novelbin Chapter 1197 - 1186: The Wealthy Merchant
Chapter 1197 - 1186: The Wealthy Merchant
"Urgent report, Prince Donghe’s army has already approached the Baisha River, and Prince Xichuan’s forces are marching to the foot of Luoyue Mountain."
Chen Gaoxuan’s expression was grim as he said through clenched teeth, "They plan to attack me from east and west, I never thought these two would actually cooperate one day."
"Your Highness, fortunately, we were prepared." Ye Lu stepped forward and grasped his hand.
Chen Gaoxuan returned the gesture, a smile playing on his lips, "It was your foresight, knowing they would take these two routes, allowing us to prepare early."
"Even without me, Your Highness would surely have thought of it, after all, these two routes are the most convenient for them. Simultaneously attacking us from both sides is also most disadvantageous for us. They would definitely choose this way, Your Highness flatters me." Ye Lu said with some shyness, then leaned into Chen Gaoxuan’s embrace.
Chen Gaoxuan held her gently, speaking tenderly, "Had it not been for you this time, I truly wouldn’t have made it against them. When we win this battle, let’s see who else in the world dares to be my enemy."
"Then let me congratulate Your Highness in advance."
"It’s a pity that recently, the market circulation of sulfur and saltpetre has decreased significantly, otherwise, we could wipe them out in one fell swoop." Chen Gaoxuan frowned again.
"How did it suddenly become so scarce? Could someone be manipulating it?" Ye Lu asked, puzzled.
"I had people investigate. Previously, the biggest distributor in the market was your Ye Family, but suddenly there’s no stock, and the message your elder brother sent says the mine sources are critical, and they are looking for new sites, which takes time to develop."
"What a coincidence?" An inexplicable sense of urgency arose in Ye Lu’s heart.
"Furthermore, I came across some news, it’s about you and your mother." Chen Gaoxuan’s tone turned somewhat peculiar.
"About me? Don’t keep me in suspense, Your Highness, tell me quickly." Seeing his expression, Ye Lu grew increasingly uneasy.
"The Ye Family spread a message that you and your mother were attacked by mountain bandits on your way to offer incense outside the city and were confirmed dead." Chen Gaoxuan finished speaking and stared intently into Ye Lu’s eyes, as though trying to discern something.
Ye Lu’s face was both embarrassed and angry upon hearing this, gritting her teeth, "He doesn’t want to acknowledge me and my mother anymore? What a ruthless heart he has!"
Chen Gaoxuan gently patted her shoulder, comforting, "It seems your older brother is determined not to cooperate with me, what a pity."
"He doesn’t know how to cherish, please don’t be offended, Your Highness. He’s just that stubborn; if Father were still alive, he would never allow him to make such unilateral decisions. How unfortunate for my family members!" Ye Lu showed a sorrowful expression, indicating that Ye Qiu’s decision had nothing to do with her, and she was even more furious and regretful than him.
"No need for regrets, I assure you, if I win this battle, should your brother seek allegiance again, I will certainly not hold past grievances. Even if your brother is stubborn, I will not disappoint your other family members who are willing to trust me." Chen Gaoxuan promised her, learning from this lesson of sulfur and saltpetre scarcity how crucial the support of a wealthy merchant, who controls various distribution channels and stocks, is!
"Your Highness is truly magnanimous." Ye Lu’s heart settled, and she smiled softly.
Chen Gaoxuan laughed heartily, "A person who is not magnanimous would be a disaster to the people when sitting in that position in the future."
"Your Highness, something seems off ahead." When the King of Xichuan’s troops reached Luoyue Mountain, the Vanguard Camp first noticed something amiss, "Our scouts haven’t found any traces of Prince Linsan’s forces."
"Isn’t this good news? Perhaps that Huang Mao fellow is too afraid?" a general mocked.
"No, as far as I know, Prince Linsan is not as simple as he seems, as proven by his previous confrontation with Prince Donghe in Miyun State. Luoyue Mountain is the closest and most convenient route to his Lishan Prefecture, and it’s a defensible yet difficult to attack checkpoint, he couldn’t possibly not have laid an ambush here." Han Youjie, King of Xichuan, waved to halt the troops, "Go and check carefully to see what’s really going on."
Unfortunately, repeated reconnaissance by the scouts unearthed nothing unusual. Although the King of Xichuan sensed something wrong, he could not delay the agreed day with Prince Donghe indefinitely over his suspicions, as supplies were dwindling.
"All troops, listen, advance at full speed, and stay alert at all times."
Yet, no matter how vigilant they were, some things were beyond their understanding at that time. Just as the King of Xichuan exited the canyon of Luoyue Mountain and was about to exhale, several loud explosions came from behind. He then watched helplessly as his forces were crushed by rolling boulders, horses trampling over his units, hearing their wails.
"Your Highness, it’s Black Coal Ball, it has blown up the mountain peak, and there are Prince Linsan’s men on the mountain."
The King of Xichuan’s eyes were blood red, and he shouted furiously, "Didn’t I order you to scout first? Why was nothing discovered?"
"Perhaps Prince Linsan’s men are few and well-hidden, thus we didn’t notice them."
Han Youjie gritted his teeth, "I knew Chen Gaoxuan wasn’t as ignorant as he seemed. Why didn’t I heed the lesson after he used this tactic against Prince Donghe before? This time, I’ve lost."
"Your Highness, should we continue to advance?" the soldier asked carefully.
"Advance, of course! If we don’t, won’t we be falling into Prince Linsan’s trap? Leave the heavily wounded here for treatment, the rest of the troops ready your gear and speed up." The King of Xichuan said viciously, "We can’t let this matter end here today."
Meanwhile, Prince Donghe’s forces, advancing to the Baisha River, also faced an ambush by Prince Linsan. With the bridge destroyed in advance, Prince Donghe had to cross by ferry, only to meet with Prince Linsan’s fire attack, followed by a rain of arrows with nowhere to hide.
Prince Donghe’s expression was extremely grim: "Fortunately, I joined forces with the King of Xichuan this time, otherwise who knows how this Linsan fellow would have exploited us in the future. Truly, silent dogs bite the hardest. That Chen Gaoxuan is something else, much better than his useless father."
By the time both forces broke through the siege close to Lishan Prefecture, they had already suffered significant losses, and the great battle was about to erupt.
At the same time, Ye Qiu was also mobilizing his own troops. Though he didn’t have many to fight, only twenty thousand, these twenty thousand had a combat strength unmatched by ordinary soldiers, aided by equipment Ye Qiu never hesitated to provide. Well-equipped soldiers could stand against ten regular troops.
"Soldiers, as the saying goes: ’Raise an army for a thousand days, use it for an hour.’ We’ve trained for such a long time, now is the moment to showcase your strength, are you ready?" Ye Qiu shouted loudly.
"Ready, we will march through fire and water for the Family Head!" A robust voice echoed in unison, astounding the Ye Family Members nearby, filling their hearts with intense emotion.