The Rise of Phoenixes Novel Translation #146

********** (Loose Translation) ********

In the year of Chang Xi 14th, of the eighth month, Official Wei Zhi who disappeared for the last six months suddenly reappeared on the battlefield and promptly rescued Tao Yangyu’s group who was on the verge of killing themselves. Not only did Official Wei Zhi rescued Tao Yangyu’s group but he split his troop into two with one to burn the Yue army’s grain storage and another to ambush Jin Siyu. The Huzhuo Cavalry (that’s the cavalry personally trained by Zhi Wei) which is now much more fierce than their predecessor, ambushed Jin Siyu on his way back to the Yue military camp. True to his fame, Jin Siyu is indeed shrewd on the battlefield and promptly ordered his men to run into the deep mountain passes. Therefore, by the time Jin Siyu finally made it back to camp he was able to preserve most of his 20,000 troops even if they looked rather disheveled. 

This is the first big defeat Prince Jin Siyu suffered since he became the commanding general. He didn’t lose on military strength but he lost the heightened morale Da Yue had just barely managed to raise. According to rumors, despite having regrouped and refreshed himself right outside of camp, a seemingly calm Prince Jin Siyu’s return back to camp still brought about a collective sigh of shock when the soldiers saw the ordinary warhorse he was riding. 

Rumors spread like wildfire: saying that their Prince Jin Siyu who is never wrong on the battlefield suffered a complete defeat that day. Some 17 year old teenager with the last name Wei was able to take their Prince’s priceless horse without wasting a single arrow and if that wasn’t enough, this Wei kid even saved three very important hostages from their grasp and Prince Jin Siyu didn’t dare to give a fight.

Jin Siyu ordered three soldiers who spread the rumors the most to be executed but of course while the fear of death can stop mouths from talking, it is useless against the dropping morale. The Da Yue soldiers’ morale dropped even more and fear spread when the news of the destruction of the grain storage eventually made their way through. 

Burning the enemy’s grain storage has always been a great war strategy but it is also the hardest mission to execute. Both sides know well the importance of grain storage which means on the matter of transportation of grains, each side will take great care and make sure to send out fakes to confuse the other side. Jin Siyu is especially good at creating illusions so while Tian Sheng has long desired to attack Da Yue’s grain storage but they have never succeeded. 

The battle at the mountain pass looked simple but it was a duel between Jin Siyu and Feng Zhi Wei. 

• Jin Siyu had faked out Tian Sheng army a few times with bad consequences for Tain Sheng so Tian Sheng had pretty much given up the notion of attacking Da Yue’s grain. Jin Siyu was shocked that Wei Zhi was able to see through his cover-ups and figured out the location of his grain storage. Little did he know that Feng Zhi Wei had already studied him thoroughly before and figured out his habits when it comes to battlefield strategies. On the other hand, Jin Siyu of course, knows nothing concerning Zhi Wei. 
• From that day on, Feng Zhi Wei’s Huzhuo Cavalry begins its long battle with Jin Siyu. Capitalizing fully on a cavalry’s strong points and the local landscape, Feng Zhi sent her men on guerrilla warfare attacks on the Da Yue army with a special focus on the North troop that was responsible for the slaughter of the 4,000 royal armies of the Wild Grassland. Constantly fending off sneak attacks and unable to catch up to their enemies even if they gave pursuit, the soldiers of the Da Yue main camp spent their days in fear. Sometimes Feng Zhi Wei doesn’t even bother to move. She will just set off some fire in the far hills and shake the trees from time to time to scare the birds into taking flight. While Feng Zhi Wei is sleeping peacefully on a tree, the Da Yue soldiers are keeping watch fearfully all night. 
• In less than a month, Feng Zhi Wei gained the nickname of “The Fox of Grassland”, a name that strikes fear into any Da Yue soldier. All this also caused Jin Siyu to add the name Wei Zhi to the kill list, placing a reward of 10,000 gold for Wei Zhi’s head. When Feng Zhi Wei heard of it, she just smiled. 
• Tao Yangyu and his friends have all voluntarily taken demotions to become captains in Zhi Wei’s calvary. 

Commanding general Chun Yuhong was overjoyed when he was informed that after a month of battling Jin Siyu, Feng Zhi Wei and her calvary are finally returning to their main camp. Chun Yuhong ordered his subordinates to go personally greet Feng Zhi Wei but many of his subordinates thought it was beneath their station to do so. The one that was most displeased was Quartermaster Zhu Shirong — This Official Wei hasn’t even arrived yet and he has already sent a messenger ahead asking him to prepare the best shield and armor for them– Who does he think he is? 

• With everyone harboring different thoughts as they stand in a line in front of the camp, General Chun Yuhong finally sees Zhi Wei riding in with her cavalry army. Thoroughly impressed when tens of thousands of warriors on horsebacks stopped in unison, their movement in complete harmony on one single command, any doubt General Chun Yuhong previously had of the rumored fierceness of Huzhuo Cavalry is promptly put to rest. 

