Chapter 233

The scout reported that the court's 500,000-strong army had already reached Xiangcheng!

While the court army outwardly claimed to be a million-strong army, shouting at Lijun that any rebel who surrenders will be exempt from blame, otherwise they will be killed without pardon, their crime extending to the nine clans!

With the reinforcements, Pei Shangyan's heart settled a little.

But just having reinforcements, without a commander to lead them……

Pei Shangyan is not an arrogant person; he knows he has never led troops in battle, has no experience, and is not cut out for it, but now, aside from him in the court, it's actually hard to find anyone capable of leading troops in battle.

All the feudal lords, aside from those who had defected to the rebels, also refused to obey the court's orders.

He knew those feudal lords were just watching and waiting, and would instantly switch sides to whichever side seemed advantageous.

Only now did he realize the Father Emperor's pressure: without letting Qi Shihuai lead troops, there really was no one left.

The letter sent to Ah Zhi received no reply.

She wouldn't even reply to his letters, and naturally had no intention of listening to him anymore.

Let's intimidate them for a few days first," Pei Shangyan thought.

The presence of the 500,000-strong army still felt oppressive; the atmosphere in Lijun over the past two days had become noticeably solemn, so Gu Rongjin had to go inspect the camp, and Mu Yuanzhi followed along.

When she saw the Grand General Ximo, she froze for a moment and asked Gu Rongjin, "How is he here?"

It looks like he still holds a military rank?

Although Mu Yuanzhi often heard that enemy generals who surrendered could be found in the army, seeing it in person was still different.

This person had only recently led troops to invade them, and now he was already one of their commanders……

Gu Rongjin said, "Shihuai is like that; he says he learned from your father, knows how to employ people, and is confident that the surrendered troops under his command won't rebel."

Although Mu Yuanzhi lost her parents at birth, over the years she has become thoroughly familiar with her father's deeds.

Her father indeed was like that; the number of surrendered generals and soldiers under his command was countless, and they never harbored rebellious intent—once they submitted, they stayed submitted.

But this Grand General Ximo…… she always felt he was unreliable, just looking at him he didn't seem like a good person.

"What military rank does he hold now?"

"A Left General," Gu Rongjin said.

Mu Yuanzhi: "Looks like he's been demoted a lot; can he accept that?"

"Whether he likes it or not, he has to submit—I've beaten him into submission!" Qi Shihuai walked over, full of confidence.

Mu Yuanzhi: "General Qi, as long as you know what you're doing."

"Because he has suffered consecutive defeats; returning would mean certain death, so where else could he go if not following me?" Qi Shihuai said while putting away his whip.

Mu Yuanzhi nodded: "What you say does make some sense."

"I employ people based on merit alone, regardless of background; as long as they are willing to submit, I treat them all the same." Qi Shihuai hung his whip back on his belt and said, "So even if the Son of Heaven surrenders, he could still earn a minor post under me."

Mu Yuanzhi was amused by him and said, "General Qi is right—don't employ those you doubt, and don't doubt those you employ; that is the bearing of a great general."

"Miss Mu understands at a hint, much easier to communicate with than some people." Qi Shihuai said with a pointed meaning.

Gu Rongjin snorted, "I'm not as reckless as you; I seek stability in my actions."

"Come on, you used to be even more reckless than me." Qi Shihuai naturally knew it was because of Mu Yuanzhi.

Indeed, a person with a weakness is different.

And he will not have such a weakness.

The heavy atmosphere in Lijun faded within a few days, because the court army held its position, and occasional ambushes by troops were quickly suppressed.

If it were someone else, they might have long since lost patience and launched an attack first, but Pei Shangyan has such endurance, let alone the fact that the emperor has issued no order to attack.

Both sides know that once fighting begins, regardless of scale, the outcome will be the crucial factor, essentially determining who will win or lose in the subsequent conflict.

Especially for the court army, once they suffer a defeat, the blow to morale will be devastating.

Qi Shihuai and his group are betting everything; losing a battle wouldn't really matter much.

"I didn't expect that even with our army pressing the border, hardly anyone would come to surrender." Pei Shangyan worriedly rubbed his forehead.

"Elder Brother Crown Prince, what should we do next?" Fifth Prince Pei Shangning, worried about the captured Pei Shangling and the completely silent Mu Yuanzhi, voluntarily volunteered to go to the front lines.

Pei Shangyan said nothing, merely shaking his head.

He also really wanted to know what to do.

"Elder Brother Crown Prince, these past days more people have defected to our side than to theirs!" Pei Shangning sighed, "You say that Prince Jia's victory makes him so attractive? I understand the reasoning, but they are rebels!"

In his deeply ingrained mindset, he should be utterly loyal and filial.

No matter what, rebels are rebels; there's no need for all these arguments!

Pei Shangyan currently had no mood to say these things to his brother: "If you're idle, go somewhere else; I still have military affairs to attend to."

Pei Shangning pressed his lips and said nothing more.

His mother consort had been demoted to the rank of Jieyu, his sister reduced to commoner status, his brother captured, and he too could not sit still.

No! He had to do something!

Pei Shangning decided to sneak into Lijun secretly.

When Pei Shangyan discovered that Pei Shangning was missing, it was already a day later; he sent people to search the whole city, suspecting that this reckless brother had run off to the enemy camp.

In this situation, running over could easily result in being mistaken for a spy and shot!

At this moment, Pei Shangning was indeed mistaken for a spy and shot, turning him into a porcupine, clinging to life.

The archer came over, took a look, felt the person was somewhat familiar, and finally recognized him as the Fifth Prince, Pei Shangning!

Should we inform Miss Mu?

When Mu Yuanzhi received the news of Pei Shangning's serious injury, she was strolling in the garden.

"Seriously injured?" Mu Yuanzhi, although she didn't have much affection for this brother who was a wallflower grass, didn't wish him dead either, asked, "Where is he?"

Two people lifted Pei Shangning in; his whole body full of arrowheads, he looked faint of breath, murmuring in his mouth, and Mu Yuanzhi frowned as she leaned in to listen.

"Ah Zhi sister…… Ah Ling brother……"

"Take him to the guest room." Mu Yuanzhi said.

The person who came nodded and ordered the two people to clumsily lift the person inside.

"Excessive blood loss." Mu Yuanzhi concluded after checking.

Qilin came over: "He looks like he's about to kick the bucket, where would we get that much blood for a transfusion? And the blood donor needs to be compatible…… needs to match…… ah! I have an idea!"

Mu Yuanzhi turned to look at him: "What idea?"

"Senior sister, a blood transfusion!" Qilin exclaimed happily.

Mu Yuanzhi still didn't quite understand: "What do you mean?"

"Senior sister! Broaden your mind! She previously forced you to have a blood transfusion, nearly killing you; now it's perfect to repay her in kind!" A rare malicious gleam appeared in Qilin's eyes.

Since he learned of this, a thorn has lain in his heart; he feels he cannot rest until he gets revenge.

Moreover, there's a ready-made opportunity for revenge, and it can also save a person—it's practically heaven opening its eyes!