The middle section of the North and South Rivers.
All three thousand warriors had boarded the ship. Su Sheng and Zuo Zhu gazed at the east bank, waiting for Yang Qingzhi's signal.
"Strategist, it's too sunny outside. Let's go back inside and sit down."
Zuo Zhu held up an umbrella for Su Sheng.
Su Sheng waved his hand and said, "This robe is enough for me, General, there's no need to trouble yourself."
"Of course."
Zuo Zhu insisted on holding up the umbrella, saying, "The strategist came to help the young commander-in-chief, although it was for his own personal revenge, but he truly helped the young commander-in-chief. It is only right for this humble general to serve the strategist."
"General Zuo."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Don't be so formal, I just want to talk to you about something."
Su Sheng put her hands into each other's sleeves and said, "If we lose this battle, the young governor's family will face a catastrophe. When that time comes, will you still follow the young governor?"
Zuo Zhu said, "Of course! The young commander and I lived and died together in Lingshan. After we returned, the court wanted to kill me, but the young commander protected me. Afterwards, he even kept me by his side and carefully cultivated me. As far as I am concerned, the young commander has given me a second life. My life belongs to him, so it is only right that I die with him."
Su Sheng said, "You are very loyal and a talented general. Given the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities, you will surely achieve great things in time. If you win this battle, you will become famous overnight. If you lose, I hope you will immediately join Zhou Jinghuan after you return. Only in this way will you have a better future."
Zuo Zhu frowned and asked, "Strategist, what do you mean by this?"
Su Sheng said, "To pledge allegiance to Zhou Jinghuan, you need a pledge of loyalty. You can smear the young governor, saying he's greedy for quick success, disregards imperial orders, and insists on going his own way. The Northern Expedition was a mistake from the start, and its failure was entirely Yang Qingzhi's fault. You are Yang Qingzhi's confidant; your betrayal and confession are exactly what Zhou Jinghuan needs..."
"Stop talking!"
Zuo Zhu threw down his umbrella and roared, "Strategist! The young commander is devoted to you, how could you instigate me to harm him?!"
Su Sheng gently shook her head, sighed, and said, "I asked you to do this to save him..."
Zuo Zhu shouted, "Every word you say is a frame-up, how is there any intention to save him?!"
Su Sheng said calmly, "Assuming we lose this battle, once the young commander returns, Zhou Jinghuan and those who oppose the Northern Expedition will surely launch a joint attack on him. Those who have a grudge against the Yang family will escalate the matter infinitely until it affects the entire Yang family. The defeat in a war will turn into a power struggle in the court."
"General Zuo, throughout history, the struggles in the imperial court have been far more dangerous than those on the battlefield. The Yang family is powerful, and the Grand Commander has many followers. They will surely protect the Junior Commander and oppose Zhou Jinghuan and his group. When that happens, it will be a true bloodbath, a fight to the death. Either the Yang family will be destroyed, or Zhou Jinghuan will fall. Only when either side falls will this struggle end."
“We are not entirely confident in dealing with Zhao Cheng right now. General Zuo, do you think the Yang family can defeat Zhou Jinghuan? After all, he is surnamed Zhou.”
"At that time, the young governor's life will be in danger."
Zuo Zhu clenched his fists, veins bulged on his forehead, and his whole body trembled.
Su Sheng continued, "But if you join Zhou Jinghuan as soon as possible and list all of the young governor's crimes, so that this matter can be settled quickly, this struggle can end sooner. The Yang family may fall into ruin, and the young governor may be imprisoned, but at least he can live."
"As long as there is life, there is hope."
Zuo Zhu is a smart man, which is why Yang Qingzhi was willing to cultivate him. After Su Sheng explained the situation, he immediately understood.
His expression shifted from anger to calm, and then to emotion.
"Zuo Zhu thanks the strategist!" Zuo Zhu knelt down before Su Sheng.
