titles, arrogant and domineering scum.

In their view, as long as they surrendered, they could preserve their own lives.

The Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler also had such a thought, believing that ceding territory to seek peace would be the best solution!

However, just as the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler had this thought, he was dissuaded by the military generals.

The Fight-to-the-Death Faction strongly urged the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler that the Qin Kingdom was attacking Zhei Kingdom with its full national strength. The two armies had already fought to such an extent that it was obvious the other side came with the intention of annihilating their nation.

How could it possibly be something that could be resolved by Zhei Kingdom ceding a few provinces?

If the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler sought peace now, besides damaging the soldiersʼ morale, it would have no effect whatsoever.
Not to mention that the Northern Frontier armyʼs morale was currently at its peak. If they sought peace at this time, how could the Northern Frontier army possibly agree?

Thus, with the great battle imminent, the imperial court was in even greater chaos. However, in the end, under the persuasion of the Zhei Kingdomʼs Prime Minister, the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler agreed to fight first and see how things went.

At the same time, Xiahou Nan also gathered the remnant soldiers and returned to the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital.

Xiahou Nan directly entered the palace to plead guilty.

Xiahou Nan had lost the Southern Territory. According to reason, such a fault should receive severe punishment, although a large part of the reason why Xiahou Nan lost the Southern Territory was due to those scum in the imperial court who were mutually suspicious and the Zhei Kingdom rulerʼs indecisiveness.

But how could the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler possibly admit his own mistakes?

However, this was precisely when they needed capable people. Xiahou Nan was a famous general who deeply won the armyʼs loyalty. If he were dealt with at this time, the military would certainly fall into chaos.

Therefore, the Prime Minister strongly protected Xiahou Nan. The Zhei Kingdomʼs Prime Minister even threatened to bash his head against a pillar.

The Zhei Kingdomʼs Prime Minister essentially gave the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler a way to save face. The Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler went along with it and kept Xiahou Nan, allowing Xiahou Nan to atone for his crimes through meritorious service and continue leading the army.

However, the fault of losing the Southern Territory needed to be explained to the people, so the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler executed a general who bore the greatest fault. This person was specifically chosen to be one of Xiahou Nanʼs relatives.

At this time, with the nationʼs survival at stake, the Zhei Kingdomʼs ruler no longer dared to be reckless.

He granted all military authority to Xiahou Nan, stating that he could use whoever he wanted and fight however he wanted during wartime.

As long as they could win.

Oh no.

As long as they could prevent the Northern Frontier army from getting any closer to the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital, everything would be negotiable.

As for Guo Xin, because Guo Xinʼs older sister was the Zhei Kingdomʼs Empress, Guo Xin was originally supposed to atone with his death, but in the end, he was still protected. However, for Guo Xin to command military authority again was impossible.

Thus, Xiahou Nan promoted many soldiers they had long favored, regrouped, and prepared to lead the army into battle once more.

Xiahou Nan departed from due south to block Xiao Shi again.

Mighty General Fu Liu would block Zhang Kui.

Western Wind King Bai Canfeng would block Fang Weiming.

The newly promoted young general Zhong Wen would block Liu Xing. However, when it came to Xiao Mo, Xiahou Nan found himself in a difficult position.

Although Xiao Mo was merely a young junior general, the problem was that this young junior general Xiao Mo had defended Yanmen Pass for thirty days!

His performance was no worse than some veteran generals.

In fact, precisely because he was young, and because he had fighting spirit and drive, the army he led was like a spear, even sharper!

Therefore, Xiahou Nan dared not underestimate him but who could withstand this young general?

Finally, Xiahou Nan decided to personally visit someone.

This person was the Zhei Kingdomʼs pillar of three dynasties, the Great Pillar of State Du Beiwang.

The Great Pillar of State Du Beiwang was extremely old. He had long since left the political arena and was living out his retirement in the outskirts of the Zhei Kingdomʼs imperial capital, no longer concerning himself with court affairs.

At first, Du Beiwang still did not want to deal with Xiahou Nan. However, after talking with Xiahou Nan through the night, Du Beiwang ultimately decided to personally lead the army to meet this young generation member, Xiao Mo!

