69novels Chapter 914 This is not walking into a trap, but walking the dog!
Chapter 914 This is not walking into a trap, but walking the dog!
Gao Yao dismounted and established a temporary command post on a slightly elevated slope. His personal guards quickly deployed to provide a protective presence. Soon, a preliminary summary of casualties and the results of the battle was compiled. While it had been a brilliant ambush, their own losses were not to be underestimated. In close combat against elite cavalry in the darkness, even with the absolute advantage of terrain, casualties were inevitable. While they had annihilated thousands of enemies, they also suffered nearly a thousand casualties, with many minor injuries.
At this moment, a heavy, slightly staggering sound of footsteps could be heard, accompanied by a few suppressed gasps. Gao Yao looked up and saw that it was the former commander, Ying Bu, who had returned. This beloved general, known for his bravery and fearlessness, was covered in blood, his brand new armor covered with marks from swords and spears, and he seemed to have some difficulty walking with his left leg. However, these marks of blood and fire were the glory of a warrior, not surprising. What really broke Gao Yao's heart was -
"Hahahaha..." Gao Yao couldn't help but burst out laughing. The tense nerves and the pressure of the battle seemed to relax a little with this sudden laughter. "Who on earth is this person who can actually injure my top general... in such a unique state?"
Gao Yao couldn't be blamed for losing his composure. Ying Bu's face, now bruised and bloodied, was a testament to his bravery. But his otherwise rugged, heroic face, usually imposing without anger, was symmetrically adorned with two large, dark, almost swollen eye circles, one on each side! He looked like a panda that had just experienced a brutal brawl in the bamboo forest. The injuries didn't appear too serious, mostly minor flesh wounds and bruises that would heal in a few days. But this expression, appearing on Ying Bu's face, usually portraying a powerful and ferocious image, was a stark contrast, both cute and comedic, and jarringly out of place against the austere battlefield.
Upon hearing this, Ying Bu's bronzed face flushed crimson, though thankfully, the blood, smoke, and darkness masked it. He coughed awkwardly twice and replied gruffly, his voice several degrees lower than usual: "Ahem... Your Majesty, please... please don't tease me. This... this was a complete accident, so... let's not mention it again. I was just riding my warhorse in pursuit of a fleeing group. The forest was so dark, the firelight so blinding, I wasn't paying attention, and I bumped headfirst into an old, overhanging tree..." He pointed to his bruised left eye, his expression sullen.
"Oh? Hit a tree?" Gao Yao tried hard to suppress his smile, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up. He pointed at Ying Bu's equally horrible right eye, "What about the other one? It can't be that the same tree is particularly fond of you, and not feeling satisfied after hitting you once, it bounced back and hit you a second time, right?"
Ying Bu's face became even more embarrassed, almost a little awkward. He lowered his voice and said vaguely: "That... when I fell off the horse, the scene was too chaotic. I don't know which damn Chu army bastard used the handle of the knife... to hit me here in the melee..." He pointed to his right eye, his tone full of frustration and annoyance.
After saying that, he quickly added, his tone almost pleading: "Your Majesty, this matter... you must keep it a secret for me! If this gets out and my brothers find out, I will be humiliated. How can I lead my subordinates in the future? I'm afraid I'll be killed by those people!"
Gao Yao burst into laughter at Ying Bu's comical expression, trying to maintain his fierce general persona while simultaneously grimacing in pain. After the battle, nerves were on edge, and this unexpected interlude actually provided a welcome relief from the bloody, murderous atmosphere that permeated the air. After his laughter, he shook his head, pulled out a small, carefully oil-papered bag from his bosom, and casually tossed it to Ying Bu.
Ying Bu instinctively took it. It was slightly cool to the touch, with a faint, strange herbal aroma. Confused, he held up the packet to the firelight and examined it. "Your Majesty, what is this...?"
"In my free time, I was thinking about making some little gadgets for my wife. It is said that they are very effective in skin care and moisturizing." Gao Yao said casually, as if he was talking about a trivial matter.
"Huh?" Ying Bu was completely bewildered, a hint of disdain instinctively showing on his face. "Women's household powder and hair oil? Your Majesty, even if you want to reward me, it's not too late to do so at the celebration banquet after we return to the capital! This... I'm just a rough old man, fighting all day long, I don't need this!" He even began to mutter inwardly: Does Your Majesty think that my appearance is too embarrassing and undermines the prestige of the army, so he's trying to warn me in some way? Or is he dissatisfied with the slight confusion in the pursuit and the failure to expand the victory?
Gao Yao glared at him and cursed with a smile, "Bullshit! Who told you skincare is just for women? Superficial! This stuff is filled with the finest herbs that I had my doctors carefully select. Its most practical uses are to promote blood circulation, dissolve blood stasis, and reduce swelling and pain! Hurry up and find a spot, dissolve a little in clean water, and apply it to your 'wisdom eyes.' I guarantee the swelling will be mostly gone by tomorrow morning, and the blood stasis will be much reduced. So, you really want to command a battle with those panda eyes? Do you intend to make your brothers laugh so hard they'll be unable to fight, or do you intend to laugh Xiang Yu to death right there in front of the enemy lines, winning without a fight?"
"Reduce swelling? Relieve pain?" Ying Bu's eyes lit up instantly, as if he had heard the most beautiful words in the world. His previous disdain and doubts were immediately thrown out of his mind, and he tightly grasped the small packet of ointment, as if it were some kind of panacea. "Believe it! How could I not believe what the king said? Anything the king produces must be good!" He chuckled, and the forced smile on his face might have pulled at the wound, causing him to gasp again. He quickly stuffed the ointment into his close-fitting armor like a treasure, fearing that Gao Yao would regret it. "There is no reason to take back what the king has rewarded! Thank you, your majesty!"
Gao Yao was watching his quick expression change and his agility in hiding things, feeling neither amused nor helpless. He waved his hand, his expression gradually turning serious. "Alright, joking aside, let's get down to business. How's the troop inventory going? Reorganize the troops immediately, and once everything is ready, turn around and prepare to march towards Xianyang!"
"Yes!" Ying Bu clasped his fists in reflexive acceptance, but then suddenly raised his head. Those two extremely conspicuous dark circles were still on his face, and his eyes were filled with shock and confusion. He even thought he had misheard. "Huh?! Your Majesty, you said... march towards Xianyang? Shouldn't we retreat to Yangping Pass as soon as possible to rest and recuperate? Xianyang... that's the capital of the Chu army, Xiang Yu's stronghold! Aren't we walking into a trap?"