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

The Han and Tang dynasties were very active, with frequent troop movements on the borders of the two countries and a steady flow of food and supplies to the front lines.

Such a large-scale military operation naturally could not be concealed from Chu Ning's all-pervasive Jinyiwei.

Not long after Liu Che sent his reply, Chu Ning, who was far away in the territory of the Great Zhou, received a secret report.

The late autumn sunshine shines on the official road, and the huge team winds forward like a long dragon.

Chu Ning was wearing a black brocade robe, riding a horse in the middle, and next to him was Wu Xiuning, who was only seven years old.

The little girl rode a docile pony, her big eyes looking at the surrounding scenery curiously.

The autumn scenery in Da Zhou is completely different from that in Chu. The red leaves all over the mountains are as brilliant as fire. In the distance, the mountains are undulating and shrouded in clouds and mist, like an ink painting.

"Big bad guy,"

Wu Xiuning suddenly raised her little face and asked crisply, "You said the Han Dynasty suffered a great loss this time. Will they choose to retaliate?"

Chu Ning chuckled at this, his slender fingers gently stroking the whip. "Of course. Liu Che is proud and arrogant. If he doesn't find a way to redeem himself, not only will the people of the Han Dynasty disapprove, but he himself will also be unable to sleep or eat."

His gaze looked into the distance, as if penetrating thousands of mountains and rivers, and he saw the furious figure in the Weiyang Palace.

Upon hearing this, Wu Xiuning unconsciously clenched the reins with her hands, a look of worry on her face.

"Then...with only 50,000 soldiers left on the front line, can they stop the Han Dynasty's army of over 100,000?"

"rest assured!"

Chu Ning turned to look at her, a sly glint in his eyes: "I have been prepared. But you..."

He deliberately put on a stern face and said, "First, think about how to explain to the Empress when we get back. I ran away for so long without permission and almost got into trouble."

This really hit Wu Xiuning's sore spot. The little girl immediately wilted, her lips pouting high, but she still managed to say:

"Her Majesty the Empress loves me the most, that's why she can't bear to punish me!"

But she didn't have enough confidence to say this, and even she herself didn't quite believe it.

At this moment, a rapid sound of horse hooves came from behind.

Zhao Yu galloped over, pulled the reins beside Chu Ning, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, an urgent letter from the Jinyiwei."

Chu Ning frowned slightly and took the secret letter sealed with wax.

When he opened it, his expression gradually changed from solemn to understanding, and finally he revealed a meaningful smile:

"As I expected, the Han army has been dispatched, and..."

He paused and said, "And also allied with the Tang Dynasty."

When Wu Xiuning heard this, the light in her eyes dimmed instantly.

She lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito: "Then... can't you accompany me to see Her Majesty the Empress?"

Chu Ning reached out and rubbed her little head, saying gently, "Silly girl, even if Liu Che and Li Shiming join forces, they can't be my opponent."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Before leaving Wei, I have made all necessary preparations. Anyone who dares to invade will pay a heavy price."

"Really?"

Wu Xiuning perked up instantly, her big eyes filled with curiosity: "What's your backup plan?"

Chu Ning deliberately kept the secret secret and turned to look at Xue Huaide who was leading the way. "General Xue, since we have entered the territory of the Great Zhou, I believe it is safe. There is no need to see you off. You should return to the front line as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Xue Huaide immediately clasped his fists and saluted: "Your Excellency obeys your command."

He was indeed concerned about the front line and had long wanted to go back to take command.

Before leaving, he looked at Chu Ning deeply again, as if trying to see something from the young emperor's face, but he only saw an unfathomable smile.

After watching Xue Huaide and his personal guards leave in a cloud of dust, Chu Ning turned to look at Wu Xiuning, who was looking expectant:

"This is my first backup plan."

"What else? What else?" the little girl asked impatiently.

Chu Ning smiled but didn't answer. He just patted her shoulder gently and said, "When the time comes, you will know."

He looked up at the towering mountains in the distance and said in a low but firm voice, "This game of chess has just begun."

The autumn wind blows, blowing up red leaves all over the ground.

The team continued to move forward, and the sound of horse hooves echoed in the silent valley.

There was a gleam of wisdom in Chu Ning's eyes, as if he had already seen the scene of the enemy's defeat on the battlefield in the distance.

Every arrangement and every deployment he makes will exert amazing power at the critical moment.

Thousands of miles away, on the border of Wei State, a war that could change the world situation was quietly brewing.

In late autumn on the border between Wei and Tang, a biting north wind whistled past, carrying sand and dust.

Inside the Tang army camp, flags fluttered, war horses neighed, and the air was filled with a solemn and murderous atmosphere.

In the central army tent, Commander Li Ji, wearing heavy armor, looked solemnly at all the generals who had gathered.

"Everyone!" Li Ji's voice was deep and powerful: "Your Majesty has decided to attack the Chu army!"

The tent was suddenly silent, with only the crackling sound of burning charcoal in the brazier audible.

The generals looked at each other, their eyes showing both fighting spirit and some doubt.

"This battle is crucial!"

Li Ji looked around at everyone and said word by word, "Your Majesty has issued a strict order: only victory is allowed, not defeat!"

He tapped his fingers heavily on the map on the table. "Also, our army needs to cooperate with the Han army in this battle!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the tent exploded.

"Why should we join forces with the Han army?" A fierce general slammed the table and stood up, his face full of indignation: "Our Tang army can handle the Chu army on our own!"

"Exactly!" another general echoed, "If we fight in conjunction with the Han army, wouldn't our movements be completely within their grasp?"

"This must never be done!"

An elderly counselor stroked his beard and shook his head, "Why not let the Han army strike first, and we'll sit back and reap the benefits?"

The generals argued endlessly, one after another.

Some even said bluntly: "Have we, the Tang soldiers, ever been afraid of the Chu army? If we join forces with the Han army, wouldn't it be laughed at if the news got out?"

Li Ji frowned and slammed the table: "Silence!"

After the tent was quiet, he said in a deep voice, "This is the order of His Majesty, and there can be no doubt about it!"

His gaze was like a torch, sweeping across the faces of each general: "The key to this battle is to defeat the Chu army first, recapture the city, and completely drive the enemy out of Wei!"

After saying this, he turned to Zhang Gongjin, who had remained silent the entire time, and said, "Master Zhang, what are your thoughts?"

Zhang Gongjin stroked his graying beard, his eyes gleaming. "In my opinion, the most urgent task is to defeat the Chu army first and boost our army's morale."

He paused, then added meaningfully, "As for the rest, after our army is victorious, we can naturally demand due rewards from the Emperor of the Han Dynasty."

Li Ji heard this and raised the corners of his mouth slightly: "Master Zhang, your opinion is great."

He turned to the generals and said, "In that case, we will wait until the Han army arrives before making any decisions. All units must be fully prepared for battle and be on standby at all times!"

Outside the tent, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the continuous military camp, coating the cold armor with a layer of blood.

In the distance, the mountains of Wei State were looming in the twilight, as if waiting for the impending battle.