Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 1064: Chapter 974: Official of the First Rank 36

The most challenging part of a siege battle is scaling the city walls. The city that Murong Shuangshuang was attacking was guarded by Wei Yan, a renowned general of the court. Wei Yan, now seventy-two years old, was a genuine veteran loyal to the court, and his greatest skill was city defense.

Unfortunately, the current Emperor was too wary of Wei Yan’s significant influence in the army, fearing rebellion. Hence, this once-great general was relegated to guarding a small city. Such shortsightedness and negligence could only be redeemed by the eventual ruin of the capital.

Murong Shuangshuang had no intention of confronting Wei Yan head-on. It’s not that she couldn’t take this small city defended by him, but clashing with a general known for his defensive prowess would certainly result in heavy casualties, and she was unwilling to sacrifice lives needlessly.

Moreover, Murong Shuangshuang had another idea. Wei Yan, despite being seventy-two, was still strong and vigorous, a testament to growing stronger with age. Each day, he could eat several bowls of rice and mount a horse to fight the enemy.

If such a formidable figure could be persuaded to join them, he could later help defend the city, ensuring their armies would have no worries while campaigning abroad. So from the start, Murong Shuangshuang was contemplating turning Wei Yan to her side.

The Emperor’s tyranny and cruelty had allowed corrupt officials and sycophants to dominate the court, while loyal and honest officials were exiled or executed. Though Wei Yan remained loyal, he certainly saw no worth in serving such an incompetent and cruel Emperor. His dedication to the monarch was the only thing holding him back from betrayal.

Murong Shuangshuang did not immediately attempt to persuade Wei Yan. Instead, she found a few loud individuals, equipped with bullhorns, who climbed up a temporary wooden tower to shout into the city.

”People of the city, I know you’re suffering under the reign of a foolish Emperor. Farmers toil all year only to watch their parents, wives, and children still starve and cry for food come winter, and every year people die of hunger.

Non-farmers suffer even more, facing exorbitant taxes that multiply ten or twenty times, unbearable head taxes, forced military service, and labor, without a moment to breathe. One misstep and the government treats them like livestock, selling them into slavery, separating families with no hope of reunion.

We’ve experienced days like this ourselves. But now, things are different. Our Marquis, like a father to the people, imposes no harsh taxes, no forced military or labor service. If disasters strike, the Marquis provides relief and distributes grains so the people may lead better lives.

Our Marquis holds the world in his heart. He can’t bear to see the people suffer, so he bravely raises an army, hoping to bring peace to the land. Our General Murong governs the army strictly, never allowing soldiers to take anything from the people...”

The Marquis is Wang Wei, the Clan Leader of the Wang Family. Naturally, he cannot be of lower rank; his title is the highest in the clan. However, those close to Wang Wei like to call him Master or Family Head, and call Wang Jingqi the Young Master.

The people Murong Shuangshuang found had loud voices with a strong penetrating quality. Combined with Murong Shuangshuang’s bullhorn, half the city could hear them. For those who couldn’t, Murong Shuangshuang released several Kongming Lanterns over the city.

Underneath the Kongming Lanterns, numerous sheets of paper were attached. Once the lanterns floated above the city, Murong Shuangshuang shot an arrow to sever the ropes, releasing countless papers filled with encouraging words as they fluttered down like snow.

Although Wei Yan immediately sent people to collect these letters, it was impossible to retrieve them all. A piece of paper could land anywhere, and some people secretly stashed them away. Those who could read would sneak a look, while those who couldn’t would find someone reliable to read it for them.

This psychological tactic proved effective. Wei Yan was a loyal official, and such officials never disobey the Emperor’s orders. Thus, the people in Wei Yan’s city lived very harsh lives.

Life was so hard that the common people longed for a savior. The enticing words on Murong Shuangshuang’s letters easily swayed the hearts of those who had suffered too many hardships.

The people were not easily fooled. They simply yearned to escape from the hellish life they endured. So even the slightest glimmer of hope was enough for them to believe, to want to believe. Although they dared not act immediately, within their hearts sparked thoughts that Murong Shuangshuang eagerly anticipated.

With public sentiment sufficiently stirred, Murong Shuangshuang sneaked into the city one night, heading straight for the General Mansion.

To safeguard the city from Murong Shuangshuang’s forces, Wei Yan had scarcely slept in the past few days. He remained by the deployment map, meticulously strategizing to address any potential defensive weaknesses.

He had heard of Murong Shuangshuang’s reputation, a prodigious female general who suddenly emerged, defeating the well-known Luo Yunchuan, capturing three cities. Had her forces not been limited, who knows how many more cities she could have taken? Wei Yan did not dare underestimate this female general.

While Wei Yan was studying the deployment map, he suddenly noticed a shadow appearing on it. He was taken aback. Usually, when he examined the map, no one was allowed in the room. Everyone in the General Mansion knew this, so no one would dare intrude. Thus, the sudden presence of another person meant they weren’t part of his forces.

Shocked, Wei Yan reacted swiftly, flipping the table toward the shadow while turning to grab the long sword from the rack beside him.

However, as soon as he drew the blade just two fingers’ width from its sheath, Wei Yan froze because a sharp sword was pressed against his neck, its cold blade against his skin, emanating a chilling aura.

Wei Yan took a deep breath, ”Who could this friend be, visiting my General Mansion? What do you want?” A soft laugh came from behind him as a woman’s clear voice responded, ”General Wei, a famed general indeed, with remarkable courage.”

As the voice continued, the sword at Wei Yan’s neck was withdrawn. He ceased reaching for his weapon, understanding that even in that brief encounter, he was no match for the intruder. And since they made the first move to put away their weapon, it meant they were confident he wouldn’t be a threat even with his sword drawn.

Unwilling to invite humiliation, Wei Yan gracefully released the sword handle and turned around to scrutinize the visitor—a girl exuding heroic spirit, her short hair tied high, dressed in black night attire. She sat casually in a chair by the table, a sheathed longsword resting beside her on the table, with a relaxed smile on her face.

Wei Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly. The sword that had been pressed against his neck was now sheathed again, yet he hadn’t heard the slightest sound of the blade returning to its sheath, indicating the opponent’s swordsmanship was of the highest caliber.