Chapter 68 Three-Party Strategy
In the early morning in the Northwest, the wind carrying the scent of sand and gravel blew through the camp.
Lou Jin's injuries improved day by day.
Ye Xunyang helped Lou Jin out of the dreary tent and sat him down on a sheltered earthen slope next to the camp. He spread out a thick felt blanket so that Lou Jin could bask in the sun.
"How are you feeling? Does the wound still hurt?" Ye Xunyang carefully adjusted his posture and placed the water bag and prepared pills within easy reach.
Lou Jin watched his busy figure, a warm feeling spreading through his eyes, and his heart melted as well.
He reached out and took Ye Xunyang's hand, letting him sit down beside him: "I'm fine now. But you, you've lost a lot of weight these days."
His fingertips gently brushed against the faint dark circles under Ye Xunyang's eyes, with a hint of pity.
These days, Ye Xunyang has to take care of him, assist Ye Xunjin in handling military affairs, and coordinate information from all sides in the capital. He has hardly had a full night's sleep.
Ye Xunyang took his hand and pressed it against his cheek, feeling the slightly cool touch. He shook his head and said, "I'm fine. Seeing you get better is better than anything else."
He gently rested his head on Lou Jin's uninjured shoulder, enjoying this rare moment of peace. "If only it could stay like this forever."
Lou Jin remained silent for a moment upon hearing this, then tightened his arm around Lou Jin's shoulder slightly. "Once this matter is settled and the world is at peace, I will definitely take you to travel all over the country and see all the beautiful sights in the world."
Ye Xunyang looked up, his eyes sparkling: "Really?"
"A promise is a promise." Lou Jin lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on his smooth forehead.
The sunlight shone on the two of them, giving them a warm golden edge.
Ye Xunyang even childishly grabbed a strand of Lou Jin's dark hair, braided it together with his own, and chuckled softly, "We've tied our hair together as husband and wife, our love is unwavering."
Lou Jin watched his subtle movements and responded softly, "Yes, I have no doubt."
However, this warm moment did not last long. Wushan's figure appeared like a ghost at the foot of the earthen slope, bowing and handing over a secret letter.
"My lord, there is an urgent message from the capital, and news has also arrived from the southwest."
The romantic atmosphere vanished instantly. Lou Jin took the secret letter and quickly scanned it, while Ye Xunyang sat up straight, looking at him with concern.
"Lou Yi has made his move." Lou Jin handed the secret letter to Ye Xunyang, his voice returning to its usual coldness. "The Imperial Concubine suddenly fell ill and passed away last night."
Ye Xunyang was taken aback at first, then realized what he meant: "What was the purpose of his killing the Imperial Concubine?"
Lou Jin sneered, his eyes filled with a chilling insight: "Killing two birds with one stone. Although Lou Shang has been stripped of his title and confined to his quarters, his maternal clan still holds power. As long as the Imperial Concubine is alive, she remains a potential threat to Lou Shang's resurgence."
"Now that the Imperial Concubine is dead, her family has lost its support and will inevitably fall into chaos. Lou Shang will then be completely crippled and will have no chance to recover. This is the first point."
"Secondly, the sudden death of the Imperial Concubine will surely cause chaos in the palace. When Father is grieving and suspicious, he can take the opportunity to muddy the waters and may even try to shift the suspicion onto us, after all, I have a deep grudge against Lou Shang."
Lou Jin said sarcastically, "I had thought he would make a move against the Imperial Concubine, but to be this direct. I really underestimated him."
Ye Xunyang frowned: "That's really ruthless... What about the Southwest?"
"Xunqin and Anar have successfully made contact with the resistance forces in Kapok Village, but the Shadow Serpent's control is quite deep, and the village chief is still imprisoned. They need support and have confirmed several important Shadow Serpent strongholds in the southwest, which have close ties with certain tribes in southern Xinjiang."
Lou Jin stood up. Although he was still somewhat thin, his commanding presence had completely returned. "We can't wait any longer."
