Chapter 86. Spring and Autumn, Warring States Period (25) The Fiery Female General (I) Part 1

    Everyone looked up at the sound, seeing a figure in red striding through the door, a long sword at her waist, her posture straight.

     “Sir,” Ye Mo first performed a student’s greeting to the seated Meng Sheng, then stood up straight and said in a firm voice, “Our lord has not returned to Chu Yang City. I do not know what troubles he faces, but I am willing to fight in my father’s place, to defend this land and the lives of thousands of Chu people. As long as I, Mi Wenjing, am in Chu Yang City, the Chu army will never be able to break through the city, kill our people, or humiliate us!”

     Hearing these words, the officials were deeply moved, and some were even moved to tears. They had seen nobles of all sizes, but rarely had they seen a noble who could protect the common people behind them in times of crisis. “But you are a noble lady. The battlefield is full of swords and knives. How can you go to the battlefield?”

     “Yes, please think twice.”

     “My lady, Zhaolie’s 300,000 troops have not arrived yet, and there is still time to escape.”

     “My lady…”

     Perhaps the words just now moved everyone, or perhaps the word “escape” touched the hearts of some people, the officials actually started to discuss letting her escape.

     “Escape? Where to escape?” Ye Mo disagreed, “Chuyang City is located in the central area of Chu State, and it is not close to the border on all sides. According to the new law promulgated by King Chu Su, if you escape, you may not only be caught and killed, but also a group of relatives and friends who help you may be convicted.”

     The officials were silent. They really didn’t have the kind of relatives and friends who could risk their lives to hide for them.

     It is not difficult to escape from Chuyang City, but it is very difficult to escape from the border of Chu State. It is also difficult not to be caught or reported in Chu State. You may live a dark life like a mouse, and it is worse than death.

     Ye Mo’s eyes were firm: “I am Mi Wenjing of Chu Yang City, a descendant of King Xiong Xia of Chu. I will never forsake the Chu territory or its people, never!”

     Looking at that pair of sincere and clear eyes, one would even have the illusion that she would protect them behind her.

     At this moment, a general suddenly knelt down on his knees facing Ye Mo, and he shouted: “I am willing to swear with blood to garrison Chuyang City with the young lady!”

     Then, several more people-

     “I am willing to swear with blood…”

     “I am willing to swear with blood…”

     The herd effect made all the officials present kneel down to pledge their allegiance. Swearing with blood is an oath handed down from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. In the Spring and Autumn Period, due to disputes in the world, the princes and ministers would often hold such oath activities in order to consolidate internal unity.

     Meng Sheng looked at the high-spirited student. There was no sign of defeat or fear on her face. She seemed to be sure to win the battle. He sighed, nodded in agreement, and added his name to the oath.

     “Mr.–“

     “Master–“

     “Mr. Meng–“

     Meng Sheng waved his hand. He made the decision, and no one else could refute it. Seeing that a master of Mohism had joined, the officials also put down their uneasiness and made up their minds.

    «Zhou Li: Officer of Oaths» Commentary: “Carrying” refers to making a sworn covenant. When making an oath, people would write their words on a wooden tally. Then, they would slaughter an animal, take its blood, dig a pit for the animal, and place the written tally on top before burying it. This ritual was called ‘carrying the book’.”

     First, they took turns to swear to defend Chuyang City. Then, they used a finely carved jade piece with runes as a carrier, used vermilion pigment mixed with blood, and used a brush to write the oath and name on the jade piece. Among them, Mi Wenjing’s name was on the center jade piece.

     Nowadays, spiritual energy is weak, and such blood oaths have less effect, but they still exist. Many people believe in them. Some people will still do it even if they regret it in the future.

     Ye Mo bowed deeply to Meng Sheng.

     Right now, the only ones who can escape from Chu Yang City are the Mohists. The saying ‘not Confucian, then Mohist’ is not just a phrase. Mohists have disciples in every country and are loved and supported by the people. There are even those who aspire to join them.

     If the Juzi Meng Sheng given the order, it’s not saying that all Mohist disciples could have escaped, but it’s certain that not all of them would have been trapped and died in Chu Yang City.However, he chose to keep his promise to the Lord of Yangcheng and die bravely.

     Some people would say that he is pedantic and stupid. He is, but only when you are in this environment, you will know how shocking and touching such calmness is, and this pedantic behavior exists in the Mo Sect from top to bottom! A loyal hero belonging to a special era!

…

     After Ye Mo and the officials left, the disciples of Mo Sect did not disperse.

     Xu Ruo: “Sir.”

     Meng Sheng sighed: “If Wen Jing doesn’t stand up, the task of guarding Chuyang City will fall on me. She is not only serving in the army for her father, but also for her teacher.”

     Xu Ruo: “But Mo Men?”

     Meng Sheng shook his head: “Do you remember when Wen Jing joined Mo Men? Before and after Wu Qi’s death, look at her abnormal behavior these days, food, weapons, recruiting soldiers…”

     Xu Ruo: “Sir, are you saying that Wen Jing had expected this day?”

     Meng Sheng smiled slightly. Nodding: “Wen Jing is a very smart person. She knows that she can’t persuade Yangcheng Jun and the old nobles to shoot Wu Qi together. She also understands that King Su of Chu is not a person who will give up easily. She has been prepared to protect Chuyang City.”

     “Junior sister is really a wonderful woman!” Xu Ruo sighed in his heart, “Sir, but what about Momen?”

