Chapter 148 Birthday
Sun Wei asked, "So, the Crown Prince wants to face Huan Yi head-on?"
"That's the plan," Sima Jun said. "What do you think, Madam?"
"Not much," Sun Wei said bluntly. "Jiangzhou's troops were only barely comparable to Jingzhou's. But last year, Kuaiji borrowed 10,000, and today another 5,000 have gone. The Jiangzhou camp is left with just over 30,000 soldiers. Xunyang's defenses are strong, but with Huan Yi's army approaching, a bloody battle is inevitable. Even if the Crown Prince defeats the enemy with a smaller force, this battle will be of no benefit. Therefore, I believe it's best for the Crown Prince to avoid fighting."
Sima Jun said, "According to what Madam said, if there is no benefit to be gained from a battle, then we cannot fight it, right?"
"Exactly. In today's world, anyone who controls an army will do everything in their power to preserve their strength. Huan Yi is unwise, and he will suffer the consequences. Why would the Crown Prince engage in a business that would hurt both sides?"
"That being said, it was Huan Yi who came looking for me this time. As a defending general, I have no choice but to fight back."
Sun Wei was furious when she saw Sima Jun's stubborn attitude.
This disaster was caused by Wang Huan's dispute and had nothing to do with him, but he jumped into the mess like a fool.
How did Sima Jun lose to Lü Qiuyan in his previous life? Wasn't it because he was repeatedly tormented by internal and external troubles, which greatly weakened his strength and made him unable to recover?
Sun Wei stared at Sima Jun's calm expression, and felt more and more that either this man was too stupid, or she had missed something.
"Does the Queen Mother know about this?" She asked, suppressing her emotions.
Sima Jun asked, "Madam, why are you suddenly asking about the Queen Mother?"
"The Queen Mother and Wang Han went to great lengths to infuriate Huan Yi over the choice of Crown Princess, and then refused to appease him. Now that something has happened, they're asking the Crown Prince to bear the consequences. The Queen Mother keeps saying this is for the Crown Prince's good, but does she realize the extent of this disaster?"
Sima Jun looked at Sun Wei with a profound expression.
"Madam, are you speaking up for me?" he asked.
"I am on the same boat with the Crown Prince. If he is harmed, I am not immune either." Sun Wei said solemnly, "I think the Crown Prince should write a letter explaining the pros and cons of this matter and present it to the Queen Mother."
Sima Jun disagreed.
"The Empress Dowager has her own concerns," he said calmly. "She handed Jiangzhou over to the Prince of Yuzhang's Palace so that they could guard the capital's gates. Now that Huan Yi is about to lead his troops into the capital, how could I have the heart to avoid her and openly neglect my duties?"
Sun Wei couldn't help it and frowned.
"Have you never been afraid, Your Highness?" she asked. "The Jingzhou army is renowned for its fighting prowess. Huan Yi uses it as a ceremonial guard, even disregarding the imperial court. Since he launched this war, he must have gone all out. Has Your Highness never considered that you might not be able to cope?"
"I'm destined to have no way out in this life. Fear can't save me," Sima Jun said. "I've understood this principle since I joined the army. Therefore, I've long developed the habit of not imagining defeat, but focusing solely on how to win."
They looked at each other, neither of them giving in.
Sun Wei couldn't help but think of the last words Sima Jun said before he died in his previous life.
Until then, he had never shown any fear and only told her that he was tired.
"So, the prince has already figured out how to respond to the challenge?" Sun Wei asked after a while.
"As Madam said, we should do our best to protect ourselves in this battle and not force a fight," Sima Jun said. "Therefore, I plan to take advantage of their unpreparedness and launch a surprise attack on Jiangxia. If we can capture Xiakou first, we can use the geographical advantage to intimidate Jingzhou. By then, the Jingzhou army will have a tremendous effort just to leave Jingzhou. Then, I will mobilize the troops of the Northern Palace and ambush them along the coast of Yuzhou. Huan Yi will lose half of his forces before he enters the capital. Jiankang still has the Imperial Guards and the Northern Palace, so it won't be difficult to deal with this battle."
Sun Wei thought about it and decided that if this battle had to be fought, this was the only way.
"This battle hinges on timing. The most crucial factor is the opportunity to seize Xiakou," Sun Wei said. "It would be inappropriate to attack before Huan Yi mobilizes his troops. This would give him a reason to do so."
Sima Jun nodded. "So the time has not come yet. Until then, I can only prepare for war and hold my troops in place."
"What are your plans for the next few days, Prince?" Sun Wei asked.
"I've been away from Jiangzhou for a while, and I don't know if the city defenses have been completed on time. Tomorrow, I'll go to Wuchang County for an inspection and return before my wife's birthday."
"It doesn't matter whether it's your birthday or not." Sun Wei said, "If the prince is busy, he doesn't need to come back."
Sima Jun looked at her: "Madam, you seem to have no expectations for this birthday?"
"What to look forward to?"
"If I remember correctly, my lady is eighteen years old this year," he said. "I heard that in Lingnan, a girl's eighteenth birthday is celebrated with great fanfare."
Sun Wei felt a little embarrassed.
Lingnan does have such a custom, but to her, it is nothing special.
In her previous life, her family was poor and her parents favored her younger brother. Her eighteenth birthday was no different from any other day except for a new dish on the table.
After marrying Sima Jun, she was able to celebrate her birthday with great fanfare every year, but he would often be away for months at a time, never even coming home, let alone celebrating her birthday. Even when her birthdays were packed with guests, she always felt like it was all for show, a tool to show the world her stability as Princess Yuzhang.
What good is a birthday? If no one truly wishes her to live another year, then feasting on delicious food is nothing more than ordinary self-entertainment.
"It's not that I don't like it." Sun Wei said, "I'm just waiting for the prince to return so we can celebrate together."
That day, Sima Jun set off for Wuchang County.
But after three days, Sima Jun still hadn't returned.
Wuchang County is not far away, and if it is just an inspection, it won’t take that long.
Sun Wei asked Deng Lian, "Who is in charge of the Jiangzhou Military Headquarters now?"
Deng Lian said, "Princess, Chief Yang has led his troops to Kuaiji. For the time being, Tian Ying, despite his injuries, will be in charge."
Sun Wei pondered for a moment and said, "Please ask Sima Deng to pass on a message for me and have Tian Ying send someone to Wuchang County to inquire about the situation and see how the Crown Prince's inspection is going."
Deng Lian agreed.
Sun Wei waited from morning till night, but received no news from Tian Ying, but unexpectedly received news from Huan An.
"I heard from Chief Steward Yu that the princess' birthday is coming soon, so I came to offer my congratulations." After greeting him, Huan An said, "I wonder if there's anything I can do for you. I'll do my best."
"General, you are very thoughtful. Since you are in mourning, keep things simple. It's nothing serious." Sun Wei said kindly, "I wonder if the general is feeling better after two days of rest?"
"Thanks to the princess, I'm feeling much better now," Huan An said. "I'm preparing to leave for Kuaiji tomorrow."
Sun Wei was surprised. "So soon? General, you've only been recuperating for two days, so you must not be fully recovered yet. But stay a few more days, and wait until my birthday is over before leaving. Then, you can go to Kuaiji with the Crown Prince."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
