i returned her with a smile.Princess Qixia’s expression changed upon hearing Su Zhe’s announcement as she hurriedly walked over to Princess Zhaoyang’s side to see Ye Li’s painting, only raising her he...394. Compromise on the Battlefield

394. Compromise on the Battlefield

In the main camp of Chu’s Western Army, Zhao Lian and Lei Tengfeng were sitting opposite each other with苦笑相對。 Mu Yang and Gao Ming's troops had simultaneously fallen into a trap set by Mo’s army, resulting in significant losses for the Chu forces. Now they finally understood that these recent events were part of the Ding王府的陰謀。竟然為此生生地折損了楚軍目前最足智多謀的老穆陽侯和最有前途的新秀。

The means employed by the Ding王府真是令人震驚。

Lei Tengfeng lowered his gaze and said, "Now that Mu Yang’s army has been eliminated, it is likely that... Mo's army will next target us. General Zhao, you must be extremely cautious against Qian Jinxian's troops." Lei Tengfeng knew that the troops led by Qian Jinxian would surely rush to meet with Yun Ting on the other side. However, time was pressing not only for Qian Jinxian but also for Lei Tengfeng, as matters on the western front and with Mo Xiuyao were not going well.

Zhao Lian nodded seriously and said, "Young Master Lei is correct." Although confronting Qian Jinxian over these few days had made Zhao Lian feel powerful, he was frustrated that despite having a greater force than Qian Jinxian's, he still found himself unable to maneuver effectively against the opponent. Zhao Lian reluctantly admitted the gap between him and Qian Jinxian, but this was already the last line of defense for Qian Jinxian’s troops before Han Gu Pass, so they must stop them no matter what.

Hearing Zhao Lian's intention to use delaying tactics, Lei Tengfeng's gaze flickered slightly without saying more.

Returning to his tent, he was immediately handed the war report from Xiling’s army. Although it was over a thousand miles away, news of battles between the Xiling and Mo armies arrived in Lei Tengfeng's hands daily. Looking at the secret letter in his hand, Lei Tengfeng sat down with a weary hand pressed against his forehead and asked, "Has Father given any instructions" Originally, bringing over ten thousand troops to this place secretly could have allowed him to arrange things calmly. Unfortunately, what Jingli held was too important; he had no choice but to reveal his forces in exchange for that list. Compared to the tens of thousands of troops, a decisive move at a critical moment was what the Southern Prince’s Mansion needed.

The guard said solemnly, "The prince says that Young Master's actions are correct. However... it is imperative to break out of this deadlock as soon as possible. The war in the west不利西陵，王爺懷疑墨修堯派了一支近二十萬人的大軍打算繞道我軍背後。請世子務必在半個月內趕到寒穀關西三百裡的玉名關攔截住這支兵馬。”

Lei Tengfeng was stunned, and said gravely, "Twenty thousand men Where does Mo’s army have so many men" The total number of troops in the Mo army was less than a million; previously annihilating over a million troops, the losses to the Mo army should be at least twenty thousand. Even if the Mo army had not suffered any casualties and accounted for local garrisons, it would be impossible for them to spare another twenty thousand men for an ambush on Xiling's rear.

The guard said, "Young Master has forgotten that Ding王府的兵役製度與其他諸國不同。根據王爺估算，如果定王願意的話，他最多可以在一個月內再調集一百萬訓練有素的大軍，在三個月內再征召兩百萬新兵。”如今定王府控製範圍可以說是諸國之冠，剛打敗北戎更是讓定王府士氣如火。要征集兵馬對定王來說是一件非常容易的事情。

Lei Tengfeng couldn't help but take a sharp breath. The Mo Family Army's biggest strength had always been their manpower, which was something that usually gave them great peace of mind. However, the number of troops in the Mo Family Army had never been high. They forgot to factor in the potential and mobilization power of the Ding Prince’s Manor. Once Mo Xiuyao wanted to expand his army, he would have an endless supply of soldiers pouring in.

