Chapter 624: It is shameful to fear battle

Gu Jiu Ling looked at Gu Kang in disbelief, the Eight Great Families rebelling in Ying Prefecture?

She was shocked not by the news itself, but by how formidable Xiao Yin's influence in Southern Qi was—why had Xiao Yin not received this news, yet Gu Kang learned of it first?

She frowned slightly, staring at Gu Kang and said, "All the people from your maternal grandfather's side are at your disposal—are they not useful?"

Gu Kang stared blankly for a moment; Gu Jiu Ling's focus was different, and her question was rather pointed.

He lowered his head and took a sip of tea; the Snow Mountain Silver Needle had cooled the brew, making it taste even crisper.

When Gu Kang lifted his eyes to look at Gu Jiu Ling again, his face bore a faint smile as he said, "Elder Sister, if you wish to take over the Du family, I will step aside."

"No need, no need!" Gu Jiu Ling waved her hands repeatedly.

Where does she get the nerve to take over everything of the Du family?

She was originally a lone soul who had transmigrated from another world, and the Du family's true bloodline now consisted only of Gu Kang.

She merely lives on wearing the original host's shell—how could she possibly contend with Gu Kang?

But looking at it now, Gu Kang clearly has something he's hiding from her.

Seeing his current demeanor, he has no intention of telling her.

Gu Jiu Ling took a breath and said, "The rebellion of the Eight Great Families is inevitable; your brother-in-law has long been prepared, so I'm not particularly worried."

"That would be best," Gu Kang nodded, then pulled out a map from his bosom and handed it to Gu Jiu Ling.

Gu Jiu Ling accepted the map suspiciously; upon unfolding it, she found it was actually a city defense map of Ying Prefecture.

Gu Jiu Ling glanced at it and immediately understood why the Eight Great Families had chosen this place for their rebellion and secession.

This city is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces water on one, making it easy to defend but hard to attack.

A few hundred li further west lies the Western Rong; most of their nobility are profit-driven, and if possible they might even ally with Western Rong cavalry for joint defense.

The river to the city's south flows straight to the sea outlet; even if they cannot win, they could still flee by ship overseas.

Gu Jiu Ling's brows knit tightly, and she couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for Xiao Yin.

This looks like it's going to be a tough battle!

"Elder Sister, look here!"

Gu Kang, however, raised his hand and pointed at a faint deep-purple line on the map before Gu Jiu Ling, which ran from west to east across Ying Prefecture.

"What is this?" Gu Jiu Ling blinked slightly.

Normally river lines are marked in blue; I've never seen such a strange deep purple.

It looks like a poisonous liquid corroding the entire city.

Gu Kang's distinct-knuckled finger slowly traced the deep line on the map as he said softly, "This is a secret passage left by the previous dynasty, running straight from the mountain hollow to the west into the city."

Gu Kang gathered himself, lifted his hand to gesture, bearing the air of one who points out the land.

"This secret passage exists only on this map; no one else knows about it, after all it's from the former dynasty."

Having spoken, Gu Kang slowly rose, straightened his sleeves, and said, "Elder Sister, we siblings depend on each other for survival; I would never use a tattered map to harm you, for harming Xiao Yin would also harm you."

"I hope that brother-in-law will find some use in this map, so my efforts are not in vain."

Gu Kang bowed deeply to Gu Jiu Ling, then rose, bade farewell, and walked toward the door.

"Gu Kang!" Gu Jiu Ling called out to stop his departure.

Gu Kang turned his body, stared steadily at Gu Jiu Ling, his brows slightly raised.

Gu Jiu Ling said each word deliberately: "Gu Kang, if your brother-in-law goes to campaign in Ying Prefecture, I will surely follow!"

"Whose corpses are buried in that passage—I'm sure you have a count in mind."

Gu Kang startled, then gave a wry smile: "Elder Sister, are you pitting your life against mine?"

He chuckled lightly: "Elder Sister, you need not test me so; if we go to Ying Prefecture to exterminate the Eight Great Families, count me in—I'll clear the way from the secret passage for you and your brother-in-law."

Gu Kang laughed and strode out.

Gu Jiu Ling stared fixedly through the window at Gu Kang as he walked out of the courtyard gate, her brows furrowed tightly.

She murmured softly: "This kid feels more and more sinister."

Xiao Yin was summoned to the palace by the Regent Prince in the evening, and the news of the Eight Great Families' rebellion was formally transmitted to Shang Jing.

The imperial court was shaken, an uproar ensued.

The Eight Great Families raised troops in Ying Prefecture, seizing control; it is said they have gathered several hundred thousand elite soldiers, relying on Ying Prefecture's superb geography, they raised the banner of purging the ruler's entourage.

Centering on Ying Prefecture, they continuously recruit troops and buy horses, feigning strength, indeed bearing the air of a miniature court.

The Southern Qi court had just been weakened by a clash between civil officials and Prince Rui, its vitality greatly damaged; this news only heightened the panic.

As Xiao Yin entered the Hall of Nurturing Heart, those inside were already arguing like a pot of porridge.

"The rebels are powerful; they had already hidden themselves before the raids, preserving their strength."

"Preserving strength is fine, but the Eight Great Families have long dominated the court, their assets accounting for nearly seventy percent of the national treasury."

"That much? The Eight Great Families are wealthy and can raise troops—who knows what disaster they will bring upon the court."

"Yes, yes, the Eight Great Families also have many elite troops and capable generals; now that Southern Qi's vitality is greatly diminished, this battle will likely bring more misfortune than fortune!"

"Even if it brings more harm than good, we must fight! Are we to shrink like turtles?" As he spoke, the tall and sturdy Xiao Yin slowly entered through the door of the Hall of Nurturing Heart.

The surrounding officials, seeing Xiao Yin enter, all made way, their faces filled with deep regret.

This time the Eight Great Families' rebellion was mainly caused by Prince Rui's order to compel them.

Although the Eight Great Families' actions are heinous and outrageous, Prince Rui has been pressing them too urgently these days, which has sparked this great blaze.

Yet they dare not speak out in anger; now seeing Prince Rui enter, they all retreat three paces, eager to see how he will clean up this mess.

The Eight Great Families are unlike the former crown prince, who relied on the civil-official clans Lin and Li; naturally they lack great capability.

Having been wiped out by Xiao Yin in a single night, the former crown prince is nothing; but now Xiao Yin faces the Eight Great Families—local powerhouses, not just one family but eight united, making it no easy feat for Xiao Yin.

Bai Xiaosheng hurriedly rose from his chair and quick-stepped toward Xiao Yin.

"Imperial Uncle, you've arrived; this is the battle report from Ying Prefecture—please review it, Imperial Uncle."

Bai Xiaosheng is just a puppet; at this point, with such a major military and state affair, when would he ever get to call the shots?

He hurriedly pushed the military report forward to Xiao Yin, and let's see how Xiao Yin will settle this.

"Imperial Uncle, the eight great clans have rebelled in Yingzhou; they have already marched south and captured several small towns, their momentum is like breaking bamboo."

"At this moment, the eight great clans' people are still recruiting troops and buying horses across the world; Imperial Uncle, see what to do?"

Xiao Yin glanced casually at the very official-looking battle report in his hand; regarding the actual situation, it is far more serious than what the report says.

He had already obtained the news before the battle report reached the Imperial Court; plus the map Gu Kang gave him, Xiao Yin now had a few plans in mind.

Xiao Yin gripped the battle report, stepped forward, looked at Bai Xiaosheng and said: "Fear of battle is disgraceful; this battle must be fought, and we must win!"