The Blood Crown - Chapter 261

After leaving Jiuhuai Mountain, it was time for Chen Mu to make his decision. Tonight, they were camping at the foot of the mountain.

Chen Mu invited Yan Sikong and Shen Hexuan to discuss matters.

The three of them gathered around the map, analyzing where to ambush Yuan Nanyu’s reinforcements.

Chen Mu pointed to a spot on the map, “Scouts have reported that sixty li from the main camp, there is a shallow stream flanked by two mountains, called Dazi Slope. It is the nearest route to Fengxiang, and it has already frozen over. The high slopes undulate, and the narrow field of vision makes it an ideal place for an ambush.”

Shen Hexuan pondered, “Does Your Highness intend to head to Fengxiang?”

“I have that in mind.” Chen Mu glanced at Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong looked at the map without any expression, then said after a long pause, “Very well. Although Fengxiang is slightly farther than Pingliang, the terrain is more suitable for an ambush. If we rush to cross Dazi Slope tomorrow and leave ten thousand elite soldiers in ambush, Que Wang, upon receiving the news, will undoubtedly take the shortcut to reinforce, falling right into our trap.”

“You think so too?” Chen Mu smiled. “I’ve thought it over repeatedly these past few days. Pingliang is easy to capture, but if I go to Pingliang, I’m afraid I’d be playing right into their hands.”

Shen Hexuan squinted his eyes, “Are you sure you’ve made up your mind, Your Highness?”

Chen Mu nodded, “Does Mister Shen think it’s unwise?”

“There’s nothing unwise about it,” Shen Hexuan said. “If Your Highness decides to take Fengxiang, then we should send a contingent to feign an attack on Pingliang and keep the main force rushing toward Fengxiang, giving them no chance to breathe.”

Yan Sikong hesitated, “If we wear out the troops with constant marching, it will be hard for them to endure. Fengxiang, resting and waiting, might have the upper hand against us.”

“Yes, the soldiers have been worn out these past days. I think we should rest here for a day to recover our strength before setting out again.”

The three of them continued their discussion for a long time before dispersing. After Shen Hexuan left, Chen Mu kept Yan Sikong behind.

“Mister, do you think our plan is foolproof?”

“There’s no such thing as foolproof in this world, especially in war, where so many lives are at stake and anything can happen.” Yan Sikong cast a sidelong glance at Chen Mu, smiling, “Your Highness, are you afraid?”

Chen Mu was taken aback, his brows furrowing slightly in displeasure. “Do you think I’m afraid of Feng Ye?”

“Your Highness needn’t mind. Feng Ye, born of a famous general, made his name while still young. Under his command, the Feng family army has captured city after city, invincible and rarely defeated. In the whole realm, there’s hardly anyone who can match him. Keeping a healthy fear of the enemy is also a warning to oneself.”

A flash of anger passed through Chen Mu’s eyes, but Yan Sikong caught it. Chen Mu pressed his lips together, “You’re right. In leading troops, Feng Ye is indeed formidable, but no one is undefeated forever. I don’t believe there’s no one who can challenge him. He was once defeated by Mister Shen.”

“Yes, but Taiyuan eventually fell back into his hands.”

“That’s because he had you. Now you are by my side.” Chen Mu snorted softly, “Aren’t you overestimating Feng Ye?”

Yan Sikong sneered, “Indeed, he fears me, which is why he wants to exchange Pingliang for me.” He suddenly clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, “If I fall into his hands, he…he might truly kill me.”

“Don’t be afraid.” Chen Mu’s gaze was icy, “Feng Ye will never touch a hair on your head again. Not for Pingliang, nor if he offers the capital.”

Yan Sikong looked at Chen Mu with gratitude, “Does Your Highness know that when I escaped from Taiyuan, I felt that the world was vast, yet there was no place for me. I was disheartened and wanted to withdraw from the world. But Your Highness, despite what people said, treated me with such respect, and I…”

Chen Mu grasped Yan Sikong’s hand, speaking with deep emotion, “I don’t care what others think. In my heart, you will always be the one who saved me from hardship and supported me in my lowest moments. I won’t let anyone, especially Feng Ye, hurt you again.”

Yan Sikong forced a smile, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

—

Returning to his tent, Yan Sikong ground the ink, picked up his brush, and wrote a few words: “To take Pingliang, ambush at Dazi Slope.”

He believed that Chen Mu genuinely intended to go to Fengxiang, but Chen Mu was a calculating man, unlikely to divulge military secrets before setting out. The ambush at Dazi Slope was real, but the target of Fengxiang might not be. Chen Mu did not truly trust anyone, not even him or Shen Hexuan.

Just now, he had deliberately praised Feng Ye to provoke Chen Mu. Chen Mu had once been under Feng Ye’s control, and now that he was in power, he was eager to redeem himself in Feng Ye’s eyes. With Yan Sikong’s repeated insinuations, Pingliang had become Chen Mu’s weak point. He was certain that Chen Mu would still head to Pingliang.

However, Chen Mu would certainly spread false information, making Yuan Nanyu believe his target was Fengxiang, drawing Yuan Nanyu into the ambush at Dazi Slope while he led his main force for a surprise attack on Pingliang—a strategy to kill two birds with one stone.

Yan Sikong rolled up the note, carefully wrapping it in several layers of oil paper before tossing it into the latrine, then called his personal guard to carry it away.

Whenever they camped, they would dig latrines. Even if it was just a temporary camp during the march, they couldn’t be careless. The waste generated by an army of a hundred thousand in a single day could not be underestimated. If not properly handled, it could contaminate water sources, attract flies, and not only disrupt military discipline but also cause disease.

