The General Says She Won't Marry - Chapter 49 Part 2

The fragile balance between the two armies was shattered one morning when an urgent report arrived from outside the pass. Beichen Long took the message from the courier, quickly opened it, and his vision momentarily blurred with rage. Gritting his teeth, his expression darkened.

Yang Jin, who had been standing beside Beichen Long, noticed his reaction and immediately frowned. “What happened?” he asked.

Beichen Long let out a heavy sigh and handed the urgent report to Yang Jin. “See for yourself.”

Yang Jin took the message and scanned its contents. The moment he understood what it said, his face changed drastically. “Mingzheng has fallen?!” he exclaimed.

A sharp, cold light flickered in Beichen Long’s eyes. His face was grim, his hands clenched tightly against the table as he gritted his teeth in anger.

“The barbarians are cunning. I had received intelligence that their forces were divided into three groups, attacking Mingzheng, Poyan, and Xingbei Pass simultaneously. We couldn’t spare reinforcements, but I believed that even though Mingzheng’s garrison was small, they should have been able to hold out for at least a month. I never expected it to fall in just ten days!” He sighed again, this time with a hint of sorrow in his voice. “The barbarians played their hand well—truly well. That princess of the Boka Tribe is a formidable opponent.”

Yang Jin’s expression was dark and conflicted as he stared at the urgent report in his hands. He clenched his teeth before asking Beichen Long, “What about Mingzheng’s troops? They didn’t all perish, did they?”

Beichen Long shook his head and sighed. “They weren’t completely wiped out. Around twenty thousand soldiers survived and are currently retreating toward Xingbei Pass. The barbarians sent eighty thousand troops to take Mingzheng—there was no way the garrison could hold against such overwhelming numbers.”

Yang Jin finally exhaled in relief. As long as people survived, that was what mattered. A lost pass could always be reclaimed, but the civilians living in the Mingzheng region had undoubtedly suffered.

Beichen Long understood Yang Jin’s concerns. Clenching his fists tightly, he growled, “The barbarians are serious this time. They want to force me to abandon Xingbei Pass so they can take control of the northern frontier. But I, Beichen Long, will not be defeated so easily!”

He had guarded the northern frontier for thirty years. Every blade of grass, every tree, every flower in this land had grown under his protection. His understanding of the northern frontier far surpassed that of the barbarians. If they thought they could crush him and seize control of this land, they were gravely mistaken.

Yang Jin also let out a sigh, his face showing a hint of dejection as he said helplessly, “I only hope these barbarians will realize the difficulty of their situation and retreat sooner, sparing countless innocent civilians from death and suffering. Their own people have shed so much blood and sacrificed so many lives on this land—do they not feel any sorrow for that?”

Beichen Long scoffed at Yang Jin’s words, letting out a cold snort as he retorted, “That heartless horde—you expect them to care about the common people? They’re nothing but ruthless beasts who kill without a second thought! Even if you make them suffer, they won’t learn their lesson!”

Just as Beichen Long finished speaking, the sound of horns echoed from the city walls once more—the barbarians were launching another assault. They seemed tireless, as if their strength was inexhaustible. This relentless siege left Beichen Long feeling frustrated and agitated, yet he had no choice but to once again summon the troops within the pass to open the gates and face the enemy.

***

After repelling the enemy for the thirty-seventh time, the barbarian forces finally withdrew ten miles and, for once, rested for a full two days. Beichen Long felt slightly relieved, and the soldiers of Xingbei Pass also seemed to see a glimmer of hope. The enemy was finally showing signs of fatigue. If they could just hold out, victory would surely come when the barbarians were forced to retreat for good.

Standing atop the city walls, Beichen Long’s gaze darkened as he pondered how to break the enemy’s offensive.

Resources within Xingbei Pass were depleting rapidly, but Beichen Long was certain that the barbarians’ losses were no less than theirs. In fact, their daily consumption was likely even greater. The enemy’s food supplies could not sustain such an unrelenting assault indefinitely. As nomads, they couldn’t simply drive their cattle and sheep onto the battlefield, which meant they had a steady stream of supplies being sent to them from behind the lines.

