Chapter 910 - Chapter 910: Chapter 908: Chu Yihan’s Strategy
Chapter 910: Chapter 908: Chu Yihan’s Strategy
This man named Lu Chongming was the defender of Bamboo Leaf Pass, having protected it for many years with abundant experience in border battles. He solved Zhou Tang’s dilemma, “General Zhou, attempting to rescue General Su Hao in this manner is improper. Firstly, deploying a hundred thousand troops to engage in a fierce battle in the valley, we would surely suffer a severe drain against a well-prepared enemy force. It’s not certain that we can rescue our men, and we may easily fall into encirclement by the remaining one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers of the Qi army. Not only could we lose General Su Hao, but we would also suffer hefty losses in our troops. Secondly, if Jingcheng were to fall, the common people would be left homeless, a loss that cannot easily be remedied. Your Highness is considering the welfare of the border’s populace, you must not act rashly.”
“General Lu speaks with good reason,” Su Qingzhi commended.
Although he was very thankful to Zhou Tang for his sincere concern for Su Hao, Lu Chongming was clearer-headed, representing a model for them as military men.
“Moreover, the Ninth Princess Consort is still in camp. If all the troops are deployed, this will also jeopardize the Princess’s safety,”
Lu Chongming also thoughtfully added.
“Nonsense! There is no favoritism in the military, how can the army be compared with a single woman?” Chu Yihan rebuked Lu Chongming.
Lu Chongming hastily admitted his fault, “Yes, this subordinate has spoken out of turn!”
He glanced regretfully at Su Qingzhi, whose feelings were somewhat complex.
He was worried about Su Hao as well and wanted to know what decision Chu Yihan would ultimately make.
But despite discussing until evening, they still had no plan that satisfied and got an approving nod from Chu Yihan.
Su Qingzhi gradually felt tormented, his body beginning to give out. During the night, overwhelmed with concern, he fainted.
“Old General!”
All the commanding officers grew anxious.
Su Wei carried Su Qingzhi back to his military tent, while Chu Yihan called for the army’s doctor but did not follow them there himself.
Watching the officers all follow Old General Su, Mo Qi privately asked Chu Yihan, “Your Highness, why not send the Princess to treat Old General Su? There’s no army physician with superior medical skills to the Princess here.”
After all, Su Yingxue would devote herself wholeheartedly when it came to her own grandfather.
Chu Yihan shook his head, “There is a spy within our ranks.”
“What?” Mo Qi’s eyes widened in shock.
Chu Yihan walked over to the sand table again, eyeing the terrain and topography laid out before him, his thoughts growing more intense. Su Hao might act rashly out of emotional agitation, but the trap set by Qi State was all too easy.
If Su Yingxue were let out, her judgment would inevitably be clouded by her concern for her family.
With Su Hao trapped behind enemy lines and Old General Su in a similar predicament, Su Yingxue would be even more anxious.
She might end up being exploited again.
Chu Yihan wrote two secret letters, ordering Mo Qi to deliver them overnight. He waited until all the officers had left Old General Su’s company before he stealthily entered his tent.
Although Su Qingzhi was old, his martial arts had not diminished in the least. He drew his sword from the scabbard and, amidst the darkness, accurately struck at the intruding figure.
“Clang!”
The clear collision of metal caused Su Qingzhi to stagger back several steps. The chill of the sharp blade made him widen his eyes, “Your Highness?”
This was the unmistakable edge of the Qingfeng Sword, which he had experienced firsthand before.
As he was about to light the lamp, Chu Yihan interrupted, “Keep quiet, don’t let anyone notice.”
Just as Su Qingzhi was puzzling over this, Su Wei’s voice came from outside the tent, “General, what happened!”
“Nothing, I just accidentally knocked over a medicine bowl.”
“Do you need me to prepare another bowl for you?”