Chapter 308: What Can I Do, I’m Desperate Too, Your Highness!
The next day, when Southern Jiang Prince counted the numbers again, he found that hundreds of people were missing! Even more than before had escaped!
Southern Jiang Prince was furious, “Where are the people? Where have they gone? Didn’t I give strict orders for the sergeants and warriors to keep an eye on them? Why are so many still missing?”
At this moment, Wang Fugui hurriedly rushed in, shouting loudly, “Your Highness, something bad has happened! The missing soldiers have actually run to the other side and are eating porridge and steamed buns there!”
Southern Jiang Prince roared, “What about those in charge? How are they managing their tasks? Bring them up here for military punishment!”
“Your Highness, they’ve also gone to the other side!”
Southern Jiang Prince exclaimed, “Oh, damn it!”
He rushed to the riverside and found that it was indeed true.
The missing soldiers, as well as the sergeants and warriors who were supposed to watch over them, had all run to the other side.
They were eating white steamed buns and sipping hot porridge with satisfaction on their faces.
At this moment, Lin Beifan appeared.
He stood in front of the defected warriors, looking puzzled, “All of you are martial artists with skills. According to reason, you should have received recognition from Southern Jiang Prince and been treated well. Why betray him?”
After listening to Lin Beifan’s words, they poured out their grievances.
“Indeed, Southern Jiang Prince has treated us well, but this isn’t what I wanted!”
“Initially, the reason I chose to join Southern Jiang Prince was because I believed he had the ambition to conquer the world, the ability to control the universe, and the heart to dominate the seas. But now, it seems he’s just a selfish person! For the sake of his ambition, he disregards the common people and even his own soldiers and horses. He’s despicable!”
“Following someone like him has no future, and working for him torments my conscience. Unfortunately, we’re already on the thief’s ship, with no way to turn back. Fate is really playing tricks on us!”
“But now we’ve discovered that the court treats us defected soldiers fairly well, and they’re willing to give us a chance to reform ourselves! So, we didn’t hesitate to defect and join the court!”
“We hope that you, Sir, can give us a chance to start anew!”
…
Lin Beifan couldn’t help but be moved, “So, all of you are righteous individuals with the world in your hearts. My apologies for any rudeness. I’ll say it again: it’s never too late to mend one’s ways, and there’s nothing greater than correcting one’s mistakes. You’ve chosen the court, and the court will certainly treat you well. Stay here with peace of mind. As long as I’m here, you won’t lack food!”
“After the great war is over, I will restore your freedom! Whether you choose to continue serving the court or leave, it’s your decision. I respect your choice!”
The newly arrived defected soldiers were grateful and tearful.
“Thank you, Sir, for your forgiveness!”
“Only by serving such a court can we fulfill our duty!”
“Even after the war is over, I’ve decided not to leave. I want to be loyal to the court and protect our country!”
“I’m staying too, to contribute to the court!”
…
Lin Beifan was deeply moved and fervently said, “It’s rare for all of you to have such awareness! With valiant heroes like you in the Great Wu, how can we not prosper? Heroes should drink hero’s wine, bring forth the wine!”
A cask of fine wine was brought forth, and Lin Beifan personally poured a bowl of wine for each person.
“Let’s not talk much, cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Everyone drank up, enduring considerable pain.
Lin Beifan asked, “How’s the wine?”
“Great wine, haha!”
Everyone burst into laughter, spirits high with the aroma of wine, filled with heroic fervor.
They felt immense satisfaction and a sense of allegiance to the court.
At this moment, a warrior on the side of the riverbank shouted, wine in hand, “Fellow comrades, Southern Jiang’s Prince pursues a path of rebellion and cruelty. Following someone like him leads to no future! It’s better to cast off darkness and join the light, align with the court! The court is magnanimous and benevolent, they will surely forgive you all! When the time comes, we’ll gather in the capital, and drink the hero’s wine together. Isn’t that joyful?”
Lin Beifan echoed, “Indeed, this hero is right! In fact, we are all brethren. What’s the point of fighting each other? We only harm our own people! It’s better to put down our weapons and drink together!”
Other surrendered soldiers also joined in.
“Lord Lin’s words are very true. We are all kin, what’s the point of fighting?”
“Put down the weapons, come over and drink, eat meat!”
“Lord Lin is good to everyone!”
…
Southern Jiang’s army was in turmoil.
Southern Jiang Prince gritted his teeth in anger, “These damned traitors! I treated them so well. Not only did they betray me, they even stabbed me in the back. They are heartless, selfish individuals!”
Seeing the envious glances of his soldiers towards the other side, Southern Jiang Prince roared, “Don’t look! Return to me, all of you! Whoever doesn’t return will face military punishment!”
Subsequently, Southern Jiang Prince enacted even stricter regulations.
He had warriors from various camps watch over each other, to keep them in check and prevent further escapes.
But the next day, upon counting the troops, they were missing two thousand soldiers.
They had all fled together in groups, shielding each other, concealing the truth, and escaping to the other side.
Southern Jiang Prince was furious once again and issued even harsher orders. He stationed experts along the riverbank to prevent anyone from crossing.
One discovered, one killed; one pair discovered, one pair killed; one group discovered, annihilated.
