Chapter 68

Li Chunyang squinted his eyes and pondered, "Given this, the situation in Kunjin City is not hard to explain."

Li Yunxiao frowned and asked, "What exactly happened?"

Qin Yue, with a stern face, angrily said, "Five days ago, news came from the east that Baitou Town had suddenly fallen, breached by the 800,000 troops of the Hundred War States. They then swiftly besieged Kunjin City. Now, your father, the Flying Dragon General, is still holding the city and fighting the enemy to the death. But the request for reinforcements has already been sent to the capital."

Li Yunxiao frowned and asked, "How did the court react?"

Qin Yue replied, "Kunjin City and Baitou Town are the natural barriers of the Tianshui Kingdom. Once they are breached, the consequences are unimaginable. The king, of course, urgently summoned all the military leaders and requested that the Duke of Jing lead the expedition."

Li Yunxiao looked at the old man and asked, "What do you think, Grandfather?"

Li Chunyang was slightly taken aback but inwardly very satisfied with his grandson. If others heard that their father was trapped, they would probably have already flown into a rage and couldn't wait to set out. But his grandson was so calm, with no trace of emotion in his eyes.

Li Chunyang smiled with relief and said, "Kunjin City is easy to defend but hard to attack. Your father has 300,000 Flying Dragon troops stationed in the city. A mere 800,000 troops from the Hundred War States are nothing to fear. Besides, whether these 800,000 troops are real or not is still questionable. Now that you mentioned that 8527 has colluded with Qin Yang, I am even more convinced that this so-called request for reinforcements is a false pretense. The real purpose is to lure the tiger away from the mountain!"

Li Yunxiao also pondered softly, "Your meaning is to move the Li family's forces out of the capital. This way, Prince Qin Yang can act freely? By the time we realize something is wrong with Kunjin City and return to the capital, it will be too late, and the situation will be beyond repair?"

"Exactly!" Li Chunyang praised, "You are worthy of being my grandson, quick to understand! Haha!~"

Li Yunxiao frowned and asked, "But what if the request for reinforcements is real?"

Li Chunyang's smile gradually faded, and he said calmly, "If the defense of Kunjin City is breached and 300,000 Flying Dragon troops cannot withstand 800,000 enemy troops, then your father deserves his fate. Besides, you know I cannot leave the capital."

His words were tinged with sorrow, and Li Yunxiao naturally knew he was referring to Chen Dasheng, who needed his true qi to support the Rongrong Pill to sustain for a month. Half a month had already passed.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Yunxiao said, "Grandfather may be thinking too simply. Even if the request for reinforcements was not written by Father, I fear the situation in Kunjin City may not be as optimistic as you think. The Hundred War States have been trapped east of Dahuang Mountain for hundreds of years and have never breached these two places. Do you think they have advanced this time just to support Qin Yang's claim to the throne and to lure the tiger away from the mountain?"

Qin Yue was startled and said in horror, "You mean the Hundred War States really have the intention to invade? That's terrible. If Kunjin City falls, the thirteen cities in the hinterland will be exposed to the iron cavalry of the Hundred War States. What can we do?"

Li Yunxiao calmly analyzed, "The strategy and purpose of the Hundred War States are both real and fake, making it difficult for us to discern. But rescuing Kunjin City is a trap we cannot refuse. Even if we know it's a trap, we must jump into it. Otherwise, the consequences will be too severe!"

His words made Li Chunyang increasingly agitated, pacing back and forth in the hall, occasionally bursting into anger and cursing, "Qin Yang is truly mad to do such a thing!"

Li Yunxiao smiled lightly and said, "It's not hard to understand. He has waited for this throne for so many years and is finally close to achieving it. But then Prince Yue suddenly appeared and began to turn the tide, tilting the balance. How could he not go mad? Taking such a risk is not surprising!"

Qin Yue also said angrily, "Elder Brother is too selfish, disregarding the lives of the people for his own desires. If he wants the throne, I won't compete with him!"

Such righteous words might be acceptable to the public, but in the presence of these old foxes, it only revealed Qin Yue's naivety.

A minister took the opportunity to flatter, "Prince Yue, you must not. Your benevolence and concern for the people make you a wise ruler, a blessing to the people. If Qin Yang seizes the throne, it will be a dark and chaotic world, and the people of Tianshui Kingdom will suffer. For the sake of the people, Prince Yue must think carefully!"

The minister, moved by his own words, wiped his tears with his sleeve, appearing to be pleading for the people.

Qin Yue nodded and said, "Minister Xu's words are reasonable. It seems that for the sake of the people, I must fight my elder brother to the death!"

Li Chunyang, already annoyed, found these flatteries even more unbearable and said coldly, "Since Minister Xu is so concerned about the country and the people, I will give you 300,000 troops to lift the siege of Kunjin City."

