txolops Chapter 210 Shen Gongbao calls for reinforcements, and the Yin Shang army marches into Xiqi.
Chapter 210 Shen Gongbao calls for reinforcements, and the Yin Shang army marches into Xiqi.
"Fellow Daoist Qiu Shou, please wait!"
Upon hearing this call, Qiu Shou Xian paused, his heart inexplicably tightening, and then he turned around to look.
A figure rode a beam of light from afar, landing before them. It was an unfamiliar Taoist priest.
Qiu Shou Xian squinted and looked him up and down, feeling that he looked somewhat familiar, but for a moment he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.
When the Taoist priest approached, the bearded immortal finally spoke, asking, "What business do you have with me, fellow Daoist?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Gongbao's face broke into a warm smile. He took half a step forward and whispered:
"Brother Dao, you really have a short memory. Years ago, when you were practicing the method of inhalation and exhalation, I, a humble Daoist, did my best to arrange some supplies for you."
As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, making an exaggerated swallowing motion.
Qiu Shou Xian's true form is an enlightened blue-maned lion, who is naturally fond of blood and especially enjoys devouring living beings.
Upon hearing this, he immediately recalled that many years ago, a clever little demon had indeed driven away and gathered a large number of mountain spirits and mortals for him to enjoy and to help him cultivate.
Although the aura of the Taoist priest before him was quite different from that of the little demon from back then, his obsequiousness and cunning were exactly the same.
"Hahaha! It's you! I never imagined that after so many years, you would have also cultivated the immortal path and successfully transformed into human form."
Why are you being so cautious today? Are you perhaps afraid of your enemies coming after you?
Shen Gongbao's face showed a bitter expression at the opportune moment, and he waved his hand and sighed:
"Alas, it's all ancient history, let's not dwell on it. I've come here abruptly because there's a very important matter I wish to ask for your assistance, fellow Daoist."
The disciples of the Jie Sect have always emphasized education for all, and they also value loyalty and honor among themselves. Qiu Shou Xian is the most outstanding among them, as he is fond of boasting and fighting.
Although he had only met Shen Gongbao once, upon hearing that the other party had a request and recalling their past favors, he felt a surge of pride and patted his chest, declaring:
"Fellow Daoist, please speak freely! As long as it is within my power, I will certainly not refuse and will do my utmost to help!"
Shen Gongbao was secretly delighted, but his face became even more respectful as he bowed and said:
"I am a humble Taoist priest, but I have been appreciated by the current emperor and now hold the position of National Preceptor in the Yin-Shang court."
Now, the Shang Dynasty is campaigning against the rebellious Xiqi, but Ji Fa of Xiqi has the support of the Chan Sect, which is causing the war to go against them.
I have come to invite you, Brother Dao, because I am mindful of your great supernatural powers and your extensive network and high prestige within the Jie Sect.
I hope that you, fellow Daoist, can invite three or five eminent figures from the Jie Sect to accompany us to Xiqi to assist our royal army in quelling the rebellion.
He had long since figured out Qiu Shouxian's personality and knew that this man was arrogant and meddlesome. If he directly presented the list and invited him by name, it might displease him.
Instead of trying to provoke him with words and praising him, he will most likely take the initiative to do things, and may even be able to recruit more people than expected.
Wouldn't I have accomplished a great feat in front of Venus at that time?
Sure enough, upon hearing this, the wiry-headed immortal was first taken aback, then burst into laughter, his voice echoing across the land:
"Hahaha! Wonderful, wonderful! To be honest, fellow Daoist, I am planning to venture into the mortal world soon to assist the Yin Shang dynasty!"
Shen Gongbao immediately bowed deeply, his voice filled with gratitude:
"If you, fellow Daoist, were to lend a hand, it would be a great fortune for the Yin Shang dynasty and a blessing for all the people under heaven. This humble Daoist expresses his gratitude in advance!"
The wiry-headed immortal waved his hand, appearing spirited and triumphant.
"Fellow Daoist, you're too kind! Leave this to me. Those disciples of the Western Zhou Chan Sect, relying on a few of the Jade Void Palace's Daoist techniques, have become arrogant and disrespectful. This time, I will make them know the divine power of my Biyou Palace!"
"Fellow Daoist, you may take one of my magical tokens and go to the White Bone Cave on Skull Mountain to find Ma Yuan."
He and I are close friends; upon seeing this letter, he will surely come to my aid.
I will now set off to invite the Ten Heavenly Lords of Jin'ao Island, as well as Fellow Daoist Lü Yue of Jiulong Island and others.
"Let us go together to Xiqi and teach those disciples of the Chan Sect a lesson: none of them will return alive!"
After speaking, Qiu Shou Xian pointed with his fingers, and a beam of green light disappeared into Shen Gongbao's sleeve. He then nodded slightly to him and the light rose again.
