The Tyrant's Beloved Empress

49

Xiao Zhige pondered extensively before placing his finger on the Beidi Court on the map. "For this decisive battle, Hu Yan Xun will deploy majority of the remaining troops, leaving the Imperial City loosely guarded. Why don't we use this opportunity to pull the rug from under his feet and destroy our enemies at the root?"

The Beidi Imperial Court lied deep in the northern desert surrounded by labyrinthine terrains. A rash attack could result in an ambush and subsequent annihilation. However, with their main troops having been deployed, this was a golden opportunity to fell the Beidi Empire in one swoop.

"It's too risky," Xie Ling, who had always been cautious, disagreed, "To do this without Hu Yan Xun's notice, we can only deploy a small platoon. But with such a small number, we don't know if we can overpower the remaining Beidi soldiers. And if Hu Yan Xun discovers the ruse and leads his troops back, they will have to deal with enemies at both the front and rear."

The other lieutenants nodded in agreement.

Xiao Zhige spoke up after a long silence, "I'll personally lead the ambush team."

Qi Wei immediately objected, "General, you can't take this risk. If anything happens to you, Yanzhou will lose its morale."

After all these years, it can be said that Xiao Zhige is Yanzhou's indispensable pillar. As long as he was here, the soldiers and civilians were willing to grit their teeth and defend this land. He was like the sky over Yanzhou and if he fell, the city was lost.

This was simply too risky.

The other lieutenants were in agreement with Qi Wei, believing that Xiao Zhige shouldn't be the one to go.

Xiao Zhige paced two steps and pointed to the Beidi Court, "They are in the midst of an internal strife and with the city empty of troops, we can easily wipe them out with an army of 5000."

He thought briefly and continued, "Moreover, Hu Yan Xun had always been in disunity with the Beidi Emperor. Only punishment awaits should he return in defeat. But if the Emperor was killed, he can easily stage a takeover."

The Supreme Commander Hu Yan Xun was the younger brother of the Beidi Emperor. As Hu Yan Xun was courageous and had achieved many meritorious exploits, he was well-liked by the people but hated by the Emperor.

"With this maneuver, we could bring about the downfall of the Beidi people and years of peace for Yanzhou," Xiao Zhige looked at the lieutenants determinedly, "Would you like to take this gamble?"

A long silence followed.

Disrupting the Beidi monarchy and bringing peace to Yanzhou; to the lieutenants who had been stationed here for many years, this was undoubtedly a great temptation.

After a long pause, Qi Wei was the first to speak, "A gamble it is! But the General can't go! I'll go! My life for the head of the Beidi King, it's worth it!"

"Old Qi is too rash and not fit for a covert operation! Let me do it!" Xie Ling objected.

The rest of the lieutenants followed and volunteered themselves to lead the ambush.

Xiao Zhige raised his hand to quieten the room and said in a n indisputable tone, "I'll lead. I'm the most familiar with the terrains of the northern desert."

The lieutenants wanted to oppose but did not know how to back their words because all these years, the battles they had fought were along the edge of the northern desert. Only Xiao Zhige who had fought further north was most familiar with the layout.

Seeing that they had ceded, Xiao Zhige discussed his plan, "Hu Yan Xun will attack the city tonight. I will show up briefly on the battlefield then have Qi Wei take over while I leave with our men through Amugu Path. You only need to stall Hu Yan Xun for five days for me to take over the Beidi Imperial Court."

The lieutenants looked at each other and finally declared, "We will not fail you!"

.....

After having arranged everything at the barracks, Xiao Zhige returned to the General's Manor.

An Chang Qing was still awake in the bedroom. He was polishing a rare piece of dark purple jade. This piece was of the highest quality and An Chang Qing had taken a liking to it at first sight. He had borrowed some tools from the old craftsman to personally chisel the stone.

In his previous life, being idle in the mansion, he had picked up crafting jade as a hobby. However, as it was self-taught and he only had basic tools and materials on hand, he could only craft simple designs. Seeing the beautiful piece of unpolished jade, his hands were itching again. He borrowed the tools from the craftsman to personally craft the jade.

"Nuo Nuo even knows jade crafting?" Xiao Zhige was surprised but frowned when he saw the wound on his finger, "Why not have the craftsman do it?"

An Chang Qing vaguely replied that he had done some reading and said, "I want to do it myself."

He actually wanted to make something for Xiao Zhige but at the moment, he still had nothing to show and did not want to let him know yet.

Hearing that An Chang Qing wanted to try, Xiao Zhige did not intend to spoil his interest and could only sigh. He then took out a jar of salve and applied it on An Chang Qing's fingers, "Be careful with it next time."

An Chang Qing wrinkled his nose and moaned, "I know. I've only started today so I wasn't careful."

Xiao Zhige finished applying the medicine and began tidying up the tools, "Doing it at night is harmful to your eyes. In the future, work on it during the day."

An Chang Qing obediently replied with an 'oh'. Seeing that he did not argue, Xiao Zhige's eyes relaxed.

The two took turns to bathe in the side room before snuggling into bed together. After returning from the barracks, Xiao Zhige's mood had seemed a little gloomy. An Chang Qing was leaning against his chest when he saw the '川' between his brows. He reached and smoothed out his forehead, "Why are you frowning?"

The ambush on the Beidi's Court was a top secret mission, Xiao Zhige was not allowed to disclose it to anyone. Moreover, he also did not want An Chang Qing to worry and simply left out the details, "Hu Yan Xun will lead his troops to attack the city tonight."

"You have to leave for the war again?" An Chang Qing sat up and looked at him with worries in his eyes.

"Um, I will lead my troops to fight them back."

Having stayed in Yanzhou for the past few days, An Chang Qing was influenced by the people's absolute trust in Xiao Zhige's abilities. His concern was somewhat lifted, "I will wait here for your victorious return."

Xiao Zhige held his hand and smiled, "Um, I will definitely return."

An Chang Qing nodded thinking that this was going to be another regular battle, not noticing the conviction in his words.

...

Because Hu Yan Xun might be attacking the city this night, the pair did not get any sleep. The city was cloaked in darkness while troops were being deployed for the upcoming battle.

At roughly 1 in the morning, scouts reported that Hu Yan Xun's troop was already ten miles from the city.

Xiao Zhige put on his armor and said goodbye to An Chang Qing.

An Chang Qing watched Xiao Zhige leave. He did not go back to sleep but asked for a ladder and climbed to the rooftop to look around.

Lights began to lit up one by one in the barracks as the war horn tore through the night. The civilians woke and illuminated their houses, filling the streets with light. Footsteps could be heard rushing from all directions in the General's Manor.

At the yin hour (寅时 3-5a.m), the preparations for the upcoming battle was completed. Hu Yan Xun's army charged forth and the sound of fighting roared from outside the city.

An Chang Qing stretched his neck to look into the distance but all he could see were tiny heads reflected by the flickering lights.

.....

As the battle outside the city raged on, Xiao Zhige had stealthily led 5000 armored soldiers to Changri county, bypassing the front battlefield and deep into the hinterlands of the desert where the Beidi Imperial City lay.

1 背水一战 Fighting with one's back against the river: Meaning being forced to fight and win or die.