Tan Hua - Chapter 107: I Want to Be Emperor

Chapter 107: I Want to Be Emperor

 

Wu Datou waited endlessly for Song Liqing to return to the camp. After a whole night had passed and Song Liqing still hadn’t returned, Wu Datou went to the command tent, only to run into Song Liqing walking out, looking full of energy.

 

Wu Datou’s smile froze on his face.

 

“Little… little physician…” Wu Datou hesitantly stepped forward and asked, “Did you… spend the night in the prince’s tent?”

 

“Yes, he asked me to… Ah, it was so comfortable. The prince’s accommodations are on a different level.”

 

Far superior to those of ordinary soldiers.

 

Stretching lazily, Song Liqing felt rejuvenated after days of exhaustion.

 

“You agreed just because he invited you?” Wu Datou stomped his foot in frustration.

 

“Agreed to what?” Song Liqing was baffled and simply walked away to assist Qi Miao, leaving Wu Datou standing there with a dark expression.

 

Jun Qiyu did not mention sending Song Liqing back but insisted on a condition: they must share a horse and remain inseparable. If any danger arose, he could protect him in time. This settled the score between them, putting past grievances aside.

 

The Northwestern Army was now closing in on Loulan, its morale high.

 

Only Wu Datou remained despondent, gloomily hanging his head.

 

General Yuchi noticed and kicked him. “Wu Datou, we’ll attack Loulan’s gates tomorrow, yet you look like a dying man. How do you expect to lead the charge? Get yourself together!”

 

“I’ve lost both love and fortune,” Wu Datou muttered. “Can’t I mourn for a while?”

 

General Yuchi snickered, mocking him, “Ha! There isn’t even a mare in the camp. Who have you fallen out of love with?”

 

Unwillingly, Wu Datou glanced in the distance, where Song Liqing and Jun Qiyu stood close together, their harmony and apparent sweetness almost unbearable to witness.

 

The sight stabbed Wu Datou in the heart.

 

Yuchi squinted in realization, then sucked in a sharp breath.

 

“Oh, so you want to compete with the prince for a man? Truly, you’re the bravest warrior in the army.”

 

Wu Datou protested, “What about the prince? I noticed that little physician first! The prince… he’s stealing what’s mine! He’s just relying on his wealth, power, and—fine—slightly better looks than me…”

 

“Slightly?” Yuchi questioned incredulously.

 

“Even if it’s a hundred points, it’s still immoral,” Wu Datou fumed. “There’s a principle of first come, first served! He must’ve forced or bribed the little physician into submission. Besides, he’s already married. Not only does he have a crown princess, but his residence is full of concubines. He’s a complete scoundrel! How are we single men supposed to stand a chance?”

 

“Watch your tongue, or you’ll lose your other leg,” Yuchi warned.

 

“I…”

 

Wu Datou swallowed his grievances, suppressing his fury.

 

Seeing Wu Datou’s hopeless state, Yuchi grabbed his ear and whispered, “Listen, I’ve got something to tell you…”

 

When Wu Datou finished listening, his eyes widened, and his face turned pale.

 

“Is that true?!”

 

“Keep your voice down,” Yuchi admonished. “If anyone hears, you’ll never be promoted to squad leader.”

 

Wu Datou blinked, a chill running down his spine. His crippled leg nearly gave out.

 

“Oh my heavens… If the prince knows I’ve harassed…”

 

“Cough!” Yuchi interrupted him. “I don’t know if he knows, but I do.”

 

Wu Datou grimaced. “Good general, kind brother, please don’t report this. If the prince finds out, he’ll skin me alive. I’ll give you my entire year’s salary for wine…”

 

…

 

The Northwestern Army soon arrived at Loulan’s capital and set up camp three miles away. Along the way, Xiao’s army had clashed with them several times but suffered defeat after defeat, retreating into the city to rely on its walls and terrain for defense.

 

Loulan, once bustling with merchants, now had its gates firmly shut. People avoided it like the plague, and those inside couldn’t leave. The city had become desolate, its vibrancy replaced with somber silence—a stark contrast to its former prosperity.

 

“Your Highness, preliminary reports from our scouts indicate that Loulan holds 70,000 civilians and fewer than 20,000 Xiao soldiers. With such a small force, we could take the city by storm with ease!”

 

Jun Qiyu nodded. “And the Loulan King?”

 

“His whereabouts remain unknown.”

 

Jun Qiyu glanced at Song Liqing, who didn’t speak but looked visibly concerned.

 

“I suggest we strike like we did against Yili, swift and decisive, without giving them time to recover,” General Yuchi proposed.

 

Jun Qiyu pondered. “A direct assault would be quick, but with the city’s dense population, using siege engines or fire might harm innocent civilians. Many of them are merchants from Jing. A better plan needs consideration.”

 

“Casualties are inevitable in war. We can’t be hesitant,” Yuchi insisted.

 

As Jun Qiyu weighed his options, a scout rushed into the tent.

 

“Your Highness, the Xiao crown prince is on the city wall, calling for you.”

 

“Prepare my horse. I was just about to meet him.”

