Chapter 656: An Honored Guest Arrives

Niu Youdao would not casually reveal the truth about where the information had come from.

“That isn’t important. What matters is that Xiaoyao Palace is now confident about how the rest of the rebellion-suppression campaign will go.”

“Whether they use the Prince or not no longer matters to them. Now they intend to settle accounts with him.”

Guan Fangyi rolled her eyes. “Nanzhou still has several hundred thousand troops. Does Xiaoyao Palace truly dare act recklessly?”

“They won’t act recklessly.” Niu Youdao said calmly. “To capture bandits, first capture their king. They plan to control the Prince first and escort him away.”

“They’re trying to catch me off guard.”

Guan Fangyi was puzzled. “Catch you off guard?”

“I haven’t been at the Prince’s side, and I haven’t shown myself there at all. No one can figure out what I’m doing.”

“Long Xiu probably expects me to find some way to answer the Prince killing Shi Sheng. And I really have been thinking of how to deal with it.”

“The Prince publicly killed an Elder of Xiaoyao Palace. Xiaoyao Palace lost enormous face. As Sect Leader, Long Xiu cannot sit by and ignore it.”

“But he also fears that if he waits until the critical moment, until the larger affair has already been settled, then makes his move, I may obstruct him.”

“So he has chosen to strike decisively right now.”

“It is indeed a clever move. He really has caught me unprepared.”

“I never expected them to change commanders in front of battle at a moment like this.”

Guan Fangyi’s expression immediately became strange. She teased, “From the sound of that, Long Xiu is somewhat wary of you? Our Master Dao certainly isn’t modest.”

What was Niu Youdao supposed to say to that?

Their actual strengths were not remotely comparable.

He himself could not think of any reason Long Xiu should fear him.

But this was how Gao Jiancheng had described the situation in his letter.

Long Xiu had said Niu Youdao was the most unpredictable variable.

After the imperial court agreed, Shang Yongzhong began coordinating with Xiaoyao Palace.

Gao Jiancheng had already uncovered their plan in detail and sent word over so this side could prepare early.

When Niu Youdao remained silent, Guan Fangyi asked, “Then what do we do?”

Niu Youdao considered the matter and said, “They’ll seize Shang Chaozong to force me to show myself. After that, they will probably look for me to settle the affairs of Nanzhou.”

“Once Nanzhou has been brought under control and there is no longer any danger, that will be the Prince’s death sentence.”

Guan Fangyi sighed. “Ah, this Prince. Fortunately you learned of it beforehand. Hurry and warn him to escape.”

Niu Youdao’s first thought had been exactly the same.

But after turning the matter over again, he realized doing that could expose Gao Jiancheng.

The position Gao Jiancheng occupied was worth an army of a million.

Nothing could be allowed to happen to him lightly.

Niu Youdao had to find a way to protect him and keep even the slightest suspicion from falling his way.

After weighing it for a while, Niu Youdao asked instead, “Are they still arguing over those hundreds of thousands of captives?”

Guan Fangyi nodded. “That is what the news from Gongsun Bu says.”

Niu Youdao nodded slowly. “Good. That gives us an excellent excuse.”

“Send word to the Prince.”

“The Prince will continue presiding over the rebellion-suppression campaign.”

“Have Meng Shanming lead the one hundred thousand iron cavalry back.”

“As for the captives, have the Prince make a decisive ruling. Meng Shanming is to command the one hundred thousand cavalry in escorting those hundreds of thousands of captives back to the places previously devastated by war and resettle them there.”

“Most of Dachan Mountain’s manpower is to withdraw together with Meng Shanming.”

“Tell the Prince and Marshal Meng this is to be presented as the Prince’s own decision. No one else is to know that the idea came from me.”

“This...” Guan Fangyi looked startled and uncertain. “At a time like this, you’re reducing the forces protecting the Prince? Won’t that make it even easier for something to happen to him?”

“He created this situation himself. He must bear some of the risk himself. Others cannot shoulder everything for him.”

“The last few years have gone too smoothly for him. It is time he suffered a little.”

“Meng Shanming has to be transferred away.”

“Otherwise Meng Shanming will never stand by and watch the Prince fall into danger. I do not want that old marshal to go down because of some intrigue like this. His safety has to be guaranteed first.”

