Chapter 649: Untitled! (Thanks to book friend Xiaoqiang ASP, 49021 for the reward!)
“Brothers, follow me! Kill all these Luoan bastards…”
Seeing that the enemy forces, which were several times larger than their own, could only hold on hard under the sudden attack, the morale of the Fengwu Army was immediately boosted, and the offensive became more rapid. Everyone was eager to completely defeat this enemy force.
Under the overwhelming attack of the Fengwu Army, although Zeng Yuanyi tried his best to command his troops to resist, his subordinates were still divided and surrounded by the Fengwu Army. At this critical moment, a strong force came out from the rear. This group of people held high the Liang military flag. Although their weapons and equipment were ordinary, they were all skilled in archery and horse riding, and their combat effectiveness was very strong.
The Fengwu Army here did not have many soldiers to begin with, and had just gone through a fierce battle, so facing the attack of this new force, their offensive was quickly suppressed by the other side. Seeing this, Ye Tao and Fang Dawei, who were in the rear, looked at each other, and saw the solemnity in each other's eyes.
Since breaking out from Dongcheng, they quickly got in touch with the two thousand friendly troops responsible for supporting them. After getting some supplies from the friendly troops, they discovered a problem, that is, when retreating to Jinzhong from the east, the terrain was flat along the way and it was easy for them to be caught up by the enemy.
So after everyone sat down to discuss it, they decided to let the wounded go first, and then the remaining 4,000 soldiers and horses would ambush at Liushipo, trying to ambush the enemy. As long as this ambush was successful and the enemy was hurt, they would most likely not dare to chase them easily!
And things happened just as they had imagined. In order to grab the credit, Zeng Yuanyi underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly. He only led a few thousand people to chase them out, and then fell into their trap. However, the sudden attack of this Liang army was really unexpected...
Although he was reluctant to give up the opportunity to annihilate this enemy force, seeing that the number of Liang troops was increasing, if he did not leave, he would probably be entangled by the enemy and unable to escape. Fang Dawei immediately decided to have each unit take turns to cover him and immediately withdraw from the battle!
The Fengwu Army has always done a very good job in enforcing orders. As Fang Dawei's order was issued, thousands of Fengwu Army soldiers immediately followed the order, broke contact with the enemy one by one under the cover of friendly forces, and slowly retreated to the east.
After noticing the signs of the Fengwu Army's retreat, Wang Muzhi hesitated for a moment and gave up the plan to have his Liang Army pursue them. However, he did not expect that after a cup of tea, Zeng Yuanyi, with dishevelled hair and a very embarrassed look, came to him in a rage, pointed at his nose and shouted in public:
"Wang Muzhi, our troops suffered thousands of casualties before they were able to hold off and defeat the enemy. Why didn't you pursue them just now?"
"Mr. Wang, you are afraid of the enemy and are wasting your chance to fight! I will report you to the Prime Minister!"
After saying this, Zeng Yuanyi walked away immediately without waiting for Wang Muzhi to reply. Looking at Zeng Yuanyi's departing back, Wang Muzhi did not feel any anger, but only endless sorrow in his heart. Although Zeng Yuanyi was not a good fighter, he must have some vision after fighting for so many years. He could definitely see that the Fengwu Army retreated on their own initiative, rather than being defeated and fleeing.
Therefore, you won't gain much advantage even if you pursue them, and if the enemy can ambush you once, they can ambush you twice. What's more, if you go east, you will be not far from Jinzhong City, and it will be easy for the enemy to lure them deep into your territory. So you might as well stop while you are ahead...
As for why Zeng Yuanyi knew this but still used it as an excuse to attack me, the reason is very simple: Zeng wanted to pass on the blame!
Looking at the corpses of the imperial guards scattered all over the ground and the soldiers howling in pain on Liushipo, Wang Muzhi knew without a closer look that in this ambush just now, Zeng Yuanyi's casualties would not be less than two thousand. Taking into account the casualties in the previous siege, it is conservatively estimated that Zeng Yuanyi's casualties in the battle of Dagu County were at least six thousand.
