The Blood Crown - Chapter 310

In Guangning City, rumors of a food shortage were quietly spreading. The news was not unfounded—just recently, a large portion of the grain supplies sent from the capital had been intercepted by the Duoyan Guard.

Liang Huiyong immediately stepped forward to reassure the troops, claiming that the supplies were sufficient and urging them not to spread rumors that could undermine morale. Then, he secretly sent a letter to Han Zhaoxing.

This letter, carefully crafted by Yan Sikong, was written in Liang Huiyong’s tone, appealing to Han Zhaoxing with both reason and emotion, urging him to persuade Zhuo Letai to negotiate peace.

In the past, when Han Zhaoxing was the commander of Liaodong, Liang Huiyong’s situation had been somewhat unsatisfactory. For the first ten years, he was of low rank and unnoticed by Han Zhaoxing. In the latter half of his tenure, with his intelligence and caution, he gained some promotions, but as a former subordinate of Yuan Mao, he was not greatly trusted. It was only after Zhao Fuyi arrived that he was given the opportunity to showcase his abilities. However, Liang Huiyong and Han Zhaoxing had been colleagues for many years, and only he could have written this letter.

When Han Zhaoxing received the letter, he would undoubtedly realize that the letter’s true origin was not from Liang Huiyong but from the current actual defender of Guangning—Feng Ye. The terms for peace mentioned in the letter could only be offered by Feng Ye.

Months ago, Feng Ye had given the order to execute Han Zhaoxing’s entire family, over four hundred people. Han Zhaoxing hated him deeply, and this letter would only be used by him to gain credit with Zhuo Letai.

This was precisely their plan—step by step, they needed to guide Zhuo Letai into believing that they were on the brink of collapse.

Han Zhaoxing’s spies inside the city had also been targeted, and they had subtly leaked some information about the grain supplies, all of which were unfavorable to Guangning.

Meanwhile, they worked tirelessly day and night to build mountain walls.

After making these preparations, they didn’t expect Zhuo Letai to fall for their trick easily. Convincing Zhuo Letai that Guangning was running out of supplies was only the first step. As long as Zhuo Letai delayed until the supplies truly ran out, he could take the city with minimal loss. To make him launch a full attack, they had to provide both inducements and pressures, and they were prepared to give him both.

With the new year approaching, the city was in a state of desolation. The red decorations of window flowers and couplets could hardly mask the anxious atmosphere in Guangning, and people’s hearts were filled with fear.

One day, Yan Sikong was at home, instructing the servants to clean both inside and outside the residence. Even though they were surrounded on all sides, the new year had to be celebrated. If this turned out to be their last new year, they should at least make the most of it.

Usually, Yan Sikong used disguises in front of others. The few servants and guards in the house were personally selected by Yuan Nanyu, and they were all familiar with Yan Sikong’s true identity. Only in this house could Yan Sikong temporarily remove his mask and be himself.

While he was busy, the doorman suddenly came to report that the Wolf King had arrived.

Seeing the doorman’s anxious expression, Yan Sikong guessed that Feng Ye must have brought his wolf, Hun.

Sure enough, Feng Ye walked into the Yuan residence with the one-eyed giant wolf. Although Feng Ye’s “One-eyed Wolf General” was famous, anyone who saw a wolf so large it resembled a tiger up close would naturally feel some fear.

“Greetings, Wolf King,” Yan Sikong bowed politely.

Hun walked around the courtyard on its own, likely finding the space too small. It soon circled back to where Feng Ye and Yan Sikong were, scaring the servants into staying still.

“In this cold weather, what are you doing standing outside?” Feng Ye asked, his gaze calm and gentle. “Come inside, I’ve brought some good wine.” He shook the item in his hand, which seemed to contain more than just wine.

Yan Sikong did not wish to be alone with Feng Ye, but had no other choice. Fortunately, Hun was present. In front of the servants, he could only say, “Wolf King, please.”

The two entered the house. Feng Ye heated the wine himself and then sat comfortably on the warm kang. Hun lay on the warmest spot near the firepit, making the place feel like home for both man and wolf.

Yan Sikong stood by. “I wonder what brings the Wolf King to my humble abode today…”

“Come, sit,” Feng Ye gestured to the spot opposite him.

Yan Sikong hesitated but eventually sat down.

Feng Ye’s gaze dropped to Yan Sikong’s feet. Yan Sikong instinctively looked down and noticed his boots were covered in snow and mud, with the toes soaked through.

Feng Ye stood up. Before Yan Sikong could react, he bent down and crouched.

Yan Sikong jumped in surprise and was about to stand, but Feng Ye pressed him back down. He began removing Yan Sikong’s boots, scolding lightly, “You’re afraid of the cold, why didn’t you stay inside?”

“Wolf King…” Yan Sikong felt uncomfortable all over, wanting to move but having nowhere to hide.

Feng Ye took off Yan Sikong’s boots and held his cold feet in his large hands, frowning. “Look how frozen you are.” He placed Yan Sikong’s feet on the kang. “Let’s warm them up properly.”

Yan Sikong sat cross-legged, hiding his feet under his robe, and said softly, “What is the purpose of the Wolf King’s visit today?”

Feng Ye placed a medium-sized cloth bag on the table. “These are rare medicinal herbs I had someone gather.”