"Young Master, the Prince has one more message for you," a guard said respectfully. Lei Tengfeng looked at him as the guard lowered his voice and said, "The Prince says that Young Master doesn’t need to worry too much about Mo Jingli; he can never win against Lady Ding. The Prince urges you to leave as soon as possible."

Lei Tengfeng was stunned for a moment before understanding what his father’s intentions were. His father had no real intention of cooperating with Mo Jingli from the start and hadn’t seen any potential in him at all. By aligning himself with Mo Jingli, he could keep Ye Li under control by using Mo Jingli as leverage. After all, it was already difficult enough to deal with Mo Xiuyao; if they had to handle Ye Li too, even the Zhen Nan Prince’s Manor would struggle. Once their goal was achieved, there wouldn’t be any use for Mo Jingli anymore. Whether he won or lost didn’t matter much to the Zhen Nan Prince’s Manor. If they eventually defeated the Ding Prince’s Manor, it would be better if Mo Jingli had already lost at that point; then the Zhen Nan Prince’s Manor would become the ultimate victor. But if the Zhen Nan Prince’s Manor were to lose, Mo Jingli wouldn’t even be allowed to stay around as he would surely become a major threat.

Lei Tengfeng frowned and pondered for a moment before lifting his head. "I understand. I’ll report back to my father soon and will leave the battlefield as quickly as possible. Please convey my regards to my father." The guard nodded respectfully, then said, “This subordinate takes his leave,” and exited.

In the main tent, Lei Tengfeng remained silent for a long while before finally saying, "Call someone."

A man who looked like a guard appeared at the entrance. "Young Master," he greeted respectfully.

"Take this letter to Lady Ding on my behalf. I wish to speak with her," Lei Tengfeng said.

The guard’s eyes revealed a hint of surprise, but he responded obediently nonetheless. "This subordinate obeys."

Near a small stream about ten miles away from the camps of both armies, Ye Li sat by the stream looking at the water flowing past her with a calm expression. The grass on the bank had already started to sprout new green shoots among the dead brown grass, adding warmth and hope to the bleak scene. Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing stood behind Ye Li, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Young Master Lei, why not come out if you’re here" Qin Feng suddenly turned around and looked at the forest behind them, then spoke up.

"Lady Ding indeed has many skilled people by her side. I am truly impressed," said Lei Tengfeng as he walked out of the forest with a smile. Ye Li got to her feet and smiled back at him, saying, "Young Master Lei is also an extraordinary person; unlike me who has no skills myself, so I need to keep some people around just in case." Lei Tengfeng’s lips twitched slightly without his noticing that it would be hard to find anyone with more talent than the woman before him. Simultaneously, he was surprised by Ye Li's caution. Although Lei Tengfeng rarely took action himself, there were few who understood how formidable he actually was in this world. Yet, Ye Li didn’t forget about his father being one of the four great experts in the realm and that Lei Tengfeng had no lack of talent and potential; if there hadn't been any unexpected events, Lei Tengfeng's martial arts would not have fallen short either.

"Duchess, you are too modest. When it comes to encountering the Duchess, those who meet with misfortune are always others," Lei Tengfeng said with a faint smile.

Ye Li did not mind his insinuation and replied calmly, "With two armies at war, Young Master Lei requests an audience with me privately. Could it be that you want to mock me"

Lei Tengfeng smiled indifferently, "Duchess is straightforward; this young master will not beat around the bush. I know that Duchess is eager to meet up with General Yun霆 at Han Valley Pass. Is that true" Ye Li nodded slightly. Some things on the battlefield could be kept secret while others couldn't be concealed from anyone else. At least, the movements of the Black Family Army were beyond hiding from someone like Lei Tengfeng.

"With General Zhao and me working together, does Duchess have confidence in reaching Han Valley Pass within half a month" Lei Tengfeng asked.

Ye Li answered frankly, "No." A quick victory required the harmony of time, place, and people; often times, it was impossible without one or more of these factors. It wasn't that every battle could be controlled or manipulated either; otherwise, there wouldn't be instances where battles lasted for three to five years. Although their military strength currently did not hold an advantage, both Ye Li and Lu Jinxian were confident in defeating Zhao Lian and Lei Tengfeng. However, the problem was… it would take a long time.

