The Slender Waist-Chapter 184 - 133: Meeting in Bingzhou

Xiao Cheng frowned deeply.

The letter Miao Jing brought back was only handwritten by Xiao Rong.

There wasn’t a single word from Feng Yun.

After pondering in silence for a moment, Xiao Cheng looked at Feng Ying, who was silently weeping, "You may leave now."

Feng Ying knew he was not in the mood for idle chat and obediently responded before adding, "It’s getting cold. I’ve made two sets of winter clothes for Your Majesty in Tai City and handed them to Ping’an. Remember to put them on."

Xiao Cheng hummed in response and waved his hand at a eunuch.

"Go, call Yan Buxi, Kou Shan, and Xie Congguang."

When the Emperor summons, the generals run swiftly.

By the time Yan Buxi arrived, Xie Congguang and Kou Shan were already there. Upon hearing that Xiao Rong had fallen into the hands of Jin Army, Yan Buxi’s face immediately changed color.

"Your Majesty offered such generous terms, yet Pei Jue refuses to negotiate. Now that he has taken the princess hostage, I fear..."

He shook his head, "Your Majesty must be wary of damaging the tools worrying over the rats."

Xie Congguang and Kou Shan exchanged glances, "Then what should we do now?"

Xiao Cheng glanced at everyone’s expressions. His handsome and scholarly face remained as indifferent as usual, hardly showing any emotion, as if he were an exile from the mortal world who was out of touch with reality, which puzzled everyone around him...

The Emperor loves the princess the most.

Yet, with the princess kidnapped, the Emperor seemed too calm.

"If the enemy does not move, I shall not move," Xiao Cheng said. "I suspect Pei Jue is trying to lure out the main force of our Qi Army for a battle at Hengqu Pass."

Hengqu Pass, a towering ancient stronghold, is narrow, long, and treacherously steep—a single man can hold it against ten thousand. If not for Hengqu Pass standing firm fourteen years ago, the Jin Army would have already charged deep into our territory.

Xie Congguang paused, "Your Majesty is suggesting that Pei Jue is not merely retreating to Bingzhou but has other schemes?"

Xiao Cheng did not answer, his gaze fixated on the faint lines of the map under the dim light, his expression complex and indecipherable.

Kou Shan immediately shook his head. "Impossible! Xiahou Xian and Feng Tingji have already taken Hongye Valley. Pei Jue’s troops are trapped in Bingzhou without a way out. Even if we do not dispatch a single soldier, trapping Pei Jue within Bingzhou City, how long can his mere tens of thousands of troops last? One month, three months?" 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Xie Congguang said, "In my view, we should show him a little of our strength..."

Xiao Cheng looked at their enthusiasm and suddenly laughed.

"Xie Aiqing, with three hundred thousand troops surrounding but not attacking and thus wasting food and provoking criticism at court, how long can you and I withstand it?"

Afterwards, he added, "Also, do not forget that there are two defector armies in Hongye Valley, both elite troops of the Northern Yong Army."

Xie Congguang asked, "Does Your Majesty not trust them?"

Xiao Cheng said, "If they can betray Pei Jue, they can betray me."

In this turbulent world, who wouldn’t want to have an army to rely on, to declare oneself a king or emperor?

Xie Congguang nodded, "Your Majesty makes a good point. Yet, I still believe that with the current strength of our Qi Army, we can fully commit to a decisive attack, strike Bingzhou directly, eliminate Pei Jue, then turn around and attack Xinzhou to avenge our past disgrace. There’s no need to hesitate and miss this opportunity, giving Pei Jue a chance to catch his breath."

In their eyes, the new emperor was indecisive and overly attached to a woman, dragging his feet on deploying troops, which was out of character for a ruler.

They stepped forward with a salute and loudly pledged their loyalty.

"I am willing to lead our troops into battle."

"I am willing as well."

Three hundred thousand against fifty thousand was a glory that was practically within reach.

Taking Bingzhou, capturing Pei Jue—this was a triumph to be documented in history books, an everlasting honor. Who wouldn’t scramble for it?

Xie Congguang and Kou Shan were brimming with fighting spirit, while the unease that Xiao Cheng had suppressed in his heart grew even more.

It was no wonder he was suspicious.

Everything was just going too smoothly.

If Pei Jue were truly the kind of person who seeks glory recklessly, how could he have built the Northern Yong Army into a formidable wolf pack?

The wind was howling through the camp, stirring the banners, and when it seeped through the cracks in the door, it lifted the edges of Xiao Cheng’s robe. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly stood up as if he had made a decision.

"The arrow is on the string, let’s test the waters."

-

As night fell, accompanied by the shrill sound of the horn, the iron cavalry of the Qi Army thundered out of Hengqu Pass...

Xie Congguang and Kou Shan, each leading a force, struck out at the left and right wings directly towards Bingzhou City.

It was at this time that Feng Yun arrived at Bingzhou City.

Coming all the way from Ghost River, they detoured to avoid the Qi Army and, despite carrying luggage, managed to reach just before the Qi Army laid siege to the city.

The Northern Yong Army was about to retract the drawbridge.

"Wait a moment!"

Feng Yun shouted loudly, waving towards the city wall.

"We are from Xinzhou, we need to enter the city."

The commanding officer on the city wall, after seeing a troop of soldiers, gestured at first for the archers to be on guard, then saw Feng Yun who, from her carry-on luggage, held up a flag for two guards to unfurl. The flag bore the character "Pei".