Feng Zuo opened his mouth in surprise. "This... Won't what the vice - general is doing affect military discipline?"
Wan Chengyan reached out and gave Feng Zuo a hard pat on the back of the head, scolding, "You stupid pig! Can't you see that the soldiers are not convinced by Vice - General Qin? The general just lets them have this competition so that they can recognize the truth."
Qin Huaiqiu nodded. "If we want Qin Lan to establish her prestige, we can only use a method they can understand."
Just as he finished speaking, another "warrior" rushed into the crowd, shouting, "I'll come!"
Qin Lan let out a laugh. Standing in the midst of the crowd, she was like the most dazzling pearl, valiant and heroic.
Standing in the arena, she was like an ever - shining light, gradually becoming the only light in the entire military camp after the sky grew dim.
One person rushed up and was beaten back. Then another volunteered to take the stage.
By the end of the contest, everyone seemed to have forgotten the original reason for this competition. Some soldiers even stepped onto the stage just because they wanted to have a match with Qin Lan. From the initial disdain and doubt towards Qin Lan, the soldiers in the end cheered and celebrated when they saw Qin Lan knock down her opponents. The status of Vice - General Qin Lan gradually took root and germinated in the hearts of these soldiers, and it became unshakable.
Qin Huaiqiu watched for a while. After seeing the gradual change in everyone's attitude, he reached out and grabbed a young soldier who was watching the show. He whispered, "You go and tell Vice - General Qin to come to the main tent to find me right after the contest."
The young soldier was stunned for a moment, then quickly clasped his fists at Qin Huaiqiu. "Yes, General!"
Qin Huaiqiu patted him on the shoulder with a smile, then returned to his tent with confidence.
Feng Zuo and Wan Chengyan stayed where they were. They were also amazed by Qin Lan's martial arts. Since they were so engrossed in watching, Qin Huaiqiu didn't call them when he left.
"Who is this Qin Lan...? What's her background?" Feng Zuo nudged Wan Chengyan with his elbow. "It seems her background is quite special."
Wan Chengyan stroked his chin and nodded. "It is rumored that Qin Feng has two daughters and one son. But actually, General Qin Feng's only biological descendants are the young master and the young miss of the Qin family. This one is the so - called other daughter."
Feng Zuo's eyes widened in surprise. "She also has the surname Qin. Could it be... She is not a legitimate child?"
Wan Chengyan slapped his head again, scolding, "What are you thinking? General Qin Feng has only one wife. Qin Lan is General Qin Feng's adopted daughter."
"Oh, oh..." Feng Zuo scratched his head. "I didn't expect General Qin Feng to be such a devoted man. Such a brave general is infatuated with one beauty. I really want to see what kind of legendary figure General Qin Feng's wife is when we go to the Northwest this time."
Wan Chengyan looked at him as if he were looking at a fool.
"If you dare to mention General Qin Feng's wife when you see him, you'll probably be beaten to death by the Qin family's army." Wan Chengyan said contemptuously.
"Ah?!"
Wan Chengyan lowered his head, a trace of regret in his eyes. "Eleven years ago, General Gu Hanfang, who died on the battlefield, was General Qin Feng's wife."
Feng Zuo was stunned. It took him a while to murmur, "No wonder... No wonder after General Gu Hanfang died, General Qin Feng signed a military order, swearing to flatten Loulan."
Wan Chengyan sighed. "Everyone in the court says that the Qin family and Loulan are old enemies, but they don't know that the word 'old enemies' was forged by the blood of the loyal Qin family. Compared with the relatively peaceful Hetao and Northwest regions, the Protectorate General's Mansion has always had frequent wars. Every time there is a war, the Qin family's army always rushes to the front. The Qin family has been guarding the Protectorate General's Mansion for so many years. In fact, the Great Sheng owes the Qin family too much."
Feng Zuo pursed his lips and nodded without saying a word.
Everyone knew that while they were enjoying themselves in the capital, the Qin family was fighting at the border. While they were drinking and discussing swordsmanship in the military camp, the Qin family was cleaning up the bodies of thousands of dead soldiers of the Qin family's army on the battlefield.
This time, General Qin Feng was old, and there was no one in the court who could replace him. In the end, the sixteen - year - old Qin Huaiqiu was pushed to the front.
This battle was far more difficult than the one ten years ago. This was also the reason why although Feng Zuo and Wan Chengyan were older than Qin Huaiqiu, they always protected and respected him. After all, they voluntarily signed up to join Qin Huaiqiu's army through Wu Qiuyang. And not only them, but many other soldiers also understood this.
The small army of only ten thousand people led by Qin Huaiqiu had already united the hearts of the soldiers just because of this.
"Master." Qin Lan wiped the sweat off her face, lifted the curtain of Qin Huaiqiu's main tent, and walked in leisurely. "You wanted to see me?"
Qin Huaiqiu nodded and pointed to the cushion in front of him. "Sit down. I have something to discuss with you."
Qin Lan sat down and took the tea that Qin Huaiqiu handed her. "Is it news from Nie Rong?"
Qin Huaiqiu nodded. "Yes. The scouts reported that the allied forces of Loulan and the Xiongnu should attack the city tomorrow."
Qin Lan said, "Just now I heard the soldiers say that you told them to set off at noon tomorrow?"
Qin Huaiqiu pointed to a place on the map. "Do you still remember the hidden path in the Tianshan Mountains that Nie Rong once led us through? I'm going to lead the troops through that path into the Tianshan Mountains, then go around to the back of Qiuci City and attack their rear."
Qin Lan frowned. "But that path is too narrow. Only one person can pass at a time. We have an army of ten thousand. It will take too much time, won't it?"
"No, we don't need all ten thousand soldiers to go through." Qin Huaiqiu shook his head. "The Tianshan Mountains are dangerous. Unless they advance through the canyon cracks, they won't know there is a hidden path in the belly of the Tianshan Mountains. So even if they have some preparations in the rear, those preparations will surely be weak. Sending ten thousand soldiers is a waste."
Qin Lan was stunned. "So what do you mean, Master?"
"I'll select two thousand soldiers to march into the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains and directly attack Qiuci. You will lead the others to attack the enemy's siege troops from the side." Qin Huaiqiu said. "Now Shi Congwen is in the Protectorate General's Mansion. He should have sent people to reinforce the city walls. But they still can't withstand the enemy's catapults. You lead the troops to insert from the side and destroy their siege equipment. I'll attack their rear city. It's a three - pronged strategy."
Qin Lan said firmly, "No! You will only lead two thousand elite soldiers, Master? What if the enemy withdraws their troops and returns to Qiuci? Won't you be in danger?"
Qin Huaiqiu smiled. "I'll go back through the path again before they return and meet up with you in the Protectorate General's Mansion."
Qin Lan still frowned. "I still think it's too dangerous."
Qin Huaiqiu patted her on the shoulder. "Fortune favors the brave. Taking a deviant strategy can lead to a decisive victory. Besides, on the premise that they have never been to the Tianshan Mountains, this path is our best trump card. Once we use it, it will be useless. So we have to make the most of it."
Qin Lan looked at Qin Huaiqiu for a while and then asked, "Then which soldiers do you plan to take with you, Master?"
Qin Huaiqiu said, "Just select two thousand soldiers from the troops for me, and then we'll travel light."
Qin Lan shook her head. "No. I think you'd better take Wan Chengyan with you, Master. He is smart. In case of any accident, he should be able to help you."
Qin Huaiqiu thought for a moment. "Okay, then let's do it like this."