Chapter 4: Openly saying while secretly taking away 3

  Jiang Water Pass. Inside the city.

  Jiangnan has four major passes in the southeast, northwest, north and south. North borders Luo Tian, east borders Sheng Jin, west borders Lianxiang, and south borders coastal countries.

  Jiangshui Pass is the northern pass of Jiangnan, facing Luotian across the river.

  Since the Unification War ten years ago, although the eight countries of Jiangnan have not had any more wars and have been focusing on recovery and growth, the losses from that war were truly too severe. The development of the military has also been strictly controlled by Luo Tian. The entire Jiangnan region, from top to bottom, has a total of only 300,000 troops. And this time, all of them have been deployed to Jiangshui Pass.

  Inside the city, a piece of silence. The Jiangshui Pass has never had long-term residents. There are only some merchants coming and going from the south to the north. And there are also people who run inns and tea houses locally. The eight countries of Jiangnan raised an army of 300,000 and blocked the Jiangshui Pass. There were no more merchants. Shops didn't open either. They all went back to their hometowns. Waiting for the war to pass.

  On the quiet street, a swift horse galloped towards the residence of the two commanders, Hong and Hei.

  Inside the great hall, Hong He Er Jiang and other generals from the eight countries of Jiangnan were seated inside discussing this battle. At this time, a guard rushed in quickly, kneeling on the ground. "Generals, Liu General has an urgent report."

  The guard handed the letter up and retreated from the great hall. Everyone looked at General Hong. General Hong opened the envelope, on which only two sentences were written. After reading it, General Hong furrowed his brow.

  "What did he say?" General Hei hastily asked.

  The Red General carefully stacked up the letter and slowly said: "Luotian and Shengjin retreated early this morning."

  "Retreat..." Everyone was puzzled.

  "This Nalan Xiong and Dugu Han are playing some trick, judging from Huangfu Ling's tone. The war is about to break out, but how come they suddenly retreated? There must be a scheme." Black General analyzed.

  Many generals echoed in agreement. One of the generals also analyzed: "It must be a case of 'loosening the reins to capture'. He wants us to let our guard down so he can launch a surprise attack on us. We absolutely cannot fall for this trick."

  The Red General shook his head. "His million-strong army can't be moved with just a word. The vanguard has to march out for ten miles before the rear can move. This trick of luring us in by pretending to retreat is too cumbersome for them to play. If it's meant to make us lower our guard, then when his million-strong army comes back, we'll have enough time to raise our vigilance again."

  Everyone nodded in agreement. The Red General was deep in thought. "Moreover, he didn't even need to. If they had fought head-on, they would have had the upper hand. But during this period of time, they've been holding back their troops and now they're retreating..."

  "Hei Jiangjun seemed to understand yet not understand. 'You think they don't want to fight.'"

  Hong Jiangjun's expression turned solemn. "It's not just them who don't want to fight, Huangfu Ling doesn't want to fight either. Including us, none of us want to fight."

  "What's going on now? I don't understand what you're saying." General Hei furrowed his brow.

  The red general frowned, "The situation is far more complicated than I expected. At that time, he had millions of troops there. I still have some worries. Now that they have retreated, there's nothing to think about. Let's observe for a few more days. If they don't show any signs of returning, we'll retreat too."

  "Withdrawal." Inside the camp tent, Huangfu Ling furrowed his brow after hearing the guard's report.

  She saw through her own plan at a glance, knowing that she wanted to use the Jiangnan Eight Countries, so she pretended to retreat. Once the people of the Jiangnan Eight Countries see them retreating, it won't take long for them to return as well. At that time, the Nine Nations Alliance will no longer exist.

  The bridge won't be repaired before supplies run out again.

  This move is brilliant. Just one step and it broke through his carefully designed plan. It's been a long time since I've met an opponent like this.

  From the beginning of the chaos in the imperial capital, this game of chess has already begun. Such a distant correspondence. Every step is determining each other's fate, and even the fate of the entire world.

  At this time, several generals walked in from outside the gate. Everyone paid their respects. Immediately, one of the generals reported: "Your Highness, I received a message from my contact at Jiangshui Pass today that the two red and black generals have the intention to retreat."

  Huang Pu Ling nodded. "I know."

  The generals looked at each other in dismay. The general asked again, "What to do then? Once they retreat, we will be cut off from our supplies again."

  Huang Pu Ling hinted at everyone to take a seat. The crowd sat down. Huang Pu Ling asked, "What do you think?"

  The crowd of generals immediately fell silent. After a while, one general indignantly said: "Hmph! If he retreats his troops, I will attack him at the Jiang Water Pass. His soldiers will still have to come back."

  Another general heard this and helplessly said: "What's the use of him coming back? If you hit him, not only will we have no grain or grass, but he'll also turn around and hit us. At that time, Nalan Xianyin and Dugu Han will take advantage of the situation to attack our rear. Can you withstand it?"

  Several generals fell silent. In their view, this had reached a desperate situation.

  Huang Pu Ling slightly curled up the corners of his mouth. "All generals, listen to orders."

  The commander-in-chief will arrive soon. The other commanders all stood up one after another.

  "Divide the troops into three routes. One route raises the military flag of the eight countries of Jiangnan, pretending to attack the Shengjin South Pass. Another route raises the Shengjin military flag and attacks the Jiangshui Pass. The last route stays in the camp and follows me to support the Jiangshui Pass at the right time."

  "Roger."

  Several generals took orders and went down. On one side, they brought tea and mooncakes up.

  Huang Pu Ling's expression softened. "It's better to let someone else handle this kind of thing."

  Her face was slightly red as she held back her smile. She didn't say a word. Huangfu Ling picked up the tea, and the special fragrance piqued his interest, raising an eyebrow.

