The Cruel Tyrant

91

Nearly half of the Jin Kingdom's army was lost in Jixue City, but there was still no truce between the two countries. Jixue City had been buried by heavy snow and could only be entered after the arrival of spring. So they were now stationed in a valley outside Jixue City.

Another battle had just occurred, the white snow was stained red with large patches of blood and piles of corpses were directly frozen into popsicles. Both sides of the battle had suffered losses. The Qing Kingdom lost 10,000 soldiers and horses, and the Jin Kingdom should be about the same. It was just that there weren't many people left and it was estimated that after a few more confrontations all the remaining ones would be lost as well. The mountains around Jixue City were a natural barrier between Jin and Qing and if it was lost, the Qing Kingdom would be in danger.

Shen Wei's expression was solemn and authoritative. He picked up the tongs and fiddled with the charcoal fire that was about to go out. Suddenly, there were footsteps outside the tent, and Shen Wei immediately raised his head.

"Reporting to General, Lord Shi Nuo asks to see you."

"Shi Nuo!" Shen Wei stood up immediately. Shi Nuo was the Crown Prince's confidant and personal guard. Him coming personally must be to relay an important matter of the Crown Prince. Shen Wei's heart sank. Jixue City, including the civilians inside the city, were all buried under the avalanche he caused, and this time it did not look very good for him.

Shi Nuo's cloak still had unmelted snowflakes stuck to it, and there were small droplets of water on his sharp brows and long eyelashes. He strode into the tent with large steps and took out the paper inserted in the bamboo tube from his pocket, and began to read: "Shen Wei listen to the imperial order, you have made an avalanche to bury Jixue City without authorization and caused the death of innocent civilians of the Qing Kingdom. This crime is enough to die for ten thousand deaths, but as this is your first offence and you committed this crime with the intention to prevent the Jin Kingdom's army from invading our country. Therefore, you are demoted from generalissimo and relegated to commander-in-chief. Whenever the army of the Jin Kingdom is repelled then you will return to your original post."

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"Thanking His Highness." Shen Wei bowed and took the yellowed thin paper. After carefully putting it away, he asked Shi Nuo to sit down, and on the way ordered his subordinates to bring Shi Nuo ginger tea and refreshments.

Shen Wei was still depressed about having been dismissed from his post. At that time, he had acted in a moment of impulse, burying Jixue City without first reporting to the Crown Prince.

His subordinates delivered the dishes to Shi Nuo's table, and Shen Wei greeted Shi Nuo and said: "Lord Shi has suffered on the road all the way here, please don't mind the coarse food of this bitter cold land."

It was indeed inferior tea and coarse food. When Shen Wei set out, Shi Kingdom's grain and grass had yet to arrive. The letter requesting grain and grass ration support had already been sent to the imperial city. Shen Wei guessed that Shi Nuo's arrival should also mean that grain and grass replenishments were brought.

Shi Nuo was indeed hungry. After eating a few large bowls of rice, he put down his chopsticks and said to Shen Wei: "I have made Commander Shen laugh. This official hasn't eaten well in the past half month."

Shen Wei smiled: "No hurry, no hurry, please use the refreshments slowly."

Shi Nuo waved his hand and said: "No, His Highness has entrusted me to hand over the things to Commander Shen as soon as possible."

"Is it grain and grass?" Shen Wei's eyes lit up.

Shi Nuo nodded and said: "It's not just supplies and rations, please come with me."