Lei Tengfeng was slightly surprised by Ye Li's honesty but quickly understood that she knew his intentions as well. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so direct; somewhat無奈地苦笑道：“看來瞞不住王妃了。在下打算即刻撤軍離開，還請王妃行個方便。”

Ye Li smiled and said, "Helping others is helping oneself. Young Master Lei may proceed."

Lei Tengfeng looked at Ye Li with some suspicion, "Does Duchess know why I am withdrawing my troops"

Ye Li replied calmly, "Isn't it to secure the flank for the Southern Pacifying King"

"If Duchess knows this…allowing me to withdraw would not disrupt Prince Ding's strategy" Even after all these years, Lei Tengfeng still felt that he could not understand this woman. Having experienced too much and heard too many truths about her, Lei Tengfeng had no choice but to be cautious. Looking at the stream before her, Ye Li said calmly, "Letting you go might potentially disrupt Prince Ding's strategy. But… can your lordship stop it If I don't let you leave, General Yun's more than ten thousand soldiers will immediately suffer. What is more important, how could this Duchess not know"

Lei Tengfeng was stunned for a moment and finally bowed to Ye Li, "Since that's the case, thank you, Duchess, for your understanding. This one takes his leave."

"Goodbye, no gifts." Ye Li nodded.

After watching Lei Tengfeng's figure disappear into the forest, Zhuo Jing solemnly said, "My Lady, with Xi Ling’s actions this time around, they have effectively toyed with Mo Jingli." Ye Li smiled and replied, "From the very beginning, Lei Zhengting never placed Mo Jingli in his sights." The inherent capabilities of Mo Jingli and Lei Zhengting were simply not on par. How could one demand that Lei Zhengting genuinely view Mo Jingli as a partner Throughout it all, Mo Jingli was merely a tool at Lei Zhengting's disposal.

"Once Lei Tengfeng withdraws his troops, with Mo Jingli losing Mu Jingmin and Mu Yang, he likely won't last much longer," Zhuo Jing said. Qin Feng frowned and said, "Even so, Mo Jingli’s forces are still superior to ours. It's unlikely that we can return to assist the王爺 in the near future."

Ye Li smiled faintly and replied, "That will depend on how long Mo Jingli can last."

Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing simultaneously recalled their initial plans when they went to Nanjing. Whether or not Mo Jingli could endure for a considerable time was indeed... uncertain.

Lei Tengfeng left quickly without any sentimentality. When Zhao Lian returned from his battle with Lu Jinxian, the camp was already empty. With no other choice, Zhao Lian had to send someone on horseback to report the situation to Mo Jingli.

The moment the news reached Mo Jingli's headquarters, he was in a fit of rage. The reason was that Mu Yanghou, who had been imprisoned in the army camp, mysteriously vanished. These days, Mo Jingli’s temper had soared exponentially. Every soldier in the entire encampment was on high alert and walking on eggshells, fearing any misstep could provoke the Emperor's wrath.

Mo Jingli deeply felt that this campaign from start to finish had been plagued by numerous setbacks. In recent days alone, he found himself at his wits' end. Initially suspecting Mu Yanghou’s defection and allegiance to Ding王府, before matters were clarified, Mu Yang dared to kill one of Mo Jingli's guards. Then when he dispatched Gao Ming to apprehend Mu Yang, the latter was captured alongside Gao Ming by the Mo family army, and Mu Yang was found dead—presumably by suicide. This made him look foolish in others’ eyes as a gullible figurehead manipulated by Ding王府.

Just when Mo Jingli was considering whether to release Mu Yanghou to calm matters or execute him decisively, another report of the Mu Yanghou's mysterious disappearance reached camp. Before he could even vent his anger, Zhao Lian’s urgent dispatch caused Mo Jingli to spit out blood in frustration; several months prior, Ye Ying's attack had left him seriously injured and not fully recovered. With his liver fire rising these days, this finally resulted in a spitting of blood.

