This battle was not only the largest in scale between Tubo and Dakang in nearly a century, but also Gada’s demonstration of military might and pressure against Dakang.
Had they lost, not only might the Ninth Princess have perished, but Dakang would inevitably have had to pay tribute to Tubo.
Given Dakang’s current situation, it might even have triggered a chain reaction leading to the kingdom’s downfall.
This was why the Ninth Princess’s determination to resist had been so resolute.
Yet such a pivotal campaign had taken place right at the gates of Xichuan City, and Qing Xinyao had not dispatched troops for rescue.
It could be described as serious dereliction of duty!
The Ninth Princess had not directly executed him, instead giving him a chance to explain, which was already showing regard for family ties.
If it were one of the old foxes in the court, they would long since have seized the opportunity to back down, coming up with a hundred excuses.
But Qing Xinyao came from a military background and truly felt guilt in his heart. He offered no explanation, merely bowing even lower.
“This minister has failed in his duty. Please punish me, Your Highness!”
“There is no rush to punish you; you will not escape it! What this palace wants to know now is why!”
The Ninth Princess’s tone suddenly grew heavier. “Lord Qing, surely you knew how important this battle was?”
“This minister knows his crime!”
Qing Xinyao knelt directly on the ground.
“Brother, do not just keep saying you know your crime; quickly explain why!”
Seeing the Ninth Princess truly angry, Qing Muluan hurried to speak up for her brother.
She even winked at Jin Feng after speaking.
But Jin Feng acted as if he had not seen it.
If Qing Xinyao had reinforced in time, Danzhu might have been repelled long ago, and the escorts would not have suffered such heavy casualties.
If Jin Feng did not understand that doing so would bring Qing Xinyao no benefit, he would almost have wanted to kick the man a couple of times.
Plead for leniency on his behalf?
How could that be possible!
Moreover, Jin Feng was also very curious why Qing Xinyao had not come to reinforce them.
“In reply to Your Highness, this minister discovered Danzhu assembling forces and immediately led troops out of the city, but Danzhu sent men to block us, and the drawbridge was destroyed.”
Qing Xinyao explained helplessly. “The original bridges over the moat had already been dismantled. This minister had no way across, so he could only detour to the north gate!”
Hearing this, Jin Feng and Zhang Liang both showed expressions of sudden realisation.
If they had been in Danzhu’s position, they would never have allowed Qing Xinyao to leave the city and reinforce without interference.
The Ninth Princess’s anger also subsided somewhat. She said coldly, “Lord Qing, you delayed the battle opportunity. After the war, this palace will report the truth to Father Emperor. How you are punished will be decided by Father Emperor himself. Rise!”
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
Only then did Qing Xinyao stand, his face full of shame.
“Brother, do not blame Wuyang for speaking harshly. You really almost ruined everything this time.”
Qing Muluan brushed the dust from Qing Xinyao’s clothes while explaining on behalf of the Ninth Princess.
“I know. Wuyang is right to scold me. This was my fault. I should have anticipated that Danzhu would block me from crossing the river and prepared countermeasures earlier.”
Qing Xinyao shook his head. “Speaking of it, I was thrown into the army camp by Father in my teens and can be considered a veteran, yet when it came to real fighting, I was suppressed by Danzhu at every turn.”
Standing nearby, Jin Feng heard Qing Xinyao say this and nodded slightly.
Whatever else could be said about the man, his attitude in admitting fault was good.
When wrong, he accepted it and stood firm for punishment, far better than those who always sought excuses.
He also knew to take the initiative in summarising lessons from failure.
Moreover, only now did Jin Feng realise that besides being bold and straightforward, Qing Muluan also had such a thoughtful side.
“By the way, Brother, did you not say long ago that you wanted to meet Mr Jin? Here!”
Noticing the atmosphere was still somewhat off, Qing Muluan pointed at Jin Feng to change the subject. “This is Mr Jin! If he had not brought the escorts to help, and brought new weapons too, we would have lost today!”
“Mr Jin came from afar to aid us. Qing Xinyao has no way to repay you, but I will forever remember it in my heart. In future, if you need anything from me, Mr Jin need only speak!”
Qing Xinyao turned to Jin Feng, clasped his fists, and performed a military courtesy.
“Lord Qing is too polite. This humble scholar is also a subject of Dakang; resisting foreign enemies is my duty!”
Jin Feng politely returned a scholar’s courtesy.
In truth, he very much wanted to say, You are not without means to repay; just give me the salt sales rights in Chuanshu, and that would be fine.
But he only thought it in his heart.
Know a person’s face but not their heart. Though Qing Xinyao appeared quite frank and straightforward, even somewhat honest and straightforward.
But if he were truly like that, how could he have secured the position of provincial governor?
Chuanshu was frontier territory in Dakang. To deal with wars that could erupt at any time, frontier governors held far greater power than those in the central plains, truly regional overlords.
Otherwise, Qing Xinyao would not have dared to join the Ninth Princess in unilaterally starting a war.
If Jin Feng judged him as frank and honest based on one meeting and a few words, he would be far too naive.
Moreover, he suspected the Ninth Princess had also been putting on an act for him earlier.
She appeared to have vented a great deal of anger, scolding Qing Xinyao severely, yet imposed no substantial punishment.
Perhaps when writing to the Emperor later, she would even praise Qing Xinyao greatly.
Jin Feng did not feel much aversion towards the Ninth Princess’s little schemes.
In his previous life, he had understood that no one was the centre of this world. Everyone had their own thoughts, and what they considered first was always their own interests.
The reason Zhang Liang and the escorts were so loyal to Jin Feng was fundamentally because Jin Feng ensured they and their families lived comfortably, enjoying the good life they had dreamed of.
The escorts all came from mountain folk, simple in mindset; whoever treated them well, they would willingly risk their lives for.
But people like the Ninth Princess and Qing Xinyao were certainly different from mountain folk. They could not be fully trusted just because of some benefits given to someone they had known only briefly.
Not to mention them, even Jin Feng himself was the same.
Up to now, the only noble he truly acknowledged was Qing Huai alone.
Because Qing Huai never feared battle, always leading from the front. Doing so meant he could die at any time; that could not be faked.
Qing Huai might have his own calculations, but no matter what, he was a true soldier.
As for other nobles, let alone an expert schemer like the Ninth Princess, even Qing Muluan, this seemingly bold and violent girl, Jin Feng would not trust one hundred percent.
He was unwilling to trust others completely himself, so how could he demand that others trust him fully?
His willingness to come to Xichuan, besides the Ninth Princess offering conditions he could not refuse, was also because he did not wish to see Dakang engulfed in flames everywhere, with the common people suffering.
He had been in this world too short a time. Even developing desperately, he still lacked absolute strength for self-preservation.
Only with peace under heaven could he develop securely and accumulate strength.
If war broke out, everything would become chaotic and uncontrollable, human lives worth no more than grass.
Even a big shot of Qing Xinyao’s level, if Xichuan City fell, would have his head hung on the city gate.
Let alone a mere minor baron like him.
“Mr Jin is truly noble. If all Dakang’s subjects were like Mr Jin, what worry would there be from foreign enemies?” Qing Xinyao sighed.
“My lord flatters me.” Jin Feng maintained his polite smile.
Knowing Jin Feng disliked such pleasantries, Qing Muluan pointed at Zhang Liang to introduce him.
“Brother, this is Zhang Liang, chief escort of Zhenyuan Escort Bureau. His Black Armour Team is especially formidable. Last night, Danzhu sent five thousand men to encircle and kill them, yet Liang fought his way out with the Black Armour Team!”
