The Empress’ Livestream - Chapter 505: Besieging Fengyi County (XIII)
Chapter 505: Besieging Fengyi County (XIII)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qianzhai Weipobai: “To tell the truth, I really don’t understand the thinking of the ancients. Why do they have to inform their enemies before the war? ‘Please be aware, I’m taking a few people with me to fight you. I’m giving you time to get ready and we’ll battle it out…’”
Jiang Pengji secretly nodded upon seeing the bullet screen. She thought so too.
Why did they have to call out their enemies at the gates?
They could just directly attack by force when commanded. They had enough siege weapons, so it was not a problem to break the city walls of Chengan District.
If Wei Ci knew her thoughts, he would probably sigh.
Jintian Ganfeiji: “To be honest, I don’t get it either, but it’s reasonable. It should be in line with the condition of the country at that time. Take the Western knights in our era as an example. There’s a rule for two armies of the same branch to fight each other. The infantry would fight the infantry, the cavalry would fight the cavalry, and the artilleries would fight the artilleries. There won’t be a case of the artilleries bombing the cavalry or the cavalry shattering the infantries. They’ll even greet each other politely before the battle…”
Kelian Xixi: “To the user above, are you talking about the battle between two generals? Like how the generals of two opposing sides battle each other for supremacy in the historical novels? Now, it’s about challenging an opponent to a fight when two armies meet. The two feel different. In contrast, I think challenging an opponent to fight when two armies meet is more normal. The generals who battle each other out are too delusional.”
Jiang Pengji could still manage to find time to read the bullet screens on the battlefield. She raised her eyebrows when she saw the bullet screen above.
She had a different opinion from the viewer. Challenging an opponent to fight when two armies met was stupid. Instead, the battle between two generals seemed more interesting.
If there was a battle between two generals, she would be able to limber up and she would not have to personally command the center division in a silly manner. Was that not wonderful?
Qiuge Yuepiao: “Tsk. I think the battle between two generals is super zealous. I used to watch the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I think it’s very interesting every time I see the warriors pat their horses and step forward and the two generals would then battle it out in front of the two armies, like how San Ying fought Lu Bu and how Wen Jiu fought Hua Xiong, so on and so forth.”
Nanshen Huamanlou: “The battle between two generals is also called a challenge. The challengers confront each other. I agree with what the previous user said too. Its existence is reasonable. In the ancient times when population was scarce, survival was difficult and lifespans were short, overly vicious warfare would only cause more casualties… Often, the victory or defeat of the generals who battled each other could tremendously affect the morale and even become the key to victory or defeat.”
What was morale?
In Jiang Pengji’s era, the first essential element of war was technology, followed by tactical layout. Weapons were the key factor in determining victory or defeat. The impact of individual heroism on the outcome of war was almost negligible.
However, in this era where information was backward, weapons were still important, but morale seemed to be even more important.
When the morale was too low, the troops would not be in the mood for war. They might even flee at the mere sight of the enemy.
The enemy might not even have to fight them. They just had to directly hold them captive.
For the side with a weaker military strength, if they won in the battle between the two generals, it could boost the morale of the rear troops and they could even defeat their stronger enemy.
One would not even gasp for breath when chasing after ten people.
Xu Ke did not know whether he should laugh at Wei Ci or feel sorry for him. How did he encounter such a cunning master?
“The rules in the battlefield have always been the same.” Xu Ke smiled helpfully at Wei Ci. He continued, “Everyone knows that one won’t say anything nice when calling the enemy out. Even if one uses a dialect that the other party can’t understand, it doesn’t matter… One just has to know that those are provocative, curse words.”
With the way Wei Ci was staring at Jiang Pengji, she felt somewhat guilty, as if she had done something to him.
Now that Xu Ke had created an opportunity to let her extricate herself from an awkward position, she took the opportunity to back down. She changed the topic in a stiff tone, pretending to care about the situation of the war.
Looking at the city gate tower, she asked, “What should we do if no one comes out?”
Wei Ci replied, “We’ll continue to shout.”
