"Quick, pass it!"
Ling Mohan put down the scroll in his hand and said urgently.
Upon seeing Chu Chenyi, Ling Mohan's anxious heart finally eased somewhat, "You're finally here. If you hadn't come any sooner, you would have been waiting to collect my corpse."
"You are the God of War of Eastern Chu, who could possibly defeat you."
"Stop the nonsense. Have you settled the hundred thousand troops you brought?" Ling Mohan's primary concern was the hundred thousand troops brought by Chu Chenyi, as they were the key to turning the tide.
"I was worried you might be killed, so I came to check on your well-being first. The rest of the army will arrive this evening."
Ling Mohan glanced at Chu Chenyi and remained silent. No one would consider him mute if he didn't speak.
"Quickly get me something to eat." To reach Yingzhong Commandery as soon as possible, he had traveled without stopping to eat. His stomach was now empty and uncomfortable.
"After being besieged by rebels for so many days, every grain of rice in the city is accounted for. There is truly no surplus grain to offer Prince Jing. I ask Prince Jing to bear with me for a while. We can discuss food after your provisions arrive."
With no army provisions having arrived, he expected to eat his food? Impossible.
Chu Chenyi's lips trembled slightly, "I risked my life, enduring hardship and lacking rest, to bring troops to support you, and you won't even give me a bite to eat? Ling Mohan, have you lost your conscience!"
"This general is also powerless. If His Highness Prince Jing is truly hungry, feel free to find food within the city yourself."
"I refuse to believe that in a vast Yingzhong Commandery, there isn't even a single bite of food for me!"
Chu Chenyi was convinced that Ling Mohan was doing this intentionally and immediately ordered his soldiers to search for food.
"Your Highness, our young general is telling the truth. After being blocked by rebels for a month, the city is isolated and helpless. There is truly no food left."
Lu Shi, unable to bear their futile efforts, stepped forward to explain the truth.
"Is there truly no food?"
"If Your Highness had not arrived sooner, the soldiers would have been too weak to even hold their weapons."
They were currently eating only one meal a day, and when hunger became unbearable, they drank water to sustain themselves. Countless brothers had already fainted from hunger. If reinforcements did not arrive in a few more days, they would starve to death before the enemy even attacked.
Chu Chenyi lowered his gaze, concealing his true emotions. He only knew that the rebels had besieged Yingzhong Commandery and had suffered losses in several assaults. He had no idea that they were already out of food.
"It is my oversight. If I had arrived sooner, the soldiers would not have suffered so much."
The soldiers were sacrificing their lives on the front lines, yet they had failed to provide even the most basic supplies.
Even more outrageous was Chu Yanxi, who, for his own selfish gain, had deliberately delayed the supporting army, nearly causing a catastrophic mistake and plunging the entire populace of Yingzhong Commandery into dire straits.
"Your Highness's prompt arrival means it is not too late," Ling Mohan said gravely.
"Lu Shi, transmit an order to the entire army: prepare and rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, we will open the city gates and engage the enemy. This battle will surely result in a decisive victory and redeem our honor!"
This was the first time Ling Mohan had been pushed to such a desperate point by the enemy, and he was already seething with anger.
The enemy had attacked them several times before without success. Now, their morale was at its lowest, and they were unaware that reinforcements had arrived. This was the perfect opportunity to catch them off guard.
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Chu Chenyi pondered for a moment and said, "Attacking so hastily, I only worry that the soldiers will not have enough time to recuperate."
Deploying troops while exhausted was a grave military error, and he was concerned that the soldiers, having endured hardships, would not be able to adjust quickly.
"Now is the time when the enemy's morale is low, and our army's morale is high. We must seize this opportunity for a swift and decisive victory!"
Ling Mohan had already calculated that this was the best time. If they missed this opportunity, it would be difficult to find another chance for a decisive victory.
"Once the hundred thousand troops you brought arrive, settle them down first."
As he finished speaking, Ling Mohan picked up his sword and walked out of the tent.
"Aren't you going to inspect the army later?"
Tomorrow was the day of the great battle. Instead of inspecting the camp and boosting morale, he was leaving. What was going on?
"I need to go back and check on Feng Jin first. I'll leave the army inspection to you."
News of the rebel siege of Yingzhong Commandery was spreading like wildfire within the city. Feng Jin, being pregnant, was undoubtedly worried upon hearing this.
He had been occupied with military affairs all this time. Now that he finally had an opportunity, he naturally had to return to check on Feng Jin's condition.
"You..." Before Chu Chenyi could finish his words, Ling Mohan had already disappeared from sight.
Ling Mohan spurred his horse on, rushing back urgently. He pushed open the door and went straight to find Feng Jin, not even noticing Ling Muzhu greeting him.
"Eldest... brother..." Ling Muzhu's outstretched hand froze awkwardly in the cold wind. Was he truly being ignored like this?
"Young general, you're back?"
Cai Qing's eyes lit up with undisguised joy upon seeing Ling Mohan return, and her voice involuntarily rose a few decibels.
Feng Jin, inside the room, also heard Cai Qing's voice. She immediately got up and ran out. Opening the door, she saw the man she had been longing for, standing before her unharmed. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she threw herself into his arms.
Seeing this, Cai Qing wisely withdrew, leaving the space for the two who had been separated for a long time.
"Alright, stop crying. I've returned safe and sound," Ling Mohan's deep, slightly hoarse voice resonated above Feng Jin's head, bringing her rare peace of mind.
"Do you know how worried I was? I heard the rebels were attacking the city, and I wanted to find you, to be with you, but I couldn't get out. I could only be confined to this small courtyard..."
For the past two days, she had been restless, her heart feeling like it was being roasted over a fire.
"I know everything. As soon as I had the chance, I hurried back to find you."
Ling Mohan held Feng Jin tightly, his longing somewhat eased.
"What is the military situation? Have the reinforcements arrived?"
"The reinforcements arrived today. Tomorrow is the decisive battle with the rebels. Once we win this battle, we can return soon."
This war had dragged on for too long; it should have ended long ago. After the war, he only wished to stay by Feng Jin's side and wait for the birth of their child.
"Good, after you win, we will go back."
Feng Jin nestled in his embrace, enjoying the rare moment of peace, truly wishing for an end to all wars.
"Tomorrow, stay safely in the courtyard and do not venture out recklessly. I will return immediately after the war is over."
Fearing that Feng Jin might act on impulse, Ling Mohan cautioned her with concern.
"I understand!" Feng Jin answered with firm conviction. She knew that Ling Mohan would win tomorrow's battle and return safely.