L'hibiscus comme peinture - Chapitre 18
"Yes, Your Highness, judging from these battles, the Cangliao Kingdom simply takes advantage of the terrain to lure our army deep into their territory before launching a surprise attack, causing heavy losses to our army." General Bai took the lead in continuing the previous topic.
"Yes! Damn it, Cangliao Kingdom didn't even go all out. It's like they were just playing with us, making our army run around in circles. If it weren't for the prince seeing through Yelü Ying's conspiracy, our army might have been wiped out long ago." Who else but Zhao Zhiyang would say that?
“Every time we engage in battle, the Cangliao army runs away after only a few exchanges, actually leading our army into a trap. Since we saw through the enemy's plot, we no longer pursue them when they run away. Although this means our soldiers will not suffer too many casualties, if this continues, morale will surely be lost. When Yelü Ying concentrates his forces for another attack, our army will be in grave danger.” General Hong shook his head as he spoke, indicating that he had no other options.
Upon hearing this, the others shook their heads and all looked at Jinxuan. At this point, they could only look to the prince.
"The generals are right, these battles have indeed caused our army heavy losses." Jin Xuan's tone was devoid of emotion, making it seem as if he was merely remarking on the fine weather. However, the generals were already accustomed to their prince's unflappable nature and listened quietly. Jin Xuan glanced at them and continued, "Although our soldiers have adapted to the harsh weather of Cangliao, after several rounds of fighting with Cangliao, their morale is gradually waning. I believe this is Yelü Ying's objective; whether our army advances or retreats, it cannot escape his trap. Therefore... in the next battle, victory is imperative, defeat is not an option."
"Yes." The response was another unified, unanimous reply.
After glancing at the topographic map, Jin Xuan continued, "These mountain peaks have peculiar terrain, especially Cangxia Slope where Cang Liao is stationed. Yelü Ying used this terrain to lure our army deep into our territory and wear down our morale. He can use the terrain to lead our army 'through the garden,' and our army can do the same to him." His deep eyes flashed with unfathomable wisdom.
"Your Highness's method is excellent! Hmph, I, Old Zhao, will definitely lure them all over the place, then wipe them out in one fell swoop and divide the spoils among the fallen brothers. Otherwise, I, Old Zhao, will change my mind." As soon as Jin Xuan finished speaking, Zhao Zhiyang clapped his hands in approval. Their prince was indeed brilliant. He was already imagining those Cangliao soldiers running until they were half-dead, and then he would wipe them out effortlessly.
“But our army is not very familiar with the terrain here. How can we…” Wei Ziqi asked.
"What's there to be afraid of? I, Old Zhao, haven't been idle lately. I've studied the topographical map of this place hundreds of times."
"That's how it is. No matter what, without on-site investigation, it's still not as good as the local Cangliao soldiers' understanding of this place. Otherwise, how could our army have suffered such a crushing defeat?"
“That’s right. By the way, didn’t General Li once visit Cangliao Kingdom? And even come here?” He said, looking at the usually taciturn General Li.
"Although I have been here before, I did not stay long. Therefore, like you, I only know about the terrain from the map. So I am afraid I will not be able to complete the mission."
"What should we do then?" Everyone was at a loss and could only look to Prince Jin, believing that since the prince had said so, he must have a solution.
“What the generals say is not without merit.” Jin Xuan couldn’t help but ponder. This battle was perhaps the toughest he had ever faced since he began fighting, and Yelü Ying was his most formidable opponent. Another defeat would have unimaginable consequences. Suddenly, he remembered what Yi Han had reported to him, and an idea gradually formed in his mind. He decided to take a gamble, his first ever high-stakes gamble. His deep black eyes flashed with unfathomable depth as he continued, “However, perhaps there is someone who can help us.” He looked at Ao Jun, who had remained silent for a long time, only to find that she… she actually…
The Strategist and the Princess: Battlefield Chapter 18 - Entrusted with an Important Responsibility
“What the generals say is not without merit.” Jin Xuan couldn’t help but ponder. This battle was perhaps the toughest he had ever faced since he began fighting, and Yelü Ying was his most formidable opponent. Another defeat would have unimaginable consequences. Suddenly, he remembered what Yi Han had reported to him, and an idea gradually formed in his mind. He decided to take a gamble, his first ever high-stakes gamble. His deep black eyes flashed with unfathomable depth as he continued, “However, perhaps there is someone who can help us.” He looked at Ao Jun, who had remained silent for a long time, only to find that she… she actually…
"No way! She can... she can..." Even Zhao Zhiyang, a rough and unpleasant man who disliked her, lowered his voice unconsciously when he saw Ao Jun like this, and stared at her with wide eyes in disbelief.
"Ahem... Um... no, Strategist Mo, wake up!" Wei Ziqi was also quite startled. Although he knew that Mo Jun was afraid of the cold and would want to sleep when she was cold, this was too exaggerated! She actually managed to fall asleep during a meeting. Looking at Mo Jun's defenseless, childlike, sweet sleeping face, he really couldn't bear to disturb her. However, seeing everyone staring at her intently, and the prince's unfathomable gaze, Wei Ziqi decided to wake her up.
"Hmm! Ziqi?" Feeling someone calling her, she groggily opened her eyes and saw that it was Ziqi. Ao Jun's mind had not yet returned from the Duke of Zhou, and she called out the name the two of them used in private.
