Deposed Empress General Chapter 49

But Zuo Canglang never returned to court, as she stayed in Mayi city for half a month, and used the provisions attained in Mayi city to maintain the army's usage.

One or two days, wasn't much, but after a few days, the royal court began to comment on it. Jiang Sanyi said, "Your majesty, Zuo Canglang knows that the royal treasuries are empty, and that it is difficult to raise military provisions, but she keeps on being unwilling to return to court. Currently, she has delayed for half a month, so it is obvious that she is acting arrogant now that she has attained military merit! It seems that if your majesty does not award her, she will not return to court."

Once these words were said, Bao Zhengshu and the others looked at each other, their gazes all displayed a little bit of caution.

Even though their factions were different, Bao Zhengshu still said a line, "Minister Jiang, General Zuo has just managed to be victorious over Western Jing, and actually managed to seize Mayi city. She has managed to exert some of Great Yan's anger. Currently, although she has delayed a few days, your speaking these words, aren't they overly serious?"

Jiang Sanyi took a look at him, saying, "I was just speaking the truth, so how is it too serious?"

Seeing the two people bickering before his eyes, Gan Xiaoru said, "Your majesty, General Zuo continues to delay the date of returning to the capital, which is rather objectionable, so perhaps we should send a military observer over from the imperial court? On one hand, they could understand the situation, and on the other hand, they could also appropriately pass along the imperial will, ah."

Murong Yan looked over everyone, a long time later, saying, "Since she is unwilling to return to the capital, she must have her own reasons for lingering. As the general it outside, the ruler's edicts, there are some that cannot be accepted. What are you all worrying over."

Jiang Sanyi was startled, and the other officials all wanted to say more, but Murong Yan said, "Minister Jiang."

Jiang Sanyi quickly knelt, "This subject is here."

Murong Yan said, "You are the minister, and also the royal father-in-law. Without evidence or proof, you've publicly accused a first-ranked coworker, do you understand your fault?"

Jiang Sanyi was startled, "Your majesty!" Though he wanted to argue, but when he raised his head and saw Murong Yan's expression, he immediately said, "This subject knows my wrongs! This subject henceforth will definitely speak carefully, so I hope your majesty will forgive this wrong!"

Murong Yan said, "Thus it is for the best, as seeing that it was unintentional on your part, I'll just punish you to not receive half a year's worth of salary then."

Jiang Sanyi kowtowed to the ground, "This subject thanks your grace!"

The royal court was quiet and silent, and Murong Yan deeply said, "Since all the present beloved subjects don't have any other matters to report, then court is recessed."

Wang Yunzhao loudly proclaimed, "Court is recessed."

When Jiang Sanyi walked out of the hall, his head was covered in cold sweat. Zheng Zhizhou followed behind him, quietly saying, "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law only said a few truthful words, and his majesty already ignored one's reputation, and publicly issued a punishment, ah?"

Jiang Sanyi quickly walked out, saying, "Silence, don't say more."

Gan Xiaoru followed behind, and was equivalently covered in a thin layer of sweat----- how did this Jiang Sanyi view the situation, as he had almost gotten himself to follow along into a pit.

Only Bao Zhengshu and the others frowned---- historically, the relationship between military officials and the ruler was the most vulnerable. Pairs like Murong Yuan and Wenqi were already rare, and currently, it looked like, Murong Yan's trust towards Zuo Canglang, was unsurpassed by that pair.

Within the palace, Jiang Bilan was currently having tea, when Hui Yun entered, saying, "Your ladyship, today in court, the minister only mentioned that Zuo Canglang was being arrogant in her military effort, and had delayed the time, and was unwilling to return to court, and was scolded by his majesty. I also heard that he was punished with half a year's worth of salary."

Jiang Bilan was startled, asking, "General Zuo, is it Zuo Canglang?"

Hui Yun said, "In this royal court, other than her, is there another General Zuo with such a high standing? Seeing that the military report had already been return to Jinyang for half a month, but she remains there, unmoving. She also hasn't established the schedule for returning to court. Our family's minister also only mentioned that perhaps she was awaiting his majesty's award? And his majesty thus punished him."

Jiang Bilan said, "Has his majesty already recessed court? Did Wang Yunzhao send someone over to notify us? Will he come over?"

Hui Yun said, "Hasn't yet, and also don't know if his majesty will because of the matter with the minister, remain angry."

Jiang Bilan said, "Father has been an official for many years, and has always been careful, so why would he suddenly speak against Zuo Canglang in court today?"

Hui Yun said, "This matter, this servant doesn't know."

Jiang Bilan said, "Then don't bother with him, since his majesty also only punished him with half a year's worth of salary, it's also not anything."

