Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 92 Long-cherished wish
Everyone in this world will die one day.

Some people believe that after death the soul goes to heaven, some believe that after death one goes to hell, some believe that after death one falls into reincarnation, and some believe that after death it is like a light going out and turning into nothingness.

This uncertainty about what happens after death makes many people feel that life has no meaning. They live in a muddle-headed state, and if they have a little money and power, they will indulge in a life of drunkenness and debauchery. However, these people are always the ones who fear death the most.

After Huang Chao offered sacrifice to Wang Xianzhi, Zhu Wen felt for the first time that death was so close to him.

In the past, due to his youthful bravery and fearlessness of death, he had been in life-and-death situations many times, but he always managed to turn danger into safety and turn misfortune into blessing.

But the fact that Wang Xianzhi, the commander-in-chief of the Grass Army who had dominated the martial arts world for forty years, and more than 30,000 Grass Army soldiers turned into ghosts overnight had already told everyone in the rebel army.

Not only each individual soldier, but also the existence of the Grass Army may be completely destroyed in the face of the storm of the Four Marshals.

This did not frighten Zhu Wen at all.

Even if they had the initiative, facing the undefeated Marshal Yan, they only had a 50% chance of winning. The remaining 50% possibility was that the Cao army would be completely destroyed.

But the situation had already been created, and from Huang Chao on down to every small soldier below, they had to fight to the death.

This may be a key turning point that determines the fate of the Tang Empire.

Thinking that his blood would help write an important page in the annals of history, the heroic excitement completely overwhelmed the fear of death.

His mother was taken care of by his elder brother at home, so he didn't need to worry too much.

"Junior sister, are you afraid of death?" he asked casually.

"What's there to be afraid of? If we lose this battle, I won't be the only one to die. It will just mean we can all continue to be companions." Duan Hongyan didn't care at all: "The leader of Cuiyan Sect, Liu Mengyan, swore not to be humiliated. I will not let myself fall into the hands of the government troops alive."

This answer made Zhu Wen feel even more fearless about life and death.

"But have you considered how to accommodate little sister Zhizhen?" Duan Hongyan said, "She's not a warrior."

Warriors, regardless of gender, should have the same courage on the battlefield. But Lan Suting was just a talented woman who was well versed in poetry and literature.

Lan Suting was certainly not afraid of death, but as she was weak and powerless, it would be difficult for her to make up her mind to commit suicide if she fell into the hands of the government troops.

"Xiao Huo," Zhu Wen instructed Huo Cun, "You don't have to participate in this decisive battle. Before the battle begins, escort Zhizhen to the Taishan Sect to find Madam Chaoying."

Chaoying did not openly join the Cao Army. If the Cao Army was destroyed, she could clear herself of the matter and continue to be the head of the Taishan Sect.

"By the way, don't steal from your employer, otherwise I will come to you to take your life even if I become a ghost." Zhu Wen said with a smile.

Huo Cun was horrified. "Boss, I regard Military Advisor Lan as a fairy from heaven, how could I dare to have such thoughts. Besides, you are just preparing for an emergency. We can still win this battle..."

"Yeah, just in case." Zhu Wen patted Huo Cun on the shoulder and said, "I was just joking with you. I have no doubt about your character."

Huo Cun sighed and said, "Boss, you made such a joke that I broke out in a sweat."

Duan Hongyan was quite satisfied with Zhu Wen's arrangement: "It's better to keep weak women away from a fierce battlefield. Besides, Sister Zhizhen is so innocent and lovely."

War has never kept women away. The reason why battlefields are almost entirely filled with men is simply because women with martial prowess are relatively rare.

Brave women like Duan Hongyan and Tian Jun have been seen in the flames of war for millennia. Commanding armies like a Flame Marshal is no exception, including Princess Pingyang Zhao, the elder sister of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty.

At this time, Lan Suting and Tian Jun came back together and reported to Zhu Wen that the mission was successfully completed.

Hearing Zhu Wen's arrangements for her, Lan Suting said softly, "Suting will obey the general's orders, but the general will definitely be fine. Fairy Chaoying has also invited us to participate in this year's Five Peaks Incense Festival."

Zhu Wen remembered the appointment with Chuoying at the Wufeng Incense Meeting. His original plan was to help Chuoying surpass the other four famous romantic families, and then use this to promote the liquor developed by Huang Chao and make a profit.

But even leader Wang Xianzhi had died in battle, leaving the Cao army in a life-or-death situation, facing a decisive battle with Marshal Yan on the summit of Pinglu. The incident at the Five Peaks Incense Meeting seemed like a trivial matter.