The party who had been called for a challenge would be considered fearful of the battle if they did not respond for a long time. This would also affect the morale of both parties.
Wei Ci just wanted to boost the morale of the troops on his side and crush the morale of the enemy. It was not important as to whether the enemy would respond to their challenge.
They would keep yelling if they did not come out for a battle. When the time was right, they would attack by force.
It was even better if they responded to the challenge. The fighting power of the warriors on their warriors was not for show. The morale of the enemy would collapse even faster.
“Hey dickhead, come down and fight me if you have the guts…”
“… Could it be that all of you are castrated and that you’ve become a bunch of cowards without penises?”
“… To those who are tactful, come down quickly to welcome us into the city. I’ll make it quick for you…”
A war was obviously about to break out, but the confrontation scene between the people on top and at the bottom of the tower was so funny that the atmosphere in the streaming room was quite relaxing.
The soldiers who were calling the enemy out at the bottom of the tower were enjoying it so much that they were eager to spread their voices throughout the entire Chengan District. The Tsing Yi Army on the city gate tower looked panic-stricken and intimidated. They could not even retort a single word. The more this was the case, the greater the difference in morale between the two parties.
At that moment…
Jiang Pengji squinted and said suddenly, “Someone’s coming.”
Not long after, an unusually stout man appeared on the pilaster. His upper body was naked like Maitreya Buddha, whose chest was bare.
He cursed exasperatingly, “I’m here, you bastard!”
Li Yun squinted, waved his lance to confuse the enemy and urged the horse to charge forward.
“Lord, please allow me to fight the enemy on my own. I’ll definitely chop off the enemy’s head.”
Jiang Pengji looked at Li Yun bitterly. Could she fight with her subordinate for the enemy’s head when he had already volunteered?
Was she a master of that kind?
“Okay. I wish you a triumphant victory,” Jiang Pengji said in a seemingly generous manner, but there was a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
Li Yun was a child with a one-track mind. How could he understand all this?
He could not understand it, but Wei Ci could. Li Yun would certainly be punished quietly upon his return.
Creak…
The city gate of Chengan District opened. Three chieftains who were riding on horses emerged with hundreds of members of the Tsing Yi Army behind them.
Everyone almost burst into laughter when they saw the faces of the chieftains.
Xiangcun Yuanye: “Oh my gosh. Did you see that pitiful horse? Its hooves are trembling, right?”
Piaopiaoyang: “It’s the best yet the most pitiful horse in history.”
Looking from afar, the general of the Tsing Yi Army who was taking the lead was holding a huge axe in his right hand. Although his clothes were gathered, it seemed as though the axe was stuck onto his body because he was too fat… He was as wide as three normal men.
He sat alone on the horse. His buttocks occupied half of the horse’s body, drooping around the horse.
The horse that he was riding was overweight as well. It did not have the robust build of a gallant horse. Its hooves were wobbling.
Was it here for war or to amuse people?
Guiqiu Yuepiao: “I’m amazed by the horse. He’s already fat, but he can still carry his whalelike master.”
Bugei Jiuyaonao: “He’s estimated to weigh about 280 jin by eye. By including the axe in his hand, he’ll weigh close to 400 jin… What a hardworking horse…”
Lifting his huge axe, the fat general of the Tsing Yi Army yelled at Li Yun who was charging forward on his horse, “I’m here, you bastard!”
Li Yun snorted coldly. The horse under his thighs seemed to feel something and neighed loudly.
At that time, the members of the Tsing Yi Army on the city wall shouted all of a sudden, “General Cangtian is mighty! General Cangtian will win!”
Li Yun had a superior hearing ability. He almost did not keep a straight face when he heard those words. Were these members of the Tsing Yi Army here to crack jokes?
Resisting the smile tugging at the corners of her lips, Jiang Pengji coughed a little and waved her hand. “Hit the drums!”
“Give your life to me, you ignorant kid!” General Cangtian howled. The fat horse under his thighs suddenly broke out at a speed which did not match its body size.
Li Yun’s eyes grew dull, tightened the saddle girth and dashed forward with his weapon.