If he could sever the barbarians’ supply lines, would it be possible to completely cripple their advance?

But locating the exact source of the enemy’s supplies posed a difficult challenge. Such crucial intelligence could not be uncovered by ordinary scouts—they would only be throwing their lives away in vain. The choice of personnel for this mission could not be made lightly.

With no immediate solution in mind, Beichen Long slowly descended from the city walls. Just as he was about to return to his tent, a messenger suddenly arrived, reporting that a eunuch had come from the capital, waiting outside the camp with an imperial decree. The messenger stated that the decree specifically named Beichen Long to receive it.

Beichen Long’s brows furrowed deeply, a vague sense of unease rising in his heart. With a cold expression, he followed the messenger to the entrance of the camp, where he received the imperial envoy.

As soon as the eunuch saw him, he announced in a high-pitched voice, “Grand General Beichen Long, receive the decree!” Beichen Long had no choice but to kneel on one knee, listening as the eunuch unfurled the bright yellow scroll and, in his nasal tone, read aloud, “By the mandate of Heaven, the emperor decrees: The borderlands are harsh and bitter, and Grand General Beichen Long’s duty in defending them is not an easy one. Given the current unpredictable situation beyond the pass, the emperor hereby summons General Beichen and the Fifth Prince, Beichen Bo, to immediately return to the capital for debriefing and strategic discussions. Furthermore, Guo Wencheng is to be promoted to temporary commander of all three armies. Thus is the decree given!”

Before the eunuch even finished reading, Beichen Long’s mind was already ringing with alarm. By the time the entire decree was announced, he felt as if his very being was about to explode.

The emperor was treating him like a fool. The decree’s true intent was as clear as day—it was a blatant move to strip him of his military power. The pretense of summoning him back for discussions was laughable. Everyone knew what the emperor truly intended. The moment Beichen Long set foot in the capital, he would be seized. Even if they didn’t execute him immediately, he would undoubtedly be placed under house arrest.

Beichen Long let out a cold, mirthless laugh. He suddenly lifted his head, glaring at the eunuch with a gaze so sharp and bloodthirsty that it made the imperial envoy shudder. Yet, relying on the emperor’s authority, the eunuch straightened his expression and firmly stated, “General Beichen, please accept the decree.”

Beichen Long’s lips curled into a mocking smile. After years of risking his life for the northern frontier, a single imperial edict was all it took to cast him aside.

If the ruler showed him no mercy, why should he remain loyal in return?

“Beichen Long accepts the decree and expresses his gratitude for the imperial grace!” He extended his hands, receiving the decree with an icy glint in his eyes. As he rose to his feet, he turned to the two guards behind him and said, “Our esteemed envoy has traveled a great distance and must be exhausted. Escort him to rest.” Then, shifting his gaze back to the eunuch, he spoke in an almost cordial tone, “The battlefield is chaotic these days. For your own safety, I advise you not to wander around. It would be unfortunate if something reckless and ignorant were to accidentally cut you down.”

Those last two words were deliberately emphasized, making the eunuch tremble involuntarily. He had yet to fully grasp the hidden threat in Beichen Long’s words, but before he could react, he was already being led away by the guards—undoubtedly to be placed under house arrest.

Beichen Long clenched the decree tightly, his expression dark as a storm. He turned and strode back into his tent, immediately summoning Guo Wencheng.

Guo Wencheng arrived quickly, lifting the tent’s entrance flap and stepping inside. He knelt on one knee and saluted, “Grand General, what is your command?” He had yet to hear about the imperial decree and had no idea that a calamity had just befallen him.

Beichen Long’s eyes were ice-cold as he curled his lips into a cruel, mocking smile. “Guo Wencheng, you have received the emperor’s favor—how is it that you remain unaware?”

Guo Wencheng’s face filled with confusion, a creeping unease settling in his heart. “What do you mean, sir?”

