Imperial Husband Chapter 107

Chapter 107

In order to quickly achieve military merit and regain Ying Zhengjing's favor, Ying Zihui selected men from his soldiers that very night and infiltrated the area where the Qianluo army was stationed.

Ying Zihui's trusted aide expressed disapproval, "Eldest Prince, aren't we acting too hastily?"

Ying Zihui looked at his aide with displeasure, "A surprise attack relies on catching the enemy unprepared. If we deliberate everything, and the enemy discovers our plans, how can we accomplish anything?"

"Yes."

The aide saw that Ying Zihui's mind was made up and could only nod in agreement, suppressing the unease in his heart. 

Perhaps I am overthinking it.

Not far away, the soldiers brought by Yan Zhongjin were silently lying in ambush behind them, watching every move of Ying Zihui and his men.

Yan Zhongjin raised his hand, making a 'stop' gesture, "Everyone, be careful. A little further ahead is the enemy's main camp. Don't underestimate the enemy or let your guard down."

The soldiers accompanying Yan Zhongjin immediately stopped in unison, awaiting Yan Zhongjin's next instruction.

At yinshi (3-5 AM), after waiting for most of the night, Ying Zihui saw his chance and said, "Good, it's about time. Follow me. While their guard is sparse now, we will capture their commander in one move."

"Yes."

To avoid revealing their position, all the soldiers lowered their voices.

Soon, under Ying Zihui's lead, they infiltrated the enemy camp, then cautiously avoided the patrolling soldiers, slowly advancing towards the commander's tent.

As Ying Zihui had fought against Qianluo before, he quickly located the tent of the Qianluo commander.

Ying Zihui gave the signal to act. The soldiers immediately nodded and began to disperse in different directions, laying in ambush, waiting for Ying Zihui's next command.

"Attack!"

Ying Zihui made no attempt to conceal the command "Attack!" and instead shouted it out abruptly.

"Enemy attack... enemy attack..."

Ying Zihui's shout instantly alerted the Qianluo forces.

"Charge forward!"

At Ying Zihui's command, his soldiers immediately clashed fiercely with the Qianluo soldiers. Ying Zihui, leading from the front, charged directly into the Qianluo commander's tent, aiming to seize him in a single, decisive strike.

However... Ying Zihui had ultimately fallen into a trap. The moment he burst into the tent amidst the chaos, he was captured by Qianluo soldiers who had long been lying in ambush inside.

The Qianluo commander, who had been observing everything from behind the scenes, stepped out from the shadows. "The Eldest Prince of the Da Xia dynasty. I did not expect our reunion to come so soon, but this time, it is you who cuts a sorry figure."

Ying Zihui uttered through clenched teeth, "Batu."

The mention of Batu made Ying Zihui grind his teeth in fury. Years ago, during the war with Qianluo, the Qianluo general Ying Zihui had captured was none other than Batu. Yet, that capture was no true victory—Batu had intentionally let himself be captured by Ying Zihui.

Later, Batu even silently broke free from his restraints, infiltrated the main camp of Da Xia, killed a general of high rank, and then escaped calmly right in front of Ying Zihui, making Ying Zihui furious.

Fortunately, the general truly in charge of the battle back then was not harmed. Moreover, that area was under the control of the family of Ying Zihui's mother, so the incident was suppressed.

Although the matter was suppressed, Batu's actions made Ying Zihui harbor a grudge to this day, and he naturally never forgot Batu's name.

"Tsk." Batu clicked his tongue. "Eldest Prince of Da Xia, when all is said and done, we are old acquaintances. Your manner of speaking remains as unpleasant as ever."

Ying Zihui, however, possessed his own mettle. Changing from his previously cowardly demeanor in front of Bai Yifei, he glared at Batu and said word by word, "I spit on you. The victor becomes king, the loser becomes a bandit. Kill me if you dare."

"Kill?" Batu raised an eyebrow. "No, that would be letting you off too easily."

"What do you want to do?"

Ying Zihui met Batu's gaze without a hint of backing down.

Ying Zihui admitted he was a selfish, somewhat cowardly villain, but he was also the Eldest Prince of Da Xia. Even in death, he must die with honor.

Batu curled the corner of his mouth in a half-smile. "Nothing much. It's just I heard you intend to compete for the throne of Da Xia. So, I was thinking, if I break your legs here, could you still continue to vie for the throne?"

Ying Zihui widened his eyes in anger, "Batu..."

"Is the Eldest Prince impatient? Don't worry, it will be over soon."

After saying this, Batu calmly walked towards Ying Zihui.

At the same time, the soldiers brought by Ying Zihui were also killed one after another by the Qianluo soldiers in front of Ying Zihui.

"Capture him alive! He is the eldest prince of Qianluo, the successor to the Qianluo King. If we capture him, we need not worry about Qianluo not retreating." Yan Zhongjin, who originally intended to disregard Ying Zihui's life or death, changed his mind the moment he inadvertently discerned Batu's true identity. He led his soldiers charging out.

However, Batu's movements were swifter. In a flash, he severed the tendons at Ying Zihui's heels with a dagger and retreated.

"Ah..."

The excruciating pain of having his Achilles tendons severed instantly caused Ying Zihui to let out a scream.

Batu licked his lower lip, gazing down at Ying Zihui from a position of dominance. "Eldest Prince, I never thought your screams would sound quite pleasant. It's truly unforgettable for me."

