NOVEL NEXT Ch. 28
Chapter 28: The Cangbei Disaster
Shaosheng Year 397 · Twelfth Month · Prince of Anxi’s Manor
The end of the year was approaching, and Anxi City was adorned with lanterns and festoons.
Red silk lanterns hung beneath the eaves of the royal manor; the courtyard was filled with the scent of steaming cakes and cured meats.
Servants busied themselves pasting spring couplets and sweeping away dust, a scene of festive joy and harmony.
This ought to have been a time of celebration.
Yet at this moment, the atmosphere within the main hall of the Prince’s Manor was heavy as iron.
Jiang Zhaoming sat upright at the chief seat, his expression dark.
A chilling murderous aura enveloped him, so cold that even the flames of the candles seemed frozen, swaying sluggishly.
Before him knelt a blood-soaked general on one knee, his armor shattered and his body covered in wounds.
He lowered his head, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white and his joints bluish from strain.
“General Guan, rise.” Jiang Zhaoming’s voice was low and deep.
Guan Ning did not move.
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, and his hoarse voice grated like a blade scraping against iron.
“Your servant, Guan Ning, begs His Highness to avenge the tens of thousands of soldiers of Cangbei!”
Before his words faded, he struck his forehead heavily against the stone floor with a dull thud.
Blood trickled down from his brow, mingling with tears as it splattered onto the ground.
Jiang Zhaoming closed his eyes briefly, suppressing the fury roiling within his chest. His gaze swept across the hall—Fan Kang, Yan Chen, and Qin Wei all wore grave expressions.
Fan Kang sighed softly, stepped forward, and advised, “General Guan, His Highness will surely avenge the fallen soldiers of Cangbei, but for now... it is not yet the time.”
Yan Chen followed in a solemn tone, “Cangbei is not like Luntai or Kuqa. Its territory is vast—several times larger than Yili. A hasty campaign would be hard to win.”
Jiang Zhaoming slowly rose, walked to Guan Ning’s side, and placed a steady hand on his shoulder. His voice was deep and resolute.
“General Guan, the blood debt of Cangbei’s soldiers—I have taken it to heart. But Cangbei lies eight thousand nine hundred li from here. Even if the Black-Armored Army marches day and night, it would take over half a month to arrive. As for the other forces... at least two months.”
Guan Ning trembled all over, his teeth chattering audibly as tears mingled with blood rolled down his cheeks.
He knew the Prince was speaking the truth.
But he was unwilling!
In the battle of Cangbei, the rebels had dispatched twenty thousand iron cavalry and four experts of the Divine Power Realm for a surprise attack.
The Cangbei Army suffered devastating losses—the Vice-General died in battle, leaving not even bones behind!
It was the most tragic defeat the Great Zhou had suffered in recent years!
The most hateful thing was—they hadn’t even had the chance to send reinforcements...
Watching the agony on Guan Ning’s face, Jiang Zhaoming’s heart burned with equal fury.
But he could not act on impulse.
The blood vengeance must be avenged—but not yet.
The others tried to persuade Guan Ning for a long while.
Only when Jiang Zhaoming’s tone carried a faint trace of anger did Guan Ning finally rise from the ground.
“Gu Landa, take General Guan to the side hall to rest first.”
Once Gu Landa had helped Guan Ning away, Jiang Zhaoming turned toward the gathered generals and asked in a grave voice,
“Gentlemen, tell me—what should I do now?”
Fan Kang was the first to speak. “Your Highness, this matter requires long-term planning.”
Yan Chen and Qin Wei involuntarily drew in a sharp breath. To say “long-term planning” when His Highness was enraged?
Yet Fan Kang seemed unfazed by Jiang Zhaoming’s cold gaze and continued his analysis.
“Loulan County lies four thousand three hundred li from Cangbei City, while Anxi City is nearly nine thousand li away. In truth, Cangbei City is the stronghold of the Blue Wolf Army.”
Jiang Zhaoming exhaled heavily through his nose. “Continue.”
“This rebel army commands twenty thousand elite cavalry from the noble clans, and can at any time receive reinforcements from the Blue Wolf Army. Their cavalry far surpasses ours in combat strength—our own are the weaker arm.”
“So then, Lord Fan, what do you propose?”
“In my opinion, we should first reclaim Beiting County, establish a cavalry force there, and while developing our horsemen, slowly advance our infantry lines to gradually shorten the front.”
Yan Chen and Qin Wei exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.
