Capital City
Although Pei Zi Yun was traveling light, he didn't want to disturb anyone. He left the camp on the third day of the first month. First, he would travel by land. After which, he would change to a boat and travel by water.
Pei Zi Yun was a True Sovereign, and was in control of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Along the way, he did not speak a word. As he neared the pier of the capital, the sea was wide and the sky was wide. Although the wind was cold, Pei Zi Yun wasn't afraid. He could already see the city walls from afar.
When he neared the pier, he saw that although it was winter and the trees were covered in frost, it looked like it was snowing. However, there were many boats docked at the pier. There were many people on the pier.
From time to time, there would be a passenger boat passing by. Pei Zi Yun wasn't wearing the robes of an official, and looked like a young master. There were many serving girls pointing at him and laughing at him.
The bodyguard was listening to his teasing, and couldn't help but relax his tense face, and a smile appeared on his face. As soon as he neared the ship, he pointed to a direction and said, "True Sovereign, someone has come to greet you."
Pei Zi Yun smiled and replied, "I saw them."
There were several people at the pier who were all dressed in casual clothes. However, just by standing there, one could tell that they were very serious. Before long, the boat was anchored and the bridge was connected. The leader of the group was a man around thirty years of age. He wasn't very handsome, but his eyes shone brightly and his expression was resolute. He had the aura of a military man. The moment he saw Pei Zi Yun, he walked up and said softly, "This general, Captain Ke Du of the Wu Xing Guards, pays his respects to the True Sovereign."
Pei Zi Yun disembarked from the boat and looked at this man before asking, "Has the rumor been spread?"
When Ke Du heard this, he paused. He didn't expect the True Sovereign to be so direct. He then replied, "It's been spread. According to your instructions, we only leaked it to the Dao Records Department. Who would've thought that there would be a Dao Officer who leaked it to King Lu."
As he spoke, Ke Du's eyes turned cold, "So there's a traitor hiding in the Dao Records Department."
"Mm." Hearing Ke Du's report, Pei Zi Yun nodded his head. There were several ox-carts parked at the pier. There were many people, and Ke Du didn't say much as he led the way.
The coachman was well-trained. With just a slight start, the carriage slid out steadily without the slightest jolt. There was also a small stove and a table with tea brewing inside.
Ke Du personally poured a cup of tea and served it to Pei Zi Yun. Pei Zi Yun received the cup of tea and leaned back on the cushion. He then looked out at the scenery outside and said, "The Records Department still has its merits. It's just that now that the family business has grown, there are bound to be some rats in the city. Besides, for the sake of the Imperial Court, we've suffered some losses recently. It's normal for us to be a little emotional."
These words were spoken lightly, but Ke Du straightened his back as he sat by the side. He laughed coldly, "The Dao Records Division is paid by the Imperial Court, and thus has to work for the Imperial Court. It's normal for there to be sacrifices. Those who harbor grievances are traitors, and should be executed!"
"Besides, even if you have some emotions, it's not a reason to surrender to the traitors." Ke Du paused. "Sacrifice? Who hasn't sacrificed?"
"Back then, when the country was founded, countless people died. Do you think they can collude with the enemy just because of this? Even for the nobles of today, how many of them didn't stake their lives on the line? Since they chose this path, they must be prepared to die. "
"I have to investigate this matter thoroughly, and kill all these rats from the city."
Ke Du was someone sent by the Emperor himself. His words were filled with ferocity. Pei Zi Yun couldn't help but look at him. This man's face was flushed red, and he was filled with killing intent. Pei Zi Yun then realized that he must be the descendant of a hero.
Pei Zi Yun laughed and didn't say much. If it was a small matter, then so be it. But to betray them like this, how many people could tolerate it? Furthermore, they were from a military family. They had shed their blood for the Imperial Court, and could not tolerate any blemishes.
As they traveled west, they saw the Spring Garden. This was located to the west of the capital, and was originally the garden of Marquis Yun Wu. Later on, it was transformed into a palace. When the dynasty was founded, they loved the scenery, and thus renovated the place. However, since the Emperor was here, the entire place seemed lonely and desolate.
"Token?" As the ox-cart neared, the soldiers guarding the garden stopped them and asked loudly. Ke Du opened the curtains and alighted from the cart. He then handed the token over to the soldier, who then handed it over, "Your Excellency, please enter."
"Go!" The ox-cart driver was expressionless as he continued onwards. When he reached a door, he stopped. Pei Zi Yun alighted from the cart, and could see a dense forest of bamboos in the distance. A eunuch then led him inside. After passing through a hole in the flowers, he arrived at a small hall. At this point, the Emperor was seated inside. Several eunuchs and palace maids were serving him. There was a beast furnace in front of him, which was burning hot.
The Emperor was reading a scroll, and his expression was unreadable. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he looked dignified. From time to time, he would furrow his eyebrows, as though he was deep in thought. He then picked up the teacup in front of him, and used the lid to stir the water before taking a sip.
"True Sovereign Pei requests an audience!" The eunuch entered the room to report, breaking the silence. When the Emperor heard this, he smiled and placed the scroll down. He then straightened his back, "Enter!"
"True Sovereign, his Majesty has been waiting for you for a long time." The eunuch spoke softly as he led the way. Pei Zi Yun nodded his head and walked in calmly. The eunuchs and palace maids bowed, and did not say a word.
As soon as he entered the hall, he saw the Emperor. Pei Zi Yun bowed, and stood up. The Emperor looked at Pei Zi Yun, and waved his hands. The eunuchs and palace maids then retreated.
Pei Zi Yun looked at the Emperor seriously. When he was still the Crown Prince, he was still weak and frail. But now, he had a dignified and dignified air about him.