Beichen Long tossed the imperial decree toward Guo Wencheng. Guo Wencheng caught it with both hands, unfolded it, and upon reading its contents, his vision blurred. With a loud thud, he dropped to his knees, bowing low to the ground in a state of panic.

“Grand General! I had no knowledge of this matter whatsoever! Please, sir, see the truth clearly!”

Beichen Long sneered. “See the truth? And how exactly am I supposed to do that? The decree is written in black and white—clear as day. As of now, you are no longer a fourth-rank general. Instead, you hold the same rank as me, a grand general. No need to kneel so humbly before me anymore!”

The sarcasm in Beichen Long’s tone made it clear that there was no room for discussion. Guo Wencheng, deeply perplexed, furrowed his brows in distress. Yet, despite his confusion, he remained prostrate, trying to defend himself.

“General, why do you speak this way? I have always been loyal to you. His Majesty’s thoughts shift unpredictably—how could any of us possibly anticipate his decisions? Please, sir, do not trouble yourself over this matter!”

Beichen Long’s expression grew even more disdainful, his mocking tone undisguised. “Hah! General Guo, you’ve barely been promoted, and already you’ve learned to talk to me like this. Impressive!” Guo Wencheng’s head shot up in shock, but before he could respond, Beichen Long slammed his hand down on the table and bellowed, “Men! Take General Guo away. Let him stay in his tent and have a good, long think about how he plans to lead the army against the barbarians!”

At once, Beichen Long’s trusted aides stormed into the tent. They grabbed Guo Wencheng by the arms and, no matter how he struggled or pleaded for his innocence, their faces remained impassive as they dragged him out.

Beichen Long pressed his fingers hard against his brow, his eyes filled with a fierce, violent intensity.

He had never expected betrayal from Guo Wencheng, and he knew this was likely just the emperor’s ploy to sow discord. But Beichen Long was naturally distrustful, and with the chaos at Xingbei Pass in recent days unsettling his mind, he had begun to suspect those around him more and more. This imperial decree only deepened his suspicions, leaving a knot of unease in his heart that refused to fade.

Whether the emperor had schemed deliberately or acted without intention, one thing was certain—this decree had successfully thrown trouble his way.

Yet even though Beichen Long had immediately placed Guo Wencheng under house arrest, word of the decree spread through Xingbei Pass like wildfire. It didn’t take long for the soldiers to learn that a eunuch from the capital had arrived with an imperial edict summoning Beichen Long back to report to court and appointing Guo Wencheng as the new temporary commander of the three armies.

There was no suppressing such news. Beichen Long knew that someone inside the pass had leaked information to the emperor—likely about the attack on the Fifth Prince. Enraged, the emperor had seized this opportunity to strip Beichen Long of his military power and install a new general in his place.

Whether Guo Wencheng had actually betrayed him or not no longer mattered—Beichen Long could never trust him again. But those officers who had always been close to Guo Wencheng would not let this go easily.

Back when he sent Guo Wencheng to the capital, he hadn’t gone alone—Lin Aoxue had been with him. A cold glint flashed in Beichen Long’s eyes as he murmured to himself. He had chosen them because he valued their abilities, yet now, it seemed he had unwittingly planted the seeds of his own misfortune.

Soon, soldiers started approaching Beichen Long, asking about Guo Wencheng’s whereabouts. Beichen Long merely observed them coldly and gave vague answers. As more days passed and Guo Wencheng still did not appear on the battlefield, the top-ranking officers of the army gathered in Beichen Long’s command tent, demanding an explanation.

Beichen Long swept his sharp gaze over them, his expression icy. He let out a low chuckle and asked, “What explanation do you want?”

One of the officers stepped forward and asked, “Why has General Guo not been seen these past few days?”

Hearing this, Beichen Long’s lips curled into a faint smile as he replied, “General Guo was just promoted. He is likely in his tent, exhausting his mind to devise a strategy for repelling the enemy.”

