“This……”
Xu Qiao held the green mechanism bird in his palm and looked at it in the sunlight for a while before saying, “The Mo family in the Qi capital is rich in mechanism birds. It’s possible that they are of the same type. Your Highness may be too tense.”
“It can’t be.”
Sui Heng sat behind the table with a gloomy face.
“When Gu bought it that day, the boss said that he made it himself. When dyeing the wings, he used the wrong ink, and the tip of the wings had a slight red color. This is the only one in the world.”
Xu Qiao turned the mechanism bird around and glanced at the tip of its wings. Sure enough, it had a little red feathers.
Xu Qiao: “Perhaps it’s just a coincidence?”
Sui Heng gave him a cold glance. “Are you deliberately opposing Gu?”
Xu Qiao asked, “Then what does Your Highness think?”
Sui Heng pursed his lips, “Gu has been wondering how that machine bird could have fallen out of my sleeve in the first place. Now it seems that someone deliberately stole it.”
“Your Highness suspicion is?”
Sui Heng didn’t speak.
But Sui Heng had seen that when Tian Meng died, apart from the arrow in his throat, there were many small wounds on his body cut by a dagger. Although the wounds are not deep, they are all in fatal areas such as the wrist and neck.
Tian Meng is the top general of the Qi Kingdom, and it is not easy for ordinary people to harm him. Such cunning techniques can only be achieved by professionally trained assassins.
And his little lover, on the other hand, had stayed at the Qingque Terrace, the place that trained top assassins and killers in addition to Kunjun.
He once brushed past him on the streets of the Qi capital and even stole his mechanism bird.
It must be like this.
How could ordinary people have the courage to approach him and steal his things?
There’s only that darned little lover.
He abandoned him and went to the Jiang Empire. He was so clever, he knew he would definitely send heavy troops to search for him, so he chose to divert to Qi. Then, on the streets of Qi, he took his belongings.
Battling the fact that he was familiar with his scent and wouldn’t put up a defense against him.
So heartless, so cruel.
Everything is connected.
Maybe, from the beginning, he was a spy sent by Jiang Rongyu, that’s why he would speak for that hypocrite and eliminate Zheng Xian, the inner official of the Jiang Palace who came to expose Jiang Rongyu and his criminal evidence in the Sui capital.
Then he left him and threw himself back into that hypocrite’s arms.
Maybe the hypocrite is laughing at him for falling for his carefully designed “bait” with ease right now. And he is so deeply rooted in love that he can’t help himself, he’s a stupid and pathetic fool.
Sui Heng looked at Xu Qiao with a cold and terrifying look in his eyes, “Gu must strip that hypocrite Jiang Rongyu off of his skin, cramp him, and shatter him into pieces.”
Xu Qiao was baffled, not understanding what this matter had to do with the Crown Prince of Jiang again.
But His Highness has never had any kind words towards the Crown Prince of Jiang. It is common for him to mock or curse him, and Xu Qiao did not pay much attention to it.
Sui Heng snatched the mechanism bird from Xu Qiao’s hand, got up, and walked out.
Shi Fang stood outside with two little children, and when Sui Heng came out, he quickly asked, “Does Your Highness still want this subordinate to send this little kid back to Muyun Pass now?”
Sui Heng tilted his head and looked indifferently at the little baby, holding half a box of cheese and looking at him with two eyes.
After a while, he said expressionlessly, “Watch him, don’t let him appear in front of Gu, and don’t let him leave the Sui army camp for a step; otherwise, Gu will hold you responsible.”
At the end of the sentence, he took a big step away.
Shi Fang froze and looked at Xu Qiao, who came out later.
Xu Qiao shook his head down at him.
Sui Heng publicly announced that he would advance the war.
Two days later, a total attack will be launched on Muyun Pass.
He has been preparing for this great war for half a month, and everything has been done so well that it cannot be more appropriate. The difference between morning and evening is not significant.
Sui Heng focused on Chen Qi’s instructions regarding the supply of provisions and other material supplies.
