Two hundred and fifty thousand troops, en route to Longxi County, taking the shortest path, marching urgently, both day and night. Even at the quickest, it would take half a month.
As they left Nanping City and traveled a few dozen miles out, Su Rong felt this would not be enough. By the time they brought the reinforcements, Longxi County would already be conquered, and Zhang Ping might have led his troops directly into the Capital City. All they could do was chase after Zhang Ping’s tail.
She said to Zhou Gu, "You and your third brother, take a hundred thousand troops and go ahead."
Zhou Gu also felt this would not be enough, but as he pondered what to do, hearing Su Rong’s words made him turn towards her.
Su Rong said to him, "There aren’t any great generals in the Imperial Court capable of leading the troops. Although your eldest brother, despite being the crown prince and having grown up among soldiers since a very young age, lacks experience on the battlefield. If he confronted Zhang Ping, it wouldn’t guarantee a victory, especially under the circumstances where we have fewer forces. Therefore, the Crown Prince wouldn’t be entrusted with this great responsibility as there would be fear and worry. After all, Zhang Ping is crafty and cunning, so the Crown Prince would intend to lead the troops personally against Zhang Ping. But the Imperial Court officials would definitely disagree. If the Crown Prince were to leave the Capital City, no one else could hold back any potential turmoil. Considering the present emperor’s poor health and the officials’ lack of faith in him, the one who’d lead the troops in the end... would be... "
"My grandfather," Zhou Gu interjected. "My grandfather, despite his age, is robust. He has seen more than Zhang Ping ever has. If he goes into battle, fear is not an option."
Su Rong nodded, "Right, it should be the elderly Duke leading the troops. However, the Duke’s age is a concern, and given his past experiences and the harsh cold weather now, I’m afraid he wouldn’t be able to cope with the continuous travel and forced marching. Zhang Ping has two hundred and fifty thousand soldiers, while the Imperial Court estimates at most only two hundred thousand. Zhang Ping is well-prepared while the Imperial Court hastily mobilizes troops... "
"The Emperor’s hundred thousand Jinglu Troops, they merely make up the numbers. They’ve been spoiled over the years and are of limited use," Zhou Gu added.
"That’s just it. Therefore, you need to go," Su Rong said as she pulled out a map, spread it open, "Take the shortcut to Changzhou."
Zhou Gu looked down at the map in Su Rong’s hand, contemplated for a moment, and nodded. "You’re right. Longxi is probably already conquered by now. Going to Longxi may just mean chasing after Zhang Ping. But if we make directly for Changzhou, that would be different. We might be able to rendezvous with my grandfather in time."
Su Rong nodded, handed him the map. "Take this, and get going."
Zhou Gu took the map, folded it, tucked it inside his shirt, and pulled Su Rong towards him for a kiss.
Su Rong slapped him twice, and Zhou Gu let her go, whispering by her mouth. "Take care while I’m gone. Don’t let Fen Ling leave your side."
"I know," Su Rong answered lightly.
Zhou Gu released her, turned around, was about to jump off the horse carriage when Su Rong pulled him back, made him lie down, and her hand boldly plunged into his collar.
Zhou Gu was startled, drawing a gasping breath.
Seeing her kiss along his throat, Zhou Gu involuntarily stilled his breath. She didn’t hesitate to kiss him firmly several times, and her wandering hands caused Zhou Gu to involuntarily tremble. Only then did she release him. "Now, go!"
Zhou Gu grabbed her hand tightly, his voice hoarse, "How am I supposed to leave now?"
How could he leave in this state?
Su Rong doused his fire, "Hurry and save your grandfather, the old Duke is waiting for your help."
The heat flooding Zhou Gu’s body subsided instantly. He sat up, glared at Su Rong, pinched her face with a hand. He wanted to pinch her hard, yet he couldn’t bear to do it and just gave her a disgruntled pinch, calling her a "naughty thing."
Su Rong raised her eyebrows at him and retorted, "I learned from you."
Zhou Gu laughed in spite of his annoyance, threatened her, "You just wait."
Su Rong flashed a smile, "Sure."
Wait then, who’s afraid we’re playing chicken.
With dissatisfaction lingering, Zhou Gu pulled her into his embrace, kissed her a few more times, then let her go. Clenching his teeth, he jumped down from the horse carriage.
Su Rong licked the corner of her mouth, pulled the curtain open, and looked outside.
As soon as Zhou Gu got off the carriage, he immediately adjusted his collar and ordered in a deep voice, "Ziye, bring me my horse."
Ziye had been following the carriage and promptly stepped forward, leading Zhou Gu’s horse to him.
Zhou Gu got on his horse and rode to the back to find Zhou Che.
Ziye hurriedly followed.
Su Rong watched from the curtain as the two men moved away. Soon, Zhou Che led a hundred thousand soldiers and, together with Zhou Gu, they turned onto a different path, parting ways with Su Rong at the fork in the road up ahead.
Fen Ling rode his horse to the front of the carriage, "Sis, Brother-in-law took the troops on another route? Where did they go?"
"Changzhou."
Fen Ling blinked, "Changzhou, huh? It’s a shortcut, you could get there in five days."
Su Rong made an acknowledging hum, let the curtain fall and retreated back into the carriage. She grabbed a blanket, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.
Fen Ling used to follow Su Rong, whether she was riding a horse or sitting in a horse carriage, but he felt embarrassed to do so now. However, riding a horse in such cold weather was unbearable. He slowed down, lagging behind to where Zhang Mao’s carriage was and knocked on its body.
Zhang Mao promptly lifted the curtain, "Master Feng, what can I do for you?"
Fen Ling peered inside, seeing Zhang Mao and Ning Ze sharing the carriage. Due to Zhang Mao’s leg injury, he had to keep his leg straight, taking up most of the carriage space. Adding Ning Ze to the mix, it was a tight fit. He gave up, "Nothing."
He fell back a few paces and knocked on Jiang Zhu’s carriage.
Jiang Zhu slowly opened the curtain, looked intrigued, "Master Feng?"
Seeing only Jiang Zhu in the carriage and how comfortably it was rearranged, Fen Ling didn’t stand on ceremony and promptly dismounted, quickly climbed into Jiang Zhu’s carriage, "Master Jiang, I’m just borrowing some room."
Jiang Zhu, with a faint smile, "Master Feng, no need to be polite, please."
Fen Ling settled with a comfortable posture, rubbing his hands together. "It’s too cold to ride a horse, it’s suffering. My sister’s carriage is the most comfortable, but due to the circumstances, I can’t share carriage with her anymore. Last time I whispered a few words to my sister, my brother-in-law didn’t say anything on the spot, but later during a sword practice, he was ruthless. Ah, I’m afraid I’ll have to impose on Master Jiang."
While speaking, he expressed a hint of regret, "People with marriage agreements really are different, untouchable."
Jiang Zhu could understand, as he had witnessed Zhou Gu’s domineering and protective nature before he met Su Rong. It was intimidating and unmerciful, to say the least. He couldn’t help but laugh, "Although Brother Zhou is young, anyone who dares to provoke him is truly fearless."
Fen Ling kept nodding. "You got it."
He whispered, "Everyone else can’t provoke him, but my sister can. Once, my sister bullied him .... Ah, now it’s the other way around, how the tables have turned."
Jiang Zhu, being smart, knew that he was referring to the time when the engagement was broken. He said softly, "Brother Feng, tell me more about the Second Young Master Ye from Nanchu, so that I have some understanding. After all, he is someone we would be dealing with in future."
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