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

A day later, the autumn wind was blowing.

In the dense forest ten miles outside Jizhou City, two thousand white horse cavalrymen were lurking silently.

The war horses were harnessed with bits, their hooves were wrapped with cotton cloth, and even their armor was deliberately painted a dark color.

The dead leaves of autumn swirled and fell in the wind, and occasionally a few of them floated onto the shoulder armor of the cavalrymen and were gently brushed away.

Chu Ning stood on a high slope, his eyes as sharp as an eagle, staring at Jizhou City in the distance.

The torches on the city walls were like stars, and the figures of patrolling soldiers could be vaguely seen walking back and forth.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of the knife at his waist, and his knuckles turned slightly white due to the force.

"Your Majesty, the spies have returned."

Zhao Yu reported in a low voice, followed by a scout wrapped in night clothes.

The scout knelt on one knee and lowered his voice to a whisper, "Your Majesty, the city has approximately 3,000 defenders. The walls are fully equipped with crossbows, rolling logs and boulders. All four gates are heavily guarded, especially the north gate, which has an iron gate."

Chu Ning frowned and said coldly, "It's just a small border town, but its defense is so tight?"

The scout swallowed his saliva and continued, "According to the Han soldiers we captured, although this place isn't strategically located, it's close to the border and is often attacked by bandits, so it's heavily guarded, and..."

He hesitated for a moment. "It is said that three days ago, an envoy was sent from the Han capital, and the garrison suddenly increased the patrol force."

A cold light flashed in Chu Ning's eyes: "Do you know what news the other party brought?"

The scout shook his head. "The city gates are under martial law. Our spies can't get close, and we can't get any information."

Chu Ning was silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered: "It seems Xiuning is indeed here."

He turned to Zhao Yu, "General Zhao, what do you think?"

Zhao Yu frowned and clasped his fists, saying, "Your Majesty, although there are only 3,000 defenders in the city, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack."

"Our White Horse Cavalry is skilled in field combat. If we forcefully attack the city, we will likely suffer heavy losses."

He didn't continue, but the meaning was obvious.

"I'm willing to lead our elite troops in a night attack!" a young general couldn't help but plead, "Under the cover of darkness, perhaps we can capture the city in one fell swoop!"

Before Chu Ning could even open his mouth, Zhao Yu had already shouted, "Nonsense! The city walls are three feet high and the garrison is heavily guarded. Do you think they're blind?"

He turned to Chu Ning and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, this place is only fifty miles away from the main camp of the Han army. If we are exposed, the Han army reinforcements will arrive in half a day."

"If we are attacked from both sides, the consequences will be disastrous."

Chu Ning's eyes were sinister, and he suddenly said, "Then the main force of the Han army will have no time to take care of other things."

Zhao Yu was stunned: "Your Majesty means..."

"Send a message to the Great Zhou commander, Xue Huaide," Chu Ning said in a cold voice, "instruct him to launch a feint attack on the Han army tonight to tie down the enemy's main force."

Zhao Yu hesitated. "Your Majesty, the Zhou army just suffered a defeat at Yumen Pass. Morale is low, so I'm afraid they won't send any troops."

Chu Ning waved his hand, interrupting him: "Tell them that Princess Xiuning is in Jizhou City. If they still want to rescue their princess, do as I say!"

Zhao Yu opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't dare to persuade him any further. He could only bow and accept the order: "I will arrange for Feihe to deliver the letter immediately."

A few hours later, in the Zhou army camp a hundred miles away, Commander Xue Huaide was staring at the secret letter in his hand with a gloomy expression.

The flickering candlelight in the tent stretched his shadow out long, casting him like a silent statue on the tent cloth.

"Everyone," he raised his head slowly, his voice hoarse, "I just received a letter from the Emperor of Chu."

The generals in the tent suddenly became agitated.

A bearded general slammed the table and stood up. "Chu Ning? What did he say in the letter?"

"General Li, be careful with your words!"

Deputy Commander Wang Xiaojie shouted sternly, but a trace of pain flashed in his eyes.

Wu Xiuning followed him out of the Great Zhou, and now her whereabouts are unknown. He blames himself more than anyone else.

Xue Huaide raised his hand to signal for silence and said in a deep voice, "Chu Ning said he suspected Princess Xiuning was hiding in Jizhou City. He is planning a surprise attack tonight, but he needs our army to contain the main force of the Han army."

As soon as the words fell, the tent exploded.

"Ridiculous! Our army just lost Yumen Pass and suffered heavy casualties. Now we're going to confront the main force of the Han army head-on?"

"Chu Ning clearly wants to use us as bait!"

"The princess's life or death is uncertain, so this matter requires further consideration."

"Shut up, everyone!"

Wang Xiaojie suddenly shouted and slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups clink.

His eyes were red and his voice was hoarse: "Are you still generals of the Great Zhou? Princess Xiuning is the blood of the late emperor. Now she is in danger, and you are here to make excuses!"

An elderly general frowned and said, "Deputy Commander Wang, it's not that we don't want to save the princess, but if we attack rashly and end up in an ambush by the Han army, our army will suffer heavy losses."

"ambush?"

Wang Xiaojie sneered, "The main force of the Han army is busy celebrating their victory right now! After the battle of Yumen Pass, they are arrogant and underestimate the enemy. This is the perfect opportunity to attack!"

He turned to Xue Huaide and saluted, "General, I am willing to be the vanguard and raid the Han army camp tonight!"

Xue Huaide looked at his old subordinate with complicated eyes.

Wang Xiaojie has always been calm, but at this moment he seemed like a different person, with an almost crazy obsession burning in his eyes.

He understood that it was a raging fire of guilt and self-blame.

The tent fell into a deathly silence, the only sound being the crackling of charcoal in the brazier.

Finally, Xue Huaide sighed and stood up.

"Order the entire army to assemble after dinner."

He looked around at the generals and said word by word, "Tonight at midnight, attack the Han army's left wing camp."

"Marshal!" Several generals wanted to dissuade him.

Xue Huaide suddenly drew his sword, a cold light flashed, and the tip of the sword pointed directly at the Han army station on the map:

"This is a military order! Anyone who objects will be dealt with by military law!"

The generals looked at each other, and finally did not dare to say anything. They all clasped their fists and accepted the order.

After everyone left, Xue Huaide stood alone in front of the map, his finger gently tracing the location of Jizhou City, muttering to himself:

"Chu Ning, Chu Ning, you'd better really find the princess."

"Somebody come!"

He suddenly shouted, "Send a reply to the Emperor of Chu: The Zhou army will attack with all their might tonight. I hope he will rescue the princess."

Night falls

Outside Jizhou City, Chu Ning received a reply from Zhou Jun.

A sneer appeared on his lips, and he casually threw the letter into the brazier. The dancing flames reflected his angular profile, making him look very sinister.

"Your Majesty, the Zhou army has agreed to cooperate."

Zhao Yu whispered, "But do we really have to act tonight? What if..."

Chu Ning raised his hand to interrupt him: "There is no such thing as a single event."

He turned and walked out of the tent, his cloak rustling in the night wind.

"Pass the order down, all troops prepare for battle, and attack the city immediately at midnight!"

"Yes!" Zhao Yu accepted the order solemnly.

The White Horse Cavalry received the order, and all they had in their eyes was the will to fight to the death!