Chapter 484 Campaign against Zhanghe
Before dawn, the King of Chu was resting when he heard the commotion outside. He frowned and opened his eyes, and was somewhat surprised when he heard his son's voice.
After the initial surprise, his brows furrowed tightly. Why was Xiu'er back now? Could it be that something happened to her on the way?
The King of Chu was startled and quickly sat up. After sitting up, he casually put on his coat and walked out of the tent.
When he saw his family in such a sorry state, his son, with red eyes and a furrowed brow, was about to ask what was wrong when he saw his usually composed eldest son suddenly kneel down on the ground.
He kowtowed three times, pleading, "Father, please give me five thousand soldiers! Father, please give me five thousand soldiers! I beg you!"
Before he could finish speaking, the King of Chu stepped forward and helped Li Mingxiu up. After brushing the dust off him, he frowned and looked back.
Seeing that the group of guards behind him were also dejected and slumped over, his heart sank to the bottom. After scanning Qi Rong and Lin Changning's guards behind him, he asked in a deep voice, "Where are Rong'er and Changning?"
Those behind him lowered their heads, none daring to answer the King of Chu's question. The King of Chu's face quickly darkened, his gaze sweeping over the group of guards behind him before finally landing on his own son.
"Mingxiu, you speak!"
Li Mingxiu looked at the King of Chu, his eyes slightly red, and a few broken sobs escaped his throat: "Father, we were ambushed at the mouth of the Zhang River. Xiao Liu took an arrow for me. Then we fell into a trap that the enemy had dug at the mouth of the Yellow River. A Rong had just pulled me up when the enemy ambushed us and we fell into the Yellow River together with Chang Ning..."
The King of Chu's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot. When he saw his eldest son looking guilty, helpless, and extremely haggard, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to be harsh with him.
Have you searched both sides of the river?
If someone falls into the Yellow River, the chances of survival are slim, but the King of Chu asked this question, still clinging to a sliver of hope.
Li Mingxiu nodded and then shook his head: "We searched halfway, but the imperial soldiers seemed to know we were looking for someone and kept blocking our way. We had no choice but to return and ask Father for reinforcements. Your son wants to personally kill the enemy general!!!"
King Chu felt a little dizzy. Rong'er had been by his side since childhood and had been stationed on the frontier for many years. Changning was also his capable assistant and had just married Shu'er not long ago.
If the two of them were to perish here, he would have no face to go back and see his queen.
The King of Chu glanced at his personal guard beside him in a deep voice: "Go and summon Old Zhao!"
When Li Mingxiu heard his father call out to Commander Zhao, he knew that his father was preparing to personally lead Commander Zhao to attack the Zhanghekou.
After following his father into the tent, someone quickly lit the candles in the tent. It was just getting light. After being called up, Commander Zhao hurriedly dressed and ran towards the lit tent of the King of Chu.
After being led into the tent, he was stunned for a moment when he saw Li Mingxiu.
"Why has the young master returned?"
Before he could finish speaking, the King of Chu interrupted him: "Xiu'er and the others were ambushed by the imperial court at the mouth of the Zhang River, and Rong'er and Changning fell into the Yellow River and have not been found since."
Ignoring Commander Zhao's astonished gaze, the King of Chu focused his attention on the terrain map on the sand table, holding the candle in hand.
"Old Zhao, at dawn, you will organize 10,000 troops—5,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry. Once they are organized, we will set off for the Zhanghe River estuary and seize the Zhanghe ferry crossing by force!!!"
Commander Zhao, with a solemn expression, clasped his hands in agreement and then went to reorganize the troops.
Judging from the tone of the King of Chu just now, these people at the mouth of the Zhang River are unlikely to get anything good. It's rare to see the King of Chu so angry.
As soon as Commander Zhao left, the King of Chu summoned the military doctor to take Li Mingxiu's pulse. After examining Li Mingxiu, the doctor bowed to the King of Chu and said, "Your Highness, the young master has been overworked these past few days and has several wounds on his body. He needs to rest well for the next few days. Apply some medicine powder to his wounds, and he should be able to recover in less than a month."
The King of Chu nodded and waved for the military doctor to leave: "Go and prepare the medicine."
After speaking, he softened his expression and looked at Li Mingxiu, saying, "Father is leading troops to attack the Zhanghe Ferry. You should stay in the camp and rest well during this time."
Without a second thought, Li Mingxiu shook his head and refused. He had just been sitting in his chair, but suddenly knelt on the ground again with a thud: "Father! Your son requests to go into battle! I will personally kill the enemy general!!!"
The King of Chu sighed as he looked at his son, sat down in his chair, rubbed his forehead, pressed his temples, and said irritably, "What are you doing going there with your injuries! Can't your father personally supervise the battle?"
Li Mingxiu, his neck stiff, banged his head against the wall twice more: "As long as I don't die, please, Father, grant my request!!!"
After saying that, he was about to kowtow again.
The King of Chu looked at his stubborn eldest son and waved his hand helplessly: "Go down first, rest for a while, and then come with your father."
Seeing his father agree, Li Mingxiu quickly stood up, responded, and turned to leave the tent, intending to go back and rest for a while before heading out to war with his father at daybreak.
The King of Chu sat in his chair, somewhat dazed, thinking about the news Mingxiu had brought back. He felt a pang of sorrow in his heart, staring blankly at the candlelight for a long time. He didn't know how long he sat there until the first rooster crowed, at which point he suddenly came back to his senses and let out a soft sigh.
Why did all the children just disappear?
Throughout history, most people who fall into the Yellow River have met with tragic ends. Now, the best time for rescue has passed. Even if we capture the Zhanghekou, those who fall into the Yellow River and are not rescued immediately will likely have their bodies adrift at an unknown distance.
The King of Chu rubbed his forehead, a dull ache in his heart. He hadn't even enjoyed these good days for a few days, how could it all be like this? How could it all be like this?
The sky outside was already beginning to lighten, and countless soldiers in the camp quickly got ready, the sound of busy footsteps filling the entire camp.
The King of Chu took a deep breath, drank some water, turned around, dressed, and had someone help him put on his armor before leaving the tent.
Old Zhao had just finished organizing his troops and was preparing to find the King of Chu. Li Mingxiu still seemed to be working, having simply changed his clothes and armor and was quietly waiting outside the King of Chu's tent.
The King of Chu looked at his son, whose face was still haggard, and felt a pang of heartache: "Why didn't you rest a little longer? Can you withstand the strain on the battlefield?"
Li Mingxiu's eyes were red and bloodshot. He shook his head after hearing his father ask him a question.
"I can't sleep. The thought of the enemy generals ambushing us, and Arong and Changning falling into the Yellow River right before my eyes, keeps me awake!"
As Li Mingxiu spoke, he gripped the hilt of the sword beside him tightly. Looking at his father's eyes, Li Mingxiu almost bit his gums until they bled.
He was filled with hatred! He hated himself for not being faster, for not keeping up with Changning, for recklessly falling into the enemy's trap, and for failing to save Arong and Changning.
The King of Chu looked at his son, who had almost bitten his lip until it bled, and sighed softly. A hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes as he looked at Old Zhao and said, "Prepare! Set off! We must capture the Zhanghe ferry crossing within three days!!!"
The King of Chu was answered by a loud voice.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
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