Minister Xu's face turned red, and he was speechless, lowering his head and stammering.

Suddenly, Bai Mou, who had been silent, spoke, "Young Master Yun, do you have a good plan?"

Although Li Yunxiao was young, he had become the core member of their team. Bai Mou was skilled in astrology and divination, and she firmly believed that whether Qin Yue could obtain the throne depended on Li Yunxiao. The situation was also developing according to the astrological predictions.

Her question made everyone fall silent, and all eyes turned to Li Yunxiao. The ministers close to Qin Yue each showed a look of disdain and gloom, thinking that this was surely Li Chunyang's deliberate cultivation of his grandson, highlighting his importance and ability in Qin Yue's circle, to secure the Li family's future.

Li Yunxiao observed the ministers' expressions and sneered, "I do have a plan, but there are too many people here."

Qin Yue was taken aback and immediately waved his hand, signaling the others to leave.

The ministers were stunned and then showed signs of displeasure. Minister Xu even said coldly, "We are all Prince Yue's trusted confidants. Young Master Yun's actions seem to show a lack of trust in us."

Li Yunxiao glanced at him with disdain and said, "It's not a lack of trust, but complete distrust."

Minister Xu was furious and said, "You! Li Yunxiao, this is an insult to us and a lack of respect for Prince Yue!"

Li Yunxiao's eyes turned cold, like a sharp ice sword, and he said coldly, "If any of my words today are leaked, can you guarantee your head? If so, stay!" His cold gaze swept over the others, "The same goes for you. If you stay, be prepared to hang your head on your belt. Those with the courage can stay."

Minister Xu, under his gaze, felt as if an ice sword had pierced his heart, making him shiver with cold. He took a deep breath but still trembled with cold, feeling a deep sense of fear.

The others also felt as if a cold wind had swept over them, making their hearts chill.

Who is this Li Yunxiao? How can he have such a bone-chilling gaze?

What a joke, why should we be responsible with our heads if the news leaks!

They did not want to take unnecessary risks and could not bear to look at Li Yunxiao's cold, sharp gaze, so they each left with a gloomy face.

Qin Yue hurriedly said, "My lords have worked hard for half a day. Please rest at the Zuihua Pavilion in my residence. Come, have the best singers and musicians of the residence go to the Zuihua Pavilion. And bring all the best tea and snacks."

At this moment, as the host, he could not let the people's hearts grow cold. He also understood when to use whom. In the past, the struggle with Qin Yang was hidden, requiring these ministers to attack with words and pens to establish legitimacy. Now, as the struggle became more intense, what was needed most was strong military support. Therefore, the weight of the Li family had already surpassed everyone present.

Soon, only Li Yunxiao, the old man, Qin Yue, and Bai Mou remained in the meeting hall.

Bai Mou smiled lightly and said, "Young Master Yun, can you speak now? Or should I also leave?"

Li Yunxiao laughed heartily, "Ha, Commander Bai, you really know how to joke." His smile faded, and he said seriously, "My suggestion is to handle both fronts!"

Qin Yue was taken aback, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes, but he quickly hid it and sighed, "How could I not have thought of that, but our human resources are limited. If the capital lacks the Duke of Jing, what capital do I have to compete with my elder brother!"

Li Chunyang also frowned and said, "You know the emperor's attitude toward our Li family. Many important military positions have been replaced by the people of the First Prince. Some of my old generals have been promoted in name but demoted in reality, stripped of their command and placed on the sidelines. If Kunjin City is really besieged, the only force capable of rescuing it is the remaining 500,000 Central Army."

Qin Yue's expression darkened at the mention of the Central Army.

Li Chunyang continued, "But the commander of the Central Army is the First Prince, Qin Yang. Although the Central Army has complex factions, and Qin Yang may not fully control it, it seems unlikely that he will send troops to rescue. Moreover, with the emperor's power waning, even if he issues a mobilization order, I fear Qin Yang will pay lip service. Only if I raise my voice and rely on some prestige can I perhaps gather some old subordinates from various armies."

Qin Yue hurriedly said, "The Duke of Jing must not leave the capital. My major affairs depend entirely on the Duke of Jing's presence."

Li Yunxiao smiled faintly and said, "It's right for Grandfather to stay. I can handle the rescue mission."

Li Chunyang was taken aback and said, "You?" He then shook his head quickly, "No! Even if I can gather some old subordinates, these people are stubborn and hard to control. Only I can lead them personally; no one else can manage them."

Bai Mou frowned and said, "Young Master Yun is still too young. Even if the Duke of Jing can gather some old subordinates, the number and combat effectiveness may be limited. If Kunjin City really falls, such a force will be of little use."

Li Yunxiao, seeing the worried expressions on their faces, smiled and