bookrandom Chapter 1412 I'm afraid they won't come
Chapter 1412 I'm afraid they won't come
The stench of blood from Wolong Valley was left far behind by the convoy.
The supporting troops had returned to their camps, leaving only this small group of over a hundred men to continue along the official road.
Apart from the clatter of horses' hooves on the dirt road, there were no other noises.
Everyone was still on edge, having just survived a near-fatal ambush. No one could be sure if another deadly trap awaited them ahead.
Yue Fei rode his horse, closely guarding one side of the carriage.
His back was ramrod straight, his bronze face was expressionless, but he gripped the horse-slaying sword tightly in his hand.
His gaze was like that of a hawk, vigilantly scanning every patch of grass and forest on both sides of the road, and no movement could escape his eyes.
He felt uneasy.
From the northern grasslands to the capital region, this journey feels like a dream.
His Majesty and the Prince's methods of warfare completely exceeded his understanding of military strategy over the past few decades.
By breaking up large forces into smaller units, penetrating deep behind enemy lines, sustaining the war effort through warfare, and even annihilating 30,000 cavalry with only 500 men, each of these actions is worthy of being recorded in history and becoming a classic example for later military strategists to study.
But the more this was the case, the more worried he became.
The prince's thoughts are unfathomable, and his actions are unpredictable and unconventional.
His Majesty's courage was something even a seasoned general like himself couldn't match.
Such people can certainly create miracles, but they are also dancing on the edge of a knife.
This time, with the prince's brilliant strategy and His Majesty's cunning plan, they were able to wipe out Murong Ke's rebel army in one fell swoop.
But what about next time?
The Li family of Jiangxi, the Wang family of Shaanxi, the Yuan family of Runan... Which of these three great families wasn't a behemoth that had been deeply rooted in the Great Qian Dynasty for over a hundred years?
If they dared to support King Cheng and Murong Ke's rebellion, how could they not have some desperate outlaws at their disposal?
His Majesty and the Prince just swaggered back to the capital like that, making themselves easy targets.
"General Yue, what are you thinking about?"
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Lin Zhen's handsome face peeked out, still with that lazy expression, as if he didn't care about anything.
"This humble general...this humble general is just thinking that the road ahead may not be peaceful." Yue Fei kept pace with the carriage, his voice somewhat muffled.
"Oh? How do you know?" Lin Zhen asked with great interest.
"Although Murong Ke is dead, the assassins planted by the three great families in the capital region may not have been completely eliminated. Since they dared to set up an ambush in Wolong Valley, they must have other plans. If we are ambushed again, I'm afraid..." Yue Fei didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already clear.
"What's there to be afraid of?" Lin Zhen smiled, a smile that carried a reassuring power. "If they don't come, wouldn't our trip have been for nothing?"
After saying that, he lowered the carriage curtain and ignored the iron-blooded general who was still worrying about them.
Yue Fei looked at the swaying carriage curtain, opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed the words that were about to come out. He knew that it would be useless to persuade him any further; once this prince made up his mind, not even ten oxen could pull him back.
All he could do was grip the knife tightly and slash away any danger that dared to approach.
The carriage was spacious.
Murong Yan lay reclining in Lin Zhen's arms, covered with a soft phoenix feather brocade quilt.
Today, she did not wear an elaborate phoenix hairstyle. Her jet-black hair was simply tied back with a black jade phoenix hairpin, with a few playful strands hanging down her smooth forehead, making her less regal and more gentle and graceful.
That jet-black phoenix-adorned dress, without the matching embroidered robe, was worn so casually.
A five-zhang-long, dark gold train stretched out inside the spacious carriage, like a dense, tranquil night sky, completely covering the floor of the carriage.
The giant phoenix woven from real gold thread on the skirt shimmered with golden light as the carriage swayed, making it look incredibly lifelike.
"Husband, General Yue seems very worried about us." Murong Yan said with her eyes closed, her voice carrying a hint of lazy laughter.
“He’s not worried, he just can’t figure it out.” Lin Zhen reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair from her forehead behind her ear.
"What don't you understand?" Murong Yan asked, puzzled.
"I don't understand why we insist on personally visiting the families of the fallen soldiers and putting ourselves in danger," Lin Zhen explained. "In his view, sending a trustworthy official to handle this matter would achieve the same result and be safer."
"Then, my husband, do you think what we're doing is right?" Murong Yan opened her clear, cold phoenix eyes and looked at Lin Zhen. In her eyes, there was a hint of uncertainty that even she herself hadn't noticed.
Although she was the emperor, she was first and foremost a woman. She also needed affirmation and recognition, especially in front of the man she loved most.
"Of course." Lin Zhen lowered his head and kissed her smooth forehead affectionately. "Yan'er, you must remember that water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The army is the foundation of a country, and those soldiers are every brick that makes up that foundation."
"Only when every brick and stone is willing to fight can this country truly be as solid as a rock." Lin Zhen's voice was soft, but it was like a heavy hammer that struck Murong Yan's heart.
She got it.
What she wanted to do was not just give an explanation to the fallen soldiers.
She also wanted the surviving soldiers to see how she, as the emperor, treated the heroes who had sacrificed their lives for the country.
What she wanted to win over was the morale of the entire Daqian army.
"I understand." Murong Yan nodded, snuggled into Lin Zhen's arms like a weary phoenix finding a safe haven, and then closed her eyes.
That evening, the convoy arrived at a rest stop ahead.
The post station was small; it was just a place beside the official road for messengers and officials to rest.
The postmaster was a small old man over fifty years old. When he learned that His Majesty and the Prince were going to condescend to stay at his small post station, he was so frightened that his legs went weak.
He led all the shop assistants and servants in the post station to kneel at the door, not daring to even raise their heads.
"Get up, all of you." Murong Yan stepped down from the carriage, her voice cold and clear.
His innate imperial majesty made everyone present feel their breath catch in their throats.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The postmaster shakily got up, bowed, and led the way.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, the post station is simple, with only two superior rooms. Please..."
"It's alright." Murong Yan waved her hand, interrupting him. "Just prepare some hot water and food for us. Don't worry about anything else."
"Yes, sir, I'll take care of it right away." The postmaster felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly withdrew.
After arranging the defenses of his personal guards, Yue Fei also entered the post station. Looking at the drafty, poorly furnished station, his brow furrowed deeply.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness, this place is too rudimentary and the people here are mixed together; it may not be safe.” He walked up to Lin Zhen and Murong Yan and said in a deep voice, “This humble general believes that we should travel through the night and rest in the county town ahead.”
"General Yue, you're overthinking it." Lin Zhen smiled and poured two cups of hot tea. "In this world, the safest place is often the most dangerous place. And vice versa."
He picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"If they really want to make a move, tonight is their best chance."