Chapter 920: Chapter 535: Infiltrating Enemy Lines
"If you’ve made your decision, then go ahead, but be sure to be cautious, prioritize your own safety."
At this moment, she seemed to have a demeanor like a wife seeing her husband off to the frontline, giving him strength.
However, this was just a fleeting moment.
After all, she was not an ordinary woman, but the emblem of this dynasty.
Though it might seem "relaxing" to simply oversee the Capital, she had to handle war reports from various battlefields daily, managing the bigger picture.
More importantly, the Empress was a beacon; only with her presence could stability be maintained.
Zhao Douan sat cross-legged, happily accepting this service from the Empress. He winked and smiled, saying:
"Don’t worry, I’m looking forward to quelling the unrest and marrying Your Majesty. Last time it was only seven days, next time we’ll aim for fourteen."
Well... hope I can ascend to Heavenly Human before the wedding, otherwise, it would be incredibly awkward...
Faced with his teasing, Xu Zhenguan surprisingly didn’t have a fit and even served him more food.
Zhao Douan awkwardly said:
"Your Majesty, don’t be like this, I can’t eat all this. It makes me feel like offerings during Qingming Festival..."
Xu Zhenguan "oh"-ed softly and said indifferently, "Then why aren’t you leaving yet?"
Tsk, is she angry already? I didn’t even say anything... Zhao Douan criticized internally, but he also knew that his Divine Soul hadn’t rested well; staying too long could indeed cause permanent damage.
Otherwise, he feared it would severely harm his Divine Soul.
He stood up, ready to slip away: "Your servant bids farewell now..."
Anyway, it would be easy to return, as this mural essentially opened a portal for him. It would be quite easy to bother the Empress in the future...
Thus, there wasn’t much reluctance in this departure.
Xu Zhenguan suddenly called him back, saying:
"There’s something strange about Zhao Shixiong’s rebellion. It’s worth some attention. Although the late Emperor ignored state affairs in his last years, he wasn’t muddled. The Southwest Border Army is adjacent to the Southern Border, and no untrusted general would be easily placed there.
Zhao Shixiong, though defiant and not very compliant, might have ulterior motives if he’s willing to forsake high positions for Mu Prince."
Could Zhao Shixiong have hidden motives in joining Mu Prince?
Zhao Douan was slightly surprised, not expecting such an evaluation from Zhenbao on this Border Army General.
"I understand." Zhao Douan nodded and stepped into the mural.
Seeing him disappear, Xu Zhenguan quietly pondered; she didn’t have much expectation for Zhao Douan’s success.
How much could a few people hiding behind enemy lines really affect the situation? But since Zhao Douan wanted to proceed, she wouldn’t say anything discouraging.
However, to ensure his safety during infiltration, information about this "behind enemy lines action" must remain strictly confidential.
Even the high levels of the court shouldn’t know.
Xu Zhenguan rose with the palace lantern, stepping outside.
He was busy for Yu Country; she shouldn’t rest either.
...
...
As Zhao Douan was having a private talk with the Empress, the aftermath of the battle continued to ripple out.
Refugees returned to the city one after another.
And in a certain traditional Chinese medicine shop in the county town, Nie Yurong’s awaited return excited the Embroidered Robe Envoys led by the young Kongkong.
"Big sis, you’re back?" The nimble-like-a-monkey Kongkong exclaimed excitedly.
The other Embroidered Robe Envoys also enthusiastically saluted.
Nie Yurong, with a cold face, said:
"The court is strong, they have captured General Su alive and killed General Lutong, Fan Long Monk, and others. Seeing that it was hopeless, I left during the chaos."
"The court’s official army will surely sweep and hunt us next. Prepare, take the chance to leave during the confusion. We must report what happened here to the Prince as soon as possible."
They doubted nothing and responded immediately.
The young Kongkong was curious: "Big sis, where are we withdrawing to? Yongjia City?"
"Yes." Nie Yurong nodded lightly.
Yongjia is one of the prefectures of the Huai River region, now stationed by the Border Army Commander Zhao Shixiong.
It is the main force of the Yunfu Road army. The military strength there is far beyond Su Dan’s forces.
Nie Yurong raised her hand, releasing one green paper crane after another, which flew into the sky, disappearing into the distance.
Not only her but countless spies also hidden in Linfeng were rapidly transmitting the results of this battle to various factions.
It is conceivable that it will trigger a new round of sensation.
...
Huai River Eastern Front.
A meeting hosted by Prince Jing Xu Wen, gathering Jiancheng Road’s higher-ups, was in session.
Suddenly, a messenger knocked on the door.
Princely Heir Xu Jinglong lifted his rear, walked forward, and held the latest intelligence from the Royal Mansion’s secret spies in his hand, not daring to unfold it; he handed it over with both hands to Prince Jing, who was dressed in luxury with an air of a powerful figure.
Prince Jing received it calmly, and seeing that the court defeated Su Dan and reclaimed lost territory, he was unsurprised.
This was expected.
But when he saw Su Dan’s burning city and Zhao Douan using Divine power to manipulate clouds and rain, affecting the climate for miles, reversing the battle...
Prince Jing’s pupils slightly contracted, his face showing a flash of shocked anger, and he sneered:
"Well played, Zhao Douan, showing up to stir trouble at this moment."
He had regretted many times before for not exerting full effort to eliminate Zhao Douan early on.
Lu Yaner curiously glanced at him, her expression unchanged.
Soon, when all the Jiancheng Road group’s higher-ups saw the information, they were also taken aback.
"Su Dan dared to implement a scorched earth policy? Mu Prince is more audacious than we imagined!"
"Heh, even Xue Shence has moments of being fooled. It seems that he’s been in the Capital as Secretariat Envoy for too long, not what he used to be."
"That Zhao Douan... how is it him again?! Controlling clouds and rain, is he capable of such means?"
Everyone was filled with discussions, each showing different expressions.
Prince Jing huffed coldly and said indifferently: