Chapter 809: 806: Estrangement

Chapter 809: Chapter 806: Estrangement

Zhao Sheng and Yang Wuce gripped their swords tightly, quietly awaiting Bai Qingyan’s orders.

Bai Qingyan raised her eyes to look at the two generals: “Any scouts from the Daliang Army heading to Daming Prefecture, kill them without mercy. We must not let a single one escape to report back.”

Zhao Sheng nodded, then saw Bai Qingyan pointing to several observation points marked with red flags: “Next, dispatch people to lead the camp’s guard dogs to these places to search for spies from Daming Prefecture.”

She turned to Yang Wuce and Zhao Sheng, her finger tapping on the edge of the sand table: “If you find someone there and cannot capture them alive, shoot them. As always, we cannot let anyone escape, to avoid unexpected changes.”

Zhao Sheng had always known the Princess of Zhen to be highly skilled in warfare, but he hadn’t known Bai Qingyan to be so formidable. From the moment they entered the tent and reported that Cao Renyi from Daming Prefecture had sent Daliang wine and specialty foods, Bai Qingyan quickly discerned Cao Renyi’s intentions and efficiently managed everything…

It was no wonder everyone said the Princess of Zhen had the qualities of a commander; such swift and decisive responses were something Zhao Sheng admitted he could not match.

“Understood! I will arrange it immediately!” Zhao Sheng cupped his hands and swiftly exited the tent to make arrangements.

Yang Wuce was more worried and said: “Princess of Zhen, how about I stay in the camp? The troops in the camp will have to confront Cao Renyi’s army head-on. If you stay in the camp, it might be dangerous.”

Yang Wuce had finally decided to follow a lord with the ambition to unify the world. He did not wish for the grand plan of unification mentioned by the Princess of Zhen to end before it even began due to an early death.

“No worries, I have arrangements in place. General Yang, you can rest easy.” Bai Qingyan cupped her hands towards Yang Wuce. “The rest, I leave to you.”

Seeing Bai Qingyan say this, Yang Wuce could not persuade her further. He could only bow and exit the tent to dispatch troops and arrange accordingly.

After Yang Wuce left the tent, Xiao Rongyan closed the bamboo slip written by Bai Qingyan that he had in his hand and said: “Kid has other arrangements for General Zhao?”

Earlier, Bai Qingyan ordered Zhao Sheng to lead fifty thousand troops on the right side of the camp, awaiting orders rather than acting in support, suggesting that Bai Qingyan had other plans for Zhao Sheng.

“It depends on how determined Cao Renyi is. If he wants to wipe out the Jin Army on this New Year’s Eve and mobilizes all his forces, then Zhao Sheng can lead these fifty thousand troops directly to Daming Prefecture and seize it tonight! If Cao Renyi only aims to weaken the Jin Army’s forces tonight, then let the troops sent by Cao Renyi be buried here!”

Bai Qingyan’s voice was steady, as if she was confident in her plan.

Xiao Rongyan placed the bamboo slip aside: “This General Cao Renyi is extraordinary, just like the deceased Fourth Prince of Wei, Wei Qiheng. Few people know about this…”

Upon hearing that, Bai Qingyan, standing by the sand table, turned to look at Xiao Rongyan who was kneeling by the desk. She recalled Wei Qiheng’s mysterious death at Qingxi Mountain Pass and asked: “Did you have someone close to Wei Qiheng? Was Wei Qiheng’s death related to Yan Kingdom?”

Xiao Rongyan stood up and walked towards Bai Qingyan, placing his hands on the edge of the sand table, enclosing Bai Qingyan within his arms. He glanced at Bai Qingyan’s arrangement on the sand table, then raised his eyes to look at her, not hiding the truth: “There was a counselor named Guan by Wei Qiheng’s side, who had been secretly placed in Daliang for many years and was very close to the imperial power. This time, Wei Kingdom sent Wei Qiheng to Jin Kingdom for peace talks. If Jin and Daliang cease hostilities, Yan Kingdom would be in grave danger! Therefore, at Qingxi Mountain Pass, Mr. Guan ordered the assassination of Wei Qiheng and his entire entourage, blaming the Jin Army!”

Bai Qingyan only now realized the truth, having previously thought that Wei Qiheng was accidentally killed by the Jin Army or ended by Bai Jinzhi to prevent peace talks with Daliang.

“Later, Mr. Guan, to complete the act, even sacrificed his own life. He returned to Hancheng in Daliang Kingdom, heavily wounded, and brought Wei Qiheng’s body back. Knowing Wei Qiheng was the emperor’s favorite son, he fabricated words that devastated the emperor, supposedly Wei Qiheng’s last words, ensuring that the emperor would never talk of peace with Jin Kingdom again. Thus, Jin would be tied up on the Daliang battlefield, allowing Yan Kingdom to deal with Wei Kingdom without fear of attacks from both sides.”

Standing so close, Bai Qingyan could see Xiao Rongyan’s regret in his eyes, and his words were filled with respect for Mr. Guan.

“Mr. Guan is a true patriot of Yan Kingdom.” Bai Qingyan gently grabbed Xiao Rongyan’s arm, not wanting to drag him into the Jin Kingdom’s battles. “The Jin Army’s camp might become chaotic soon. You are injured, you should leave!”

“With a great battle imminent, how can a fiancé abandon his betrothed?” Xiao Rongyan looked at her, his voice warm and tender in the brightly lit tent. “Kid, if you recognize me as your fiancé, why treat me so distantly?”

Their eyes met, and Bai Qingyan’s hand slightly tightened around Xiao Rongyan’s arm, her heartbeat quickened once more.

Earlier, she had told Zhao Sheng and Yang Wuce that Xiao Rongyan was her fiancé, which was a temporary expedient.

However, Bai Qingyan did not doubt Xiao Rongyan’s abilities.

She nodded: “Then be careful…”

“I will help you with your armor.” Xiao Rongyan said.

After Shen Qingzhu arranged for the Bai family guards to return to Dadu City to deliver messages, he returned to see Xiao Rongyan. Slightly surprised, he saw Bai Qingyan removing her iron sandbag. Shen Qingzhu stepped forward: “Young Lady?”

Xiao Rongyan held Bai Qingyan’s silver armor, helping her wear it. Bai Qingyan instructed Shen Qingzhu: “Qingzhu, get Mr. Xiao a set of armor. In half an hour, have the Bai family guards take Doctor Hong back to Yongan City.”

Although Doctor Hong was a military doctor accompanying the army, there was a great need for a doctor during battles, he was old and not as capable as the young. Bai Qingyan felt more assured sending Doctor Hong back to Yongan City.

However, she feared Doctor Hong would refuse to leave. While adjusting her wrist guard, she said: “If Doctor Hong refuses to go, let him follow Zhao Ran with other military doctors. Inform Zhao Ran that if Zhao Sheng marches to Daming Prefecture, he must send people to protect Doctor Hong and stay on-site. Ensure Doctor Hong’s safety.”

Shen Qingzhu asked calmly: “Young Lady, are we attacking Daming Prefecture tonight?”

“Tonight, General Cao Renyi of Daming Prefecture is likely to attack our camp! Go make preparations!” Bai Qingyan ordered.

Shen Qingzhu responded and swiftly exited the tent…

Shortly after, the lights in the Jin Army camp gradually dimmed, with only a few generals’ tents still illuminated.

The spies of the Daliang Army, hidden at observation points, saw this and ordered two men to return to Daming Prefecture to report, while others continued to monitor the Jin Army camp to report any changes to General Cao.