Chapter 109 Patrolling the Streets
Strategic passes, easy to defend but difficult to attack.
Siege warfare.
With these factors combined, a protracted war is inevitable.
The attack lasted for several hours on the first day, but they did not use their full strength, nor did they intend to take the city in one fell swoop; it was more of a test.
After sounding the retreat and setting up camp, Cen Yan and several generals gathered in the main tent to discuss the matter.
"The prince has dampened their spirits and shaken their morale today. Li De has not appeared at the city gate since then, clearly showing his fear."
"They are well prepared; it will probably take them a while."
"This city is an important pass on the way to the capital. It has a steep terrain and walls that are specially built higher than those of ordinary cities. If they have enough hot water, hot oil and rolling stones, or if they use dirty tricks, such as pouring molten gold on the attacking soldiers, I'm afraid this battle will not be able to be won quickly and will become a war of attrition, which is not worth it."
"The Fourth Prince was trapped here because he was short of food and supplies. He was unable to take the city after a long siege and was eventually captured by reinforcements from elsewhere."
"That's not quite the right comparison. When the Fourth Prince raised his army, several military commanders in the capital had not yet sided with the Eighth Prince. It's clear that he won over another one along the way, which is why he received reinforcements..."
Everyone chimed in with their own comments, but Cen Yan only listened and didn't speak rashly.
Zhuang Dongqing followed Liu Qi and sat down behind Cen Yan. Liu Qi could understand everything, but it was a bit difficult for Zhuang Dongqing, especially when it came to professional military strategies and tactics. He was completely clueless when he heard the names.
However, since it was a test, neither side really showed their strength; the focus was on analyzing the enemy's capabilities.
After discussing for most of the hour, they made slight adjustments to the original plan and decided to continue the siege and probe the enemy tomorrow.
The people inside the main tent then dispersed.
Zhuang Dongqing sat upright, but his mind was already wandering far away.
When Li Yang left, she deliberately lagged behind by a step. Cen Yan saw them out, and after most of the people in front had left, Li Yang lowered her voice and asked, "Your Highness, did you deliberately move that arrow a few inches higher?"
Li Yang was right next to Cen Yan at the time and noticed that Cen Yan even raised his hand slightly at the end. If it weren't for that small gesture...
Cen Yan smiled and replied, "If it hits the helmet, wouldn't that be a laughing stock?"
Li Yang gazed at Cen Yan quietly for a moment, and Cen Yan returned the gaze with a smile.
"Farewell," Li Yang finally said, stepping back.
Cen Yan watched him leave.
In silence, Li Yang had already gotten the answer: Cen Yan had done it on purpose.
He said he wouldn't take the other's life, and indeed he showed mercy. But it's unknown whether Eighth Brother will be grateful to Cen Yan for letting him go today, or whether he would prefer everything to end with this arrow.
"Are you sleepy, Qingqing?"
"ah?"
Zhuang Dongqing was brought back to her senses by Cen Yan's words. She scratched her cheek and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I didn't understand and I can't offer any opinions. I just... drifted off without realizing it."
Cen Yan's smile became much more genuine. "It's alright, you're here to keep me company anyway."
That's true.
Zhuang Dongqing had his own tent, and his original plan was to stay in his tent the whole way, spend more time with the little one, and try not to come out as much as possible. However... his plan was good, but Cen Yan wanted to see him every day.
Of course, he didn't understand military affairs, but even just sitting next to Cen Yan made him feel happy.
Whether you're daydreaming or not, it doesn't matter where you are. Cen Yan liked it, so he became a decorative figure in the main tent.
With Liu Fu and Liu Qi around, he didn't even have to lift a finger to add tea or water.
Cen Yan sat down beside him, took Zhuang Dongqing's hand and kneaded it, asking in a low voice, "Are you hungry?"
When Cen Yan asked, Zhuang Dongqing touched her stomach and honestly replied, "Yes, a little."
"Today is the first day of the battle. The generals are discussing things in my tent. They've stayed a little longer, so dinner will be a little later. They'll be leaving in a bit."
"Oh, it's okay, just wait."
After he finished speaking, he saw Cen Yan turn his head, his back slightly bent, and look up at him.
The movements were subtle, and whether it was intentional or not, Zhuang Dongqing couldn't connect the Cen Yan in front of her with the decisive general from just now. Therefore, she felt no awe at all, and just felt that they were just getting along normally.
