Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 1580 - 1575: Raising the Army

Bai Qingyan pointed again at a location not far from Jiujiang, which now includes Yunzhong and Suan, two cities under the Zhou’s control: "Mobilize the soldiers from Yunzhong and Suan and create two ambushes along the routes that must be taken to reach Jiujiang and Xiping City! The first ambush should kill as many as possible, and once Jiujiang’s troops attack, feign retreat towards Xiping City. King of Jiujiang is inherently cautious; seeing this, he’ll definitely send scouts. As long as they discover another ambush up ahead, he’ll suspect that our retreat was a bait and won’t dare advance. If we can stall him for a day, we’ll capture Xiping and wait for the Anping Army to arrive..."

Bai Qingyan drew a circle in the direction of Jiujiang: "Then, we will advance westward and eradicate Jiujiang!"

"Thus, dealing with Jiujiang, setting ambushes here is crucial!" Bai Qingjue exclaimed, looking towards his eldest sister. "Eldest sister, leave this to me!"

"Eldest sister... please let me handle it!" Bai Jinzhi lifted the cotton curtain and entered, clasping her fists in request.

Bai Qingyan raised her eyes towards the doorway and saw Bai Jinzhi standing there resolutely.

"I am Gaoyi King of Zhou and somewhat famous in military matters. If I set the ambush and then feign defeat... it’ll further convince King of Jiujiang that a major force lies ahead!" Bai Jinzhi stated.

Xiao Ruojiang was slightly surprised by Bai Jinzhi’s firm attitude in requesting the task, originally intending to ask for permission to lead the troops himself after Bai Qingjue requested the task.

Bai Qingyan beckoned Bai Jinzhi over, watching her obediently approach, "The best ambush locations between Jiujiang and Xiping City are these two points, remember them... If King of Jiujiang doesn’t send troops, you cannot advance towards Jiujiang to provoke him! Just stay put here! If you encounter Jiujiang King’s ambush group, don’t linger in battle too long. You’re young, renowned for your military achievements, and courageous outside, the quicker and more decisively you retreat, the more suspicious King of Jiujiang will be."

"Understood, eldest sister!" Bai Jinzhi responded.

Bai Qingyan set the ambush between Jiujiang and Xiping City just in case King of Jiujiang sends troops; it would be ideal if he doesn’t move when she attacks Xiping City.

"Brother Xiaolong, please accompany Jinzhi..." Bai Qingyan still felt uneasy about Bai Jinzhi fighting alone and desired Xiao Ruojiang to accompany her for protection.

"Yes!" Xiao Ruojiang acknowledged.

After making thorough arrangements, Bai Qingyan and her group had breakfast, then instructed Bai Qingjue and Xiao Ruojiang to rest and conserve energy, leaving only Bai Jinzhi.

"I heard you told Lu Yuanpeng yesterday... you’d marry him once he awakens?" Bai Qingyan’s brows furrowed slightly, "Did you know Lu Yuanpeng is betrothed to a girl from the Wei family?"

"Eldest sister..." Bai Jinzhi lowered her head, "Before departing from Dadu City, I... I overheard Lu Yuanpeng speaking with Sima Ping."

Lu Yuanpeng told Sima Ping that he could give anything Sima Ping wanted, even his life, but not her!

Bai Jinzhi stood behind the wall; when Lu Yuanpeng uttered those words of severing ties, she watched the color drain completely from Sima Ping’s face, watched Sima Ping’s eyes turn colder, wishing she could rush out and beat Lu Yuanpeng until even his grandfather didn’t recognize him.

Why does he always demand Sima Ping yield to him? Why hurt Sima Ping so much! Especially... who she marries should be her own decision; she’s not an object to be claimed or yielded!

But, when the official said Lu Yuanpeng was near death, she really didn’t know what to do.

If Lu Yuanpeng dies, not only would this friend feel guilty, but Sima Ping might also never get over it.

Sima Ping and Lu Yuanpeng, such good friends, their last meeting marred by arguments... by severed ties.

Sima Ping might not say it, but Bai Jinzhi knows; despite appearing rebellious, he shares the same decadent lifestyle as Lu Yuanpeng but carries much delicacy in his thinking and never thought of competing with Lu Yuanpeng for anything.

Otherwise... he wouldn’t have rushed to find her after hearing about Lu Yuanpeng’s engagement, inquiring about Lu Yuanpeng’s position in her heart, and subtly revealing his feelings.

Bai Qingyan watched Bai Jinzhi’s miserable appearance and understood...

"So, you acted recklessly, thinking perhaps if you voluntarily declared you’d marry him, Lu Yuanpeng might awaken..." Bai Qingyan raised her hand, gently stroking Bai Jinzhi’s head, sighed so faintly it was almost unheard, "Jinzhi, valuing your friendship and going all out for Lu Yuanpeng’s life isn’t wrong, but you shouldn’t use this matter to deceive him."

Bai Jinzhi knelt beside Bai Qingyan, tears flowing profusely.

No matter how brave the female general is, when faced with matters of affection... she’ll become bewildered.

Bai Qingyan could see it; whether Bai Jinzhi liked Sima Ping or not she didn’t dare to say, it’s just... Lu Yuanpeng is indeed her cherished friend, otherwise, Bai Jinzhi, with her character, would have already rebutted her.

"In this world, only matters of affection... can’t be reasoned!" She withdrew a handkerchief to wipe her fourth sister’s tears, "Forget it; I’ll instruct people not to spread it; just pretend it never happened..."

·

As the golden crow descended westward, the sunset radiated through the rolling clouds, and the training ground was adorned with fluttering banners, shimmering with cold, metallic glows.

The slanted sunlight cast a golden sheen over the soldiers’ armor and weapons, from afar resembling celestial troops descending to the mortal world.

Rows of soldiers and horses stood ready, each with resolute brows and stern murderous intent, exuding a majestic aura.

Bai Qingyan, clad in silver armor, stood in the fiery afterglow, proud and confident, addressing her soldiers in a voice both steady and penetrating: "I once declared that the true purpose of war is not slaughter, but peace! I... do not wish to ignite flames of war in this world, unwilling to sacrifice soldiers, unwilling to see the people suffer the scourge of war, thus... though Zhou has power to destroy Yan, we’d rather cease weapons and wager on national unity!"

"Now, Yan Kingdom once again breaches its oath, the Vassal King wielding weapons against our Zhou during negotiations! This makes me realize... peace and unity is just my delusion, true unity under heaven... can only be achieved through real battles fought by our Zhou soldiers!" Bai Qingyan slowly paced, enduring the leg pain to walk to the front of the Dianjiang Terrace, "Since peace and unity is a foolish dreamm, today our Zhou will draw swords, unify through might, annihilate Yan! Let the world return to one under our rule again! So that the people don’t suffer the ravages of war... for our descendants not to witness rivers of blood, rise up in arms, create everlasting peace!"

"Today’s battle! Marks the beginning of annihilating Yan, also the beginning of creating a peaceful and prosperous era!" Bai Qingyan drew her sword, pointing it northward, "Execute the Vassal King, destroy Yan!"

"Destroy Yan!"

"Destroy Yan!"

"Destroy Yan!" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Numerous soldiers raised their spears and swords, their three calls resonating through the sky.

The drums and horns sounded together, Bai Qingjue rode swiftly, shouting the command to advance.

In an instant, the training ground surged with army movements, dust rising everywhere, banners flapping furiously.

Bai Qingyan led the charge, spearheading the army’s advance.