Chapter 1042: A Small Victory
Editor: Henyee Translations

After reading the letter, Chu Qingzhi showed it to Tang Jinghong. Tang Jinghong thought to himself, no wonder the scouts reported that the actual number of troops seemed much higher, and that the deserted cities in Chen’an suddenly became more populated.

“Qingzhi, for the foreseeable future, I need to fully focus on commanding the battle. I may not be able to look after you. Take care of yourself.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a grown woman. I don’t need you to look after me all the time.”

Tang Jinghong pulled Chu Qingzhi into his arms, feeling both regretful and proud. “You’re so strong, you don’t need me. Sometimes I can’t help but think I might be holding you back.”

Chu Qingzhi gently patted Tang Jinghong’s back. “Just do what you can do well. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Tang Jinghong chuckled. “I will.”

Chu Qingzhi clenched her fist. “Defeat Xia Yunjan and teach him a good lesson!”

Tang Jinghong said firmly, “Let’s make sure he doesn’t return!”

Tang Jinghong gathered all his troops at the border, joining forces with General Chen’s garrison.

Half a month later, the two sides fought for the first time in a place called Pingrang, located between Chen’an and Dalin. It was a probing battle, not very fierce, and ended in a draw.

Chu Qingzhi went to gather information for Tang Jinghong and then had parrots deliver the messages quickly and accurately. “Jinghong, General Xia Qi from Xia Sang Kingdom has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Tang Jinghong went to the front lines himself. “Xia Qi, aren’t you coming out to meet me?”

Soon, Xia Qi, who was about the same age as Tang Jinghong, with a burly figure, a full beard, wearing bronze armor, and riding a tall horse, emerged from the camp. “Tang Jinghong, long time no see.”

Tang Jinghong’s sharp eyes locked onto the man opposite him. “It’s been many years since our last battle. I didn’t expect we’d meet again.”

Xia Qi sighed. “Things are unpredictable. I actually hoped we wouldn’t meet on the battlefield.”

Tang Jinghong thought of the brutal battles of the past. “I hope for the same.”

Xia Qi spoke with resignation. “But with the surname Xia comes unavoidable responsibility. I have no choice.”

Tang Jinghong felt the same. “In that case, we must determine the victor this time!”

“Alright!” Xia Qi thrust his long spear toward Tang Jinghong.

Tang Jinghong also held a long spear, and the two began to fight fiercely in front of their respective armies.

Their battle was a great opportunity to boost morale, and both sides fought relentlessly.

After half an hour of fierce fighting, Chu Qingzhi returned and stood at the rear, watching without intervening. Such opponents deserved to be taken down by Tang Jinghong himself.

They fought to a draw and then retreated to their camps.

Worried that Tang Jinghong might be injured, Chu Qingzhi rushed to him as soon as he returned. “Jinghong, how are you?”

Tang Jinghong rubbed his wrist. “Xia Qi and I were always evenly matched. He must have been training hard these years. Our skills are still on par.”

Chu Qingzhi sat beside Tang Jinghong, lightly brushing his wrist with her hand. “Feeling better?”

Tang Jinghong moved his wrist, feeling no discomfort. “With your divine power, it’s naturally all better now.”

Chu Qingzhi held Tang Jinghong’s hand and infused his body with spiritual energy, nurturing him and removing all hidden and lingering injuries, restoring his body to its peak condition.

Tang Jinghong felt warm and relaxed, like recovering from a serious illness. “Qingzhi, I will win this war and bring peace to Dongling.”

Chu Qingzhi gently touched Tang Jinghong’s face. “I believe in you, and I will help you.”

Tang Jinghong nodded. “Alright.”

Not long after, the second battle took place. Our soldiers, eating food infused with spiritual energy every day, became stronger and more vigorous. With high morale, they won a small victory.

…

In the Xia camp.

Xia Yunjian, dressed in noble attire and wearing a cloak, stormed into the main tent. “What’s going on? With the same troops, how could we lose so badly?”

Currently, Xia Qi was the main general of the Xia camp. Hearing Xia Yunjian’s words, he explained, “Tang’s soldiers are not only stronger but also have better stamina. Our soldiers are inferior, so it’s natural to lose.”

Xia Yunjian didn’t want to hear this. He shouted, “Xia Qi, I know you don’t want to fight, but the war has already started. If you continue to slack off, and Xia Sang Kingdom is destroyed, you’ll be the main culprit! The sinner of Xia Sang Kingdom!”

Xia Qi stared at Xia Yunjian for a while without speaking. “Your Highness, why don’t you command then?”

Xia Yunjian drew a nearby guard’s sword and placed it against Xia Qi’s neck. “You may not care about your own safety, but what about your family? Xia Qi, I value you for your military talents. If you are useless, I can’t keep you!”

He threw the sword to the ground. “You better think carefully!”

The sound of the sword hitting the ground made the atmosphere even tenser. Everyone in the tent held their breath. Xia Qi slowly picked up the sword, sheathed it, and took a deep breath. “Tang Jinghong, this time we’ll decide the victor!”

…

In the Tang camp.

Messages from the court came to the Tang camp like snowflakes. Tang Jinghong opened an urgent letter sent by the emperor. “I have already ordered the gathering of supplies. They will be sent to the border soon. General Tang, do not worry about the rear. Just fight!”

Tang Jinghong thought, the emperor also has ambitions to expand the territory. The current conditions don’t allow it, but now that Xia Sang Kingdom is causing trouble, isn’t it giving the emperor an excuse?

Xia Qi, it seems we really need to settle this once and for all!

In the battles, soldiers inevitably get injured. Chu Qingzhi stayed in the camp to treat the wounded. She didn’t need to worry about Tang Jinghong’s ability to command. She just needed to provide support.

Yuan Hongjun finished bandaging a soldier’s wound and said to Chu Qingzhi, “Master, we’ve run out of bandages. The next batch hasn’t arrived yet. I’ll go buy some.”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “No need. Go to the third tent on the far left. It’s full of medical supplies I’ve stored.”

Yuan Hongjun, “… ”

He was truly impressed with his master. She was always so well-prepared.

…

Half a month later, the third battle began, and it was extremely fierce. The sounds of battle pierced the sky.

Chu Qingzhi came to watch and then took Tang Jinghong’s heavy bow to shoot from a distance.

Every arrow she shot hit a target, sometimes even two. The generals of Xia Sang Kingdom were stunned, amazed that such a young boy could draw a heavy bow.

Chu Qingzhi was disguised as Chu Tang in the camp, making it easier to move around.

Xia Qi immediately sent someone to investigate Chu Tang’s identity, but the conclusion was that this person seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.