Chapter 41

Qin Sang took a step, leaped onto the tree branch, and descended.

"Old Zhou, what's the matter?"

"General Qin!"

The water monkey's face lit up with joy upon seeing Qin Sang, and he shouted, "I just received a message by carrier pigeon. The admiral has ordered General Qin to immediately withdraw from Gu Ling Mountain within three days and return to the main camp."

Qin Sang frowned, "What's the reason? Am I to return alone, or is everyone to withdraw?"

The water monkey leaped over a few times, took out a letter wrapped in oil paper from his chest, and said, "The letter says that the general is to withdraw with everyone, but it doesn't mention the reason."

Qin Sang took the letter and read it carefully. Indeed, it ordered him to withdraw all the scouts from Gu Ling Mountain within two days, and the wording was much more severe than what the water monkey had said.

Holding the letter, Qin Sang looked around at the desolate mountains, his mind full of doubts.

Now that the Prince of Dongyang had taken control of Xitai County, all the armies were on the move, heading straight for the three counties of the capital. The Xuanwei Camp had been in Guize County for two months and had captured several cities. Their current target was Raven Pass.

Raven Pass was actually a fairly large city, originally a ferry crossing on the Ling River, which later developed into a city.

The Ling River was the largest river in Guize County, running diagonally from the northwest to the southeast, cutting through the entire county. Although not as wide as the Wuling River, it flowed year-round and never dried up, providing a vital route for military and supply transportation.

Due to the convenience of the ferry, the largest granary of the defending army was located at Raven Pass.

Capturing Raven Pass and cutting off the Ling River would isolate the seven cities downstream, effectively severing their lifeline, leaving them with no choice but to surrender.

Originally, the Xuanwei Camp could not have attacked Raven Pass because a huge mountain range, Gu Ling Mountain, lay to the south of Raven Pass.

To attack Raven Pass, one had to cross Gu Ling Mountain.

Gu Ling Mountain was steep and rugged, with dense forests and no human habitation. It was said that even birds could not fly over it.

Apart from hunters who entered the mountain to hunt, ordinary people would surely get lost and die if they entered, let alone an army.

According to the original plan, they were to advance eastward for hundreds of miles, bypass Gu Ling Pass, and then attack the seven cities downstream of the Ling River one by one.

At this point, Gu Ling Pass was heavily fortified and ready for battle. Such an attack would not only be time-consuming but would also result in heavy casualties.

A few days ago, when the Xuanwei Camp captured a small city at the foot of Gu Ling Mountain, Qin Sang learned from an old hunter who had once lived in Gu Ling Mountain that there was an ancient path in the mountain, said to have been built by the founding emperor of the previous dynasty for military purposes. It had been abandoned for nearly a thousand years and was little known.

Qin Sang reported this information and was then ordered to lead the scouts into Gu Ling Mountain to investigate. They had just entered and dispersed the scouts when he was called back.

The letter was signed with the general's seal, making it a military order.

Wu Chuanzong, who was left in the main camp, had not sent any advance notice, indicating that the decision was likely made suddenly by the high command of the Xuanwei Camp.

Seeing Qin Sang's troubled expression, the water monkey knew that gathering all the dispersed scouts would not be a task that could be accomplished in a day or two. "General, what should we do now?"

Qin Sang thought for a moment and said, "Old Zhou, send a message to Zheng Kun and Zhang Wenkui. Hand over all the men to them to manage. They will stay in Gu Ling Mountain and continue searching for the ancient path. You and I will return to the main camp."

"Yes!"

...

The rain poured heavily, and the two did not rest all night. They rode out of Gu Ling Mountain and reached the main camp by the next morning.

Outside the main camp, Qin Sang sensed something was amiss. The camp had a different, more tense atmosphere, and the patrols were much stricter than usual.

The two were travel-worn. Qin Sang changed into his armor and was about to go find Wu Chuanzong when he saw Wu Chuanzong waiting for him outside.

"Sir! Deputy General Feng personally came to find me and asked you to see him immediately upon your return to the main camp."

Qin Sang nodded and asked, "Do you know what happened?"

Wu Chuanzong looked ashamed and said, "I am incompetent. The central camp was suddenly sealed off late last night, with heavy troops guarding it for twelve hours. No one was allowed to approach without orders, and anyone who tried was to be killed on the spot. I tried to gather information but could not get any accurate news."

Qin Sang noticed Wu Chuanzong's haggard appearance and dark circles under his eyes, knowing he had done his best. If something had happened in the central camp, it was not something Wu Chuanzong could have known. He patted Wu Chuanzong's shoulder and comforted him, "It's not your fault. Go rest. I'll go see Deputy General Feng."

Walking through the camp, Qin Sang saw one squad after another of soldiers and felt a sense of unease and hesitation.

He had not received any message from the princess, so it was unlikely that there was a problem in the rear.

However, even if there was a mutiny in the central camp, it would still be a significant danger.

Qin Sang was no longer an ordinary person, but if he faced hundreds of powerful crossbows, he would only be able to close his eyes and die a miserable death.

As he approached the central camp, Qin Sang hesitated for a moment and secretly summoned Yan Wang, projecting a thread of his divine consciousness onto Yan Wang to infiltrate the camp.

Yan Wang quietly swept through the camp, finding no signs of the expected danger, and then led him to Deputy General Feng's tent.

Deputy General Feng was in the tent, with no executioners lying in wait. Qin Sang felt relieved.

By this time, he had already reached the entrance of the central camp. He took out his identification and, despite his rank as a deputy general, had to be reported to Deputy General Feng before being allowed to enter.

"Your subordinate greets General Feng!"

Seeing Deputy General Feng approaching from a distance, Qin Sang immediately saluted.

"Brother Qin!"

Deputy General Feng hurried over, supporting Qin Sang, his expression urgent, "You're finally back. Come with me quickly!"

The two walked into Deputy General Feng's tent, and he cautiously looked outside before lowering his voice to deliver a shocking piece of news, "The admiral suddenly fell ill and is now in a coma, in critical condition, and may not last a few more days!"

Qin Sang exclaimed in surprise, "What?" The Xuanwei Camp had two admirals, and Wang Liu was only the right admiral. The left admiral was the true commander, well-versed in military strategy, skilled in leading troops, and strict in military discipline.

The left admiral was a close confidant of the Prince of Dongyang, loyal only to the prince. He allowed discussions of military matters only and took a neutral stance in the conflict between the prince and the princess.

With him in control, Wang Liu did not dare to act recklessly or use underhanded tactics against Qin Sang.

Qin Sang took out the military order, "I received this letter yesterday. Who is using the general's seal?"

Deputy General Feng looked angry and said, "Before the admiral fell into a coma, he entrusted the command of the army to Wang Liu, including the general's seal and the tiger talisman... all to him!"

Qin Sang fell silent.

The situation was now clear. The Prince of Dongyang's ascension to the throne was only a matter of time, and people in the small court were already discussing the issue of the crown prince.

Apart from the prince, only the princess had the qualifications to compete for the crown prince position.

However, since the founding of the Great Sui Dynasty, there had never been a precedent for a woman to rule. It was easy to guess which side these people would support.

In Hening County, the Black Crane Taoist had secretly aligned with the prince.

As the left admiral lay on his deathbed, he entrusted the military command to Wang Liu, showing favor to the prince and helping his descendants form a good relationship, which was quite normal.