Chapter 301:301. You should give me a hug.

Translator: 549690339

The Lin Family was extremely important in Jiaye City.

Lian Shun’s grandfather, Lian Xuan, was once a renowned general of the Southern Qian Country. He guarded the gates of the Qian Country diligently until his death from a sudden illness, deeply loved by the common people.

However, Lian Xuan’s two sons were not suitable to be military commanders. Lian Shun, the only grandson capable of inheriting his grandfather’s mantle, spent years trying to save his grandson, Duanmu Che, before finally joining the army last year.

Although it was said that the Lin Family had declined and had no successors, Lian Shun might have received insincere compliments when he went to the capital city and was regarded as “Master Lin.” Yet, in the southern region, especially in Jiaye City, the reputation of the Lin Family remained undiminished and was respected.

On the eve of the war, the people of Yin Country meticulously planned for a long time, captured the entire Lin Family, and blackmailed the guard general of Jiaye City, Yuan Ye, to personally negotiate. However, they ambushed and killed Yuan Ye, causing chaos in Qian’s army, and the Jiaye City quickly fell.

Guard General Yuan Ye was the sworn brother of Lian Xuan, who had gone through life and death together. Yuan Ye would never ignore the life and death of the Lin Family. Even though Lian Shun had just returned from the North and was recovering from his injuries, he had not formally taken any position in the southern army.

It is evident that Yin Country was well-prepared and aggressive this time.

Through careful planning and deployment of masters, it would not be difficult for Yin Country to abduct the weakened Lin Family from Jiaye City, whose only remaining member was still recovering from injuries.

The answer is clear: the Lin Family could not prevent or defend against this level of malice and means.

Targeting the Lin Family as a breakthrough was undoubtedly sinister and ruthless, but it was indeed effective.

Destroying peace by any means necessary signaled that Yin Country was serious this time.

Obviously, the alliance between Qian Country and Liang Country posed a crisis to Yin Country.

However, among the three countries, it was Qian Country that truly did not want to wage war and could not afford to do so. Due to geographical reasons, Liang Country and Yin Country were far apart, with one in the south and the other in the north, making it impossible to fight each other directly. However, they could easily join forces to attack Qian Country.

Therefore, Qian Country would not refuse an alliance with either the South or the North.

Nevertheless, alliances were superficial and fragile. Qian Country could not easily allow the Liang army to enter its territory and jointly defend against Yin Country, as that would be inviting the wolf into their home. Once Yin Country and Qian Country fought each other to a certain extent, their so-called ally Liang Country might choose to stand by or, worse, join the fight, most likely against Qian Country.

This was the confidence behind Yin Country’s decision to initiate the war. Ultimately, the relationships among the three countries were driven by self-interest.

Listening to Che Yun recounting the events from the beginning of the war to the present, Su Liang checked his wounds and recent medication.

The injury was on the lower right side of his chest, not life-threatening. What was tricky was the poison. Luckily, the army doctor had treated it properly at the beginning, stopping the spread of toxins as much as possible. Otherwise, Che Yun would already be dead.

Su Liang regretted not bringing Lao Bai with him. But it was too late to think about that now.

“Can you detoxify this poison?” Che Yun saw Su Liang frowning and asked with a pale face.

As Su Liang was taking some stuff from the medicine box, he didn’t look at Che

Yun, “What if I say I can’t?”

Che Yun sighed deeply, “Then it’s my fate.”

“You’re lucky,” Su Liang said. “Although my poison techniques are poor, and I don’t understand what poison you have, I met a senior before who gave me some divine remedy.”

Che Yun was stunned for a moment, watching Su Liang take out a small jade bottle from the medicine box and pour out a brown pill the size of a green bean.

“Eat it,” Su Liang handed the pill to Che Yun.

Without any hesitation, Che Yun swallowed it.

Su Liang shook his head, “You’re too trusting. What if I were a spy from Liang or Yin Country? I’ve already told you I don’t know how to detoxify it, and yet you still dare to eat the medicine I gave?”

Che Yun coughed twice, holding his chest, and said, “If it’s given by you, it must be right.”

Su Liang closed the medicine box and took Che Yun’s pulse, “You should be fine.” That was a detoxifying divine remedy given by Lao Bai, who claimed to have carried it for many years, with only two pills in total. Su Liang didn’t know how Lao Bai had hidden it and didn’t want to know. The other pill was given to Gu Ling.

“Thank you,” Che Yun tried to smile.

Su Liang stared at his beard, “Have you ever thought about shaving it off?” Che Yun shook his head, “Not for now.”

He had told Su Liang the reason for growing a beard before: he wanted to look more masculine as he had some feminine features.

“Forget it.” Su Liang was just speaking casually.

“Gu…Will Marquis Chang Xin be in any…danger when negotiating with people from Yin Country?” Che Yun furrowed his brows.