General Chun Yuhong was surprised again when he spotted Tao Yangyu and his two friends following closely by Wei Zhi, their postures now completely of military men, their expression devoid of the arrogance they once had and replaced by respect. Chun Yuhong thought to himself that this Wei Zhi is indeed extraordinary– it is easy to kill but difficult to earn true respect from arrogant rich noble young men. Smiling wryly, Chun Yuhong remembered his own son (Chun Yu) who after hearing the news of Wei Zhi’s return had eagerly requested to be put into the Huzhuo Cavalry even if it means a demotion. 

Chun Yuhong walked up to greet Zhi Wei with a sincere expression. Getting off her horse, Feng Zhi Wei greeted Chun Yuhong and said “The reason we are here is to request additional supplies. The weather has turned cold and the men are all still wearing fall clothing. Moreover, their soft armor and weapons also need to be replaced. We can’t afford to not have these supplies while out on a battle, so we ask for your understanding General.” 

“Of course, of course.” Agreeing readily, Chun Yuhong promptly summons Quartermaster Zhu Shirong who quickly runs over, not sparing a glance over at Feng Zhi Wei’s direction as he loudly promises Chun Yuhong “No worries, Commanding General, everything is ready!”

“I will just go get the supplies myself.” Feng Zhi Wei takes Tao Yangyu and a few other men with her. Chun Yuhong also sent one of his subordinates to go with Feng Zhi Wei as he says “Official Wei has worked hard in this past month. Since you are here, you might as well rest some. The Capital is sending an overseer and he should be arriving tonight so we might as well greet him together.” 

“We will see.” Zhi Wei replies “We are not planning to stay in the main camp. Not too convenient. We have our own campsite a bit ahead.”

Chun Yuhong knows that the last time Huzhuo tribe (that’s Helian’s tribe, which is why the cavalry is named that) was betrayed and ended up losing so many men, one of the causes was spies within the Tain Sheng army so it is totally understandable now that they wouldn’t trust them. The only thing he can’t figure out is how an outsider like Wei Zhi was able to make such a fierce tribe as Huzho to obey him. 

********** (End Loose Translation) ********

Despite the many questions swirling in his head, Chun Yuhong didn’t ask any of it but returned back to his own tent as Feng Zhi Wei followed Quartermaster Zhu to the supplies storage building. 

Ordering the men to start loading the big piles of supplies unto carts, Tao Yangyu suddenly lets out an “Eh?” 

Holding up a soft armor towards Feng Zhi Wei, Tao Yangyu used his hand to rub the soft armor, and soon there appeared a hole. 

The leather armor is moldy. 

Feng Zhi Wei’s eyes narrowed.

Tao Yangyu’s expression turned cold as he pulled out a long spear, lightly pinched the top and the tip fell off. 

The sound of the iron spearhead falling to the ground was loud. Tao Yangyu slowly turned his head to look at Quartermaster Zhu. 

• Turns out, Quartermaster Zhu wanted to save some of the best stuff for his brother in-law so he mixed some bad supplies in with the good, thinking that once Zhi Wei is hundreds of miles away there is very little chance that they would turn around over a few bad supplies. Who would’ve thought that these noble dandies would go over these armors so carefully? 

Meeting Tao Yangyu’s now chilling glare, Quartermaster Zhu’s heart started to pound but still believe this was no big deal and forced a smile “Brother Tao, all the good armors are here. We really are short on supplies and everyone needs them so..” 

Feng Zhi Wei looked over at him and asked offhandedly “All the good armors are here?”

Her glance made Quartermaster Zhu’s heart jumped again but he still gritted his teeth and answered loudly “Yes!”

The supplies building can only be opened by Commanding General’s approval and his own keys, no one else can enter. What can Wei Zhi do if he insists that all the good armors are here? 

After giving him another glance, Feng Zhi Wei tipped her head in Master Gu’s direction. 

Master Gu waved his hand, something shiny shot out, and the lock on the storage door that would require two grown men to carry promptly fell, narrowly missing  Quartermaster Zhu toes. 

Stunned, Quartermaster Zhu yelled “What are you doing! Those who dare to break into the supplies building will be killed…” 

The lieutenant sent by Chun Yuhong to accompany Feng Zhi Wei also hurried forward. Feng Zhi Wei gave them a smile and said “Who says I am breaking in?” 

Before the two men could figure out what Feng Zhi Wei meant, Master Gu had already floated over, waved his hand again and the two heavy doors promptly opened slowly revealing the soft armors at the outermost wooden shelves. With another wave of his hand, a soft armor landed in Master Gu’s hand. 

Quartermaster Zhu’s face turned ashen after watching Master Gu plucked things out of thin air. 

Feng Zhi Wei lazily adds “We didn’t break in at all…” 

Master Gu shook the armor open, revealing a shining new and soft leather armor. 

Tao Yangyu gave Quartermaster Zhu a swift kick, knocking him to the ground. 

“What are you guys doing!” Quartermaster Zhu yelled loudly “I am the quartermaster, I have the right to allocate supplies as I see fit! You sweaty prairie barbarians, what use do you have for good leather armor…” 

Before he could finish speaking, Tao Yangyu had already stuffed the rotten leather armor into his mouth. 

