Chapter 113: The Bearded Man Surrenders

Just as Fang Meng arrived in Pingzhou, news came that Changming City had fallen. The entire city erupted in joyous cheers.

Inside a brothel in Pingzhou, a woman with a veil of blue gauze played music behind a screen for her guests.

Delicate jade-like fingers gently plucked the strings of a zither. A soft breeze stirred her hair, and beneath the veil, one could imagine a face of breathtaking beauty.

The window facing the young woman looked out onto a quiet street corner, where only a few scattered shops stood.

Among them was a shop so neglected it seemed forgotten by all. Its faded sign bore four grand, flowing characters: Jiuling Trading Company.

Compared to the laughter and merriment in the brothel, the Pingzhou royal palace was far more solemn and imposing.

With the Chu family army’s capture of Pingzhou, the Heavenly Martial Emperor was no longer shocked or fearful. Upon hearing of the victory, he merely let out a faint, cold chuckle.

This was because, alongside the triumph at Changming, his son—the current Crown Prince Tianqing—had conquered a stubborn neighboring kingdom, uniting the lands in a single, decisive campaign.

Thus, not only was the Chu family army hailed as invincible across the realm, but Xiao Shengjie also earned a new title: the Prince on Horseback, whose very name struck terror into the nearby kingdoms.

…

After Changming fell, the Chu family army pressed forward relentlessly, sweeping through enemy lines and soon reaching the Liao Kingdom’s capital, forcing Avugan Tamon into a desperate retreat.

Within the Chu family army camp, a young general of merely ten years had already gained some renown. Many ambitious individuals sought to join her ranks.

Today was no exception.

“General Chu...” a soldier reported.

“Let him in,” the young general called before the soldier finished.

“Yes, sir!” The soldier withdrew and shortly returned, leading in a bearded man.

The man entered with a respectful bow. Receiving no reply, he raised his head to appraise the commander. Before him was a barely adolescent youth, half-crouched over a map, gesturing back and forth while muttering softly.

“Speak. Why do you surrender?” The young general finally looked up, her eyes sharp as an eagle’s, locking onto the bearded man.

“Because, General, you have achieved remarkable feats at such a young age. I have long admired your reputation!” the man stammered.

“Always this line,” Chu Junhan sneered, waving a hand as she lifted her chin to scrutinize him. “If memory serves, you were one of Tamon’s trusted commanders. He treated you well. Why surrender to me?”

The bearded man scratched his head, forcing a sheepish smile. “General, as the saying goes, a fine bird chooses its tree.”

“So you mean I’m a good tree?” The boy tilted his head, lips curling into a half-smile. “But I don’t think you’re a fine bird. If you can betray your master once, who’s to say you won’t fly to another tree tomorrow?”

The man lowered his head, sinking his posture low as if bowing to the dust. “General, you don’t know. That dog Tamon cared nothing for his soldiers’ welfare and acted stubbornly... He drove us into misery. I had no choice but to seek a worthy lord!”

“But—”

“General!” Before the boy could finish, the bearded man suddenly looked up, interrupting with a flattering smile. “General, I command fifty thousand troops and horses, currently occupying three cities in the Liao Kingdom. If you accept me, I am willing to offer both the cities and my men to you!”

Chu Junhan raised an eyebrow, finally showing some interest. “Brother, you should have said so sooner! Had you shown such sincerity earlier, I would have agreed long ago.”