Su Liang sneered, “You originally wanted to say there won’t be any problems, right? He may be too good-looking and not sociable, but he’s not just a vase, don’t worry. No matter the outcome, with him going, it will be the best result we could achieve.”

Che Yun nodded slightly, “It seems you trust him a lot.”

“Of course, we’re family.” Su Liang said, “It’s the same whether he goes or I go.”

However, after getting dressed, Che Yun still insisted on going to the riverside to check on the situation, claiming that he was worried about Lian Shun.

“That’s fine.” Su Liang sighed slightly, “I also want to see how Lian Shun is.

Let’s go together.”

Su Liang walked out with the medicine box, and Che Yun followed behind. At the door, he suddenly asked Su Liang, “Didn’t you say you had one more thing to tell me?”

Su Liang didn’t look back, “Let’s talk about it later.”

Che Yun insisted on riding a horse, and Su Liang didn’t stop him. Since his limbs weren’t injured, the poison issue wasn’t a big deal.

When the two left the military camp, they ran into a young man in mourning clothes with a wooden expression. After passing by on horseback, Che Yun told Su Liang that it was Yuan Pei, the only grandson of the veteran General Yuan

Che Yun was wounded by an arrow while trying to save Yuan Pei. Yuan Pei, impulsive by nature, rode out of the city alone to avenge his grandfather after being stimulated by Yuan Ye’s death.

“They have a strong bond, and Yuan Pei just lost his reason due to excessive grief,” Che Yun sighed.

Su Liang didn’t agree with Yuan Pei’s actions, and from her perspective, it was even foolish and almost harmful to others and himself. However, she hadn’t experienced the pain of losing a loved one, and she couldn’t empathize. Since Che Yun didn’t blame Yuan Pei and he didn’t die, there was no need for her to sav any condemning words.

After leaving the South Gate of Nanshan City, the view became broader. After riding for another two miles, they could see the Qian Country army stationed by the riverside, which had retreated from Jiaye City.

Liuxian River separated Jiaye City and Nanshan City, and it also blocked the offensive steps of Yin Country’s army as another border for Qian Country.

After Che Yun led the troops to withdraw to the north bank of Liuxian River, he quickly deployed a tight defense by the river, with archers guarding day and night.

At this moment, about ten thousand Yin Country soldiers lined up across the river to the south, while Qian Country’s army was on high alert to the north.

Su Liang and Che Yun rode their horses through the separated ranks of soldiers, and finally saw Gu Ling’s figure.

He stood by the river, his black clothes and hair fluttering in the wind, like an immortal who would ride the wind away in the next moment.

As Su Liang got off her horse, she heard someone report to Che Yun, “General Che, Marquis Chang Xin wants to exchange himself for General Lin! ”

Su Liang stopped in her tracks, and Che Yun was stunned.

At this moment, a person wearing armor and a helmet stood at the forefront of the troops on the opposite bank. Su Liang couldn’t see clearly, but she knew it wasn’t Lian Shun.

“Since Lord Gu is so righteous, we should fulfill his wish! Please, Lord Gu, come and be our guest in Yin Country!” The robust voice echoed along the riverbank, followed by laughter and ridicule from Yin Country’s army.

“Su Liang, Yin Country’s people are cunning, and the agreement to exchange hostages may contain traps!” Che Yun frowned and said to Su Liang.

However, Su Liang calmly walked towards Gu Ling and said, “If he’s willing to go, then let’s swap. Prepare the boat!”

Che Yun sighed deeply and ordered someone to quickly prepare a small boat.

By the time Su Liang reached Gu Ling’s side, a person appeared next to the commanding officer on the opposite bank – it was Lian Shun who had been taken there. Seeing the captive, Su Liang knew it was Lian Shun even without seeing his face.

At first, people from Yin Country on the opposite bank had been clamoring for a long time but had never actually shown any member of the Lin Family. This was the first time Lian Shun had been brought before Qian Country’s people after being captured. The reason was that Gu Ling, who had just arrived in Nanshan City, immediately proposed to exchange himself for Lian Shun voluntarily.

With more than a dozen members of the Lin Family in their hands, there was no fear of them running away. To exchange one Lian Shun for Qian Country’s Marquis Chang Xin and Liang Country’s Prince Ning was a profitable deal, so they had no reason not to agree.

Su Liang gently bumped Gu Ling’s arm with hers, as a greeting.

From Che Yun’s perspective, the two seemed very close.

“Great God, are you planning to emulate Bei Jingwang and break into the enemy’s camp alone?” Su Liang whispered, “No matter what you want to do, I will definitely support you. But you have to tell me the plan first, so I can evaluate the risks.”

