Chapter 129: The Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell (2)

Endowed with natural physical strength and a passion for martial arts, Kong Sheng had honed his skills through persistent practice, particularly after receiving the true teachings of Sima Chengzhen. Long-term accumulation finally led to a qualitative change, and after the baptism of the recent conflict with the Huanggang Hongze water bandits, his combat prowess and adaptability in the face of opposing armies had risen sharply.

For a moment, even Kong Sheng had the illusion that he was a born warrior. The fierce side of his nature erupted amidst the blood and fire of battle; with a thrust of his long spear, he could charge through ten thousand men and take the head of an enemy general as easily as reaching into his own pocket.

His personal bravery formed a striking contrast with his fragile, scholarly appearance.

On the ramparts of the fortress, Master Wang, the owner of the castle, wrapped in a thick cotton robe and shivering in the cold wind beside Princess Fengyang, Li Xuan, exclaimed in surprise: "Your Highness, who would have thought that this Jiangning scholar would be so fearless and brave? He is truly gifted in both civil and military arts. If Your Highness could recruit him into your service, he would surely be a powerful right hand in the future."

The corner of Li Xuan's mouth twitched. Her gaze remained fixed on the rampaging Kong Sheng, but she replied indifferently, "He is the Magistrate of Songcheng in Suiyang, appointed by the Imperial Court and currently under the command and control of my father, the Prince. There is no question of 'recruiting' him or otherwise."

Master Wang responded with an "Oh," not daring to say another word, for he detected a hidden edge in Li Xuan's tone, suggesting she was somewhat displeased.

The Jiangbei soldiers under Li Xuan’s command leaned over the battlements, gazing at the distant battlefield, their eyes filled with growing shock and awe. Soldiers prize martial prowess and iron-willed courage. To these men, no matter how elegant or magnificent Kong Sheng’s essays and poems might be, they meant little; but now, witnessing this refined young scholar from the south charging through enemy lines with unstoppable force, a seed of reverence began to take root in their hearts.

Out of the corner of his eye, Mu Changfeng noticed that Kong Sheng had begun to specifically target the mounts of the rebel cavalry, often unseating man and horse with a single strike. Even Mu Changfeng secretly gasped at such fierce, sweeping momentum.

Kong Sheng’s natural strength was fully realized in this small-scale engagement. If he were to switch to a heavier long weapon, he would be a human beast, unstoppable, crushing everyone in his path.

Li Hu and Li Bao led their men in a thunderous charge. Their mission was to burn the rebels' siege engine construction site at all costs. Even if the rear was filled with the deafening sounds of slaughter and their own men were falling, they were not to look back.

This was Kong Sheng’s strict command.

The main camp of the rebels began to stir. Originally thinking that a hundred men could easily dispose of the fifty or sixty who had ventured out, they were caught off guard as their forces were routed, leaving behind a dozen corpses before retreating.

Li Hu and Li Bao’s men rushed toward the "construction site." The rebel guards scrambled to meet them, while the captured farmers and craftsmen abandoned their work and fled in chaos. On the outskirts, Li Hu roared, grabbing the cowhide bag from his back and forcefully splashing the stored fire oil as his horse galloped past. His men followed suit, and Li Bao sneered as he struck a fire-starter and tossed it onto a half-finished siege ladder.

In an instant, flames soared into the sky, illuminating the terrified, enraged, and hideous faces of the rebels as they scattered like panicked beasts.

Li Hu was ecstatic, shouting, "Brothers, do not get bogged down in battle! Retreat!"

On the fortress, cheers erupted one after another, and a look of delight appeared on Li Xuan's face.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the tide of battle had completely turned. It turned out that Li Hu and Li Bao had not fled without a fight, but had instead executed a flanking maneuver to burn the rebels' equipment. Without these unfinished siege engines, the rebels would be unable to launch an attack on Wang's Fortress for some time.

Kong Sheng’s bravery, strategy, and courage were now fully apparent to Li Xuan and her subordinates. On this day, the name Kong Sheng was deeply etched into the minds of these fierce Jiangbei soldiers under the Prince of Guo. Labels such as "Disciple of the Emperor," "Talent of Jiangnan," "Magistrate of Songcheng," and "the reincarnation of Prince Wei Huai Wang Xuanba" were firmly attached to him.

With the tasks of harassing the rebels, destroying their equipment, and probing their strength completed, there was no need for these fifty men to fight to the death.

Li Xuan suddenly turned her head and shouted, "Prepare to open the gates! Sound the gongs to withdraw!"

The loud, crisp sound of gongs rang out. Kong Sheng glanced back at the gatehouse of Wang's Fortress and exchanged a knowing look with Mu Changfeng. The four of them turned their horses and began to retreat with the fifty men. But as they neared the fortress gate, Kong Sheng suddenly laughed aloud, cupped his hands toward the gatehouse, and shouted, "Forgive me, Your Highness, I must depart!" He then broke away from the main formation and charged out, with Mu Changfeng, Wu Xian, and Wu Jie close behind.

The four of them galloped toward the northeast. The fifty riders who had been fighting bravely under his command were left stunned, pulling on their reins and watching in confusion as the four men rode away, unsure of what to do next.

Li Xuan’s expression changed on the gatehouse; she suddenly realized that Kong Sheng’s suggestion to fight outside the fortress had always been a calculated move to secure his escape. Now, while the rebels were reorganizing and closing in, he had used Wang's Fortress to draw the main body of the enemy away, allowing himself to leave the formation and flee toward the north of the Yangtze.

She was left with no choice.

"That little thief! Truly cunning and shameless!" Li Xuan gritted her teeth in fury. "Soldiers, hear my order: open the gates, bring the men inside, then seal the gates and prepare for defense!"

Li Xuan looked into the distance, her gaze somber and her expression shifting between anger and chagrin. By now, the four riders had kicked up a long trail of dust and were disappearing from her sight, with only a dozen rebel scouts in pursuit.

In truth, since Kong Sheng had left, and knowing he was an imperial official and a protégé of the Emperor, Li Xuan knew she would not harm him. What stung her pride most was that Kong Sheng had played her like a puppet, setting a trap in his own effortless way before giving her the slip.

As a proud and high-ranking princess of the royal house, when had Li Xuan ever suffered such total "humiliation"?

Over a hundred rebels came charging forward with shouts and curses. Li Xuan waved her hand with a dark expression, shouting coldly, "Archers, advance! Prepare! Prepare the logs and stones!"

"Fire!"

Arrows rained down like a storm, and logs and stones crashed onto the attackers. Many of the rebels in the front were struck and either howled in pain as they turned to flee or were killed instantly and fell from their horses.

As the rebels retreated like a receding tide, Li Hu and Li Bao hurriedly climbed the gatehouse and stood respectfully behind Li Xuan, not daring to breathe loudly. Li Xuan glanced back at them and said indifferently, "You two have worked hard. Take your men and go rest."