After marching for several days, the army gradually approached Jizhou, and Xie Xin became increasingly cautious.
As evening fell, the army arrived at a riverbank.
Because Emperor Tianqi had instructed that Yun Chuwei should decide where to set up camp, where to rest, when to depart, and which route to take, Xie Xin would come to Yun Chuwei's side almost every time before setting up camp.
Every time Xie Sheng saw Xie Xin go to find Yun Chuwei, he would bring Yun Lianhua along.
Upon seeing Yun Chuwei, Xie Xin immediately asked, "I see there's a water source here. How about we set up camp here for the night?"
Yun Chuwei nodded and said, "Okay!"
Xie Xin continued, "Where do you think would be a suitable place to camp?"
Yun Chuwei stepped down from the carriage, her gaze gradually sweeping over the distant river and hillside.
At this moment, Xie Sheng sneered and said, "Do we still need to ask her? There's a large, flat area over there, close to a water source, and it's in a relatively high position, so we don't have to worry about flooding. Plus, the view is good! We can just set up camp there."
Xie Xin didn't speak, she just looked at Yun Chuwei.
Yun Chuwei said, "Let's cross the river first and set up camp there, in that open space with a slight slope!"
Xie Sheng's face darkened upon hearing Yun Chuwei's words: "Yun Chuwei, are you crazy? Setting up camp there so close to the mountain pass, what if the enemy attacks?"
Yun Chuwei turned her head slightly to look at Xie Xin and asked, "Can this be resolved?"
Xie Xin said calmly, "I will have someone occupy the high ground of the mountain pass, and report any unusual activity immediately."
Xie Sheng said unhappily, "The art of war says, 'When you're about to cross a river, you must stay far away from it.' If you cross the river and don't advance, but instead set up camp there, aren't you just waiting to die?"
Xie Xin glanced at Xie Sheng, his expression somewhat grim: "Your Highness is truly well-versed in military strategy, but hasn't Your Highness noticed? The downstream area is open, and the river flows southwest. If we need to evacuate, we can simply go downstream. What is there to worry about?"
After Xie Xin finished speaking, he instructed his deputy general, "Pass down the order to cross the river and set up camp!"
After the deputy general agreed, he immediately went to relay the order.
Xie Sheng's face turned pale and then red. He said, "I will not cross the river today. I will set up camp here."
Xie Xin glanced at Xie Sheng and said irritably, "Whatever!"
After saying that, she mounted her horse and crossed the river.
Yun Chuwei also returned to the carriage.
Xie Sheng coldly said to Yun Chuwei's carriage, "We are now close to Jizhou, and our army is at risk of being ambushed at any time. If we are ambushed today and suffer losses, I will definitely impeach you!"
Yun Chuwei sat in the carriage, too lazy to pay attention to Xie Sheng, and directly ordered the carriage to cross the river.
Xie Sheng naturally did not cross the river; instead, he chose a spot he had his eye on to set up camp.
Yun Lianhua stayed by Xie Sheng's side, feeling somewhat uneasy.
"Your Highness, is there a reason why my sister insists on crossing the river to set up camp? I heard that she can observe celestial phenomena and perform divination!"
Xie Sheng reached out and gently patted Yun Lianhua's hand, comforting her, "Don't worry, the place I chose is the best. It's high ground, close to a water source, and flat. There's no better place to set up camp. The place Yun Chuwei chose is also good, but if there's an enemy attack, the losses will definitely be heavy."
Yun Lianhua felt relieved after hearing this.
"Your Highness is still more capable!"
"Of course, Yun Chuwei is just short-sighted with long hair!" Xie Sheng said dismissively, looking at the troops who were setting up camp on the opposite bank.
He hoped that the army would be attacked tonight, so he could watch the show!
Thinking it over, he summoned his men.
"Send a few men north. If they encounter any rebel scouts, tell them the location of Xie Xin's camp."
The subordinate immediately agreed and then quickly left.
-
After Xie Xin had arranged everything, he returned to the campfire and sat down next to Yun Chuwei.
She whispered, "We're already close to Jizhou, and we could encounter enemy forces at any moment. If we're attacked tonight, don't panic. I've already arranged a battle plan and an evacuation plan. You just need to evacuate downstream first!"
Yun Chuwei nodded slightly, then said to Xie Xin, "Starting today, let Jiang Wanqiu follow you!"
Xie Xin was very surprised and immediately refused: "No! He is the imperial physician sent to you by the Emperor, he has to go with you!"
Before she set off on the expedition, her father instructed her to make sure she brought Yun Chuwei back safely.
The Emperor's meaning was clear: all the people she brought together were no match for Yun Chuwei.
In other words, in the Emperor's eyes, neither she nor the Crown Prince were as important as Yun Chuwei.
Others can have things happen, but Yun Chuwei cannot.
Yun Chuwei knew that Xie Xin was worried about her safety, and smiled, "I have my reasons for having him follow you. If Your Highness is worried about my safety, there is no need for that. I will not put myself in danger!"
Huo Qingjue, who was standing to the side, also knew why Yun Chuwei had Jiang Wanqiu with Xie Xin, so he said, "Your Highness, with me protecting Miss Yun, she will not be in any danger. Moreover, if Jiang Wanqiu is needed, we can just send him back!"
Jiang Wanqiu also earnestly stated: "I can handle it! I guarantee there won't be any mistakes!"
Jiang Wanqiu had thought it over carefully. Yun Chuwei was right about one thing: if he wanted to marry Cui Pingting openly and legitimately, he would need military merit.
He was just a royal physician; it would be incredibly difficult for him to achieve military merit.
Luck, timing, and ability are all indispensable.
Logically speaking, he is not yet capable enough, at least not confident enough.
But the time had come. And this might be his only chance in his entire life.
If he gives up, he may never meet a benefactor like Yun Chuwei again in his life.
He didn't know what the outcome would be if he tried.
But he knew that if he gave up this opportunity, he would definitely regret it!
Seeing that the three of them were persisting, Xie Xin didn't say anything more.
She said to Jiang Wanqiu, "Then you can come with me. But I have something to tell you."
Jiang Wanqiu lowered her eyes and said respectfully, "Your Highness, please speak!"
Xie Xin said seriously, "Yun Chuwei is very important. If anything happens to her, even if we win the battle, we will definitely be punished by His Majesty!"
Jiang Wanqiu nodded: "Your Highness, I know what to do."
Xie Xin nodded with great satisfaction upon hearing this.
Then, Xie Xin stood up and said to Yun Chuwei, "I'll go and check the situation of the outer sentry posts again."
Yun Chuwei nodded slightly, then added, "Tell the soldiers on guard duty to keep warm and protect themselves from the rain."
Xie Xin was somewhat surprised: "Will it rain tonight?"
Yun Chuwei nodded: "Heavy rain!"
Although Xie Xin didn't quite believe it, he still followed Yun Chuwei's advice and added cotton-padded clothes and rain gear to the soldiers on guard duty.
Sure enough, the weather suddenly changed late at night.
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