Big Moon Ballad

Chapter 2653 Resistance
"Catch alive?"

Zhou Fu showed no joy upon hearing Chunyu Ye's "grand" plan.

“This is different from what strategist Wu Chan said,” Zhou Fu said, staring at the terrifying-looking young man in front of him. “Yun Zhongjun’s original plan was for us to first occupy Northern Wei and destroy the Northern Wei royal family. If this plan failed, we would then head south, occupy the capital of Southern Chu, and kill the King of Southern Chu.”

In Yunzhongjun's plan, his primary targets were Yelü Hua, the King of Northern Wei, and Jiang Yuan, the King of Southern Chu.

Both of these young monarchs ascended the throne hastily, with shallow foundations and vast states under their control. Internally, the royal family was eyeing them covetously, and externally, their control over the army was unstable, making them vulnerable to being overthrown.

Even Yun Zhongjun dared not act hastily against Zhao Muren, the King of Eastern Wu who had ruled Eastern Wu for many years, let alone Ying Baoyue, the King of Former Qin, whose power was already formidable.

In Yun Zhongjun's plan, the first step is always to bypass these two countries, and even if they encounter them, they must avoid their sharp edge.

If Ying Baoyue hadn't led the Former Qin army in relentless pursuit, Zhou Fu wouldn't have fought against the Former Qin army.

How come Chunyu Ye's objective for this battle changed to capturing the former Qin king alive as soon as he arrived in Southern Chu?
When did Ying Baoyue become their primary target?

"What use is there in capturing the former King of Qin alive?" Zhou Fu asked expressionlessly. "Military Advisor Wu Chan said before that the purpose of this trip is to capture the King of Southern Chu."

Even if the former Qin king were captured alive on the territory of Southern Chu, Jiang Yuanyuan could not be forced to surrender.

Chunyu Ye never expected that this unassuming traitor would question him. "Isn't it the former Qin king who's been getting in the way? She's already joined forces with the Southern Chu army. If we don't get rid of her, we probably won't be able to take Danyang City."

Isn't this reason a bit far-fetched?

“The former Qin king is now the ruler of a country, and it’s impossible for him to stay by the side of the Southern Chu king as a bodyguard,” Zhou Fu said calmly. “The Southern Chu royal family will also not allow the former Qin army to enter the capital.”

"If we encounter the Former Qin army blocking our way on our way south, we should avoid them if possible, and defeat them if we cannot avoid them. There is no need to capture the King of Former Qin alive."

"This move is extremely costly and not worth the effort."

Zhou Fu had absolutely no intention of using his subordinates for such a thing.

He had already fully experienced Ying Baoyue's prowess and had no desire to fight this killing god again.

Chunyu Ye was rarely rendered speechless by someone's words, and for the first time, he realized how difficult it was to lead the Central Plains troops. Previously, when he led the Western Rong army, if someone disobeyed, he could simply whip them; there was no need for all this trouble.

"I am the strategist sent by Lord Yunzhong to succeed Wuchanlu..."

Just as Chunyu Ye was about to use his status to suppress the other party, Zhou Fu glanced at him and asked, "Was it Yun Zhongjun who personally said he wanted to capture Ying Baoyue alive?"

Chunyu Ye fell completely silent.

If he admits it, the words will reach Yun Zhongjun's ears in the next moment.

“No,” he said calmly after a moment, “I was just too impatient, wanting to solve the problem completely.”

"Since General Zhou dares not attack the former King of Qin, let's proceed with the original plan and kill the King of Southern Chu first."

Chunyu Ye spoke casually, as if killing a king was an extremely simple matter.

"Judging by the time, the people in the palace should be making their move soon."

……

……

Gui Chen carried Ying Baoyue at high speed, his back gradually becoming damp, and Gui Chen's heart growing colder with each passing moment.

He didn't know whether the sweat soaking his back was his own cold sweat or Ying Baoyue's blood.

