TVSS Chapter 31

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“What needs to be reported?”

The good mood was abruptly interrupted, and Chu Heng’s mood was slightly displeased. He put down the wine jug, directly instructing someone to report without any intention of concealing it.

Su Jingxuan also looked over curiously, his innocent eyes seemingly unaware that he was about to hear important military information.

The strategist hesitated, his gaze fixed on Su Jingxuan, clearly indicating that the military information was confidential and not suitable for outsiders.

“It’s okay; Jingxuan is not an outsider. Go ahead,” Chu Heng said, understanding the strategist’s concern. He did not dismiss Su Jingxuan and directly called him by his recently learned intimate alias.

The strategist felt a sense of shock. Although he knew that the Prince had taken a liking to the Empress, he hadn’t expected that in just a few short days, the Prince would not even hesitate to share classified military information, showing such trust.

However, at this moment, he didn’t have the time to contemplate the Prince’s trust issues. The current military situation was more pressing.

When a few other generals were summoned over, the strategist’s tone became heavy.

“Your Highness, a report from the northwest. The Li family in Lijiang has become restless again. Knowing that Your Highness has left the capital after the audience, they immediately mobilized their clan members to invade the border. General Qian fell into an ambush due to negligence and was captured. All three thousand elite soldiers were wiped out with no survivors. Later, General Liu led eight hundred covert riders to rescue, but they also failed and were captured.”

The strategist’s face became serious and solemn.

The northwestern soldiers were renowned for their bravery and skill in battle. The fact that they were referred to as elite soldiers under the Prince’s command meant they were exceptional warriors, with three thousand of them comparable to a common army of ten thousand.

The commanding officers were also outstanding leaders. No matter how defeated they might be, it was impossible for them to suffer a complete annihilation.

The Li family, a barbarian tribe residing in the deep mountains near the northwestern border, had long been eyeing the territory of Great Yong. They had clashed before, and their opponents were known for using poisonous powders and venomous insects, making them formidable adversaries. However, in the end, they were defeated and driven back into the mountains by the Prince.

Now, with the military report, the northwest army suffered a devastating defeat. All three thousand elite soldiers, except for the commanding officers, perished.

“What is the current situation?” Chu Heng asked, crushing the wine jug in his hand. The elite soldiers were handpicked and trained by him, and each one was a chosen warrior, like brothers.

“The situation is at a stalemate. General Wang has blocked them at the entrance of the Canyon Pass, but the Li family seems to have meticulously planned this attack. They used poisonous insects and toxic gases, making our medical skills useless against their methods.”

“What’s even more hateful is that the Li family is extremely audacious. After breaking through the territory, they massacred innocent civilians of Great Yong along the way, claiming that outsiders in the Li family’s territory were not allowed.”

“Such atrocities are despicable!” Several generals couldn’t hold back their anger. Throughout history, conquering armies had a tacit agreement not to harm surrendering civilians. The barbarians, however, had mercilessly slaughtered the innocent.

The strategist wore a troubled expression, and the atmosphere grew heavier as he continued.

“In the letter, General Wang said that they can hold their position for at most half a month. Your Highness, please return as soon as possible. If the pass falls, the Li family will easily take control of the three cities behind it. Even if we set out immediately, it will take at least half a month to return. Considering the time it took for the news to reach us, we have at most ten days now.”

A group of three thousand soldiers, no matter how fast they traveled, would not make it back in ten days. Even if they did, time would still be needed to discuss the latest situation with the stationed officers and devise a strategy. It was essentially a deadlock.

“We must rush back even if it seems impossible. The Li family has gone too far, committing such heinous acts as massacring civilians. If they truly capture the pass and the three cities, given the ruthless nature of the Li family, all the hundreds of thousands of civilians there will perish.”

“Your Highness, we implore you. Let us ride through the night with fast horses to seek vengeance for our fallen brothers.”

“Prepare to break camp.”

Chu Heng stood up, his voice heavy, his gaze sharp as a blade.

The northwest was his fief, and losing the three cities wasn’t crucial. The Li family, with their limited numbers, posed no real threat to the sovereignty of Great Yong. However, if they lost the three cities, it would damage the prestige of Prince Gong. The surrounding tribes, who were intimidated by his name, would likely rebel.

Once war broke out, the stable lives of the common people would be disrupted, and the foundation of Great Yong’s power would be shaken. His passionate soldiers would inevitably face numerous sacrifices.

Therefore, holding the Canyon Pass was absolutely crucial.

Even if the hope seemed faint or even impossible, they had to try.

“Wait.”

Su Jingxuan, who had been silent, suddenly grabbed Chu Heng’s arm.

Chu Heng turned around, his expression slightly softened. He patted the young man’s head, comforting him.

“The military situation is urgent. I need to return immediately. Don’t worry; I will leave a pair of elite soldiers to ensure your safe arrival in Yubei. Once I settle those animals that dare to challenge us, I will come find you.”

