Chapter 97 [VIP]
This is……
This supply wagon wasn't carrying arrows, but rather, iron!
It was a whole train full of iron.
Even Gu Zhizhuo couldn't hide the ecstasy on her face. She held the iron in her hands, and in her eyes, this cartload of iron was more precious than gold.
Very good.
That was a worthwhile job.
Gu Zhizhuo waved his arm excitedly and said, "Take them all! They're all ours!"
"As a reward for your merits, each of you will receive an extra thousand arrows."
Wow!
The soldiers cheered, their enthusiasm growing even stronger.
They wrapped the charred boxes in fire-resistant cloth, placed them on a cart, and had horses pull it back and forth.
They were few in number and had no supply wagons, so it was impossible for them to take the arrows back directly. Therefore, they hid them in a nearby cave.
The caves were also on Lu Jinyi's map. Of course, Lu Jinyi couldn't possibly draw all the caves on every mountain, but those that he could include in his painting must be extremely well hidden.
The soldiers dared not delay, hurriedly transporting the arrows to the cave and hiding them all before returning the way they came. The first rays of dawn did not rise until then.
The effects of the incense are short-lived, especially in spacious and well-ventilated areas where it dissipates even faster.
About an hour later, Pang Yi woke up, having been woken up by the captain.
He first shook his dizzy head, then pinched his temples, his body feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds, making it difficult to move.
He stared blankly, wondering: What happened?
Oh, right!
Pang Yi was a few beats slow to react before he finally realized what was happening, and he quickly looked around.
The other soldiers gradually regained consciousness, and like him, they rubbed their foreheads in agony, or rested their heads on their knees, groaning in pain.
It was already broad daylight, and the visibility was excellent. When Pang Yi looked into the distance, his heart almost stopped.
A bone-chilling coldness surged up from my back and spread throughout my internal organs.
Arrows!
The arrows are gone.
As far as the eye could see, there were only charred supply wagons; nothing else remained.
It’s over!
Pang Yi collapsed to the ground; his future was over.
"Aaaaaah!"
He clutched his head with both hands, hysterically venting, "That despicable Gu Yican, if you have any guts, don't hide! You're always resorting to thievery and deception. Die, die!"
His face was ashen, and he looked listless because of the intoxicating fragrance.
The retreat from the very beginning was a mistake, and not right at all. Even without the retreat, they would have still lost. It was the smoke...
He hesitated for a moment before realizing, "The cigarette is the problem."
The retreat was the right thing to do. If they had run further away, they might have been able to save the arrows once the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Army were brought in.
But it's no use saying these things now.
"Captain, Captain."
"Ugh, Gu Yican, that scoundrel..."
"Captain!"
He raised his voice: "We must report back to the admiral quickly, or we're doomed."
The word "death" sent a shiver down Pang Yi's spine. He struggled to his feet and hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, I must report this quickly!"
He couldn't care less about anything else, including the soldiers all around him. He struggled to his feet, his limbs aching, and mounted his horse, galloping wildly towards the Fifth Army Camp.
Admiral Gong is waiting for this batch of arrows; he must be at the Fifth Army Camp right now!
So, just as Gong Hai woke up, he was struck by a bolt of lightning that left his limbs numb.
He immediately summoned Pang Yi, and after learning the reason, he was certain without hesitation that he had been tricked by Gu Yican.
From beginning to end, Gu Yican's goal was not the grain supplies, but this batch of arrows.
A full ten million arrows!
He used a feint attack to the east while striking in the west, and a retreat as a means of advance, manipulating himself completely.
Gong Hai asked one last time, "Are you sure you saw Gu Yican?"
"Yes, yes."
"You will come to the palace with me."
"Enter the palace?" Pang Yi trembled in fright.
Gong Hai didn't need his consent; he left the tent first and told the deputy general who had come upon hearing the news, "The ambush is canceled."
