NOVEL WEB Chapter 64
Leading the army of the Shang Kingdom was General Zhao Xilong, whose status was equivalent to that of the Grand General Chai Yulang of the Xia Kingdom.
Exceptionally capable and fiercely loyal, he was thus entrusted with a mission of great importance.
The primary duty of a general is to protect his sovereignty and country.
Yet now, he witnessed the rear of his own nation being breached, and the monarch he had sworn to defend was bound tightly by the enemy, an utter disgrace for his entire life!
Moreover, his own family was also inside.
This scene was simply too much for him to bear!
Gnashing his teeth in fury, his eyes ablaze with anger, he wished he could slaughter everyone before him to wash away the disgrace!
But after all, he was a seasoned general, and he remained very calm as he said in a deep voice, “Release His Majesty and everyone else, and I will let you pass!”
“Excellent! I like people like you!”
Lin Beifan clapped his hands and said, “However, your tone displeases me greatly! I command you to immediately lay down your weapons, remove your armor, and clear a path for me and my entourage to leave! Once we are safe, we will naturally release His Majesty and everyone else!”Laying down their weapons and removing their armor was tantamount to putting their lives in the enemy’s hands.
Clearing a path for them to leave was tantamount to putting the lives of His Majesty and the others in the enemy’s hands.
It was too passive a situation, and General Zhao could not accept it!
“Don’t even think about it! What if you break your promise?”
“If I break the promise, then it’s broken. Do you have any other choice? Or are you saying you no longer care for their lives? Well then, I would be more than happy to oblige!” Lin Beifan drew a sword and placed it against the neck of the Emperor of Shang Kingdom.
Feeling the cold steel against his neck, the Emperor of Shang panicked and bellowed, “All troops, heed my command! Lay down your weapons, remove your armor, and clear a path for the Xia army to pass through!”
Moments later, no one moved; everyone’s gaze turned to General Zhao.
General Zhao also remained still, only his eyes grew more furious.
Lin Beifan let out a slight smile, “Big brother, it seems your reign as Emperor isn’t quite effective; no one is listening to your orders, eh?”
The sword in his hand inched even closer.
It seemed that with just a bit more pressure, blood vessels would burst.
The Emperor of the Shang Kingdom felt his body hair stand on end. Having become even more panicked, he bellowed frantically: “Are you deaf? Can’t you hear my words? Lay down your weapons and remove your armor immediately! Otherwise, you will be charged with the crime of treason!”
General Zhao finally compromised, reluctantly commanding: “All troops, heed my order, lay down your weapons, remove your armor!”
Clatter, clatter, weapons fell to the ground in succession.
Rustle, rustle, armors were shed one after another.
About the time it took to brew a cup of tea later, all the weapons and armor were laid on the ground.
General Zhao waved his hand, and the great army of the Shang Kingdom made way.
“Is this enough?”
“That’s more like it!”
Lin Beifan was pleased. “All troops, heed my command, return to the capital!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The entire army responded and then marched with vigor and pride through the gap.
“Hold on, I almost forgot!”
Lin Beifan turned around, smiling slyly. “All these weapons and armors are fine items indeed. Someone, pick up all the weapons and armors on the ground!”
“What do you think you’re doing?” General Zhao bellowed furiously.
These weapons and armors were crafted at great expense by the Shang Kingdom, each piece exceedingly valuable. To them, they were as precious as life itself.
Without weapons and armor, how can one compete with others?
The enemy actually wanted to take away the weapons and armor, something he could never agree to!
“What are we trying to do, you know very well!” Lin Beifan once again placed his sword against the neck of the Shang Kingdom Emperor: “Choose one of the two options, it’s your decision!”
The Shang Kingdom Emperor bellowed: “I command you, do not resist and let them take the weapons and armor! Whoever disobeys my command, I shall exterminate their entire family line!”
The entire army remained unmoved, once again looking towards General Zhao.
The Shang Kingdom Emperor continued to roar: “General Zhao, say something, do you intend to defy the imperial order?”
General Zhao compromised once again, helplessly declaring, “All troops, heed my command—let them… take it away!”
Thus, the weapons and armor of the Shang Kingdom all became the possessions of Lin Beifan, filling dozens of carts to the brim, which then departed heavily with spoils.
The Shang Kingdom’s army watched the Xia army leave arrogantly, a fire of frustration burning in their hearts.
They hated the enemy’s arrogance as much as they hated their own incompetence.
After so many battles, they had never felt as humiliated as they did today.
Especially General Zhao, whose heart was filled with raging fury.
“One day,”
He vowed, “I will lead my troops into the Xia Kingdom, capture the foolish emperor, and wash away this disgrace!”
……
After spending a day, Lin Beifan and his companions finally returned to the Xia Kingdom.
Then, keeping their promise, they released the Emperor of the Shang Kingdom and the others.
“Your Majesty, why release them? Keeping them would bring us more benefits…” the Grand General advised.
“Indeed, there are benefits! But now we have pushed them to the limit, and any further pressure will surely cause a backlash. It’s better to quit while we’re ahead!”
Lin Beifan said with a slight smile, “I also wanted to keep them to help us contain other nations!”
Turning around, he waved his hand grandly: “Now, let’s return to the capital!”
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