Chapter 189: The Confusing State of the War

The Emperor is ill again.

Last night he had another episode, muttering deliriously without stop.

Kill, kill, kill.

I must expand the borders and trample the Western Regions.

Therefore.

Today, the ministers who came for the morning court once again returned empty-handed. Grand Eunuch Zhou came out and announced that the Emperor was unwell, and that everyone should go home.

The crowd looked at one another in dismay.

Unwell again?

Someone wanted to find Grand Eunuch Zhou to ask what was going on, but the Grand Eunuch had already turned and left.

"This..."

"This Emperor, no wild talk, no wild talk!"

The ministers knew in their hearts that in these past few years, the frequency of the Emperor's illnesses had been increasing.

At first, people were anxious every time, fearing the Emperor might pass away, which would mean a change of dynasty. So every time the Emperor did not hold court, Jinghua would immediately be filled with rumors and suspicion, with everyone feeling insecure, scheming against one another, and playing dirty.

But in the end, time after time, people got used to it.

The Emperor's health was always like this.

Better then worse, worse then better.

"Oh, Grand Eunuch Zhou, Grand Eunuch Zhou, what is to be done, what is to be done?"

Among these ministers, one official rushed out, knelt on the ground, and wept bitterly: "Grand Eunuch Zhou, your subordinate has a matter of extreme urgency, I cannot wait even a moment!"

The crowd looked over one after another.

Someone recognized that this man was a Counselor from Hanzhong, an official under Prince Yong.

Grand Eunuch Zhou asked: "What matter is it that is even more important than the Emperor?"

This sentence choked the man so hard he could barely speak; he kept kowtowing: "The Prince of Shu has innocently invaded my Hanzhong, my lords, you must uphold justice for us in Hanzhong!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd laughed one after another.

Grand Eunuch Zhou also chuckled and said: "My good sir, in these years, isn't it normal for Feudatory Kings to fight a bit? Are there not times when brothers in the same family quarrel? This one thinks that Longyan has been peaceful for too long; fighting a little when there is nothing to do can be considered training the troops, so that those military lords don't forget how to use their swords and blades. What do you lords think?"

The crowd roared with laughter and agreed one after another.

These people's thoughts were just like this.

As long as they fought behind closed doors, what did it matter? It wouldn't lead to a war of national extinction. Having their own people fight a bit could not only drain the strength of those Feudatory Kings who threatened the imperial court, but also "enhance military quality." When had these people, high above, ever cared about the safety of the commoners and soldiers?

The world under the Feudal System was just like this.

Each family looked after their own small plot of land; as long as they paid their taxes as usual every year, it was fine. If it truly went too far, the imperial court would step in to intervene. But now, the Emperor was unwell, so how could he intervene?

That Hanzhong Counselor wailed loudly.

The crowd, however, ignored him.

The Emperor had fallen ill again; who could spare the time for your Hanzhong?

Hurry back to form small cliques and hold small meetings to prepare for a rainy day.

The Hanzhong Counselor cried until he fainted.

Who would have thought.

Just when he thought there was no hope, suddenly, Xie Ling's carriage appeared before him.

Xie Ling helped the man up with a warm smile on his face: "My good sir, if you have any matter, tell it to me."

The Counselor looked up and saw it was the Third Prince; he immediately felt as if he had met a savior.

A sharp glint flashed in Xie Ling's eyes.

Many people were actually paying attention to this matter.

Some had even guessed that this was a scheme by the Prefect of Yinzhou to seize Hanzhong.

But...

No one else cared.

Yinzhou was already a Regional Commander's territory.

Having only those three miserable straight lines was truly unjustifiable.

Expanding the scope of interests was not necessarily a bad thing.

However...

Xie Ling did not think so.

As Liangzhou Prefecture developed along with Yinzhou, and with Liu Dahao promoted to Inspector, his official rank was now directly rivaling Chen Ping, and he even held the title of Regional Commander. This clearly had already subtly surpassed Chen Ping's prestige.

Chen Ping was the Crown Prince's man.

But what about Liangzhou? What about Zheng Yuxing?

Liangzhou was the maternal home of Empress Zheng Fu; this was a place Xie Ling had to fight for. Who would have thought that step by step, it had become the territory of this Prefect of Yinzhou.

Who could endure this?

"My good sir, I already know your intent. The Prince of Shu has truly gone too far this time. Go back and tell Prince Yong that the Liangzhou Iron Cavalry can march south to provide reinforcements this very day!"

"Thank you, Third Prince. Prince Yong will surely be deeply grateful, compensate for all the military supplies of Liangzhou, and provide a generous reward!"

Yintan City.

