Chapter 668: Chapter 649: The Ruse of Self-Injury is Useless
They’ve even managed to clear a mountain top of food, a telling sign of the hardships the big-bearded men have faced after being trapped here for all these years.
[Ding Ding Ding, Host has successfully purchased 300 living goats, 100 oxen, and 200 rabbits, totaling 8 million Heavenly Bead Coins. The goods have been placed at the foot of the mountain according to the Host’s instructions.]
Lin Yi decided to give these to the big-bearded men as a compensation of his own.
“Nan Yi, drive to the foot of the mountain and herd the cattle and goats up, tonight we shall enjoy a whole roasted sheep here.”
Great General Gao Wu, puzzled, asked: “Sir, is what you said true? Are there really cattle and goats at the foot of the mountain?”
Having guarded these two mountains for over a decade, Gao Wu knew the number of birds that flitted overhead and was certain no cattle could be hidden here.
Unless, of course, someone had transported them from elsewhere.
Lin Yi gave a mysterious smile and said: “You will find out soon enough, go and start a fire.”
Doubtful yet hopeful, Gao Wu, reassured by Lin Yi’s confident demeanor and the expectant looks from his men, decided to trust Lin Yi this time.
And surely enough, within a quarter of an hour, they heard the distinct sounds of cattle and goats from afar.
“It’s cattle and goats! It’s true! This is fantastic!” Gao Wu was thrilled, immediately ordering everyone out to have a hearty meal tonight.
Lin Yi initially intended to gift some cattle and goats for them to breed, so they wouldn’t go hungry in the future, before he continued on his journey.
But faced with their gaunt appearances, he hesitated and decided to do a good deed thoroughly.
Gao Wu was shocked upon learning that Lin Yi was heading to Nan Zhao Country.
“Sir, I advise you not to go. Or else, you may lose your lives.”
As it turned out, Nan Zhao Country’s border defense was extremely strict; anyone who attempted to approach was shot dead with a barrage of arrows.
Even envoys from neighboring countries were detained for three months before being allowed an audience with the King of Nan Zhao Country.
Hearing this, Lin Yi was quite taken aback—it seemed Nan Zhao Country was quite bizarre.
“Nan Zhao Country is really unreasonable, detaining people for three months. What if there are urgent matters? This could cause major delays.”
However, Gao Wu responded that Nan Zhao was not afraid of delaying other countries’ affairs. If they weren’t satisfied, they could fight it out or send troops over.
Nan Zhao Country was naturally fortified by its ring of daunting mountains, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack, hence their boldness in inconveniencing foreign envoys.
Having learned this, Lin Yi was faced with a dilemma.
He had initially intended to circumvent these two mountains en route to Nan Zhao Country, but it appeared that this path was now blocked, and a three-month delay was something he could not afford.
His wives and children were still waiting at home for him.
After much consideration, Lin Yi began to study the map once again.
Seeing Lin Yi’s focused demeanor, Gao Wu suddenly asked.
“Sir, are you a general, intending to lead troops into battle against Nan Zhao Country?”
As soon as he uttered these words, Lin Yi was taken aback—had Gao Wu guessed his intentions?
Since there was no hiding it, Lin Yi confessed his true identity to Gao Wu. To his surprise, Gao Wu knelt before Lin Yi at once.
Ignoring the pain in his knees, Gao Wu pleaded.
“So, you are the General Lin we Hu people dread upon hearing his name. Please accept my deepest respects, General.”
Though Gao Wu had been trapped here for many years, in the past six months, he had learned from the refugees and captured soldiers that You Country’s Lin Yi was a divine General in warfare.
Invincible in every attack, undefeated in every battle. Moreover, it was said that General Lin never mistreated prisoners.
Gao Wu was once a war commander himself, and what he admired the most were generals like Lin Yi who wielded troops with divine strategy. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NovelHub(.)net
“General Lin, I am willing to follow you, with a pledge of unwavering loyalty.”
At this, just as Gao Wu knelt down, the dozens of Hu people behind him also followed suit, earnestly imploring Lin Yi to take them in.
Because these Hu people knew very well that if it hadn’t been for Gao Wu overseeing the big picture over these years, caring for everyone, they could have been devouring each other long ago, becoming nothing but a pile of white bones.
Therefore, as Gao Wu knelt before Lin Yi, they had no reason not to follow.
“You all, get up quickly, if you don’t get up, I’m going to lead these cattle and sheep away, ah!”
Lin Yi quickly stepped forward, helping Gao Wu to his feet, and suddenly felt a sensation of being entangled.
This trip out had been difficult enough with just Nan Yi and the other four. Adding Gao Wu and dozens of others would practically ruin everything.
With too many people to consider, there would be no way to focus on the tasks at hand.
But the stubborn Gao Wu was determined not to rise, asserting firmly: “General Lin, if you do not agree, I shall remain kneeling indefinitely.”
This blatant threat made Lin Yi very uncomfortable, as it was clearly putting him in a difficult position.
When had Lin Yi ever been threatened ? At most, it was just the Emperor throwing a tantrum to tease him.
“Don’t threaten me; using a ploy of suffering does nothing to me. Nan Yi, open the carriage door!”
Lin Yi suddenly turned around and, without having dinner, went to rest in the carriage.
In this stand-off, Lin Yi and Gao Wu remained for four hours; the night wind in the mountains was chilly, and from behind Gao Wu, there came an intermittent coughing sound.
But not a single person backed down, and this scene moved Nan Yi.
“Mr. Lin, it’s not a solution to keep kneeling forever, look at those elderly with grizzled temples, they’re nearly at their last gasp.”
Despite Nan Yi’s emotional appeal, Lin Yi remained unmoved, not wanting to invite trouble by compassionately bringing a group to Nan Zhao Country.
Another hour passed, and Lin Yi finally came up with a good plan, and then slowly alighted the carriage to approach Gao Wu.
“Gao Wu, I, Lin Yi, do not accept the mediocre; not every Tom, Dick, or Harry can follow me. If you are able to facilitate my entry into Nan Zhao Country, I might consider letting you come with me.”
Hearing Lin Yi’s words, Gao Wu’s eyes lit up with excitement: “Really, General Lin? Okay, I’ll take you into Nan Zhao Country.”
Gao Wu, as if greatly encouraged, excitedly stood up and once again expressed profound gratitude to Lin Yi.
If he didn’t have to look after so many companions, with Gao Wu’s capabilities, he could have escaped these twin mountains long ago.
Of course, these years were not wasted for Gao Wu; he had already found a shortcut to Nan Zhao Country.
“General Lin, tomorrow is the full moon, the best time to enter Nan Zhao Country; let’s act now.”
Lingyun City is an important fortress connecting You Country and Nan Zhao Country. Needless to say, the defenses are extremely strict.
There’s a custom there; every full moon night, Lingyun City celebrates the Torch Festival, with all the citizens singing and dancing. That is when the guard is most relaxed.
The easiest way to sneak into Lingyun City is to join a theatrical troupe and perform in the festivities.
After listening to Gao Wu, Lin Yi nodded thoughtfully.
He had initially considered entering Nan Zhao Country using the identity of a foreign envoy, but that would necessitate a three-month wait, which he couldn’t afford.
“Alright, let’s get ready and set off.”
After Gao Wu settled his companions, he got onto the carriage with Lin Yi and the others.