Chapter 1341 - 328: Marquis’s Residence (Part 2)

Chapter 1341: Chapter 328: Marquis’s Residence (Part 2)

The Chu army, with a tidy military appearance and bright armor, was clearly not the private troops of Chu nobles, but the imperial guards of the Chu royal family.

They had emerged from West Mountain Fort. Facing this emerging force, Gong Wang did not order a direct attack because the opposing side was already prepared for their assault.

Gong Wang remembered, during the military council, Prince Jingnan mentioned that Yangshan Village was a bait set by the Chu, and the army before him was undoubtedly the preemptive arrangement made by the Chu for this bait.

The two armies thus moved with one at the front and the other at the back, seemingly at peace but always separated at a distance facing each other.

The reason for this "spectacle" was that all other forces were mutually guarding against each other, making it impossible to apply pressure from other angles or provide support.

Ultimately, the Chu marched while the Yan escorted, both moving slowly like turtles.

"General, the scout just reported back; Chu troops also emerged from East Mountain Fort. Gongsun Zhi’s division made the same choice as ours." Deputy Lin Xu reported.

"Mm."

Gong Wang nodded.

"General, over at Yangshan Village, it’s been more than a day and there’s still no outcome." Lin Xu said worriedly.

"Why worry? After all, it’s Lord Pingye. Could there really be any unforeseen accident?"

"Better safe than sorry..."

"There won’t be any accidents." Gong Wang seemed very confident, "Some people are destined to stand in the spotlight, admired by others; Prince Jingnan is such a person, and so is Lord Pingye.

Such individuals thrive best on grand stages and will never falter in critical moments."

"General, you never used to speak this way."

"Before the battle, Prince Jingnan had placed my division and Gongsun Zhi’s division under Lord Pingye’s command, so naturally, I hope for some good fortune for us, right?"

"It’s just, I don’t think the general is someone who enjoys being subordinate to others."

Now, as the army was advancing, Gong Wang was surrounded by his trusted guards, allowing him to speak more freely.

"It’s not about being subordinate, it’s the current political situation. The Yan are above, and we Jin people naturally have to be below. In today’s Three Jin land, it’s really difficult for Jin people to rise up.

Even for this general, it’s only due to the legacy of the late emperor that I continue, as a Jin general, to play a significant role in these times.

Therefore, this attack on Chu is extremely crucial.

Nowadays, Jin people stand below the Yan, and there’s nothing that can be done about it. But as long as Town South Pass is broken, and the military penetrates Chu territory, even if Chu State isn’t annihilated, at least there will be some Chu people below us Jin, making us no longer at the very bottom.

Moreover, the real wish of the Yan isn’t to attack Chu, but to assault Qian. This assault on Chu, using the national strength, is essentially because Chu State must be weakened for Jin land to be stabilized, attacking Chu is also to secure Jin land."

"Secure our Jin land?"

"Yes, only when Jin land is stable will the Yan relax their defense of Yan and Jin, not to mention that this general has shamelessly sat in this position with no discontent in heart.

As for you and Lin Er, there will finally be real opportunities for advancement in the future."

Lin Er, Gong Wang’s son, Gong Lin, currently serves as a pioneering general in the army, leading a troop to pressure the Chu army from all sides.

After a pause,

Gong Wang continued:

"Additionally, placing my division and Gongsun Zhi’s division under the command of Lord Pingye might carry deeper reasons, which I view not as merely coordinating this offensive, nor simply assigning a leader to our eastern forces.

But it holds the embryonic form for post-war commendation and reward.

Once Town South Pass falls, the eastern Jin land, long devastated due to frequent wars, will be restored to our control. If the Chu State is destroyed in one battle, that would be ideal, if not, this eastern Jin area can continue to restrain Chu State on one hand, alert the wild people on the other, and also intimidate the whole Three Jin land.

"The general’s idea is that Town South Pass will also be guarded by Lord Pingye?"

"Perhaps, but Lord Pingye already holds Snow Sea Pass, assigning Town South Pass might be inappropriate. In this general’s view, Gongsun Zhi’s division may be fit to guard Town South Pass in the future.

My division, most likely, will guard the current Fengxin City, allowing my three divisions to secure the vital eastern Jin area into the future.

Above the three divisions, there should be an office established, not as comparable to the Yan’s Earl of North Border and Lord Jingnan, but only slightly subordinate to them.

Remember, Lord Pingye carries the title of Great General of the Cheng State;

By then, Lord Pingye will materially control Snow Sea Pass, nominally overseeing Gongsun Zhi’s division and my division, making the title of Great General of the Cheng State truly substantive."

"The court has planned this step for a long time?" Lin Xu was astonished.

"Unclear, uncertain, but when the Yan initially crushed the Helian family and the Wenren family, by first having Emperor Jin personally open the South Gate Pass, then having various villages at South Gate Pass defect, it was evident how much effort the Yan put into this region in recent years.

Back then, eastern countries referred to Yan as Yan Barbarians, but actually, the current Yan Emperor understands better than any past ruler the strategy of deliberating before acting.

If indeed the decision was made early to entrust this area to one person for guarding, in terms of sentiment, reason, merit, and service, Lord Pingye would be the most suitable choice.