The Blood Crown - Chapter 326

Chapter 326

 

After leaving the guesthouse, Yan Sikong went straight to the city wall to find Yuan Nanyu, who had not been able to return home for days.

 

In the past days, Yuan Nanyu had been preparing for battle and defending the city. After Zhuo Letai’s retreat, he had to keep a close watch on Liang Huiyong to ensure he wouldn’t burn bridges. Although Liang Huiyong had assisted them before and was known to be loyal and upright, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t sell them out to Chen Mu for the greater good. Having survived so many storms, they had learned not to trust anyone easily.

 

Thus, Yuan Nanyu practically never left his post, replacing the Guangning soldiers with troops from the Feng family army.

 

As soon as they met, Yuan Nanyu spoke before Yan Sikong could: “I just received a report—the ice on the Huang River has melted, and the Jin soldiers are blocked by the Chu army at the riverbank.”

 

“Good!” Yan Sikong exclaimed with excitement. “The death of those Jin dogs is near!”

 

When Zhuo Letai crossed the Huang River, it was still a controlled retreat. But now, in their panic, the massive force couldn’t possibly board the boats all at once. If they crossed in batches, everyone would rush to flee first, leaving those on the shore weak and vulnerable, like lambs to the slaughter. Thus, they had to advance and retreat as one.

 

Yuan Nanyu, however, looked worried. “But the Chu army has fewer soldiers than the Jin forces. Now that the Jin soldiers are fighting with the determination of the desperate, the Chu army might be defeated.”

 

Though they were mortal enemies with Chen Mu, this rare opportunity to annihilate the Jin forces was one the Great Sheng had awaited for a hundred years. Chen Mu had to win.

 

Yan Sikong said, “Don’t worry. With Shen Hexuan there, they won’t escape.”

 

“What will he do?”

 

“If I were him…” Yan Sikong smiled slyly. “The Jin soldiers, cornered, will fight fiercely with the resolve of the desperate. The Chu army won’t be able to hold them. After a feigned defeat and temporary retreat, they will wait until the Jin soldiers cross in batches, striking back while they are unsteady and attacking them mid-crossing. The Jin forces will collapse!”

 

Yuan Nanyu nodded. “A brilliant strategy.”

 

Yan Sikong’s mind, however, was already contemplating something else.

 

“Second Brother, what are you thinking? What brings you to me?”

 

“I initially came to have you handle one task, but now it’s two,” Yan Sikong said, his gaze burning brightly even in the darkness.

 

Yuan Nanyu swallowed nervously. He recognized that look—it meant his second brother was about to scheme against someone. “Tell me.”

 

“First, I need you to gather a hundred bolts of white cloth and stitch them into pieces as large as the city gates.”

 

Yuan Nanyu was stunned. “What for? And where am I supposed to find that much white cloth in such a short time?”

 

“I’ll explain later. Search the city’s textile shops, and if that’s not enough, check funeral shops or civilian households—bed sheets, garments, burial clothes, anything will do. Be quick; I need it finished tonight.”

 

“…Understood.” Though baffled, Yuan Nanyu obeyed unconditionally. “What’s the second task?”

 

“This one I just decided upon after hearing the report.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Yan Sikong’s eyes narrowed as he lowered his voice: “I need you to lead 10,000 troops to launch a surprise attack on the Chu army.”

 

Yuan Nanyu was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly pulled Yan Sikong aside, whispering, “Second Brother, are you out of your mind?”

 

“Listen to me. With the Chu army locked in battle with the Jin forces, their rear defense will surely be weak. They’ll never expect us to send troops out of the city. Strike when they’re both battered and capture them all. Chen Mu wants to play the fisherman reaping the benefits; we’ll use his own tactic against him.”

 

“But the Chu army is already besieging the city, and we don’t have enough soldiers here. If I lead 10,000 troops out, who will defend Guangning?”

 

“The Chu army doesn’t have many troops and has split half of them to pursue Zhuo Letai. They’ve only set up a few outposts to monitor us. They won’t be able to stop you. As for Guangning, I’ll defend it.”

