Imperial Husband Chapter 106

Chapter 106

"How could this be... we... we cannot possibly win." Ying Zihui said incredulously, "Has the King of Qianluo gone mad? How dare he send so many soldiers to attack Zhuzhou."

Although Ying Zihui had mentally prepared himself, when he personally saw the enemy's great army, he couldn't help but feel an urge to retreat.

We... cannot possibly win...

"Even if we cannot win, we must." Bai Yifei turned his head and said to Ying Zihui word by word, "Eldest Prince, if we retreat, the people of Zhuzhou have only a path of death before them. Surely you are not afraid?"

Ying Zihui feigned composure, "How impudent. After all, I have been on the battlefield. How could I be frightened by this mere force of one hundred and fifty thousand troops?"

"Very good. This humble general only hopes the Eldest Prince will remember the words spoken now..."

Bai Yifei stopped mid-sentence, then looked at Ying Zihui with a meaningful gaze.

Ying Zihui's back went instantly rigid.

"General Bai, what exactly do you mean by that?"

"Nothing much." Bai Yifei shrugged, "It's just that I wanted to confirm whether you, Eldest Prince, would flee from the battlefield."

The fleeting thought of retreat in Ying Zihui's eyes a moment ago, though well-hidden, was still noticed by Bai Yifei who had been secretly observing him, hence Bai Yifei's question.

Actually, one couldn't blame Bai Yifei for this.

Because now, aside from himself, it was only Ying Zihui who commanded troops. If Ying Zihui were to flee the battlefield at this critical moment, morale would inevitably be plunged into chaos.

"You..."

Ying Zihui was speechless, seemingly not expecting his thoughts to be seen through by Bai Yifei.

In an instant, the atmosphere gradually began to tense.

Li Jin said impassively, "Eldest Prince, General Bai, considering Qianluo's army is already at our city walls, it would be best if we quickly think about how to deal with the Qianluo forces."

Bai Xiansi also chimed in, "Father, His Highness is right. If we don't quickly come up with a solution, Zhuzhou will be in danger." 

Bai Xiansi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If Li Jin hadn't spoken up first just now, Bai Xiansi wouldn't have dared to speak at all. After all, once his father's bullheaded temper flared up, even Bai Xiansi, being his son, wouldn't escape unscathed.

"Fine, this humble general was thinking the same."

Bai Yifei wasn't an ungrateful person. Since Li Jin offered a way out, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

Ying Yuan walked up to Bai Yifei and suggested, "General Bai, I believe given the current situation, the method proposed earlier by Eldest Brother might be feasible."

"Seventh Prince, do you know what you are saying?"

Bai Yifei's expression instantly turned cold.

Ying Yuan met Bai Yifei's gaze, "I suggest this based on the fact that the disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves is too great. If we fight head-on, we have no chance of winning at all. General Bai, you surely don't want to let the soldiers die in vain?"

"..."

Confronted by Ying Yuan's gaze, which appeared utterly detached and free of worldly desire, the reprimand that had formed on Bai Yifei's lips remained unspoken.

Despite Bai Yifei's blunt speech, his ability to read people was top-notch. Otherwise, he wouldn't have immediately seen through Ying Zihui's suggestion and his desire to retreat earlier.

Ying Yuan pressed on step by step, not showing any intention of backing down, "This is the only feasible method right now."

"Seventh Brother is right. General Bai, I urge you to please consider the 'bigger picture'."

Seeing Bai Yifei rendered speechless by Ying Yuan's rebuttal, Ying Zihui immediately interjected, his words full of mockery towards Bai Yifei.

Weren't you very impressive just now? Why are you speechless now?

"It can be done."

Bai Yifei nodded, not provoked by Ying Zihui's words.

This time it was Ying Zihui's turn to be stunned.

What's going on? Given Bai Yifei's temperament from moments ago, he should have immediately flown into a rage when spoken to like this. Why is he now acting as if nothing happened? Am I not dreaming?

Bai Yifei said abruptly, "Since it's decided to use the Eldest Prince's method, let's now discuss who is most suitable to go."

Yan Zhongjin cupped his hands, "General Bai, I am willing to give it a try."

Li Jin raised an eyebrow, "And you are?"

Yan Zhongjin replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "In reply to the Heir, this humble general is Yan Zhongjin, a deputy general under the Prince of Dingbei."

Yan Zhongjin... Zhongjin??

Upon hearing this, Li Jin was momentarily stunned.

He still clearly recalled that Wei Shiwan's secret lover was precisely a man named Zhongjin. Moreover, he had not forgotten that this Yan Zhongjin had just declared himself to be a deputy general serving under his so-called honorable father.

Li Jin smiled, "I see. If you are Father's deputy general, then you are indeed suitable. However, Deputy General Yan is already a deputy general by Father's side at such a young age, which truly surprised me."

Li Jin hid his change in expression very well, even calmly explaining the reason for his momentary lapse, so that even someone as astute as Bai Yifei didn't detect anything amiss with Li Jin.

"The Heir flatters me."

Yan Zhongjin bowed to Li Jin, a barely perceptible flash of killing intent quickly passing through his eyes.

"Hold on." Ying Zihui interrupted displeased, "I don't think he is suitable."

Bai Yifei raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Does the Eldest Prince have a more suitable candidate?"

"Naturally."

"Please enlighten me, Eldest Prince. This humble general would also like to know who the Eldest Prince holds in such high regard."

