A massive army of 100,000 marched westward in a grand procession.
The army marched on, bathed in the spring sunshine.
After marching for half a month, the army arrived at a place a hundred miles away from the border between Daqi and Xiqiu.
Yuan Yuan ordered his army to set up camp under cover of night.
Xiqiu dispatched a full 200,000 troops to press on the border.
After crossing several mountain ranges, you'll reach the Xiqiu military camp.
For half a month, neither side made a move.
For ten days or so, after Xiqiu lowered its guard, Yuan Yuan launched a surprise attack that night, sending a troop of cavalry to strike Xiqiu unexpectedly during the continuous rain.
One of the granaries in Xiqiu was emptied.
Tens of thousands of kilograms of beef jerky were moved back to the Xiling Army camp.
One hundred thousand imperial guards each received a small share.
A young imperial guard, dressed in armor and wearing an imperial guard hat, bent down to deliver the beef jerky. After putting it down, he was about to leave.
Yuan Yuan removed his armor, dressed in light robes, and stood in the tent looking at a map while holding a cup of tea.
Yuan Yuan's ears twitched, and he called out to the young imperial guard, "Stop."
Upon hearing his voice, the young imperial guard stiffened.
Yuan Yuan didn't turn around, but asked, "What are you doing here?"
The young imperial guard shuddered, lowered his voice, and said in a rough tone, "Reporting to the general, I've come to bring you food!"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Yuan smiled.
He slowly turned around and looked at the young imperial guard whose head was lowered and whose head was smaller than his hat: "Liu Yue, is the military camp fun?"
Junior Imperial Guard: "!!!"
She looked up, her face flushed, and exclaimed, "Ah... Ah Yuan, you... how did you know it was me?!"
She hid it so well!
The hat was askew, and Liuyue hurriedly went to fix it.
Yuan Yuan raised his hand, took off her hat, and placed it in her arms: "Don't wear it anymore."
Liu Yue blushed and stammered as she looked up, "A Yuan, I...I'm sorry, I just wanted to come to the military camp to gain some experience..."
I also watched him from afar.
However, there are some things she cannot say.
She's a princess; she can't be too willful.
Leaving the palace and disguising herself as a soldier to infiltrate the military camp was the most outrageous thing Liu Yue had ever done in her life.
Today, she only secretly came to see him because A-Yuan hadn't left his military tent for several days and she was worried...
Unexpectedly, I was caught red-handed!
Liu Yue felt extremely guilty: "A Yuan... how did you know it was me?"
"Guess?" Yuan Yuan looked at her.
Liu Yue stuck out her tongue: "A Yuan, you're so amazing, you must have noticed that my movements were different from the other Imperial Guards, right?"
Yuan Yuan put down his teacup, poured himself a cup of tea, and handed it to Liu Yue: "Tonight, I will send someone to escort you back to the capital."
Back to Beijing?
Liu Yue was stunned for a moment, then shook her head: "A Yuan, I'm not going back!"
"Listen to me." Yuan Yuan frowned.
Liuyue bit her lip.
She took a deep breath before looking up and asking, "A-Yuan, how can you guarantee that I can return to the capital safely?"
Rather than that, it would be better to keep me by your side.
You know me. Although I grew up in the cold palace, I can take good care of myself and have my own opinions.
I've been secretly practicing martial arts for quite some time now; it's better for me to stay here.
Yuan Yuan: "..."
He sighed almost imperceptibly: "Liuyue, on the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; people will die."
"I'm not afraid!" Liu Yue met his gaze, her eyes dark and bright: "A Yuan, I am the princess of Da Qi!"
The Ministry of War only gave you 100,000 troops. I'll stay behind; maybe I can help you someday.
Furthermore, returning to Beijing from here is a long and arduous journey through mountains, far more dangerous than staying behind!
Yuan Yuan: "..."
He looked at the thin but not delicate girl in front of him, feeling somewhat helpless.
Liuyue is stubborn.
Moreover, she has her own strong opinions...
"Alright then." Yuan Yuan handed over a teacup: "From today onwards, you will stay by my side and try not to stray too far from me."