He didn't dare to look back.

They led their troops for dozens of miles before the ranks gradually slowed down.

"Gather the remaining troops and see how many have followed."

Ying Baoyue opened her eyes as she leaned against his back.

Gui Chen noticed that her breathing had calmed down, and then stiffly turned around.

Ying Baoyue had no visible injuries, and her soft armor was free of blood; her face was only slightly pale. The blood of a Heavenly Rank cultivator was never meant to be seen.

Seeing this scene, Gui Chen's heart sank even further.

"Baoyue, are you alright?"

“It’s alright,” Ying Baoyue straightened up. “The Western Rong people probably won’t catch up. We need to send someone to find the supply train, otherwise we won’t have anything to eat tomorrow.”

“I’ll send someone over, you don’t need to worry about these things,” Gui Chen touched her forehead and found that her body temperature was alarmingly low. “You…”

“There was a price to pay for stopping Chunyu Ye,” Ying Baoyue smiled. “But don’t worry, I’ve recovered.”

"What should we do next?" Chen Yan rode up to them. "I didn't expect the Zen temple to have such strength."

They originally planned to annihilate the rebels on the shore of Lancang, but now not only have they failed to win, more Western Rong soldiers have entered Southern Chu.

“This should be the last of the Zen temple’s assets,” Ying Baoyue said, narrowing her eyes. “The Zen temple disciples trained by Yun Zhongjun are almost all gone.”

"What are these people trying to do by going so far?" Chen Yan frowned. "Without any supplies, they're so isolated and deep in enemy territory. Do they really think they can get back?"

“They’re not planning to go back,” Ying Baoyue sighed. “They’re all suicide squads.”

"So what do they want to do?"

Chen Yan simply couldn't understand it. "Do the Western Rong people think they have the ability to conquer Southern Chu?"

Southern Chu was vast in territory and so far from the homeland of the Western Rong people.

“They must be after the King of Southern Chu,” Ying Baoyue had been pondering all the way, wondering what these Western Rong people, along with the Northern Wei rebels, really wanted to do.
With just these few men, it would be impossible to achieve a change of dynasty.

She now understands that what Yun Zhongjun wants is to disrupt the courts of the six kingdoms.

That's why he chose to target Yelü Hua and Jiang Yuanyuan, whose power base was the weakest.

Neither of them had secured their thrones, yet they ruled over the two largest countries on the continent. Jiang Yuanyuan was the second son, and there was even suspicion that he had plotted against his elder brother.

“Even if they wanted to attack His Majesty, they would need a pretext,” Chen Yan said, his brows furrowed. “They don’t have any other royal family members from Southern Chu under their command.”

"Just because Yun Zhongjun doesn't have it doesn't mean that others don't have it."

Ying Baoyue's face grew paler and paler. "Yun Zhongjun is not the only one who wants to attack Southern Chu."

The most skilled court intrigue strategist is hidden underground.

"Chen Yan, don't worry about me, take the elite troops back to Danyang as soon as possible."

"Hurry! No matter what military orders you receive on the way, ignore them and just go to the palace to serve the king."

"Why?" Chen Yan was startled by the expression on Ying Baoyue's face.

He is the Grand Marshal who holds military power. If he disregards even military orders, wouldn't that be treason?
Just then, Chen Zichu suddenly galloped over from afar.

"Father, a military order from the capital!"

"What military order?"

Chen Yan unfolded the military order sealed in yellow paper, and his expression froze after reading it.

Ying Baoyue didn't look; she closed her eyes.

"Does this mean you're to stay put and hold the border?"

"how do you know?"

Chen Yan gripped the military order stamped with the imperial seal tightly. "Is there something wrong with this military order?"

Regardless of whether there are any problems or not, this is an imperial edict.

If he disobeys the imperial decree, it would be a crime punishable by the extermination of his entire family!
"Chen Yan," Ying Baoyue said solemnly, "are you willing to risk your life with me?"