Chapter 921: Chapter 535: Infiltrating Enemy Lines
"It must be some magic tactics at play, the foundation of the Royal Family still remains, it’s not surprising, but there’s no need to worry. If it could be used on the battlefield, why would it be used just for rain? On the battlefield, that little cunning of Zhao Douan will quickly lose its effect.
Everything should proceed according to the original plan. Immediately attack the Eastern Front, divert the court’s forces. I have already reached an agreement with the rebelling kings to split up and contain, hold fast the blockade. By the end of the year at the latest, the court will surely face a supply crisis, and by then it will be defeated without a fight."
The generals nodded happily, with an attitude of victory in hand.
...
"Su Dan was captured... Lu Tong was killed in battle..."
"Zhao Douan!"
On a training ground, Mu Prince Xu Jingtang, clad in armor, clenched the latest military intelligence sent from the Embroidered Robe Envoy at the front line, his face gloomy.
"Father..." A young general came over, trying to console him:
"That place was untenable in the first place. As long as Yongjia Prefecture is not lost, wait a few more months, and the situation will surely reverse..."
Mu Prince Xu Jingtang took a deep breath, feeling the gazes around him, he surprisingly suppressed his anger, his expression returning to calm:
"Reasonable. I am not in the mood for training, arrange a banquet, tonight invite Prince Huaian and meet with several family heads from Huai River."
Mu Prince recently got close with the various families of Huai River, aiming to gain their support.
"Oh right, send a letter to Zhao Shixiong, just say..."
Xu Jingtang took a few steps and suddenly stopped, after thinking for a moment, he said:
"I will personally draft the content later."
...
In a seemingly inconspicuous tavern.
The Second Prince Xu Jianwen put down his chopsticks, looking at the latest battle report with interest, he smiled, put down the letter, and said to the two people in front of him:
"It seems that Zhao Douan has grown quite a bit during this time. If you face him now, can you still win?"
Former Imperial City Great Commander Qi Yuchun had a solemn expression:
"This is not good news."
Sitting next to him, the Earth God Mage Ren Kun glanced at him:
"A dog-eat-dog fight, what’s not good about it? It’s just that the court had a minor victory once... well, twice, so what? Do they really think two battles are extraordinary? The main forces of the Vassal Kings haven’t even been deployed."
Qi Yuchun didn’t respond to him, looking at the Second Prince: "Your Highness, are we really doing nothing?"
Xu Jianwen smiled and said: "I’ve already said don’t be impatient, it’s not yet time."
"When will it be time?"
"When the court, Mu Prince, and Prince Jing truly tear each other apart, all three suffer losses."
...
In a certain temple.
The long-missing monk Bian Ji stepped into the deepest part of the meditation courtyard.
His clear eyes respectfully gazed at the tightly closed door:
"Abbot, Fan Long is dead, killed by a priest from the Heavenly Master Mansion, and Zhao Douan achieved a great victory on the Western Front..."
He relayed the gathered intelligence; even without the Main Altar, the intelligence network of Divine Dragon Temple was still strong.
Breezes gently blew, rustling the green leaves.
Bian Ji waited for quite a while, somewhat helplessly shook his head, turned, and left, knowing that Abbot Xuan Yin had gone on a Divine Travel again.
His eyes showed some complexity:
"Abbot, oh Abbot, the six-hundred-year foundation of Divine Dragon Temple is crumbling bit by bit, aren’t you at all worried?"
...
The name of Yongjia City comes from the "Yongjia River."
For thousands of years, this river running through Huai River has borne countless poems, with many branches crisscrossing like arteries, weaving through the city’s streets and alleys.
At this moment, on the large flat area by the riverside outside the city, the Southwest Border Army was conducting routine drills.
The scorching sun hung high in the sky, and shirtless soldiers of the border army were sweating profusely, fighting hand-to-hand or with sticks, in pairs.
The Southwest Border Army, accustomed to guarding against the Liao Clan for years, were not best at military formations, but in combat.
Every one of them was a hand-to-hand combat expert.
At this moment, the fight was intense, the shouts of the soldiers on the muddy ground were loud and continuous, and those drenched in sweat would plunge into the river to rinse off.
And when a man whose appearance was unexpectedly "short", about fifty-odd years old, with a dense beard, walked in with a smile, accompanied by a tall woman and several generals, the soldiers in pairs became excited all at once.
The blood-pumping cries were raised by several levels!
The Great General is here!
Zhao Shixiong’s methods of governing the soldiers were remarkable, and under his leadership, the Southwest Border Army had been honed to a loyal force over the years.
Many soldiers only had the Great General in their hearts, not the court. This man, whose stature was clearly shorter than many soldiers, who didn’t look particularly outstanding, held extremely high prestige throughout the border army!
Even the limping head of a charity in the Capital, several years later, still remembered serving under Zhao Shixiong when chatting idly with Zhao Douan.
Clearly evident.
"The Great General is here! Get your asses out of the river and drill hard! Anyone slacking, I’ll sneak into their bed at night!" A general laughingly yelled.
In the river, the shirtless men rushed to shore, their expressions full of fervor without any displeasure at being urged, instead crowding towards Zhao Shixiong.
"Great General, I practiced the spear skill you taught me last time, let me show you!"
"Bull! What’s with your spear skill, Tiedan? Embarrassing yourself in front of the Great General?"
"You talk big, let’s duel! Loser washes socks for a month!"
"Bring it! Loser washes for the whole squad!"
"You wash for the whole camp!"
...
Zhao Shixiong watched the lively scene with a smile.
Suddenly, a runner came, and the tall woman with an impressive figure, about thirty-four years old, with rather good looks, walked over.
She returned shortly, whispered:
"Latest battle report from the front line, Su Dan was captured, Lu Tong was killed in battle, the army couldn’t retreat, he wanted to burn the city, but Zhao Douan summoned rain and asked the Divine ones to stop it. This was a complete defeat."
The short man, whose appearance did not quite match the mighty name "Zhao Shixiong," smiled calmly without looking at the battle report.
He just squinted under the sunlight at the training border soldiers, softly spoke:
"Small matter, as expected."
——
Having written the outline for the next plot, it feels alright. Next Chapter opens new plotline, hoping to stabilize to five Chapters a day in March...