The Blood Crown - Chapter 73

On the way back, the two of them continued to argue, unable to convince each other for a while. Finally, Feng Ye said impatiently, “Yan Sikong, only you dare to contradict me like this.”

Yan Sikong sighed helplessly. “How am I contradicting you? I’m considering the welfare of the army. It’s not advisable to go to battle at the moment.”

“Are we just going to return empty-handed?”

“I didn’t say we should retreat, nor do I want to retreat. But we can’t attack the city. Attacking the city will result in heavy casualties, and the chances of success are too low unless… we can lure Prince Liang out of Jingzhou.”

“Prince Liang is cunning and crafty. How could he give up the strong city and engage in battle with us? Moreover, when he came to Kuizhou for reinforcements, he made a mistake and fell into my trap, losing five or six thousand men. He won’t make the same mistake again.”

“It’s indeed difficult, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“Do you have a brilliant plan then?” Feng Ye asked eagerly. “You and Prince Liang… You’ve been warning us not to act rashly, but you haven’t come up with a feasible plan either.”

Yan Sikong shook his head. “Let me think about it again.” He was anxious as well. If they couldn’t take Jingzhou, Prince Liang’s southern advance would surely cause even greater chaos, and he would miss the opportunity to kill Ge Zhong. The rebellion of Prince Liang was something he had secretly encouraged, and he had already prepared for the situation to get out of control. There was always a risk in everything, but they were far from the point of attacking the city in disorder. The reason why he repeatedly advised Zhao Fuyi not to act rashly and yet didn’t come up with a plan was not because he truly had no plan. He already had a plan in mind, but he needed someone to confirm whether it was feasible.

That person was She Zhun.

She Zhun had left the capital before him. If nothing unexpected happened, he must have already arrived in Jingzhou. His mission to Kuizhou and the surrender of the rebel army had probably been spread throughout the two lakes. She Zhun would definitely find a way to contact him. He had to wait.

Feng Ye sighed disappointedly and looked up at the starry sky. “What would my father do if he were here?”

Yan Sikong patted Feng Ye’s shoulder and said in his steady and magnetic voice, “King Jingyuan has been in the military for more than thirty years. He must have faced countless dilemmas, but he has overcome them all one by one. If he were here, I guess he would want you to stay calm. Feng Ye, calm down. We still have two months, and there will definitely be a chance to turn things around.”

Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong and managed a smile. “I was indeed too anxious. We’ve taken Kuizhou, and morale is high. I really hope to make a breakthrough and recapture Jingzhou. By then, my father will be far away in Datong, but he will definitely know of my victory.”

“He will.” Yan Sikong squeezed Feng Ye’s shoulder reassuringly. “One day, your name as the Little Wolf King will resound throughout the land.”

Feng Ye blinked. “Do you really think so, Sikong?”

“I do.”

Feng Ye finally showed a genuine smile. He teased, “You, always so charming. I was just angry with you earlier, but now I can’t stay mad.”

Yan Sikong chuckled. “Do I have to apologize to you?”

“No need, just don’t contradict me in the future.”

“I’m afraid I can’t promise you that. As a loyal subject of the Great Sheng, I must…”

“Alright, alright, I can’t argue with you.”

“Then let’s not argue. Let’s go back to the inn.”

Feng Ye put his arm around Yan Sikong’s shoulder, with a hint of coquetry in his tone. “If I ever get mad at you again, you’ll have to coax me like this. I won’t be able to bear it.”

Yan Sikong laughed. “Alright, alright.” At this moment, Feng Ye seemed like an eighteen or nineteen-year-old boy, making him unable to help but feel a sense of affection.

Waiting for news that may not come requires great patience and endurance.

Zhao Fuyi and Feng Ye had been planning to ambush by water at night and lure Prince Liang’s main force onto the water to create a diversion, then send out the main army to attack the city. Although it was a good plan, its implementation was fraught with difficulties. If Prince Liang didn’t fall for it, they would lose their naval forces for nothing.

Yan Sikong still advised Zhao Fuyi to hold his ground. Fortunately, with Liang Guang sharing his opinion, he was able to prevent Zhao Fuyi and Feng Ye from acting rashly.

Zhao Fuyi didn’t give up on this plan, but he didn’t plan when to execute it either, opting for a compromise. He was also waiting for the right opportunity.

One night, while Yan Sikong was busy sorting through documents by lamplight, a stone flew in through the window, narrowly missing his face.

He quickly got up, picked up the stone, and untied the cloth tied around it. Unfolding it, he found it was a letter sent by She Zhun!

Yan Sikong was excited as he quickly read through the letter.

