Chapter 103
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Han Jiao didn’t expect the big boss to make such a compliant promise.
Could it be a trick?
“Words are empty.” Han Jiao looked at the big boss very seriously. “What if you go back on your word later?”
Xie Duo was amused by the little child prodigy’s reckless provocation. He narrowed his eyes and replied, “What else can I do? Of course, I’ll just silence you. After all, I’ve only made a promise to you.”
Han Jiao stared in disbelief, took a deep breath, and prepared for a silent protest for three to five days!
“I was just joking,” Xie Duo said seriously, “Get up, Han Xiaobai, I’ll give you a written guarantee when we get back.”
“No need for a written guarantee, Your Highness, just make an oath.”
“Fine, you may stand up.”
“Make the oath now.”
Xie Duo restrained his smile and coldly reminded, “The soldiers are all watching me.”
Han Jiao firmly seized this opportunity, “Making the oath in front of everyone shows sincerity.”
Xie Duo looked at him, after a while, he spoke softly, “I’ll count to three, if you don’t stand up, I won’t care about you.”
Han Jiao fell silent.
“One.” Xie Duo stared at the child prodigy.
“Two.”
A long period of silence passed.
Xie Duo softly said, “Three,” and then stood up, preparing to leave.
Han Jiao, with a disappointed expression, looked up at the big boss.
In the corner of his eye, Xie Duo noticed the peach blossom eyes looking at him with a hint of redness. He hesitated for a while, then, with determination, he reluctantly squatted back down beside the little child prodigy.
“Alright, I swear, is that enough?” Xie Duo raised his hand, glaring fiercely at the little child prodigy.
Han Jiao finally smiled and said, “You should say, ‘I swear, from now on, I will no longer put myself in danger and will dutifully remain in the rear.'”
Xie Duo lowered his hand, furrowing his brow as he looked at the little child prodigy. “War itself involves risks, Han Jiao. I am a Great Chu Prince, and I can’t guarantee that there won’t be external threats in the future. If the honor of the imperial family or the people of Great Chu requires me to defend, I won’t stand idly by.”
Han Jiao turned to look at Xie Duo, blinking in surprise.
What’s going on? The salted fish big boss seems to be getting more handsome.
“I’m not saying you can’t fight,” Han Jiao regained his focus and explained, “I mean dangerous strategies like today’s, you shouldn’t personally enter the fray. You are the Commander-in-Chief, and the lives of all the soldiers depend on you. You mustn’t act on impulse and disregard your own safety.”
“You perceive it as risky because you aren’t trained in martial arts. I had observed the skills of those attackers and was confident that even if we failed, I could break through. I can only assure you that I won’t take risks without a reasonable chance of success.”
“That’s the same as saying nothing!” Han Jiao saw through the true nature of the big boss!
How could this stinky little brother, with his astounding combat abilities, possibly consider the words “without a reasonable chance”?
“I’m thirsty, Han Xiaobai.” Xie Duo refused to yield, finding an excuse to end the conversation.
Han Jiao sensed that the big boss’ patience had worn thin, so he immediately turned, hands gripping the mound of dirt, and said, “You go have some water, I’ll wait here for you to continue the negotiations when you return.”
Xie Duo extended his right hand around Han Jiao’s waist, pulling him closer, and whispered in his ear, “Want me to carry you up the hill? Just tell them that Master Han twisted his ankle when running down the mountain, the only soldier injured in this ambush.”
The moment Han Jiao bumped into him, he quickly raised his hand to steady Xie Duo’s shoulder and struggled to stand on his own.
Xie Duo calmly stood up as well, a smirk on his lips as he watched.
The previously calm atmosphere of their conversation was disrupted by the sudden embrace from the big boss, which brought back memories for Han Jiao of the day when he was lifted from his bed.
With red ears, Han Jiao swiftly went around Xie Duo and ran away.
Negotiations would have to continue at another time.
Xie Duo turned around, looking puzzled at the fleeing figure of the little child prodigy.
Anything that brought Xie Duo even a hint of pleasure seemed to instill fear and avoidance in the little child prodigy.
So, what did he mean by “uncontrollably” earlier?
Perhaps Han Jiao’s feelings for him were completely different from Xie Duo’s own, even contradictory.
Just as Han Jiao had said, he would involuntarily become unrestrained in front of him.
However, Xie Duo was quite the opposite. He was the only one who could restrain his arrogance, and he could control his own recklessness when it came to the little child prodigy.
Aside from leaving soldiers behind to tidy up the battlefield, Xie Duo led over twenty thousand cavalrymen, unharmed, on a night journey back to the capital city. On the way, they encountered the artillery unit, which was slowly making its way with the supply wagons.
Hearing that Prince Ling had already completely defeated twenty thousand Tatar cavalry, the leaders of the artillery battalion remained silent, puzzled by why the Prince would make such a joke in this critical situation.
Are they perhaps afraid to face the Tatar, so they’re now retreating to the capital prematurely?
This was what the leaders saw as the Prince’s combat ability.
Xie Duo, seeing the grim-faced soldiers and their silence, thought they might be disappointed for not having the chance to achieve success together. So, he kindly comforted them, “There will be plenty of opportunities for making achievements in the future.”
