bookrebus Chapter 396 Setting Off Ahead of Schedule
Chapter 396 Setting Off Ahead of Schedule
Although Tiansheng wasn't as wealthy as Emperor Beizun's Great Zhou, it was still far richer than their Great Yong. Sikong Jin loved this kind of easy war profit! It was much faster than the money she made from running the Hilton!
Therefore, wherever she went, she would first go back to scout out the situation in the city or town. Once she had captured it, she would immediately affix her personal seal to the gate of the wealthiest official's house in the city. The seal usually read something like this—
'This is an appointment made by Lord Sikong Jin, Deputy Commander of the Great Yong Military Command. Anyone who disobeys will be executed without exception!'
As a result, after sweeping through the enemy lines, Sikong Jin's guards were all brimming with money. They hired some caravans to transport these goods directly back to Malan City.
This made Meng Benbo and his companions so jealous that their eyes turned red, and they kept cursing Lord Sikong for being so unkind!
Of course, after the news of the defeat at Yingzhou spread, Tiansheng was in such turmoil that many people had already considered surrendering. So, in several places, as soon as Sikong Jin revealed the unit number of her main force, the people on the city walls scrambled down in a panic, opening the city gates to welcome them. Their homes often prepared the finest food and wine, delicacies from land and sea, to entertain them. Knowing that Lord Sikong seemed to have some special hobbies, they also prepared very beautiful entertainers for her, and of course, beautiful women!
They even played music to welcome them and set up a ceremonial guard; the setup was almost like welcoming a head of state.
Seeing this, Lady Sikong's self-satisfied majesty instantly surged. She finally felt that Emperor Beizun, who no longer possessed the natural kingly demeanor, was in her way, and she finally had the opportunity to show off endlessly. So she very coldly rejected the invitations from the nobles, officials, and generals in the city, showing them no respect whatsoever.
The city's high-ranking officials and nobles were immediately alarmed, fearing that this aloof commander might order a massacre of the city if he became displeased. So, after further discussion, they prepared a large number of lavish gifts and treasures to send to Sikong Jin.
When Lady Sikong heard that they were bringing a large number of gifts, she actually refused. However, the bright eyes of Captain Berger, the captain of the guard, made her change her mind.
She spoke coolly, confidently, and stylishly to her bodyguard captain, Berger, "Lord Berger, the soldiers have worked so hard. If we accept these gifts, we can sell them for a good price someday, and I'll feed them wine, meat, and even find beautiful women for them every day... So, to encourage and inspire the soldiers' determination to fight bravely, I've decided to accept these gifts. Go back and tell them they can't do this again! I'm an honest official, and I've always regarded these sugar-coated bullets as dirt. Their blatant bribery of me is an insult to my dignity. However, considering it's their first offense, I'll forgive them this time... Lord Berger, are your eyes uncomfortable? Why are they rolling back? I have some sparkling eye drops here..."
Berger has recently had a completely different opinion of this superior. Although he always puts on a cold and aloof act, and does it quite well, she has long seen through his various reasons for trying to cover up his greed!
No wonder Lieutenant General Mei Ruhua said that even if the lord is a greedy big bad wolf, he is not only greedy, but also...
Berger sighed, then took out the invitation he had just received from the mayor and nobles of Zhoujia Town and handed it to Lord Sikong. “My lord, this is an invitation from the mayor and nobles of Zhoujia Town. The brothers ahead met them while they were looking for water. They knew that your men were nearby, so they immediately prepared good wine and food to welcome you. Please rest assured, my lord, the soldiers have surrounded Zhoujia Town. Not even a fly can get out.”
"No! No, no! I really don't want to deal with these people. I still need to discuss tea ceremony with Vice General Meng later."
Lord Sikong refused impatiently, looking righteous.
"My lord, isn't this a bit inappropriate? Since they are so sincere, we can avoid the trouble of fighting a battle and still take them down. Why not do it?"
Berger laughed.
After thinking about it, Lord Sikong also found it to be quite reasonable. "That makes sense. After all, they are surrendering to us. This can be considered as promoting the superiority of our policy towards prisoners of war. I should go and make a trip. In that case, go and call Vice General Meng and the others immediately. We will go together!"
The moment Lord Sikong finished speaking, Meng Benbo's voice came from outside—
"My lord! My lord! Your lover... oh no, my lord! His Majesty the Northern Emperor has sent a letter!"
Emperor Beizun?
How did he know her whereabouts? Shouldn't he still be in Yingzhou City, or on the official road leading directly from Yingzhou City to Tiansheng Imperial City?
Lord Sikong raised an eyebrow in confusion, too lazy to think too much about it, and took the letter, opening it directly. Inside was only a single, aloof sentence from someone—
They rushed to the Heavenly Sacred City to meet up with General Meng and the others.
—Imperial North!
It seemed like something was missing, and Lord Sikong was somewhat displeased, but he didn't show it. He neatly crumpled the letter into powder.
"My lord, what has His Majesty written?"
Before Meng Benbo could even read it, he saw that Sikong Jin had already destroyed the letter, and asked in surprise.
Lord Sikong clapped his hands leisurely, then turned to Berger and said, "Lord Berger, go and check that batch of goods. Once you're sure there are no problems, ship them directly back to Maran City. After this deal, we'll get down to business."
As she spoke, she stepped out of the tent and stood in front of the door, gazing into the distance. Her beautiful eyes, as bright as stars, flickered for a moment before she spoke, “Seven days. We must take Ganzhou City within seven days and then rush to Tiansheng Imperial City to join up with the 500,000 troops of the Great Zhou.”
"Seven days? My lord, Ganzhou City is not close to the Heavenly Saint Imperial City. At our current speed... and we don't even know the situation in Ganzhou City yet..."
"Don't worry, I've decided to set off early today to personally investigate the situation. I'll entrust the task of leading the army forward to you two. When we get near Ganzhou City, don't take any action yet; just follow my instructions."
Lord Sikong spoke in a serious tone, a wise glint in his eyes, which startled the two men.
"Yes, sir! This subordinate understands!"
After a while, the two clasped their hands in response.
"Sir, are you still going to the welcome banquet in Zhoujia Town tonight?"
Berger asked cautiously.
Upon hearing this, Lord Sikong raised an eyebrow and said matter-of-factly, “Go! Why wouldn’t you go? They’ve already prepared food and wine; it would be disrespectful not to go! This is about social interaction, understand? Besides, how can you have the energy to work if you don’t eat your fill?”