In Quan Feitong’s main tent, it was lively with soldiers constantly bringing in tender, oil-dripping roasted meat and fragrant, strong fine wine.
Everyone took their seats. Dowager Consort Ai smiled with satisfaction, “Jie’er, now that you’ve seen the light and returned to the right path, Mother truly rejoices for you.”
But Lian Jie didn’t look at her, staring grimly at Quan Feitong, “Why didn’t you produce this secret edict earlier? And Wang Lun – shouldn’t you have brought him to meet me long ago? Or are you actually using the pretext of supporting me to realize your… ambitions?”
Dowager Consort Ai and Qiu Jing frowned immediately. Quan Feitong smiled slightly, “Seventh Master, at that time Eunuch Wang was still recuperating and couldn’t retrieve the secret edict hidden in the palace. Even if I had told you the complete truth, you probably wouldn’t have fully believed it and might have easily revealed things before Lian Yu. You’re different from Lian Yu – he’s full of scheming while you have a genuine temperament. Therefore I only hinted to Your Highness all along, letting you be somewhat prepared without being too suspicious of him, thus preserving your life.”
“Distance tests a horse’s strength, time reveals a person’s heart. You’ve now seen Lian Yu’s true nature. Whether this minister serves you, the late emperor, or myself – time will prove it.”
The secret edict was genuine, but earlier than that, Wang Lun hadn’t been created yet, he thought faintly.
Lian Jie lowered his head without speaking, apparently accepting Quan Feitong’s words by default. Li Zhaoting smiled, “Since we’ve spoken openly, come – let us drink to Seventh Master’s abandoning darkness for light today and the brilliant achievements to come, and also to celebrate General Chao.”
Chao Huang said, “I dare not presume. Receiving the ruler’s salary, shouldering the ruler’s worries – this is Chao Huang’s duty. After the late emperor, Seventh Master is my master. This cup should be drunk for Seventh Master.”
Wang Lun’s eyes filled with tears as he raised his cup, “Vice Minister Li and the General speak correctly. Seventh Master must inherit the late emperor’s will, eliminate treacherous ministers, and ascend as emperor.”
Lian Jie’s brows furrowed into a “river” character. Finally, a trace of hatred and cruelty flashed in his eyes as he slowly raised his cup. Quan, Qiu, and Ai exchanged smiles. Amid the clinking cups and flowing wine, Lian Jie looked at Lian Yue and suddenly said, “Sister, are you still thinking Huo Chang’an might return?”
Lian Yue had shown no expression, but hearing his question, she said flatly, “Mind your own business.”
“You have important matters to discuss. I’ve had my drink too – I’ll return to my tent first.” She set down her cup and walked out.
Dowager Consort Ai was angry at her lack of ambition, sharply flicking her sleeve, but looking at her son, her mouth finally curved in a smile. Then Quan Feitong said, “Seventh Master, speaking of this Huo Chang’an, according to my spies’ reports, he went out seeking medicine. Is there any current news? Is he on his way back?”
“Though Lian Yu suffered heavy losses in the first battle, this person always leaves backup plans in his dealings. If Huo Chang’an returns, the war situation might well be reversed.”
Lian Jie’s gaze flickered. After thinking briefly, he said with certainty, “Lian Yu treated me quite openly before. Huo Chang’an has indeed disappeared – the reason is still unclear.”
Dowager Consort Ai was delighted. No matter how much she loved her daughter, at this critical moment of war, she couldn’t care what Lian Yue thought. Qiu Jing was a deeply calculating old man who said, “Though that Lian Yu boy is young, his mind isn’t shallow. Who knows if he held something back from Jie’er? What if he’s already communicated with Huo Chang’an but kept it as military secret from Jie’er? If Huo Chang’an suddenly appears when battle begins, morale will surely soar.”
“In my view, your reinforcements today numbered at least 20,000. According to your earlier calculations, Lian Yu’s soldiers suffered over 10,000 casualties while you lost only 2-3,000. By this count, he now has fewer than 90,000 troops while you have nearly 100,000. Could Lian Yu still easily reverse the situation?” Lian Jie said through gritted teeth, his eyes showing a dark gleam.
The deeper the former intimacy, the deeper the present hatred seemed.
Chao Huang praised aloud, “Seventh Master has keen insight. The reinforcements indeed number this much, but even if there were more—”
Quan Feitong gave him a look. Though usually wild and bold, Chao Huang was completely serious about warfare. Understanding Quan Feitong’s hint immediately, he smiled and stopped, not revealing their full strength, only saying, “We must seize time for another assault, severely damaging another 10-20,000 of his troops. Only then can we establish the foundation for victory.”
These weren’t people who’d lose their heads over small victories. After the banquet, everyone gathered to discuss strategy, quickly deciding on battle deployment – a surprise attack at the fifth watch, striking with full force in pursuit.
However, though Quan Feitong said nothing, his expression showed lingering concern. Li Zhaoting, observing expressions and moods, immediately noticed, “Does Senior Brother still have worries?”
This caught the attention of Dowager Consort Ai, Qiu Jing, and Chao Huang. Chao Huang asked, “Elder Brother, what’s wrong…?”