"Ziqi? Hmph, Military Advisor Mo is awake." A chilling voice rang out, and Ao Jun instinctively looked towards the source of the chill that had gripped her upon waking. There stood their Prince Jin, his handsome face cold, with what seemed like a flickering flame in his eyes. What was going on? She had only slept for a moment; had she offended him?
"You're awake. Is something the matter?" Ao Jun's dazed mind returned instantly, and she blamed all her displeasure at being woken up on Jin Xuan, her tone clearly unpleasant.
"I only want to ask Strategist Mo for a favor." Jin Xuan's tone was still extremely cold. Seeing her sleeping face, his already restless heart was stirred up into a huge wave. He hadn't even realized the love in his eyes when he looked at her, but Wei Ziqi's "Jun" and Ao Jun's "Ziqi" made him so angry that they were overwhelmed by rage.
"What kind of help do you need?" Is this how you ask for help?
"Didn't you say you would help me win the battle? Now I just want to ask Strategist Mo to take charge." Jin Xuan suppressed his anger and said calmly.
"Huh?" Ao Jun looked at Wei Ziqi in confusion, as if to say, "I just fell asleep and don't know what you're talking about!"
Wei Ziqi smiled indulgently and told Ao Jun everything that everyone had just discussed. Ao Jun listened and pondered, glancing at Jin Xuan from time to time.
"How does Your Highness know that I, the strategist, will definitely complete the mission?" Ao Jun asked defiantly, looking at Ouyang Jinxuan. She knew that ever since she arrived at the military camp, someone had been monitoring her. So every time she went out, the person monitoring her would report everything to his master. Needless to say, that person's master must be the Grand Marshal of the camp—Prince Jin.
"I 'trust' Strategist Mo's abilities." For the past month, Yi Han had reported Mo Jun's whereabouts to him daily: she stayed in her tent, but occasionally ventured out, seemingly wandering aimlessly. He knew she was surveying the terrain, which only deepened his confusion about whether he had misunderstood her. Since the start of the war, she hadn't left the camp at all, remaining completely secluded. Perhaps she already had a firm grasp of the situation? It was probably because of this thought that he had summoned her to this meeting.
"Then I really have to thank Your Highness for your 'trust'." Trust? Hmph, this man never trusted her from beginning to end.
"You are my strategist, so of course I trust you. Alright, I wonder how Strategist Mo plans to turn the tide?" Jin Xuan flicked his sleeve, sat up straight, and looked ready to hear the other party's insightful views.
"This strategist is preparing..." She paused deliberately, seeing everyone waiting earnestly for her to continue, and Ouyang Jinxuan even leaning forward unconsciously. Ao Jun smiled wickedly in her heart, but her face remained indifferent as she said, "Tomorrow, you will naturally know."
As expected, everyone was stunned at first, and then they were about to get angry. However, since the prince was present, they could only suppress their anger. But one person still couldn't help but explode.
"You...you actually dared to play us, Your Highness! This person's intentions are unclear, and this is too dangerous!" Zhao Zhiyang pointed at Ao Jun, his face turning green with anger.
"Yes, Your Highness, this humble general does not agree." General Hong also expressed his disapproval.
"This humble general also disagrees."
"This humble general also disagrees."
"This humble general also disagrees."
...
The situation erupted like a boiling pot. Apart from Wei Ziqi, all the generals in the main tent strongly disagreed with Jin Xuan's decision. This was the first time since Jin Xuan began leading troops that such a decision had been overturned by so many subordinates. But he had his own plans, and his decisions rarely changed.
"Don't say anything, it's settled then." A calm voice rang out, and instantly all dissenting voices fell silent. Everyone could only shake their heads helplessly, wondering how the prince could be so muddle-headed.
Jin Xuan noticed everyone's expressions. A slight smile played on her lips, as if she remained unchanged, as if the people questioning and discussing her were not her. She smiled enigmatically and said, "I look forward to Strategist Mo's brilliant plan."
Ao Jun responded with a similarly enigmatic smile, saying, "I dare not presume to call this a brilliant plan. I only hope that Your Highness will not interfere with whatever I do. Also, I wish all the soldiers to obey my orders." After speaking, she deliberately glanced at Zhao Zhiyang, who had been picking on her.
Zhao Zhiyang felt uneasy under her gaze. Just as he was about to say something to the prince, Jin Xuan smiled and said, "Alright, I will not stop you, and all the soldiers will obey your orders."
"Your Highness..." Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately wanted to object, but the military order had already been given. They could only look angrily at the 'culprit', clearly conveying one meaning: We have no chance of obeying you, this weak scholar with ill intentions.
Ao Jun raised an eyebrow slightly, gesturing to the crowd, and said to Jin Xuan, "Thank you, Your Highness. Mo Jun will not let you down." Although she disliked this arrogant prince, she genuinely wanted to win this battle, not only for the hundreds of lives lost in Mo Family Village, but also for Xue, after all, she was Long Xuan's empress. Consider this a gift for her reunion, and also for her brother-in-law, the emperor, whom she had not yet met.
"Let's conclude our meeting here. Advisor Mo and all the generals, please return and make your preparations!" Jin Xuan waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.
"It is Your Highness." Except for Ao Jun, everyone else said respectfully, and then slowly withdrew from the main tent.
Seeing that everyone had left, Ao Jun turned and left as well, but Jin Xuan's gaze remained fixed on her.
Feeling the burning gaze from behind, Ao Jun suddenly turned around just before leaving the tent, giving a seductive smile: "Your Highness will never regret this gamble." Without waiting for Jin Xuan's usually cold and intelligent face to freeze in a daze, she waved her sleeve and left without a trace.