Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Outside Yuling City, the Chu army camp stretched for dozens of miles, with flags covering the sky and tents like clouds.

The scorching sun in May is burning the earth, and the air is filled with heat and a sense of solemnity.

Outside the camp, soldiers in iron armor patrolled back and forth, their swords and guns flashing coldly under the scorching sun.

In front of the central army tent, a large black banner embroidered with golden dragon patterns fluttered in the wind, demonstrating the extraordinary origin of this army.

Inside the tent, Chu Ning sat upright on a tiger-skin chair, his white casual clothes making his face look even more handsome.

The sheepskin map spread out on the table was weighed down by several bronze paperweights. As the candlelight flickered, his eyes fell on the information just presented by Jia Yu.

It was a bamboo slip sealed with wax, which recorded in detail the latest developments of the Han Dynasty.

"Is Liu Che really planning to go to war with the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

Chu Ning tapped the table lightly with his slender fingers, a meaningful sneer appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Gongsun Yue actually raised an army of 150,000 to resist Xue Huaide's 200,000 Zhou troops!"

The candlelight in the tent flickered, illuminating the two trusted ministers standing below.

Jia Yu was dressed in a blue shirt, with a thin face and a gleam of wisdom in his eyes.

Zhao Yu was wearing armor and a sword at his waist, exuding the murderous aura unique to military generals.

"Lord Jia, General Zhao, what do you think?" Chu Ning gently put down the bamboo slips, his eyes wandering between the two of them.

Jia Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, and a cold light flashed in his narrow eyes.

He stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, since the Han Dynasty wants to get involved in this dispute, why don't we add fuel to the fire?"

"Oh?" Chu Ning raised his eyebrows slightly: "How do I add fire?"

Jia Yu took out a roll of silk cloth from his sleeve and slowly unfolded it on the table.

It was a detailed military map, on which the troop deployments of various forces were marked.

"Your Majesty, please look!"

He pointed his finger at Maple Leaf City and said, "The Mad Dragon Legion, led by His Majesty Chu Kuang, has been stationed in Maple Leaf City for a long time. If Your Majesty could write a letter, please ask His Majesty to send troops to harass the Han army stationed outside the city."

Zhao Yu's eyes flashed when he heard this, and he immediately understood Jia Yu's intention:

"Master Jia, do you mean that we feint an attack on Huo Quji's forces to force the Han army to split up?"

"Exactly!"

Jia Yu traced an arc on the map with his finger. "The 100,000 elite Han troops led by Huo Quji are stationed fifty miles outside Maple Leaf City. If His Majesty the Thirteenth Prince can continue to send troops to harass them, there's no need for a direct confrontation. Simply keep the Han army in turmoil day and night."

Chu Ning nodded thoughtfully, his slender fingers stroking his chin unconsciously.

Outside the tent came the command for soldiers to change guards, and in the distance the neighing of war horses could be faintly heard.

Jia Yu continued his analysis, "If this is the case, the Han court will undoubtedly believe that our army intends to take advantage of the war between the Han court and the Zhou dynasty to launch a surprise attack on Huo Quji's forces."

"To be on the safe side, Liu Che will definitely withdraw troops to reinforce Huo Quji."

He pointed his finger heavily at another spot on the map: "By then, Li Guang's troops coming to support Wei will be isolated and helpless!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu couldn't help but clap his hands in applause. "Brilliant plan! Li Guang's 50,000 Han troops are now joining forces with the Wei army. If the Han court sends troops to rescue Huo Quji, our army can concentrate its superior forces and defeat Li Guang's isolated army first!"

A look of approval flashed in Chu Ning's eyes, and he stood up and walked to the huge map hanging in the tent.

The candlelight stretched his figure very long, casting it on the tent like a giant dragon ready to strike.

"Master Jia, this is a brilliant plan."

Chu Ning turned around, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Since that's the case, I will write a letter to my Thirteenth Brother immediately."

He walked back to the desk, took out a roll of snow-white silk, picked up the pen and dipped it in ink.

The brush danced across the silk cloth, Chu Ning's handwriting vigorous and powerful, with unquestionable majesty:

"My Imperial Brother, please accept my apologies: The main force of the Han army has been transferred eastward, leaving the defenses outside Maple Leaf City unprotected.

I hope that my royal brother will lead the Crazy Dragon Legion out of the city to harass them day and night, making sure that Huo Quji's troops have no peace. Remember not to linger in the battle, as exhausting and disturbing the enemy is the best approach."

