Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 730 I Swear to Kill You

At the foot of the western side of Iron Net Mountain, flames filled the sky, and shouts of battle echoed everywhere.

"General! General!"

"What's wrong?"

Xie Jing glanced back at the disheveled general, then turned and lashed the slow-moving prisoner with his whip again.

"General, a lot of people are coming down the mountain, and the brothers can't get up there."

Xie Jing wasn't too surprised; he knew that with his current offensive, the enemy would definitely send reinforcements.

"Hurry up and tie these spineless cowards to the trees, two to each tree. Anyone who dares to misbehave, stab them to death!"

After giving instructions to the soldiers escorting the prisoners, Xie Jing went to a nearby bucket, washed off the bloodstains that had accidentally gotten on his body, and then asked, "Approximately how many people?"

"I don't know. All the mountain paths and passes are guarded by them. As soon as the brothers charge, crossbows and arrows rain down. The brothers have suffered too many casualties and can't charge anymore."

"Damn it!"

Xie Jing cursed, then suddenly asked, "Where's that brat from the Jia family? I'm in a frenzy here, and there's still not a sound from him!"

Xie Jing was somewhat frustrated. Upon arriving here, he discovered that there were hardly any people stationed at the mountain pass, and the fortifications were quite simple. He made a decisive decision and immediately ordered his troops to form ranks and charge.

The effect was excellent. When the soldiers of the Beidaying camp saw them attacking without warning, they were all terrified and fled the battlefield with almost no resistance.

He then led his troops in pursuit, achieving victory after victory.

But before he even reached the mountainside, the enemy seemed to finally realize what was happening and began setting up layers of defenses to block him, making his advance extremely slow.

"General, we've already sent someone to inquire. The Marquis of Zhenyuan replied that their artillery corps is still behind and hasn't caught up yet. They'll have to wait for the artillery corps to arrive before they can attack the mountain."

They also reminded you, General, not to overexert yourself; if you get tired of attacking, stop and rest. Once they are fully prepared, the pressure on your side will lessen.

"Bullshit! Do you really think I care about his mere few thousand soldiers?"

And what's that musket? In the dead of night, in the dark, it looks no different from a fire poker!

If you're too scared to go, just say so. Stop pretending to be a big shot.

Xie Jing was furious.

We agreed to attack the mountain together, and you stood me up, fine. But what's with the insults you're making?

The subordinate tentatively asked, "General, is Jia Lian perhaps planning to lure the rebel army here so they can take advantage of the situation and seize the credit?"

Xie Jing frowned; he had suspected this for a long time.

However, it was his suggestion to attack the mountain ahead of schedule, and it was reasonable for the enemy to postpone the attack on the grounds that their troops were not yet fully assembled.

The main issue is that Jia Lian wasn't his subordinate, so he had no right to order the other party around...

"Damn it, I never realized this kid, seemingly so polite and reasonable, was such a wicked bastard. Looks like I'll have to be careful if I cooperate with him in the future!"

After muttering a few words, Xie Jing didn't bother arguing with Jia Lian. He immediately ordered someone to bring him a map of Iron Net Mountain so he could study the tactics carefully.

Just as they were discussing how to launch a surprise attack, another junior officer came to report: "General, the people on the mountain want you to come over, saying they want to have a good talk with you."

"Talk my ass! I've already said it before, I'm here by imperial decree. Either let me go up the mountain, or let those cowards in the North Camp wash their necks and wait for me to cleanse them. Go back, that's all you'll say."

A moment later, the young officer returned: "General, they say His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to see you!"

Xie Jing, who was about to get angry, swallowed his words when he heard the name of the Crown Prince.

He pondered that although the Crown Prince's defection at the last minute had put Emperor Ningkang in danger, they were, after all, father and son, and the future was uncertain, so it was best not to offend them for the time being.

So he leisurely put away the map, led his personal guards, and rode to the front line.

Sure enough, the upper level was brightly lit and quite impressive. The first rider in the lead was none other than the Crown Prince.