Now that it's been exposed as a trap, why would Gu Yican walk right into it? He would only make a fool of himself.
"Let the Third Prince stay in the camp. Liu Guangming, you help him out. Show him around and give him the task of counting the provisions later."
He finished speaking very quickly, then whipped his horse and rode away, kicking up a cloud of dust. It was too late for Deputy General Liu to call him back.
Gong Hai was burning with rage, which overwhelmed his remaining rationality.
Gu Yican has quite the appetite! He swallowed it all in one gulp, not even worried about choking.
From Xishan to the capital, the city gates were already open, and Gong Hai led Pang Yi straight to the palace.
Before the morning court session had ended, Gong Hai went to the Imperial Study to wait for an audience. However, as soon as he stepped through the vermilion gate, he immediately saw Gu Yican sitting under the ginkgo tree.
Gong Hai: "..."
Gu Yican rested his arm on his knee, propped his chin up, and said lazily yet provocatively, "Lord Gong, you came here so early in the morning, did you lose something?"
Gu Yican's lips curved into a smile as he leaned against the tree trunk as if he had no bones.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. Seeing Gong Hai's exasperated expression, he knew that his sister had succeeded! His sister's first time leading troops was a great victory.
Pang Yi trembled and shrank back behind Gong Hai.
"You did it."
Gong Hai stared intently at the nonchalant smile on Gu Yican's face. Even though Gu Yican was sitting while he was standing, he still sensed an air of superiority emanating from him.
Gu Yican tilted his head: "What did I do?"
He was laughing, but it also seemed like he was mocking him.
"You stole the arrows!"
Gu Yican nimbly leaped up from the ground and walked towards Gong Hai.
When he was only two or three steps away from him, Gu Yican stopped. He placed his hands on his knees, leaned forward slightly, and had a faint smile on his lips: "So what if it's not...?"
Gu Yican twitched his ears and deliberately dragged out his words: "Yes, so what?!"
"Useless old man."
Gong Hai's pupils contracted sharply.
He grabbed Gu Yican by the collar: "Gu Yican, if you dare say that again..." Before he could finish his threat, Gu Yican grabbed his arm.
"His Majesty has arrived."
Amidst the chanting, Gu Yican twisted his arm and slapped him to the ground.
"I'm telling you, you useless old man, your tricks won't work on me, do you understand?"
At the same time, the emperor roared in shock and rage: "Insolence!"
"Gu Yican, this is my imperial study, not your Duke Zhenguo's mansion!"
Gong Hai's face flushed red and then turned pale, and his cheeks burned terribly as he faced the astonished gazes of the eunuchs.
Gu Yican released his hand, gently brushed the back of his hand against his sleeve, and straightened up to greet him: "Your Majesty."
boom!
New and old grudges surged into his heart, and anger instantly overwhelmed his reason.
"Your Majesty!" Gong Hai's voice boomed, "Gu Yican led his troops to seize all the arrows sent from Fengyang, a total of ten million arrows, not a single one left!!"
Ten million arrows! The emperor's face changed drastically: "Are you sure?"
"Captain Pang was in charge of the transport and witnessed it firsthand."
Pang Yi knelt down with a thud and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, it was my own eyes that the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo led several thousand men to surround us. We fought desperately to protect our arrows, but we were no match for them and lost our arrows."
It can't be wrong.
Of the three black arrows, only Gu Yican possessed them.
Losing the arrows would jeopardize his future and endanger his life if he were to be punished according to military law. Now, all he can think about is shirking responsibility.
Gu Yican's eyes were filled with cold light, his voice carrying a playful tone at the end: "You saw it with your own eyes? Are you sure?"
"I...I'm certain!"
Gong Hai's eyes were fierce, and his voice was like it was mixed with ice: "Young Master Gu, what else do you have to say?!"
Gu Yican chuckled and pointed at him: "You believe him?"
"You just admitted it yourself!"
"What did I admit to? Tsk, is it that Admiral Gong is blind and daydreaming?"