Of course, those latrines were for the common soldiers. The officers solved such matters inside their tents, where they had attendants.

But all waste was eventually taken to the earth pits for disposal, a place known as “Tumen,” the furthest area from the tents, where the foul stench reeked, and the lowest-ranking soldiers did the lowest of tasks.

Back in Huai’an, Yan Sikong had secretly established contact with Yuan Nanyu’s planted officer within Chen Mu’s army, and they devised this plan. Among the laborers at Tumen was a messenger who, during waste disposal, would deliver Yan Sikong’s information to Yuan Nanyu.

Without anyone knowing, the note was already galloping swiftly towards Qingyang.

—

After a day of rest, ten thousand elite soldiers went ahead to set an ambush at Dazi Slope. Chen Mu ordered the main force to set out, announcing in front of all the soldiers that they were rushing to Pingliang.

Upon hearing these words, both Yan Sikong and Shen Hexuan were stunned, though Yan Sikong’s shock was feigned while Shen Hexuan’s was genuine. Shen Hexuan didn’t understand Chen Mu as deeply as Yan Sikong did, nor could he grasp the rivalry between Chen Mu and Feng Ye over another man. The human heart is unpredictable, and missing even a single expression could lead to a vast misunderstanding. In terms of understanding people, Shen Hexuan would never match Yan Sikong.

Seeing their surprise and confusion, Chen Mu couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride: “After much consideration, I’ve decided to take Pingliang. I’ve already sent out false information to mislead Que Wang and stationed troops along the road from Fengxiang to Pingliang as well. When we capture Pingliang, we’ll make sure Que Wang falls into our trap!”

“War is deception; Your Highness is wise,” Yan Sikong said with a bow.

Shen Hexuan frowned, saying, “Since Your Highness has made up your mind, we should head to Pingliang quickly. In truth, attacking either city doesn’t make much difference to us. But don’t count on Que Wang definitely falling into our ambush. If he weren’t capable, Feng Ye wouldn’t have entrusted him with such responsibilities.”

These words were not what Chen Mu wanted to hear. He dismissed them carelessly: “Even if he doesn’t fall into the trap, he won’t be able to rescue Pingliang. This city…” He narrowed his eyes, almost gritting his teeth, “…I am determined to take it.”

Yan Sikong looked deeply at Chen Mu. Pingliang would indeed be difficult to defend—a small city with only ten thousand stationed soldiers was no match for Chen Mu’s hundred thousand troops. But he would never let Yuan Nanyu come to harm. If Yuan Nanyu were smart enough, he would abandon Pingliang. As long as he concentrated his forces on defending Qingyang, Chen Mu wouldn’t dare advance into the heartland.

However, Yuan Nanyu had to trust him…

—

Chen Mu’s army advanced seventy miles a day, reaching Pingliang in two days.

Pingliang was naturally prepared, but in the face of a hundred thousand troops besieging the city, the best preparation was to plan for the aftermath. They both knew that if Pingliang could withstand Chen Mu’s first assault, they might survive until reinforcements arrived. If not, surrender sooner rather than later was wiser.

Yan Sikong stood in the central command, watching Chen Mu’s forces crush Pingliang’s defenses with overwhelming might. He estimated that the city wouldn’t hold out much longer before surrendering.

Just then, a messenger on horseback rushed through the ranks, almost falling off his horse in his excitement as he dismounted: “Your Highness, a report from Dazipo—”

“Speak quickly!”

Yan Sikong’s heart skipped a beat. Judging by the messenger’s expression, could it be… good news?

The messenger shouted, “The rebel general Yuan Shaoxu led his troops through Dazipo and fell into our ambush!”

Yan Sikong staggered, his face suddenly turning pale.

Yuan Shaoxu falling into the ambush at Dazipo meant two possibilities: either Yuan Nanyu didn’t trust his intelligence, or Yuan Shaoxu defied orders and acted on his own. Either way, it would be a severe blow to Yuan Nanyu.

Losing troops was one thing, but if Yuan Nanyu was moved by brotherly feelings and went to rescue Yuan Shaoxu…

Chen Mu was overjoyed: “Excellent!” He barked, “Xu Chuan, where are you?”

“I am here.”

“Xu Chuan, take ten thousand men and go to Dazipo to join the ambush forces. If reinforcements arrive, annihilate them. Leave Yuan Shaoxu alive.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“Wait!” Yan Sikong called out.

Chen Mu turned his head, “What’s wrong? You look so pale, sir.”

“Your Highness, Pingliang is not yet taken. How can we divide our forces now?”

“Pingliang is already on the verge of collapse, and our troops are at their peak. Splitting off ten thousand men is no problem.”

“Your Highness, do not underestimate the enemy. Now is the crucial moment; we must press the attack to break Pingliang in one go before dividing our forces.”

“They won’t last long; Pingliang is even weaker than I expected.” Shen Hexuan interjected, “There’s no harm in dividing our forces, Your Highness.”

“Yes, sir. The situation is settled; Pingliang is beyond saving. The news from Dazipo is more urgent now.” Chen Mu’s eyes shone with excitement. “Don’t you want to deal with Yuan Shaoxu yourself? I keep my promises—I will capture him for you.” He tossed the military token to Xu Chuan. “Hurry!”

“Yes!”

Yan Sikong watched as a detachment of troops marched southwest, his heart sinking lower.

Now he could only hope that Yuan Shaoxu died in the ambush and wouldn’t drag Yuan Nanyu into rescuing him. Moreover, if Yuan Shaoxu were truly captured and brought before him, who knew what selfish actions he might take to save himself.