"Batu... I won't let you get away with this..."

After saying this, Ying Zihui, unable to bear the pain, passed out.

"You men, go rescue the Eldest Prince. The rest of you, follow my lead." Yan Zhongjin had not given up on the idea of capturing Batu alive and immediately launched a fierce attack directly towards Batu's position.

Batu was no pushover either. Facing Yan Zhongjin's relentless attacks, he gritted his teeth and held his ground.

Seeing that Batu was beginning to lose the upper hand, Yan Zhongjin's attacks became even more ferocious.

This is bad. This man is a Deputy General under Li Shiyun. If this fight drags on, I'll surely lose.

Having campaigned for many years under the Qianluo King, Batu immediately recognized that this increasingly dominant officer was one of Li Shiyun's deputies. He promptly altered his tactics, decisively shifting from offense to defense.

Gradually... Numerous Qianluo soldiers arrived to reinforce their ranks, causing Yan Zhongjin's side to slowly lose their advantage.

A soldier fighting beside Yan Zhongjin urged while parrying blows, "Deputy General Yan, we should retreat. More and more enemy troops are arriving. Continuing this fight puts us at a severe disadvantage."

Hearing this, Yan Zhongjin bit his lip hard and said, "Withdraw."

"Yes!"

Yan Zhongjin's soldiers stopped prolonging the fight and retreated together with the injured and unconscious Ying Zihui.

Batu stopped the Qianluo soldiers who wanted to pursue. "Do not chase a desperate foe," he said, a grave expression briefly crossing his face.

With the Dingbei Army here, capturing Zhuzhou will be no easy task.

...

"Deputy General Yan, how is the situation?" Bai Yifei, who had been waiting in Zhuzhou city all night, immediately went to inquire upon hearing that Yan Zhongjin and the others had returned.

"Failed." Yan Zhongjin shook his head, then said gravely, "Quick, find a physician to examine the Eldest Prince. The Eldest Prince is seriously injured."

"Yes, I'll go right away."

The soldier hurried off to find a physician.

"I'll do it. I am a palace physician."

Shi Weixu strode over from the crowd to examine Ying Zihui's condition.

Yan Zhongjin immediately stepped aside.

"Then I'll trouble you."

Bai Yifei's face darkened as he inquired, "Deputy General Yan, what exactly happened?"

"General Bai, let's talk inside the tent."

"Good."

Bai Yifei understood the seriousness of the matter and immediately entered the tent with Yan Zhongjin.

Yan Zhongjin did not conceal anything, informing Bai Yifei of everything, including Batu's identity.

After listening, Bai Yifei's expression grew increasingly grim. "This is troublesome. For the Qianluo King to have sent his own crown prince to command the siege force means they are utterly committed. This battle will be exceptionally difficult."

Yan Zhongjin clasped his hands. "General Bai, we have already alerted the enemy yesterday. They will definitely strengthen their defenses. A night raid is no longer feasible."

"Mm, I understand. You go rest first. At dawn, we will discuss strategies anew."

"Yes, General Bai."

Yan Zhongjin nodded to Bai Yifei and withdrew.

Compared to this side, the situation over with Ying Zihui was also not optimistic.

As soon as Ying Zihui woke up and caught sight of Shi Weixu, he immediately tightly grabbed the clothes of Shi Weixu, who was treating him, and asked in panic, "Can my feet be saved?"

Shi Weixu said, "Replying to the Eldest Prince, I'm afraid not."

Ying Zihui struggled to get out of bed. "No... I don't want this. I don't want to be like this for the rest of my life. That's right, I must leave this place. The imperial physicians in the capital can certainly cure me."

Bai Yifei walked in just as Ying Zihui was saying this. "Eldest Prince, in the current situation, going out is undoubtedly seeking death. Moreover, the physician treating you now is a palace physician."

"How could this be..."

Ying Zihui widened his eyes in disbelief.

Bai Yifei continued, "Eldest Prince, this humble general knows you feel terrible, but I must ask Your Highness to prioritize the overall situation and must not act in ways detrimental to Zhuzhou again."

A pitiable person surely has hateful aspects.

Bai Yifei would not forget the soldiers who died because of Ying Zihui's impulsive actions just because Ying Zihui was injured.

"......"

Ying Zihui fell silent, unable to say a word.

Yes.

It was his greed for merit and reckless advance that caused all the soldiers who went with him to die at the hands of the Qianluo soldiers.

Those who died yesterday were soldiers who had followed Ying Zihui for many years. No matter how muddled Ying Zihui was, he could not remain unmoved by their deaths.

"Eldest Prince?"

Bai Yifei's gaze remained fixed on Ying Zihui, awaiting his response and commitment.

"I understand."

Ying Zihui lowered his head, no longer insisting on returning to the capital.

Bang.

A soldier rushed in in a panic, "General Bai, it's bad! The enemy... the enemy is attacking the city!"

Bai Yifei's pupils constricted, and then he stood up abruptly.

"Deputy General Yan, come with me to meet them."

"Yes." Yan Zhongjin nodded in agreement and followed. "But should we send someone to inform the Heir and the others?"

"No need." Bai Yifei shook his head, disapproving. "The Heir has no knowledge of military affairs. Informing him would be pointless, as he would not grasp the situation. More importantly, there is a risk that, once aware, he might recklessly follow the same disastrous course as the Eldest Prince."