The officer who had spoken first furrowed his brows, unimpressed by Beichen Long’s evasive answer. Instead, he pressed further, “If he is planning a strategy, why not do so directly on the battlefield? Sir, could it be that you have placed General Guo under house arrest because of His Majesty’s decree?”

Beichen Long reacted as if his tail had been stepped on. He slammed the table with force, his voice thundering, “Impudent!” The officers flinched, but Beichen Long had already risen to his feet, his eyes gleaming with icy hostility as he snapped, “It has only been a few days, and you dare speak to me in this manner? Just how much has Guo Wencheng given you all behind my back?”

The officers’ expressions changed drastically. One of them, looking utterly shocked, hastily responded, “General! How could you suspect us of such a thing? We simply believe that since His Majesty has issued an imperial decree, it should be followed accordingly. General Guo should be granted command over the army as instructed. The war is at a critical juncture, and you delaying your return to the capital is a necessary measure. Once we repel the barbarians, returning to court will not be too late.”

Beichen Long’s gaze grew even frostier. The more they spoke, the deeper his suspicions of Guo Wencheng became. Once the officer finished speaking, Beichen Long immediately countered, “Hah! If my delayed return is truly a necessary measure, then how can there be two grand generals in the same army? Since I am still here, having General Guo step back and remain behind the scenes is the wisest course of action.”

The officers were utterly stunned. They had never expected Beichen Long to say something like this. The officers at Xingbei Pass were mostly straightforward, men of brawn rather than deep political thought. They did not dwell on intricate schemes or layered meanings. When Beichen Long made such a statement, their shock was immediate. One of them quickly asked, “General! Are you defying the imperial decree?”

At those words, not only did Beichen Long’s expression darken, but the surrounding officers’ faces also changed.

What had started as a manageable situation could spiral out of control the moment such a statement was spoken outright. Once something was openly declared, it often became reality.

As generals of Beichen Empire, they had always believed that the emperor’s decree was absolute. No matter how high Beichen Long’s rank as grand general was, the emperor’s will must be obeyed without question. But now, Beichen Long was giving them the impression that he had no intention of following this decree.

Beichen Long’s cold stare locked onto the officer who had just spoken, his eyes flashing with a sharp and piercing light. He let out a chilling laugh and said, “Of course, I would never defy the emperor’s decree. If you are so concerned about General Guo, why not go and see for yourselves what he is doing? That would be far better than standing here interrogating me!”

The officers, unsettled by Beichen Long’s hostility, saw no further reason to press the matter and took their leave.

Beichen Long’s mood was abysmal. Sitting alone in his command tent, he brooded over their words, his anger steadily mounting. The only small comfort he had was that more than half of his officers had not come to question him.

He realized he had acted too hastily in dealing with Guo Wencheng, but he could not think of a better course of action. No matter what, he would never allow Guo Wencheng to take command of the army and gradually erode his own authority.

***

After the officers withdrew, none returned to bother him again. Meanwhile, the barbarians launched several more attacks on the city, all of which ended in failure. Beichen Long could see it clearly—the enemy was losing momentum. Their forces were growing weaker, struggling to hold on.

It was nearly time to launch a full-scale counterattack and drive the barbarian forces completely out of the northern border.

Beichen Long convened all officers of rank duwei and above to discuss the upcoming battle. The assembled generals arrived promptly, but before Beichen Long could even begin, someone suddenly asked, “Why isn’t General Guo here?”

Beichen Long’s face darkened. Several days had passed since the last inquiry about Guo Wencheng, and he had assumed the matter had settled. He had not expected it to resurface at such a critical moment.

His expression turned icy as he replied with a sneer, “General Guo is busy with urgent matters. He must have no time to attend.”

The officers exchanged glances. Nearly half of them furrowed their brows. One of them hesitated, then cautiously said, “Did His Majesty not decree that General Guo was to be promoted to temporary grand general? No matter how busy he is, he should not be absent from such an important war council. Sir, please send someone to summon him.”

At the head of the room, Beichen Long’s fists clenched tightly. A fierce, murderous light gathered in his eyes, growing sharper by the second.