The Slender Waist-Chapter 119 - 93: Heartfelt Desires

Wen Xingsu’s brows furrowed.

He would not offer Pei Jue any advice.

Reluctantly compromising was a last resort, but he had already made clear to Pei Jue that he would not take to the battlefield, nor would he kill a person from the Qi Country for the Beiyong Army.

He said, "Great General, you put me in a difficult position."

Pei Jue glanced at him.

"Then I’ll tell you how I’m going to fight next."

Wen Xingsu was slightly surprised.

He didn’t speak, and only listened as Pei Jue calmly said, "As long as Xinzhou City holds out for seven days, I will be able to break through Xiao Cheng’s defenses, storm into Bingzhou, and catch him off guard."

Wen Xingsu smiled a little.

Indeed, Pei Jue was always so arrogant.

Under the current circumstances, retreating to Andu was a good strategy. Although defending Xinzhou would lead to great sacrifices, it could also buy enough time for the Qi Army until winter set in. By then, during negotiations, they would surely have the upper hand.

Over the years, the norm had become to fight a battle here and negotiate there between the south and the north; in the end, it was all for mutual benefit.

Who could have thought that Pei Jue wanted not just Xinzhou but also to take the opportunity to seize Bingzhou from the Qi Country?

It took a moment for Wen Xingsu to calm down. "Great General, you have quite the appetite."

Pei Jue said, "Bingzhou is near Hengqu Pass, a strategic military fortress since ancient times. To open the gates to the Qi Country, Bingzhou must be taken."

Wen Xingsu narrowed his eyes.

He had never known that Pei Jue was so ambitious.

What he wanted was not just a few cities...

But the entire Qi Country.

Wen Xingsu was slightly taken aback, "Has the Great General ever crossed swords with Xiao Sanlang before?"

Pei Jue was silent for a moment, "I have not."

A faint smile emerged on Wen Xingsu’s face.

"In my view, Great General, you may be underestimating him."

"Oh?" Pei Jue showed no emotion.

Wen Xingsu said, "General, you intend to leave sufficient forces to defend Xinzhou and yet aim to strike Bingzhou with a surprise attack. Forgive my frankness, but this seems a bit too fanciful. Not to say that the Emperor of Zhengchu would give you such an opportunity, but even if he did, it would be very difficult for you to accomplish. Bingzhou has a well-developed water network and strong defenses, both of which are weak points for the Beiyong Army."

Pei Jue nodded, "We shall see."

After saying this, he rose to his feet and pointed at the medicine on the case.

"Remember to use it, it’s Ayun’s kindness."

Wen Xingsu again heard Pei Jue refer to "Ayun" and felt rather displeased, as if something that belonged solely to him had been taken away; his expression grew sour and his brows furrowed.

"Ayun is Feng Yun’s nickname, and she does not like others calling her that."

Pei Jue’s face was expressionless as he casually glanced at him.

"I am not others. I am Ayun’s husband."

Wen Xingsu pondered for a moment, "She was forced."

Pei Jue paused in his steps, took out Feng Yun’s letter from his bosom, and unfolded it deliberately in front of Wen Xingsu.

He did not shy away from showing the advice and strategies Feng Yun had provided him, nor from letting Wen Xingsu see the subtle affection she had for him.

"Waiting for your triumphant return to enjoy our time together."

Nowhere in Feng Yun’s graceful handwriting could reluctancy be detected.

Pei Jue asked, "General Wen, why do you think I have treated you with such courtesy?"

For Ayun...

Color drained from Wen Xingsu’s sickly face.

He knew Feng Yun had been unable to let go of what Feng Jingteng had done, and she herself had told him she would never return to Qi Country, intent on staying loyally by Pei Jue’s side.

But he had not anticipated that Feng Yun’s hatred ran so deep...

Nor did he know that her submission to Pei Jue was not out of helplessness but rather contentment.

Pei Jue gave Wen Xingsu a formal bow, "Pei here never forces anyone to do anything. I value General Wen’s talent and wish to make friends. However, if General Wen asks, Pei is also willing to open the gate wide and leave your fate in your own hands."

Surprise flashed across Wen Xingsu’s eyes, "The Great General is willing to let me leave?"

Pei Jue said, "Indeed."

Wen Xingsu looked at him incredulously, "Does the Great General speak the truth?"

"I never lie," Pei Jue said, "General Wen can also rejoin the Qi Army and go back to battle, all of your own volition."

He had revealed his strategy and now opened the door to let him choose his path.

Whether it was the breadth of his vision or his towering pride, Pei Jue was truly unique.

"However," Pei Jue fixed his gaze on Wen Xingsu’s face, "once battle ensues and swords clash, luck can be as blind as a battlefield. If we meet there, I will not recognize you as Ayun’s elder brother. Whether you live or die, it will be a matter of your own skill."

The words were neither light nor heavy, certainly not a threat, but Wen Xingsu understood.

The moment he left Xinzhou and walked through the gate that Pei Jue had opened, he would become not only Pei Jue’s enemy but also Ayun’s.

The woman who strategized for Pei Jue had already deemed the entire Qi Country as her enemy...

Wen Xingsu let out a long sigh.

"I can’t go back."

He had not yet betrayed the Qi Country, but he was already seen as a traitor in the eyes of his people.

The responsibility for Xinzhou’s capture was his to bear.