Chapter 88

Chapter 87

In fact, Zhao Hongrun had many more improvement plans for the war chariots, such as the issue of shock absorption. However, it was unfortunate that not only in the Great Wei, but perhaps in the entire world, there was no such thing as rubber, and the Metallurgy Bureau could not yet produce springs. Therefore, Zhao Hongrun had to abandon this plan and chose to reduce the speed and mobility of the war chariots to enhance their defensive capabilities, using them purely as mobile fortresses.

He did not need high speed or the performance of the war chariots in turning; Zhao Hongrun only needed these war chariots to drive away the Chu soldiers. After all, even from far away in Daliang, he had already been thinking about how to repel the Chu army by the Ying River and gradually refining his ideas.

After entrusting the design of all the war chariots to the Metallurgy Bureau's chief, Wang Fu, Zhao Hongrun then led the clan guards to a waterside pavilion. Since he was personally heading to the Ying River battlefield, he did not know how long it would take to return, so he had to inform Miss Su to avoid her worrying. After all, she was a woman who had shared intimate moments with him.

The excuse was simple; Zhao Hongrun only told Miss Su that he was going back to his hometown, and as for the location, he could just make something up, as long as it was not in Daliang.

Miss Su seemed to be more concerned about what Zhao Hongrun was going to do in his hometown. When she heard from Zhao Hongrun that he was going back to pay respects to his ancestors, the worried look in her eyes immediately disappeared.

It was as if she was worried that Zhao Hongrun might be going back to his hometown to arrange a marriage or something...

After sitting for a while at the waterside pavilion, Zhao Hongrun returned to the palace. After all, such a significant matter as personally going to the battlefield required him to inform his mother, Consort Shen, in the Ningxiang Palace.

However, to his surprise, Emperor Wei had already told Consort Shen about this matter, and she did not object.

After all, the emperor's other son, the Fourth Prince, Prince Yan Hongjiang, had already set out for Southern Yan that day, and this matter was already known throughout the court and the country.

"I didn't expect the Fourth Brother to leave before me..."

That night, Emperor Wei, Consort Shen, Zhao Hongrun, and Zhao Hongxuan had dinner together in the Ningxiang Palace. When Zhao Hongrun heard about this from Emperor Wei, he was also somewhat surprised.

He really didn't expect that the words he had spoken a few days ago at the Xunshui Camp would actually persuade the Fourth Brother.

"It's not just Hongjiang..."

Emperor Wei almost blurted out that the Sixth Prince, Zhao Hongzhao, had also voluntarily requested to be sent as a hostage to Qi, but he managed to hold back in time.

"I mean Hongyu..." Emperor Wei quickly changed his words.

"Second Elder Brother?" Zhao Hongrun was surprised to hear the name of the Second Prince, Prince Yong Hongyu, from Emperor Wei and asked in confusion, "What did Second Elder Brother do?"

Emperor Wei smiled and said, "He requested to temporarily join the Ministry of Revenue to help you coordinate military pay and supplies..."

Prince Yong was really... seizing every opportunity.

Zhao Hongrun couldn't help but admire Prince Yong Hongyu's "speed." Taking advantage of the declaration of war against Chu, he had smoothly entered the Ministry of Revenue under the guise of support.

"Did Father agree?" Zhao Hongrun asked curiously. After all, in his view, Prince Yong Hongyu's move was clearly an attempt to formally intervene in the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue, and according to common sense, Emperor Wei should not have agreed.

However, to his surprise, Emperor Wei said with a smile, "No one opposed it, so why wouldn't I agree?... Some people are just a step behind, and they can only blame themselves."

Some people... referring to the Crown Prince?

Zhao Hongrun wisely did not press the matter further. After all, since the Dragon Boat Festival in the Wende Hall, he had been more inclined towards Prince Yong Hongyu over the Crown Prince. Now that Emperor Wei tacitly allowed Prince Yong Hongyu to extend his influence into the Ministry of Revenue, Zhao Hongrun was simply happy for his Second Elder Brother.

"By the way, this is for you."

Seemingly remembering something, Emperor Wei took out three gold tokens, each as thick as a finger, and casually handed them to Zhao Hongrun, saying, "Three chances. Hand these to the generals, and I will not hold them accountable for their mistakes."

In other words, Zhao Hongrun had three unconditional command opportunities. As long as the generals followed his orders and had one of these gold tokens, the emperor would not hold them responsible for any defeats caused by Zhao Hongrun, essentially a "peace of mind" pill.

Carefully receiving the three tokens and entrusting them to the clan guard Shen Yu for safekeeping, Zhao Hongrun said with a somewhat awkward expression, "Father, are you so sure that your son will make mistakes?"

Emperor Wei smiled but did not respond.

Then, he changed the subject, "Baili Ba told me that you don't seem to require him to rush to Yanling. Tell me your plan."

Seeing that the conversation had turned serious, Zhao Hongrun's expression became more solemn as he said, "Father, this is what I think. The Chu army has been conquering many of our cities, and their momentum is strong. It would be unwise to engage them head-on at this time. Therefore, I plan to delay the Chu army in Yanling for a while to wear down their morale. Thus, even if the Xunshui Camp arrives early in Yanling, it won't be of much use. Instead of rushing to Yanling and exhausting the soldiers and their morale, it would be better to have them travel at a steady pace... By the time they reach Yanling, the Chu army's momentum will likely be significantly diminished, and the soldiers of the Xunshui Camp will be in high spirits..."