Gu Yican raised his phoenix eyes, his arrogance so infuriating it made one's teeth itch.
Gong Hai's facial muscles tensed, and he glared at him angrily, saying, "The dignified heir of the Duke of Zhenguo dares to do something but not to admit it!"
Gong Hai said sternly, "Your Majesty, Captain Pang is a witness. I beg Your Majesty to punish Gu Yican for treason."
“I also have witnesses,” Gu Yican said to the emperor, bowing slowly. “Your Majesty, I have not left the Imperial Study since yesterday. All the palace maids and eunuchs in the Imperial Study are my witnesses.”
"This time, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Admiral Gong."
What! ?
For a moment, Gong Hai looked surprised.
Gu Yican abandoned his nonchalant demeanor and obediently said, "Your Majesty, your scolding of me yesterday was absolutely right. I shouldn't have been so rude to Commander Gong, shouldn't have dragged him through the streets, and shouldn't have told him to die. You told me to reflect on my actions, and I have reflected on them thoroughly. I've been reflecting outside the Imperial Study until now. I was wrong."
Gong Hai looked over in shock, his mind buzzing.
When he saw Gu Yican, he did wonder why Gu Yican had arrived so early, but he assumed it was because Gu Yican wanted to strike first. After all, Pang Yi had confidently identified Gu Yican.
Even if she had a moment of doubt, Gu Yican provoked her to lose all reason.
If Gu Yican truly did not leave the palace all night, then there is absolutely no way he could have personally led the troops.
In his impulsive act, he allowed others to testify that "he personally led the troops," and those few words alone were enough to put him at a disadvantage.
Who said Gu Yican is a willful, brainless playboy?!
The calculations were absolutely ingenious.
Gong Hai's lips parted slightly, and his thoughts came to a complete standstill in that instant.
The emperor gave Li Deshun a look, his face darkened, and he walked straight into the imperial study.
"Both of you, get inside here!"
Gu Yican dusted off his robes, walked past Gong Hai, and gave him a provocative look before entering the Imperial Study.
Before long, Li Deshun followed Gong Hai inside and reported, "Your Majesty, I have inquired and confirmed that Prince Gu did indeed stay outside all night. The eunuchs and maids in the Imperial Study can all testify to this. Prince Gu did not leave the room except to go to the washroom."
Even if you go to the clean room, it's impossible to make a round trip in such a short time.
Moreover, both the palace gates and the city gates were closed.
Pang Yi was also brought in; he knelt on the ground, visibly trembling.
waste!
Gong Hai wished he could tear him to pieces. If he hadn't made such a solemn vow, he wouldn't have broken his promise.
The emperor slammed down his teacup, splashing boiling tea everywhere: "Gong Hai, tell me! How exactly did you lose it?"
"Your Majesty," Gong Hai tried to calm himself down, "the Thousand Machine Battalion has three captains under its command. Even if Prince Gu is not here, there will still be someone leading the troops."
"Admiral Gong," Gu Yican sneered, "you just said that I, the young master, personally led the troops to seize the arrows, but now you're changing your story and saying that someone else led the troops. You're saying the truth, and you're saying the opposite. This time, you lost the arrows yourself and are trying to blame it on me. Next time, if you accidentally lose your life, will I be the one to blame it?"
"Gu Yican, dare you say you didn't touch these arrows!"
Gu Yican retorted sharply, "Perhaps it was Admiral Gong who secretly kept the arrow and is deliberately trying to pin it on me."
He brushed off non-existent dust from his shoulders and sneered, "It's you, plotting something."
"It's all guessing anyway. My guess is more reliable, isn't it?"
Gu Yican was no less imposing than anyone else. He walked up to Pang Yi and kicked him with the tip of his shoe.
"You tell me, did you really see this prince with your own eyes?"
"This humble general, this humble general..."
