TVSS Chapter 32

The situation of the Northwest Army may be unknown to others, but Su Jingxuan is well aware that this is nothing but a carefully orchestrated trap designed to assassinate Chugong Heng. In the context of Great Yong, Prince Gong Chugong is an exceptionally unique figure. Even if there are internal conflicts within the Prince Gong’s lineage and they may not regard the emperor highly, they will always defend the Great Yong territory and harbor no thoughts of betrayal. The loyalty of the Prince Gong’s lineage, coupled with their formidable military strength, ensures that regardless of internal disputes within the Great Yong court, they present an invincible force externally, deterring any attempts at recklessness.

However, the fertile and prosperous land of Great Yong has attracted the covetous eyes of many, and those who wish to seize a portion of this territory understand that the first obstacle to overcome is Prince Gong Chugong. Without Prince Gong, Great Yong loses one powerful arm, making it easier for an invasion to succeed. The recent military report from the Northwest, regarding the incursion of the Li Clan, is nothing more than a bait carefully set to draw Chugong Heng back into a deadly situation.

In this intricate plot, Chugong Heng’s formidable abilities are neutralized, rendering him isolated and vulnerable in the narrow confines of the canyon. This situation has been achieved by a combination of a turncoat within their ranks and the precise orchestration of the enemy forces. The loyal soldiers of the Northwest Army, who have always had implicit trust among themselves, are now facing betrayal from within. This unforeseen betrayal has placed them in a passive position, and even if they were to request reinforcements from the emperor, it would be too late. They find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place.

Nevertheless, Su Jingxuan is well aware of these intricacies, and although the Prince Gong’s lineage is being led into a trap, he keeps his knowledge to himself. Facing Chugong Heng’s intense gaze, Su Jingxuan continues his explanation with a shy smile.

“The enemy forces have strategically attacked and orchestrated this situation to lure Your Royal Highness back. With a turncoat among our ranks and the enemy’s meticulous planning, Your Royal Highness returning unprepared would undoubtedly lead to your demise.”

The military adviser, sensing the urgency of the situation, adds his insights.

“The enemy, having successfully bribed a turncoat, has likely gained control over the Northwest at this moment. It is a classic case of betrayal from within. Moreover, with the enemy having the element of surprise, we are currently in a reactive position. Even if we were to notify the emperor and request reinforcements, time is not on our side. We are caught in a precarious situation.”

Su Jingxuan, however, maintains a calm and composed demeanor, exuding confidence and assurance.

“In truth, the solution to this predicament is rather simple.”

With a gentle smile on his youthful face, Su Jingxuan looks towards Chugong Heng, his eyes filled with self-assurance.

“Military adviser, you are being too modest. There is no need for formalities. Your Royal Highness has saved me on numerous occasions and escorted me and the prince to Yubei. I am deeply grateful for your kindness and am willing to do anything to repay the favor and assist Your Royal Highness in any way.”

Su Jingxuan, though youthful, possesses an air of confidence and composure that is more captivating than any outstanding appearance. Without the need for effort, he naturally captures the attention of everyone present, effortlessly controlling their emotions and gaining their trust.

“Please, enlighten us,” the military adviser respectfully requests, acknowledging Su Jingxuan’s insights.

“Your Royal Highness has shown great kindness to me multiple times, and having been protected by you during our journey to Yubei, I am deeply indebted. I am willing to do anything to repay Your Royal Highness. I have a plan that might help in this situation.”

Su Jingxuan’s youthful face radiates a shy smile, yet his words convey a strong sense of confidence and poise.

Su Jingxuan squinted his eyes and smiled, revealing bright white teeth.

“Although the situation in the Northwest seems urgent now, it’s actually not a big deal. Your Royal Highness is revered throughout the world, especially in the Northwest, where you are highly respected. People in the Northwest only follow your orders and pay no attention to imperial decrees. This shows how much they support you. As long as Your Royal Highness issues a call, a significant number of people will respond. Those treacherous turncoats are nothing to fear.”

