Chapter 1560 – Attacking Nie Liang and Yang Tao, Sword Pointing to the World (Ninety-Eight)
“Shaoyang is planning to…”
Because Yan Lin obstructed him, Yang Tao could only sulkily give up on his thought of leading troops, little did he expect that Yan Lin, quite rarely, had donned armor.
Yan Lin directly stated, “I will lead the troops to intercept the supplies; Yang Si is cunning and deceptive, we cannot let him escape easily.”
Yang Tao felt increasingly wronged; while his little buddy wouldn’t let him lead the troops to the front lines, he was going himself.
“You’ve known Shaoyang for so many years, and your times dressing like that are few and far between.”
Yang Tao and Yan Lin were brothers who practically grew up in the same pants, closer than blood relatives, knowing each other’s backgrounds all too well.
Despite Yan Lin often dressing in scholar robes and appearing cultured, it didn’t mean the sword at his waist was just for show.
Very few people knew that even a fierce general like Yang Tao had to take Yan Lin seriously in a spar, or he could easily lose.
If Yang Tao weren’t such a handful, Yan Lin would prefer to be a cultured general rather than a strategy advisor; otherwise, why would he be running around cleaning up Yang Tao’s mess? If Yan Lin hadn’t actively put on his battle armor, Yang Tao might’ve nearly forgotten what he looked like in military garb.
The armor Yan Lin wore wasn’t brand new; it still bore marks from previous battles, faintly exuding a fierce aura.
Perhaps due to the armor, Yan Lin’s graceful and warm demeanor was considerably diminished, replaced instead with a hint of heroism.
Hearing Yang Tao’s comment, Yan Lin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
This armor he rarely wore—who was it for?
If only Yang Tao could be a little less troublesome, he wouldn’t mind donning light armor and acting as a military general rather than stuck in the back strategizing. Of course, this situation wasn’t bad either. For Yan Lin, Yang Tao’s well-being was more important than anything.
“Lord, it’s getting dark. We can set off now.”
At that moment, a soldier outside reminded the two.
Yan Lin glanced at the gradually darkening sky and couldn’t help but urge, “Lord, stay cautious and attentive while guarding the rear.”
Yang Tao asked, “Do they still expect to send troops to ambush our water stronghold?”
Yan Lin retorted, “Why wouldn’t that be possible? If we can successfully intercept Liu Xi’s supplies, that would be great. If not, we’ll just have to burn them all down. Once a fire starts, the enemy will surely take action. If they can’t rush to save the granary, launching an attack on our water stronghold is also feasible, barely counting as a ‘surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao’ strategy. Thus, my Lord must not let your guard down tonight; pay close attention.”
Yang Tao understood; he always trusted his buddy’s words, so there was no need for more talk.
“Alright! I will strengthen patrols at various points to ensure the enemy doesn’t take advantage. Shaoyang, be careful too; don’t joke around with your life.” Yan Lin valued Yang Tao deeply, and how could Yang Tao not value his buddy? “I’ll set up a feast here, waiting for your triumphant return.”
Yan Lin clasped his fists, “Understood!”
The army split into two routes, already prepared and just waiting for the command to set sail.
“Tonight’s a southeast wind; it seems even the heavens are intent on helping our army.”
Yan Lin sat calmly on the deck, while two deputy generals nearby chatted quietly.
Aside from the gentle chatter and the sound of oars gliding through the water, the only remaining noise was the southeast wind rustling through their clothes.
Most of the soldiers under Yang Tao were adept at swimming, having grown up near the water and well-acquainted with its conditions.
One deputy general was a local born and bred, coming from a family that had fished for generations, relying on nature to survive.
Since his forebears had always taken him out fishing, he had learned a great deal from experience.
Seeing the night sky, he remarked, “It’s not just a southeast wind; around midnight, there might even be thick fog on the river.”
Although foggy weather could hinder a ship’s travel, it also offered cover.
The helmsmen were all locals familiar with the nearby waters; even in fog, they wouldn’t get lost.
In contrast, the soldiers under Jiang Pengji weren’t as familiar with the waterways.
When the fog rolled in, wouldn’t they be like headless flies?
“Is it really going to be foggy at midnight?” The other deputy general didn’t seem to know much, his experience lacking compared to his companion.
At that moment, Yan Lin, who had been meditating with closed eyes, spoke up.
“Hmm, it will indeed be foggy, but with the current weather… it might even rain a little in the second half of the night…”
For those who depended on the water, especially fishermen, the ability to gauge river conditions and predict the weather was a fundamental skill—crucial for avoiding fishing when storms were brewing. Even if Zhangzhou’s shipbuilding technology was impressive, humans were as fragile as ants faced with the roaring of nature.
The deputy general was surprised, not expecting someone from an aristocratic background like Yan Lin to be so knowledgeable about this.
“If it rains in the later half of the night, then our plan…”
Yan Lin wasn’t worried; they intended to act in the first half of the night and the rain would come later, timing not conflicting at all.
By the time the rain fell, the food would be burned after they’ve taken what they needed, not affecting the overall plan at all.
Meanwhile, Yang Si was reluctantly shoved out by Feng Zhen the wastrel to play bait.
“I really don’t know what this Feng wastrel is thinking. Did I steal his food or drink? Why is he treating me like this?” Yang Si couldn’t help but sigh, murmuring complaints to Feng Zhen, “You think luring Yan Shaoyang with my two taels of meat is going to work?”
The deputy general guarding Yang Si couldn’t suppress his laughter but managed to hold it in, feeling quite tortured.
As soon as his jaw was sore from holding it in, the deputy finally stifled a chuckle and said, “If he really manages to lure him, the military adviser will gain great merit.”
Who doesn’t know how important Yan Lin is to Yang Tao? If they could capture Yang Tao’s top subordinate, the enemy’s morale would bottom out completely.
Yang Si laughed, “In that case, dreaming is the fastest way.”
The deputy general knew Yang Si didn’t have much ego; as long as he didn’t cross any lines, Yang Si didn’t mind cracking a few jokes.
“I remember you, military adviser, saying earlier you want to gain more merits to save up a dowry for your daughter?”
Oddly enough, nobody had heard about the single military adviser Yang Si getting married, but everyone knew he had a daughter.
Yang Si replied, “Changed it, changed it to bride price.”
Deputy General: “…”
Yang Si complained, “Her mother decided, how can I go against her?”
The deputy general added, “The bride price isn’t bad; your daughter definitely shouldn’t be like ordinary girls washing hands to cook.”
Since female soldiers were increasingly gaining importance in the army, many soldiers had changed their views on women, no longer daring to underestimate them. As a close confidant of the Lord, Yang Si’s child would also need to enter service in the future; her status wouldn’t be low, and her marriage wouldn’t be like that of ordinary girls.
Yang Si felt even more exasperated, “Her mother told me not to worry about it; she’s wealthier than us. I’ll just have to hope for another son to play with.”
Jiang Nongqin was a general, leading troops into battle with more rewards and spoils than Yang Si could ever hope to match.
She obviously favored the daughter, insisting that the eldest daughter must follow her household registration and take her last name, and if a son came later, let him carry on Yang Si’s lineage.
What more could Yang Si say?
Naturally, he would comply.
At this moment, Yang Si hadn’t even arranged a wedding, and how could he oppose it?
Continuing the family line was the mainstream thought nowadays, and with Jiang Nongqin being so understanding, promising to bear him another son, Yang Si had no room left to fight back.
