Chapter 71: The Army Splits into Two Routes (Part 2)

  When Zhang Yue woke up, it was already many days later. After Zhang Yue recovered, the cruel training continued. Zhang Yue had begged bitterly, hoping to no longer live this life, but in return, he received even more brutal training. With tears in his eyes, Zhang Yue kept running and doing things that were not suitable for his age. As a result, Zhang Yue hated martial arts deeply in his heart. Whenever he had time, he would study poetry and literature diligently, which often led to conflicts with his father. Although Zhang Yue was extremely disgusted with martial arts, he also laid a solid foundation.

  Until Zhang Yue's uncle from afar came to the Zhang family, thoroughly changing Zhang Yue's life, taking him to a bigger city to acquire knowledge. Zhang Yue's father surprisingly did not object, and it was only later that Zhang Yue found out that his mother had threatened to die if he didn't let Zhang Yue choose his own path for the future. On that day, all the old and young gathered in the main hall, and Zhang Yue's father looked at him with a gloomy expression, hoping that Zhang Yue would stay behind and continue learning martial arts. Zhang Yue naturally refused without hesitation and followed his uncle from afar to town.

  Years passed and Zhang Yue did not disappoint, with his exceptional talent and elegant writing style, he quickly earned the reputation of 'Wen Xian Gongzi'. Soon, Zhang Yue welcomed the opportunity to take the imperial examination in the capital. On the day he left, Zhang Yue's father watched him from afar, with a hint of melancholy in his eyes. Zhang Yue was overjoyed, finally having the chance to prove his abilities and escape the life that could cost him his life at any moment. Although the journey to Bianjing was long and arduous, Zhang Yue's heart was filled with joy and he did not feel the hardships of traveling through mountains and rivers. His determination to pursue literature and abandon martial arts grew even stronger, but ultimately two things changed Zhang Yue's attitude.

  On his way to the capital for the imperial examination, two good friends traveling with him were hijacked by mountain bandits on the road. Many passersby were detained together. Zhang Yue witnessed one of his friends being tortured to death. He remembered what his father had said when he was a child: as a man, if you can't even protect yourself, how can you protect others? Only by strengthening your body and diligently practicing martial arts can you protect yourself and your family.

  Zhang Yue regretted not listening to his father's words earlier, otherwise he would have escaped long ago. Just as Zhang Yue was in despair, another group of mountain bandits came and killed the group that had taken Zhang Yue hostage, killing them all. It turned out that the group that had taken Zhang Yue hostage was notorious for their cruel methods, and Chen Manke, who had come from afar, naturally wanted to eliminate the existing forces before he could establish himself in this place. He also happened to save Zhang Yue and a few others, which meant that Zhang Yue's life was spared after all.

  When Zhang Yue arrived in Bianjing to take the imperial examination, he was unable to calm down in his heart, but he also passed the exam and became a scholar-official with great difficulty. During this time, someone helped Zhang Yue arrange a marriage, and Zhang Yue appreciated the woman, so he agreed. Unexpectedly, he suddenly received news that his father was critically ill at home, and Zhang Yue immediately put down everything and rushed back to his hometown. When Zhang Yue returned home with a listless expression and low spirits, his father had already been on his last breath. Looking at his pale and haggard father lying in bed, Zhang Yue felt extremely complicated emotions. At that time, was what his father did right or wrong? Zhang Yue originally thought he had already made up his mind, but now he realized that he couldn't make a judgment after all.

  The village chief pulled Zhang Yue out and solemnly told him that the reason why his father's illness was so serious was that when he was a child, Zhang Yue was bitten by a poisonous snake and directly sucked out the venom to detoxify. Although it saved Zhang Yue's life, the toxin also left hidden diseases in his body. The situation is not optimistic now, hoping Zhang Yue will be mentally prepared.

  Zhang Yue stood there in a daze, his eyes fixed on the front, it turned out that his father had never left him far behind, always quietly protecting him not far away, no wonder he hadn't seen any large ferocious beasts in the forest for many years, originally...

  At this point, Zhang Yue's hot tears had already flowed down his face. He rushed in and grabbed his father's hand, shaking it constantly. His father smiled, facing death without any fear, stroking Zhang Yue's head and saying softly: "Your father knows that he made you suffer a lot back then, but you are the son of the Zhang family, your future will surely be boundless. If you want to be like this, you must have the martial power to protect yourself. Your father's methods back then were indeed wrong, if there was another way, perhaps you would have accepted it, I hope you can forgive me."

  Zhang Yue was already sobbing uncontrollably and said: "I will never blame you again."

  "Haha, then I can close my eyes in peace, only hoping that you can help your father fulfill his last wish."

  "You will get better, don't mention one thing, even a thousand or ten thousand things I will help you complete."