  "Master," asked Yuè Liǎng lightly, "if the eight nations of Jiangnan were to oppose Dú Gū Hán, wouldn't Luó Tiān take advantage of the situation and attack us?"

  Huang Pu Ling smiled. "Defeat us? Once Dugu Han's 700,000-strong army withdraws, they won't even have time to defend themselves."

  Suddenly enlightened, this is his true intention. In this way, not only can the eight countries of Jiangnan not retreat, but Dugu Han will have to return to Shengjin, and Luo Tian will be able to sit back and watch the battle. In this way, they will have time.

  "But... " Suddenly, Ou Yue furrowed her brow. "The eight nations of Jiangnan can't resist the Sacred Gold."

  Huang Pu Ling smiled lightly. "Exactly because I couldn't resist."

  Watching that smile, he couldn't help but pause. A smile as vibrant and radiant as the morning sun. But within this smile, there was a hidden strategy, an ambition to win a thousand miles away. Yes, precisely because they couldn't resist, they couldn't let the Allied Army disperse at this time. They could only nurture the 400,000-strong army here while stubbornly defending the Jiangshui Pass and engaging in a protracted war with Sheng Jin.

  But during this time, they not only had time to repair the boundary bridge but also took advantage of the chaos in Jiangnan to launch a surprise attack.

  "The master is wise." Yuè couldn't help but praise.

  Deep in the night, in the imperial study, Nalan Xiong was reviewing memorials under the lamp light.

  At this time, General Zhou rushed into the imperial study despite the eunuch's attempts to stop him.

  "Something's happened..."

  Nalan Xixi didn't raise her head. "What is it."

  "It's just begun. The Eight-Nation Alliance of Jiangnan and Shengjin have started fighting." Zhou Gai's expression was anxious.

  Nalan Xixi's expression solidified, and she put down the memorial in her hand. This Huangfu Ling was indeed a tough opponent. Her mind was full of countermeasures, not allowing her opponent to gain even an inch.

  Thinking of this, Nalan Xixi couldn't help but laugh. For Huangfu Ling, she should also be the most troublesome one.

  Meeting a worthy opponent is also one of life's greatest pleasures.

  "Your Highness, how can you still smile? The Crown Prince Du Gu has already begun to mobilize his troops and prepare to return to Sheng Jin...". Zhou Gai was so anxious that he almost stomped his feet and overturned the table. Without the 700,000-strong army of Du Han, they would lose their advantage.

  Nalan Xixi's smile faded away, and she seemed lost in thought.

  At this time, the seven generals of Guandong outside the door, as well as He Xian, Quan Long, Yin Long, and Zhui Ming also rushed in.

  As soon as he stepped through the door, he opened his mouth. "This Huangfu Ling is too sinister. He sent two troops at the same time to launch a fake attack on Shengjin and Jiangshui Pass. As a result, they really thought it was each other who attacked first and started fighting in confusion."

  Seeing General Zhou, everyone nodded and greeted him. Pursuing his life, he continued to say: "The most annoying thing is that Huangfu Ling brought 100,000 troops to support the front line. When both sides were at war, he was silent and watched from the sidelines. After the Shengjin army retreated back to the city, he let the 100,000-strong army beat the drums loudly and challenge them to battle. The Shengjin Kingdom saw this array and was so frightened that they closed the city gates and dared not respond. Just received news that the Lord of Shengjin ordered Du Guo Taizi to immediately lead his troops back to the country..."

  Everyone heard this and clenched their fists in anger. This Huangfu Ling can be said to be the greatest villain under heaven.

  They will resort to any rogue means. It's fine if they just eat and drink at others' expense. But once the other party stops providing for them, they start causing trouble, forcing the other party into a difficult situation, and still have to be supported by them.

  "Sly" is no longer enough to describe him.

  Nalan Xixiao raised her eyes and looked at the room full of people with worried brows and bitter faces, calmly saying: "You are all here for this matter."

  "What's wrong, Master? If Dugu Han leaves, we'll be in danger! This is Huangfu Ling's sinister plan to get rid of Dugu Han and then attack us."

  Nalan Xixi's mouth corners slightly raised. "Not bad. Now you understand how to analyze the battle situation."

  "Master." He Qian was somewhat annoyed. "What time is it? You're still playing jokes on me."

  "Miss, what shall we do next?" asked Zhou Gai.

  Nalan Xixi got up and walked to the window. She remained silent for a long time. Everyone looked at each other, not saying another word.

  "Goodbye. I'm counting on you all." Nalan Xixue turned around, her mind already made up.

  "Imperial Concubine... what do you mean?" Zhou Gai was perplexed.

  "I will go with Dugu Han." Firmly. Without a doubt.

  "What...". Everyone was shocked.

  "What's going on? Unbelievable! 'Master, that's his sacred matter. What are you doing...'"

  "When life and death were on the line, it was Dugu Han who led his troops to reinforce us. Now that something is amiss with the Holy Gold, how can I just sit back and watch?" Nalan Xianyu explained calmly. Zhou Gai's expression turned serious, and he fell silent.

  "What's the point of explaining? We're barely holding on ourselves, who cares about them?"

  Nalan Xixi smiled lightly. "I believe you will all definitely keep Luotian safe."

  "Then I'll go with you." He was unwilling at first.

  "Stay by General Zhou's side for now. If anything happens, you can also help him. Once the war with Sheng Jin is under control, I'll be back."

  Nalan Xixi rarely had the patience to persuade him. He wanted to speak but stopped. She had made up her mind, and no one could change it.

  "Master, you must come back. Otherwise, when Wang returns, I won't be able to explain myself..." In the end, he still moved Nan Gong Jin out.

  Nalan Xixi smiled lightly upon hearing his words. "Mm. I will definitely come back."