Che Yun thought it was inappropriate to exchange people, but Su Liang insisted on doing as Gu Ling said, because she knew that Gu Ling would not lose his reason for anyone.

Lian Shun was brought over and confirmed to be alive, the initiative already tilting towards Qian Country.

“I am Su Liang, the one in charge. I wonder who is in charge on the side of Yin Country?” Su Liang asked loudly.

After a while, a shout came from the other side of the river, “Are all the men of Qian Country dead, so a little girl takes charge! Hahahaha!”

Another burst of laughter followed.

Su Liang’s face remained calm, knowing that the other side was deliberately trying to Dovoke her and demoralize Oian Country’s soldiers. When it quieted

down, she spoke again, “The men of Qian Country are fine. On behalf of me, please pay respects to General Mu Ya of Yin Country. Was she promoted to general because you were not up to it?”

The wind carried Su Liang’s mockery into the ears of the people of Yin Country.

The general standing beside Lian Shun’s face immediately turned as black as a pot. Yin Country once had a female general, Mu Ya. Why should they mock Qian Country for letting a woman be a general? Besides, Mu Ya was defeated by Su Liang, losing in a humiliating manner.

A man being said to be incompetent always sounds ambiguous.

This time, even louder laughter came from the Qian Country’s army on the north shore.

Lian Shun was awake but had his mouth gagged and his mind somewhat dazed. He could vaguely hear Su Liang speaking, sometimes far away and sometimes close, but he couldn’t make any sound.

“Is General Su reluctant to use her lover for a hostage exchange? Just say it outright, and cut the nonsense!” A cold shout came from the other side.

The people on the side of Qian Country also thought that Su Liang would not let Gu Ling go to exchange for Lian Shun.

Su Liang said coldly, “We in Qian Country have always been true to our word. If he wants to exchange, then exchange. I will not stop him! However, in exchange for hostages, my lover’s status is enough to exchange for all members of the Lin Family!”

This time the response from the other side was quick, “Dream on! One for one, or no deal! Let him tie up his hands and come alone. If he dares to play tricks, you’ll be collecting Lian Shun’s corpse!”

Su Liang looked helpless, “Great God, they really don’t appreciate your worth.

You must feel wronged.” She then turned her head and said, “Bring rope.”

Che Yun and other military commanders looked at each other and could only do as Su Liang said.

A general couldn’t help muttering, “Are they really husband and wife? They’re so willing to…”

Soon, the rope was brought, and the boat was in the water.

According to the agreement Gu Ling had made with the other side before Su Liang arrived, he and Lian Shun would board separate boats, tethered by ropes as they crossed to the other side. No one was allowed to intervene, otherwise, the first ones to die would be Gu Ling and Lian Shun, exposed in the middle of the two armies.

Su Liang tied Gu Ling’s hands with a rope, of course using a slip knot. The people on the other side could not see the details from this distance. One of the important reasons this could work was that outsiders had no idea how strong Gu Ling’s true abilities were.

Then Su Liang helped Gu Ling get on the boat, and the people in Yin Country also put Lian Shun on a small boat. He could hardly stand and fell into a sitting position.

Both sides’ archers took their positions. The archers of Qian Country aimed at the other side, while the archers of Yin Country aimed at Lian Shun. If there was any movement, he would be killed by a hail of arrows.

The hostages were both from Qian Country; no matter how one looked at it, Yin Country seemed to have the advantage in this round.

“I trust your abilities, but still, be careful.” Su Liang cautioned Gu Ling. It was not their fault that Yin Country had first used Lian Shun as a hostage bargaining chip. If they did not break the situation under Yin Country’s control as soon as possible, they would be held hostage, making the situation even worse.

“Okay.” Gu Ling nodded slightly, looking at Su Liang, “You should give me a hug.” He said it with conviction. There had always been a “ritual” of hugging between them when parting, not to mention that this was not an ordinary separation. Gu Ling was going to do something dangerous.

Su Liang agreed and hugged Gu Ling in front of both armies.

Gu Ling’s hands were tied, so in any angle, it was Su Liang who took the initiative.

It was said that she loved him very much, but she let him take risks for the greater good, and she was so reluctant… The onlookers saw Su Liang and Gu Ling embracing each other, which seemed to have a sense of life and death separation.

However, the fact was far from the separation of life and death; Su Liang knew Gu Ling could handle it, and she believed him, knowing that he would come back safely.

“Enough lovey-dovey! Both of you come together; we don’t mind!” A shout from a Yin Country general came from the other side.

Su Liang let go of Gu Ling, and after returning to the shore, she made a gesture. The soldiers holding the boat began to release the rope, and Gu Ling drifted towards the other side.

At the same time, Yin Country also released the small boat with Lian Shun.

There was one possibility: Yin Country didn’t intend to exchange hostages at all. After Gu Ling’s arrival, they would shoot arrows to kill him, and Yin Country would not suffer any losses.

