Chapter 3554 A Paper Scroll

Just then, footsteps were heard outside again. A moment later, Xiao Shunzi came in holding a document and said, "Your Majesty, General Xiang has sent an urgent report."

"Emergency?"

Hearing these two words, Zhu Feng frowned slightly.

Although urgent reports from the army were not uncommon for him, the situation this time was different. The military camp was stationed a few miles outside the city, and any news from Xiang Yuanbo could be delivered to the city at any time. The distance was short and the time was fast, so there was no such thing as an "urgent report" at all, or in other words, every letter was an "urgent report."

But now, he specifically asked someone to deliver an "urgent report" in a serious manner, which actually made people feel strange.

Zhu Feng immediately reached out: "Give it to me."

Xiao Shunzi hurriedly handed over the document. Although the two sides were so close to each other, the document was still sealed with wax. Zhu Feng opened it, took out a piece of paper from it, shook it open and took a look at it. His expression suddenly changed.

Cui Yuanmei was a seasoned man, so he naturally knew that Xiang Yuanbo, who was just outside the city, would send such an "urgent report"; it must be something important. However, he said nothing much, but stood aside cautiously, staring at Zhu Feng intently. Zhu Chengjun, on the other hand, stepped forward anxiously and asked, "Father, is there something going on with General Xiang?"

Zhu Feng did not hide it from them and slowly placed the piece of paper on the table.

Then he looked up at them and said, "Doubei Town is gathering troops."

"Assemble the troops?"

Zhu Chengjun's eyes lit up when he heard this.

There were already so many troops stationed outside Doubei Town. Even if they weren't fighting, they would still conduct regular drills. Therefore, ordinary gatherings wouldn't easily alarm them. However, Xiang Yuanbo specifically used an "urgent report" to bring the news of their army's gathering. There was only one possibility -

This gathering is to prepare for war.

Zhu Chengjun said excitedly: "Are the Yue people going to take action first?"

Zhu Feng said: "It seems so."

Zhu Chengjun said: "Then, we should also prepare for the battle."

Zhu Feng said: "Don't worry yet."

Then he said to Xiao Shunzi, "Pass it on to Fang Buyuan."

But just as he finished speaking, there was a sound of steady footsteps outside. Xiao Shunzi took the order and went out, then immediately turned around and led Fang Buyuan in. Apparently, he also had something to report to the emperor, and the two sides bumped into each other. When he walked in and saw Cui Yuanmei and Han Wang Zhu Chengjun, he first saluted the emperor and also bowed to the two people beside him.

Zhu Feng asked, "You came here, did you find anything?"

Fang Buyuan said, "Your Majesty previously instructed me to send people to monitor the mountain road west of Yongzhou City. Since yesterday, soldiers from the Kingdom of Yue have begun to appear on that mountain road. They have cut down a large number of bushes along the roadside and trampled the road wide. They are obviously preparing to allow the passage of a large army."

"The mountain road to the west?"

When Cui Yuanmei heard this, he immediately frowned.

He said, "Previously, Xiahou Jiu led his troops to attack the north of Yongzhou City by a detour, marching along that road. This time, the King of Yue ordered the mountain road to be widened to accommodate the army's march. Could it be that they are going to use the same trick again?"

Zhu Feng murmured, "If that's the case, we need to have Xiang Yuanbo mobilize his troops to the north of the city, so that if a fight really breaks out, we won't be able to rush to the rescue. We can't repeat the mistakes we suffered before."

After saying that, he immediately picked up his pen and wrote a handwritten note, sealed it and handed it to Xiao Shunzi.

"Send it to Xiang Yuanbo at the military camp immediately."

"yes."

Xiao Shunzi didn't say much. He took the imperial edict and hurried down.

Zhu Feng turned to look at Cui Yuanmei and said calmly, "You should go down as well. Tell everyone below to prepare, but be careful not to leak the news in advance and cause panic among the people in the city."

Cui Yuanmei said, "I understand. Today, I will close the city gates an hour earlier."

Zhu Feng nodded, Cui Yuanmei raised his hand to salute, and then withdrew.

By the time they were gone, Zhu Chengjun could no longer contain his excitement and eagerly walked over to Zhu Feng's side. Although he had been thrown into the military for a long time and had been in the midst of war before, he had never truly been on the battlefield. For a young man who knew that he would have to go to the battlefield sooner or later and had even prepared for it, the desire to fight was an instinct.

He also wanted to prove to his father that his choice was right.

Zhu Chengjun then said anxiously, "Father, should I also go down and make preparations? Wei Ying and the others are also waiting for this day."

Zhu Feng sat motionless in the chair, only slowly raised his eyelids and glanced at him.

After a while, he said, "Are you really going?"

Zhu Chengjun was stunned for a moment, but immediately said as if it was a matter of course, "Isn't it for this battle that your Majesty summoned me here this time?"

“…”

"Father has always told me to gain experience and take over his position in the army as soon as possible. The most important thing is to protect my mother and my sister. I have already made preparations."

Zhu Feng looked at him for a long time before he added, "If you really want to go, this will be your first time on the battlefield."

His calm attitude was like a bucket of cold water, pouring down on Zhu Chengjun's excitement. The latter thought for a moment before saying seriously, "There has to be a first time."

“…”

"When Father went into battle for the first time, he wasn't completely confident, right?"

Zhu Feng glanced at him coldly.

This sentence is already a violation of the law.

But he was not too angry. Perhaps, for a child about to go into battle, excessive self-confidence might not be a bad thing. He needed a little arrogance to allow him to move forward courageously.

Zhu Feng said: "It's good to be confident, but don't be too confident."

“…”

"Li Wushang—also known as Li Bushang—has been by my side for so many years. He has learned the art of war for more than ten years more than you."

Zhu Chengjun's expression darkened slightly, but he immediately said, "But my son is not afraid of him."

“…”

"My Great Yan Dynasty is the country blessed by God. He betrayed my father and us. Even though he is older, more experienced, and more knowledgeable than me, he cannot defeat us!"

“…”

"Besides, the rainy season is about to arrive, but he's already mobilized his troops today. Isn't this just jumping into a hole himself?"

“…”

"This is God helping us. I will definitely win!"

Zhu Feng looked at him quietly for a long time, and finally, a smile appeared on his face.

He said, "Okay."

Hearing that he finally agreed, Zhu Chengjun was so happy that he almost jumped up and turned to run out, but Zhu Feng said, "Wait a minute."

Zhu Chengjun could only stop and look at him anxiously. Zhu Feng slowly took out a paper roll from the side, sealed it with wax, and handed it to him, saying, "Go back and gather the troops. Leave the city after sunset. We'll see after we leave."