The Prodigal Son

The Imperial Palace.

After deciding to send troops to help Yu Jing, this matter became the top priority for Da Ning.

After the court assembly ended, Zhao Luan had a detailed discussion with Gao Yi and the six ministers about sending troops.

At noon, Zhao Luan invited them to have lunch with him before letting them leave, and ordered Gao Yi to oversee the execution of Fei Zhong, Lu Cheng, and other traitors the next day.

This serves both to deter those with ill intentions and to sacrifice their blood for the cause!

Gao Yi naturally understood that Zhao Luan was giving him an opportunity to establish his authority, and he quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Prime Minister Gao, there's no need for that."

Zhao Luan looked intently at Gao Yi, "Resolve this matter as soon as possible so that we can focus all our efforts on the campaign against Yu Wu! I hope that the soldiers at the front can concentrate solely on the war and not be distracted by anything else!"

"Your Majesty understands!"

Gao Yi nodded emphatically, "This humble subject takes his leave!"

Watching Gao Yi leave, Zhao Luan slowly got up and stretched her stiff body, her face full of worry.

This military expedition against Yu Wu in the Min Kingdom is crucial to the subsequent plans of Da Ning.

Although she was confident of winning the battle, anything could happen before the war was over.

She would be lying if she said she wasn't worried.

Just as Zhao Luan was pondering this, Yun Ying hurried over: "Your Majesty, news has come from the Imperial Mirror Bureau..."

As she spoke, Yunying told Zhao Luan the news she had just received.

After hearing the good news brought by Yun Ying, Zhao Luan and Shangguan Youyi couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment.

This... will work?

Looking at the two of them, Yun Ying couldn't help but marvel at their appearance.

Qin Yu took a few women to Xiaotangshan for sightseeing, and unexpectedly discovered the intelligence station of Bei Qi.

After regaining his senses, Shangguan Youyi couldn't help but exclaim, "Physician Qin is truly a lucky man!"

"yes!"

Zhao Luan nodded in deep agreement, "I almost regret sending this lucky general to Kaizhou."

"In my opinion, Your Majesty's decision is very wise."

Shangguan Youyi smiled, "This lucky general, once on the battlefield, might bring His Majesty an even greater surprise! Just like the rebellion in Chenzhou before!"

Is that wise?

Zhao Luan smiled bitterly to herself.

Only she knows her own worries!

Zhao Luan sighed silently to herself, then asked Yun Ying, "Have they caught everyone?"

Yun Ying replied, "We've already captured three alive, and one person committed suicide! The Baojing Division is still conducting a thorough search there; the rest shouldn't be able to escape!"

"Taking down Beiqi's intelligence station at this time is really timely!"

A smile appeared on Zhao Luan's face. "Order the Treasure Mirror Division to investigate this matter thoroughly!"

Even if we can't get much useful information out of these Northern Qi spies, destroying this intelligence station will greatly disrupt Northern Qi's intelligence transmission.

In any case, this is a good thing!

"yes!"

Yun Ying quickly accepted the order and left.

Zhao Luan sat down again, thinking about the news she had just received, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

Shangguan Youyi glanced at Zhao Luan discreetly and tentatively asked, "Physician Qin is setting off for the campaign tomorrow. Should Your Majesty hold a farewell banquet for him?"

Put into practice?

Zhao Luan was slightly taken aback, but then she came to her senses.

This isn't asking her if she's going to see Qin Yu off!

This is clearly a series of tests to see if she can bear to part with Qin Yu!

Should we see Qin Yu one last time before he goes to war?

"Is this something you wanted to ask, or did someone ask you to ask it for them?"

Zhao Luan raised her delicate chin, and a cold, sharp gaze immediately shot towards Shangguan Youyi.

"It was I who asked the question out of curiosity."

Shangguan Youyi composed himself and replied calmly, "I was thinking that since Qin Langzhong is going to war tomorrow, and he has made a contribution today, and he does not want to be promoted, Your Majesty would not be able to reward him with money. Giving him a farewell party is a reward for his meritorious service."

Is that so?

Zhao Luan stared quietly at Shangguan Youyi.

Shangguan Youyi remained calm, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Zhao Luan was secretly puzzled.

Am I being too sensitive?

After a moment, Zhao Luan lowered his gaze and said calmly, "I won't hold a farewell party for them! If this battle is a great victory, I will personally lead all the civil and military officials out of the city to welcome them upon their triumphant return! As for the credit this time, let Xu Wan take it!"

Qin Yu was indeed a lucky general.

But the main credit should indeed go to Xu Wan.

"yes!"

Shangguan Youyi lowered her eyes and remained silent, but her heart was pounding.

Your heart is unfathomable!

I should try to avoid asking about these things in the future!

……

An unexpected event did not interrupt Qin Yu and his friends' picnic plans.

However, Xu Wan missed Qin Yu's beggar's chicken again.

They stayed in Xiaotangshan until dusk before returning home.

Back home, Qin Yu learned from the old man that the Wudang Flying Cavalry would arrive at the south gate of the imperial city before noon the next day.

In other words, Qin Yu will be heading to Kaizhou tomorrow.

Although this outcome was within Luo Qingyi's expectations, the thought that Qin Yu would be gone for a long time still made Luo Qingyi feel a little sad, but she tried her best not to show it.

After dinner, Qin Fumeng called Qin Yu into the study.

For the first time ever, Qin Fumeng poured Qin Yu a cup of tea and asked with interest, "What are your thoughts on this battle?"

Qin Yu rolled his eyes helplessly: "I haven't even arrived in Kaizhou yet, what thoughts could I possibly have?"

Does he think he's Prime Minister Zhuge Liang?

I don't even know the situation in Min Kingdom, so what ideas can I possibly have?

"Then let me put it another way."

Qin Fumeng chuckled, "How do you plan to fight this battle? Don't give me any advice on what Fang Junji wants. I want to hear how you intend to fight! You should know that you are now the Right Guard General leading your own army, and this time, Monk Dong won't be there to back you up."

Qin Fumeng successfully predicted Qin Yu's words, forcing Qin Yu to swallow back the words that were about to come out.

Qin Yu picked up the teacup, sipping it slowly as he pondered silently.

Qin Fumeng wasn't in a hurry, giving him time to think it over.

Qin Yu thought about this for more than a quarter of an hour.

After a long silence, Qin Yu put down his teacup and asked seriously, "Besides the Wudang Flying Army, how many cavalrymen will you give me?"

How many do you want?

Qin Fumeng asked with a smile.

Qin Yu replied, "Ideally, all my men should be cavalry!"

Qin Fumeng's face twitched. "Are you dreaming? Including the Wudang Flying Cavalry, we've only deployed 13,000 cavalry in total for this battle. If we give them all to you, how will the other units provide rapid support?"

Qin Yu, as the Right Guard General, can lead an army of 12,000.

With the addition of three thousand Wudang Flying Soldiers, his force now numbered fifteen thousand men.

If you give him all the cavalry, how can the others not have objections?

As the commander-in-chief, Fang Junji doesn't need to leave several thousand cavalrymen for support or flanking maneuvers.

Qin Yu knew his request was a bit excessive, so after a moment's thought, he changed his mind and said, "Then I only need five thousand cavalry, plus three thousand men under Yuan Dingguo!"

"Eight thousand men..."

Qin Fumeng silently calculated for a moment, then asked, "Do you intend to quickly infiltrate behind enemy lines and disrupt their deployment?"

"More or less!"

Qin Yu nodded, a hint of anticipation on his face...