He looked at Ye Xunyang, his gaze sharp as a hawk: "Reply to Shanlan and tell him to keep a close eye on Lou Yi's next move, especially how he uses the death of the Consort to his advantage. Make sure to preserve the key evidence. If necessary, we can use our informants in the palace. We must not let the fire spread to us."
"At the same time, let's mobilize our people in southern Xinjiang to find out which tribes are colluding with the Shadow Serpent and try to sow discord among them."
"Reply to Xunqin and tell them to focus on rescuing the chieftain and collecting evidence of 'Shadow Serpent's' dealings with Lou Yi and the Southern Frontier. We will send a team of elite secret guards to infiltrate the Southwest and be at their command."
"Wushan, inform the elder brother to strengthen the border patrols, especially paying attention to any unusual activity before and after the lunar eclipse. Have our spies within the Rong tribe start spreading the news that our inside man has been turned, using a mix of truth and falsehood to confuse people."
With each clear and precise command issued, the massive machine of the King Jin's Mansion and even the Ye Family Army, along with Lou Jin's recovery, began to operate efficiently once again, quietly tightening the net targeting the capital, the southwest, and the northwest.
The nights in the Northwest are exceptionally cold and windy.
Inside the main tent, candlelight illuminated Lou Jin's solemn profile in front of the sand table.
Ye Xunyang carried in a steaming bowl of medicine and gently placed it on the table: "Your Highness, it's time to drink your medicine."
Lou Jin looked up when he heard the voice, and when he saw it was him, his tense expression eased slightly.
He took the medicine bowl with one hand, but held Ye Xunyang's hand with the other.
Lou Jin drank the bitter medicine in one gulp. Ye Xunyang handed him some water at the right time, watching his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed, and then naturally picked up a candied fruit and brought it to his lips.
Lou Jin was slightly taken aback, then his eyes filled with laughter as he opened his mouth and took it in.
The sweetness instantly melted on the tip of the tongue, dispelling the bitterness of the medicine, and also seemingly dispelling some of the chill outside the tent and the heaviness in the heart.
"Still simulating deployments?" Ye Xunyang walked to the sand table, his gaze falling on the small flags representing the enemy and our forces.
“Hmm.” Lou Jin pointed to an area marked with cinnabar behind Wolf Fang City. “‘Viper’ is cunning, and the Rong tribe’s high priest is also knowledgeable about celestial phenomena. They must have something to rely on when they choose the time of the lunar eclipse. Although the false information we spread has disturbed the morale of some of their troops, their core strength remains intact.”
His fingertips traced several arcs on the sand table: "At that time, the moonlight will be obscured, and the field of vision will be blocked, which will be conducive to a surprise attack and also to them using some extraordinary means."
Ye Xunyang followed his gaze, his brows furrowing slightly: "Is Your Highness worried that they might use poisonous fog or Gu worms in the dark?"
"We must be on guard." Lou Jin nodded. "I've already had the soldiers prepare damp cloths, and asked Mr. Yu to prepare some antidote and calming powder for distribution. As for Gu magic..."
He paused, then said, “Mr. Yu said that all things are mutually reinforcing and mutually restraining. He has already found several medicinal herbs that can restrain common Gu insects, and he will bring them with him when the army arrives.”
He looked at Ye Xunyang, his tone carrying a hint of caution: "Stay by my side then, and don't rush forward rashly."
He knew that Ye Xunyang was skilled in martial arts, but the battlefield was dangerous, especially a battle that might involve unpredictable tactics. He couldn't afford to lose him.
Ye Xunyang sensed the concern in his words and felt a warmth in her heart, but she firmly shook her head: "Your Highness, I am your princess, and also the son of a military general. I know you are worried about me, but I can protect myself and lend you a helping hand."
Lou Jin looked at him intently, and finally sighed. He reached out and tidied a strand of hair that had been ruffled by the wind at his temple, and compromised, "Alright. But you must obey orders and not act recklessly."
"Yes!" Ye Xunyang nodded emphatically, a relieved smile on his face.
Just then, Wushan silently entered and presented a small bamboo tube: "Master, a secret message from Shanlan in the capital, and news from the Second Young Master of the Southwest has also arrived simultaneously."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