 

Jun Qiyu rose and strode out.

 

“I’ll go too!” Song Liqing quickly followed.

 

Jun Qiyu hesitated but eventually agreed.

 

This time, Song Liqing rode behind Jun Qiyu. As they reached the city walls, they spotted Xiao’s crown prince, who stood atop the wall, glaring down with hatred at Jun Qiyu.

 

“Jun Qiyu, I made a mistake,” the Xiao prince began with venom in his voice. “I underestimated you. That day, I should’ve killed you at all costs!”

 

Jun Qiyu looked up and responded loudly, “Since you failed, you should’ve expected me to return. What now? Ready to have your head handed to me?”

 

The Xiao prince, incensed, burst into laughter.

 

“Hah! Bold words! I’m right here in Loulan’s capital. Let’s see if you have what it takes to enter and face me!”

 

Jun Qiyu smirked. “A coward, holed up in a city, speaking so confidently? Watch me.”

 

The Xiao prince, bitter from years of hiding, couldn’t stand being called a coward.

 

“Weren’t you once defeated by me, running with your tail between your legs? I’ll never forget how pathetic you looked!”

 

Jun Qiyu, now thick-skinned, remained unfazed.

 

“Xiao, your troops are weak. You must realize the Northwestern Army will breach your city sooner or later. Why not surrender? Lay down your arms, and I promise no harm will come to those who yield…”

 

“Spare me your nonsense!” the Xiao prince spat. “I’ll never bow to you! Who do you think you are?”

 

Jun Qiyu sighed. “Then what’s your plan? Drag your scattered troops to mutual destruction?”

 

“I am the true heir to the throne! The Son of Heaven!” the Xiao prince shouted. “I will be emperor, sit on the dragon throne, and receive the world’s worship, including yours, Jun Qiyu!”

 

Jun Qiyu rubbed his temples.

 

“Fine, fine. You’ll be emperor.”

 

Taking this as submission, the Xiao prince arrogantly declared, “I will hold my coronation in Loulan’s capital and invite you, the traitor, to witness it—along with your fake crown princess! Let the world see who the true Son of Heaven is. Dare you enter my city?”

 

Jun Qiyu frowned. If it were just him, he might have gone. But he couldn’t risk Song Liqing.

 

The Xiao prince sneered, “Of course, you don’t dare! Jun Qiyu, let me show you something…”

 

At his command, dozens of bound captives—elderly, women, and children among them—were brought to the wall. Their attire marked them as people of Jing.

 

The Xiao prince nodded, and a soldier shoved an elderly woman off the wall. She hit the ground with a sickening thud, her life extinguished instantly.

 

Song Liqing froze in shock at the sight of blood and mangled flesh.

 

Sensing his fear, Jun Qiyu didn’t look back but reached back to hold Song Liqing’s hand, guiding it to wrap around his waist.

 

“Don’t be afraid.”

 

Jun Qiyu’s calm voice steadied Song Liqing’s panicked heart.

 

On the wall, a young man wept, calling for his mother, only to be shoved off as well. Mother and son perished, their bodies broken.

 

“Jun Qiyu! Every half-hour, one of your people will die because of your cowardice! Unless you agree to enter the city!” the Xiao prince declared.

 

Jun Qiyu’s eyes grew icy.

 

“Xiao, you call yourself a rightful ruler, yet you slaughter your own people. Is this how an emperor behaves?”

 

“They’re traitors!” the Xiao prince raged. “They abandoned the Xiao dynasty for your royal family. They deserve death!”

 

“Madman,” Jun Qiyu muttered.

 

The Xiao prince yelled, “These deaths are on you, Jun Qiyu! Their blood is your responsibility!”

 

Jun Qiyu glanced at the captives, their eyes pleading for salvation.

 

Without a word, he turned his horse around and headed back to camp.

 

The Xiao prince jeered, “Your ‘great’ prince has abandoned you. When you meet the King of Hell, remember to report that Jun Qiyu killed you! Hahaha! Jun Qiyu, I’ll be waiting!”

 

Jun Qiyu entered his tent silently, while Yuchi cursed loudly all the way back.

 

“That lunatic thinks he can be emperor.”

 

Jun Qiyu drank some water and said, “He believes he has the rightful claim to the throne. Considering what he’s endured, his obsession isn’t surprising. But it seems I must enter Loulan.”

 

“Your Highness, don’t fall for his trap. He’ll ambush and take you hostage to coerce Jing into submission,” Yuchi warned.

 

“Yuchi,” Jun Qiyu beckoned him closer.

 

“Remember the war with Loulan seven years ago?” Jun Qiyu whispered. “The Loulan king surrendered and pledged tribute, ending the conflict.”

 

Yuchi nodded, then realized something.

 

“Your Highness means…”

 

“Yes,” Jun Qiyu confirmed. “Take some men, but don’t let the Xiao prince notice.”

 

Yuchi straightened and saluted. “Understood!”

 

“How many days?”

 

“Three, at most,” Yuchi estimated.

 

Jun Qiyu sighed. “If you can hurry, do so. Fewer lives lost that way.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Author’s Note:

First long update!