That night, Murong Yan was just in the study, when outside, someone charged inside. Wang Yunzhao was just about to go and stop him, but seeing that it was Wang Nan, he couldn't help but let him inside. Murong Yan raised his head, and seeing him, couldn't help but stand up, asking, "What's the matter that you're worried like this?"

Wang Nan was in such a rush that he couldn't catch his breath, saying, "Your majesty, General Zuo's old wounds acted up again, and for the sake of drawing out the enemy, at White Wolf Lake, had suffered another arrow from Ren Xuan. After we attacked into Mayi city, she has been stuck in bed. But we have sent reports thrice to Jinyang city, and have not received a single reply from your majesty. The general ordered this soldier to rush back overnight, and to see your majesty to report the situation clearly!"

Murong Yan slowly sat down, asking, "Is General Zuo injured very seriously?"

Wang Nan said, "Reporting to your majesty, it is very serious! When this soldier left, General Zuo already couldn't write, and the letter was written by the military adviser in her place."

Murong Yan quickly ripped open the letter, on top of it, was written, "Since I haven't received a return letter from your majesty, I think that perhaps at the moment, the report has fallen into the hands of those will ill intent. Currently although the enemies have been pushed back, but their villainous hearts have not ceased. Once the news of this subject's heavy injuries are spread, they will definitely attack again. The hard fought gains made over several days, would be ruined in one sweet. Thus, this subject will continue to stay in Mayi city, so the enemies will believe it is a ploy to bait them, and not dare to recklessly advance."

At the end of the letter, there wasn't a seal, but it had the addition of a safety knot.

Murong Yan took a look at Wang Nan, saying, "You are dismissed."

Wang Nan said, "Your majesty! Currently Suye city has been retaken, and Mayi city is even more like an empty city. The general guards the empty city alone, unable to withdraw. But once this matter is learned of by the enemy, they only need ten thousand people to take the city, and Mayi city will be lost. The general has contracted a heavy illness, and cannot move, so at that time, how can she protect herself, ah? I would beg your majesty to immediately send reinforcements, to head towards Mayi city to assist, to save the general, ah!"

Murong Yan said, "I've accounted for it, you're dismissed!"

After Wang Nan was brought away, Wang Yunzhao finally said, "Your majesty, what has really happened?"

Murong Yan tossed him the report, and after he read it, he also entered deep thought, "Your majesty! That Mayi city that was just taken, currently, its defenses are thinner than a piece of paper. Tu He, Gu Zhu, Western Jing, any faction, as long as they stab at it, it would break apart.

Currently, the three factions all coveted Mayi city. Western Jing's large armies weren't far, and Gu Zhu was lingering about like a tiger, and Tu He also appeared near by, planning on getting a piece of the pie.

And Zuo Canglang's old wounds had once again erupted, and with the addition of new wounds, she was just like this, staying in that lonely city, not moving as she guarded it for fifteen days.

And at this time, the most impatient ones were of course Murong Yuan and abolished crown prince Murong Ruo. The two had, after much difficulty, finally found this opportunity, and put in a lot of effort to persuade the three factions to attack. Murong Yuan originally had quite a few members in court, and although he was currently like a bird in a cage, but finding a few loyal old subjects was still possible.

He had seized the three military reports Zuo Canglang had sent to Jinyang, and learned of the plight of Mayi city, so he immediately brought the letters to convince Western Jing and Gu Zhu to attack Mayi city. As long as Mayi city was in chaos, Murong Yan must send aid, and once he left Jinyang city, he would once again have an opportunity.

He knew Zuo Canglang would definitely be aware of the matter, because ultimately, the news within the army was sent very quickly, and her plight, Murong Yan would immediately respond to. But currently, it had already been half a month, and not only Murong Yan hadn't made a movement, but even Zuo Canglang had always stayed in Mayi city.

Western Jing, Gu Zhu, and Tu He, no single faction dared to move recklessly. This person, Zuo Canglang, made them feel frightened, afraid that this was once again some bait to draw her enemies. Especially now, as she had obviously learned of the matter that her reports had been intercepted, but she still didn't have any indication of withdrawing her troops.

The large army wasn't retreating, so did they still intend on continuing the fight?

It had been many days since Murong Yan had gone to visit Jiang Bilan, and he ordered Zhou Xin to escort provisions, sending unending trains of provisions to Mayi city. Zhou Xin actually found it very strange, as all that Murong Yan had been able to accrue, in total, was only the three hundred thousand some pieces of silver from Wen Weishu's estate. How could he have so many more food carts?

But he didn't dare to ask, since Murong Yan had issued the order, he could only continuously send them on.

Western Jing, Gu Zhu, and the others already had spies in Great Yan, and although the highest security areas they could not enter, but the matter of sending military provisions could not be hidden from them. Hearing that Murong Yan continued to send food to Mayi city, Western Jing and the others had even more suspicions that the situation was a trap, and didn't dare to move recklessly.

