"When will your princess return?" Chu Tianyou asked Zhan Chi with a gloomy expression.
He was right; they were on the same side regarding Prince An's matter. However, considering what was mentioned in the letter, he couldn't wait a moment longer. He had many guards, including the Yunzhou Guard… What could Prince An possibly do to him?
Zhan Chi said calmly, "I've already sent a message to the Princess."
After a moment of hesitation, Chu Tianyou said coldly, "You may leave now. I'll be right back."
Zhan Chi frowned and said, "Your Highness, please dismiss everyone. The Princess Consort has something to convey to you."
Chu Tianyou waved his hand impatiently, "What else does your princess want?"
Zhan Chi quietly recounted the betrayal of Yunzhou Guard and some of Chu Wenzheng's schemes to him. This was also Bai Chuxiao's intention; if Chu Tianyou insisted on doing something, the truth would be told later. If he were told the truth from the beginning, given Chu Tianyou's personality, he might lose his composure.
Chu Tianyou suddenly stood up and said sternly, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Zhan Chi said in a deep voice, "If they find out we already know, we'll be in danger. I urge Your Highness to pretend you don't know for now, and continue to stay in the office and deal with Lord Jiang. We'll make plans after the Princess Consort has subdued the rebels."
Chu Tianyou paced back and forth, somewhat regretting not listening to Bai Chuxiao's advice. He should have transferred the Changzhou garrison before entering Yunzhou...
As the commander of Yunzhou Guard, Wei Changkong was naturally far superior to Li Rui in troop deployment. The rebel army's defection, coupled with the seizure of Li Rui's original supplies, had terrified the tens of thousands of men who followed him. They lost their will to fight even before the battle began, and their loyalty to Li Rui was never particularly strong to begin with.
Wei Changkong led his men with unstoppable momentum, surrounding the so-called Mighty General's Mansion in just two days. However, he had already changed his appearance under Bai Chuxiao's skillful hands, and Wei Changkong's true identity could not be revealed for the time being.
Outside the majestic General's mansion, Bai Chuxiao, dressed in a striking red outfit, rode alongside Wei Changkong at the forefront of the army.
Before long, Xia Fan and several men in black brought Li Rui out, bound and gagged. Had they arrived any later, Li Rui would have escaped. Li Rui was indeed skilled in martial arts; it took them a great deal of effort to subdue him...
"Your Highness has quite the methods," Wei Changkong said with a smile.
Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "The general truly deserves credit for this battle."
Xia Fan bowed and asked, "Your Highness, what should be done with Li Rui?"
Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow. "Move aside, I need to have a proper talk with the General."
As soon as the gag was removed from Li Rui's mouth, he started cursing, "I am the mighty General! You bunch of opportunists, let me go right now!" He still thought the people besieging him were a rebel army who had turned against him.
Bai Chuxiao said calmly, "You've gotten addicted to calling yourself a general."
Li Rui laughed loudly a few times, "Is the court so incompetent that they actually sent a wretched woman like you?"
Xia Fan slapped her hard across the face and said coldly, "This is the Princess Consort of Yan. Show some respect when you speak."
Li Rui turned his head away, "Pah! What kind of bullshit princess haven't I heard of?"
Bai Chuxiao didn't care. Looking down at him, she smiled faintly, "It doesn't matter if you haven't heard of it. Tell me who's advising you behind the scenes, and I might just spare your life if I'm in a good mood."
Li Rui laughed wildly a few more times, "What strategizing? I don't understand any of that. Just kill me or torture me, that's all."
Bai Chuxiao smiled and said, "Very good. I hope you always maintain this backbone. Take him away and give our mighty general a proper welcome."
If he truly had backbone, she might have respected him and spared his life, but clearly, Li Rui wasn't that kind of person.
The original plaque bearing the inscription "Majestic General" had been removed. The group entered the main hall, and Xia Fan whispered, "Your Highness, Commander Zhan has sent word that the Crown Prince has been restless ever since he received a letter. Chu Wenzheng should probably take action."
Wei Changkong frowned and said, "Your Highness, isn't it very dangerous for His Highness the Crown Prince to be in Yunzhou City? Why don't we secretly send him away?"
Bai Chuxiao said calmly, "The garrison commanders of Yunzhou City are all Chu Wenzheng's personal guards. No matter how we send them, if the Crown Prince makes a move, even we will be surrounded by Chu Wenzheng's personal guards."
Wei Changkong said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, what should we do next?"
Bai Chuxiao slowly spoke, "Tonight's surprise attack killed Sun Xiang and Wei Changkong. Are you confident in your ability to deal with the Yunzhou Guard?"
Wei Changkong said in a deep voice, "With Sun Xiang dead, this general is 60% confident of victory."
Bai Chuxiao nodded and said in a deep voice, "In that case, let's act immediately tonight. Once we've subdued the troops, we'll have the strength to fight against Chu Wenzheng's personal guards. The Crown Prince has Zhan Chi protecting him. As long as we hold out until we subdue the main army, there's still a chance for things to turn around."
Inside the Yunzhou Provincial Administration Office, Chu Tianyou, as usual, dined with Jiang Ming. However, ever since he learned the true situation in Yunzhou, he had been somewhat uneasy.
"Good nephew, your royal uncle has come to see you..." Chu Wenzheng's hearty laughter suddenly came from outside.
Chu Tianyou was taken aback, and Zhan Chi silently stood behind him.
"Uncle, why did you come all of a sudden?" Chu Tianyou asked calmly.
Chu Wenzheng smiled enigmatically, "Your Imperial Uncle has been waiting in the manor for a long time, but I haven't come. Since I'm unwilling to come, I've had no choice but to come myself."
Chu Tianyou said in a deep voice, "What business does Imperial Uncle have with me?"
Chu Wenzheng said with a smile, "I would like my nephew to accompany me to a place."
Chu Tianyou frowned. "Uncle, you jest. Where can we go so late at night? Let's talk about it tomorrow."
Chu Wenzheng smiled and said, "What if I insist on doing it now?"
Chu Tianyou spoke coldly, "Chu Wenzheng"
Chu Wenzheng laughed wildly a few times, "Grab him for me!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of footsteps sounded outside the door. Jiang Ming had somehow appeared behind Chu Wenzheng.
Chu Tianyou's face was ashen. He only had a thousand guards left outside the gate, but they wouldn't hold out for long.
Zhan Chi, sword in hand, whispered, "Your Highness, stay close to me."
The middle-aged confidant who had been standing behind Chu Tianyou suddenly whispered, "Guard Zhan, go and attack Chu Wenzheng. I'll take the opportunity to take His Highness away."
Zhan Chi glanced at the Crown Prince. The idea was good, but he wasn't sure about the middle-aged man's skills, and he didn't dare to easily entrust the Crown Prince's life to him.
Chu Tianyou didn't hesitate any longer and nodded to him. After all, Zhan Chi was Bai Chuxiao's man, and this middle-aged man was his trusted confidant with good skills, so he was naturally more trustworthy.
With the Crown Prince at ease, Zhan Chi no longer hesitated and charged towards Chu Wenzheng with his sword. If he could capture Chu Wenzheng, things would be much easier.
Zhan Chi's kung fu was no less than Chu Tianze's, and everyone was slightly surprised by his move. Chu Wenzheng quickly stepped back, and several men in black immediately blocked his way.
However, Zhan Chi didn't take these people seriously. After a brief struggle, they were swept to the ground by Zhan Chi. Zhan Chi remained unfazed and continued towards Chu Wenzheng.
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