Liu Yue couldn't have it!
She said happily, "Then, I'll be A Yuan's little soldier! A Yuan, don't worry, I won't hold you back!"
And I will definitely protect myself and return victorious with you!
"Mm." Yuan Yuan nodded.
Since her identity was exposed, Liu Yue has been openly entering and leaving Yuan Yuan's military tent, serving tea and water every day.
Although she was a princess, she thoroughly enjoyed doing this kind of thing.
After the start of summer, the weather gets hotter day by day.
News came from the capital that the Great Qi Kingdom was experiencing continuous torrential rains, and several cities in the south were suffering from floods, causing great hardship to the people.
Xiqiu, having also received the news, began to get restless and frequently sent people to harass the border.
Fighting against overwhelming odds is not Yuan Yuan's style.
With limited troops at our disposal, we cannot afford a direct confrontation.
Xiqiu, perhaps in an effort to boost morale, actually sent a prince to lead the troops!
After much deliberation, Yuan Yuan decided to personally lead a small team deep behind enemy lines to take the head of the Prince of Xiqiu!
After the decision was made, Yuan Yuan began preparations.
He led only twenty men and set off under the cover of night...
After nightfall, the temperature in the mountains is extremely low.
After it rained, it was so cold that water would almost freeze instantly.
Twenty-one people braved the rain and continued on their way.
The mountains were quiet.
The journey was unusually quiet.
It was eerily quiet.
After climbing two mountains, Yuan Yuan finally realized that something was wrong.
He gestured: "Lie down!"
A member of the Imperial Guard looked up: "General..."
"Shh..." Yuan Yuan said.
He finally realized that something was wrong.
quiet!
It's so quiet!
It was eerily quiet!
Why is the mountain air so quiet on a summer night?
Something is definitely amiss!
Yuan Yuan lowered his voice: "Retreat! Retreat quickly!"
However, it was too late!
Down the mountain, faint firelight flickered.
The voices are getting closer!
Yuan Yuan glanced at the dark night and lowered his voice: "Retreat! Quickly!"
The steep mountains are covered with thorns.
Every step was extremely difficult.
The only advantage is that it's easy to hide!
Yuan Yuan glanced around briefly and decisively said, "Scatter! Quickly!"
The men he brought tonight were all highly trained.
Upon receiving the order, the twenty men immediately scattered in all directions...
Yuan Yuan gritted his teeth and walked in another direction.
Soon, he heard a sound from behind a thicket of thorns.
A soldier from Xiqiu grabbed a member of the Qi Imperial Guard and sneered, "You little bastard, we've been waiting for you for over ten days, and we've finally caught you!"
You didn't expect that, did you? We won by lying in wait...
Xiqiu, have they been waiting for them for more than ten days?
Yuan Yuan's eyes darkened.
It seems he underestimated the prince of Xiqiu.
This was the first time he had ever stumbled while leading troops for so long.
Watching the Xiqiu soldiers continue their search of the mountains, Yuan Yuan gripped his sword hilt, lifted his foot, and disappeared into the night...
For three whole days, the tent of the Xiling Army general was not opened even once.
Liu Yue's eyelids had been twitching for three days, and she finally couldn't sit still any longer!
She found the lieutenant and said, "I'm going to find A-Yuan!"
The lieutenant already knew Liu Yue's identity, and upon hearing her words, he was extremely embarrassed: "Your Highness is of noble birth..."
"I want to go!" Liu Yue insisted. "Take me there!"
The deputy general was quite helpless.
Just then, someone came to report: "Report... Xiqiu has come with a message, saying... saying..."
"What did you say?" Liu Yue grabbed her sword and left the military tent.
The imperial guard choked, lowering his voice: "A message from Xiqiu says they've captured His Highness..."
Ah Yuan has been arrested?
Liu Yue was shocked: "How could this be?"
How did the news leak?!
The Western Ling Army has spies in its ranks?!
The imperial guard choked up and lowered his head, saying, "The people of Xiqiu say that if they want His Majesty to be safe and sound, they should send a general with influence to ransom the people!"
"Wow!"
Without even thinking, Liuyue spoke up.
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