Chapter 178: Endgame 1 (2/2)
”Our men up north reported that the Crown Prince of Chu state's boat dropped anchor at Duanyue two day earlier. He is en route to Ningzhuo with his army just passed through Duanyue and is headed straight to Ningzhuo” A'Bao said.
Hahaha, ”that is truly a piece of good news, that should keep Lu Yaozhu and the Empress occupied. Empress Lu has is very smart, if I do not do this to keep her occupied. She might see through our plan if Empress Lu tried even a little bit to hide her affections for Lu Yaozhu. I never would have thought of using this plan against her. This is why one should never have any weakness”.
”His Majesty got a little suspicious of the sixth prince at today's court session, my lord. It might not be a good time for us to challenge the Crown Prince's position” A'Bao continued.
Zhu Faye sat back on the seat, ” don't worry if everything goes as planned there will be no need for the Crown Prince to be dethroned. Just keep an eye on things in the north and inform me once Lu Yaozhu is trapped.” When A'Bao didn't budge from his position, he looked up. ”Anything else?” He asked.
”Yes, my lord. I just got word that her grace, the duchess of Wu nearly had a miscarriage”
Zhu Fengyin hit his hand on the table hard, ”why is it so difficult to kill that child. I was trying hard to spare Fengyin from the coming pain but it seems like I can't. Let her be, we should let her enjoy her last days of freedom.”
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Four days later, at the Northern borders
”Report report!!!” A military scout dressed in full armour shouted as he ran towards the commanding tent in the camp. Lu Yaozhu stood with the other commanders mapping the route for their troupe when the flaps of the leather tent were pushed aside at a soldier fell on his knees.
”Report” the soldier shouted holding his hand forward.
Lu Yaozhu looked up from the map and glanced at the soldier, ”go on”.
”Ningzhuo is under attack from both ends, my lord. Commander Han requests for reinforcement.”
”What!” Lu Yaozhu dropped the map on the table, ”how is that even possible. What about the soldiers stationed at Ningzhuo's borders?”
”They were outnumbered, the governor of Duanyue and Chuqain has deflected. They have turned against us, they gave Chu state's Silver army a free entrance into the north”
Lu Yaozhu glanced at the bottle bitten Generals around him, they had been fighting non-stop for weeks to defend the borders. The once cheerful bunch was now more mellow, following the death of Commander Bai two days earlier. The men were tired after fighting for three days straight without much sleep.
”Our borders have been compromised, brothers. Ningzhuo houses millions of citizens. Citizens that we have sworn to protect, we cannot let it fall into enemy hands” Lu Yaozhu said leaning forward and resting both hands on the table.
General Zhang, a seasoned veteran and the most senior general after Lu Yaozhu cleared his throat. ”Our numbers are smaller because of all the battles, we really cannot spare much. Even if we successfully defend Ningzhuo, if we lose this border. We would be back to square one, I volunteer to go there with a small team and offer some reinforcement until a new set is sent from the capital. We will hold on until our last breath”.
”No! I appreciate your courage but I cannot send you down there” Lu Yaozhu looked down at General Zhang's injured hand. ”You are injured and is needed here, I will lead a team of 10,000 men. That is the only number of men that can be spared, while you take guard of this border. I will write to his Majesty now to send more men”.
”I cannot let you go alone, General,” Another general said. ”I will go with you as to the number of soldiers, I think that we can spare 3000 more soldiers.”
Lu Yaozhu glanced at the General, ”it might be dangerous?”
”And the battle here isn't?”
”Okay, then get ready. We leave in five minutes” Lu Yaozhu said.