Chen Qi had always been uneasy about the Xiao Huangsun of the Jiang Empire’s affairs. Unexpectedly, Sui Heng did not investigate this matter thoroughly. His heart was relieved, and his loyalty became even more determined.
Sui Heng summoned the brothers Lu Jishi and Lu Anmin separately, allowing the three hundred sailors to depart early.
Two people said, “Your Highness rest assured, they have made full preparations and will ensure that everything is safe and complete the task.”
As everyone dispersed, Sui Heng sat alone in the tent, wiping his sword slowly, like countless long nights in the past, with the green mechanism bird on the table.
Sui Heng couldn’t say what he felt in his heart.
From childhood to adulthood, he once again felt the feeling of being teased and insulted. And due to the painful agony of the past two years, this insult is more deadly than any sword or halberd in the world, like countless thorns piercing deep into his flesh and veins.
Sui Heng would never forget this feeling.
He wanted to kill people, he wanted to kill people like crazy.
Something suddenly choked his chest.
Sui Heng stopped and casually took the withered flower branch out of his bosom. After staring blankly for a moment, he threw it into the brazier.
When the wooden branch met the red-hot coals, a tongue of fire immediately shot up, which immediately engulfed a small portion of the branch.
One of his hands reached into the charcoal pot once more and picked the branch back up, ignoring the pot full of flaming coals. A small piece of skin on his finger was burned with a sting.
Sui Heng was oblivious and clutched that flower branch tightly in his palm.
“Gu will not let you off this easily.”
“Gu will definitely catch you back, return all the shame you have bestowed upon Gu, ten times and a hundred times.”
And also that hypocrite.
The more loyal you are to that hypocrite, the more I will make his life worse than death.
When Xu Qiao came in, he saw Sui Heng’s eyes that were as deep as water, filled with a surging and horrible violent killing intent.
“What happened to Your Highness’s hand?”
Xu Qiao was shocked.
“Nothing.”
Sui Heng looked up at him.
He said, “Go and prepare a pair of handcuffs as well as footcuffs for Gu, Gu wants the strongest ones you can find.”
Xu Qiao froze.
He doesn’t understand what his Highness is crazy about again.
“Is Your Highness alright?”
Sui Heng tugged at the corner of his mouth and said, “Gu is very well, Gu has never been so good before. In two days, Gu will be even better and become the happiest Crown Prince in the world.”
“……”
Xu Qiao gently mentioned Chen Qi’s matter again.
Sui Heng said, “Gu knows it was him, but Gu won’t touch him for now. He’s a man of means, and he hates Jiang Rongyu to the bone. He is the best person to help Gu defeat the Muyun Pass.”
The mountain-like rain is about to come, and wind and snow fill the building.
“Your Highness!”
In the Jiang Empire’s central army tent.
The defending soldier entered the tent holding a feather arrow, kneeled down on one knee, and urgently reported, “The Sui army sent that Fan Qi to the front of the city to curse and even sent this letter.”
Fan Zhou hurriedly asked, “What letter?”
The soldier said, “It is said to be a handwritten letter from the Crown Prince of Sui and must be personally read by His Highness.”
Jiang Yun immediately stood up and took the letter over.
Opening it, only eight big characters were written on the paper: shameless and vulgar, just wait to die.
Jiang Yun froze.
He sent that letter to Sui Heng because he wanted to test Sui Heng’s attitude. Why did Sui Heng reply with such an unanswered question?
Fan Zhou then asked the soldier again, “What is that Fan Qi was yelling and cursing about?”
The soldier dodged and hesitated, “He said… said…”
“Say what? You tell me.”
The soldier looked awkwardly at Jiang Yun, “He said Your Highness had the audacity to kidnap their Highness’s little concubine.”
“If Your Highness wants to get Xiao Huangsun back, he must exchange him with his little concubine named Chu Yan.”