You have to know that Zeng Yuanyi had only more than 20,000 soldiers and horses in total. Over 30% of them were killed for a small county town called Dagu. The enemy escaped before they were completely wiped out. This record was really unacceptable. Zeng Yuanyi had no way to explain to the Prime Minister, so he had to put the blame on himself, trying to muddy the waters and reduce his guilt.
Thinking of this, a bitter smile emerged on Wang Muzhi's face. Among the current imperial guards, there are many people like Zeng Yuanyi who rush forward to take advantage of the situation and put the blame on others. Can letting such a person lead the army to fight really defeat the thriving Fengwu Army?
Just as Wang Muzhi was feeling emotional, his trusted subordinate came over and whispered:
"Sir! Zeng Yuanyi is a man who confuses right and wrong and is ungrateful. We have to be on guard! Should we take the initiative and submit a petition to the higher-ups?"
Hearing his subordinates' suggestions, Wang Muzhi shook his head and said calmly:
"I, Wang, have a clear conscience about this matter. Even if he confuses right and wrong, what do I have to fear?"
"Everything will be decided by the Prime Minister. I believe that the Prime Minister will not slander this person and will uphold justice for us!"
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Yijing, Governor's Mansion
"Madam, please help me this time..."
Bai Yuanyuan's sobbing voice was heard in An Miaoyi's courtyard. Looking at Bai Yuanyuan, who was crying with tears in her eyes while holding her big belly, An Miaoyi handed Bai Yuanyuan a handkerchief and said to comfort her:
"Sister Bai, stop crying! Let's talk slowly. You're pregnant now, you can't do this!"
After taking the handkerchief handed over by An Miaoyi, Bai Yuanyuan continued to cry and said:
"If I have done anything wrong, my husband should punish me. Why do you have to embarrass my brother?"
An Miaoyi was a little surprised to hear this, but she still stroked Bai Yuanyuan's back and said:
"Is it related to your brother? Sister Bai, calm down. There might be some misunderstanding here!"
Bai Yuanyuan, who had been crying bitterly, gradually calmed down under An Miaoyi's comfort and told An Miaoyi what had happened.
Ye Mingsheng did not accept Bai Changrong's report on his work. Although the Bai family did not tell Bai Yuanyuan in order not to make her worry, Bai Yuanyuan was not a pushover. She soon discovered this and after a little thought she realized why Ye Mingsheng did this!
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Bai Yuanyuan became panicked and immediately ran to An Miaoyi, wanting to seek help from her good sister...
After listening to Bai Yuanyuan's story, An Miaoyi also fell into silence. Seeing An Miaoyi not speaking, Bai Yuanyuan became even more panicked. She grabbed An Miaoyi's hand and begged:
"Madam, you must save my brother this time. We in the Bai family will all remember your kindness!"
Seeing Bai Yuanyuan say this, An Miaoyi's eyes flashed with a little light, and the next second she smiled and patted Bai Yuanyuan's hand and said:
"Sister Bai, you are too kind! You and I serve my husband together. We are good sisters in the Ye Mansion. If you have any problems, Miaoyi will definitely help you!"
"But Sister Bai, you seem to have misunderstood this matter!"
"Misunderstand?"
After hearing what An Miaoyi said, Bai Yuanyuan's eyes showed some confusion. She didn't understand why there was confusion about this matter. Wasn't it because she didn't make her pillow talk clear last time, so her elder brother Bai Changrong was also disliked by Ye Mingsheng?
Under Bai Yuanyuan's puzzled gaze, An Miaoyi smiled and nodded and said, "Sister Bai, let me tell you something. A few days ago, my husband took Ye Kui and the others to the teahouse during his break. They happened to run into your second brother and your eldest brother having a party, so my husband asked someone to secretly listen to what your two brothers were talking about in the private room. It is said that in the conversation with your second brother, your eldest brother performed very well and satisfied my husband..."
"So the reason why my husband has been reluctant to accept your elder brother's report is probably not because he doesn't like your elder brother, but because of another reason!"
Hearing such a sudden turn of events, Bai Yuanyuan, who had just been crying, showed a hint of surprise in her beautiful eyes. After hesitating for a while, she looked at An Miaoyi with some doubt and said:
"Madam, is this true? You are not trying to comfort me, are you?"
An Miaoyi smiled and said:
"Sister Bai, Miaoyi wouldn't joke about this kind of thing!"
