Zhao Shi'an put down his chopsticks and took out a small note from the mailbox.
There was only one short line of text written on it.
—Meng Ran and his 20,000 private soldiers were not in the army for several days.
After reading the note, Zhao Shi'an frowned slightly.
"How many troops are there in the southwest?" Zhao Shi'an asked Xiao Liu.
"Nearly 100,000 soldiers and horses."
How many are left now?
Even after accounting for losses, it still amounts to nearly 100,000.
"There have been no recent troop movements in the southwest?"
Xiao Liu hesitated for a moment and then shook his head.
"No, we have people planted over there. We should be notified if there is any movement."
As they were talking, Fang Qing had already picked up the note to examine it.
"Did Gao Ren send this?"
Xiao Liu should be.
Fang Qing looked at Zhao Shi'an and said, "Is it possible that the 20,000 private soldiers mentioned in Gao Ren's note were being kept elsewhere, and the people from Fengyulou didn't notice them in the Southwest military camp?"
Zhao Shi'an and Xiao Liu both looked at Fang Qing.
"broken."
Zhao Shi'an stood up and said as he walked out, "Meng Ran may have already led his 20,000 private soldiers on a detour to the capital."
He had already walked out of the tent when he finished speaking, and Xiao Liu hurriedly followed.
Fang Qing also realized the seriousness of the situation.
The forces in the capital were already insufficient compared to the troops from all directions, let alone with the Eighth Prince bringing out most of the capital's troops.
If Meng Ran were to lead these 20,000 troops all the way to the capital to join Princess Wu'an, then it would truly become a chaotic world.
That very evening, Zhao Shi'an gathered 10,000 troops to lead back to the capital.
This task could have been left to other soldiers, but we must also be wary of the southwest region.
Zhao Shi'an had a long private conversation with the Eighth Prince, leaving behind a few people from Fengyulou. He also told the Eighth Prince about all the stakes that had been installed and dismantled in the southwest. Then, that very night, he led his troops north.
Fang Qing helped Zhao Shi'an pack his things quickly.
"Qing'er, I'm going back to the capital first. I'll leave Seventeen with you. He'll arrange for someone to take you home another day."
At this time, Fang Qing naturally wouldn't cause trouble for Zhao Shi'an, so she nodded in agreement.
Zhao Shi'an led 10,000 troops away, traveling through the night without causing much of a commotion. However, the Yizhou authorities still received the news and launched a second attack on them.
This time, the commander was Luo Ru, a subordinate of Meng Ran. He was brave and skilled in battle and was the number one general in the Southwest.
This battle was extremely difficult, and in the end, neither side could determine a winner; instead, countless people were killed or wounded.
Fang Qing was helping out at the military medical station. She was terrified to see the wounded being carried in and out, but she couldn't just abandon them.
After several days of busy work, they received news that Zhao Shi'an had traveled overnight to the capital and intercepted Meng Ran's 20,000-strong army outside the capital.
A real war is about to break out.
Seeing Fang Qing going in and out of the military medical center every day without any intention of leaving, Shiqi became anxious.
"Young lady, our men are all ready. When would be a good time to escort you away from here?"
Fang Qing was helping the military doctor make ointment and didn't even look up when she heard this.
"In a couple of days."
"But Master said..."
"Going back now might not be safe. We should wait until things stabilize in the capital."
Although the war has not yet escalated, there are no shortage of evil people taking advantage of the turmoil to cause chaos, so the road will not be very safe.
Seventeen tried to persuade Fang Qing, but Fang Qing waved to him instead.
"If you have nothing to do, come and help me develop medicinal herbs."
Seventeen had no choice but to sit down and help her, though she had unspeakable bitterness in her heart.
The master has already written to urge them to escort the young lady back, but Fang Qing is still here. If the master finds out, they will definitely be the ones punished.
Just as Seventeen was thinking about how to persuade Fang Qing, a commotion of footsteps came from outside, and many people were calling out for the military doctor.
Fang Qing glanced outside and said to Seventeen, "Go out and take a look."
Seventeen went out to take a look and saw Huo Zhun rushing into the military doctor's tent, and then the military doctor was pulled out by Huo Zhun.
"Hurry! Our general is seriously injured. Can you afford to delay his treatment?"
Huo Zhun practically carried the military doctor out, and when they passed the tent where Fang Qing was staying, Seventeen stopped them.
"What's wrong?"
Huo Zhun didn't have time to reply to him and walked out with the military doctor. However, the deputy general behind him said that the Eighth Prince had been injured by an assassin.
Fang Qing heard the commotion outside and came out of the house.
"This assassin sneaked in and attempted to assassinate our general while we were changing his water."
"Oh dear, I can't talk to you any longer. We need to hurry over and check on the general's condition."
After they had walked a distance, Seventeen turned back to Fang Qing and said, "It seems that the Eighth Prince was assassinated."
"Is there no one by the Eighth Prince's side?"
How could a military commander, and a prince of such high status as the Eighth Prince, not have anyone assigned to protect him?
"Go and see how the Eighth Prince is doing now?"
Seventeen hurried over and arrived shortly after.
"The Eighth Prince's tent was completely surrounded by Huo Zhun's men. Not even a fly could get in. They wouldn't let anyone in to see the Eighth Prince. However, according to Huo Zhun's men, the Eighth Prince was seriously injured. A dagger pierced directly into the Eighth Prince's chest."
Fang Qing's heart skipped a beat.
"What about the assassin?"
"The assassin was killed on the spot by the Eighth Prince."
He stabbed me in the chest; it's probably not a good sign.
The news spread throughout the military camp in no time. Everyone knew that the Eighth Prince's life was in danger after being assassinated. With their commander in trouble, the entire military camp would be in turmoil, which was great news for the enemy.
Even as night fell, no one was seen at the Eighth Prince's camp.
To make it easier for Fang Qing to help the military medical battalion, she moved her tent here, and at night she could hear the painful cries of the wounded soldiers not far away.
Fang Qing couldn't sleep soundly, and neither could anyone else in the tent.
The Southwest Army, aware of their situation, has amassed its troops and is poised for action. Unfortunately, the Eighth Prince's side lacks a leader to take charge, leaving the military camp without a backbone. If war were to break out now, victory would be impossible.
Fang Qing couldn't sleep, so she called Xiao Dou out.
"How is the Eighth Prince?"
【ah?】
Xiaodou was a little confused when she was suddenly called out.
"How can you still be so calm? War is about to break out. What if the world descends into chaos?"
Fang Qing sat up excitedly.
"Quickly, check on the Eighth Prince's condition! What should we do if the enemy attacks?"
Fang Qing finished speaking, and Xiao Dou quickly checked the system. Before she could finish, a sound came from outside the tent.
"Miss Fang, are you asleep? The Eighth Prince requests your presence."
"What are you shouting for? Our girl is already asleep."
Seventeen stopped the person who came to deliver the message, and Fang Qing came out.
"How is the Eighth Prince?"
"I don't know, but General Huo instructed me to pass on this message."
"I'll be right there."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