“And… he also said that Your Highness is cunning and unworthy of being a human. When he breaks through the Muyun Pass, he will strip Your Highness of his skin and cut him into mud to feed the dog.”
“……”
Fan Zhou was so angry that his eyes darkened.
Another general angrily said, “What Zhang Yan or Chu Yan! This Crown Prince of Sui clearly does not want to release Xiao Huangsun, so he intentionally takes an unfounded concubine to talk about it, so as to block the mouth of the world! How could His Highness kidnap his concubine?”
The soldier in charge of transmitting the message whispered, “But that Fan Qi said they have evidence…”
“What evidence?”
“He-he said that in Xiao Huangsun’s hands, there was a mechanism bird given to his beloved concubine by the Crown Prince of Sui.”
“What nonsense!”
“The Qi capital’s streets are full of mechanism birds, how does he know it’s his?”
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince of Sui is so reckless and shameless. I’m afraid he’s determined to confuse the public and use Xiao Huangsun to treat Your Highness!”
Jiang Yun put away the letter into his sleeve. He calmed down and said, “It’s fine, don’t pay attention, continue with the discussion.”
Fan Zhou sighed and felt a little heartbroken.
In the past few days, His Highness has shown an unusual level of calm and strength. He is punctually meeting to discuss every day and personally patrols the city with the generals to set up defenses. There is no obstruction in the wind and snow, and there is no sign of worry or anxiety due to the fact that Xiao Huangsun is trapped in the enemy camp. However, he understands that His Highness’s anxiety and concern may be even greater than theirs.
Xiao Huangsun is still so young after all.
It’s really cruel to use such a small baby as a bargaining chip for war.
As the Crown Prince, the entire Muyun Pass is even a reassuring pill for hundreds of thousands of people in Jiangnan. His Highness doesn’t even have the qualifications to panic and have anxiety. How can he not make people feel heartbroken?
Yun Huai detected the sudden, large-scale mobilization of the Sui army and immediately reported it to Jiang Yun.
Jiang Yun is not surprised. Sui Heng will not delay this battle for too long. He will definitely choose a suitable time, launch a fierce attack, and work hard to capture the Muyun Pass.
If he was right, the time might be in the near future.
They’ve come this far after all.
Jiang Yun did not expect that the little kiddo was carrying the mechanism bird when he was kidnapped, let alone that it would happen to be recognized by Sui Heng.
Sui Heng was sharper than he had imagined, and he immediately saw through that he had stolen his mechanism bird on the street of the Qi capital.
Now Sui Heng must have mistakenly thought that Chu Yan was a spy sent by the Jiang Empire to his side. The deeper his affection for Chu Yan, the more he will hate the Jiang Empire and Jiang Rongyu, and he will inevitably attack Muyun Pass with fierce fighting spirit.
The only consolation is that the little boy should be safe now.
Since Sui Heng wanted Chu Yan, he would definitely do his best to ensure the little kid’s safety.
Jiang Yun stood on the gate tower, letting snowflakes fall on his forehead, eyelashes, and even in his eyes.
Doggy Sui, we can’t avoid military confrontation after all.
What would you choose?
Would you hate me?
The snowflakes melted into water, flowing out of those clear and moist black eyes.
It is often said in books that one should establish one’s heart for heaven and earth, establish one’s destiny for the people, and pursue the ultimate learning of the sages.
Jiang Yun often doubts whether a person’s power can truly be strong enough to support heaven and earth, the people, and the vast sea of knowledge that he could never fully learn in his lifetime.
When he was young, he asked this question to the Grand Tutor.
The Grand Tutor said, Others may not be able to do so, but as the Crown Prince, Your Highness must be able to do so.
Your Highness not only needs to fulfill these three principles but also the last one, “to bring peace to all generations.”
At that moment, the heavy burden and responsibility on his shoulders seemed to be able to suppress all the grievances and loneliness in his heart. In the face of magnificent and heavy things such as heaven and earth, the people, the rivers and mountains, the country, and peace, his personal joys and sorrows seem so insignificant.