However, Su Liang believes that the decision-makers in Yin Country are not insane. A person is only valuable when alive, and Gu Ling is a particularly special hostage, with the possibility of even controlling the Liang Country’s royal family. Killing him would offend both Qian Country and Liang Country simultaneously. At least Situ Xie and Situ Han’s behavior all along has given the impression that they care about Gu Ling.

Moreover, even if the people of Yin Country were crazy enough to shoot an arrow to kill a hostage, Su Liang believes that Gu Ling has the ability to protect himself. That is the main reason why she allowed Gu Ling to go.

Stepping forward, Che Yun stood beside Su Liang, looking anxiously at the two small boats slowly drifting in the river, “Are you really so sure about letting him go? If he falls into Yin Country’s hands, you will be directly threatened.” “He will be fine,” Su Liang shook her head, “It seems that Lian Shun is injured.” Hearing Su Liang’s words, Che Yun sighed deeply and said nothing more.

In the third month of spring, the weather in Nanshan City was already quite hot.

A thunderstorm was approaching, with dark clouds covering the sky and low air pressure.

The boats were controlled by soldiers on both shores with ropes, and they moved slowly.

With a thunderous boom from the dark clouds, the two boats met in the middle of the river, separated by a distance, and crossed without any accidents. Standing on the boat, Gu Ling didn’t even glance at Lian Shun.

Unable to restrain himself, Che Yun spoke again, “Su Liang, if Gu Ling takes rash actions over there, it might anger Yin Country people and harm Lian Shun’s family.”

Upon hearing this, Su Liang suddenly became displeased and did not hide her feelings. She directly confronted Che Yun, “If he doesn’t go, can you think of a way to save Lian Shun? Or let Yin Country people capture Lian Shun and torture him in front of us, breaking his limbs to force us to back down and let them cross the river?”

Che Yun’s face stiffened as he frowned, “That’s not what I meant. I just don’t want them to get hurt…”

“I know you care about Lian Shun and his family. But if you can’t solve the problem, just shut up and recover from your injuries!” Su Liang said sharply.

Su Liang could understand what Che Yun was worrying about, and she hadn’t told him what Gu Ling was planning to do. But hearing such words still made her angry. Regardless of whether Che Yun’s concerns were reasonable or not, she didn’t want to hear anyone question what Gu Ling intended to do!

As Lian Shun’s boat approached the north bank of Liuxian River, Gu Ling drew closer to Yin Country’s army.

Finally, Su Liang could see Lian Shun clearly. He looked dazed and bewildered, lying limp on the boat, as if he had been drugged with sedatives. There were no apparent external injuries on him.

When the boat finally reached the shore, someone immediately came to carry Lian Shun ashore and took him to the rear.

At the same time, Gu Ling, who was pulled ashore, quickly disappeared into the Yin Country’s army ranks.

In fact, across the wide river, shooting arrows at each other was almost useless unless one was an exceptionally skilled archer.

Su Liang didn’t look at Lian Shun’s condition and kept her eyes on Yin

Country’s troops across the bank, counting silently, “One, two, three…”

As Su Liang counted to “six”, a disturbance suddenly erupted among the Yin Country forces on the south bank, but nothing could be seen clearly from the North Bank.

The commotion only lasted half a moment before the soldiers retreated like a tide, their formation in disarray.

Su Liang’s gaze shifted to the dense forest on the south shore, then quickly returned to check on Lian Shun.

Lian Shun was drugged with something like a muscle relaxant. His mind was not clear, but he still recognized Su Liang, “Su Xiaoliang…where is Gu Xiaoling…”

“Take him back to the city.” Su Liang looked at Che Yun, “I’ll be there soon.”

Che Yun wanted to say something but stopped short. Su Liang knew what he wanted to ask but didn’t feel like explaining.

After inspecting the defensive deployment along the riverbank, Su Liang returned to the military camp in the city by horse. Qian Country quickly received a scout report: The hostage Gu Ling who was exchanged, entered Yin Country’s army and captured the leading general, Fan Tong, in a swift manner before successfully escaping and disappearing into the dense forest by the riverbank.

“Marquis Chang Xin’s strength is so formidable?” A general exclaimed joyfully, “That’s great! That Fan fellow is extremely hateful! He is the one who killed the old veteran General Yuan!”

Che Yun looked at Su Liang, “I apologize for my previous words; I underestimated Marquis Gu’s strength.”

Su Liang shook her head without saying a word and took the medical kit to treat Lian Shun.

Another general, with a relaxed expression, clapped his hands, “The man whom General Su has taken a liking to, how could he be just a pretty face? Marquis Chang Xin is not only brave but also resourceful! Whether we can turn the tide in the upcoming battles is all up to him now!”