“As for the Li Clan, their ability to use poison to control vermin is impressive, but it doesn’t make them invincible. Remember, there is always someone stronger in every field.”

“The military adviser can also use poison to control vermin,” the military adviser’s eyes brightened.

“Yes, I’ve studied it before. I don’t dare claim to be an expert, but at least I’m a bit better than the Li Clan.”

While the young man spoke modestly, his confidence was evident, indicating his full assurance of his abilities.

The military adviser nodded, believing that he wasn’t just arrogantly boasting but had genuine skills. Someone recognized by Your Royal Highness wouldn’t be just a decorative figure. Moreover, being from the Nalan family, he had confidence in Your Royal Highness’s judgment.

However, the challenges lay in dealing with the traitors and the impending lack of time.

“We only have ten days,” the military adviser said with a heavy expression. Ten days were not enough for a regular march, and even if they rushed back, dealing with the traitors in the army would take time. Meanwhile, the battle in the Northwest was approaching.

“There’s not enough time for a 3,000-strong army to reach there. If a few individuals travel day and night, taking shortcuts, ten days should be enough. Lord Fu, fetch the small wooden box from my carriage.”

Su Jingxuan remained calm, smiling, and gave the final order to the old eunuch.

Confused, the onlookers waited for his explanation.

When the old eunuch brought the items, everyone curiously looked inside the box. It contained a red-scented stone, a large medicine bottle, and a set of silver needles.

“This scented stone is specially designed for those from the Li Clan who use poison to immunize themselves against toxins. It won’t kill them, but it will render them unconscious and powerless to resist. It poses no danger to ordinary people. Crush it and throw it into the fire, and the Li Clan members hiding in the shadows will be at your mercy.”

Su Jingxuan pointed to the items in the box as he explained.

“The Li Clan is attacking fiercely, and they likely have reinforcements among their ranks. The Northwest is probably temporarily controlled by the traitors. With the limited time available, we can’t clean up the traitors, mobilize a large army, and rush back. After returning, the ones we can quickly gather might be only a few thousand soldiers.”

“This silver needle is specially made. Pour the medicine from this bottle into water, soak the silver needle to absorb the medicinal effects, and then pierce the acupoint. It will stimulate the potential, and a thousand-person squad should be enough to face a ten-thousand-strong army.”

“However, the enemy situation is unknown, and the effects of the medicine last only twelve hours. Therefore, we can only resort to strategy and not engage in direct confrontation. Capture the leader first, do not linger in battle, and deal with the Li Clan. Immediately restrain all the generals in the Northwest after that. When Your Royal Highness returns, we can expose and deal with the traitors.”

Looking at the earnest young man talking, the crowd fell silent for a minute, their eyes showing a strange expression.

“Chunyi Junhou, you had anticipated this battle in advance,” the military adviser said with a hoarse voice, realizing how well-prepared everything was and that each item was tailored to the Li Clan’s situation.

“It’s not anticipation. I just prepared some things in advance to do something,” Su Jingxuan replied after a moment of silence, smiling with a gaze devoid of humor.

“I believe the military adviser should know where my eldest brother died in battle. It was the battle against the Li Clan. While war is inevitable, dying in battle can only be attributed to one’s own bad luck. However, being posthumously honored as a loyal and brave warrior is the family’s honor. But, military adviser, do you know what happened to those captured soldiers from the Nalan family back then?”

“Captured?” The military adviser’s expression changed slightly, and several Northwest officers exchanged glances.

Weren’t all of General Nalan’s troops wiped out on the battlefield? They witnessed it with their own eyes. How could there be soldiers captured?

“Another team led by my elder brother was as skilled as a deity. They sent two squads, one for a frontal assault and one for a covert attack. Unexpectedly, the military information leaked, and the frontal assault squad was completely annihilated. The covert attack squad was kidnapped without anyone knowing. After being brought back by the Li Clan, they were turned into human pigs for testing poison. Later, some of them used secret signals from birds to convey messages, and that’s how I found out.”