He was fortunate that he was the Crown Prince, and even though he had little connection with this world, he could still live for the country and the people.
But what if one day his spine breaks, his shoulders collapse, and he can no longer support the country and the people?
In the afternoon of that day, Jiang Yun was discussing in the tent and received the official battle invitation sent by Sui Heng.
The content of the letter is simple: two days later, the Sui army will officially attack Muyun Pass. Make sure Jiang Yun is well-prepared to kneel down and beg for mercy.
That night, Jiang Yun sat down at the table again, lit a lamp, wrote on paper for the whole night, and divided them into different sachets.
The next morning, Gongsun Yang came to deliver the porridge as usual.
Jiang Yun sorted all the brocade sachets he had written before into a sandalwood box and handed them to Gongsun Yang. He said, “Send them to you first, and after the final battle, hand them over to Fan Zhou.”
After experiencing the incident in the Chen capital, Gongsun Yang became much more alert and immediately asked, “Why didn’t Your Highness give it to Master Fan himself?”
Jiang Yun said gently, “Because there is some gold that Gu privately give him. If Gu gives him directly, Gu afraid that he won’t accept it.”
Gongsun Yang weighed the box, and it was indeed heavy, so he believed it.
Jiang Yun picked up his brush and wrote another letter, calling for the guard and saying, “Help Gu deliver to the Sui army camp.”
Sui Heng was discussing in a meeting when his personal soldiers ran in and presented a reply letter sent by the Crown Prince of Jiang.
Sui Heng took and opened it, only glanced at it, then sneered and threw it away.
Xu Qiao hurriedly asked, “What did the Crown Prince of Jiang write?”
Sui Heng said, “He said not to hurt the little baby, if Gu promised to save the little baby’s life, three days later, he is willing to personally go out of the city, fight against Gu, and return Gu’s concubine.”
Things were exactly as he had suspected.
As soon as he thought of that darned little lover of his being right beside that hypocrite, constantly brainwashed by him, and even giving his things to that hypocrite’s son to play with, he wished he could even eat that hypocrite’s flesh raw.
Xu Qiao and his trusted subordinates were taken aback. He just thought that his Highness was only going crazy with a mechanism bird this time. Unexpectedly, the young gentleman actually fell into the hands of the Crown Prince of the Jiang Empire.
Xu Qiao asked, “How does Your Highness plan to respond?”
Sui Heng picked up his brush and lazily wrote a word, handing it over to his personal soldier.
“Tell him that Gu agreed.”
Not only will he eat the hypocrite’s flesh, but he’ll expose his face in public too, so that everyone can see what a pitiful and ugly appearance he has grown into.
Also to let that darned little lover of his see clearly.
Seeing how he worships that hypocrite, he’s afraid he may not have seen that hypocrite’s true face either.
When Jimo Qingyu heard that Sui Heng had not allowed Xiao Huangsun of the Jiang Empire to return, he came to the Central Army tent again, cursing Sui Heng fiercely. However, this time, Sui Heng ignored him.
There is a bottom line to everything.
This hypocrite is about to trample his bottom line and even his face into the mud.
That hypocrite should be grateful that he didn’t strangle that little brat directly.
“It is often said that taking someone’s wife and concubine is like killing their parents.”
“It’s the hypocrite who started it all. Gu just returned the favor. Instead of wasting breath accusing Gu here, why doesn’t the Prime Minister go to the bottom of the Muyun Pass directly and ask that hypocrite if he still has any shame?”
**
Two days later, the Sui army’s 300,000 iron cavalry poured in.
The whole army was waiting in their prime, and before dawn, they set off towards the Muyun Pass, which was ten miles away. Sui Heng took Fan Qi and another fierce General, Yang Shuo, as the vanguard, Chen Qi and the Lu brothers as the military commanders, and Xu Qiao and five other fierce Generals as the commanders of the left, middle, and right routes. The troops were divided into three routes and advanced straight towards the Muyun Pass.