Guan Fangyi still could not understand why he was doing it. She said anxiously, “Master Dao, you could simply have Shang Chaozong and Meng Shanming both withdraw immediately!”

Niu Youdao turned his head and swept her with a cold gaze.

“Go. Now. Handle it immediately!”

There was no room for discussion in his tone.

Guan Fangyi sighed.

She had no idea what he was thinking, but she knew there had to be a reason behind a decision like this.

She could only turn away and carry it out.

After a Goldenwing had been released, she returned and asked, “Aren’t we warning Huang Lie?”

“Relax. Once the main force withdraws, Huang Lie will never risk his life for the Prince when Xiaoyao Palace makes its move. He will retreat obediently.”

“There’s no need to remind him.”

“The more people we tell, the easier it becomes for the news to leak.”

...

At the place where the army was assembled, a Goldenwing descended.

Not long afterward, Gongsun Bu hurried into the central command tent.

Shang Chaozong was discussing the next stage of the rebellion-suppression campaign with a group of generals.

Gongsun Bu waited quietly to one side.

When Shang Chaozong finally looked his way, Gongsun Bu gave him a subtle look.

Shang Chaozong understood.

Niu Youdao’s side had clearly sent some new instruction.

He quickly brought the current discussion to a stopping point and dismissed the generals.

Only then did Gongsun Bu present the message from Niu Youdao’s side.

After reading the secret letter, Shang Chaozong looked uncertain and puzzled as well.

He considered it for a while, then slowly nodded.

“Reply that we will carry it out immediately.”

Gongsun Bu cupped his hands and left.

Meng Shanming, seated in his wheelchair, asked, “Master Dao has given instructions?”

Shang Chaozong stepped over and handed him the secret letter.

Meng Shanming read it and was startled.

“At a time like this, he wants the forces beside Your Highness to withdraw?”

After a moment of hesitation, Shang Chaozong said slowly, “Master Dao never shoots without a target. There must be a reason he wants this done now.”

Meng Shanming frowned.

He understood the principle too.

He simply felt that doing this would leave the Prince too exposed to danger.

But he genuinely could not determine Niu Youdao’s intention, so in the end he fell silent.

Shang Chaozong turned and called, “Invite Sect Leader Huang over.”

“Yes!” a messenger outside answered.

Before long, Huang Lie arrived at a brisk pace with several Elders.

He entered the tent smiling and cupped his hands. “Your Highness, what are your instructions?”

Shang Chaozong spoke with ringing force.

“I have made my decision.”

“Those captives are to be escorted back and resettled first...”

He explained the entire plan.

Huang Lie froze for a moment.

Then he asked, “If all our people escort the captives away, what about Your Highness?”

“Sect Leader Huang need not worry. I will not harm myself. I have my own judgment.”

Once the internal coordination had been settled, Shang Chaozong immediately issued the military order.

The command surprised the other forces.

No one had expected Shang Chaozong to decide after all to pardon those captives.

He imposed the order by force, and the other regional lords could hardly say much.

Only Ga Miaoshui objected strongly.

In his view, Shang Chaozong should not decide the captives’ fate on his own. They should wait for the imperial court’s instructions.

But Ga Miaoshui’s objections carried little weight here.

The army would carry out Shang Chaozong’s military order, not Ga Miaoshui’s opinion.

Afterward, Meng Shanming personally commanded the force and escorted the captives away.

Everyone watched as the long column receded into the distance.

Shang Chaozong then merged his command center with the Haozhou forces under Su Qitong.

Protected by Huang Lie and the others, he continued directing the army in pursuit of Wu Gongling’s rebels.

...

Men and horses would inevitably tire.

During the army’s rapid advance, temporary halts for rest could not be avoided.

A group of visitors quietly arrived outside the temporary camp of An Xianzhao, Provincial Inspector of Tuzhou.

Xiaoyao Palace Elder Shen Yuhong had come with a group of Xiaoyao Palace experts, slipping out of the nearby mountain forest without attracting attention.

Lingjian Mountain Elder Shi Yuanlong, who was overseeing the Tuzhou forces, came out after receiving word.

The moment he saw Shen Yuhong, he asked in surprise, “Brother Shen, why are you here?”