But just as the Zhei Kingdomʼs Great Pillar of State Du Beiwang advanced to block Xiao Mo, Xiao Mo had already led the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and captured two cities within half a month.

Upon reaching Fengshang City, an important military city of the Zhei Kingdom, Du Beiwang and Xiao Mo formally faced each other.

Du Beiwang did not immediately close the city gates and refuse to come out.

In Du Beiwangʼs view, how could the elite troops and strong generals he led fear that child Xiao Mo?

Moreover, the Northern Frontier armyʼs sharp momentum must be suppressed!

Du Beiwang ordered Vice General Gu Yuan to lead the army out of the city to engage Xiao Mo in battle.

Du Beiwang observed the battle from atop the city wall.

Both sides called out their challenges. As the commanding general, Xiao Mo took the initiative to advance and killed three Zhei Kingdom military generals. Although these three military generals were all at the Golden Core realm, in Xiao Moʼs hands, from beginning to end they could not withstand more than twenty exchanges.

Feeling that morale had reached its peak, Xiao Mo pointed his long spear forward and led his army in attack.

Fifty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry with their faces covered in asura masks charged together with Xiao Mo, like heavenly soldiers.

Gu Yuan similarly led fifty thousand cavalry and four hundred thousand troops to charge toward Xiao Mo.

When both sidesʼ cavalry clashed, although the Zhei Kingdom cavalry was not bad, they were shattered to pieces by Xiao Moʼs charge.

Moreover, every battlefield adjustment and change made by Gu Yuan was clearly seen by Xiao Mo. Each time, Xiao Mo could skillfully respond and even set traps, making it extremely difficult for Gu Yuan to fight.

Gu Yuan felt as if he had been stripped naked and seen through completely by Xiao Mo.

Standing atop the city wall and watching the battlefield situation, the Great Pillar of State couldnʼt help but shake his head and sigh. He said to those around him, ”This personʼs military accomplishments surpass all of you. He is certain to leave his name in history for a thousand years!”

Gu Yuan suffered a great defeat in the first battle. He led his army back to the city, and Fengshang City closed its gates and refused to come out!

Because the defending force had more than a hundred thousand soldiers than his own, Xiao Mo knew that if he forcefully attacked, even if he took Fengshang City, the losses would be extremely severe, and there would be no need to fight the subsequent battles.

Not to mention that the Northern Frontier armyʼs strength lay in cavalry, but during a siege, cavalry could play an extremely limited role.

Therefore, Xiao Mo continued to issue various challenges below the city. However, the other side was like that old turtle Xiahou Nan, with absolutely no intention of coming out to engage in battle.

On the seventh day of Xiao Moʼs standoff with Fengshang City, the Northern Pacification Prince Xiao Shi sent a letter. The letter stated that Xiao Mo only needed to hold back Du Beiwang and need not forcefully attack.

Xiao Mo indicated that he understood, but also replied saying that if he had an opportunity, he would definitely attempt it.

Afterward, Xiao Mo once again reviewed the life records of the Zhei Kingdomʼs Great Pillar of State.

Xiao Mo felt that he truly might not remain in a stalemate at Fengshang City.

Although the Zhei Kingdomʼs Great Pillar of State was merely a Dragon Gate realm cultivator with a maximum lifespan of no more than five hundred years, his military achievements were outstanding and famous among all nations.

Xiao Mo absolutely did not believe that such a three-dynasty elder full of merit would truly be content with defending a city forever.

Not to mention that this Great Pillar of State was currently over four hundred and fifty years old. Due to constantly campaigning in his early years, he had many old ailments and his health had always been poor.

It could be said that for this campaign, the Great Pillar of State Du Beiwang had not expected to return alive. Even if he did not die in battle, he would very likely die of exhaustion on the journey.

For such a proud old man, this Great Pillar of State would certainly want to recover the lost territory while he was still alive, so as not to let down the previous emperor in the underworld.

On the tenth day of the two armiesʼ standoff, Xiao Mo wrote a poem, intending to provoke this old general.