  "I know my own physical condition better than anyone else. As a warrior, death is not scary, there's nothing worth remembering, just one thing, I only hope you take good care of your mother, and in the future lead our Great Song army to conquer Yan and Yun's sixteen states, recover our rivers and mountains, and when you offer sacrifices at home, don't forget to tell me."

  Zhang Yue said: "You can rest assured that as long as I still have a breath of life, I will never let the barbarians occupy one inch of our Great Song Dynasty's territory."

  "Father? Father."

  Zhang Yue wore mourning clothes, his eyes gleaming like electricity, and stood before the spirit tablet to make a vow, resolutely leading the royal army to conquer the sixteen states of Yan and Yun.

  A few days later, Zhang Yue did not stay at home to mourn, but led the hot-blooded men in the village to join the army in Yanshan Prefecture, until he met Zhao Kuangyi.

  Zhao Yan also felt somewhat annoyed, not long ago Yang Zai Xing came to find himself, saying inexplicably: "That little kid's kung fu is not bad, unfortunately he's a dead brain, I slightly punished him."

  It wasn't until later that Zhao Xiao learned about the intense battle between Yang Zai and Zhang Yue. He let out a sigh, realizing that his own order to kill had led to Zhang Yue's injury. Yang Zai was just following orders and hadn't done anything wrong, while Zhang Yue was protecting his benefactor, which wasn't wrong either. In the end, it was all Zhao Xiao's fault, but he didn't admit it. Those in power should correct their mistakes, not acknowledge them. Zhang Yue was a man of good character, who valued loyalty and honor, making him trustworthy with important matters. Zhao Xiao had already secretly decided to let Zhang Yue join his inner circle.

  Xu Shu felt Zhang Yue's pulse and slightly frowned, saying to Zhao Yan: "Your Highness, General Zhang only suffered some internal injuries and needs a month of rest to recover." The implication was that he should not assign tasks to Zhang Yue, and naturally, Zhao Yan could not exhaust Zhang Yue either.

  Zhao Kuo said: "This is natural, General Zhang can rest assured, we will meet again in Qin Feng City."

  Zhang Yue grasped Zhao Yan's arm and said: "Please spare those civilians."

  Zhao Song smiled and said: "General Zhang, rest assured, I guarantee their safety with my own life."

  "Thank you, Your Highness." Zhang Yue said.

  At this time, a soldier came forward and lifted Zhang Yue onto the stretcher. Zhao Yin nodded towards Zhang Yue, and Xu Shu also saluted Zhao Yin with his fist before leaving with the soldiers carrying Zhang Yue.

  Zhao Kan led his troops to the group of mountain bandits surrounded by the Changsheng Army in the middle, and Zhao Kan stepped forward and said: "Who among you is the commander?"

  Chen Manke said: "I am the eldest son, whatever you want to ask, just ask me, and I hope you can spare my brothers."

  Zhao Kuo said: "I don't know why you attacked us."

  Chen Manke hesitated for a moment before saying, "To be honest with you, sir, we were coerced by someone who claims to be the King of Yue. Our relatives and friends are all in their hands, and attacking you was something we had no choice but to do."

  Zhao Kuo said: "If I am willing to lead troops to help you rescue your relatives and friends, are you willing to be the insider?"

  Chen Manke hesitated, if he cooperated with Zhao Yan, then there would be no room for maneuvering. Zhao Yan said: "Don't worry, I have promised General Zhang Yue that I will guarantee your safety with my life, I won't force you, okay, you can leave now."

  Chen Manke heard Zhang Yue's name, and the strings in his heart were touched. The young man who was confused at that time had grown into a qualified general. Since Xiao Yuezhi was willing to follow him, he believed that he was still a man of his word. Chen Manke said in a low voice: "I am willing to be an internal response, hoping that the adults will save us from the water and fire. If we succeed, we will follow the adults to drive the chariots."

  Zhao Yan said, "The matter should not be delayed, we will set out immediately." It turned out that not long ago, the scouts sent by Zhao Yan discovered a large number of troops stationed in the area. This was the only army stationed within a hundred miles, and only dead enemies were truly safe. You didn't intend to let one go, being merciful to the enemy is cruel to oneself, wanting to survive means it must be so.

  Not long after, the great army set out. Zhao Jie left behind 5,000 soldiers to guard the civilians with Liang Fangxu. He personally led the army to rush towards the distant place. The horseshoes were rolling, and the elite infantry followed closely behind the vanguard. This battle-hardened army was getting stronger and stronger, and one day it would be remembered by history. The road to Bianjing was "winding and rugged", not because the road was difficult to walk, but because someone wanted to keep Zhao Jie in the mountains. Zhao Jie smiled coldly, wanting to swallow the invincible army, looking at whether you have a good appetite.