"Is that so..." Emperor Wei nodded, then frowned and asked, "But how long can Yanling hold out?"

"Father, you can rest assured. Based on my estimation, Yanling should have gathered the defeated soldiers from the front lines, so the manpower should not be a problem. The only issue is low morale. I believe that when I personally arrive in Yanling tomorrow, the morale of the soldiers will greatly improve..."

"Tomorrow?" Emperor Wei was taken aback.

Beside him, Consort Shen was also surprised, "Hongrun, you're leaving tomorrow?"

Zhao Hongrun respectfully said, "Mother, although I have a general idea of the situation at the front, it's not as detailed as seeing it with my own eyes. After all, this is a matter of military importance. I need to go to Yanling and assess the situation there to make a decision."

Consort Shen opened her mouth to speak but hesitated for a long time before finally sighing, "Then... take more warm clothes with you."

Zhao Hongrun nodded.

At this moment, his younger brother Zhao Hongxuan said, "Brother, how about I lend you Zhang Ao, Li Meng, and the others?"

Zhao Hongrun couldn't help but be tempted. After all, Zhang Ao, Li Meng, and the others were his younger brother Hongxuan's clan guards, just like Shen Yu, Wei Jiao, and the others, all of whom were rigorously trained by the Clan House and were not only skilled in combat but also literate. He believed they would be of great help.

After all, the clan guards trained by the Clan House were not meant to be mere foot soldiers. Just look at Baili Ba, the former clan guard of Emperor Wei, who was clearly a candidate for a military officer. It was just that these young clan guards currently lacked experience in this area.

"Are you willing to part with them?" Zhao Hongrun asked.

Zhao Hongxuan smiled and said, "What's there to be unwilling about?... I believe Zhang Ao, Li Meng, and the others also want to participate in such a significant national event. Unfortunately..."

Unfortunately, I can't go...

Zhao Hongxuan silently completed the thought in his mind. Clearly, he also wanted to go to Yanling with his brother Zhao Hongrun, but unfortunately, neither Emperor Wei nor his mother, Consort Shen, would allow him to go.

It was no wonder, after all, sometimes even though the two brothers were only a year apart, Zhao Hongrun's demonstrated talent and maturity made him seem like an adult, which Zhao Hongxuan admired and envied.

"Then it's settled."

Zhao Hongrun happily ruffled his younger brother's hair, pleased to have gained ten more capable people.

The next day, Zhao Hongrun, along with ten clan guards including Shen Yu and ten more temporarily borrowed from his younger brother Hongxuan, including Zhang Ao and Li Meng, visited the Yongwang Palace to meet with his Second Elder Brother Hongyu. Afterward, he set off in a carriage for Yanling.

Before leaving, he borrowed about two hundred officials and craftsmen from the Ministry of Works, responsible for water conservancy, land reclamation, and construction projects, and asked them to set out with General Baili Ba of the Xunshui Camp. Accompanying them were the war chariots improved by the Metallurgy Bureau.

What made General Baili Ba of the Xunshui Camp's five camps cry and laugh at the same time was that although Emperor Wei had just given the three special gold tokens to Prince Su Zhao Hongrun the previous day, he received one of these gold tokens, a letter, and a waterway map from the Ministry of Works the very next day.

"This is really..."

When he received the gold token, Baili Ba was truly at a loss.

He had already learned from Emperor Wei that Prince Su Zhao Hongrun had three unconditional command opportunities, but he never expected to receive one of these gold tokens before even leaving Daliang.

I wonder what that kid wants me to do...

Baili Ba shook his head and opened Zhao Hongrun's letter. The letter listed several tasks, most of which he had already agreed to, such as bringing the two hundred improved war chariots to the Ying River battlefield and the two hundred officials and craftsmen from the Ministry of Works, though he didn't understand what Zhao Hongrun was planning.

However, the last task made him frown slightly.

It turned out that what Zhao Hongrun wanted Baili Ba to do was not to rush to Yanling immediately but to build a dam and store water at the confluence of the Cai River and the Wei River. Then, leave some soldiers to guard the dam and lead the main force to Yanling.

No wonder he asked the emperor to send two hundred officials from the Ministry of Works to me... At the confluence of the Cai River and the Wei River... But the Chu army is at Yanling... What is he planning?

Baili Ba was truly puzzled. After all, according to his knowledge, the situation in Yanling was not optimistic, so he naturally hoped to reach Yanling as soon as possible. However, Zhao Hongrun required him to go to the confluence of the Cai River and the Wei River first, which made him hesitate.

Hmm? The Cai River...

Baili Ba seemed to have an idea and carefully examined the waterway map in his hand, his face showing a thoughtful expression.

Is Prince Su worried that the Chu army will sail up the Cai River to reach Daliang?... But that would be a risky move, and the Chu army wouldn't dare to do that... If it's not that, the Chu army is currently attacking Yanling, which is far from the Cai River. What is he planning by building a dam on the Cai River?

"What is he thinking?"

Baili Ba was truly puzzled.