“Not long ago, some Da Yue calvary caught up to us and we fought! We had just had a battle so there was not enough armor to go around. After pushing the armors around, we finally decide to wrestle for them. Every single one of them was trying to lose.” His foot on Quartermaster Zhu’s chest, Tao Yangyu spit on his face, “One captain used his “authority” to “lose” his own armor. That’s how he was run through by a spear but before he died, he still managed to kill his own killer. You all who just shrink behind the battle line, you dare to give the worst armor to those who are bleeding the most out there fighting?!” 

“Why are you wasting words with him?” Feng Zhi Wei who had been listening quietly finally gave a humorless smile “Do I have to tell you what happens to those who disobey a military order?”

Tao Yangyu’s eyes lighted up while Quartermaster Zhu began to howl loudly “I didn’t disobey, I didn’t, I didn’t! I am an officer, you have no right to kill me!” 

“General Wei!” The Lieutenant sent by Chun Yuhong stepped in front of Quartermaster Zhu and urged “You can’t kill innocent people indiscriminately! Even if he is at fault then it is for Commanding General to decide. If you kill officers at will, then you will be punishable by death as well!” 

Tao Yangyu hesitated and looked towards Feng Zhi Wei. He doesn’t care about his own career but he doesn’t want to drag Feng Zhi Wei down with him. 

“Official Wei!” The arguments here had disturbed the big tent, another lieutenant ran over, out of breath, and whispered in Feng Zhi Wei’s ear “This is official Hu’s son-in-law…it is His Highness’…” 

He didn’t finish his sentence because he saw the person beside he abruptly lets out a smile.

The smile was bright, like a moon that is about to rise into the sky, then he heard this 17 year old killing general asked slowly “One of Prince Chu’s people? Yes?” 

The lieutenant stared at Feng Zhi Wei’s sudden arched smiling eyes and felt a bit of chill creeping up his spine as he nodded in a daze. 

“Very good.” Feng Zhi Wei’s smile became even warmer “His Highness is wise, how can he have such a scum for a subordinate? We, as ones who serve, cannot allow such scum to stain His Highness’ great reputation. Things His Highness is too busy for, we should do it for him…Yangyu!”

“Yes sir!”

“Kill!”

“Alright!”

The sword flashed, blood shot out, and sprayed Tao Yang Yu all over. Quartermaster Zhu howled once, fell, his body jerked twice then stopped moving. 

The blood slowly seeped out, the silence is deafening. 

No one had thought this famous youth really is as fierce as the legend says. He really killed according to his will. Dropping Commanding General’s name? No use. Bring out Prince Chu’s name? Well, that just sped up the killing. 

Staring at the bright blood flowing towards her feet, the smile hovering at the corner of Feng Zhi Wei’s lips did not diminish. 

Her return this time, she is no long that Wei Zhi who is trying to lay low. She is the Wei Zhi that will turn everything upside down! She is not satisfied with killing one person or one thousand. What she wants is ascension to high heaven, to ride above all, to throw everything down so they are all under her foot! 

According to the letters they’ve managed to intercept, Tian Sheng Emperor is no longer satisfied with Chun Yuhong who plays everything safe. The more she shows her sharp edges the more she will grab the Emperor’s attention. 

This scum was the perfect chance to show her sword! 

“Alright, that’s it then.” Feng Zhi Wei clapped her hand, “Yangyu, switched out the bad supplies according to our list then we will return to camp.”

“Yes!”

The lieutenant saw that she really is going to leave just like that, quickly stepped forward, tried to think of something to say but when he looked at the corpse on the ground then he had no clue what to say. Giving him a side glance, Feng Zhi Wei suddenly asked “So it sounds like the Overseer will be here soon?”

Taken aback, the lieutenant is unsure why the sudden change of topic. 

“You can back away now.” Feng Zhi Wei gave him a smile “When the Overseer arrive he will certainly bring rewards for me. If my guess is right, I should at the very least be a lieutenant. So lieutenant who is of the same rank as me, you can please move aside now.”

She used the word please but she wouldn’t even spare a glance his way. The sweating lieutenant looked up only to see the Huzhuo warriors staring furiously at him with their hands all on their swords. Obviously, if he kept on blocking, Official Wei will not care if he kills one more. 

The lieutenant knows full well that with the legendary genius Wei Zhi had shown previously and now on the battlefield, there is little chance that any punishment would result even if Wei Zhi adds him to the corpse already on the ground. 

The lieutenant silently backed away, watched Tao Yangyu quickly gathered up the supplies, and rode off after Feng Zhi Wei. By the time the main tent sent another person to check on the situation, Feng Zhi Wei is long gone. 

Her tens of thousands calvaries exited the main camp from the North opening, kicking up rolling dust as they headed towards the west. A long long procession, with the big apricot-yellow flag with the letter “Ning” on it, entered from the south entrance. 

Passing each other by. 

Any guesses on who the Overseer is? 

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