"Your Majesty!" The generals below were shocked at the sight.

Moi Jingli waved away the eunuch who tried to support him and wiped off the blood from the corner of his mouth with disdain, coldly saying, "Bravo, Lei Tengfeng! Issue an imperial edict: Order Right Wing General to intercept Lei Tengfeng’s troops and capture them all!"

"Emperor!" The generals could not help but exclaim in alarm. They had the confidence to march north because of their alliance with Xi Ling. Now, before they have achieved anything against the Mo Army, they are already fighting with their ally. The obvious outcome that awaits them is clear.

"Please think carefully, Your Majesty," a general stepped forward and said: "Our troops are currently in confrontation with the Mo Army. If we start a conflict with Xi Ling’s army, it might give Duke Ding an unexpected advantage. With what I know... our priority now should be to first eliminate the hundred thousand Mo soldiers led by Yun Ting stationed outside of Han Gu Pass. At that time, even if Lady Wang Ding and Lu Jinxian's troops arrive at Han Gu Pass, they would definitely struggle on their own and fall into our encirclement."

Xiling Prince Southern Peace’s sudden breach of contract indeed came as a shock to everyone, causing anger. However, not everyone reacted like Mo Jingli by disregarding everything due to their rage. Even if Lei Tengfeng left them alone to face the Mo Army, they were far from being defeated. But if His Majesty chose to clash with Prince Southern Peace, then defeat was inevitable. Lu Jinxian certainly didn’t have such good grace as to wait until after internal strife before fighting.

Mo Jingli remained silent for a long while before finally grunting in acknowledgment of his subordinates’ advice. At this moment, clashing with Lei Tengfeng would bring no benefit; Mo Jingli was well aware of that. But having been thoroughly embarrassed by Duke Ding and then betrayed by Prince Southern Peace, he could not swallow this humiliation.

After a long while, Mo Jingli’s voice sounded coldly: "Concentrate all forces! Within three days, I want to see Yun Ting's head!" With nowhere else to vent his anger, Mo Jingli directed it towards Yun Ting stationed outside the pass.

"This subordinate accepts your command!" The generals beneath him let out a collective sigh of relief. Compared to Lei Tengfeng, Yun Ting was easier to deal with. Moreover, whether considering the situation or current circumstances, Yun Ting was their primary target.

After dismissing everyone, Mo Jingli sat silently in the large tent alone, his expression growing increasingly displeased. With too many events happening over these few days, he finally understood that the betrayal of Mu Yang Marquis Manor from start to finish had been a scheme by Duke Ding. And because of this, he lost two of his most trusted men. No doubt Mo Xi堯yao and Ye Li were also secretly mocking him now

“Bang!” With one sweep of his hand, Mo Jingli sent everything on the table crashing to the ground. The servants in the tent did not dare approach to tidy up but instead cowered on the ground.

"Mo Xi堯yao! Ye Li… I will never forgive you!" Mo Jingli’s voice was as cold and sinister as if it had come from hell itself.

Mu Yang Marquis awoke from his slumber, momentarily disoriented by his surroundings. This clearly wasn’t the cell in Chu Army’s camp where he was held. Instead, it was a gloomy dungeon. He could not help but bitterly smile—was His Majesty worried that someone would come to rescue him It was too much to worry about; he had already handed over Mu Yang Marquis Manor's strength to Mu Yang and taken away anyone who might save him.

Having slept for too long, his body felt stiff. When Mu Yang Marquis tried to sit up, he froze when he saw the person beside him.

The moment arrived, Marquis Mu Yang's face turned ashen. His withered and slightly drooping lips trembled uncontrollably as he stared blankly at the "person" outside a cell not far away. To be precise, it was a corpse. Mu Yang’s lifeless eyes were wide open; large patches of dark red blood had already turned to dark black on his abdomen. The ghastly wound around his neck repeatedly hinted that he had long lost his life.