Cen Yan said gently, "You've had a long and tiring journey, Qingqing."
Zhuang Dongqing felt a little embarrassed. She was getting used to staying at the Prince's residence for so long, but she was also very tired…
Zhuang Dongqing: "Isn't everyone like that?"
Cen Yan placed Zhuang Dongqing's hand to his lips, kissed it, and whispered, "It's different."
The kisses landed on his fingertips, inexplicably burning, but Zhuang Dongqing did not pull his hand away.
Along the way, due to the limited environment, the two could not share a room. Cen Yan enjoyed these small moments of contact and would always come close to him whenever he had a spare moment, taking advantage of the time to talk to him and be affectionate.
Zhuang Dongqing wasn't disliked, and as a modern person, she was quite accepting of him, so she let it be.
Cen Yan: "Let's go find An'an. We can talk for a few minutes and then we can eat. Let's find something to do?"
Zhuang Dongqing said, "Aren't you going to rest for a while? You've been working hard all day."
Cen Yan laughed, leaned closer to hug Zhuang Dongqing, and murmured, "Then hug for a while."
As he spoke, Zhuang Dongqing was completely enveloped by the other person's aura.
"Hmm."
...
The campfire crackled, and groups of seven or eight people gathered around each other to eat.
Cen Yan and Zhuang Dongqing were not deliberately separated; they used the same utensils as the soldiers, although most of the people in their circle were servants from the Prince's residence.
"An'an, could you get Uncle Liu another bowl of soup?"
Liu Qi had just finished her work and arrived when she accidentally spilled the soup.
Cen An's meals were small and lacked oil and salt. He was also well-mannered, having been taught by Cen Yan and his grandmother. He never dawdled while eating and finished his food in just a few spoonfuls.
Seeing that the little one had finished eating, Zhuang Dongqing asked this question.
"Okay, An'an, wipe your mouth. Uncle Liu, wait a minute."
Liu Qi responded with a loving look in his eyes.
After having his grandma wipe his mouth, the little brat immediately ran off to find his Uncle Zhu.
Seeing that everyone was present, Cen Yan asked while eating, "How is it?"
Liu Qi reported everything.
Although the meetings with generals were always held in the main tent, the most important decisions were often made at such times.
There was no other way; not only were the people from the Prince's Mansion all around during mealtimes, but it also provided a natural opportunity for them to gather together and discuss matters without arousing suspicion from outsiders.
When Liu Qi's soup arrived, everything was settled in a few words. Liu Qi, Hao San, Xu Si, and Master Zhao would always put down their chopsticks first and then say a few words to Cen An'an. After everyone had finished eating, Zhuang Dongqing and Cen Yan took the little boy for a walk. After the walk, they sent him back to his tent in the center of the camp, where he lived with his grandmother.
Zhuang Dongqing was fine traveling with the army, but the little one had a hard time on the long journey.
Fortunately, Cen An was healthy and strong. He went everywhere in the manor, from muddy fields to small ponds. After he was able to run around, no one specifically restricted him from going there. His resistance was also good under free-range conditions. Although the journey was arduous, he didn't get sick.
These days will be a long battle, which is good for Cen An to take a break.
They chatted and laughed along the way, and met quite a few people. Cen An'an was so sweet in greeting people that no one disliked him.
After taking the baby back to the tent and wiping my hands and face, I was already incredibly sleepy.
When Cen Yanzhuang and Dong Qing returned to their tent, Liu Qi was already waiting inside, bringing important news.
“The people in the palace found an opportunity and said that the medicine would be used starting today.”
"Once there are signs of him waking up, someone will be sent to report."
Cen Yan: "How long did Master Zhao estimate it to be?"
Liu Qi: "At the latest, there will be a reaction in five or six days."
Cen Yan nodded, glanced at the city gate in the distance, and laughed, "He was away from the palace for only a few days, and he was already given an opportunity. It seems that his position as crown prince is not very secure."
"Perfect, let's play with him."
Zhuang Dongqing was unaware of Cen Yan's plan, but judging from the smile on his face, he must have a plan in mind.
*
The siege lasted for six days.
Cen Yan initially launched a normal daily siege, but after three days, he changed his strategy and began harassing the city day and night.
Sometimes, even when it was broad daylight, Cen Yan and his army were nowhere to be seen on the city wall.
He spent the whole morning in a state of high alert, but his energy had nowhere to go.
