Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1674: Giving Someone a Beating

The five groups of scouts have been killed, their tokens and handwritten letters are gone; with just his Deputy General’s plea for help, I’m afraid none of the prefectures will dispatch troops immediately, we need to leverage the Dai Family’s influence.

General Dai is counting on Vice General Ma and the others to protect him during the war, and he agreed readily: "This small matter doesn’t require much inquiry, Brother Ma, just use it."

After hearing, Housekeeper Dai promptly had General Dai’s scouts summoned.

Duan Changling was blocked outside the East Guest House, yet lacked no manpower to gather intelligence; he already knew about Long’an Prefecture being surrounded by hundreds of thousands of Rong soldiers, and he was quite pleased.

Heh, hundreds of thousands of Rong soldiers, and still Da Rong Tian Khan leads them, Xu You, let’s see if you don’t die this time!

"Let’s go." Duan Changling put away his smile, took his Deputy General and personal soldiers and left.

The housekeeper of the Separate Yard saw this and reported to General Zhou: "He was earlier waiting outside, and after General Dai’s scouts were summoned, Vice Magistrate Duan left shortly."

Magistrate Hao was somewhat fearful upon hearing this: "Could Vice Magistrate Duan be angry?"

After all, he’s a Commander Vice Magistrate, ranks higher than him as Magistrate, he felt a bit intimidated.

Vice General Ma said: "Magistrate Hao need not worry, General Xu personally dispatched troops for aid, with the token and handwritten letter in possession, even Vice Magistrate Duan wouldn’t dare disobey, he will accompany us in aiding Long’an Prefecture."

Magistrate Hao felt relieved upon hearing this, as long as Duan Changling doesn’t bear a grudge against him, then all is well. Yet he frowned and asked: "Is General Cheng also going to Long’an Prefecture?"

The matter of aiding Long’an Prefecture has almost been settled; Vice General Ma, General Zhou, and General Cheng will take their soldiers along with the Kangrong Soldiers to assist Long’an Prefecture. General Liang will stay to guard the city, and together with the Lei Family’s Trading Team will prepare the Insect Attractant at the Separate Yard, and then send it to Long’an Prefecture alongside Feng Family Escort Agency.

However, General Cheng is much more capable than General Liang; Magistrate Hao wished to have General Cheng stay, since Xing’an Prefecture just went through a major battle.

General Cheng said: "Long’an Prefecture is in crisis, General Xu sent rescue letters to Northwest Prefectures and the Central Plains Commander Department, as the garrison commander of Northwest Daliang Prefecture, I should lead troops to aid Long’an Prefecture."

During a Northwest crisis, Northwest and Central Plains prefectures who received rescue letters must dispatch half their forces for aid; this has the Emperor’s approval. Therefore, leading troops to assist Long’an Prefecture is not considered abandoning one’s post.

Yet, once Long’an Prefecture is stabilized, all prefecture garrison armies must return immediately; if they don’t depart within five days, they’d be punished for dereliction of duty, and General Xu could be charged with amassing troops for self-establishment.

Seeing Magistrate Hao’s worried face, General Cheng also said: "Magistrate Hao need not be concerned, the Rong soldiers that assaulted Xing’an Prefecture should be going to besiege Long’an Prefecture now, Xing’an Prefecture is safe, large forces of Rong soldiers won’t emerge and assault Xing’an Prefecture."

Magistrate Hao was most worried about this point, and after pondering for a moment, felt General Cheng’s reasoning was sound, giving a clasp of hands: "In that case, this prefecture takes leave first, to prepare supplies for you all."

"Much appreciated, Magistrate Hao." Vice General Ma and the others felt grateful for Magistrate Hao’s help, and once he had left, they also got busy. In less than an hour, all soldiers received orders: tonight before midnight, the Kangrong Army will set out to assist Long’an Prefecture.

Duan Changling also heard the news of the army’s departure tonight, it was Vice General Ma who personally brought Magistrate Hao to inform him.

Magistrate Hao wanted to curse, pulling him in for what at such a moment? Despite previously arranging supplies for Vice General Ma and the others, Vice General Ma turned to ensnare him right away, what a waste!