After writing, Chu Ning took out the jade pendant he carried with him and stamped the seal on the end of the silk cloth.

He handed the letter to Jia Yu and said, "Send a flying crane to deliver the letter immediately. Make sure it reaches Maple Leaf City within two days."

Jia Yu took it with both hands, bowed and left the tent.

Outside the tent, a snow-white crane had been waiting for a long time.

Jia Yu tied the letter to the copper tube on the crane's foot and gently stroked the crane's back.

The crane let out a clear cry, flapped its wings and flew into the sky, soon disappearing in the southern sky.

Two days later, Maple Leaf City.

The King of Chu was reviewing the troops in the parade ground.

The Thirteenth Prince, renowned for his bravery, was eight feet tall, with a broad back and broad arms. He wore black armor that shone coldly in the sunlight.

He was holding a long sword and instructing the soldiers in drills.

"Report!" A messenger came running over and knelt on one knee: "Your Highness, His Majesty has sent a letter by flying crane!"

Chu Kuang raised his thick eyebrows, took the copper tube, took out the silk cloth and read it carefully.

After a moment, he looked up to the sky and laughed loudly, his voice as loud as a bell: "Hahaha! Finally, I'm allowed to go to battle! I've been stuck in this broken city all day, and I'm almost going crazy!"

He slammed his spear to the ground and shouted, "Order! The Mad Dragon Legion must assemble immediately. Fifty thousand elite soldiers must follow me out of the city! The rest of the soldiers must defend the city!"

The sound of trumpets resounded throughout Maple Leaf City, and the soldiers quickly gathered.

Chu Kuang returned to his mansion and changed into combat armor.

This set of armor is completely black, with a giant dragon with bared fangs and claws carved on the chest. It looks majestic and is the armor given by Chu Ning himself!

Deputy General Zhou Wu walked in quickly and said, "Your Highness, the army has assembled. Scouts report that Huo Quji's troops are stationed at Qinglongpo, fifty miles north of the city."

Chu Kuang grinned, revealing his sharp white teeth. "Alright! Pass the order down. The entire army should travel light and each person should carry three days' worth of dry food."

"Tonight at midnight, I want to see the Han army camp ablaze!"

As night fell, the 50,000-strong Mad Dragon Legion quietly left the city.

These elite soldiers all wore light armor and their horses' hooves were wrapped in cloth, making almost no sound when they marched.

Chu Kuang took the lead, with his spear across his saddle, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

At midnight, the Han army camp was already in sight.

The lights in the camp were sparse and the soldiers in the watchtower were drowsy.

Chu Kuang raised his hand to signal the troops to stop, and whispered to Zhou Wu, "According to the plan, first send the archers to fire rockets, and then use the catapults to harass from a distance. Remember His Majesty's order, no direct engagement!"

"Understood!" Zhou Wu clasped his fists and left.

Soon, hundreds of archers quietly advanced within range.

With Chu Kuang's order, countless rockets streaked across the night sky and fell into the Han army camp like a meteor shower.

Tents caught fire one after another, and the Han army was immediately in chaos.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" The alarm gongs resounded throughout the camp.

Just as the Han army was busy putting out the fire, the catapults in the distance began to show their power.

Huge rocks whizzed down towards the outskirts of the camp, and javelins fired from crossbows pierced through several watchtowers.

In the Han army's central tent, Huo Quji suddenly woke up.

The young Duke of Protector quickly dressed himself and rushed out of the tent.

In the firelight, his handsome face looked particularly cold.

"Report to the general! The Chu army is attacking, but they are only shooting arrows from a distance and are not getting close!" A captain came to report in panic.

Huo Quji jumped onto the watchtower and looked into the distance.

By the light of the fire, he vaguely saw a swaying figure on the distant hillside, but there was no sign of the other party attacking.

He frowned and immediately understood the Chu army's intention.

"Order all camps to strengthen their guard and not to leave the camp to engage in battle!"

Huo Quji gave the order in a cold voice: "The Chu army is trying to tire us out. They want to keep us in constant turmoil day and night."

After returning to the tent, Huo Quji immediately wrote a letter, recording the unusual behavior of the Chu army in detail.

He summoned his trusted guards and said, "Send this letter to your majesty immediately. The Chu army's actions must have a profound meaning. Your majesty, please make a decision as soon as possible!"

The messenger set out overnight with urgent military intelligence and rushed towards the Han capital.

Huo Quji stood outside the tent, looking at the looming figures of the Chu army in the distance, and had an ominous premonition in his heart.

He knew that a bigger storm was brewing.