Chapter 182: Instructions

The two sat down in the pavilion where the wine was served. Sun Wei glanced behind Wang Zhi and saw that the young scholar from yesterday had been standing there.

"I have never seen this gentleman before." Sun Wei said.

Wang Zhidao said, "This is a retainer of mine. His surname is Li, and his given name is Mo. He is very talented in writing. He will stay with me and work for me in the future."

Li Mo stepped forward and bowed to Sun Wei: "I am Li Mo, honored to meet the princess."

Sun Wei knew that literary talent was of little importance during a battle. Li Mo's ability to stay by Wang Zhi's side must have been due to his ability to offer strategic counsel.

"So it's you, sir." She smiled and said to Wang Zhi, "I've heard that all the wise and brave men in the world are eager to join the Wang family's court. Your mansion is indeed full of talented people."

Wang Zhi also smiled: "It's a pity that even if my family can recruit all the wise men in the world, it can't prevent the princess and the prince from colluding with each other and making fun of me."

"Oh?" Sun Wei remained calm. "What do you mean?"

"The princess once divined that Wujun would be invaded by tens of thousands of Three Immortals. Why did only a thousand or so come?"

After hearing this, Sun Wei realized that Wang Zhi was most likely aware of Sima Jun's actions in Linhai.

How did he know?

Sun Wei couldn't help but glance at Li Mo beside Wang Zhi.

He stood there quietly with his eyes lowered, like an outsider.

Yang Quan's spies were watching Wang Zhi's every move in Wujun. This fresh news must have been brought by Li Mo and others.

Sun Wei said calmly, "The battlefield is ever-changing, and I can't see everything, which is understandable. The military supervisor is from a noble family, and even though the Three Immortals are reckless, they know the consequences of offending the military supervisor. Of all things in the world, human hearts are the most unpredictable. It is not uncommon for people to retreat in fear and cause the situation to change drastically. I am predicting the battle, but I cannot be sure of the number of troops coming. I ask the military supervisor to understand."

Wang Zhi still didn't believe it.

"Princess, do you know that the Crown Prince actually led the Three Immortals who were originally planning to attack Wujun to Linhai?"

"Really?" Sun Wei asked in surprise. "I didn't know. The prince never told me about what happened on the battlefield, and I never asked. But isn't this a great act of kindness? The Three Immortal Sects have all gone to Linhai, and Wujun is safe. As long as Wujun is safe, Jiankang will be safe too. Isn't the military supervisor happy?"

There was no trace of joy on Wang Zhi's face.

The victory report he sent to Jiankang claimed that 5,000 enemies had been annihilated, but someone had somehow leaked the truth to the Imperial Censor. Fortunately, the Imperial Censor was on good terms with Wang Hao, and he tipped him off. Wang Hao quickly suppressed the report, thus avoiding a farce that would have been ridiculed by the entire court.

Wang Han was furious at this and sent Li Mo to Wujun with a personal letter from the palace. In the letter, he severely criticized Wang Zhi and made Wang Zhi realize the significance of the matter.

He also warned Wang Zhi that the military supervisor must do something, otherwise he would not be allowed to go home.

Wang Zhi felt bitter and after much thought, he had to blame it all on Sima Jun and Princess Yuzhang.

He wanted to write a letter to his father to defend himself, saying that if the Three Immortals Sect truly had tens of thousands of troops, with his abilities, he could easily wipe out five thousand. This was a truly first-class achievement. If it weren't for the two people from the Yuzhang Palace interfering with the situation, he wouldn't have been caught by some outsiders and almost ridiculed.

But he also knew that if he did so, his father would only scold him even more harshly.

At this point, whatever I do is wrong, and I can only swallow my bitterness.

"Military Supervisor, I think what the princess said is absolutely right." Li Mo, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up. "The prince must have his reasons for what he did. Why not wait until we meet again in the future to discuss his advice in person? It's getting late, so why don't you discuss the most important matters with the princess?"

These words reminded Wang Zhi, and he had to put his thoughts aside and hold his breath.

"The Crown Prince suddenly decided to make a big move in Linhai. As the military supervisor, I will go there in person. How about Princess going with me?"

"Go to Linhai?" Sun Wei's heart moved, but a look of horror immediately appeared on his face.

"Absolutely not! I'm just a woman, I can't even tie a chicken, I'm afraid if I go, I'll just cause more trouble..."

"I will certainly provide more guards, so your Highness, don't worry about it." Wang Zhi interrupted, "The Queen Mother said that your Highness must stay by her side, your Highness, did you forget?"

Without waiting for Sun Wei to reply, Wang Zhi stood up and said, "It's settled then. We'll leave early tomorrow morning. Princess, please go back and prepare."

Sun Wei wanted to say something but hesitated, but had to agree and sent him away with a heavy heart.

After Wang Zhi disappeared, Aju went forward to see Sun Wei, only to find that her eyes were shining.

"Does the princess really want to follow him to Linhai?" Aju asked.

"He's the military supervisor. How can I refuse him if he asks me to come?" Sun Wei turned to A'ru and said, "Tell Yin Wen to go to the barracks and tell him to tell General Yang Quan to come see me immediately."

——

Sun Wei asked Yang Quan to come and ask him to guard Wujun well.

Now that Wang Zhi is gone, the prefect of Wujun is a soft persimmon. He holds military power and has a say in Wujun.

"Although the battlefield is now in Kuaiji and Linhai, Wujun is the defensive position of Jiankang, so we must not take it lightly." Sun Wei said.

"I understand what the princess said." Yang Quan's expression was quite indignant. "But Wang Zhi is really going too far! The princess is a lady of the imperial court, not his bodyguard. How can he ask the princess to follow him? Even if he wants to rely on the princess, it is really rude! In my opinion, the princess does not need to go! Wujun is full of Jiangzhou troops. Even if Wang Zhi is dissatisfied, what can he do to us?"

Sun smiled.

Before today, if Wang Zhi had said he relied on her, Sun Wei would have believed it 60 percent of the time. Now, she no longer believed it. Wang Zhi probably brought her along to contain Sima Jun.

But she had to go.

It would also be good for her if Wang Zhi took her along. At least she could monitor Wang Zhi and prevent him from doing anything wrong.

"I know the general is loyal and righteous," Sun Wei said, "but the Queen Mother has already issued an imperial decree ordering me to follow Military Supervisor Wang. I cannot disobey."

Yang Quan knew he couldn't stop it, so he had to give up.

"Sima Deng has gone to Kuaiji to gather information. If he happens to pass by and returns to Wujun, please ask General Yang to ask him to immediately leave for Linhai and meet us." Sun Wei said.

"I've got it."

"Also, send a fast horse to Kuaiji to tell Ruan Hui the news here. Ask him to try to pass the message to Linhai and tell the Crown Prince."

Yang Quan immediately agreed and then asked, "Should I send some people to accompany the princess?"

"No need. Wang Zhi wouldn't allow me to bring anyone from the army with me," Sun Wei said. "Deng Lian left me Yin Wen and the twelve palace guards, which is more than enough."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Yang Quan meaningfully and said, "General Yang, Wu County is now in your hands."

Yang Quan clasped his fists and bowed: "I will never forget the princess's instructions and will do my best to fulfill them!"