Pang Yi knelt down, pressing his head against the back of his hand. Gu Yican's gaze was like that of a ferocious beast. Pang Yi trembled and said with difficulty, "This humble general did not. This humble general did not see you."
Gong Hai glared at him with a piercing gaze, wishing he could skin him alive.
Gu Yican spread his hands and said provocatively, "Admiral Gong, your witness is gone."
That's enough.
The emperor interrupted their incessant argument: "Gong Hai, Prince Gu was in the palace yesterday; he couldn't possibly have gone to steal the arrows."
Gong Hai took a deep breath and finally said, "Your Majesty, I wish to search the camp."
"no."
"Is Young Master Gu feeling guilty?"
“Admiral Gong, my Thousand Machine Battalion is not your esteemed residence’s backyard, where you can come and go as you please. Search? Fine! You’ll have to sign a military pledge.” Gu Yican’s face suddenly turned cold, his icy expression making his voice even more chilling. “If you find nothing, you will die. How about it?”
"If you dare to stand there, I, the young master, dare to let you search."
Do you dare?
Gu Yican showed no weakness and once again gained the upper hand.
Gu Yican's attitude made Gong Hai hesitate.
Li Qing, this chess piece is definitely useless now. He will have no chance of getting any more news from the Thousand Machine Camp for the time being.
Ten million arrows are not easy to hide, especially now that only a few hours have passed; they are most likely still in the camp.
So, this might be a deliberate misdirection. Shall we take the gamble?!
Gu Yican sneered, "It seems that Admiral Gong doesn't dare to do it. In that case, shut up."
"emperor!"
Gong Hai wanted to ask the emperor to grant him permission to search.
"Your Majesty," Gu Yican also spoke at the same time, "we request that you punish Gong Hai for false accusation!"
The Imperial Study remained silent for a long time.
The emperor neither agreed to let Gong Hai search the camp nor promised to punish Gu Yican. He only said, "I will give you ten days. If you cannot find the arrows, you should be the one to take the blame for this matter, and you will lose your position as the Left Admiral."
Gong Hai suddenly looked up, as if struck by lightning.
"emperor……"
"Step back!"
Gong Hai hesitated for a moment, then tentatively said, "Your Majesty, I must take this person with me."
He was referring to Pang Yi, who was lying prone on the ground.
After much deliberation, the emperor refused, saying, "Hand this person over to the Eastern Depot."
Gong Hai closed his eyes; as soon as he heard those words, he understood.
Having served the emperor for so long, he had some understanding of the emperor's temperament.
The emperor was suspicious, and Gu Yican's few words were enough to make him distrust him.
I miscalculated.
The plan was flawed from the very beginning. One wrong step led to another.
If the emperor's suspicion of Gu Yican was seven parts, then his suspicion of himself must have been at least three parts.
"Yes. Your subject will definitely retrieve the arrow."
"Get down!"
Gong Hai emerged from the imperial study first, his steps quickening and becoming increasingly hurried.
It was his anger, his impatience, and his rashness that made Gu Yican who he is today, and also forced him into this predicament where he has no way to retreat.
"Admiral Gong."
A voice called out to him, and when he looked up, he saw Xie Jing running hurriedly from the direction of the palace gate, panting, "Thank goodness, you're still here."
"Your Highness? Why are you back?"
Xie Jing patted his chest to calm his breathing and hurriedly said, "The grain supplies... the grain supplies have been robbed."
Gong Hai: "..."
Xie Jing stayed in the camp to wait for supplies, but shortly after Gong Hai left, all the supplies were lost, not a single cartload was left.
He should have been kept in charge of the overall situation, but he had no idea what he could do. No one listened to him, and it was really awkward for him to stay. So he simply told Liu Guangming to report to Gong Hai.
"Oh?"
"The grain supplies are lost too?"
Gu Yican, who came up from behind, said gloatingly, "Is Admiral Gong trying to say that I, the young master, stole it again?"
"Alas, this young master is truly overwhelmed with work."
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