Sometimes, when the night was deep and the dew was heavy, everyone was sound asleep when suddenly the war drums sounded, and all the soldiers were called to guard the city. After they were fully equipped and ready to go, not many people came from the other side. After harassing the city once, they left. From a distance, it looked like there were not even a regiment of people. It was infuriating.
And sometimes, it's right around mealtimes...
In short, the attacks were mostly harassment with smoke bombs, but there were also some formal sieges interspersed among them.
After several rounds of this mix of deception and reality, the soldiers inside the city were exhausted.
In Zhuang Dongqing's mind, this was probably a "boy who cried wolf" strategy: first lower the enemy's guard, and then launch a decisive attack when the opportunity arises.
He's right.
On the morning of the seventh day, news came from the palace that Emperor Shengwu was showing signs of waking up.
Li Yang and Cen Yan exchanged a glance after hearing this. Cen Yan sighed, "Master Zhao said it would be five days at the latest, but it's already been seven days."
One can imagine how poor Emperor Shengwu's health was.
Li Yang was silent for a moment, but then said steadily, "Shouldn't we finish this quickly? Otherwise, when Father wakes up and sees his brothers fighting amongst themselves, it might worsen his condition."
This statement is both wrong and right, even if it sounds like it contains hidden ulterior motives.
Cen Yan glanced at Li Yang, and just as Li Yang thought there would be some mocking words, she heard instead: "That's right, answer like this if asked in the future."
Li Yang was in a daze.
Cen Yan, however, had already turned his attention to arranging the formal siege.
That night, a small detachment was sent to harass the city. When the army was at the city gates during the day, only one general glanced at them and did not take the army seriously at all.
But soon, the situation changed. Cen Yan's side began to use catapults, as well as ladders and grappling hooks.
After a stalemate of half an hour, with no sign of Cen Yan and his men retreating and their attacks growing increasingly fierce, the generals realized something was amiss. Shortly after, Li De climbed onto the city gate, peeked out to observe, and upon seeing Cen Yan, hurriedly left. Hao San, standing below the city, laughed loudly, saying that Li De was afraid of Cen Yan's arrows, which were not very harmful but extremely insulting.
The battle raged on until sunset without ceasing.
As Cen Yan said, Li De's position as crown prince was not secure, and the grain supplies that should have arrived were delayed.
Upon hearing this, Li De understood what was going on.
Although he was a prince of a different surname, he grew up in the capital and served as the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for many years.
Not taking sides means not taking sides.
But how could it be that there's absolutely no foundation?!
With a muttered curse, Li De gave the order to defend the city to the death.
The fire blazed brightly all night, and Cen Yan and his men ate and drank their fill, but Li De's men had been finding it hard to sleep lately.
At midnight, finally, the agile soldiers leaped onto the city wall, creating a breach. The men below followed, and in an instant, they tore a hole in the city gate's defenses. Cen Yan breathed a sigh of relief and took two steps forward on his horse.
He turned around and instructed, "No matter what, Qingqing, you will stay with Liu Qi tonight."
This is the second time I've said it.
Zhuang Dongqing nodded: "I know."
Cen Yan nodded in agreement and looked at the city gate again.
Once enough people were able to go up, Cen Yan said, "Hao San, take some men and open the city gate."
"yes."
The Prince's elite troops were quite different. Hao San and his team swiftly made their way up to the city gate. At this moment, Cen Yan also led his generals a short distance forward and were very close to the city gate. Everyone held their breath and waited quietly.
The sounds of fighting around him seemed to fade into the distance for a moment, and Zhuang Dongqing's focus was entirely on the city gate.
A cup of tea, no, it should be longer, the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, has passed.
The fighting on the city gates became a stalemate.
A night breeze blew by, and Zhuang Dongqing's forehead was covered in a light sweat from nervousness. Suddenly, there was a creaking sound—
The city gates have loosened.
Cen Yan immediately ordered the attackers to line up, with several men carrying horizontal logs together, divided into groups, and use the logs to ram the city gate.
With the combined efforts of both inside and outside forces, the city gate finally opened a crack.
When Hao San's figure appeared from inside the city gate, the gate was wide enough for a horse to pass through. Cen Yan glanced at Zhuang Dongqing again and received a tacit nod from the other party.
Cen Yan took the lead, raised his riding whip, and gave the order:
"rush!"
Our troops surged forward with unstoppable momentum.
Gradually, the city gates opened wide.
In contrast to Cen Yan's leaping forward on horseback, Zhuang Dongqing followed Liu Qi and retreated.