The artillery battalion leaders exchanged uncertain glances, wondering if returning to the capital before the Tatars even showed up might result in military punishment. After all, they were not royalty, and the Emperor wouldn’t be lenient if they retreated in the face of the enemy.
The Deputy General often interacted with leaders from the three main army camps, so he quickly understood their concerns. He turned his horse around, galloped back to the rear of the convoy, and retrieved a wooden box containing the head of the Tatar General. He dashed back on his fast horse and presented it to the artillery battalion leaders, giving them tangible proof.
“We truly annihilated the Tatar cavalry,” the Deputy General said, suppressing a hint of pride at the corners of his mouth. “It’s a pity you arrived late and couldn’t witness the moment when the Star granted to Great Chu by the Heavens rose. Turn back to the city now, report to His Majesty. Don’t miss hearing about this miracle.”
On the first day when the thirty thousand defenders returned to the capital, news of this miracle spread throughout the city.
If the previous battle to rescue the refugees made Xie Duo a hero in the eyes of the Great Chu people, then this battle, where the Tatar were completely defeated, made Xie Duo a true War God in their eyes.
Even the Emperor, upon hearing of the victory, was skeptical that his son might be exaggerating.
However, as the convoy transporting the heads of the Tatar cavalry gradually returned to the capital, this unbelievable war finally left the entire court, both civil and military, stunned with the most powerful evidence!
Initially, everyone’s expectations were simply for the Ninth Prince to lead these thirty thousand cavalry and hold off the Tatar invaders for a few days, buying time for reinforcements from various regions.
Before the army set out, the Emperor repeatedly instructed Xie Duo to arrange ambushes and immediately retreat to the rear, leaving the battlefield to the other three Deputy Generals.
However, his son didn’t obediently follow orders. He brought back an unimaginable surprise—a victory without a single loss, completely defeating twenty thousand Tatar cavalry.
This would be a war recorded gloriously in history.
Unable to wait for the arrival of the reinforcements, the Emperor ordered a seven-day celebration feast and commanded the court to draft a decree to establish a special honor for this unprecedented and extraordinary victory.
The whole nation celebrated in unison.
However, on the third day of the celebration feast, news of the tragic sacrifice of all eighteen thousand soldiers in Hanzhou, who perished, was secretly sent back to the capital.
The cowardly Hanzhou General, Xue Qi, knowing his deserving fate, dared not return to the capital and disappeared. The court immediately issued a wanted decree through the Ministry of Justice.
The horrific loss of the Hanzhou garrison offset the joy of the ambush battle. At Xie Duo’s own request, the celebration feast was prematurely concluded.
All the military commanders in the capital wanted to meet the seventeen-year-old War God in person. Since the Third Prince was also martially inclined and often spent time with these commanders, he suddenly became the only way to meet Xie Duo.
Xie Duo didn’t enjoy socializing with strangers, but under duress, the Third Prince, setting aside the formalities of being an elder brother, personally went to the palace and asked his brother to come to his residence to meet his friends.
He thought it would be another flattery-filled banquet, but to his surprise, the Third Prince’s guests were different from the usual dignitaries. They all had some real talent, and when Xie Duo discussed his battle strategies, they grasped it easily.
The atmosphere at the banquet was unexpectedly harmonious. One of the young commanders named Zhang Yunhe got along exceptionally well with Xie Duo.
The more they talked, the more Zhang Yunhe admired the young prince before him. After a few drinks, he got so excited that he actually knelt down at Xie Duo’s table, wanting to sit and drink together.
“Brother Yunhe,” a commander who knew Prince Ling’s character well quickly intervened with a smile, “You’ve had a bit too much to drink. Be careful not to get too close to Prince Ling. Please return to your seat.”
Zhang Yunhe realized his lack of composure but still looked at Xie Duo with admiration. “Your Highness, your strategic wisdom is truly admirable. I couldn’t help but draw near to listen to your teachings. I didn’t mean to be presumptuous.”
Xie Duo’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked, looking to the side, “Couldn’t help but get close?”
Zhang Yunhe nodded and said, “I have great admiration for Your Highness.”
Xie Duo lowered his gaze and whispered, “There are times when I, too, can’t help but get close to someone.”
Zhang Yunhe was surprised. “Who is that remarkable person?”
Xie Duo didn’t answer, put down his cup, and furrowed his brow thoughtfully. “People like us who practice martial arts are straightforward by nature. When we have good feelings, we can’t help but draw near. Unlike those scholars who are subtle and always deliberately avoid those they admire.”
Zhang Yunhe paused for a moment and then laughed. “Your Highness might not know, but well-read scholars are eloquent and persuasive. They understand the art of making friends even better than coarse folks like me. When they meet someone they admire, they won’t let go. There’s no reason for them to avoid. Hahaha…”
Before he could finish laughing, a sudden wave of hostility from the side made Zhang Yunhe choke.
Confused, Zhang Yunhe turned his head and saw Prince Ling glaring at him icily.
A silent, intense gaze-off.
“Your Highness? Your Highness! I admit my guilt. Please allow me to stand aside and listen to your teachings, Your Highness!”
His desperate plea didn’t soften Prince Ling’s heart. Zhang Yunhe was “invited” to go outside for some disciplinary horse stance punishment.
The other commanders at the banquet suddenly fell silent.
This young War God was indeed as temperamental as the rumors said, quicker to change his mood than to flip a page.
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