Upon seeing him approach, the Crown Prince immediately questioned, "Xie Jing, as a subject of the Great Wei, why have you raised troops in rebellion?"

Xie Jing immediately replied in an even louder voice, "Your Highness, I am here on His Majesty's orders to quell the rebellion and protect Your Majesty. How can this be considered treason?"

The Crown Prince's face darkened, and he immediately said, "Hmph, no matter whose orders you are on, the Emperor Emeritus knows you've come and specifically requested to see you."

"Send your troops to retreat, and then come with me to the mountain to pay homage to the Emperor Emeritus."

Xie Jingchui then went with him to see the Emperor Emeritus.

However, since the Crown Prince had even brought up the Emperor Emeritus, Xie Jing had no intention of arguing with him any further and immediately rebuked him angrily: "Your Highness! His Majesty is your father and the Emperor Emeritus is your grandfather. Why do you incite rebellion and treason?"

You still dare to use the name of the retired emperor to swindle and deceive people?!

Everyone knows that the two emperors are currently participating in a hunting expedition on the mountain, but now your men are everywhere on and around the mountain, while none of the two emperors' companions are to be seen. Doesn't this prove that you are audacious and reckless, plotting rebellion?

To tell Your Highness the truth, I have come to quell the rebellion tonight by imperial decree of the two emperors! If Your Highness has any filial piety or loyalty, please surrender immediately and await the judgment of the two emperors.

Otherwise, once the loyalist armies arrive from all over the land, His Highness the Crown Prince will likely regret it too late!

Anyone can engage in a war of words.

With the two armies facing off, Xie Jing naturally wouldn't allow the Crown Prince to label him a traitor.

The Crown Prince was enraged by Xie Jing. He said it was one thing to act on the orders of Emperor Ningkang, but to dare claim to act on the orders of both emperors was outrageous!

If the Emperor Emeritus knew of his audacious and reckless behavior, he would surely tear him apart.

Before he could say anything more, Xie Jing turned his horse around and shouted, "All troops, listen to my command! In a quarter of an hour, launch a full-scale attack on the mountain, annihilate the rebels, protect the emperor, and establish an everlasting achievement!"

Any traitor who dares to obstruct us shall be executed without exception!

"Speak," he said, and then whipped the whip and rode off.

The crown prince nearly choked on his breath, and roared to the sky, "You scoundrel, I swear to kill you!"

……

Just as Xie Jing had completely enraged the Crown Prince, causing him to mobilize a large army to suppress the rebellion.

In the east, Xie Jun's vanguard of one hundred Zhenyuan cannons finally arrived.

With their powerful weapons in hand, the morale of the firearms battalion soared.

Then, Jia Lian also began his assault on the mountain. An assault on the mountain, conducted openly and honestly.

At the foot of the mountain, the commander of the Beida Camp, who had been riding ahead and waiting for Jia Lian to come forward to answer, swallowed hard as he watched the neat rows of black cannon muzzles slowly being pushed forward behind Jia Lian by the firelight opposite.

"Lord Zhenyuan, you...you are from a distinguished family, why...?"

Jia Lian was much more reasonable than Xie Jing. Seeing that the other party was stuttering, he took the initiative to explain:

"There are rebels causing chaos, and I have come into the mountains to protect His Majesty by imperial decree. If you, young general, are willing to open the checkpoint and let me pass, then everything will be fine."

Otherwise, let's see who's the real deal.

Just a reminder to the young general, these Zhenyuan cannons behind me are my proudest creations.

I once conducted an experiment where I penned a hundred pigs together and fired a shot. The mortality rate was as high as 98%, with countless pigs suffering from limb damage or brain damage.

I hope the young general will take good care of himself.

Upon hearing this, Qianhu trembled even more.

To be honest, given his status, being addressed as "Little General" by someone like Jia Lian really warmed his heart.

But when he saw the enemy's well-disciplined army with its terrifying array of equipment, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

He was just a commander of a thousand men, ordered to stop Jia Lian.

