Chapter 201: Chapter 197 Go Back and Change the Shoes_2
Suddenly, he spurred his horse and galloped away, leaving only a gust of wind that lifted the corner of Shang Ruyi’s garment.
An oversized pair of luxurious silk shoes emerged from beneath her hem.
Shang Ruyi suddenly realized something.
She stepped forward intending to say something, but Yu Wenye’s figure had already disappeared into the wind and snow. The other soldiers immediately spurred their horses to follow, quickly disrupting the cold wind, leaving only the chaotic snowfall swirling before her eyes, an empty remnant.
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Inside Ziwei Palace’s great hall.
Though outside was a world covered in white, with falling snow making the palace attendants shiver as they went about their tasks, inside this Warm Dock, it was as warm as spring. Even a few vibrant spring blooms were in full bloom, causing one to feel they were in a scene of three springs.
And in this cozy warmth, Chu Yang was wearing a thin long robe, looking ethereal like a fairy, lounging against a giant couch. Piled beside him like clouds were colorful, extremely luxurious brocade quilts, clustered together like a giant peony, and he lay idly within the peony’s heart. At his feet curled a snow-white Persian cat, gently brushing his ankle with its furry tail, the comforting sensation causing him to narrow his slender phoenix eyes, almost falling asleep.
However, he did not truly fall asleep.
Because on the other side of the screen, Wang Shaoji was reporting today’s events in the Eastern Capital City one by one.
And the most important was naturally that Yu Wenye, leading the court’s twenty thousand troops to campaign against Xingluo Granary, had already left the city and set off.
Chu Yang squinted his eyes, lazily said, "Did he depart so smoothly?"
Wang Shaoji, standing before the screen, was taken aback.
He instinctively wanted to take a glance inside, but the semi-transparent screen only allowed him to barely make out the silhouettes inside, obscuring the ever-changing expressions on the Emperor’s face, and making it impossible to read the Emperor’s true intentions. Wang Shaoji hesitated for a moment, then chuckled lightly, "Yes, he departed very smoothly."
"Then, can he win this battle smoothly?"
"..."
An unusual quietness emerged in the Warm Dock, especially with the sound of flowing water beneath the floor, making the moment’s silence all the more eerie.
After a while, Wang Shaoji chuckled lightly and said, "Other generals going to war look at the timing and geographical benefit, but when Yu Wenye goes to war, he must consider his heart."
"What does his heart have to do with this battle’s outcome?"
Wang Shaoji stepped forward coldly, respectfully yet exuding a chilling aura, softly said, "The more loyal he is to the Emperor, the quicker he can win this battle."
"..."
"Conversely, if he harbors disloyalty towards the Emperor—"
Chu Yang suddenly opened his eyes.
He hadn’t done anything, just opened his eyes, yet the Persian cat originally lying at his feet was startled, raising its fur as it leaped from the couch into the corner, vanishing in two or three bounds.
"Then what?"
"Then this battle is likely very difficult to win."
Chu Yang’s exceedingly handsome face still carried a chilling expression. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "I have trusted and favored the Yuwen Family so much, if Yu Wenye still harbors disloyalty and cannot truly serve the court, then— he would not be tolerated by heaven and earth."
Wang Shaoji bowed his head and said, "Not being tolerated by heaven and earth is a matter of heaven and earth."
"..."
"But as Your Majesty, you must not be schemed against by treacherous ministers and rebellious subjects, or else, how can the Dynasty continue?"
Chu Yang narrowed his eyes slightly, "What do you mean by this?"
Wang Shaoji stepped forward again, and his voice almost penetrated the semi-transparent screen directly reaching Chu Yang’s ears, "This time, the court only provided him with twenty thousand soldiers, intending to force Duke Sheng to further engage. As long as Duke Sheng sends extra troops, the court could possibly reclaim Xingluo Granary, and Duke Sheng’s forces will be depleted in this battle, which is a complete strategy beneficial to the court."
"..."
"However, until today when Yu Wenye left the city, under his command, he only had the twenty thousand soldiers given by the court."
Chu Yang’s gaze grew colder and more alert, "What does this signify?"
Wang Shaoji said, "It signifies that for them, the court’s victory or defeat, the ownership of Xingluo Granary, is less important than their Yuwen Family’s forces."
He stepped forward again.
"Your Majesty, consider it, what do they need so many forces for? With forces, they do not confront the court’s rebels, they do not campaign against Wanggang Army—their target, isn’t it obvious?"
Chu Yang’s expression gradually darkened, said, "Are you saying their family saves their strength, unwilling to deploy even a soldier, in preparation to confront me in the future?"
A glint of malice flickered in Wang Shaoji’s eyes, "Your Majesty, I dare not rush to conclusions."
"..."
"But the human heart, one must be vigilant."
Chu Yang frowned in thought for a while, said, "But he has already departed with the army, how can we guard against him now?"
Wang Shaoji lowered his voice, "Your Majesty, even with fewer soldiers, the supply is the lifeline."
Chu Yang’s eyes brightened, "Do you mean for me to detain his provisions?"
"It’s not exactly detention,"
Wang Shaoji said, "Your Majesty, Yu Wenye is originally going to attack Xingluo Granary, which is our Da Ye Dynasty’s largest granary. If he can capture it, wouldn’t the supplies be endless? Why should the court send additional provisions?"
"..."
"If he cannot capture it, what good would sending provisions from the court do other than raising threats for future issues?"
Chu Yang nodded slightly, "Logical..."
He pondered a bit more, then promptly said, "Xingluo Granary is not far from the Eastern Capital, Wang Shaoji, you keep a close watch on this battle for me. If Yu Wenye makes any unruly move—"
He did not finish his sentence.
But Wang Shaoji had already grasped the meaning he intended, immediately stepped forward, and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured."
"..."
"If Yu Wenye makes any wrong move, I will not let him return alive to the Eastern Capital!"