“Your Highness, you cannot go. The enemy’s goal is not the cities but you.”

Su Jingxuan shook his head, looking worriedly at Chu Heng, tightly holding onto his arm.

Seeing this, Chu Heng knew that the young man was worried about him. He was delighted that the young man cared so much about him, but the situation on the battlefield was dire, and he had to return in person.

“Rest assured. I won’t be in any danger.”

He embraced Su Jingxuan, whispering comforting promises in his ear. The intimate, affectionate murmurs were like those of lovers parting ways, and the greedy breaths created an intoxicating atmosphere.

The strategist coughed to signal his presence, turning his face away. He silently prayed not to see anything, not to see anything at all. It would be best if he were blind at this moment.

All the northwestern officers and soldiers present, however, were wide-eyed and shocked. Their astonishment was not at the identity of the one being embraced but at the unexpected tenderness displayed by their prince.

Su Jingxuan didn’t push him away. After being hugged for a while, he finally pushed Chu Heng away, his cheeks blushing as he got back to the main issue.

“Your Highness, listen to me. I know the situation is dire, but you cannot go back in person. The Li family’s sudden invasion is not about claiming land; it’s about setting up a trap to capture you.”

“Empress Chunyi must know something. Is it related to the court?”

The strategist, quick-witted, immediately asked, putting the urgency of the situation ahead of other concerns. The young man was the current emperor’s consort, so if he was bringing up these matters, it undoubtedly had some hidden implications.

Several generals, not very adept at thinking, remained silent, leaving the complex political analysis to the strategist. They were experts on the battlefield, but the intricacies of the imperial court left them perplexed.

“The Emperor currently doesn’t have the courage to move against Your Highness. Despite any hatred or fear he may harbor, he still needs Your Highness to help him secure the stability of the Great Yong dynasty.”

In the presence of Chu Heng’s trusted men, Su Jingxuan spoke frankly without reservation.

“I don’t know what experiences you’ve had with the Li family before, but from today’s military report, it seems like a trap specifically targeting you.”

“The army stationed in the northwest under Your Highness’s command is at least three hundred thousand strong. The Li family is just a small tribe; the total population, young and old, doesn’t even reach ten thousand. How can such a small tribe force the officers guarding the northwest to seek Your Highness’s help? It’s strange.”

“The Empress Consort is not aware that the Li family’s pest control techniques are truly extraordinary. In our previous encounters, we were unable to completely annihilate this small tribe. They are adept at using poisonous and insidious methods, making them difficult opponents,” the strategist explained the enemy’s situation.

He understood the discrepancy in numbers, but the Li family’s ability to drive away pests exceeded common expectations.

“If the Li family’s pest control methods are truly that formidable, and they can contend with a force of three hundred thousand troops stationed in the northwest, why would they remain a small tribe hidden in the deep mountains?” Su Jingxuan, with a serious and determined expression, raised an eyebrow, adding a touch of sharpness and arrogance.

“Consider this: if you were the king of the Li family and possessed such abilities, wouldn’t your first thought be to conquer neighboring vassal states and tribes, consolidate your strength, and then confront the great nations, letting the princes of all nations come to pay homage as emperor? Yet, the Li family has not done so.”

The strategist and the generals fell into silence. The young man was correct. Any ruler with ambition would have thought in such a way. They had been too hasty before, overlooking this critical point.

“Moreover, even if they possessed powerful pest control methods that caused the northwest army to retreat continuously, after reaching the Canyon Pass, they would need to leave people to guard the captured territory. With their tribe’s numerical strength, they wouldn’t have the ability to launch continuous offensives.”

“But now, they are advancing like an unstoppable force, forcing the northwest army to defend desperately in the canyon. If their poison techniques were so powerful that they could wipe out a thousand troops in an instant, why would they need to confront us and wait for our forces to seek help?”

“The situation is so critical, and the consequences of losing the pass are clear to everyone. At this point, we could easily mobilize the entire northwest army to fight against the enemy. One person’s betrayal could be compared to someone taking off their shoe and smashing it on us,” Su Jingxuan chuckled.

“As the commander, when facing such a severe situation, instead of utilizing the three hundred thousand-strong army to rescue, they notified His Highness, who is far away and unable to reach in time for the imminent danger. It’s quite laughable.”

“Somebody is serving two masters,” the strategist and the enraged generals understood.

This simple reasoning was easy to grasp. They had initially failed to consider that trust among the northwest soldiers and commanders was unparalleled. This trust had turned the northwest army into a formidable guardian force for Great Yong.

When brothers were in trouble, their first thought was to rescue them. Yet now, in this group of trusted brothers, a traitor had emerged, attempting to plot against the Prince. This betrayal was unforgivable.

“Continue,” Chu Heng stared at Su Jingxuan, his lips slightly curved, lacking any anger at being betrayed.

The deep and dark gaze lingered on the eloquent lips, and the confident appearance of the young man made his chest feel a subtle disturbance, but no other unnecessary emotions arose.