In the night, Murong Yan told Wang Yunzhao, "Wang Yunzhao, I want to make a trip to Mayi city."

Wang Yunzhao was greatly shocked, "Your majesty, with the current situation, how could you still go to Mayi city?"

Murong Yan said, "No matter, I believe Western Jing and Gu Zhu won't attack Mayi city again." Saying thus, he stopped, saying, "Ah Zuo...... I am a bit worried about."

Wang Yunzhao said, "General Zuo h as always persevered, and perhaps they are only small injuries, not to the extent that she would be unable to rise from bed. Although your majesty is still worried, you still can't lightly enter danger, ah! What if......"

Murong Yan said, "What if Western Jing, Gu Zhu breached the city, and once this king makes an appearance, they would even more so be convinced that we have long made preparations. But as to who is ultimately manipulating this event from behind, we all know in our hearts. If news of my departure from Jinyang is spread, I only fear that father king and royal older brother would be even more impatient. You"

Mayi city, when Zuo Canglang awoke, the light filtering into the tent was weak. She only felt pain in her chest, as her old wounds had torn, the pain far surpassing that of her new wounds. She struggled to get up, suddenly seeing a shadow by the edge of her bed.

She had been unconscious for many days, and her gaze had a certain disorientation, but grasping her bow in her hands, she discovered that that shadow was actually Murong Yan! Zuo Canglang knelt down, "Lord master, am I dreaming of you again?"

Murong Yan didn't answer, but raised her right hand, "That's right, other than you, what else could I dream of?"

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After Zuo Canglang finished speaking, she shut her eyes again, her forehead was burning hot, and her face was flushed, her lips parched and cracked. Murong Yan stretched his hand to test her forehead, saying, "How did the military doctors apply their usual medication? You're sick to this extent and there's no one watching over you?"

Zuo Canglang at this, finally opened her eyes again to look at him, then after another moment, as though she had recovered her senses, asked, "Lord master? You...... how come you came?"

Murong Yan said, "If I continued to not come, Western Jing's people would need to attack before you would have perished from illness!"

Zuo Canglang shook her head, "I'm fine, it's just that I have a bit of a headache."

Murong Yan angrily said, "Where is the military doctor? In your army, there are ten's of military doctors, and not a single one is taking care of you in your camp! Having you lead troops, and you just lead troops like this!"

Zuo Canglang only felt a humming in her ears, she said, "They all went out to look for medical herbs."

Murong Yan was startled, and Zuo Canglang revealed a smile to him, showing a bit of humility. Beneath the lamp, it looked a little bit mischievous. "When we came, Suye was already lost, and there were wounded soldiers everywhere. Afterwards, we kept on fighting, and the military doctors were unable to keep up with treating everyone. They are also short on medicine, so how could they stay and guard over me alone."

Murong Yan sat down at her bedside, saying, "You are the commander in chief, and when you came, couldn't the royal doctors have prepared all the medicines you would need sufficiently?"

Zuo Canglang said, "They need it even more, as we can't possibly ignore those that are about to die and not treat them, ah."

Murong Yan lightly brushed her face, "You're such a person, that should not have appeared on the battlefield."

Zuo Canglang smiled, the warmth made her unable to be too conscious, and she lightly said, "That's right, if my father didn't die, perhaps I would appear in a rear court, occasionally embroidering a flower, sew the sole of a shoe. And when I came of again, a better family would award a scholar, and perhaps I could become the bride of an official. Or if not that, I could also marry a hunter, eating light meals, wearing our plain clothes, but also living peaceful lives without worries."

Murong Yan said, "But you, right now, are Great Yan's Biao Qi Great General. Even if it isn't silk gowns and extravagant meals, but it is also a high official with a promising future, isn't it good?"

Zuo Canglang said, "I don't know. Sometimes I feel that things this way are very good, but then other times, when I feel the splatter of blood on me, it makes me scared."

Murong Yan lied down by her side, asking, "If time repeated itself again, do you hope to return to the time when your father was still alive?"

Zuo Canglang said, "Of course I wish, ah, I would definitely save his life." Murong Yan smiled, "And then continue the lifestyle you described?"

Zuo Canglang said, "And then I would run away, and meet lord master."

Murong Yan slowly shut his eyes, the world was filled with darkness, and by their ears, there was only the sound of the cold wind blowing through the tent. He said, "The romantic words you said are very moving."

How could there be someone, who spoke romantic words in such a moving manner? No matter who heard it, they would all lose their hearts.

He slowly held her hand, those five fingers were hot at the touch, and held them in his palm, as though a flame had been ignited in his palm.