Chapter 3514 Handwritten Instructions

Li Bushang raised his head and looked at Zhu Feng, his eyes flickering as he asked, "Your Majesty, where is the military token?"

Hearing the word "military token", Zhu Feng also looked at him.

His eyes were sharp and bright, like a sword in the dim light, instantly piercing Li Bushang's body. Li Bushang felt as if he had been stabbed in the chest with a sword, and hurriedly lowered his head.

Zhu Feng asked, "Do you want a military token?"

Li Bushang lowered his head and said respectfully, "Of course I understand that the military token is a vital item that can mobilize the three armies. I shouldn't have asked the emperor for it, but-"

Having said that, he looked up at Zhu Feng.

After confirming that the Emperor's expression was calm and he showed no sign of anger, he continued, "However, His Majesty assigned the three Doyan guards to the Ministry of War nine years ago. If you want to deploy them now, without the military token, I'm afraid I can't persuade them with just a few words."

“…”

"This is a matter of great importance, so I have the audacity to ask the Emperor for the military token."

Zhu Feng looked at him in silence for a while, then said, "You're right."

“…”

"Since you were asked to mobilize the troops, you should have a token to do so. But that military token—"

Zhu Feng coughed lightly, then said, "I didn't bring it with me this time."

Li Bushang lowered his head, his eyes flickering in the light of the flickering candlelight beside him. "Then, how can I mobilize the Taining and Fuyu Guards?"

Zhu Feng didn't say anything, but walked behind the desk where the four treasures of the study were already laid out.

Zhu Feng picked up his pen and quickly wrote a few lines on a piece of paper.

Then, the seal was affixed.

Li Bu Shang stood aside and watched silently until Zhu Feng finished writing. He picked up the paper and gently blew away the ink stains, then rolled it into a small roll and handed it to him. Only then did he whisper, "Your Majesty, this is—"

Zhu Feng said, "Take my handwritten order and mobilize the troops."

“…”

"Once they see my order, they will naturally obey your orders."

Li Bushang lowered his head to look at the small scroll of documents, then said respectfully, "I understand."

After saying that, he turned and walked out.

Just as he walked to the door and opened the curtain to go out, Zhu Feng's voice sounded again from behind: "Li Bushang——"

Li Bushang immediately stopped and turned to look at him: "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"

There was only one lamp left in the entire tent. The dim light could only barely depict Zhu Feng's tall but thin outline, but the expression on his face was completely invisible. One could only feel that his bright eyes were as deep as the night at the moment. When he looked at Li Bushang, he was as quiet as the night at the moment.

He said, "You must not let me down."

“…”

"No matter what, I will not allow anyone to harm the concubine."

Li Bushang took a deep breath and said, "I understand. I will set off now."

After saying that, he turned and walked out.

Soon, the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the silent military camp. When Xiang Yuanbo and his men walked back to the big tent, they could only see the nearby firelight reflecting the smoke and dust rising from the camp gate. Li Bushang and his horse had already shot out into the dark night like an arrow from a bow without looking back.

Xiang Yuanbo saw that the emperor was still sitting behind the table in the middle of the tent, his hands firmly placed on his knees. He looked as calm as a stone statue, without any sign of panic.

However, no matter how calm and collected he was, shouldn't he be worried about the situation in Yongzhou City at this moment?

Xiang Yuanbo frowned and stepped forward and asked, "The emperor asked the Jinyiwei to handle this matter?"

Zhu Feng looked up at him.

Xiang Yuanbo didn't know whether he was dissatisfied or worried. Although he knew he shouldn't speak at this time, he couldn't help but continue, "How can Commander Li save Yongzhou City from danger?"

Zhu Feng said solemnly, "Only him."

Xiang Yuanbo frowned again.

Although he didn't understand the situation, seeing the emperor's current state, he understood that the emperor had his own plans, but he would not allow others to interfere or ask further questions. He thought for a moment and could only say, "Then, I, the general, will hold my troops in place."

Zhu Feng was silent for a moment before he said, "Pass the order down. The troops will be on standby tonight. I will dispatch them at any time."

Xiang Yuanbo said: "Yes."

After saying this, he retreated with a heavy heart.

Zhu Feng remained seated in the large tent, but the faint clamor of restlessness outside reached his ears through the heavy hull. He knew full well that even without his orders, the entire camp would be sleepless tonight. Not only was it due to the fighting, but the families of the soldiers were still in the city, unable to rush to the rescue. They simply couldn't imagine what the situation would be like if the north gate was breached.

Although peace had been enjoyed for over a decade, the harassment, burning, killing and looting committed by the Yue people at that time were still etched in people's minds.

Only Zhu Feng remained seated firmly no matter how restless the people outside were.

The people outside were talking about it. Everyone knew that the fighting at the North Gate was intense, but the Emperor had only sent Commander Li out of the camp. This handling of the matter left everyone puzzled. Finally, even Xiao Shunzi couldn't help but speak. He held a cup of tea, carefully opened the tent and walked in. He placed the cup next to Zhu Feng's hand and said softly, "Your Majesty, the fighting is still going on in the North Gate."

“…”

"The Imperial Concubine—"

Zhu Feng half-closed his eyes and said calmly, "She knows what to do."

“…”

Xiao Shunzi wanted to say something but stopped himself. Seeing that he looked as calm as a rock, he said nothing in the end and could only retreat carefully.

Compared with the restless military camp, the city of Yongzhou was in complete chaos.

Especially the people in the north of the city were so scared when they heard the sound of the Yue people attacking the city that they fled in all directions. The originally quiet night was broken by the roar of the doors being banged on, and this was further shattered by the panicked shouts from inside the city.

However, the South Courtyard was unexpectedly quiet.

After people outside reported that the north gate was being attacked by the Yue people, Nan Yan immediately ordered the gate of the South Courtyard to be closed, and the remaining troops were divided into several teams, scattered in the various gates of the courtyard. They were on guard against people in the city who might take advantage of the chaos to break down the gates, and also on guard against the Yue people who would take the opportunity to attack the South Courtyard if they broke into the city.

Then, she summoned all the palace maids, eunuchs, and servants working in the mansion to her courtyard.

Most of these people were young and had hardly any experience in war. Hearing the deafening roars coming from afar, they were trembling with fear and felt like they were out of their wits.

Nan Yan moved a chair to the corridor and sat there upright.