A few people looked at one another in dismay.

"Zheng Yuxing has sent out troops?"

Liu Zheng rubbed his temples; things had become complicated now.

Qingyang Shuo gave a faint smile: "The Third Prince's scheming is truly much deeper than the Crown Prince's."

Jiang Xuan grew anxious: "Sir, with General Zheng's fifty-thousand-strong army going over, doesn't that mean there's nothing left for us to do?"

The combat effectiveness of Zheng Yuxing's army goes without saying.

If they really head south and drive away the King of Shu, then Xie Ling will have truly picked up a massive bargain.

Not only will the prestige of Liangzhou grow even greater, but he might even get a share of the spoils in Hanzhong.

What a brilliant calculation!

The Yinzhou army here is already sleeping in their armor, waiting for Hanzhong's plea for help, ready to head south at any time; if this bargain is snatched up by the Third Prince, these people will likely be furious to death.

Qingyang Shuo, however, laughed: "Although General Zheng is valiant, this battle may not necessarily be a victory."

"Ah?"

Several people were a bit confused.

Qingyang Shuo said: "The Liangzhou Iron Cavalry is famous far and wide. However, Hanzhong has much water, and the water troops' combat power is astonishing. The King of Shu's navy has already occupied three ports in Hanzhong, with thirty thousand armored soldiers stationed at each port, and by utilizing the wind for their ships, they can support each other at any time."

"In a land with much water, cavalry has no great advantage. Furthermore, looking at the coming days, there will be torrential rain; with feet sinking deep into the mud and horse hooves difficult to pull out, the Liangzhou Cavalry is no match for infantry!"

Sure enough.

Just as Qingyang Shuo had predicted.

Upon learning that the Liangzhou Iron Cavalry was coming to reinforce, the Prince of Yong instantly dismissed the idea of seeking help from the Yinzhou direction. He risked his life and lost the lives of three thousand soldiers to finally recapture Liuguan. The fifty thousand Liangzhou Iron Cavalry took the route through Liuguan to strike at the Shu Army.

Who would have known.

As luck would have it.

Heaven sent down heavy rain, making it difficult for the cavalry to form a charge.

The Shu Army had originally intended to make a strategic retreat and abandon Liuguan, but upon seeing this situation, the King of Shu was overjoyed and made a prompt decision. Each of the three ports sent out twenty thousand armored soldiers, who, in coordination with the thirty thousand troops retreating from Liuguan, launched a classic counter-kill.

But this Zheng Yuxing was not one to be trifled with either.

His illustrious reputation was earned battle after battle. Seeing that the cavalry's advantage had vanished, he immediately ordered the entire army to dismount and fight. Fortunately, they had the langxian purchased from Yinzhou, so the cavalry immediately turned into Langxian Soldiers, which allowed them to hold off the Shu Army's world-renowned Blade Infantry.

But even so, Zheng Yuxing's army still suffered heavy casualties and could only hold Liuguan, unable to advance any further.

After all, this was not their own battle...

Being able to help Hanzhong take back a Liuguan is not bad, is it?

Hearing the military report from this side, Jiang Xuan was once again extremely excited.

He went to inspect the Kezhou irrigation canals several times a day, preparing for the great battle.

Liu Zheng also believed.

Unless the Prince of Yong surrendered, he would definitely seek reinforcements from Yinzhou.

However, no one expected.

The Prince of Yong was still being stubborn.

He also knew that seeking help from the Yinzhou army was like inviting a wolf into the house; it is easy to invite a god but hard to send one away.

Therefore, he was still struggling to hold on.

The people of the world expected it even less.

This Prince of Yong, who had always been known for his cowardice and love of pleasure, had actually pulled off a beautiful comeback at this moment! For a time, it caused the overall situation to undergo a shocking change.

The Prince of Yong chose to launch a long-distance raid on a rainy night, performing a reverse maneuver! Someone said that in rainy weather, cavalry is ineffective, so in the rain, we will let the infantry show their heroism!

They occupied the Hanzhong troops' familiarity with the terrain around their own city.

Thirty thousand garrison troops marched through the mountains overnight.

Because of the torrential rain, it was difficult to leave footprints.

These people became a Surprise Unit without a trace.

The arrogant and conceited Shu Army, which had been holding the advantage, did not notice this unit.

The thirty thousand Hanzhong Army struck directly at the Shu Army's granary in Liangguan, destroying fifty thousand shi of the Shu Army's grain and fodder.

The Shu Army was in chaos.

The King of Shu was shocked.

The world was in an uproar.

Liu Zheng and Qingyang Shuo, upon hearing this news, also looked at each other in dismay.

Things...

were starting to get complicated.