With a full belly and a good night’s sleep, one would have a few more chances of survival when disaster looms.
Feng Yun lay on a cot scented with the aroma of smiling lotuses.
She was covered with a newly changed red wedding quilt, an unfamiliar feeling.
She couldn’t sleep.
In her mind, she saw images of the Qi Army ants-like, swarming over the moat and climbing the city walls, and Pei Jue pierced through the chest by an arrow...
Chills crept over her body.
The warmth of the charcoal fire couldn’t fend off the coldness of imagination.
-
Hengqu Pass.
Nightfall ca, and the mountain winds carried a solemn chill.
Xiao Cheng studied the maps in the Central Military Tent with a very solemn expression.
If the Qi Army did not take Bingzhou in a single stroke, they would surely be widely criticized.
This battle was one in which he could only win, not lose...
"Report—"
A frantic shout ca.
Xiao Cheng looked up, "Co in."
The scout, hand on his waist saber, ran inside and knelt on one knee.
"Emperor, Jin Army ambushes are set on the left bank of Ghost River, with deep trenches and high ramparts for cover, and there are hidden archers. Our left-wing forces had not advanced deeply before the ambushed troops attacked."
Xiao Cheng did not speak yet.
Another scout hurriedly rushed in.
"Emperor! Urgent report—"
He took deep breaths, his face deathly pale, his lips seemingly unable to close properly.
"Han Chuhu’s defected army suddenly, suddenly launched a fierce attack from our rear right... They’ve turned against us!"
"Report—"
Another long call.
The newcor’s steps were quick, and before he entered the tent, his voice was already loudly announcing.
"Emperor, Emperor, it’s bad. The northwestern direction has co under attack by Jin Army’s elite ambushed troops, led by the deputy commander of the Red Armor Army, Ao Qi. They ambushed General Xie’s right-wing forces, disrupting our army’s siege rhythm..."
Before this person’s voice fell, cries of alarm once again ca from outside.
"Report—"
Xiao Cheng’s face changed, his hands clenched slightly, his eyes fixed with rage.
The one who ca now was a soldier from Kou Shan’s front lines.
"Emperor, there is talk at the front lines that Jin Army has received reinforcents of a hundred thousand, and the Jin Army’s morale is greatly boosted... Our army had just set the pontoon bridge when Pei Gou killed his way out from the city, his cavalry charging directly at our front lines, scattering our offensive..."
After catching his breath, he added:
"General Kou ordered to report to the Emperor, the Beiyong Army is formidable, and there are ambushes on three sides. Our grand army fears we will, fears we will be trapped in a tight encirclent..."
Trapped in a tight encirclent?
Before attacking, Xiao Cheng had doubted Pei Jue’s sincerity and had not put all his main forces at the front. However, the large armies led by Kou Shan and Xie Congguang numbered no less than one hundred fifty thousand, plus the support of Xiahou Xian and Feng Tingji, attacking on three fronts. Even if all three were ambushed, how could they be trapped in a tight encirclent?
Hmph!
If they were surrounded and annihilated despite having the nurical advantage, then he, the Emperor, might as well not rule!
"It’s bold of Pei Jue to venture out of the city to confront us."
The patchy light from the lamps fell upon Xiao Cheng, making his face appear even more tranquil.
"Coming just in ti. Dress . I shall don my armor and join the battle!"
Ping’an’s eyes widened, and he looked up.
"Emperor, you must not!"
As long as the Imperial Carriage was stationed at Hengqu Pass, protected by its natural defenses, there would be no danger, but if the Emperor personally went to the front, the risks would be unpredictable.
Ping’an clenched his teeth and desperately stepped forward to stop him.
But the Emperor’s mind was already made up. A suit of silver armor was put on him, and he looked valiant and impressive.
"Gongsun Jiong, Xuchi, lead the Third Armor Division to support Kou Shan with ."
This was to take the field and confront Pei Jue.
Ping’an’s head buzzed, and he was so anxious that he started hopping.
"Emperor ah, blades and swords on the battlefield do not have eyes, and your dragon body is of paramount importance."
Feng Ying arrived at this mont. She watched Xiao Cheng under the iron helt, his eyes cold and fierce, and imdiately her rosy face turned pale.
"How can your precious body take such a risk by going into battle?"
She understood all too well how critical Xiao Cheng’s life was for her. Nanqi had changed Emperors several tis in just over two decades. If sothing happened to Xiao Cheng, her second half of life would be utterly bleak, with no hope of seeing the light again.
Feng Ying knelt down, imploring with tears streaming down.
"Emperor, for the sake of all the people of this world, for the multitudes, please reconsider."
Xiao Cheng was expressionless, only looking at her coldly and indifferently.
"Step aside."
Feng Ying cried out in a miserable tone: "Emperor!"
Xiao Cheng: "I am not yet dead in battle, why cry?"
His voice did not betray any emotion, yet Feng Ying was so frightened that she imdiately stopped crying, biting her lower lip fiercely, looking at him with a sorrowful gaze.
"I... I...cannot bear to see the Emperor risk danger..."
Xiao Cheng remained silent.
The guards brought his steed, a towering white horse, strong and vigorous. Xiao Cheng no longer paid attention to Feng Ying, walked past her, mounted the horse, and with command, he rode off, hooves thundering into the night.
Feng Ying knelt on the ground, staring at the night sky and the flood-like departing troops, crying out in long sorrow.
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