“They must be prepared, using terrain advantage, defending to attack, retreating to advance, setting ambushes and formations. Though our troops march rapidly with great valor and won’t be exhausted, their combat effectiveness certainly won’t match theirs who are well-rested. With Chao Huang leading, our army certainly won’t suffer losses, but thus we might not severely damage Lian Yu and could instead boost enemy morale. But if we don’t quickly reduce more of his forces, I fear variables. Though Murong Ding isn’t fully mature, that Lian Yu cannot be underestimated.” Quan Feitong pondered briefly before speaking slowly.
Chao Huang’s brow furrowed immediately, “Elder Brother speaks correctly. Chao Huang’s thinking was inadequate. As Elder Brother said, I originally thought that even if he’s somewhat prepared, with our army’s valor, we surely won’t suffer major losses. But if heaven assists us and his formations have slight flaws, I could severely damage him again, thus gaining a firm grip on victory. But I didn’t consider the morale factor. If my strong attack fails to kill many of them, even if our army loses not a single soldier, this successful defense would be encouraging for them.”
At this moment, Lian Jie was walking to the tent entrance. Hearing this, he suddenly turned around, “Perhaps I can help with your assault.”
Lian Yu’s camp.
“Following His Majesty – will we have no way out?”
“Who knows? But he’s the general, we’re just pawns…” someone smiled bitterly.
“I understand. Pawns are meant to be sacrificed, but even death should be honorable, not dying for a usurping traitor! Look how many brothers are dissatisfied in their hearts now!”
Soon another person angrily joined in, but was almost immediately silenced by someone else, “Stop talking. If officers hear this, do you still want to live?”
…
Lian Qin walked with his head down, deliberately choosing secluded paths. Passing one spot, he heard whispered conversations from a patrol of soldiers. At the time, he was behind a tent and, hearing this, also smiled coldly before walking away.
“Whether His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven or a usurper, since he ascended the throne, our lives have gotten better. I’m willing to fight for him.”
Continuing forward, someone suddenly spoke up, subsequently drawing considerable agreement.
Lian Qin had now returned to his tent. Being someone rough yet meticulous, he stood inside the tent, peering out through gaps as if guarding against people Lian Yu sent to monitor him, his eyes full of coldness and disdain.
In Lian Yu’s tent, food was placed on a small table, already cold but showing no signs of being touched. On the large table, maps were spread out.
“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Yan, if we deploy defenses like this, what do you think?” After various deputy generals gave their reports, Murong Ding asked.
Lian Yu pondered briefly, “The generals’ arrangements are good – tight security posts, using thousands of elite troops combined with terrain to ambush on key roads. If they suddenly attack, we can respond immediately. But what we think of, they can surely think of too. They’ll find ways to break our army.”
“Secondly, their troop numbers are what I’m most concerned about currently.”
Everyone exchanged glances upon hearing this. Yan Da immediately reacted, while Murong Ding’s voice even trembled, “Your Majesty fears their reinforcements far exceed 20,000?”
At Lian Jie’s indication, Quan Feitong and others followed him out of the tent.
“What ingenious plan does Seventh Master have?”
Outside the tent, soldiers had finished their evening meal and retired for the night, but with lights flickering, patrol formations still moved orderly through the surroundings. Quan Feitong made a “please” gesture to Lian Jie.
Everyone was quite curious, not knowing what military strategies this refined young nobleman possessed. Dowager Consort Ai was very pleased, smiling as she watched her son. Lian Jie stared at the distant mountain forests and said in a low voice, “Burn Lian Yu’s camp with fire, coordinating from within and without.”
“Among Lian Yu’s 3,000 accompanying Imperial Guard escorts, 500 are my usual trusted subordinates.”
“But since you’ve left with us, those people will inevitably be monitored by Lian Yu, perhaps already captured.” Li Zhaoting usually spoke little but always hit the mark.
“No,” Lian Jie slowly shook his head and smiled coldly, “There’s someone Lian Yu still trusts very much.”
News of the morning battle between the two armies at the capital suburbs’ mausoleum spread throughout the capital by evening. After nightfall, the capital lost its usual liveliness. Even taverns, brothels, and pleasure districts became silent as death.
Only Imperial City guards quietly patrolled the streets to receive news from “front-line” scouts at any moment.
An hour or so ago, when war reports first arrived, the entire capital was thrown into chaos. News spread that His Majesty and Prime Minister Quan’s rebel army had fought, while others circulated rumors in the capital saying the Emperor had killed his father to usurp the throne, that Prime Minister Quan was restoring order and supporting the originally designated Seventh Prince to reclaim the throne. Because this aligned with heaven’s way, they achieved victory in the first battle.
For a time, people were panic-stricken, not knowing who was true or false, or whom they should hope would win.
The night was still and windy – even a fallen leaf being blown up made patrolling soldiers nervously prick up their ears!
The Imperial City gates were tightly closed.
At this time, within the Imperial City, numerous eunuchs under Ming Yanchu’s command kept all palaces relatively stable without major chaos, but everywhere lacked the usual bright lights and colorful fires.
However, light still showed in the emperor’s sleeping quarters.
Seeing the man and woman who pushed open the door, the woman in the room quickly stood up, “Ming Yanchu, Zhu Que – take me to see your master!”
Her voice was cold and low, clearly deeply suppressing anger.