Chapter 102: Beginning of Action

The moon cave and cloud chamber clear the world, the heavenly beauty and imperial child enjoy the romance.

Fragrance overturns butterfly wings, the heart of the flower breaks; charm scatters oriole sounds, the willow eyes are shy.

Red and purple are obsessed, spring does not care; clouds and rain are in disarray, the dream is hard to gather.

Beyond the infinite tenderness of the drunken land, one night of soul-stealing has already been fully traveled.

Early morning.

The cleaning maids saw Feng'er and Luan'er walk out of the Yan Wang's bedchamber and covered their mouths to giggle.

Last night, the sounds of moaning in the Yan Wang's bedchamber had lasted for half the night.

They had assumed a wild cat had gotten into the Prince Mansion.

After a subtle reminder from the old nanny in the kitchen, they were instantly flushed with a night of reverie.

Now that the two of them had come out, they naturally could not help but giggle.

When Luan'er saw this, she turned red from her face to her neck in an instant, lowering her head without a word; although Feng'er had a spicy temper, she was new to such matters, and thinking of last night's romance, she was still full of shyness.

She secretly wondered if the Yan Wang had also been experiencing clouds and rain for the first time, so why was he like an old hand at this, leaving them unable to fend him off.

After thinking for a moment, she brushed it aside, and while walking, she did not forget to send someone to fetch hot water for the Yan Wang to wash up.

……

Bedchamber.

Zhao Xu looked at the scattered flower petals on the bed and smiled lightly.

A man is not romantic in vain when young; furthermore, having lived a second life, he must live even more wantonly.

Besides, just as Feng'er said, swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield, and the war situation changes in an instant.

Although he had planned everything this time, no one could be sure if an accident would occur.

Since that was the case, why leave any regrets?

After waiting in the bedchamber for a while, Feng'er and Luan'er, who had gone out, returned carrying two basins of hot water.

"Your Highness, do you still wish to wear this set of armor?" Luan'er asked while wiping Zhao Xu's face with a hot towel.

Unlike her usual slight reserve, Luan'er seemed to have lost some of her maidenly shyness overnight and gained a bit more charm.

She did not even blush when her body pressed against his.

Zhao Xu naturally wrapped his arm around Luan'er's waist, and Luan'er just smiled and continued to wipe his face.

Feng'er gathered up the bedding from his bed and carried it out.

"Wear it," Zhao Xu said.

Having lived two lives, last night could be considered the peak of his life.

And the result was that he and the two girls had become much closer.

Luan'er nodded lightly, smiling as she moved Zhao Xu's mischievous hand away; after dressing him, she helped him put on his armor.

"When Your Highness wears this armor, you truly have the bearing of a great general." Luan'er looked Zhao Xu up and down, her eyes sparkling like stars.

Zhao Xu turned his body; he was not wearing plate armor, but scale armor.

However, this scale armor had been specially customized for him by craftsmen under Wang Ying's orders.

The workmanship was exquisite, and the quality requirements were strict.

And to highlight the status of the Yan Wang, his shoulder guards were made in the shape of tiger heads.

After this set of armor was made, Chang Wei had been so envious he almost drooled.

He had been shameless in trying to beg for a set, and only after Zhao Xu promised to have one made for him after the war did he give up.

He was just admiring himself.

At this moment, Feng'er walked in and said, "Your Highness, General Chang and Tutor Liu are both in the front courtyard, saying they have urgent matters."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Luan'er's face vanished.

She and Feng'er knew very well that these urgent matters must be related to the Northern Di.

Zhao Xu nodded and left the bedchamber directly, heading to the Council Hall in the front courtyard.

"Your Highness, the Northern Di are about to cross Qingfeng Pass." Chang Wei's expression was serious.

The war was about to begin.

Liu Fu said, "This subordinate has already sent people to notify every village, telling them to act according to circumstances: fight if they can win, run if they cannot; and when they run, burn everything that cannot be taken away so it cannot be left for the Northern Di."