After locking the wooden box and handing it to the military adviser, Su Jingxuan’s gaze darkened.

“All these one hundred and ten people were the sons and soldiers of the Nalan family, and that’s why I ask the military adviser to keep them safe after capturing the Li Clan.”

The military adviser was rendered speechless by the revelation of such a secret. His throat was dry.

Several officers’ faces showed expressions of anger. Apart from the fate of the soldiers from the covert attack squad, it was the revelation of the four words “military information leakage” that left everyone in shock.

During the chaotic times on the border, various major clans collaborated to attack, and the Northwest Army found it somewhat challenging to deal with the joint assault. General Nalan brought troops from the capital to support the Northwest Army.

Both armies collaborated for an entire year to quell the chaos, and the soldiers from the Nalan family fought side by side with those from the Northwest, forming a bond of brothers. However, in the final battle against the Li Clan, General Nalan met an untimely end, and everyone believed it was an accident—a general being ambushed due to carelessness, leading to the entire army’s destruction on the battlefield.

They mourned the loss of these brothers. Yet, now the younger brother of General Nalan claimed that the military information had leaked.

The military adviser’s mind raced, and finally, he looked at the prince, whose complexion had also changed.

“If this king failed to supervise, this king will not let those soldiers die in vain,” the prince said, acknowledging that the one responsible for leaking the military information was none other than him.

Chu Heng embraced Su Jingxuan’s shoulders, feeling uneasy about the revelation. He had already guessed what the young man had left unspoken.

The discomfort stemmed from his realization, blaming himself, the prince and regent, for not being vigilant enough. How did he let someone audaciously commit such vile deeds right under his nose, resulting in the present plight of the Nalan family and causing so much suffering to the young man?

If only he had been more attentive, more thorough; things wouldn’t have turned out this way.

Chu Heng clenched his fists, burdened by a sense of oppression.

“Your Highness, there’s no need to blame yourself. The peace enjoyed by the people of Da Yong today is the result of your efforts and the sacrifice of the Northwest soldiers. It’s impossible to guard against every hidden threat.”

Sensing his change in mood, Su Jingxuan immediately consoled him.

The royal family of Gongyang, no matter how protective they were of the regency, couldn’t possibly manage everything. The Nalan family’s situation was unrelated to the prince.

“In any case, I will definitely give you an explanation.”

Chu Heng hugged him again, pressing his head tightly against his chest, lowering his head to kiss his forehead. The sensible youth made him blame himself and feel distressed.

The military adviser and the Northwest soldiers were also immersed in their own discomfort, paying no attention to the prince’s increasingly improper behavior.

It was the old eunuch, shedding tears, who finally noticed that something was amiss. He approached, suggesting, “Your Highness, the situation in the Northwest is urgent. Please send someone to handle it. The young master has been tired all day. Let me take care of him and help him rest.”

Interrupted by the eunuch, Chu Heng realized that it was indeed late. He nodded and gave the order.

“Adviser, and the vanguard general, pack up and head back. Follow what Jingxuan just said—capture the Li Clan, control all the Northwest generals. When I return later, we’ll deal with them one by one.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The military adviser and the general nodded, immediately withdrawing to prepare and select soldiers to cross the mountains under the cover of darkness. They planned to reach the river by dawn and set sail immediately.

The other soldiers also intuitively withdrew to pack, ready to break camp at the crack of dawn.

Observing this, the old eunuch marveled at the Northwest army’s efficiency. He then continued with a stiff face to approach Chu Heng.

“Your Highness, please look at my young master—”

“I still have things to discuss with you and the general. You can go down first.”

Chu Heng interrupted him directly, his expression serious. He gently held Su Jingxuan’s shoulder, turning to enter his tent.

Two well-trained soldiers immediately stood guard at the door, expressionless.

The old eunuch sighed at the rapid movements of the Northwest army and continued to press ahead with his plea.

“Your Highness, please, look at my young master. He’s still—”

“I have something to discuss with the general. You can leave first.”

The eunuch stared at the prince, sighed again, and withdrew reluctantly.