Shen Gongbao withdrew that wisp of magic power, gazed in the direction Qiu Shou Xian had gone, a faint smile appearing on his lips, and then he too transformed into light and disappeared, heading straight for Skull Mountain.
……
Meanwhile, outside the city of Chaoge in the Shang Dynasty, banners fluttered and swords and spears stood like a forest.
The veteran general Lu Xiong, fully armored, sat atop his steed, his white beard fluttering slightly in the wind, surveying the assembled army before him.
His 30,000 troops are ready to go on this expedition.
However, these 30,000 soldiers were not all regular royal troops directly under the command of the Yin Shang court.
The Shang Dynasty of today is riddled with problems.
Although the four strategic passes were not completely lost, local nobles and powerful families levied exorbitant taxes and maintained private armies, resulting in an empty national treasury.
Although Emperor Xin intended to wage war, the court was unable to raise enough funds and provisions in time, and was unwilling to easily deploy its elite imperial guards at this time.
Therefore, not long after, Emperor Xin, who was sitting deep in the palace, secretly summoned Lu Xiong, Deng Jiugong, and Kong Xuan.
After giving their instructions, the three senior officials acted swiftly and decisively, mobilizing a portion of the imperial guards and directly visiting the most prominent hereditary noble families in Chaoge City.
The process may not have been gentle, but the results were quite remarkable.
After explaining the advantages and disadvantages, several powerful noble families voluntarily donated a large amount of grain and their privately trained soldiers.
Seeing this, some astute nobles sent money, provisions, and able-bodied men from their clans to the army camp overnight to show their loyalty.
Seeing this, some astute nobles sent money, provisions, and able-bodied men from their clans to the army camp overnight to show their loyalty.
It was through this patchwork of resources that the 30,000-strong army that was assembled before us came into being.
Lu Xiong was known for his steady and decisive military tactics.
When it comes to battlefield strategy and military tactics, among all the civil and military officials, perhaps only Grand Tutor Wen Zhong can slightly surpass him.
After joining forces with 20,000 troops gathered from places like Sishui Pass and Jiameng Pass, Lu Xiong did not rest for long and immediately ordered the entire army to advance rapidly westward along the official road.
In just half a month, the army had traversed hundreds of miles of mountains and rivers, reaching a plain only two hundred miles from Xiqi City.
However, this forced march, disregarding the soldiers' exhaustion, was seen by Deputy Commander Deng Jiugong and others as an outright risky move.
Deng Jiugong stopped at the high slope, looking at the weary team with a furrowed brow.
The more he looked, the more alarmed he became. Unable to contain himself any longer, he spurred his horse, which neighed and galloped toward the central command flag.
The horses' hooves kicked up clouds of yellow dust, and Deng Jiugong's shouts carried on the wind:
"Lord Lu! The terrain ahead is widening, and there is a risk of an ambush. Our soldiers are exhausted and must not advance any further. Order us to set up camp immediately!"
When Deng Jiugong arrived, Lu Xiong had just ordered the march to stop.
"The entire army shall set up camp on the spot!"
"General, should we send scouts forward to investigate first? In case Xiqi takes the opportunity to launch a surprise attack..."
Lu Xiong looked in the direction of Xiqi and smiled coldly:
"No need. If they really attack, it would be even better. We might be able to catch a big fish."
At this time, on the city wall of Xiqi, Jiang Ziya had also received news that the Shang army had set up camp two hundred miles away.
The generals beside him, including Nangong Shi, Huang Feihu, and Lei Zhenzi, were all eager to fight.
In their view, the Shang army was exhausted from their long journey, and an attack at this time would surely lead to victory.
"Prime Minister, give me five thousand men, and I will surely capture that old scoundrel Lu Xiong!"
"Why need five thousand? I only need three thousand, and I will surely slaughter them!"
The calls for battle rose and fell, but Jiang Ziya kept his eyes fixed on the direction of Lu Xiong's army, lost in thought and silent.
Just then, Huang Feihu suddenly knelt down on one knee.
During the Yin and Shang dynasties, kneeling was not usually performed unless one was facing a person who had committed a serious crime or a commoner was paying homage to a nobleman.
Moreover, Huang Feihu was King Wucheng, and even after he joined Xiqi, Ji Chang always treated him with great respect.
"King Wu Cheng, please rise."
Upon seeing this, Jiang Ziya hurriedly stepped forward to help him up.
Huang Feihu did not stand up, but instead clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said solemnly:
"Prime Minister, since Fei Hu came to Xiqi, I have been deeply grateful for the kindness of the Prime Minister and the Marquis, but I have not yet made any contribution, which makes me very uneasy."
Today I am willing to lead five thousand troops to raid and destroy Lu Xiong's camp, to repay the kindness shown to me!