Zhao Xu nodded and said to Chang Wei, "Continue to scout and report; you must grasp the movements of the Northern Di in a timely manner."

After thinking for a moment, he continued, "What did the Yuan Family say?"

Although he did not count on the Yuan Family, Zhao Xu still informed them of the news of the Northern Di's Autumn Hunt as a matter of protocol.

Otherwise, the Yuan Family could completely use the excuse of not knowing to refuse to send troops to resist the Northern Di.

"The Yuan Family's Black Armor Cavalry has entered Dai Commandery, Guangning Commandery, and Shanggu Commandery, etc. Yuan Li verbally agreed to defend against the enemy together with the Prince Mansion, but there has been no movement from them," Liu Fu said.

He was the one who had contacted Yuan Li.

Chang Wei said, "Yanguan has sent many cavalry into the Grassland during this period, intending to contain the Northern Di just like in previous years, but without an imperial decree, they have no plans to send troops into the various commanderies."

"Just as I thought; it seems we can only rely on ourselves this time," Zhao Xu said with a self-deprecating smile.

The Yuan Family was probably like the Zhang Family now, just hoping he would be finished off by the Northern Di.

Chang Wei and Liu Fu looked at each other and said in unison, "In this battle, we will certainly do our utmost to protect Your Highness's safety."

Zhao Xu did not feel discouraged; he was merely lamenting that at the end of every dynasty, there would appear people who, for their own selfish interests, treat the interests of the nation as nothing.

"Good. Since that is the case, let us fight this battle well and let the Yuan Family and the Imperial Court see the strength of the Yan Prince Mansion," Zhao Xu clenched his fists.

He admitted that he was currently nothing more than a pawn for the various forces within Da Song.

There was no help for it; this world was just that cruel.

The weak could only be pawns for the strong.

But since he is a chess piece, he will be the best chess piece.

Only then will those so-called chess players bet more resources on him.

Zhao Heng expanding his troops by ten thousand this time is a signal.

As long as he proves he can be a qualified chess piece, he will continue to support him.

Therefore, to him, this battle has other important meanings besides defending Yan Commandery.

Liu Fu and Chang Wei were moved upon hearing this.

The three discussed the deployment of defenses, and the two stood up and left.

At this moment, Liu Fu suddenly stopped his steps and chuckled, "Your Highness, food and sex are human nature, but while women are good, you must also take care of your health..."

"Get lost." Zhao Xu rolled his eyes and raised his foot to kick him.

This fellow must have been listening to the servants' gossip.

Seeing this, Liu Fu lifted the hem of his long gown and ran.

Zhao Xu shook his head, then called over a servant and told him to fetch Xu Ke.

This servant was a member of the Flame Guard, responsible for monitoring the servants in the Prince's Mansion while also acting as a liaison between him and the Flame Guard.

Otherwise, it would be inappropriate for him to go directly to the hot pot shop.

Acknowledging with a "yes," the servant turned and left.

Before long, Xu Ke arrived at the Prince's Mansion, though his current appearance was that of a forty-year-old man; this was the image he maintained in front of everyone.

"What are the movements of the Zhang Family and the Northern Di spies?" Zhao Xu asked.

"Reporting to Your Highness, Zhang Kang has already sent people to contact the dead soldiers in the city. The Northern Di spies are currently in Yancheng, staying with their own dead soldiers. It is estimated that after the Northern Di army arrives, he will personally lead the dead soldiers to revolt."

Zhao Xu nodded; the Northern Di people had actually made a double insurance policy this time.

If he hadn't established an intelligence agency in time and had a natural tracker like Xu Ke, he would have either died or suffered a major loss of strength during this Northern Di Autumn Hunt.

But now, everything is within his grasp.

"Continue to keep an eye on them. The city gates will be closed today, and at that time, we will round them all up." A trace of sharp edge flashed in Zhao Xu's eyes.