”When autumn comes on the eighth of September, my flowers bloom and all others perish. The sky-piercing fragrant formation penetrates the Zhei capital, the entire city adorned with white scale armor.”

As Du Beiwang read this letter that had been shot onto the city wall by an arrow, the more he read, the more admiration showed in the old manʼs eyes.

”Good poem, truly a good poem! He is worthy of being a twenty-year-old youth. Only with youthful vigor can one write such verses!” Du Beiwang looked at the generals beside him and sighed, ”Tell me, although our Zhei Kingdom is one of the Seven Warring States, how is it that we have not produced such a young hero?”

”...”

All the generals lowered their heads, showing shame on their faces.

”Alas,” Du Beiwang shook his head, ”Our Zhei Kingdom now has factions forming private alliances, the imperial court is full of nothing but compromise. Even if we had such a fine young man, it would be difficult for him to rise. How has our Zhei Kingdom come to this...”

”Great Pillar of State, this is Xiao Moʼs goading tactic. I hope the Great Pillar of State will not take it to heart and damage your spirit,” a vice general stepped forward, clasped his fists, and bowed.

”This old man knows,” the Great Pillar of State shook his head. ”But do you think that even if we block Xiao Mo and Xiahou Nan blocks Xiao Shi, can the other generals really block those famous Northern Frontier generals? When the imperial capitalʼs walls are breached, what use will it be for you and me to hold fast here?”

Everyone fell silent.

Du Beiwang shook his head, ”Xiao Mo wants to use me as a breakthrough point, but arenʼt we doing the same?”

On the seventeenth night of the two armiesʼ standoff, Du Beiwang personally led ten thousand cavalry in a surprise attack on Xiao Moʼs military camp. However, Xiao Mo had long been prepared.

Xiao Mo led the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry in a charge, and both sides engaged in fierce combat.

Xiao Mo pursued for thirty li, right up to the city wall. Unfortunately, in the end, Du Beiwang still managed to return to Fengshang City.

Besides occasionally launching night raids on Xiao Moʼs military camp, Du Beiwang would also send people to cut off Xiao Moʼs grain supplies and even attempt to breach dikes to flood Xiao Moʼs army. However, Xiao Mo had considered everything he needed to consider.

Although during the process of their contest, Xiao Mo had not calculated everything, and there were indeed two occasions when he was outmaneuvered by Du Beiwang, allowing Du Beiwang to gain some advantage, in most situations, it was still Xiao Mo who gained more benefits.

On the thirtieth day of the two armiesʼ standoff, Xiao Shi sent a letter stating that Chu Kingdom in the west had betrayed their alliance and was taking advantage of the situation to attack Qin Kingdom. The Qin Kingdomʼs ruler was greatly alarmed and ordered the Northern Frontier to quickly engage the enemy. Xiao Shi decided to have Xiao Mo abandon Fengshang City and lead his army to repel the Chu people.

Xiao Mo had a huge argument with Xiao Shiʼs messenger, stating that he would definitely breach Fengshang City and only needed a bit more time, or alternatively, have other Qin Kingdom generals defend against Chu Kingdom.

Several more days passed, and Xiao Shi sent another letter saying that Chu Kingdom had already captured one city and strictly ordered Xiao Mo to go immediately.

Xiao Mo was so angry he did not sleep all night, but he could only agree.

And all of these matters were known by a surrendered general in Xiao Moʼs army, who secretly wrote a letter to Fengshang City.

After Du Beiwang learned of this, he immediately summoned all the generals for a discussion.

”According to a report from a surrendered general in Xiao Moʼs army, Chu Kingdom has sent troops against Qin Kingdom. Now Qin Kingdomʼs battle lines are stretched tight. Xiao Shi is having Xiao Mo go resist Chu Kingdom. I wish to take advantage of this opportunity to recover the lost cities. What do you all think?” Du Beiwang asked the generals.

”Great Pillar of State, I think itʼs feasible. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Cities like Yanmen Pass are now vulnerable. This is our best opportunity to recover lost territory.”