     Meng Sheng did not answer, but asked: “Momen now has a Mi Wen Jing, are you afraid that no one in the world knows?”

     Meng Sheng will never leave. He is a great man of Momen. He must not be a treacherous person and discredit the reputation of Momen.

     In fact, they can only send a few people abroad at most.

     Because of the escape of 13 feudal lords, King Su of Chu not only sent General Shi Gu to hunt them down, but also issued several Chu orders to kill without mercy. Even if the disciples of Momen leave Chu, it will be difficult. In the process, I don’t know how many innocent people who support Momen will be sacrificed. Why bother?

     The disciples of the Mohist sect have disciples in various countries. It is not very useful for the Mohist sect to have a few disciples escape. If Mohism is known to the world, the disciples of the Mohist sect will certainly not break the inheritance.

     The Mohist sect is not short of loyalty, disciples, or the support of the people. What it lacks is someone who can lead Mohism like Mozi! And he saw hope in Mi Wenjing.

     Xu Ruo saluted: “Student understands, Momen disciples should go all out to assist junior sister.”

     With Ye Mo’s metal mechanism, the production time of both ordinary weapons and attribute weapons is greatly reduced.

     Within a quarter of an hour, Xu Ruo had to face the choice of his most beloved daughter Wang Xue.

     Heartbroken, reluctant, scared, but proud!

…

     After the oath, Ye Mo began to arrange work.

     At the moment of life and death, who cares about the difference between men and women? Sun Ba and other women’s army officially joined the absolute organization of Chuyang City, divided into elite soldiers like Zhang San, as well as logistics troops, technical troops, etc.

     As expected, at this time, Sun Ba and her team got the attributes of the side quest. But Ye Mo did not get the attributes in the second conscription. It seems that these side quests are one-time.

     How to inform the people in the city is a difficult question.

     Without a doubt, Ye Mo had no intention of concealing the news from the people of Chu Yang City, including the escape of Yangcheng Jun, the 500,000-strong army, and especially the order to kill the Chu envoy. The emphasis was on the killing order, implying Yangcheng Jun’s abandonment of the city and escape.

     For a time, everyone in Chuyang City was desperate.

     The people cried and cried, and the possibility of escaping and surviving was not high. It seemed that their future had only one way out.

     At this moment, Mi Wenjing’s words spread: “I am willing to wear the armor of the vanguard and go to the battlefield for my father to defend this land. As long as I, Mi Wenjing, and the city stand, the enemy will never conquer our Chuyang City or harm our people!”

     Yang Chengjun ran away, but the lady is still there!

     The people knelt down in thanks and were moved in tears. Except for those who really had connections, they basically chose to stay in Chuyang City. They were really desperate. The people knew the suffering of the battle.

     Ye Mo did not stop those who had connections from escaping. She asked the soldiers to convey blessings of safety and even reminded them of the marching route of the Chu army to avoid a head-on attack.

     The people who escaped were grateful and ashamed. After thanking the young lady one by one, they hurried away.

….

     In contrast to Chuyang City, Chuxin City was in chaos. Just as Zhaolie said, there was no leader, like a frightened bird. None of the generals had a real leader, and they even insisted on their own opinions or tried to escape.

     The army met many people fleeing the city outside the city gate. There was no doubt that they would be killed without mercy!

     Zhaolie gave an order: “Attack the city.”

     The 70,000 scattered soldiers of Chuxin City were defeated by the attack of the 300,000-strong army. The city gate was quickly breached. In one morning, Chuxin City was flooded with blood.

     Not only soldiers and officials died, but the people of Chuxin City also lost their dignity. Those who resisted died, and those who did not resist were dragged like goods to work in the most difficult places.

     In prosperity, the people suffer, in war, the people die. The news that King Su of Chu destroyed more than 70 fiefs was the most sensational event in Chu. The news spread quickly. Others were not mentioned for the time being. The fleeing Lord Xincheng and Lord Chuyang heard about it and hid it more tightly.

     The rest of the countries also gradually received news about King Su of Chu punishing more than 70 fiefs.

…

     Zhao Lie won the battle, had a big meal in Chu Xincheng, handed over the follow-up affairs of Chu Xincheng to others, and led the 300,000 troops with negligible casualties to the next destination-Chuyang City.

     The military advisor in the team reported something: “Meng Sheng, the Juzi of Mohist Sect, is in Chuyang. He is a retainer of Lord Yangcheng. He may lead the troops.”

     “Mohist Sect?” Zhao Lie waved his hammer, “The mechanical skills of the Mo family are indeed powerful, but since the death of Mozi, the mechanical skills of the Mo sect have gradually declined. They can only rely on this small city to fight. They are not good soldiers or generals, so what is there to fear?”

     The military advisor said no more.

     The army finally arrived 20 miles outside Chuyang City. If the military advisor had not been worried about the Mo family’s crossbow carts, they would have been closer.

     They were on a small slope, from where they could see the gates of Chuyang City were closed. There were only the usual number of soldiers guarding the city walls, no different from usual days.

     Zhao Lie: “Did they just give up?”

     The military advisor felt that at least Chuyang City was not as chaotic as Chuxin City, and this battle would definitely be more difficult than the one in the morning.

     It was around six o’clock in the evening, and the sun had just set, so it was not suitable to attack the city immediately.

      Zhao Lie ordered to eliminate the possibility of traps nearby, and then camp here to rest and recuperate. As soon as the sun rose tomorrow, it would be the end of Chuyang City.

     “General, you are wise.”