The battle between Xiao Hong and Chu Tianze ultimately concluded with Chu Tianze emerging victorious.
The two armies fought for two days and two nights, but Bei Yan was ultimately defeated and retreated to Pingliang to defend the city. Qing'an ran out of supplies, and unlike Shangliu City, it was not easy to defend and difficult to attack, so there was no need to fight a protracted war. Instead, it would only disperse their forces. Therefore, Xiao Hong and Yuwen Yaofeng abandoned Qing'an.
Standing atop Pingliang city walls, Xiao Hong looked somewhat dazed. Although the Great Xia army outnumbered theirs, defeat was defeat, and he wouldn't make excuses for himself.
"Yaofeng, if your father were here, would we have lost this battle?"
Yuwen Yaofeng answered with certainty, "No," his father being the person he admired most in his life.
Then, somewhat remorsefully, he said, "Your Highness, this battle was not your fault; it's all Yaofeng's fault for being less skilled." If he had his father's character, things wouldn't have come to this.
Xiao Hong smiled and shook his head. "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. I am not someone who can't accept defeat. Yaofeng, there's no need to blame yourself. We still have a battle to fight. Let's do our best."
Originally, this attack on Great Xia was intended to establish his prestige in the court. His capture of two cities in quick succession was enough to convince many people, especially since they had no reinforcements. Great Xia was not a small country, and they didn't expect it to be so easy to conquer.
Chu Tianze left a portion of his troops to garrison Qing'an, and then led the main army towards Pingliang.
Wei Junyan stayed behind in Shangliu and did not come along. Since the main army had left, Chu Tianyou, as the supervising officer, naturally had to follow.
As night fell, the imperial army had already arrived at a flat area outside Pingliang City and set up camp.
Inside the largest tent, Chu Tianze, the Crown Prince, and a group of generals were discussing the siege plan for the next day. Bai Chuxiao was also present; her prowess had been evident to everyone over the past few days. With Wei Junyan absent, no one objected.
"Seventh Brother, Bei Yan is no longer a threat, is it? We can wear them down."
Chu Tianyou smiled and spoke, his confidence returning, feeling that he could win this final battle as well.
"Is he trying to steal the credit again?" Yu Fengyang's lips curled into a smile. "Does Your Highness have any good tactics?"
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow. "What's the point of tactics? We have the advantage, so we'll just launch a direct assault. I'm sure we'll drive the Northern Yan people out of Great Xia within a day."
Those present couldn't help but give His Highness the Crown Prince a thumbs up in their hearts. This was true "general's demeanor"! Look at that confidence! Even the Grand General of the Northern Flame Kingdom would have to admit his inferiority if he came.
Chu Tianze sat at the head of the table, tapping the table lightly with one finger, and casually said, "Oh? So, Your Majesty is planning to personally take to the field? Then tomorrow's battle will be left to you."
Yu Fengyang chuckled, "So that's how it is. Then we will await His Highness's triumphant return tomorrow!"
When did he ever say he would personally take to the field? Chu Tianyou cursed inwardly. He had witnessed the formidable strength of those two from Bei Yan; if he, with his mediocre skills, were to participate, wouldn't he be courting death?
Having been flattered like that, he couldn't openly admit his incompetence, so he could only chuckle and say, "Seventh Brother, you jest. Although I would be willing, my status ultimately makes it inconvenient."
He then stood up and said calmly to the crowd, "I trust Seventh Brother to handle things. I have other important matters to attend to. You may discuss the rest yourselves."
He is now the crown prince, and will be the emperor in the future. As long as he knows how to recognize and utilize talent, that's enough. It doesn't matter if he's not good at fighting; how many emperors in this world can personally lead an army into battle? So, after saying this, he walked out of the tent without changing his expression.
"Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Bai Chuxiao pouted. She'd been here for a while now, how come she hadn't made any progress?
After Chu Tianyou left, the group discussed tactics again. This battle had dragged on for too long, and they needed to finish it quickly. Otherwise, if Xiao Hong won over the hearts of the people, something unexpected might happen. However, Bai Chuxiao didn't offer any opinions, since Chu Tianze could handle her, and there was no need for her to say anything more.
It was already late at night when they left the tent after their discussion. The night was still a bit chilly in the north, so Chu Tianze stepped forward and draped a white cloak over her shoulders.
"What's Xiaoxiao thinking about? Is she tired?"
Bai Chuxiao smiled and shook her head. "It's unlikely for someone who practices martial arts. Besides, I haven't participated in any matches these past two days. I was thinking about Bei Yan."
"News has arrived that the King of Beiyan is in poor health and doesn't have many days left to live. Beiyan reveres the strong and doesn't distinguish so much between legitimate and illegitimate sons. The struggle for the throne has now reached a fever pitch. Xiao Hong is an illegitimate son, but he is talented, which is why he launched this war to establish his prestige and win people's hearts."
Chu Tianze spoke slowly. This battle came suddenly, and he had sent Mo Yan and Mo Wen to gather information well in advance, so he was now fully aware of the situation.
"Xiao Hong's abilities and magnanimity are beyond compare; his rise to power would be detrimental to Great Xia."
Bai Chuxiao spoke slowly, "Xiao Hong is clearly a proponent of war. If he gains control of Bei Yan, his next step will likely be to launch a large-scale war to seize the world."
"Xiaoxiao is right, but the other princes of Beiyan will naturally not let him grow too powerful. The eldest prince, Xiao Chen, has been trying to befriend us and has secretly sent people to make contact. Once we take back Pingliang, he will likely make a big move."
Bai Chuxiao nodded. The eldest prince was the legitimate son, so he still had some say and hadn't lost out in the struggle for the throne.
Then he chuckled and said, "It's too early to think about these things. Internal strife can't be quelled overnight. In the next two years, Bei Yan shouldn't invade again."
"Xiaoxiao is right. So, Xiaoxiao, what method did you use in Qing'an? Are you still unwilling to tell me?"
Chu Tianze suddenly changed the subject, revealing that he was also naturally curious about the burning of the grain supplies.
"It's not that I don't want to tell you, but there were only two of those, and we used them both at once. It's not easy to explain to you now. Let's talk about it after we get back to the capital."
Chu Tianze nodded helplessly.
Before dawn the next day, Chu Tianze chose to send men in a surprise attack; he couldn't afford to give Xiao Hong and his men a chance to catch their breath.
Bai Chuxiao, dressed in red, and Chu Tianze, clad in black armor, rode side by side, gazing at the breached city gate. Yuwen Yaofeng, atop the city wall, made a hand gesture, and the Northern Yan soldiers charged out in a strange formation.
Seeing this, Chu Tianze remained calm and gestured to Murong Xuan, who then took out a battle flag and waved it a few times. The army quickly changed positions again.
The two armies clashed again, and it seemed the other side was about to be defeated. Bai Chuxiao and Chu Tianze exchanged a smile, then flew up to the city wall together.
However, Bai Chuxiao headed towards Xiao Hong. She was quite curious about this third prince and was itching to test her skills.
Xiao Hong burst into laughter, "May I ask your name, young lady?"
Bai Chuxiao
"Okay, okay, okay."
A hint of appreciation appeared on Xiao Hong's face, and a strange glint flashed in his eyes.
The two, one in white and one in red, quickly began to fight. Bai Chuxiao didn't use her Shadow Mirror technique against Xiao Hong; instead, she drew her soft sword from her waist.
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