Xiao Jiang Nuo and Xiao Junwang, Sui Zhang were also placed in a carriage, following behind the army.
In the morning, when Jiang Nuo saw Sui Heng, he looked at the person coldly and pounced on him. He fiercely bit Sui Heng’s leg, with tears in his eyes.
Sui Heng naturally ignored this little boy.
He said expressionlessly, “Are you happy to see your ugly father today?”
Jiang Nuo still wanted to bite, but was thrown away by Sui Heng.
The entire people of Muyun Pass were awakened by the heavy and violent tremors, either drowsy or holding onto a child in their arms. They panicked and pushed open the window, peering out. The cries of the children could be heard everywhere on the street.
Although well prepared, the guards of Muyun Pass could feel a heavy pressure uncontrollably as they watched the overwhelming and endless iron cavalry roll in like black clouds.
Yun Huai carried a sword around his waist, dressed in battle armor, and stood on the city wall with Advisors and Generals such as Fan Zhou. This was also the first time they faced the pressure of the Sui army’s iron cavalry head-on.
They could not predict whether this city wall could withstand the fierce attack of the Sui army, but they could all predict that today will be a bloody battle that will be dark and bloody—a never-ending bloody battle.
Today is still a snowy day.
Under the city, flags are fluttering, and the wind blows over their faces, hunting and flying.
Sui Heng wore cold iron-colored battle armor, carrying a wolf’s head sword that had consumed countless amounts of blood around his waist, with ape arms and bee waist, towering on a horse. He was handsome and bright like the morning sun, and beneath his sharp sword eyebrows were a pair of wild and profound eyes.
Snowflakes fell silently on his cold and stern eyes, which were three points colder than snow.
On either side of him were the Guozhu and ministers of the subordinate countries and their beloved generals and advisors, who were also clad in battle armor.
The sky was dark and seemed to be building momentum for this belated battle.
Sui Heng raised his whip and pointed at the two tightly closed city gates of Muyun Pass. His sword-like eyebrows raised long, and he loudly said, “Soldiers listen to orders. Anyone who can take Jiang Yun’s head today, regardless of their background or rank, will be rewarded with ten thousand gold and granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Houses!”
That sword was cold and not stained with blood, but there seemed to be a faint smell of blood rolling in the air.
It suddenly occurred to everyone that the name of the Crown Prince’s blood-drinking sword was “Soul Breaker.” Now, the blade of the sword is about to fall on the Crown Prince of Jiang, cutting off the soul of the Jiang Empire.
The Sui army erupted with thunderous cries that shook heaven and earth.
After the battle in the north, the Qinglang Battalion was sealed for five years. Now, both the wolf and war spirits awaken on these iron-blooded cavalry with scimitars in their hands.
All the Guozhu and ministers of the subordinate states couldn’t help but get excited, especially Jiang Yuping, the Guozhu of the Jiang Kingdom, who looked up excitedly and stared at the gate tower of the Muyun Pass, which was covered in floating snow. Chen Qi rode his horse and stood beside Xu Qiao, holding the reins in his hand, sweating with excitement and surging emotions.
After today, his long-cherished dream will come true.
After today, he was finally able to avenge himself and stomp on that hypocrite fiercely.
He has enough reason to believe that even if the Muyun Pass is as strong as an iron barrel, it will only be a matter of time before it is attacked by the 300,000 iron cavalry from the Qinglang Battalion.
Jimo Qingyu was also dressed in battle armor and riding on a horse, followed by his eldest disciple Zhao Yan and several Mo calvary.
“The top pass in Jiangnan.”
“Countless youth tours.”
He looked up, his eyes full of vigor, and looked at the city gate tower that he had the privilege of climbing during his former study tour. For a moment, his heart was filled with emotions. Unfortunately, in this chaotic era, human life is like a blade of grass, let alone a mere city tower.
At this moment, a clanging sound of the zither suddenly sounded from the top of the city gate.