She Zhun had indeed arrived in Jingzhou a long time ago, but he didn’t know that Yan Sikong had also joined the expedition with the Jingshan Garrison. He only found out when Yan Sikong went to Kuizhou. He had been lurking in Jingzhou for over a month and had gathered almost all the information about Prince Liang. The situation of Prince Liang’s troops and provisions matched their scouts’ reports. Prince Liang was still vigorously recruiting soldiers, appointing talents, building ships, and training the navy.

She Zhun also obtained an extremely important piece of information, confirming Yan Sikong’s suspicions for the past few days. Prince Liang’s next target was Yueyang County. If he took Yueyang, Prince Liang would be able to control several shipyards on Dongting Lake, greatly increasing his naval strength.

Finally, She Zhun revealed the location where Ge Zhong was being held to Yan Sikong.

This secret letter was of great significance. Yan Sikong was excited. He had finally found a way to lure Prince Liang out of Jingzhou.

Yan Sikong placed the secret letter on the candlestick and burned it to ashes, then pushed open the door and walked towards Feng Ye’s residence.

Feng Ye was still holding a lamp inside, and his tall figure could be seen pacing back and forth through the window.

Yan Sikong knocked on Feng Ye’s door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

Feng Ye opened the door and pulled Yan Sikong inside, teasingly saying, “Coming to find me so late at night, is the night too long and the pillow too hard for you to sleep?”

Yan Sikong glanced behind Feng Ye and saw a map of the two lakes hanging on the wall. He smiled and replied, “Aren’t you having trouble sleeping too? Can’t you find peace even with a pillow?”

Feng Ye looked in the direction of Yan Sikong’s gaze and sighed lightly. “I’ve been looking at it for days.” He then pulled Yan Sikong to the wall. “Now when I close my eyes, all I can think of are the waters and lands around Jingzhou.”

“That’s why I came to find you,” Yan Sikong said, looking carefully.

Feng Ye hugged Yan Sikong from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder and lightly sniffing his fragrant hair. “Have you figured something out?”

“Prince Liang is currently building ships.”

“Yes, of course.”

“But the waterways near Jingzhou are not suitable for building large ships. Jiangnan’s navy is powerful. Without good ships, how can he head south?”

Feng Ye nodded. “The Eastern Wu navy was once dominant, standing tall in the Three Kingdoms. Indeed, they’re not easy to deal with.”

“You see, Jingzhou is here. Where can Prince Liang build large ships?” Yan Sikong pointed to a large lake on the map. “This place is half a day’s journey from Jingzhou. With insufficient troops in Yueyang, if Prince Liang seizes Dongting Lake, not only can he control the shipyards on Dongting Lake, but he also occupies an important waterway hub. There are countless merchant ships passing through Dongting Lake, making it easier for him to transport provisions from all directions and bringing in a large amount of taxes.”

Feng Ye tapped his head. “Dongting Lake. We’ve speculated about it before, but we didn’t dare to make a rash judgment because if Prince Liang really marched to Yueyang, his rear would be empty, and he probably wouldn’t take that risk.”

“Exactly, but Yueyang is extremely important to Prince Liang. I believe he must take it.”

“So, we need to take Yueyang, but also not give him an opportunity to take advantage of us. If I were Prince Liang, I would… delay.”

“Yes, delay. He knows our food and supplies are insufficient. As long as he delays, we will retreat sooner or later. By then, he can take Yueyang without any worries.”

Feng Ye stared at Dongting Lake on the map, lost in thought.

“Yueyang may be our only chance to lure the enemy out of the city, but this opportunity is just a bait. Now, if Prince Liang marches to Yueyang, with our army splitting into ten thousand to defend Yueyang, he will be attacked from both sides, his waterways will be cut off, and I don’t believe he can sit still then.”

“I think this plan is feasible. Let’s go find General Zhao early tomorrow morning,” Feng Ye said happily.

Yan Sikong turned around, looking at Feng Ye. “Yueyang is our only chance, but this opportunity is just to lure the enemy out of the city. Prince Liang’s forces are now equal to ours. When the two forces clash, it’s anyone’s guess who will win.”

Feng Ye gently stroked Yan Sikong’s cheek, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light. “As long as we can lure Prince Liang out of the city, I will surely defeat him utterly!”

Yan Sikong’s heart couldn’t help but beat a little faster, and he smiled. “Young and fearless. But be careful not to make arrogant claims.”

Feng Ye grinned broadly, exuding a wild and unrestrained air. “I’ve never attacked a city because the Wa State has no cities to attack. So if I say I’ll take a city, that’s the real arrogance. But I started fighting the Wa State at the age of eleven. They are the fiercest and most valiant enemies in the world. Even against them, I’m not afraid. Why should I fear a pampered prince? Sooner or later, I’ll show you my heroic demeanor on the battlefield.”

Yan Sikong nodded, his gaze flickering. “Good, I’ll wait to see you defeat the enemy and capture the city, victorious!”