vrcanaries Chapter 140 Big Brother
Chapter 140 Big Brother
Nan Fei took the riding whip from a soldier beside him and shook it. The scholars turned pale with fright. They had seen with their own eyes that Zhao Xiuwen's leg had broken without Nan Fei using much force; this whip would surely leave a bloody mess.
Nanfei tossed the riding whip to Yan Zeyu: "Horse."
Yan Zeyu led the horse over, and Nan Fei pulled Tang Bingfei to stand on the horse's back.
Nan Fei steadied Tang Bing by placing one hand on his shoulder, while holding the pearl aloft with the other. The lustrous, round pearl shimmered with iridescent light in the sunlight, a sight that captivated every soldier.
Under the sunlight, Nanfei stood as noble and unapproachable as a god. He took a deep breath and spoke in a firm and powerful voice: "In the army, there are no empresses or emperors, only generals and military regulations. Regardless of age or background, we act according to military regulations and speak based on military merit."
We, the people of Dongyang, will not be prisoners of war or surrender; we will not return until we are victorious. If we lose, we will commit suicide on the spot to atone for our defeat. If we win, we will be heroes; if we live, we will be promoted and richly rewarded; if we die, our parents, wives, and children will be treated well.
The war to unify the world is a golden opportunity for you to make achievements, establish your careers, and bring glory to your ancestors. Every inch of the land you conquer in the North will be your capital for promotion and wealth, and every enemy you kill will be a stepping stone to riches and honor.
You are the bravest and most fearless warriors of Dongyang. You are the most spirited men of Dongyang. You are the most promising men of Dongyang. I promise that your efforts will be richly rewarded, and I will smooth over your grievances.
General Tang is brave and fearless, a true hero, and someone I admire greatly. Today, witnessed by all the soldiers, General Tang and I swear an oath of brotherhood, becoming sworn brothers. General Tang is a few years older than me, and I respectfully call him my elder brother. Winter Solstice, bring wine.
Nanfei handed the pearl back to Tang Bing, who touched his chest before taking it in a daze. He hadn't even noticed when Nanfei had taken the pearl.
Dongzhi suddenly appeared out of nowhere, carrying a jar of wine. He poured it into a bowl and flew over. Nanfei caught it, twirling it in his hand several times without spilling a drop. The soldiers watching secretly cheered.
Nanfei handed Tang Bing a bowl: "Brother, drink this bowl of wine, and I'll be your little brother."
Nanfei's heroic spirit soared to the clouds, and Tang Bing's heart surged with emotion. The two bowls clinked together, making a soft sound, which touched a nerve in Tang Bing.
Tang Bing, newly promoted to the third rank, was still filled with trepidation. Zhao Xiuwen, a young master from Bianjing, was someone Tang Bing couldn't afford to offend, but after Nan Fei's words, Tang Bing suddenly felt that he wasn't afraid of death, so why should he be afraid of offending people!
Tang Bing had only heard of a general in the army before, who was the brother-in-law of the Crown Prince and the general's husband, but was all looks and no talent. Today was the first time he had met him, and he thought the rumors were outrageous.
Tang Bing gulped down the wine in a few mouthfuls, raised the earthenware bowl high, and shouted: "Tang Bing swears to follow the general to the death, to serve Dongyang to the death, to be a prisoner of war, to surrender, and to not return until victory is achieved."
The soldiers were filled with fervor and shouted in unison, "We swear to follow the general to the death, to serve Dongyang to the death, to not be prisoners of war, to not surrender, and to not return until victory is achieved!"
Yuan Feng looked up at Nan Fei, her eyes sparkling with admiration. This was her man, her lover, born into wealth but not spoiled, with a broad mind and lofty vision.
Tang Bing rose to fame in one battle, rising from a common soldier to a third-rank general. He was rewarded with rare treasures and even became sworn brothers with the Grand General. All these rumors inspired every soldier in Dongyang.
Prince Ming surrendered to Dongyang and opened the gates of Fengyuan City. Yuan Feng then imprisoned all officials of the second rank and above, nobles, and their families in the army.
Yan Zeyu went to visit Du Shen, a well-known figure in the city, and invited him to serve as the magistrate of Fengyuan County. Yuan Feng selected a centurion from the army to serve as the county's assistant magistrate. After the matter was settled, Yuan Feng sat in his tent and let out a long sigh of relief.
