Chapter 116

 

To deal with Prince Yu’s rebel army, Ling Rucheng first used military tactics before diplomacy. After ambushing the rebels, he sent an envoy to the rebel camp to inform Prince Yu that Grand Princess Hua Yang would have peace talks with him tomorrow.

As night fell, Prince Jing and the Commander-in-chief Guo Jixian were all in Prince Yu’s tent.

Having just suffered a defeat, Guo Jixian looked solemn, Prince Jing looked unhappy, and Prince Yu looked frightened.

In the past few days, their army was invincible, and Prince Yu dreamed of sitting on the dragon throne. But after today’s defeat, Prince Yu’s dream instantly turned into a nightmare.

After the envoys from the imperial court left, Prince Yu looked at the official document in his hand. His small eyes, which were squeezed into two slits by his fat face, quietly glanced at Prince Jing. Although he didn’t say anything, but the intention of retreat could be seen on his face.

Prince Jing sneered: “Does dear nephew think that Empress Dowager Qi is really willing to let you go?”

Prince Yu muttered: “This document is clearly written. If she dares to break her promise, won’t she be despised by the people of the world?”

Prince Jing: “Dear nephew is so naive. Empress Dowager Qi is accustomed to such tricks. Believe it or not, if you really surrender, Empress Dowager Qi will naturally put on a show of benevolence in front of the ministers. But those literati will curse you to death with their words, begging the Empress Dowager to punish you with their silver tongues. By then, Empress Dowager Qi will have a way out, how will she leave you a way to survive? At that time, even if Empress Dowager Qi gives you a way out openly, she will still imprison you. She won’t need to act directly; a subtle hint to her subordinates will suffice to send you underground to meet the late Emperor, so father and son can reunite.”

Prince Yu:…

He looked at Guo Jixian again.

Guo Jixian agreed with Prince Jing. If they surrendered at this time, Prince Yu might still have a way to survive. As a traitor, he would undoubtedly face the fate of extermination of nine generations.

“Victory and defeat are common matters for soldiers. Your Highness doesn’t need to worry. Your Highness still has 170,000 troops under your command. As long as you defeat Ling Rucheng’s 100,000 troops and passes Wuyi, you can continue northward and the capital will be at your fingertips.”

Guo Jixian had previously suggested that Prince Jing retreat, but now that there was no way out, he had no choice but to face the difficulties.

Deep down in his heart, Guo Jixian also wanted to see who would win in a confrontation between him and Ling Rucheng.

Prince Yu was persuaded by the two of them: “What about the peace talks tomorrow?”

Prince Jing: “What peace talk, it’s nothing more than a face-saving thing. If Grand Princess Hua Yang can persuade you to surrender, you can also persuade her to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side. She should be the biological flesh and blood of the late emperor, but the young emperor may not be. You tell her not to dig out her heart and lung for people with foreign surname, and hand over the ancestors’ country to others.”

Prince Yu’s eyes lit up: “Yes, if she’s willing to order Ling Rucheng’s army to defect to me, then what do I have to fear?”

Prince Jing:……

Don’t have much brain, but pretty good at dreaming!

 

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Between Hu’er Mountain and Wuyi County was a flat and vast area.

The next morning, the 170,000 rebels led by Prince Yu and the 100,000 armies led by Ling Rucheng met head-on here.

The two armies were one mile apart, but a canopy had been erected in the middle, with a coffee table and two seats placed under.

On one side, Hua Yang rode on horseback while leading Chen Jingzong and Ling Rucheng to the canopy. On the other side, Prince Yu also led Prince Jing and Guo Jixian to the center.

Soon, the six people met under the canopy.

Chen Jingzong dismounted first and came to help Hua Yang.

Hua Yang looked very noble, but Prince Yu was too fat, so Guo Jixian had no choice but to come and support him.

After Prince Yu stood firm, he looked straight at Hua Yang who had walked under the canopy. Her white clothes made her even more elegant and refined, as if Chang’e had descended to earth.

Prince Yu thought that it would be best if Hua Yang was not the late emperor’s flesh and blood. When he succeeded the throne, he would be the first to favor Hua Yang.

“I haven’t seen you for so many years, but Sister is still so charming.”

Pushing Guo Jixian aside, Prince Yu walked towards Hua Yang with a smile.

Hua Yang looked at Prince Yu across from her with disgust.

She remembered that before Prince Yu came to the vassal, although he was fat, he was still ordinary plump, and there was still a bit of the prince’s style on his face. Why did he become as fat as a pig now?

“Father Emperor’s bones are not even cold, but Brother Prince can still smile so brightly. It shows that you don’t take Father Emperor seriously at all. No wonder you dare to launch troops to rebel.”

Prince Yu was shocked by the contempt and disdain in her eyes, and he became embarrassed.

In fact, since he was a child, he as an older brother had never been able to successfully display an older brother’s posture in front of Hua Yang. Every time they met, Hua Yang looked at him like a grasshopper, with contempt engraved in her bones. Although Prince Yu was unhappy, after a long time, he actually felt that it was nothing. Who made Hua Yang look like a fairy? Even their father did not have the dignity of an emperor in front of her.

