Flower Stealing Master

Song Qingshu’s expression changed. Could it be that he had revealed some flaw?

Glancing at Fei Yanggu not far away, Song Qingshu knew that if he were to strike now, it wouldn’t be difficult to take the man’s life. However, his 25,000 troops would remain unharmed, and if they were then incorporated by the main commander Yue Le, all his previous efforts would be in vain.

Song Qingshu hesitated for a moment and decided not to resist. Instead, in Mu Ha Da’s tone, he shouted, “Fei Yanggu, are you refusing to rescue us just because your commander Yue is at odds with my general?”

Hearing Song Qingshu call him by his name directly, the guards in the tent were furious. They cursed loudly, and some even drew their swords, intending to kill him on the spot.

Fei Yanggu raised his hand to stop his men’s actions. “Hold on, untie this brave man.”

Seeing the anger in ‘Mu Ha Da’s’ eyes, Fei Yanggu showed a hint of admiration. “You are indeed loyal to your general.”

Song Qingshu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his face remained filled with resentment. “I don’t understand what you mean, General.”

Fei Yanggu did not explain. Instead, he asked, “Tu Hai commands 30,000 elite soldiers, while the Golden Serpent Camp only has around 10,000 to 20,000 old, weak, sick, and disabled. How could they possibly surround Tu Hai?”

Although Fei Yanggu was puzzled, he believed most of it. After all, the other party’s earlier performance didn’t seem like that of a spy. Moreover, very few people knew about the secret discord between Tu Hai and Yue Le. The fact that the other party could reveal this relationship proved that he was indeed a close confidant of Tu Hai.

Song Qingshu understood and calmly explained, “The small numbers of the Golden Serpent Camp are nothing in my general’s eyes. My general has been unstoppable all the way and was about to completely annihilate the Golden Serpent Camp. But who would have expected two forces to suddenly emerge from behind? We were caught off guard and suffered heavy losses. Fortunately, General Tu Hai remained calm under pressure. He led the remaining troops to defend against the mountains and stabilize the situation while sending us, his personal soldiers, to break through and seek reinforcements.”

Fei Yanggu frowned. “Which forces suddenly appeared? Do you know?”

Song Qingshu pretended to grit his teeth and said, “After fighting for so long, we naturally recognized them. One group was the Red Flower Society, and the other was the Khitan army.”

According to previous intelligence, Yang Miaozhen of the Red Coat Army, the Red Flower Society and the Southern Court King of the Khitan had both participated in the Golden Serpent Assembly. 

Fei Yanggu believed most of it. “I don’t know what benefits the Golden Serpent Camp promised them, but they dare to openly send troops against our Great Qing!”

The Red Flower Society was understandable; after all, they had been particularly active in Jin for years, always opposing the Jurchens. However, Fei Yanggu didn’t expect Yang Miaozhen or even the Khitans to send troops. “The court just signed a truce with Liao, so how dare they openly send troops?”

Song Qingshu hesitated for a moment and then whispered, “General Tu Hai mentioned that Liao only signed a truce with the Prince Pingxi, not with our court.”

Fei Yanggu was shocked. As a high-ranking military officer, he was well aware of the delicate relationship between the court and Wu Sangui, the Prince Pingxi. The mention of Wu Sangui made his expression turn solemn.

“General Fei, I apologize for my earlier offenses. I hope you can forgive me. Our General Tu Hai is currently struggling to hold on, so I implore you to send troops for reinforcements. Afterward, you may punish me as you see fit; I won’t even frown.” Song Qingshu suddenly interrupted Fei Yanggu’s thoughts.

Fei Yanggu also thought this through. Tu Hai was always held in high esteem in the court, and if he were to suffer defeat due to a delay in reinforcements, someone with ulterior motives might accuse him of neglecting to save a comrade. If the emperor were in a bad mood that day and blamed the failure on him, it would be over…

However, Fei Yanggu was a seasoned general. Although he decided to send troops, he didn’t show it on his face. Instead, he carefully asked the personal soldier before him for some details. “How many soldiers does the Red Flower Society and the Khitan army have? How much of the Eastern Route Army’s combat strength remains?”

“The Red Flower Society has about 10,000 soldiers, while the Khitan army has only 1,000 to 2,000, but they are all elite cavalry, and their combat power is not to be underestimated…” Song Qingshu answered one by one.

Fei Yanggu secretly nodded. This made sense. If the Khitan army could appear here in large numbers, it would be a joke to the court’s border defenses.

“Now that they are being held up by our Eastern Route Army, if the general can lead the Western Route Army to their rear in time, our two armies will coordinate from the inside and out, and we will surely be able to annihilate the enemy.” Song Qingshu subtly tempted him from the side.

Seeing Fei Yanggu still hesitating, Song Qingshu decided to deliver a final push. “Our general said that as long as General Fei lends a righteous hand this time, he will credit you with the battle’s achievements and even petition the court to grant you a marquis title…”

Fei Yanggu was finally tempted. Although he was highly trusted by Yue Le and held a significant position at a young age, he had no notable military achievements. If he could take credit for the annihilation of the Golden Serpent Camp and gain the favor of another military leader, his future would be smooth…

“This general is not sending troops for any credit. We are all serving the court, and it is only right to watch out for each other.” Fei Yanggu suddenly said with a serious expression.

‘Success!’

Song Qingshu was secretly delighted, and quickly followed up with flattery, “Of course, of course. The general dedicates himself to the Qing Dynasty and is a role model for all of us…”

Fei Yanggu smiled slightly, feeling quite pleased. This personal soldier was both loyal and tactful, a rare talent. It was a pity that he was Tu Hai’s confidant; otherwise, it would have been nice to promote him as his own…

Fei Yanggu was decisive. Since he had decided to send troops, he didn’t delay any further. “Someone, pass down the order to break camp and set out immediately. Everyone will travel light, bring three days’ rations, and march day and night toward Fox Hill. The remaining supply troops can follow slowly…”

Fei Yanggu understood the importance of speed in warfare. Although such a march would exhaust his soldiers, if they could arrive at Fox Hill in time to coordinate with Tu Hai and encircle the enemy, they would be able to eliminate the enemy’s main force.

If they marched at a normal pace and Tu Hai’s Eastern Route Army couldn’t hold out and was wiped out by the enemy, the enemy could then lie in ambush at Fox Hill. Even if his troops were in peak condition, they wouldn’t be able to withstand the attack.

Weighing the options, Fei Yanggu would rather have his soldiers a bit more fatigued.

Under Fei Yanggu’s constant urging, the Western Route Army marched day and night, covering in a day and a night what would normally take three days.

Seeing the banners of Tu Hai’s Eastern Route Army camp still standing several miles away at Fox Hill, Fei Yanggu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, they arrived in time.

Fei Yanggu, who was young and highly regarded by Yue Le, was naturally skilled. Although they had marched day and night, he did not rush to attack upon arrival. Instead, he ordered his troops to rest for two hours to regain their strength before launching an assault.

“Mu Ha Da, come here, I have something to ask you.” Fei Yanggu suddenly called to Song Qingshu, his expression serious.

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