Bai Yuanyuan finally felt relieved after hearing what An Miaoyi said. An Miaoyi comforted her for a while and told her not to worry too much about it. Finally, she reminded Bai Yuanyuan that her due date was approaching and she should take good care of herself and not let her emotions fluctuate too drastically.
Half an hour later, Bai Yuanyuan finally left contentedly. An Miaoyi was able to calm down and sit on a chair to have a good rest. At this time, Qiqige poured An Miaoyi a cup of fragrant tea and said:
"Madam, why did you tell her this? Wouldn't it be better to let her whole family worry to death?"
“Bai Yuanyuan is a tough girl. She hasn’t given birth yet, but she’s already thinking about how to get back in shape. She’s the most naughty one in the Ye family. To win favor, she even lets the master do it from behind and gives the master a T-job. She’s worse than the cheapest whore in the brothel…”
"Also, she appears to be following your lead, but secretly she is practicing witchcraft and praying that the baby in her belly is a boy. In my opinion, if she really gets pregnant with a boy, she will definitely be thinking about things that she shouldn't be thinking about!"
"And the news of your death before was most likely related to her. She acted really hard just now to ask you to help her family. In my opinion, she deserves a good beating!" At the end, a hint of murderous intent appeared in Qiqige's eyes.
In response, An Miaoyi just picked up the teacup, took a sip and said calmly:
"She is ambitious, but whether she gives birth to a son or not, she has no chance. Besides, the Bai family is a great help, so even if she has some tricks, I should give her a chance. What's more, she came to me crying, and my husband would know about it, so I have to comfort her at least!"
Qiqige heard this and said sincerely:
“Madam is really kind-hearted and doesn’t bother with that bitch Bai Yuanyuan! I really hope she can feel your kindness and stop causing trouble behind her back, otherwise I will be the first one to not forgive her…”
Looking at the indignant Qiqige, An Miaoyi just smiled, then seemed to have thought of something and asked Qiqige:
"Is there anything wrong with Tian Yu?"
Due to the busy affairs in the mansion at this stage, and it is not very convenient to go out to see An Tianyu, An Miaoyi has not seen An Tianyu for more than half a month. She is also a little worried about her brother who has always been in poor health!
Seeing An Miaoyi asking this, Qiqige hesitated for a moment and said
"Everything is basically normal with Master Tian Yu, but Nanny Sun also reported something!"
Seeing Qiqige hesitate to speak, An Miaoyi's expression became serious and ordered:
"If you have anything to say, just tell me!"
Qiqige carefully organized her words and said:
"Madame Sun sent a message saying that Master Tian Yu seems to be in love with a maid in their house!"
"Maidmaid?"
An Miaoyi asked back in surprise:
Because An Tianyu was in poor health and couldn't have sex, An Miaoyi arranged many women in their thirties or forties to go there, and there were only two or three maids whose looks were very ordinary, just to prevent An Tianyu from losing control of herself. But now it seems that her efforts were in vain...
Facing An Miaoyi's gaze, Qiqige nodded and said:
"According to Nanny Sun, after Xiao Ruolan came, Master Tian Yu asked for sex several times, but Xiao Ruolan always told Master Tian Yu to take care of his health, which only allowed Master Tian Yu to take advantage of her. Master Tian Yu couldn't get anything from Xiao Ruolan, so he fooled around with a maid!"
Hearing this answer, An Miaoyi shook her head helplessly, secretly sighing in her heart that all men are really the same!
After pondering for a moment, An Miaoyi asked Qiqige:
"Does Xiao Ruolan know about this?"
"Madame Sun said she probably doesn't know!" Qiqige answered truthfully.
An Miaoyi said with some dissatisfaction after hearing this:
"If you know, you know. If you don't know, you don't know. Why use "should"?"
Seeing that An Miaoyi seemed a little angry, Qiqige said cautiously:
"I asked Madam Sun the same question, but she said she couldn't tell for sure. She said that based on her intuition, Xiao Ruolan should know that Master Tian Yu was having an affair with the maid, but she had no evidence to prove it!"
Hearing this answer, An Miaoyi frowned and remained silent for a while before slowly saying:
“Get rid of that maid…”
"Yes!"
(End of this chapter)