Indeed, Cangbei was nothing like Yili, that ‘Jiangnan beyond the frontier’.
It was filled with deserts and wastelands, extremely unfavorable for infantry combat.
The Prefecture Army, Luntai Army, Kuqa Army, and Bandit-Suppressing Army were all infantry-based.
If they plunged deep into enemy territory rashly, the supply lines would stretch thin, and they would have to guard constantly against harassment from rebel cavalry—a nightmare without end.
Without a cavalry force that could stand against the rebels, a hasty war would be suicide.
After a long silence, Jiang Zhaoming finally waved his hand tiredly. “I understand. Draft a plan first.”
When the others had withdrawn, Jiang Zhaoming rubbed his temples, weariness flickering across his features.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and calmed his mind. His consciousness sank once more into the vast and boundless River of Fortune.
As the saying went: When in doubt, consult the River of Fortune.
【Remaining Fortune: Blue ×6, Green ×7, White ×9】
Since his return from Kuqa, he had formed the Bandit-Suppressing Army and pacified the rebellions of the three counties.
The people of Anxi had grown in their faith toward him, and his fortune had accordingly risen.
Originally, he had planned to let fortune accumulate slowly—exchanging it for growth-type treasures to build a solid foundation over time.
But now that the enemy had ridden straight to his doorstep, how could he endure it?
“We must have revenge—fierce and absolute!”
Yet thinking of it, he could not help feeling regret. He had used a precious purple fortune last time to exchange for this 【Divine Artifact · Fortune-Appraising Treasure Mirror】!
Had he instead chosen the 【Divine Artifact · Plague Hive】, he would now possess a trump card capable of striking terror into enemy ranks!
Sensing his disdain, the Treasure Mirror in the real world trembled slightly, emitting a hum of protest.
Before Jiang Zhaoming could further explore the River of Fortune, the mirror’s spirit appeared, forcibly pulling him back into reality.
Jiang Zhaoming opened his eyes and gave the hovering mirror a side glance full of disdain.
“Master, I’m far stronger than that bug nest—why do you despise me?”
“Oh? Then tell me, what makes you so great?” Jiang Zhaoming raised an eyebrow.
The spirit huffed indignantly. “The Fortune-Appraising Treasure Mirror can perceive the fortunes of Heaven and Earth! Not only can it view a person’s Life Fate, but it can also discern the trends of mountains and rivers for thousands of li!”
Jiang Zhaoming froze. “What do you mean?”
The spirit spoke proudly, “If the master’s strength were sufficient, you could survey the fortunes of all the world’s lands—detect mineral veins, spiritual veins, caves of blessed lands, and seize the opportunities of Heaven and Earth!”
“What?!” Jiang Zhaoming’s pupils constricted.
Seeing his reaction, the spirit grew even more smug and added faintly,
“So, Master, the weak one isn’t this Treasure Mirror... it’s you.”
“...”
Jiang Zhaoming had to admit—the mirror had a point.
If he truly possessed a treasure that could perceive fortune across thousands of li, he would be invincible.
Not only would no mineral vein or treasure escape his sight, but he could also monitor the movements of every powerful being, tracking the flows of fortune to swiftly grasp the actions of various forces.
Unfortunately... he wasn’t strong enough.
“Spirit, what level of strength must I reach to unleash your potential?”
The mirror replied with pride, “Hmm... if Master reaches the Divine Power Realm, you should be able to utilize half of this Treasure Mirror’s ability.”
“Fine. Then I’ll wait until I’m strong enough to use you.”
With a sigh, Jiang Zhaoming was about to tuck the mirror back into his sleeve when it hurriedly spoke again.
“Wait, Master! I have a way to help you see fortune more clearly—even within that space.”
Jiang Zhaoming raised an eyebrow.
That “space” should refer to the River of Fortune.
If it could help him see more clearly within the River of Fortune, that was indeed useful.
He asked, “What way?”
The spirit replied slyly, “Hehe, this Treasure Mirror remembers a technique called the Qi-Observing Eye Art. It might help you, Master.”
Lines of glowing script appeared upon the Treasure Mirror’s surface.
Jiang Zhaoming immediately began to read carefully.
An hour later, he had mastered the art.
This Qi-Observing Eye Art could indeed allow one to perceive fortune—but it consumed some spiritual energy.
Still, that was good enough for Jiang Zhaoming. It would let him clearly see the purple blessings deep within the River of Fortune.
“Treasure Mirror, you truly are a fine thing.”