The two armies were facing each other in the dead of winter, and a fierce battle is approaching. The atmosphere is solemn, but the sound of the zither is light and pleasant, like the grass, trees, and flowers, the chirping of birds, and the revival of all things in the spring of March.
Jimo Qingyu’s eyes lit up slightly, and he couldn’t wait to search upstairs at the city gates. However, except for generals such as Yun Huai, there was no one in sight who played the zither.
“Your Highness, this is probably the enemy’s conspiracy to deliberately disrupt our military’s morale.”
A general couldn’t help but speak and was stopped by Sui Heng raising his hand. Sui Heng also raised his head and looked up at the city gate tower. His eyes were sharp and straight, and the snowflakes fell on his face silently again.
However, it was empty above, there was nothing.
Sui Heng withdrew his gaze expressionlessly and asked Fan Qi and Yang Shuo to take turns calling for battle.
Jiang Yuping said, “This minister has heard that the Crown Prince of Jiang specifically replied to Your Highness’s battle invitation, saying that he will personally open the city gate and fight to the death with Your Highness. Now it seems that he has turned into a shrunken turtle, hiding inside and not daring to come out. But that’s understandable, Your Highness’s arrow on the river last year may have scared him.”
At that time, Jiang Yuping was standing by Sui Heng’s side. Perhaps no one else had seen it, but he had witnessed with his own eyes how the dark iron arrow that broke through the clouds and startled the wind had penetrated into the Crown Prince of Jiang’s arm.
Sui Heng remained silent, with a cold sharpness in his eyes, and raised the sword in his hand.
This is a signal of attack.
The sound of the zither on the city tower has stopped at some point.
At this moment, a dull and long creaking sound suddenly sounded, and the huge city gate of Muyun Pass slowly opened from inside.
Fan Qi and Yang Shuo, who were shouting fiercely, were startled. They didn’t expect them to open the city gate. Fan Qi immediately ordered the formation to shoot arrows when he heard a voice like a jade falling into a clear spring coming from within.
“Deputy General Fan, wait.”
A green-colored figure slowly walked out from within the city gates.
The sky is bright with clouds, and rain and snow are pouring down.
The young Young Master wore a jade belt and a green robe, with sleeves fluttering in the wind. As he walked elegantly in the midst of the snowstorm, it was like a lotus blooming in the vast expanse of heaven and earth.
There is no second person in this world who can match his elegance.
The city gate closed again, and under the towering city wall, only the green figure remained.
Everyone looked surprised, and the Generals of the Jiang Empire, such as Yun Huai and Fan Zhou, standing on the city gate tower, were even more shocked.
Sui Heng’s eyebrows furrowed fiercely, and his gaze suddenly froze.
Two years passed by in a flash.
“No arrows allowed.”
He gave the order and rode his horse forward with a cold face, passing through the cold wind and flying snow, staring intently at the face that had appeared countless times in his dreams, with a hoarse voice that he himself had not even realized.
“Did he ask you to come and persuade Gu to withdraw the troop?”
The bottom of Sui Heng’s eyes exploded with a vicious expression.
But he still held back and reached out his hand, saying, “Come back with Gu, alright? Gu can forgive all your mistakes.”
Jiang Yun looked up, the corners of his mouth slightly raised. He looked at the handsome and bold face under the sunlight, just like many years ago, under the cliff. He looked up at the hand he had reached out from the wooden kite.
Jiang Yun smiled gently.
“Let’s get to know each other again, Doggy Sui.”
“My surname is Jiang, my name is Yun, and my courtesy name is Rongyu. I was born in the Jiang capital. I am from the Jiang capital, and my favorite is… plum blossom.”
Sui Heng froze, and all his expressions on his face also froze.
Jiang Yun took out a white piece from his sleeve, a crystal-clear chess piece sandwiched between his fair fingers, presenting a strange luster under the flying snow.
“I have always remembered what I promised Your Highness.”
“Does Your Highness remember what you’ve promised me?”
