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Seizing the Opportunity, Journey to the Northwest (4)
Li Hong Yuan, under the excuse of ‘the Imperial Noble Consort’s matter cannot be delayed’, left quite hastily. Le Cheng Emperor naturally didn’t have any objections, just there were some things he wanted to instruct him. Unfortunately, Li Hong Yuan was unwilling to accept his summons, and this kind of thing can’t go through a third person’s mouth either, and further can’t leave behind anything like a secret decree and whatnot. That’s why, he could only have the matter entrusted to Li Su Yan.
Ever since building the horse tracks, Jing Wan would also from time to time ride horses, and perhaps because Li Hong Yuan long had plans, he didn’t limit Jing Wan to just running on flat ground, carrying out an appropriate training on Jing Wan.
Jing Wan’s horse riding skills, although not the best, but as long as it wasn’t freely running, or the path wasn’t relatively that rugged, Jing Wan’s pace for the most part was all able to keep up.
She was unsure whether or not she would still feel sick riding the carriage now, but the majority of the times, Jing Wan had all followed on horseback.
Although being on horseback for too long, one might somewhat suffer, but towards this, they’d also long prepared for, preparing the medicine in advance. When resting at night, it was just applying the medicine, and then continuing the next day. When truly unable to endure anymore, to avoid the body becoming unwell, slowing down the journey, she would also ride the carriage.
Li Hong Yuan never once stop letting the Ministry of Works reform the horse carriage. At present, there was already quite the results. In addition to carefully decorating, the horse carriage although wasn’t nearly as wide and refined as the horse carriage that signified his status, the comfort level was nevertheless not that inferior. And at present, Jing Wan’s carriage sickness wasn’t as bad as before, so it wasn’t that unbearable.
Towards Jing Wan’s ‘delicate level’, the people of Jin Qinwang Manor have also all witnessed before. This time going out, they were actually a bit worried, but reality proved that she once again exceeded their expectation, especially Gong Jiu, who couldn’t help but recall that time back at White Dragon Temple, seeing her take care of Li Hong Yuan. At the time, he already felt that she wasn’t like a noble daughter born from an upper class family. And right now, she also wasn’t like a wangfei spoiled by their master.
For a time, they were once discontent towards Jing Wan, although it was just in their heart, because master only wanted her, so they only just hoped that she won’t drag down master. However, reality proved that this wangfei was always able to exceed their expectations, becoming in their eyes, the most suitable person to be Jin Wangfei. She not only won’t be a burden, when required, she can even completely stand on her own, holding down the situation, helping master.
As for the others, there was further no need to mention, especially those that once accompanied along to Jiangnan. Jin Wangfei’s delicate appearance was still fresh in their memories.
That’s why, seeing Jing Wan majority of the times in agile clothes riding on horseback with them, completely not needing to slow down to look after her, they all suspect whether this person was really Jin Wangfei.
Really can’t judge a person by appearance.
Not only was this wangfei impressive, the people serving her weren’t lacking in the slightest either. Never mind the servant girl that appeared to be a martial artist, even that seemingly forty to fifty year old mama’s skill in handling the horse was seemingly even above the great majority of them, letting them, a bunch of grown men, very much feel too ashamed to show their face.
Along the way, when stopping to rest, Jing Wan also intentionally began practicing the crossbow. Additionally, Li Hong Yuan also prepared for her a hidden arrow that normally only the shadow guards would use. Although he was confidence that he can protect Jing Wan, but in this world, there never lacked the unexpected. As such, Jing Wan having some more self defense skills wasn’t anything bad.
(T/N: Literal translation would be ‘sleeve arrow’; a spring loaded arrow concealed in the sleeve.)
They arrived two days earlier than expected. Although on Le Cheng Emperor’s side, it was for the sake of the Imperial Noble Consort’s matter, but this matter can’t be publicly declared after all, at least, can’t let the commoners of the northwest know. Furthermore, Li Hong Yuan still carried the title of a military inspector, so naturally it was going to the frontlines first thing.
Jing Wan was actually arranged in the city first, and because having long been informed, everything was already arranged appropriately. But because there was a battle in front, they didn’t see Fu Yun Ting and them. Jing Wan didn’t mind. The camp where the troops were stationed she can’t set foot in, so she just peacefully settled down in the courtyard in the city, resting first and making plans later.