 

“Second Brother, what are you saying?”

 

“Once you break through their outposts, Chen Mu will have two choices: first, send troops to chase you and stop you from attacking the Chu army’s rear. But this could easily be a decoy to lure him away from Guangning. If he takes the bait, Feng Ye can lead our forces to break out of Guangning. Feng Ye is more important to him, so I believe he’ll choose the second option—attack Guangning directly.”

 

“Exactly. With the current state of Guangning’s defenses, we can’t withstand an assault from Chen Mu’s forces.”

 

“I have a way to make Chen Mu hesitate to attack the city.”

 

“What way? Does it involve that white cloth?” Yuan Nanyu’s eyes widened, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

 

“Precisely. It’s a long story, and you’ll see when you return.” Yan Sikong grasped Yuan Nanyu’s frostbitten face and gave it a vigorous rub. “This mission can only be entrusted to you. If Heaven is merciful, you may capture a large number of Chu soldiers. Even if not, you can at least humble Chen Mu.”

 

Yuan Nanyu gritted his teeth. Though full of doubts, he resolved: “Second Brother, I’ll do as you say. If you say it’ll work, then it will! But if I leave, who will keep an eye on General Liang?”

 

“Have the Wolf King personally oversee the city gates,” Yan Sikong replied. “There’s no time to waste. Start preparing immediately and set out before dawn. Ambush them at the moment they’re both exhausted and finish it in one strike!”

 

“Understood!”

 

After Yuan Nanyu departed, Yan Sikong sent guards to the guesthouse to summon Feng Ye. With Feng Ye overseeing the city, Liang Huiyong would be thoroughly intimidated.

 

He noticed Liang Huiyong’s growing dissatisfaction with their cautious stance, but they couldn’t be blamed for their distrust. If Liang Huiyong betrayed them, all would be lost.

 

—

 

Feng Ye soon arrived at the city wall. It was late at night. Upon seeing Yan Sikong, he asked gravely, “Did you send Nanyu to launch a surprise attack on the Chu army?”

 

“Yes.” Yan Sikong quickly explained his plan.

 

Feng Ye frowned. “What if Chen Mu doesn’t fall for it? This is a man who betrayed his ruler and father, colluded with barbarians, and even killed a woman carrying his child. What wouldn’t he dare to do?”

 

“Chen Mu raised his banner to ‘save the nation and purge the court.’ Even his secret dealings with Zhuo Letai were kept under wraps. Why would he risk tainting his reputation now? He craves the throne, but he must appear loyal and filial. He won’t dare.”

 

“But the white cloth you’re using—it’s fake.”

 

“Even if he knows it’s fake, it’ll make him hesitate for a few days. And Guangning won’t stand against him, whether or not we have those 10,000 soldiers. Better to send them out where they can do some good.”

 

Feng Ye thought for a moment and was convinced. “You’re right. Guangning will fall regardless of those troops.”

 

Yan Sikong gazed into the dark distance, his voice steady. “Feng Ye, whatever we do, we won’t escape this ordeal. But the more chips we hold, the greater our chances of winning. Have you considered…”

 

Feng Ye knew what Yan Sikong meant. From the moment he chose to remain in Guangning, he had been planning how to divide the board in this game of life and death.

 

After a long silence, Feng Ye finally said, “I’ve made up my mind.”

 

Yan Sikong turned to look at him, deeply.

 

Despite the dire circumstances, Feng Ye’s gaze remained defiant. His lips curved slightly as he enunciated, “I want the entire northern border.”

 

—

 

Before dawn, soldiers had piled up a small mountain of white cloth from across the city. Yan Sikong summoned a hundred seamstresses to sew together what he needed. The task required no intricate stitching, so it was finished quickly. The large sheets, as big as city gates, were laid out on the ground.

 

Before dawn, Yuan Nanyu led his troops out of the city. After sending him off, Yan Sikong, under the faint morning light, carried a large bucket of ink in one hand and a mop in the other, stepping onto the white cloth.