"Me."

"Uh... Is the Eldest Prince perhaps joking?"

Hearing Ying Zihui's answer, the corner of Bai Yifei's mouth twitched, a clearly visible trace of anger deep in his eyes.

"How could I possibly joke at a time like this?" Ying Zihui curled his lips, disdainfully saying, "In fact, the method I mentioned is one I often use, so I am confident I can do better than this Deputy General Yan."

Bai Yifei narrowed his eyes slightly, saying coldly, "Does the Eldest Prince truly mean this?"

Ying Zihui replied with full confidence, "Yes."

"Good, then this humble general entrusts this matter to the Eldest Prince. I hope the Eldest Prince will not disappoint the rest of us. Farewell."

Bai Yifei forcefully suppressed his nearly erupting anger, gave Ying Zihui a cupped-hand salute, then turned and left.

"Father."

Seeing this, Bai Xiansi also saluted the others and quickly caught up with Bai Yifei.

Ying Yuan said disapprovingly, "Eldest Brother, this..."

"Seventh Brother, this is not something for you to concern yourself with. Just stay quietly on the sidelines and watch." Ying Zihui had long held a grudge against Ying Yuan for becoming Gu Rushuang's adopted son. Therefore, even though Ying Yuan had helped him earlier, Ying Zihui didn't take Ying Yuan seriously and wasn't even willing to say much to him.

However, towards Li Jin, whom he originally intended to win over, Ying Zihui's tone softened considerably, "Heir Li, my apologies. I must return to discuss how to deal with Qianluo. If there is a chance next time, I will definitely invite you for a proper drink."

Li Jin smiled, "The matter of Qianluo is urgent. Li Jin wishes the Eldest Prince a smooth and successful battle."

"Good." Seeing Li Jin being so understanding, Ying Zihui immediately laughed heartily, "With the Heir's words, I certainly will not disappoint the Heir."

On the other side.

Bai Xiansi said worriedly, "Father, that Eldest Prince seems like a glory-seeker no matter how you look at him. Entrusting such an important matter to him, I'm afraid he will mess it up."

Bai Yifei shot Bai Xiansi a look, saying with displeasure, "Is your father that stupid? Since he likes being the bait, of course I wouldn't disagree."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiansi immediately understood.

"Father means... a feint?"

"Correct." Bai Yifei stroked his beard, "You saw the Eldest Prince's attitude earlier. If I refused, he would definitely go secretly on his own. So it's better if I generously agree, ensuring the Eldest Prince doesn't become a burden to us. Xiansi, go tell Deputy General Yan later..."

Seizing the moment, Bai Yifei proceeded to divulge his true plan to Bai Xiansi, directing him to covertly relay it to Yan Zhongjin.

Bai Xiansi nodded heavily, "Yes."

After finishing the serious matter, Bai Yifei suddenly inquired, "Xiansi, did you feel earlier that the Seventh Prince seemed a bit... a bit... well... not simple?"

"Uh... why does Father say that?" Bai Xiansi scratched his head in confusion.

Thwack.

Bai Xiansi covered the spot where he was hit, "Father, why did you suddenly hit your son's head?"

Hating iron for not becoming steel, Bai Yifei said, "It's because you are too stupid."

[恨鐵不成鋼 (hèn tiě bù chéng gāng): lit. to hate iron for not becoming steel; fig. to be frustrated with someone's lack of progress or failure to meet expectations]

"Father..."

"Enough." Bai Yifei impatiently cut him off, "If you want to know why I hit you, think about it yourself. Talk to me about this when you figure it out. I'm going to rest for a while."

"..."

Bai Xiansi watched his biological father, who left at the drop of a hat, speechless.

...

Back in the bedroom.

Ying Yuan frowned worriedly, "A-Jin, I always feel General Bai's decision isn't that simple."

"If I'm not mistaken, he must be planning to use the Eldest Prince as bait."

Li Jin said while calmly brewing tea.

Ying Yuan shook his head, "If General Bai does this, isn't he afraid Ying Zihui might accidentally be killed by the enemy?"

Li Jin poured the freshly brewed tea into the cup on the table for Ying Yuan, then filled his own cup, "A-Yuan, have you forgotten who volunteered in front of everyone just now?"

Ying Yuan suddenly understood, "It was Ying Zihui himself."

Li Jin nodded, "Mm. In that case, even if Ying Zihui were to die should the worst happen, the Emperor could at most only lightly punish General Bai."

After understanding this point, Ying Yuan's concerns still weren't alleviated, "A-Jin, I'm still worried about the worst-case scenario. If even the people General Bai sends fail, wouldn't we have no other options?"

They could think of using a night raid; the enemy army would surely think of it too.

Ying Yuan somewhat regretted his suggestion.

He should have thought more deeply about it earlier.

Li Jin shook his head, a meaningful look in his eyes. "It's not that we are without options. If all their efforts fail, we still hold a final, decisive trump card."

Ying Yuan looked at Li Jin puzzled, "A trump card?"

"You've forgotten the saltpeter we discovered earlier?" Li Jin suddenly stood up, picked up the saltpeter placed in the corner, and said, "It... will be the key to victory in this battle."

Ying Yuan's confusion deepened, "Uh... A-Jin, isn't that medicine?"

Li Jin nodded, "It is, but it is also a tool for killing."

If possible, Li Jin didn't want gunpowder to appear in the world so early. Unfortunately, the current situation didn't allow Li Jin that choice.