An Xianzhao emerged from the tent shortly afterward, offered a greeting, and began to withdraw.

He assumed this was business between the two cultivation sects and intended to avoid it.

Unexpectedly, Shen Yuhong raised a hand.

“Lord An, please stay.”

The people on this side exchanged puzzled looks, uncertain what the visitors intended.

An Xianzhao asked, “What instructions does Elder Shen have?”

Shen Yuhong pointed toward the central command tent.

“There are too many eyes and ears outside. Could we go inside to speak?”

An Xianzhao looked toward Shi Yuanlong.

The latter asked suspiciously, “Brother Shen, what exactly is this about?”

Shen Yuhong smiled and reached into his sleeve.

There were two letters inside.

He drew out one and handed it to Shi Yuanlong.

Shi Yuanlong opened the letter.

It was from Meng Xuan, Sect Leader of Lingjian Mountain.

The letter contained several instructions.

Yet merely reading them caused Shi Yuanlong’s expression to change abruptly.

Then he reached out and made the decision on An Xianzhao’s behalf.

“Inside, please.”

Everyone unrelated was dismissed.

The group entered the tent and the flap was lowered.

Only then did Shi Yuanlong ask in a deep voice, “You intend to move against Shang Chaozong?”

An Xianzhao, listening nearby, was startled.

Only now did he understand what these people had come to do.

Shen Yuhong said heavily, “Brother Yuanlong, surely you haven’t forgotten that your own senior brother died at Prince Ning’s hands?”

Shi Yuanlong raised an eyebrow slightly.

That affair had happened long ago.

What did their business have to do with dragging that old grievance back out?

Shen Yuhong continued, “Now Shang Chaozong does not know the height of Heaven or the depth of Earth. He actually imitated his father and laid hands on Xiaoyao Palace.”

“He truly seems tired of living.”

“How could Xiaoyao Palace allow him to run wild?”

“Does he really think we don’t dare deal with him?”

Shi Yuanlong glanced again at the letter in his hand.

“If you want to move against him, I have no objection.”

“But I should remind you that he is not so easy to touch. One careless move could create serious trouble.”

Shen Yuhong gave a soft laugh and turned his head.

“Your Highness, at this point there is no longer any need to keep hiding.”

Your Highness?

Everyone’s gaze followed his.

Among the Xiaoyao Palace group, one man raised a hand and tore away the false face covering his own.

The true features beneath belonged to Shang Yongzhong, Grand Marshal of Yan.

He smiled and cupped his hands to everyone.

“Forgive me, forgive me. Circumstances gave me no choice. Please pardon the concealment.”

Shi Yuanlong was astonished.

“Prince De?”

An Xianzhao was startled as well.

Now he understood.

This was not merely Xiaoyao Palace moving against Shang Chaozong.

The imperial court wanted to act against him too.

Because of their nominal superior-subordinate relationship, An Xianzhao hurried forward and saluted.

“This general greets the Grand Marshal!”

“Come now. No need for such ceremony.” Shang Yongzhong smiled broadly, took him by both arms, and helped him straighten.

Then he patted An Xianzhao on the arm.

“General An, it has been several years since we last met. Your bearing is even finer than before. Haha!”

His manner was extraordinarily warm.

An Xianzhao exchanged a few polite words with him.

They were not men of the same road at all.

Shang Yongzhong might be Grand Marshal of Yan in name, but An Xianzhao was one of those regional lords below who held troops in self-protection.

What closeness was there really to speak of?

Shen Yuhong said, “Your Highness, this is not the time for courtesies. Let us speak of the matter at hand.”

“Good. Good, good.” Shang Yongzhong nodded.

His gaze swept around and settled on the hanging map.

He strolled over.

After searching over it with one finger for a while, he said, “Roughly fifty li from here lies a long, narrow mountain range.”

“Once Shang Chaozong’s one hundred thousand cavalry enter it, we can have experts collapse both ends of the mountain passage.”

“Inside terrain like this, one hundred thousand cavalry will have no room to range freely.”

“They will become turtles in a jar.”

“Then they can be wiped out in one stroke. Cleanly and easily. It will require little effort.”

He turned back toward the others and smiled again.

“Of course, the matter will still require General An’s troops to cooperate.”

[End of Chapter 656]