Nan Fei said, "I have already sent word to Zhao Shengwang Du, asking them to meet at Xifu. With the three armies united, we will take Xifu and Shanggui, and drive the Beirou out of Longshan."
Yuan Feng nodded: "Okay."
Seeing that she agreed readily, Nanfei relaxed and joked, "Aren't you tired of staying in the big tent every day? How about we go stay at the Fengyuan Imperial Palace for a few days?"
Yuan Feng glanced at him and said indifferently, "I've heard that the palace maids of Beirou are as beautiful as flowers..."
Nan Fei immediately fell silent. He was still furious at the thought of betraying his own family for the greater good, and he dared not add insult to injury.
Seeing his cautiousness, Yuan Feng took out a bunch of keys and smiled, "Prince Ming dismissed the palace maids and locked the palace. These are the palace keys. Would you like to go and take a look?"
Nanfei clutched his chest: "I'm easily frightened, Ah Feng, don't scare me."
Yuan Feng was in a good mood and stood up: "Let's go."
The army was stationed outside the city, neither entering nor disturbing the people. The flags on the city walls were replaced with yellow flags with double dragons and the character "An," signifying that Fengyuan had undergone a complete transformation, from an imperial city to a county town.
Dynastic changes and worldly upheavals did not affect the lives of ordinary people. Fengyuan City remained untouched by war, and its streets were still bustling. Nanfei dragged Yuan Feng to buy women's clothing: "A grown man wearing earrings, everyone's staring at you."
When Yuan Feng came out dressed as a woman, her eyes lit up when she saw Nan Fei. She felt an uncontrollable joy and instantly understood that women dress up for those they love.
Nanfei led her down the street, just like any other young couple. Without using a key, Nanfei pulled Yuan Feng over the palace wall and inside.
The people of Fengyuan City saw nothing unusual, but the imperial palace was in ruins. Valuable items had been removed, and even some carved doors and windows were gone. All the halls were empty.
Nanfei took Yuan Feng to Chongwen Pavilion, where books were scattered all over the floor. Nanfei picked up a few and flipped through them casually: "There are many vulgar people in the world who move doors and windows but leave these books unattended."
Yuan Feng said, "The doors and windows in the palace can be moved out and sold for a lot of money. Not many people can understand these books, so they are worthless because they don't know their value."
Nanfei tossed the book onto the shelf: "I'll have someone collect it and take it to Dongyang later."
Yuan Feng said, "I'll do whatever you say."
Nanfei was surprised: "You've become gentler since leaving the military? It seems it's better not to be a general."
Yuan Feng asked, "Do you prefer gentle women? Or do you dislike dignified women?"
As Nan Fei was seriously considering the matter, Yuan Feng's expression immediately changed: "Do you even need to think about it?"
Nanfei quickly replied, "I like them all, I wouldn't dare not like them."
After Nan Fei finished speaking, he ran out, and Yuan Feng chased after him. The two bickered and teased each other all the way to the Golden Palace.
Nanfei looked at the dragon throne: "Ah Feng, you've never sat on a dragon throne before, have you? Why don't you give it a try?"
Yuan Feng said, "You haven't sat on it either, have you?"
Nanfei said, "It's nothing special. The emperors of Dongyang have all died young, which proves that the dragon throne is not a good seat."
Yuan Feng sensed something was wrong: "Then why did you let me sit down?"
Nanfei said, "I just... never mind, let's go."
Yuan Feng walked over and sat on the dragon throne, leaning slightly to the side, and said with a smile, "Being a ruler has its advantages, such as having three palaces and six courtyards. I've heard that the Empress of Nanyue keeps male favorites, who are all incredibly handsome young men..."
Nanfei raised an eyebrow.
Yuan Feng waved his sleeve: "Beauty, dance for me."
Dancing? Nan Fei looked slightly taken aback.
Realizing she had misspoke, Yuan Feng stood up and said, "Let's go back."
Nanfei walked up to her and pressed her back into the dragon throne: "The dragon throne is nothing special, but sitting on it with Afeng... is quite rare... It's really inconvenient in the army, there's no one here. Afeng's voice is louder, I like to hear it."