In the freezing cold, General Wang’s urine-soaked pants turned icy within a few breaths.
However, General Wang lay on the ground, not daring to move, fearing the pirate mocking him overhead might chop him down with one swing.
Soon, lying prone, General Wang heard footsteps approaching, then saw a group of feet in his line of sight: a crowd wearing cloth and straw shoes surrounding someone in cowhide boots.
This group stopped in front of him, likely the pirate leader escorted by his men.
General Wang’s heart raced.
Though the pirates had ordered not to kill the “dog official” and cavalry, suggesting he was still useful and wouldn’t be killed easily.
But, there was always that “what if.”
“Heh, General Wang, long time no see, I guessed right, it was indeed you chasing out of the city, my choice of your guarded gate wasn’t in vain, you didn’t disappoint me, excellent.”
Xu Hai stood before General Wang, looking down at him sprawled on the ground with wet pants, chuckling mockingly.
“Great King, your strategy is divine, this surrendered general is in awe.” General Wang shifted his knees, slowly raising his hips, going from lying flat to kneeling with his rear up, staring at Xu Hai’s shoes, lavishing flattery.
“Hahaha, surrendered general?! You’re quite self-aware, General Wang, I haven’t even asked if you’d surrender yet!”
Xu Hai burst into laughter at General Wang’s self-description.
“No need to trouble the Great King’s mind, your military genius and brilliance have left this surrendered general in complete defeat, utterly convinced by your might, I’d gladly hold your horse and stirrups, please, Great King, give this surrendered general a chance.”
General Wang knelt, rear raised, shuffled forward on his knees, clung to Xu Hai’s leg, his words dripping with humility and flattery.
To survive, General Wang had thrown dignity to the wind.
“Heh, General Wang, do you know why I was certain you’d chase out of the city?” Xu Hai hooked his foot under General Wang’s chin, lifting it so he’d look up, sneering as he asked.
“This surrendered general doesn’t know…” General Wang shook his head blankly, genuinely puzzled why this pirate chief was so sure he’d pursue, especially since he’d only decided at the last moment.
He was eager for the pirate to enlighten him.
“Heh, because you’re stupid, greedy, and arrogant, as long as the bait was big enough, a greedy fool like you couldn’t resist chasing out.”
Xu Hai grinned as he explained.
General Wang’s face flushed red, “stupid, greedy, and arrogant” didn’t feel like him at all, but in this situation, despite his inner disagreement, he didn’t dare let out a peep.
“Heh, I know you’re not convinced, so I’ll make you submit completely.” Xu Hai lightly tapped General Wang’s face with his shoe, taunting.
“Half a month ago, my scouts closely watched all the generals eligible to guard Suzhou city for three days, they reported three things about you: first, you love gnawing bones when eating meat, always cracking them open to suck the marrow, whether chicken, pig, or cow bones, big or small, you never let one go; second, a scout once followed you to buy breakfast and deliberately dropped a copper coin near your feet, you instantly stepped on it, and after the scout left, you bent down to pick it up, heh, not even a single coin escapes you; third, once after getting drunk, you threw a tantrum, boasting your martial skills and strategies were unmatched, looking down on the world, claiming fewer than a handful surpassed you, saying Zhu Ping’an’s merits were just dumb luck… these three things prove you’re stupid, greedy, and arrogant, with a big enough bait, you’d bite.”
Xu Hai recounted the scout’s findings with disdain.
“Yes, yes, the Great King is right to scold me.” General Wang pressed his forehead to the ground, agreeing repeatedly, not daring a single rebuttal.
“Great King? Heh, right now, only Duke Hui, Wang Zhi, deserves that title, I’m not there yet.”
Xu Hai smiled faintly, “But, once I take Suzhou city, I might start thinking about it.”
“Yes, yes, the Great King’s brilliance and martial prowess make taking Suzhou city as easy as picking something from a pocket.” General Wang heaped on more flattery.
“Heh, taking Suzhou city still needs your cooperation, General Wang.” Xu Hai bent down to help General Wang up.
“How does the Great King need this surrendered general to cooperate?” General Wang asked, uneasy.
“Simple, you just need to return triumphantly, General Wang, not a single soldier lost, having claimed so many pirate heads, captured six hundred prisoners, and seized ten carts of weapons…”
Xu Hai smiled, coaxing gently.
General Wang froze, glanced back at his men’s corpses littering the ground, and asked dumbly, “Return triumphantly? Not a single soldier lost?”
“Of course.” Xu Hai nodded with a smile, then waved to his pirates, “Strip the soldiers’ clothes and put them on, from now on, you’re the soldiers, hahaha, follow General Wang back to the city later; pick six hundred more, no need to change clothes, they’ll be the captives General Wang caught.”
Hearing this, General Wang finally caught on, so that’s how it was.
No wonder they killed all the infantry, it was so the pirates could wear the dead soldiers’ clothes and impersonate them; then six hundred pirates would pose as captives, so when I return “triumphantly,” I’d bring back nothing but pirates.
As for the surviving cavalry, the pirates spared them to return with me.
My elite cavalry have higher status than the infantry, they’re well-known among the garrison, with these familiar faces as a cover, the city guards won’t suspect a thing.
These pirates sure are cunning.
Sigh!
It’s all because I didn’t heed Zhu Ping’an and the prefect’s warnings that I’m in this mess, to preserve my life, I’ve no choice but to turn traitor.
As for the future, only the living have a future…
“General Wang, are you willing to cooperate and lend me a hand?” Xu Hai smiled at him, eyes gleaming.
“Willing, willing, of course I’m willing, this surrendered general will serve the Great King like a loyal dog.” General Wang replied with fawning eagerness.
“Hahaha, a wise man knows the times, General Wang, you’re a true talent.” Xu Hai laughed heartily.
General Wang’s face burned with shame, though even if he wanted to crawl into a hole, he still forced a smile.
“Good, General Wang is willing to help me, what about you lot?” Xu Hai turned to the dozens of surrendered soldiers kneeling.
“We’re willing to serve the Great King like loyal dogs too.” The soldiers kowtowed, scrambling to agree.
“Hahaha, excellent! With your cooperation, Suzhou city is mine for the taking.” Xu Hai laughed triumphantly.