Immediately afterwards, soldiers rushed into the city gate in orderly and rapid rows, their heads surging in like water.
The city gate could no longer be closed.
When Li Yang passed by, Zhuang Dongqing stopped her, asking, "Why are you going in?"
Li Yang is not a soldier.
Li Yang replied, "I must guarantee that Eighth Brother is alive."
Zhuang Dongqing couldn't help but think of Cen Yan's recent crazy tendencies. When Li Yang mentioned it, he really started to worry, unsure if Cen Yan would act impulsively... Zhuang Dongqing let go, and Li Yang followed the main group into the city.
Zhuang Dongqing watched from outside the city as the sounds of fighting grew louder and flames soared into the sky inside the city gates.
The fire burned all night.
Zhuang Dongqing also stayed up all night with Liu Qi.
After daybreak, the noise finally subsided. Not long after, Xu Si reported that the city had been captured, Li De had escaped, and Cen Yan had led men to pursue him.
Zhuang Dongqing's heart skipped a beat.
But before they could worry too much, the people behind them came running up to report that the person had been caught and there was no need to worry.
Xu Si laughed and said, "Hahaha, Master was prepared for him to run away long ago. He really thought he could get away."
Zhuang Dongqing felt relieved.
Inside the city, when Cen Yan captured Li De alive, Li Yang was also by his side.
After binding the man hand and foot and gag him, Li Yang asked nervously, "How does Your Highness intend to deal with my eighth brother?"
Cen Yan chuckled and dismounted. "You treat him like your eighth brother? I can tell from the look in his eyes that he hates you to death."
Li Yang looked at Li De, whose eyes were fixed on her without blinking.
Cen Yan: "Do you know what this will be called from now on?"
Li Yang: "What?"
*Smack*
Before anyone could react, Cen Yan slapped Li De across the face, swift and deadly, yet his expression remained calm and composed. He didn't even flinch, and withdrew his hand, loudly proclaiming, "Disrespectful to elders, insubordinate to superiors."
Li Yang's pupils contracted.
Li De was also stunned by Cen Yan's slap. His first reaction was to turn his head and glare angrily. Then Li Yang saw what happened next—
*Smack*
The second slap landed on Li De's other cheek.
The force was so great that her cheeks quickly turned red.
They say you shouldn't hit someone in the face... Hmm, it seems Cen Yan is venting his anger.
Li Yang remained silent.
Li De realized what was happening, but he simply closed his eyes and refused to turn his face away, lest he bring shame upon himself.
Cen Yan was still a little disappointed, "You've already taught him a lesson so quickly, no wonder you're a member of the imperial family."
Li Yang: "..."
Regardless of all that, Li Yang repeated, "How does Your Highness intend to deal with this?"
Cen Yan walked around Li De a few steps and said calmly, "Why are you so nervous? I'm not going to eat him."
Li Yang: "..."
Li Yang could only say, "If there are any external injuries, when we reach Father Emperor..."
Cen Yan: "Don't worry, I never thought of taking the law into my own hands."
That's what they said, but as Cen Yan kept scrutinizing Li De, Li Yang couldn't put her mind at ease at all.
Cen Yan: "Now that we've caught them, we've purged these traitors. So... let's lock them up in cages, put them in shackles, and parade them through the streets back to the capital."
Li Yang was speechless.
Those paraded through the streets were mostly death row inmates, whose crimes were extremely heinous.
If Prince Li De were to be paraded through the streets in such a manner, then... if he were not executed, he would suffer such a great humiliation and would have no face left in the capital.
Li De whimpered as if he wanted to say something, but Cen Yan laughed and then slapped him a few more times.
Very hard.
The blows were so loud, Li Yang could feel the pain just listening to them.
But Li Yang's movements were extremely fast; by the time he wanted to say something, he had already finished hitting her and stopped.
Li Yang: "..."
Li Yang: "There's no need for such frequent lessons."
Cen Yan: "It's not good if they don't learn their lesson and remember it."
Knowing there was no room for negotiation, Li Yang only said what was important, "What's with parading him through the streets... He is, after all, a prince."
Cen Yan didn't shy away from the topic at all, and said with a smile, "That's right, it's a prince. The Sixth Prince was extremely worried and couldn't bear to kill his own brother, so he brought him back to the capital. However, the matter of poisoning His Majesty cannot be taken lightly. He may be spared the death penalty, but he can't escape punishment. So he used this method to vent his anger and teach the Eighth Prince a lesson."
