Chapter 365: Snowfall (1/2)

Nan Xun sighed and patted Jun Huang's back. He understood her concern, but there was nothing they could do to change the situation.

The scion of the Eastern Wu's royal clan was convinced that the officers were responsible for his humiliation. He ordered to increase their training and decrease the number of breaks, claiming that the soldiers should work harder in order to win the war. That further drove a wedge between the officers and the scion.

Eastern Wu's army was falling into chaos, while Nan Xun led his troops with capable hands. He drove Eastern Wu further and further into their territory.

Ji Bo studied strategies night and day. He swore he would retaliate in kind.

It was late at night when he put down the book. He was about to go to sleep when he heard a commotion outside. He sat up and levelled the burly man barging into his tent a cold look.

“There's a problem, sir.”

Ji Bo frowned. “What happened?” He put on a robe and got off the bed, pouring himself a cup of tea.

The burly man took a deep breath. “The scion took a team of elites and our supplies back to the imperial city after dinner.”

Ji Bo threw the cup to the floor and cursed. It took some time for him to calm down.

“What do we do?” asked the burly man.

A ferocious glint flashed through Ji Bo's eyes. He scoffed. “a.s.sa.s.sinate him and frame Nan Xun as the killer.”

The next day, news got out that Nan Xun had killed a member of Eastern Wu's royal clan. Nan Xun laughed incredulously when he heard.

“It was Ji Bo,” Jun Huang murmured.

Nan Xun turned to her, waiting for her to continue. She explained, “We've made the scion resent the officers. He must have done something in retaliation. If that's the case, the officers must hold a grudge against him as well. It's said that the scion died suddenly on his way back to the imperial city. People believe we're responsible, but we didn't even know about his death beforehand. Ji Bo must be using this as a way to motivate the officers.”

“Shouldn't their soldiers be pleased that the scion died?” asked Nan Xun.

Jun Huang huffed, her eyes dark. “That's if they were the one who did it. If they think we're responsible, they'll feel compelled to seek revenge.”

Realization dawned on Nan Xun. As they had expected, Eastern Wu marched out immediately. They exchanged a glance and prepared for the encounter.

Driven by the scion's death, Eastern Wu gained a slight upper hand in the battle. Nan Xun gave as good as he got. He pulled back at the right moment and minimized the casualties.

The news reached Northern Qi's imperial city in no time. Before Qi Yun received any explanation from Nan Xun, there were already officials speaking up against the general.

“Your Highness, General Nan Xun has made a questionable move,” exclaimed an official as he knelt down at the center of the main hall. “How could he do something like that? It's as if he's provoking Eastern Wu on purpose! He has his own agenda, Your Highness.”

Qi Yun scoffed. “You scholar officials do nothing but banter all day. If you're so worried about Nan Xun, why don't I summon him back and send you to fight at the frontline?”

His voice wasn't urgent or loud, but there was an edge to it. The officials were too intimidated to say anything. The one who had spoken up fell silent, worried that Qi Yun would make good on his words.

After the officials was dismissed, Qi Yun stayed behind and contemplated their conversation. He'd always trusted Nan Xun despite them not being biological brothers. However, it was difficult not to get suspicious after he took the throne. He worried that Nan Xun was trying to increase his power by prolonging the war.

After some deliberation, he wrote a letter to Nan Xun, asking him to address the rumors.

Nan Xun was exasperated. He told Qi Yun everything. The scion had antagonized Eastern Wu's soldiers and ended up killed. Nan Xun was innocent. He wouldn't allow others to slander him.

Qi Yun looked at Nan Xun's responding letter thoughtfully. Unconvinced, he asked Nan Xun for evidence. Given the wide population the rumors had reached, it wouldn't be enough for Qi Yun alone to believe in his story.

Nan Xun had no choice but to look for proof. Jun Huang didn't comment when she heard. They both knew that although Qi Yun claimed it was the officials who wanted evidence, it was Qi Yun who was doubting Nan Xun.