Hai Chi, this blatant waste of space, has no presence wherever he goes.
Itâs impossible for people from the Western Xia Capital to send trivial news like âThe Crown Prince does nothing all day, loafs around, and searches for beauties to sleep withâ to the frontline.
After all, they want to live two more years in Emperorâs hands, not shorten their own lives.
Likewise.
The frontline wonât spread embarrassing rumors like âThe Crown Prince sleeps with women in the camp, gambles in groups, and fights cricketsâ back to the Capital City.
Firstly, it is indeed embarrassing.
Secondly, the messengers donât have that much free time.
The result is.
People in the Capital City think the Crown Prince is there.
The frontline believes the Crown Prince is at the front.
Neither knows about the otherâs additional Crown Prince.
Of course, how long this secret will last depends on fate and luck.
But for Hai Tang, who is forced into a corner and just a step away from death.
Keeping it one more day is a gain.
...
Eighty thousand elite soldiers from Western Xia have arrived.
The Great Chu Dynasty has matched them exactly.
Grand General of the Western Expedition Yang He led a hundred thousand troops from the Capital City, a grand procession, after half a month of long journey.
Finally arrived the night before Western Xia reached the vicinity of Yinshan City, where the two armies would battle.
At this time.
Xia Tingfeng and Zhao Qichenâs ten thousand men had been in a standoff with Hai Geliâs few thousand elite soldiers for days.
The two armies met, merging their camps.
A hundred thousand troops turned into a hundred and ten thousand.
Yang He, along with his son and all other generals and deputy commanders, dismounted and headed straight for the Crown Princeâs camp.
After some formalities, the camp buzzed with activity.
Everyone knew each other; meeting in the Capital and in the camp felt different.
In the Capital, everyone was relaxed, meeting with casual banter.
In the camp.
Here, everyone was for war, the atmosphere tense, sharing a common enmity.
Trying to joke, but the words somehow became emotional.
After a few words.
Everyoneâs mood inexplicably somber.
Weapons are unforgiving, and casualties are inevitable.
Even the most skilled warrior canât guarantee no surprises on the battlefield.
Perhaps one person.
Now joking around here, but tomorrow separated by life and death.
Theyâre familiar with such feelings, having experienced war.
Thus...
As they spoke, heads lowered, the atmosphere growing heavier.
Yang He first protested against this inexplicable mood.
"What are you all talking about?"
"Arenât you boosting the enemyâs morale and lowering your own?"
"Back in Guangnan, the enemyâs Navy Forces were so strong, our soldiers couldnât even swim, but we won!"
"Now on land, who is stronger than anyone else?!"
"So many against so few, losing would be..." Too embarrassing!
Xia Tingfeng got the jest, twitching his lips.
He sternly reprimanded Tiger, Rat, and Monster with a beating.
"Itâs you lot, spouting nonsense?!"
Tiger looked puzzled.
"Brother, I didnât say a word!"
Rat whispered complaints.
"I didnât say much either!"
Monster looked around, hey? The patterns on the tent are beautiful!
Xia Tingfeng rubbed his nose, coughing to hide the awkwardness.
"No more nonsense, unsettling the troops!"
"Yes!" The three replied in unison.
...
The Northwest army was complete, everyone actively preparing for war.
As for the Southwest army...
While Yang He led his soldiers, cleaning guns and polishing knives, armoring up.
A letter from Commander of the Southwest Shi Yang arrived.
The messenger delivered it directly to General Yang Heâs tent.
At that time, Yang He was doing an inventory of military supplies.
Seeing the signature on the letter.
Knowing Shi Yang meant no good, he was too lazy to read.
Casually tossed the letter to Xia Tingfeng.
Xia Tingfeng took the letter, opened it, and read it with Yang He and others.
Before finishing the letter.
Their expressions varied.
"Hmm..."
"This guy..."
"How much does he look down on us?"
"Really underestimating people!"
In the letter, Shi Yang repeatedly emphasized.
If short on men, be sure to tell him, his soldiers are so idle theyâre bored.
A few small bandits arenât even a challenge.
They also want to deal with Western Xiaâs bastards.
After all.
With him guarding the Southwest.
Those bandits canât stir anything up, going in and out like a cat catching rats cleanly.
Thus, while Southwest and Northwest suffered.
The Southwest suffered much less, the locals barely affected.
(The importance of having a reliable Commander)
Upon hearing a war was brewing, Shi Yang quickly submitted a petition to Emperor, expressing desire to participate.
Being so close.
With a battle under his nose yet barring him, isnât that bullying?
But Emperor stubbornly refused.
Merely ordered him to guard the Southwest tightly, taking responsibility if issues arose.
"What issue could arise!"
Shi Yang muttered in disappointment, feeling chilled, couldnât sleep well for three days.
Now both armies are fortifying, imagining the scene gets the adrenaline pumping.
Shi Yang couldnât sit still, hurriedly wrote a letter.
Shamelessly asking if they need help, say something if they do!
A general in the field doesnât adhere to the emperorâs orders.
If the situation is dire, he could join the fun!
Shi Yang secretly thought.
Unfortunately...
After a few days, they replied.
Only one sentence: "Thanks to Commander Shiâs kind offer, weâre not short on men here!"
Meaning.
We can handle it, no need for your help!
Shi Yang was frustrated, couldnât sleep well for another three days.
Before, he didnât understand.
Why the women in his backyard never settled down, fighting over trivial matters.
Causing havoc in the backyard.
Now he understood.
This is called rivalry, called jealousy.
Now he is very jealous of those frontline soldiers.
Really wanted to charge up to Western Xiaâs bastards and chop down dozens or hundreds of heads!
How satisfying thatâd be!
Shi Yang grew increasingly jealous, losing interest in food and drink, nothing else mattered.
He stopped going to the military camp, staying home sleeping all day.
Ah, digressing, back on track!
...
After a two-day rest.
The Great Chu Dynasty camp was fully prepared.
Swords and spears gleamed with cold light, armor polished to a silver shine.
Soldiers diligently practiced skills and techniques.
Marshals, generals, and various deputies.
Every day studying maps, discussing tactics, daring not to slack off.
Xia Tingfeng analyzed based on existing data.
"King Hai Xiangjin of Western Xia, extremely cunning, ruthless, skilled in manipulating power!"
"Just seeing he abandoned his daughter married to Great Chu and directly led troops against Great Chu, shows he has become ruthless!"
"Moreover, he lurked beside the King of Western Xia, plotting for many years, showing his strategic patience!"