Chapter 223 (1/2)

Chapter 223: One against Many

According to Nan Xun's shadow guards, the third prince of Eastern Wu had brought thirty thousand soldiers to face off Northern Qi. Jun Huang frowned. ”Thirty thousand? Are you sure?”

Nan Xun nodded. ”We've double-checked. Thirty thousand, no more, no less.”

”That couldn't be all the soldiers they could deploy,” she said calmly. ”And if that's all of their available soldiers, they wouldn't have sent them out just like that. They must be planning something.”

”I agree,” said Nan Xun. ”We've deployed an army of a hundred thousand, and yet they sent only thirty thousand. It's akin to hitting a stone with an egg. However, our information has been validated. I'm at a loss as to what they're plotting.”

Jun Huang mused. She didn't voice her suspicion since she didn't have any evidence. She only told Nan Xun to be on guard. Once Eastern Wu's army reached the border, they would see for themselves how many soldiers there were.

Nan Xun could understand her concerns. He told his soldiers to keep their eyes open.

Days pa.s.sed. The Eastern Wu's army emerged. There were indeed only thirty thousands soldiers on horseback. It wasn't a lot, but it wasn't that little. Northern Qi had deployed forty thousand cavalry units and sixty thousand infantry units. Mounted soldiers were key to any battles. The fact that all thirty thousand soldiers of Eastern Wu were on horseback lessened her suspicion somewhat, but she still had a feeling that this was a ploy.

”Do you think this is all they've got now?” asked Nan Xun.

Jun Huang shook her head. ”We're missing something here. It's impossible for them to defeat Northern Qi at the moment, and yet they sent out soldiers instead of admitting defeat. I wonder what they want.”

Nan Xun didn't have an answer. Perhaps they would have a better clue after a few battles with Eastern Wu. He directed the conversation to another topic. ”Your letter to Qi Chen is appropriately written, but he's bound to see this battle as an opportunity rather than a crisis. He'll think that the emperor had a.s.signed Qi Yun to this post to let him prove himself. Aren't you worried that Qi Chen will conclude that the emperor now favors Qi Yun?”

”Isn't that the truth?” asked Jun Huang.

He frowned, looking at her with puzzled eyes. She smiled and didn't volunteer an explanation.

Eastern Wu had made camp near the border as well. The state preceptor shuddered at the sight of Northern Qi's army. He couldn't stand doing nothing. He rushed into the third prince's tent.

”Northern Qi has an army of a hundred thousand, while we have only thirty thousand,” he said without preamble. ”Aren't we just marching to our doom?”

The third prince flicked him a glance and smiled coldly. ”That's what I'm aiming for.”

”You're going to surrender without a fight?”

”No, no. That's not in our nature. We have to engage them in a few battles to relax their guard. Even if they have doubts, they won't be able to find anything concrete. They'll think they've overestimated us. When autumn came, we'll destroy them once and for all.” His eyes were chilling, and his tone dripping with malice.

The state preceptor gave him a considering look before walking out of the tent.

A few days later saw the first full-blown battle between the two countries. Before that, they had been testing the waters. Northern Qi pulled back before a real fight broke out, and Eastern Wu retreated before they suffered great casualties. Today, both countries sent out their armies for a real fight.

Qi Yun was here to gain experience. This was a learning opportunity he couldn't let slip. He volunteered to join the troop. Nan Xun didn't argue. In his opinion, it was a good thing for Qi Yun to fight alongside the soldiers. If they won, he would win the approval of the soldiers and make a name for himself. That would help him in his pursuit of the throne.

Jun Huang was unwilling to stay behind on her own. She insisted on fighting as well.

Nan Xun looked around to make sure there wasn't anyone watching them. ”Anyone can die on a battlefield. This isn't a game. I don't think you should join the troop.”

Her hatred for Eastern Wu had overpowered her reasons. She ignored Nan Xun's objection, staring at him with steely gaze. ”Everyone has their goal,” she said, wrapping her lips around every word. ”I don't know what's Your Highness', but you know mine. And you know I won't be swayed in this matter. I hope Your Highness can grant me my wish.”