Only Lan Suting was serious and still kept this in her heart.

Originally, keeping one's word was a principle that ancient scholars valued. Although Lan Suting was not a soldier, he considered himself a scholar and held Zhu Wen to the same standards.

In her opinion, Zhu Wen should keep the appointment, so he must win the battle and survive to fulfill his agreement with Chaoying.

This childish persistence made Zhu Wen feel relieved and more confident in this battle.

In war, the side that disregards life and death the most is often the one that wins. He turned to Tian Jun and said, "I gave you a lot of money."

Tian Jun nodded: "I know."

Wang Xianzhi's rebel army had no pay at all, relying entirely on spoils of war for income. Huang Chao's army, on the other hand, was much more regulated, with a clearly established pay system for at least the several thousand core members of his army.

However, Zhu Wen treated Tian Jun much better than when she was with Kou Qian, and she could still share the spoils of war like other soldiers when she won.

"Asking a mercenary to risk his life is a bit too much." Zhu Wen paused and said, "But I need your strength."

Tian Jun is even better than Zhu Wen in terms of horsemanship. As a cavalry general, he is much stronger than Huo Cun, who is a half-baked one.

"You just want me to sell my life to you." Tian Jun snorted, "What a philistine."

"Give me back the money." Zhu Wen hooked his finger.

Tian Jun immediately yelled, "When did I say I didn't want to? If I didn't want to, I would have switched sides at the last minute on Mount Tai, okay?"

"That's true." Zhu Wen said, "Although you are a fool, your professional ethics are quite good."

Tian Jun showed a slight smug look and accepted Zhu Wen's praise. As for Zhu Wen calling her a fool, she must have been used to it and was not very angry.

"But I think you still have some unresolved issues. Before a life-or-death battle, it's best to fulfill your long-cherished wish so you can give it your all."

Hearing this, Tian Jun couldn't help but open her eyes wide: "A long-cherished wish? I'm not even afraid of death, what long-cherished wish can I have?"

Zhu Wen said leisurely, "People who are not afraid of death often have long-cherished wishes."

"Don't be angry about what I'm going to say next."

Tian Jun nodded: "You have said a lot of unpleasant things with your stinky mouth, I will try my best to control my emotions."

"So, your mother is a concubine, right?"

What Zhu Wen said made Tian Jun's face change instantly.

“You…” She clenched her fists and almost decided to punch, but finally gritted her teeth: “You…how did you know?”

"The status of Western Hu people in the Tang Dynasty is quite low," Zhu Wen said calmly. "Of course, there are many exceptions, such as your two friends, 'White Tiger' and 'Suzaku'. Their families must have been naturalized for many generations, and they are considered military households with the same status as Han people. But generally speaking, Han people would not marry Western Hu people as their principal wives."

Zhu Wen was telling the truth. In the Tang Dynasty, the Western Region Hu people were most likely to appear in two places: one was among the slaves and servants of wealthy families, and the other was the Jiaofangsi.

The Tian family in Wei Bo was Han Chinese, so Tian Jun's Western Region Hu ancestry could only come from her mother. Such a prominent feature, a high nose and deep eyes, could not be manifested in the next generation.

Zhu Wen asked, "So, your brothers are not born to the same mother as you?"

Tian Jun hesitated slightly: "My eldest and second brothers were born to my aunt, and my third brother and I have the same mother."

"You said you felt quite ashamed of bullying Tian Xiang," Zhu Wen said. "But how far could you go as a girl? If you had harmed her too severely and affected her business, the manager would have certainly come after you. So I suspect the real evil was done by your brothers."

Tian Jun remained silent.

"You've clearly returned to Weizhou, but you're unwilling to go back home. This shows how much that family has disappointed you." Zhu Wen said calmly, "And your brothers are truly utter scumbags. Tian Xiang's relationship with your family is only just outside the fifth degree of mourning, right?"

Tian Jun hesitated: "After all, they are my brothers..."

Zhu Wen asked in return: "When did I say I would kill them?"

"There are too many bad guys among the Wei Bo Ya soldiers. Unless you kill them all at once, chopping off a few heads will be useless. But you really shouldn't blame yourself for their mistakes. People like them need to be taught a lesson."

"You must reckon with all the grievances you suffered in that family. Only when your thoughts are clear can you fully participate in this life-and-death battle."

Tian Jun asked in surprise, "You want to accompany me back to Weizhou again?"

"It won't take long if we ride fast." Zhu Wen said, "You are my most important fighting force right now."

(End of this chapter)