The Emperor then said, "True Sovereign has come from afar, it must have been hard on you. Servants, come, have a seat and serve tea."
The eunuch stepped forward and brought a stool over. Pei Zi Yun sat down and received the tea. The tea had a fragrant aroma, and just smelling it made one feel relaxed.
Ke Du then knelt three times and kowtowed nine times, before handing over a scroll. The Emperor looked at it, his face flushed red, "There are still traitors in the Records Department. These traitors deserve to be killed."
He then turned to Pei Zi Yun and asked, "Your highness's scroll, I've read it carefully. However, there are still some details that I don't understand."
Pei Zi Yun stood up and bowed, "Your subject is here to help your majesty. Please show me the map."
The Emperor nodded his head, and someone immediately unfurled the map. Pei Zi Yun took a few steps forward and pointed, "Now, including me, there are four battalions. They are like four millstones, and are constantly restricting and depleting King Lu's strength. This makes it difficult for him to advance further. This is the situation of a trapped dragon."
The Emperor looked at the map, and his expression turned serious. He thought about the situation in his mind, and the situation gradually became clearer. As Pei Zi Yun explained in detail, it was as if he could really see the four millstones grinding away at King Lu's strength. He nodded his head, but didn't speak.
Pei Zi Yun stretched out his hand and drew another line on the map, "Your majesty is anxious. A few days ago, your majesty released several generals. These generals don't have much military power, and their families are all in the capital city. They can only serve your majesty to the best of their abilities. The results are not bad."
"After Li Yuan Yong, Zhao Da Lin beheaded 1,100 soldiers, and took over two counties. Ji Han beheaded 900 soldiers, and took over one county."
"In the grand scheme of things, winning or losing isn't important. What's important is that if we were to passively defend, the enemy would still be able to gather their troops and rations, and focus all their strength on annihilating us. These generals are like needles in cotton, making it difficult for the enemy to gather their troops and rations. They would be unable to break out of the encirclement, and would be stuck in a quagmire of exhaustion."
"It can be said that King Lu will definitely lose based on this strategy."
When the Emperor heard this, he looked at it for a long time before sighing, "This is your intelligence."
He then looked at Pei Zi Yun, and his heart was racing. Even though he was the Emperor, he had to admit that King Lu was much more talented than he was. As he thought of this, a murderous aura emanated from him, and he asked, "When will we be able to capture King Lu and bring him back to the capital city?"
He paused before speaking to himself, "Although I am not well-versed in the art of war, I can see that although we will definitely win, it will take a long time. I believe that since you've rushed over to see me, you must have a plan. Just tell me what it is."
The Emperor revealed a smile. To the Emperor, Pei Zi Yun would never disappoint him. As he thought about this, his thoughts started to wander as he thought about his father's plans. Just as he was thinking about this, Pei Zi Yun's voice broke the Emperor's train of thought, as he replied.
"Yes, if we continue to wear him down, we will definitely win. However, it will take us three or even four years, and we will have to expend a lot of rations and troops. However, Your Majesty has just ascended to the throne, and wants to create peace. Hence, we have to spread our might within the empire, and not delay any longer. Hence, I wish to find an opportunity to annihilate King Lu's main forces."
"You're right. Actually, I wish to annihilate King Lu's main forces in one fell swoop, and capture King Lu and bring him back to the capital. I want to ask him in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple if he dares to face the First Ancestor. However, with the incident with Count Zhong Qin, I have no choice but to be cautious. If we were to lose again, the entire imperial court would be shaken. From what I see, it's better to be safe than sorry." When the Emperor heard that he would annihilate King Lu's main forces, he was elated. However, he soon frowned. It seemed like as long as they won, delaying it for three to five years was acceptable.
When Pei Zi Yun heard this, he laughed. The Emperor's worries were clear to him. He then spoke, "Your Majesty is wise, and is neither anxious nor slow. It's a blessing for your subjects. However, King Lu is a decisive person. Now that he's in a difficult situation, I'm afraid he won't be able to hide it. He won't die of exhaustion, and will definitely find an opportunity to break through."
When the Emperor heard this, his heart turned cold. He understood King Lu's personality when he was the Crown Prince. He was ambitious, adventurous, and good at strategizing. He paused for sometime before looking at the map. He saw that the area that King Lu had conquered was extremely eye-catching, causing the Emperor to feel indecisive.
In the next few years, there wouldn't be any mishaps. Nobody could guarantee that.
"My beloved subject, what do you think?"
The Emperor muttered to himself as Pei Zi Yun bowed, "Your majesty, King Lu won't be content with his lot. He wants to break through the encirclement and find a way out. Although the millstone is locked, rather than allowing King Lu to break through at a time when we don't know where he is, why don't we guide him ourselves?"
"My plan is to intentionally create a gap between us, and cause King Lu to misjudge the situation. Then, he will choose a place to break through. That way, we can annihilate him in one fell swoop."
As he spoke, he retrieved a scroll from within his robes. The Emperor's eyes were filled with doubt as he received the scroll and read through it. Within it was a detailed plan. As he read on, his brows furrowed, before slowly relaxing.
"Hu!" After the Emperor finished reading, he let out a deep breath and exhaled all of the irritation and uneasiness in his heart. He walked a few steps in the hall and suddenly said in a deep voice, "I think this plan is not bad. Let's act according to this plan."
"As for the Daoist Records Department, they are the servants of the royal family. However, they harbor grievances and betray their master. Ke Du, go and clean them up." The Emperor spoke plainly, as killing intent emanated from him.
Ke Du's heart turned cold as he kowtowed, "This subject understands!"
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