Yan Sikong stared steadily at Feng Ye. He had strictly instructed Yuan Nanyu not to tell anyone about his injuries, especially not Feng Ye.

Feng Ye explained, “Que Wang is searching for good medicine everywhere, and I found out. These are all tonics, not the kind he would use, so…” He looked at Yan Sikong with concern and spoke softly, “Kong’er, when I held you, I felt you had become much thinner than before. I’m worried about your health.”

“It’s nothing serious,” Yan Sikong said淡ly, “He just thinks I’m too thin and is trying to help me get better.”

“If you need anything, just let me know. Even if it’s dragon scales or phoenix feathers, I’ll get them for you.”

“Thank you, Wolf King, but it really is nothing serious,” Yan Sikong lowered his head, looking at Hun on the floor.

Feng Ye sighed quietly, almost inaudibly. “Let’s spend the new year together this year, alright?”

Yan Sikong didn’t answer.

“It’s been so long since we’ve spent the new year together.”

“This year’s new year, I’m afraid no one will have a good time,” Yan Sikong replied.

“Whether good or bad, it’s all just a year,” Feng Ye said with a sense of melancholy. “Year after year, I’m approaching my thirties. From my youth to today, everything seems like a dream.”

Yan Sikong felt a tightness in his chest.

“Last night, I received a letter from my uncle. He said he’s trying to find a way to transport grain, but the snow this year has been too heavy. Even if he can send the supplies immediately and avoid being obstructed by Zhuo Letai, by the time it arrives…” Feng Ye shook his head. “It’ll be too late.”

They had expected this, but hearing it in person still made Yan Sikong feel weighed down. He asked, “Has there been any movement in Taiyuan?”

“There’s been movement all along,” Feng Ye said in a deep voice. “Chen Mu is clearly waiting for me to go to war with Zhuo Letai.”

Yan Sikong nodded, not surprised. Anyone would take advantage of another’s misfortune, but not everyone could be as ruthless as Chen Mu, willing to sacrifice the vast lands of Liaodong and hundreds of thousands of lives for the throne.

Perhaps Chen Mu thought that once he became emperor, he could deal with Zhuo Letai later. If he could muster the power of the entire nation, he might have a better chance of defeating Zhuo Letai. But the Liaodong that Zhuo Letai had claimed would suffer unimaginable destruction and suffering.

Looking back now, Yan Sikong couldn’t quite figure out whether Chen Mu was inherently this way or if he had shaped him into such a person. In any case, the boy who once depended on him, whose eyes would light up when they met, was gone, never to return.

Feng Ye stood up, brought the warmed wine over, and placed it on the table, slowly pouring two glasses. “Kong’er, come, have a taste. One sip, and your body will warm up instantly.”

Yan Sikong took the cup and drank it without hesitation. The strong alcohol burned his throat, and after it went down, it felt like a fire ignited in his abdomen, making his body instantly heat up. It felt quite refreshing.

“This is good wine,” Yan Sikong remarked.

Feng Ye smiled faintly. “It’s been a long time since we had a drink together.”

Yan Sikong felt that Feng Ye’s mood seemed a bit strange today, and suspicion rose in his heart. “Such good wine, why not save it for the New Year?”

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong with a smile, his eyes filled with affection. “Being with you feels like celebrating the New Year every moment.”

Yan Sikong lowered his head in silence.

“In fact, I came today to discuss something important with you,” Feng Ye said, picking up the wine jug and refilling their glasses.

Hearing this, Yan Sikong looked at him again.

“Now that Zhuo Letai believes we’re running out of supplies, he won’t attack the city. To catch the big fish, we need to use a heavy bait.”

Yan Sikong furrowed his brows. Feng Ye’s mention of “bait” sounded ominous, and the tone was unusually serious. His heart tightened as he asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Feng Ye picked up his wine glass with his long fingers, slowly bringing it to his lips. His sharp wolf-like eyes locked onto Yan Sikong’s, and without fear, he said, “Me.” He then drank the wine in one go.

Yan Sikong’s expression changed. His hands tightened the fabric of his robe under the table as he stared at Feng Ye.

“Only by using me as bait will he be willing to take risks,” Feng Ye added.

Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes. “After all these years, you’ve become the regent, and yet you still haven’t lost your reckless arrogance?!”

Feng Ye smiled slightly. “Kong’er, are you worried about me?”

“You are Liaodong’s only hope. If something were to happen to you…”

“Are you worried about me?” Feng Ye focused intently on Yan Sikong’s eyes. “Not as the Wolf King, not as the regent, just as Feng Ye. Are you worried about ‘me’?”

Yan Sikong clenched his fists.

Feng Ye’s eyes overflowed with unspoken emotions. He spoke softly, “If you’re worried about me, even if it’s just a little bit, could you tell me?”

Yan Sikong gritted his teeth inwardly. “You can’t do this. We can’t afford to take that kind of risk.”

“This is the only way. Otherwise, Zhuo Letai won’t take the bait.”

“There must be another way. Let me think about it…”

“Kong’er,” Feng Ye’s tone grew firmer. “I don’t care about risks. I promised you I would defend Liaodong, and I will never break that promise. I only want to know if you’re worried about me. Why do you keep avoiding it? Why won’t you tell me?”

Yan Sikong stared blankly at Feng Ye, not knowing how to respond.