He had some confidence before, but now he knew that with his ragtag group of a little over a thousand men...

Even if the other side doesn't use those terrifying weapons, they could probably kill them just by the swords at their waists.

"Lord Jia, it is truly difficult for me, in my position, to clearly distinguish right from wrong."

"This humble servant is merely stationed here on orders. I beg Your Excellency to have mercy and not make things difficult for me..."

"I'll give you only ten breaths to consider. Either abandon darkness and embrace the light, or resist to the very end... one..."

"My lord..."

"two……"

"..."

"three……"

The commander immediately turned around, spurred his horse across the trench, and stood before the barricades. He then shouted, "The Crown Prince has ordered that all rebels be stopped outside the mountain. Anyone who lets one through will be executed!"

"Archers, prepare!"

"Archers, prepare!"

"Quickly, report to General Pei immediately and say that the enemy is powerful and request reinforcements!"

……

In the distance, Jia Lian sighed.

The civil war was not a just war, and Jia Lian actually wanted to win without bloodshed.

But he knew it would be difficult.

At this point, he had no room for mercy.

Since he came here with troops on the orders of Emperor Ningkang, he has had no way out.

If Emperor Ningkang wins, he will be glorious. If Emperor Ningkang loses, he will die!

Before victory, there is no right to pity the enemy.

"Artillery Corps, prepare!"

At Jia Lian's command, the artillery soldiers, who had already moved the cannons to the appropriate positions, skillfully loaded ammunition and then raised torches high.

This scene surprised the commander on the other side.

How is that possible? It's so far...

"ignition!"

"boom"

"Boom boom"

"Boom boom boom"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang bang~!"

As dozens of exploding shells exploded on the enemy's position, the opposite mountains and forests were illuminated like a beautiful sunset.

As the smoke and dust cleared, screams and wails followed.

All the officers and soldiers of Beidaying who faced the Zhenyuan artillery's exploding shells for the first time felt a soul-deep fear!

Who could imagine that a living person, or even your best friend, who was joking and teasing you just a moment ago, would suddenly be torn to pieces right before your eyes?

Is this still a weapon of humanity?

In fact, out of more than a thousand people spread across such a large area, only a very small number were killed by the bombs.

Jia Lian's claim that a single blast killed ninety-eight pigs was obviously an exaggeration.

But at this moment, fear filled the minds of all the officers and soldiers of Beidaying.

Having already been unsure of what they were fighting for, they lost all will to fight and charged out of their positions with howls, rushing towards the vast mountains and forests behind them.

Those rocks and trees provide them with a sense of security.

In the distance, Jia Lian watched as the artillerymen skillfully loaded their second shells, and gently gestured for them to put down their torches.

"Musketeers, prepare!"

The musketeers, who were already fully prepared, advanced step by step under the cover of lancers on both sides, in complete formation.

Anyone who dared to show their face, or throw crossbows or fire arrows, would be shot dead by them.

But not a single enemy attacked them until they reached the trenches.

Those who were still on the front lines and hadn't run away were either those who had already raised their hands and stood up, or those who were lying on the ground and couldn't get up.

After his men had collected all the weapons and put the prisoners under guard, Jia Lian rode up slowly on horseback.

He saw the commander lying on the ground, missing one arm and one leg.

The other party was still alive, and he even gave Jia Lian a smile: "Zhenyuan Cannon, it truly lives up to its name."

I believe that Lord Hou's Zhenyuan Cannon will one day strike fear into the hearts of the enemy on the real battlefield. It will surely become a divine weapon for our Great Wei, deterring distant barbarians!

When Jia Lian approached him and saw his demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

Why bother?

He smiled without saying a word, then closed his eyes and said, "Please, Your Excellency, grant me a quick death!"

In this era, having one hand or one foot severed while still alive makes it impossible to survive.

Jia Lian sighed, and Jia Yu stepped forward, bowed to him, and then slit his neck with a knife.

……