Nonetheless, Magistrate Hao, as the Magistrate of Xing’an Prefecture, needs to be present for some matters as a witness.

Seeing Vice General Ma, Duan Changling sneered: "Vice General Ma, relying on General Xu’s influence, could be considered quite arrogant; why consider to see me now?"

Vice General Ma knew Duan Changling was resentful, ignoring the mockery, directly showing General Xu’s token and handwritten letter: "Please, Vice Magistrate Duan, have a look."

Duan Changling did not extend a hand.

Vice General Ma stated: "General Xu is a first-rank official, it’s best for Vice Magistrate Duan to read his handwritten letter."

Though he once served alongside you, as a mere soldier; times have changed, General Xu is now a first-rank official, and the Chief Commander of the Kangrong Forces, the Northwest Armies and Kangrong Soldiers are all under his command.

Duan Changling’s demeanor turned icy, fists clenched tightly, Vice General Ma could hear his joints crackling.

Yet, there was no alternative, Xu You’s rank simply exceeded Duan Changling’s; despite his fury, Duan Changling could only take the handwritten letter and read it... This letter is less a plea for aid than Xu You’s military order.

Xu You commands the Northwest Armies and the Kangrong Army en route to immediately proceed to Long’an Prefecture to confront the Rong people; those who defy orders or neglect military orders, at worst would face family execution, at the gravest risk clan extermination!

Moreover, the letter specifies the daily marching distance; reinforcements wanting to slacken their pace are out of the question.

Well done, Xu You!

Duan Changling was exceedingly angry; yet high-ranking officials suppress others, Xu You’s rank prevails, he could only comply: "Setting off at midnight is too early, we’ll depart for Long’an Prefecture tomorrow during the third quarter hour of dawn."

Vice General Ma expressed dissatisfaction, starting tomorrow would waste a night’s effort; they’re heading into battle, delaying a night might result in Long’an Prefecture being breached.

Vice General Ma disagreed, yet conceded: "In such case, let’s depart at midnight instead."

Duan Changling flared with anger, hurling the teacup directly at Vice General Ma: "Ma, relying on Xu You to back you, you’re so brazen, do you know my rank is higher than yours!"

With a clang, Duan Changling’s words were yet unfinished, the cup struck Vice General Ma.

Vice General Ma’s face was broken, blood pouring.

Duan Changling paused in shock; this insolent fellow didn’t dodge.

Vice General Ma wiped his face, smearing the blood, stated: "Vice Magistrate Duan does indeed hold a higher rank than us; however, this is General Xu’s military order, combating the Rong people is also an imperial decree, and the Emperor places great importance on the Kangrong War; if..."

He paused, looked at Duan Changling: "Vice Magistrate Duan is intelligent, surely understands the consequences of intentionally delaying military operations leading to failed aid resulting in a city breach."

Ending with a glance toward Magistrate Hao: "Doesn’t it, Magistrate Hao?"

The perpetually silent Magistrate Hao: "..."

Yes, you...

Would it work if I play dead?

Don’t drag me into your power struggle pit.

Yet, Vice General Ma’s objective was achieved.

Duan Changling glanced at Magistrate Hao... if he insists on departing tomorrow for aid, should Long’an Prefecture be breached, upon the Emperor’s investigation, Vice General Ma’s words might be exposed by Magistrate Hao.

Intentionally delaying the departure time of the army, causing reinforcements to fail in arriving promptly, resulting in the city’s breach, such a crime he cannot bear.

Duan Changling could only suppress his fury and state: "Departing at midnight, now leave!"

Vice General Ma was satisfied, clasping hands in farewell, left with Magistrate Hao.

Magistrate Hao was infuriated, grumbling as he exited Duan Changling’s yard: "Vice General Ma, I haven’t treated you all unkindly, yet you ensnared me like this."

Duan Changling is vengeful, should he look for an opportunity for reprisal later, what then?

Magistrate Hao was vexed, wishing to strike Vice General Ma but unable to, remained disgruntled.

Vice General Ma said: "Magistrate Hao, I indeed acted wrongly in this instance, yet the situation necessitated it; for Vice Magistrate Duan to swiftly lead troops to aid Long’an Prefecture, I had no other option."

He continued: "However, I can offer Magistrate Hao compensation."