Chapter 1183: Chapter 645: Dream Gamble (Quad Extra Chapter)_3
"I shall obey orders," the deputy accepted the command and left.
That night, along tens of miles of border, several villages and towns were suddenly set ablaze, cries pierced the night sky.
......
Two days later, at dawn, outside the Forbidden Army’s camp gate.
"Report——!"
A personal soldier rushed into the central army tent, kneeled on one knee: "Reporting to the Assistant General, An, An... Prince of Annan requests an audience outside the gate!"
Yang Chongwei, who was holding a tea bowl, suddenly froze, nearly spilling the tea.
"Who?!" He thought he had misheard.
"Prince of Annan! Qin Qingluo! With one trusted aide, right outside the gate!"
Yang Chongwei’s face changed through several expressions in an instant, finally retracting into a serious demeanor, "Such bravery... daring to come to the Forbidden Army personally? Let him in."
He put down the tea bowl, straightened his armor, his eyes heavy with seriousness. Since the Forbidden Army entered Guiyang, they had taken over various garrisons, controlling the strategic path from the Southern Border to the Central Plains, standing opposed to the Annan Royal Mansion. It was meant to weaken the vassals, initially thought to be all talk and no substance, ending with both sides minding their own business.
Yet unexpectedly, the Prince of Annan personally came to the military camp today.
Before long, the camp gate opened.
A figure dressed in a dark python robe, standing tall and straight like a pine, strode into the military camp in the morning light. The Prince of Annan’s face was stern, eyes full of authority, an imposing presence.
Half a step behind her, followed a youth dressed in a Prince Mansion Guard uniform.
Yang Chongwei’s gaze swept over the Prince of Annan, initially intending to scrutinize this vassal king, but then another figure squeezed into the tent, Yang Chongwei glanced over, and upon recognizing the face, his pupils contracted suddenly, his hand unconsciously tightening on the hilt of his sword at his waist.
This person... was the high-skilled guard from the Prince Mansion encountered on the day escorting refugees...
Yang Chongwei’s eyes deepened.
He actually accompanies the Prince of Annan...
Not having killed him that day was truly a significant oversight.
Yang Chongwei suppressed his emotions, quickly putting on a courteous smile, cupping his fists, saying: "This humble Yang Chongwei greets Prince Annan. Unaware of your honored presence, I failed to welcome you from afar, please forgive me!"
The Prince of Annan nodded slightly, her gaze like cold stars sweeping across the tent, her voice stern, directly getting to the point: "General Yang, no need for formalities. My visit here is not for courtesy. The Forbidden Army is stationed in the Southern Border by decree, to protect the Great Yu dynasty alongside the Prince Mansion, we are one."
She paused, her tone suddenly deepening, carrying an unquestionable pressure:
"However, I heard that yesterday, several counties and towns at the border were suddenly raided by bandits, lives were lost, and the people are filled with grievances.
Such atrocities not only trample on the court’s laws but also shake the foundation of the Southern Border’s people’s hearts!
General Yang, your army guards the strategic pass, patrolling everywhere, what do you have to say about this?"
Yang Chongwei’s heart trembled, his face full of shock and anger: "Such a thing happened? It is my fault for failing to detect it! Please, your highness, rest assured, I will thoroughly investigate and catch these audacious bandits, severely punishing them!"
"The bandits come and go like the wind, when does General Yang plan to figure this out?"
"... It will just take some time."
"No need for more time, do it now. The Southern Border’s people’s hearts are unsettled, there’s unrest under the Prince Mansion’s rule, this is not a long-term solution. To reassure the people and stabilize the dynasty, I have a proposal." The Prince of Annan’s eyes directly met Yang Chongwei’s, her presence commanding respect, "Please order your troops immediately, restrain your subordinates, eradicate the bandits, and prevent such disturbances.
At the same time, dispatch one-third of your army to move into the inner and outer suburbs of Dragon Tail City, to garrison with the Prince Mansion Guard, maintaining the peace of the State Mansion together. This will not only deter the small villains and stabilize people’s hearts but also demonstrate the court’s and the Prince Mansion’s unity and determination to defend against external threats. What does General Yang think?"
The air inside the tent instantly became stagnant by several degrees.
The faces of several officers behind Yang Chongwei changed drastically upon hearing this, bandit raids were nothing more than small disturbances, even if exposed, a mere apology would suffice. But now, they are to split the soldiers to garrison Dragon Tail City? This is no different than placing part of the troops under the Prince Mansion’s watchful eye, or even under the knife...
Yang Chongwei’s smile froze, a hint of malice flashed in his eyes.
He was silent for a moment, seeming to weigh a difficult decision, finally cupping his fists and responding in a deep voice: "Your highness is concerned for the dynasty and compassionate towards the people’s suffering, I shall obey orders! I will immediately order all divisions to strictly restrain themselves.
As for moving the troops into Dragon Tail City...
I also feel the high moral standing of your highness, for the peace of the people and unity against external threats, I am willing to personally lead an elite unit, moving into Dragon Tail City, ready to follow your highness’s commands. This is my responsibility!"
At these words, not only did Chen Yi behind the Prince of Annan show a trace of surprise, even Yang Chongwei’s own deputy looked up in astonishment.
"Oh?" The Prince of Annan seemed slightly surprised at Yang Chongwei’s prompt agreement, but maintained her composure, "General Yang, with such a profound understanding of the greater good, it is a blessing for the dynasty, then I leave it to you."
"I dare not, this is my duty."
Yang Chongwei bowed to accept the command.
......
After sending off the Prince of Annan’s party, the atmosphere inside the central army tent became extremely oppressive.
"My lord!" The deputy could no longer hold back, speaking urgently, "He intends to use our men as hostages in Dragon Tail City! Sending one-third of our troops inside is equivalent to putting our necks on the guillotine! How can you..."
"Shut up!" The submissiveness on Yang Chongwei’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a sinister smile, "What do you understand? This Prince of Annan wants to use moral pretense to box me in, to make me a coward? Then we’ll have a counterploy."
The deputy wanted to argue but suddenly realized, "You mean... the Demon Sect..."
Yang Chongwei paced a couple of steps, answering: "She wants to stabilize the people’s hearts and unite against external threats, right? Fine! I’ll follow her words! The Demon Sect’s wicked people, bringing chaos to the world, are despised by the court and the righteous path alike.