The great majority of the people all got left behind. Li Hong Yuan just took a few people, directly heading to the army camp to see Fu Yun Ting.
TN: All
Because the imperial court had sent a military inspector, even a qinwang, and moreover the one with the worst reputation——-The high ranking military officers weren’t few; the ones that came with Fu Yun Ting in the beginning just occupied a minority. These people, towards Li Hong Yuan, that was ‘knowing in detail’, but others didn’t necessarily know nothing. As such, they can be said to be extremely nervous inside. They these people actually weren’t scared of going to war, just scared of getting ‘screwed over’.
However, when actually seeing Li Hong Yuan, the ones that were familiar with him were still okay, but the ones that weren’t truly got stunned by his appearance and bearing.
Malicious and ruthless, indefinitely moody, drinking blood and eating flesh, this kind of person, even if not having three heads and six arms, should still have a sinister appearance like a yaksha, yet instead…………peerlessly handsome, noble and elegant, to even say he was a deity of the ninth heaven afraid there would even be those that believed.
However, this kind of shock didn’t even last for a for few breaths. The horse whip in Li Hong Yuan’s hand swung out, his gaze sharpening, a cold glint suddenly appearing, clearly telling these people, Jin Qinwang wasn’t as scary as they’d imagined, but absolutely wasn’t harmless like their first impression.
“Fu Yun Ting lead the way, to the main tent.”
This was just immediately picking a fight upon arriving? The crowd behind Fu Yun Ting looked to one another in dismay, but didn’t dare to say anything.
“Wangye, please follow this humble general.” Fu Yun Ting’s face didn’t change, leading the way in front.
Yu Zhong Qing, Li Su Yan, and Guard Qian accompanied along, while the others waited in place on standby.
Lifting open the tent entrance, Li Hong Yuan directly sat down in the main seat, “What’s the situation right now?”
Fu Yun Ting secretly glanced at Li Su Yan and Yu Zhong Qing, certain thoughts flashing through his mind. Afterwards, he just began explaining next to the sand table.
Li Hong Yuan silently listened from beginning to end, and only after Fu Yun Ting finished did he finally ask a few questions, every word holding value, every line drawing blood.
From the start of the war, until now, Li Hong Yuan had once given directions to Fu Yun Ting a few times through letters. As such, Fu Yun Ting knew, Li Hong Yuan was also quite accomplished in military strategy. Just, when face to face, that kind of pressure just abruptly rose countless levels. That feeling was just like a foot solider facing a resolute god of war that has led troops for several decades, his forehead even beginning to sweat.
Fu Yun Ting both feared and admired inside, carefully responding, realizing that he actually had quite a few areas that he didn’t thoroughly think through, inwardly feeling ashamed. Afterwards, he just worked himself up again, having it all noted one by one.
Speaking of which, Li Hong Yuan was actually just being petty again, just it wasn’t good to openly sort out Fu Yun Ting, so he naturally just went about in a different way, having Fu Yun Ting absolutely suppressed. Although under his pressure, Fu Yun Ting might become increasingly stronger, but wasn’t that precisely what Li Hong Yuan wanted. After all, in the future, he still needed to serve him for the rest of his life. If not strong enough, how can he fight for him.
The time they spent in the tent was a bit long. The people waiting outside were very fretful.
Speaking of which, Fu Yun Ting right now can be said to be ‘where the people’s expectations resided’, his prestige very high, the soldiers all very much believing in him. Towards this kind of him, the soldiers naturally didn’t hope for him to be suppressed or even humiliated because of his status. But the other party in the end was still a qinwang, coming under imperial orders. They were unable to do anything. If they were to do something, it perhaps might even bring him trouble.
While everyone was waiting anxiously, they finally came out. Everyone hurriedly greeted, “Greetings wangye.”
Li Hong Yuan was expressionless, fully aware inside, understanding that only a main commander revered and loved by the soldiers was a qualifying commander, and only in this way can one lead the soldiers to obtain even more victories.
As Li Hong Yuan was preparing to leave, someone nevertheless stood out, “Forgive this humble soldier’s rudeness, asking wangye to show the imperial decree.”
Li Hong Yuan coldly swept a glance over, directly making one produce chills.
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