Su Sheng said, "This arrangement seems to be disadvantageous to the young governor, but the one who will suffer the most is actually you, General Zuo. You will bear the infamy of betraying your master for personal gain, and you will be unable to tell anyone the reasons for it, and you will have to bear it all alone."
Zuo Zhu said firmly, "As long as I can protect the young governor, I can endure any pain."
Su Sheng raised her head, looking directly into the sunlight, and said, "What I just said was the worst possible move. I hope... we can win this battle."
Zuo Zhu said, "The strategist's plans are flawless; the surprise attack on Silver Valley is sure to succeed!"
Su Sheng stopped talking, lost in thought.
The river surface shimmered, and duckweed floated with the current, its final destination unknown.
...
At the foot of Nantong City.
Yang Qingzhi, He Biao, and Li Yunqing all looked very disheveled.
After seven days of continuous attacks, all three had been at the forefront and were now covered in wounds.
Seeing their commanders charging ahead, the Southern Zhou soldiers were also fearless, with soldiers climbing the walls of Nantong every day.
However, with Tuo Tiewu and Zhao Hu both guarding the city walls, even if the Southern Zhou warriors managed to climb up, they would only be killed.
With his mastery of martial arts, Zhao Yan moved freely up and down the city walls and gates, and the Southern Zhou army could not gain any advantage in front of the city gates.
Yang Qingzhi's eyes turned red as he saw his own casualties growing heavier, and he halted the siege for the day.
He looked at Zhao Yan, Tuo Tiewuhua, and Zhao Hu on the city wall and shouted, "Where's Zhao Cheng? Has he gone to hide like a coward again?"
Zhao Hu quickly retorted, "The General said, if you can't swear, then don't swear. 'Little turtle' and such are too childish!"
Yang Qingzhi then asked, "Where's Zhou Nuo? Why isn't he shooting arrows anymore? Or is your general so lonely that he dragged Zhou Nuo off to have a baby?"
Zhao Yan said sternly, "If you want to fight, then fight! What kind of hero are you, relying on words? Or is your Yang family army already at its last gasp?"
Yang Qingzhi said, "You're not much better off. If we hold out for a few more days, Nantong City will surely fall!"
Zhao Yan slammed his spear down and said, "The city is right here, come and take it!"
Li Yunqing raised his spear and roared, "Zhao Yan, you brat, come down here and fight me one-on-one!"
Zhao Yan sneered and said, "Gun Demon Wen Pojun died by my gun. You think you can take me on one-on-one? You're not qualified."
"Hmm?" Zhao Yan looked towards the Southern Zhou army and said, "Where is Cui Wuming? Why haven't I seen him these past few days? If he were to come, I'd be interested in playing with him, but he's just a defeated opponent of mine."
Zhao Hu said, "He's not just your defeated opponent. Didn't he get a beating from Xiao not long ago? I know, he must have been beaten too badly by Xiao and is still recovering from his injuries!"
Zhao Yan sighed, "The newly promoted grandmasters are still too weak."
"Aaaaah!! I'll chop you up!!!" Enraged by Zhao Yan and Zhao Hu's coordinated attack, He Biao hurled his large axe at the city wall.
Clang!
Zhao Hu swung his sword back, cleaving the great axe back.
Zhao Hu laughed, "You just throw away your tools of the trade like that, you're really impulsive! He Biao, my little darling, wasn't this how you stood on the city wall watching me back then? But that day... you only guarded it for less than an hour?"
He Biao moved forward, as if he wanted to throw himself up there.
Yang Qingzhi pulled him back and said, "Don't be impulsive."
Li Yunqing said, "When it comes to using dirty tricks to provoke people, we are no match for the Zhao family."
"Outrageous!" He Biao glared at the city wall, gritting his teeth, seething with hatred.
At this moment, a scout came running from behind and whispered in Yang Qingzhi's ear.
As he listened, Yang Qingzhi finally showed a look of joy.
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