“Yang!” Marquis Mu Yang shouted sternly, rushing over to the cell in a speed far from matching his body condition. Unfortunately, he was obstructed by the iron bars of the prison and could not touch the person lying quietly there. Tears welled up instantly in the marquis' eyes as he collapsed beside the jail, "Yang... Yang! Who… who killed you!"

In the empty cell, only his shrill voice echoed. Marquis Mu Yang fell to the ground listlessly by the side of the prison and looked at his son’s corpse blankly. In a short while, countless thoughts flashed across his mind. Mu Yang was his only son and hope. Without him, everything in this world seemed meaningless. The Marquis Mu Yang Manor… over…

He had spent all his life pursuing fame and fortune, hoping to make the Mu Yang Manor flourish under his management. But now, the Mu Yang Manor was ruined by himself. His only son also died before him; did he really do something wrong

"Yang... why Why not take my old life! Why kill my son! Emperor… Emperor… The Mu Yang Manor is loyal and devoted to you…"

“Is the emperor that Marquis Mu Yang is calling Mo Jing Qi or Mo Jing Li” a voice with a hint of coldness came from outside, and the tightly closed prison door creaked open. A tall man in black clothes walked in.

"Qin Feng! Was it you who killed Yang!" The Marquis Mu Yang was shocked; he thought that Mo Jing Li had captured Mu Yang, but it turned out that unknowingly, he fell into the hands of Prince Ding Manor. Indeed… recalling his sudden blackout before regaining consciousness, if it were Mo Jing Li, there would be no need at all.

Qin Feng did not deny it; instead, he calmly said: "Since Marquis Mu Yang understands this situation, I suppose you already know the reason why you are in such a predicament" Qin Feng might have some regrets over Mu Yang’s death, but as for the outcome of Marquis Mu Yang, he had no thoughts left. The Black Warriors valued loyalty and righteousness; while Mo Jing Qi was still alive but sickly, Marquis Mu Yang was already plotting with Mo Jing Li. Moreover, what Marquis Mu Yang did to Princess Consort Wang and Young Prince back then was a major hatred in the heart of the entire Prince Ding Manor. Perhaps from the perspective of Marquis Mu Yang, he followed orders. But from the standpoint of the Prince Ding Manor, especially for Duke Ding Mo Xiuyao, it was a death sentence. This might have nothing to do with right or wrong; the strong had the right to deal with their enemies.

The Marquis Mu Yang couldn’t help but tremble and painfully closed his eyes. Seeing someone from Prince Ding Manor, what didn't he understand He lived his life carefully, in the eyes of others, he was a fawning lackey who lacked the backbone of a general. So when the Prince Ding Manor fell into decline, he devoted himself entirely to Mo Jing Qi, neither neglecting affairs like Southern Marquis nor secretly supporting the Prince Ding Manor like the Hu Family. The emperor wanted him to do what and he did it; was he not a minister As a minister, obeying the king's orders was natural, even if… it was wrong.

But the thing he regretted most in his life was leading troops to besiege Princess Consort Wang of Prince Ding Manor. Because of this matter, the future of Marquis Mu Yang Manor was cut off. So when he saw Mo Jing Qi struggling for survival, he had no choice but to turn to Mo Jing Li immediately. He could not rely on Southern Marquis and Cold Family like them or bet everything on Hu Family’s existence and death with Chu Kingdom like Hu Guogong. He wanted to live; holding power in his hands, making the Mu Yang Manor last generation after generation. But now… all those years of struggle and efforts were wasted.

“Prince Ding Manor… Prince Ding Manor… why! I was just following orders back then!” Marquis Mu Yang roared angrily; he didn’t accept it. Regarding what happened in the past, if given a choice, would he recklessly become an enemy of the Prince Ding Manor Perhaps… at times, he had fleeting thoughts that if the Prince Ding Manor were completely destroyed, could the Mu Yang Manor take its place… but this was just a fleeting thought.ive still remained as it was. The sisters sat around a stone table in the courtyard of Qingyi Pavilion and started chatting. Ye Zhen looked at the maids standing by, then glanced at Ye Li who wore a l...