Regardless of identity, they were all killed.
This finally halted the fleeing phenomenon.
However, the morale of Southern Jiang’s army had crumbled, devoid of any fighting spirit.
They watched their fellow countrymen, who had once suffered hunger like them, now enjoying good food and receiving attention and care from the court officials on the other side. This imbalance stirred discontent in their hearts.
Why?
Why could they enjoy delicious food and lavishness while we couldn’t?
Wasn’t it just because they ran faster?
If only I had been more decisive earlier, I would be the one enjoying the good life now!
Their gazes seemed to pierce through, consumed by thoughts, wishing to rush over and cling to the court’s thigh!
“Your Highness, this can’t go on like this!” Wang Fugui said worriedly.
“What do you suggest then?” Southern Jiang Prince snapped, “It’s raining every day, we can’t cook the grain. Without sufficient food, we can’t fight. Lin Beifan that cunning fellow is manipulating schemes, sowing discord, and shaking the troops’ resolve. Tell me, what can I do? I’m also in despair!”
“Your Highness, my suggestion is this!” Wang Fugui said, “After giving everyone a hearty meal, lead the army decisively across. Otherwise, we’ll only be left to die!”
“But that would result in heavy casualties…” Southern Jiang Prince was torn.
“Your Highness, it’s not a time to consider casualties anymore!” Wang Fugui advised, “Our troops’ morale is wavering, their spirits are decreasing day by day. If we don’t fight now, they’ll lose their will to fight altogether, and we’ll be swallowed up by the court!”
“So, we must succeed in this battle, give it our all, and cross to the other side at any cost!”
“First, it will deepen the mutual hatred between us and them, diminishing the thoughts of rebellion. Second, if we can seize the grain, we can soothe the troops’ morale. Third, if we can land successfully, we’ll have cleared all the obstacles ahead!”
“Your Highness, take action, we can’t hesitate any longer!”
Southern Jiang Prince’s expression fluctuated. After a long contemplation, he slapped his thigh, “Good! Let’s do as you say!”
With determination, Southern Jiang Prince immediately ordered his men to cook porridge to the best of their ability, ensuring every Southern Jiang soldier could have a bowl.
After a day, the entire army was exhausted.
Looking at the somewhat pallid faces of the Southern Jiang soldiers, Southern Jiang Prince declared loudly, “Dear soldiers, I have been unfair to you these past days, and I’m filled with guilt! But this won’t happen again! Today, I will lead you all across to the other side!”
“As long as we cross, there will be fragrant food, greasy meat, and exquisite wine! Everything you desire will be fulfilled! I will never mistreat any brother who fights alongside me!”
“Fight! Fight! Fight!” The Southern Jiang soldiers shouted loudly, their fighting spirit soaring.
Southern Jiang Prince was very satisfied, “Excellent! In this battle, success is the only option, no room for failure!”
He pointed his sword towards the other side, “Cross the river!!!”
So, the Southern Jiang army crossed the river with high spirits and determination.
Profound experts and warriors from various paths once again advanced, leading the way.
The imperial troops soon realized the situation, “Reporting to all the commanders, the Southern Jiang army is attacking!”
Lin Beifan led the group to the riverbank and shouted loudly, “Imperial experts, don’t let them pass!”
“Yes, Lord Lin!”
Imperial experts advanced into the river to intercept.
Lin Beifan shouted again, “Archers, prepare!”
“Yes, Lord Lin!”
Thousands of archers emerged from behind the shield bearers, bows fully drawn.
At this moment, a surprising scene unfolded.
The Southern Jiang soldiers downstream dropped their weapons and waved their hands, shouting loudly.
“Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! I’m surrendering!”
“I don’t want to follow Southern Jiang Prince anymore!”
“I’m one of your own, don’t kill me!”
…
Lin Beifan and the others were dumbfounded.
The downstream Southern Jiang soldiers had actually abandoned their weapons, swimming over and surrendering, a spectacular sight!
Southern Jiang Prince was also taken aback.
I sent you here to fight, and now you’re all surrendering?
The number of surrenders had reached over ten thousand!
It’s too thrilling!
Southern Jiang Prince trembled with anger, shouting hoarsely, “No surrendering allowed! I order you not to surrender! Pick up your weapons and fight for me! Fight for me!”
But the Southern Jiang soldiers in the water ignored him and continued swimming forward.
As for their weapons, who knew where they had thrown them.
“Lord Lin, this…”
The imperial soldiers looked towards Lin Beifan, seeking his opinion.
Lin Beifan smiled and said, “Who hasn’t made mistakes? Those who can realize their errors and change their ways are the good sons of our Great Wu! We should fully accept them, let’s not chill their hearts!”
“Lord Lin speaks the truth!”
Lin Beifan waved his hand, “Lower your bows and arrows, don’t harm our own kin!”
“Yes, my lord!” The archers put down their bows and arrows one after another.
Then, Lin Beifan shaped his hands into a trumpet and shouted loudly, “Brave Southern Jiang soldiers, you’re all admirable! If you come over to me, I won’t turn you away!”
The Southern Jiang soldiers in the water cheered, “Thank you, Lord Lin, for your generosity!”
With no threat to their lives, they swam even more joyfully, as if racing towards a new life!