”I disagree,” another vice general said. ”This person Xiao Mo is full of schemes. What if this is fake? What if that surrendered general was deliberately allowed by Xiao Mo to pass on the information?”

”Impossible. Having Xiao Mo lead fifty thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to waste time here is wasteful. Going to deal with the Chu Kingdom army first is the best method. Otherwise, if the Chu Kingdom army penetrates deep into our heartland, I ask you, what should Qin Kingdom do?”

”How do you know that Qin Kingdomʼs other border cities will be breached so quickly? What if Qin Kingdom holds firm? After we fall into the trap and Xiao Mo takes Fengshang City, then sends reinforcements, what should we do?”

”Do you think Xiao Mo dares to gamble? Do you think the Qin Kingdomʼs ruler dares to gamble?”

”Why wouldnʼt they dare? Xiao Mo is the Northern Pacification Princeʼs son. Even if the Qin Kingdomʼs capital is captured, if he occupies Zhei Kingdom and counterattacks, he would be the ruler of two nations!”

”So we completely let this opportunity pass? Wait until Xiao Mo defeats the Chu army and then comes back to face off against us?”

”What if we are ambushed?”

Inside the command tent, arguments flew back and forth, creating an unbearable cacophony.

After the time it takes to burn one incense stick, the Great Pillar of State tapped the table, and everyone gradually quieted down.

”These few days, send out more scouts to constantly monitor the movements of Xiao Moʼs army. After Xiao Mo withdraws his troops, prepare to send troops to recover the cities. As for ambushes, we will march along the main roads through plains. How many traps can Xiao Mo set? Not to mention that Xiao Moʼs army totals two hundred and fifty thousand, while our army totals three hundred and fifty thousand. When the two armies meet, who wins and who loses is still uncertain.”

After speaking, the Great Pillar of State sighed, ”At this moment of Zhei Kingdomʼs survival, staying here and wearing down against Xiao Mo is not a solution. Now, it is not a matter of how we choose, but rather that we have a choice, yet we have no other choice.”

Four more days passed.

In the early morning, Xiao Mo gave the order for the army to break camp and withdraw.

The next day, the Great Pillar of State Du Beiwang personally led his army out of Fengshang City and advanced toward Shengxue City, intending to recover the lost territory.

Throughout the entire march, Du Beiwang was extremely cautious. Although they encountered some traps, they were inconsequential, merely delaying their pace somewhat. However, just as Du Beiwang was about to lead his army across this nameless plain, ahead of the Zhei Kingdom army, a white-armored, masked man led ten thousand cavalry, blocking their path.

Behind the Zhei Kingdom army, the remaining forty thousand Northern Frontier cavalry and two hundred thousand troops surged toward the Zhei Kingdom army like a tide of snow.

”When Chu Kingdom invaded, does the Frost Prince truly not defend and firmly believe the border cities can definitely hold?” Du Beiwang looked calmly at Xiao Mo and slowly spoke.

”I do not believe it,” Xiao Mo shook his head.

”Was that letter sent by the so-called surrendered general your doing, General Xiao?” Du Beiwang asked again.

”The surrendered general is real, and I had him send it out, that is also real,” Xiao Mo added. ”Your Zhei Kingdom also has people with steadfast loyalty.”

”Was the content in the letter also real?” Du Beiwang continued asking, as if chatting with an ordinary person.

”False.”

Xiao Mo shook his head.

”I was merely acting. What His Majesty actually said was that even if the Qin Kingdomʼs capital falls, we should not withdraw our troops. He told us to take Zhei Kingdom in one fell swoop. His Majesty also said that the Chu Kingdom children, he can handle them himself. Itʼs nothing more than temporarily losing a few cities. Afterward, he wants all of Chu Kingdomʼs territory.”

”One final question,” Du Beiwang looked at the Northern Frontier army surrounding them on all sides. ”Does the Frost Prince truly believe he can defeat me?”

Xiao Mo sat upon his horse, clasped his fists, and bowed, ”I ask the Great Pillar of State for guidance!”

Du Beiwangʼs posture was upright. He pointed forward, and his aged yet vigorous voice rang across the plain.

”Kill!”