As soon as they met, Prince Yu was at a disadvantage. Prince Jing sneered, looked at Hua Yang and said, “The late Emperor died in his prime under mysterious circumstances. Prince Yu came to the capital precisely to seek justice for the late Emperor.”

Hua Yang looked at him and said coldly: “I am talking to Prince Yu, who do you think you are and dare to interrupt?”

Prince Jing:……

Prince Yu hurriedly introduced: “Hua Yang must not be rude, this is Uncle Prince Jing.”

When Prince Jing became a vassal, Hua Yang was not born yet. How could she recognize him?

Hua Yang knew about Prince Jing in her previous life. When Prince Yu was captured and brought to the capital, he kept saying that Prince Jing instigated him. However, Prince Jing had already died in the battle at that time, and Guo Jixian’s confession to the Jinyiwei identified Prince Yu as the main instigator. Prince Jing, like several other vassal princes who assisted Prince Yu in the rebellion, had all their property confiscated and their titles abolished, and all their branch clans were reduced to common people.

However, as far as the court was concerned, there was not much difference between Prince Yu and Prince Jing as to who was the mastermind. Except for Prince Jing himself who died in battle, the other princes all ended up beheaded.

At that time, Hua Yang was hit by the death of her father emperor and Chen Jingzong one after another, and stayed in the grand princess mansion all day long. She only needed to know that the court had won and the rebels were defeated. She didn’t care too much about anything else. When her emotional state recovered, people around her rarely mentioned the rebellion for fear of arousing her grief for her late husband.

Seeing Prince Jing at this time, with his strong and mighty face shining brightly, Hua Yang had a vague feeling that Prince Yu was probably instigated by Prince Jing.

But this was not important, because the outcome of this war had already been determined. Under the advance layout of her father-in-law and mother empress, Prince Yu and Prince Jing would only lose faster in this life.

The only thing she had to do was to save Chen Jingzong’s life.

Without even looking at Prince Jing, Hua Yang sat on the chair and directly persuaded Prince Yu to surrender.

Prince Yu listened for a while, and when Hua Yang stopped talking, he refused to be outdone and said: “Sister should not be deceived by Empress Dowager Qi and Chen Tingjian. The people had long known that the two of them had an affair…”

Just when he said this, Chen Jingzong, who was standing behind Hua Yang, suddenly rushed over and punched Prince Yu’s fat face across the table!

Prince Yu didn’t react at all and was knocked directly to the ground. The chair legs along with his two legs were raised high to the sky.

Prince Jing was stunned. Guo Jixian was the first to react and suddenly pulled out the sword from his waist!

Ling Rucheng also drew his sword and looked at Guo Jixian with regret: “I have heard of Brother Guo’s reputation for a long time, but I didn’t expect that the first time you and I met would be like this.”

Guo Jixian avoided his gaze and looked at Prince Yu who was grabbing Prince Jing’s arm and screaming miserably. He smiled bitterly, put away his sword, lowered his eyes and said, “It’s useless to talk. I’ll see you on the battlefield.”

After saying that, he and Prince Jing worked together to help Prince Yu’s bloated body onto the horse’s back.

Chen Jingzong also helped Hua Yang up.

Hua Yang caught a glimpse of blood on the back of his hand.

Chen Jingzong also noticed it, and when Hua Yang sat firmly, he rubbed himself casually.

Hua Yang didn’t say anything.

If Chen Jingzong hadn’t taken action in time, more filthy words would have come out of Prince Yu’s mouth. The dirty water thrown on her mother empress and father-in-law would make her and Chen Jingzong equally fall into the same embarrassing situation.

The peace talks between left and right were all a matter of honor, it doesn’t matter if they tear it apart, and from now on, it’s all about letting the swords and spears do the talking!

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The two armies clashed, and the grand princess Hua Yang temporarily took refuge in Wuyi County.

Guo Jixian had not expected that the 50,000 reinforcements from the imperial court had arrived, so he suffered a defeat. The next time he was well prepared, plus Ling Rucheng’s troops were short of 70,000. In the next two days, the rebels force held the advantage.

Soon after, more than 50,000 soldiers and horses from Daming Prefectures and the other two prefectures finally arrived and helped Ling Rucheng’s army to surrounded the enemy, catching the rebels by surprise.

After reorganization, Guo Jixian still wanted to break through Wuyi and continue northward, but several attempts ended in failure.

At this time, not only many rebel soldiers surrendered to the imperial military camp, but even Prince Yu was frightened into disgrace.

Prince Jing finally accepted Guo Jixian’s initial proposal, withdrew his troops, passed through Henan and Huguang, and entered Shu to temporarily avoid the enemy.

Prince Yu didn’t want to go, but his words didn’t work at all. He completely reduced to become Prince Jing’s prisoner, leaving behind all the beauties, maids, and eunuchs behind.

Of course Ling Rucheng would lead his troops to pursue.