 

He dipped the mop into the thick black ink and dragged it across the white cloth, moving with light-footed agility. His strokes left bold black marks, each character exuding strength and grace. At times, his writing soared through the heavens; at others, it surged like waves or charged like a warrior in battle, sweeping through thousands of troops with his brush.

 

Feng Ye stood atop the city wall, watching Yan Sikong’s display of artistry, utterly captivated. His gaze revealed an unquenchable yearning. From the moment he first saw Yan Sikong in the capital, his heart had been moved. The closer he got, the deeper he fell—this man was the heart demon he could never escape.

 

—

 

After dawn, Fu Zhanqing left the city. At the same time, learning of the developments, Chen Mu furiously led his army toward Guangning. It wasn’t long before they arrived at the city.

 

Liang Huiyong looked grimly at the vast army beneath the city walls. Though smaller than Tuo Letai’s forces, Guangning’s defenses were already in tatters.

 

Yan Sikong reassured him, “General Liang, don’t panic.”

 

“Sikong,” Liang Huiyong said in a grave tone, “Can those things truly protect Guangning?”

 

Yan Sikong looked at him earnestly. “I understand you don’t want to fight. Facing the Jin is unavoidable, but fighting the Chu army would mean pointless sacrifices. General Liang, I understand your dilemma.”

 

Liang Huiyong felt torn and couldn’t meet Yan Sikong’s gaze.

 

“It’s true that it was the Feng family army that saved Guangning,” Yan Sikong continued, “But as the commander of Liaodong, how can you act impulsively and disregard the safety of the city’s soldiers and civilians? Besides, you are, after all, a servant of the Da Sheng dynasty.”

 

“General Liang, you’ve watched my brothers and me grow up, and you once saved my life. You’re a good man. But as a commander, you must prioritize the greater good. Loyalty and righteousness can’t always coexist—I understand that.” Yan Sikong’s eyes were unwavering. “So, I won’t let Chen Mu attack Guangning. I won’t let more Guangning soldiers die in vain. If these measures can’t stop him, then open the gates.”

 

Liang Huiyong’s eyes widened.

 

Yan Sikong’s gaze was resolute. “I mean it. If Chen Mu attacks the city, we will surrender.”

 

Liang Huiyong hesitated, glancing at Feng Ye, who nodded impassively. Only then did Liang sigh heavily, his face full of guilt. He cupped his fists and said, “Very well. If Prince Chu truly attacks, then… forgive me.”

 

Chen Mu arrived at the city gates, and Yan Sikong, standing beside him, spotted Shen Hexuan in his wheelchair, with Fu Zhanqing at his side.

 

The loud-voiced general who had previously called for battle once again rode out alone, shouting toward the city wall, “Rebels Feng Ye and Yan Sikong! You persist in your delusions and stubborn resistance. Today, Prince Chu will act on Heaven’s will and eliminate you traitors!”

 

The city walls remained silent.

 

“Liang Huiyong!” the man shouted again. “As the commander of Liaodong, you owe your loyalty to the emperor who provides for you. Yet you collude with traitors. Are you planning to betray your country?”

 

Liang Huiyong’s face darkened, his fists clenched tightly.

 

“Prince Chu considers your defense of Liaodong to be a great service. Open the gates, and he will pardon your offenses, letting bygones be bygones!”

 

After shouting for a long time without a response from the city walls, the general turned his horse and looked toward the commander-in-chief.

 

Chen Mu lowered his head and exchanged a glance with Shen Hexuan.

 

Shen Hexuan, expressionless, stared at the city wall and shook his head. He knew Yan Sikong was up to something. Otherwise, Yan wouldn’t have dared to split his forces now. Shen had come to see exactly what Yan Sikong was planning.

 

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and whispered, “Release it.”

 

The tens of thousands of Chu troops neatly arrayed below watched as eight enormous white banners were unfurled from the dilapidated walls of Guangning. Written in bold, majestic calligraphy were the words:

 

“By the will of Heaven, the Hongwen Emperor is enthroned as the Supreme Ruler of Saintly Virtue and Military Excellence.”

 

Chen Mu and Shen Hexuan’s expressions instantly darkened.