Love Lock

Chapter 38 Gentle as a Lamb

Inside the large tent of the Turkic Khan Ashina, the charcoal in the brazier burned brightly, making the entire tent warm and cozy.

On the table sat a roasted leg of lamb, and Ashina Khan was embracing a woman wearing a leather bodice, the two drinking mare's milk wine that smelled milky. Suddenly, a report came from a scout.

"What did you say?" The voice of Ashina Khan of the Turks was tinged with disbelief and astonishment.

Ashina abruptly released the woman he was holding and sat up straight. His eyes were piercing as he stared directly at the spies kneeling below, reporting to him.

The woman seemed startled by the sudden turn of events; her delicate body trembled slightly before she obediently slid down onto the soft cashmere blanket.

"Reporting to the Khan," the scout's voice trembled slightly, clearly intimidated by Ashina Khan's imposing presence, and he had no choice but to repeat himself. "The Northern Marshal of the Great Jing Dynasty, the valiant general who once struck fear into our hearts on the battlefield, has recently had his military power revoked by the Great Jing court."

"Is the information accurate?" Ashina's eagle eyes narrowed slightly, his clenched fist cracking as he clenched it.

"This matter is absolutely true, and it has now spread to every corner of Beiguan. The person who will take over guarding Beiguan from him is a man named Cao Xiong. It is said that although he is young, he has quite a background in the court. It seems that he has brought an Imperial Guard with him when he took office."

Upon hearing this, Ashina frowned, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. He slowly shifted his position on the throne, seemingly processing this sudden news.

After a moment, he asked, "Cao Xiong, what are his achievements? Or is there anything special about him in the army?"

Upon hearing this, the scout quickly replied, "Your Majesty, this man does have some reputation in the court, but it is mostly due to his family background. As for his military achievements, to my knowledge, he has not had any particularly outstanding military exploits. However, it seems that the Emperor of Dajing has high hopes for him now that he has taken up his post at Beiguan."

Ashina's lips curled into a cold smile upon hearing this. He knew, of course, that the Great Jing Dynasty had undergone a major reshuffle in the court since Emperor Jing ascended the throne. This change of the Northern Commander was perhaps the work of Emperor Jing's suspicious nature.

Thinking of this, a surge of pride welled up in his heart, as if he could see the magnificent scene of the Turkic army marching south again and drinking from the Yinshan River.

“Alright,” he said slowly. “Continue to investigate this matter. Report back immediately if there is any sign of trouble.”

After speaking, Ashina waved his hand, signaling the scouts to leave. The woman, amidst this imposing aura, slowly rose and nestled against him once more.

Ashina's gaze had already pierced through the tent curtains, looking towards the distant and mysterious Dajing North Pass.

A moment later, Ashina's large, calloused hands, weathered by time, gently but firmly pushed the woman beside him.

His eyes were cold and stern, as if they could see into people's hearts, yet also seemed to conceal endless flames of war. "You, go and invite Princess Yujia here immediately. Remember, you must be extremely respectful and show no negligence whatsoever."

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, the woman trembled slightly, lowered her head, and obediently responded before walking out of the tent.

Soon after, Princess Yujia arrived with light and graceful steps.

She was seventeen or eighteen years old, with a healthy wheat-colored complexion. She wore a colorful grassland woman's dress, and her hair was cleverly braided into intricate braids, adorned with wildflowers and jewels, shimmering with a captivating light.

Behind her followed two muscular, powerful steppe warriors. They wore heavy animal hide armor and gripped sharp scimitars, guarding Princess Yujia on either side. "Father Khan, you look grave. Is something urgent? Is there anything I can help you with?" Yujia asked with concern, her steps light and graceful.

"Yujia, come, don't rush. Sit down next to Father Khan." Ashina gently beckoned to Yujia, his eyes full of love and tenderness.

Upon hearing this, Yu Jia obediently sat down slowly beside Ashina, displaying both heroic spirit and gentle grace.

"Yu Jia, do you know the Marshal of Beiguan, Zhao Zun, whom you have always admired?"

Ashina's voice was deep and powerful, as if recounting a glorious past.

"Hmm! What's wrong with him?" Princess Yujia nodded slightly, a shy blush spreading across her face.

"He has had his military power stripped by the Great Jing Emperor. The situation at the Northern Pass is currently unstable, and the commander has been replaced by a general named Cao Xiong. Father Khan believes our opportunity has arrived and wants to take this chance to gather troops and attack the Northern Pass. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

"What? You've stripped them of their military power?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Jia's heart tightened, and a hint of surprise and confusion flashed in her bright eyes. She remained silent for a moment, seemingly trying to process this sudden news.

“Father, although I have always admired Marshal Beiguan, the affairs of the state are of utmost importance, and I must put aside my personal feelings. I am willing to share your burdens and do my best for the tribe. However, I have never heard of Cao Xiong before, and I need your guidance so that I can deal with him in the future.”

"I've heard that this man has some reputation in the Great Jing Dynasty, but he hasn't had any outstanding military achievements. However, it seems that the Great Jing Emperor has high hopes for him now that he's taking up his post at Beiguan." Ashina repeated the news reported by the scout, waiting for his daughter's opinion.

Outsiders only know that Ashina Khan has a daughter who is as gentle as a lamb and as beautiful as a flower, but they do not know that this princess is insightful and has unique insights into the art of military strategy. She often serves as a strategist by Ashina Khan's side.

Princess Yujia was not only a master of military strategy, but also adept at using gentleness to overcome strength, blending wisdom with tenderness to devise strategies for every battle her tribe fought. This earned her countless admirers and adorations on the grasslands.

"Yes!" Princess Yujia nodded slightly. "Father Khan, Zhao Zun, who once commanded respect throughout the land, has left Beiguan. This is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us."

"Father Khan also felt that this opportunity should not be missed."

"But Father Khan, it is now the dead of winter. The grasslands are covered in snow, and the wind is biting cold. Our tribe is short of clothing and food, and the warriors' horses are weak and emaciated from the cold. To set out on a campaign under such conditions will undoubtedly greatly increase our difficulties and casualties. Father Khan, please think it over carefully. Wouldn't it be more prudent to wait until spring arrives and supplies are plentiful before making this plan?"

“Yujia, such an opportunity will not come twice. I think that not only us, but also the neighboring Ala Kingdom and Meng Kingdom will not let this opportunity pass once they hear the news of the change of commander in Beiguan.”

"Ala and Mengguo are adjacent to Ling'an City, and we are next to Yong'an City. Father Khan, have you forgotten? The news brought back by Albu says that there are reinforcements in Yong'an City. Could it be the people brought by Cao Xiong?"

"Hiss..." Ashina gasped when he heard about the reinforcements from Yong'an City, and the fierce fighting spirit that had just surged in his heart began to wane.

"The reinforcements from Yong'an City are indeed very powerful. They rescued Zhao Zun single-handedly, and they can kill people with peanuts. This..."

(End of this chapter)