They had even thought of the explanations for Li Yang.
"Even if you hit him too hard, he's fine. You were just worried about your father. His Majesty will understand when he wakes up."
"Besides,"
Cen Yan laughed, a laugh that sent chills down Li Yang's spine, and said, "Paralyzing the streets is great!"
Have you ever seen a prince paraded through the streets before ascending the throne?
Li Yang's heart skipped a beat.
Realizing it too late
Cen Yan intended to use this method to denigrate Li De!
Even if Li De isn't executed, having lost so much face and tarnished his reputation, who among the Emperor and officials would still favor and support such a prince? He's not a military general like Cen Yan, with troops at his disposal who can make a comeback...
Thinking of this, Li Yang's throat bobbed up and down, and he felt his mouth go dry.
Li De also realized the cruelty of the punishment and began to wail.
This time, Cen Yan didn't slap him. Instead, he smiled and watched him yell, as if he was enjoying it.
Li Yang swallowed, his thoughts drifting for a moment before returning to his senses, and said, "Then, let's do as Your Highness wishes."
"Let's do it this way."
He said it twice, as if the response wasn't to Cen Yan, but to his own hesitation.
Cen Yan replied decisively, "Okay."
Li De's wailing grew louder, and Li Yang couldn't bear to look at him, so she turned to discuss other matters with the people around her.
"Hao San, go ahead and greet Qingqing."
"yes."
"Cen Yan's voice came from the side."
After talking for a while, Li Yang finally realized something was wrong. Hadn't they already sent Commander Xu to welcome Zhuang Dongqing? Why were they sending Commander Hao instead...?
He looked up and saw the scene before him, and he was utterly shocked.
Before anyone knew it, Cen Yan had taken a bow and nocked an arrow.
"Your Highness!"
Li Yang's voice and Cen Yan's bow-drawing action occurred simultaneously.
Cen Yan seemed not to hear, but Li Yang said sharply, "You just said..."
"call out--"
The arrow leaves the bowstring.
Within a few steps, the arrow pierced deeply into Li De's left shoulder, and emerged from the other side of his body.
Li De instantly fainted.
After firing that arrow, Cen Yan seemed to regain his hearing, turned to look at Li Yang, and asked him in a calm tone, "What did I say?"
Li Yang's voice weakened as she watched blood gushing from Li De's shoulder, and she said with difficulty, "...You said you wouldn't use private torture."
Cen Yan glanced at Li De, then turned back with a frank expression, "That's right, no torture was used."
"Needle pricks, finger amputations, branding with iron bars, plus a brutal beating—where is the vigilante justice?"
Li Yang: "This arrow..."
"Oh, you mean this?"
Cen Yan handed the bow and arrows to the attendant, smiled, and smiled so much that Li Yang could hardly look at him.
"This is what he owes me."
Suddenly, his gaze fixed on Li Yang, and Cen Yan said expressionlessly, "You said before that you would hand the person over to me to deal with."
"Now, there shouldn't be any external injuries."
"Since the Sixth Prince is so kind-hearted, why not just release him and give him the chair along with him? What do you think?"
Li Yang was speechless.
Cen Yan: "You're taking advantage of my kindness and going back on your word. Who do you take me for?!"
Li Yang took a deep breath, but couldn't exhale.
Cen Yan quickly relaxed his brows and reassured her, "Relax, everything's fine now. I've got what I wanted."
Only after Cen Yan spoke did Li Yang realize that she was holding her breath.
Just as Li Yang was wondering why Cen Yan, who seemed about to have an outburst, suddenly changed his expression and looked up again, she understood.
Hao San led Zhuang Dongqing over.
Cen Yan approached Li Yang, then walked past him to greet Zhuang Dongqing.
As they passed each other, Li Yang heard two low words, which she squeezed out through clenched teeth without moving her lips.
That's how it is.
"If you keep arguing, I might hold you accountable."
Li Yang: "..."
By the time Li Yang had composed herself, Cen Yan had already led Zhuang Dongqing to see Li De.
"How did he get shot by an arrow?"
Li Yang heard Zhuang Dongqing's voice and asked.
Cen Yan: "He was shot off his horse during the pursuit. That's how war is; swords have no eyes."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Oh, that's true."
Li Yang: "..."
very good.
Now he knew how to explain the arrow wound when he returned to the capital.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