Before setting off, Chen Jingzong rode back to Wuyi County and came to the inn where Hua Yang was temporarily staying. He said to her: “The peace talks has fails, there’s no need for you to stay here anymore. You take Zhou Ji and the others back to the capital first.”

Wearing armor, he was panting and sweating on his face. He didn’t plan to stay long, just waiting for Hua Yang to agree and then he would return to the camp.

Hua Yang said calmly, “When are you leaving?”

Chen Jingzong: “Rest for an hour at most.”

Hua Yang looked at Zhou Ji: “Prepare the carriages and horses immediately, we will continue to follow the army.”

Zhou Ji was slightly surprised, but he didn’t question anything and went out to prepare everything.

Chen Jingzong looked at Hua Yang in disbelief: “You still want to join the army?”

Hua Yang: “I joined the army not only for peace talks, but also to supervise the army on behalf of my brother and Mother Empress to boost the morale of the soldiers. If I go back now, wouldn’t the soldiers think that I’m afraid, and they would also get cold feet.”

Before Chen Jingzong could speak, Hua Yang continued: “I know you don’t want me to suffer hardships with the army, but I have already endured all the hardships I should endure. I have long been used to it. If I stay behind, when we eventually succeed in suppressing the rebellion, I can still claim some credit and earn some glory. If I leave after the peace talk fail, it would seem like I’m useless, wouldn’t it?”

Chen Jingzong’s eyes became complicated: “Just for the sake of glory, you don’t even care about the dangers on the battlefield?”

Hua Yang glanced at him and smiled: “It’s not just for the glory. Didn’t I tell you before we set off, I joined the army because I’m worried about you. I have to see you safe and sound with my own eyes before I can rest assured.”

How could Chen Jingzong really believe it. It was obvious that she insisted on going but unwilling to argue with him, so she used these sweet words, which sounded like lies, to appease him.

He was so angry that he walked around in the hall several times, and suddenly looked at Wu Run, who had been standing on the side: “She has never experienced the dangers of the battlefield. She’s so bold and reckless, yet you won’t persuade her?”

Wu Run lowered his eyes, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: “The Princess treats Prince Consort with deep affection. This servant know that this servant cannot stop it, so why bother to say anything.”

Chen Jingzong:…

Are this master and the servant poured him the ecstasy soup together?

“You step back first. I have something to say to the Princess alone.”

After being irritable, Chen Jingzong suddenly said.

Wu Run looked at the princess, saw her nodding, then took Chao Yun and Chao Yue out.

Chen Jingzong closed the door, turned around, and came to Hua Yang.

Hua Yang could smell the smell of blood, sweat, and even dust all over his body, mixed together into a mess.

She covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and raised her head to glare at him.

Chen Jingzong suddenly grabbed her shoulders and lifted her up easily.

Hua Yang was so shocked that she dropped the handkerchief in her hand. She tried hard to keep the distance between the two of them and prevent the blood on his armor from staining her white dress.

“What are you doing?” she asked angrily.

Chen Jingzong looked at her white and tender face like a peony flower, his throat rolled up, and he said hoarsely: “For my sake, you’re not even afraid of the dangers outside, why are you afraid of this little bit of dirt?”

Hua Yang: “These are two completely different things!”

Chen Jingzong: “I don’t care. Just tell me whether you’re going back to the capital or not. If you don’t go back, I’ll be moved by your deep affection. Once I’m moved, I won’t be able to resist kissing you.”

As he spoke, he gradually approached Hua Yang’s face.

Hua Yang pushed him with all her strength.

Chen Jingzong directly pulled her into his arms and tied her arms tightly: “I ask you for the last time, will you go back?”

Hua Yang no longer cared about her dress. Looking at his threatening eyes and his gray face, Hua Yang gritted her teeth and closed her eyes as if waiting death: “You can kiss me if you want, but I won’t go back.”

Chen Jingzong:…

He really wanted to kiss her, but he was also really afraid that she would vomit and never give herself to him again.

In this battle, Chen Jingzong was completely defeated by her.

Since he couldn’t convince her, Chen Jingzong had no choice but to stay in the county town for a while. When Hua Yang took Chao Yun and Chao Yue into the carriage, Chen Jingzong followed on horseback and accompanied her towards the direction where the army was stationed.

It was not long in the afternoon, the sun was scorching, and the weeds on the ground were wilting.

Sweat was dripping down his face again, but Chen Jingzong didn’t bother to wipe it away. He just looked towards her carriage window.

The extremely delicate princess suddenly wanted to join the army without fear of hardship. The more Chen Jingzong thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

She had some strange abilities, as if she can predict things, but of course not everything. For example, if she could predict what kind of person he is, she would not have agreed to the Empress Dowager’s proposed marriage in the first place.

Chen Jingzong could only guess based on previous experience that something major would happen during this battle countering the rebellion, something she did not hesitate to wronged herself to change it.

Who was worth this to her?

In Chen Jingzong’s mind, several faces appeared one after another, some old and some young.

He secretly tightened his grip on the reins.

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