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

Jicheng, the imperial palace.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone into the hall through the carved window lattices, illuminating Chu Ning's stern face.

He held two reply letters in his hands, his fingertips gently stroking the edge of the paper, and a sneer slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Leling?"

He murmured to himself, a hint of sarcasm flashing in his eyes: "It seems that these two emperors are afraid that I will take advantage of the opportunity to take their heads."

The flickering candlelight in the hall illuminated his slender figure.

He was wearing a black brocade robe with dragon patterns, and a simple long sword hung at his waist. Dark patterns flowed on the scabbard, exuding a murderous aura.

He slowly walked to the window, overlooking the sunset outside with a deep expression.

"The emperor personally led the army, yet he dared not even approach the front lines for the meeting?"

He sneered, "You are so afraid of death, yet you are worthy of competing with me for the world?"

"His Majesty."

A low voice came from behind him. Chu Ning turned around and saw Zhao Yu standing in the hall with a serious expression.

The commander of the White Horse Cavalry was wearing silver armor, had a resolute face, but a hint of worry between his brows.

"General Zhao, what are you worried about?" Chu Ning said calmly.

Zhao Yu clasped his fists and said solemnly, "Since Liu Che and Li Shiming are so cautious, I'm afraid they won't really bring only a thousand people to the appointment."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning suddenly burst into laughter, and his laughter echoed in the empty hall, with a bit of arrogance and disdain.

"It's natural!"

He turned around, a cold glint in his eyes: "If I really only bring a thousand men, I'm afraid Leling will be my burial place!"

He strode back to the desk, rapped his fingers on it, and said in a cold voice, "Therefore, I want you to lead 10,000 white horse cavalry and follow me to Leling!"

Zhao Yu frowned: "Your Majesty, although 10,000 cavalrymen are strong, if the Han and Tang armies secretly ambush tens of thousands of elite soldiers, I am afraid..."

Chu Ning raised his hand to interrupt him, his eyes gleaming with confidence: "The White Horse Cavalry was created by me personally. No one in the world can stop their sharp edge! Even if they bring more soldiers and horses, they can't stop the charge of ten thousand cavalry!"

Zhao Yu was still worried: "Your Majesty, I suggest that you deploy more elite troops to prepare for any unexpected events."

Chu Ning shook his head: "The war on both the east and west fronts is tense. If I withdraw too many troops, it will give Han and Tang an opportunity to take advantage."

Zhao Yu wanted to persuade him again, but Chu Ning waved his hand and said, "No need to say more. Go down and prepare. We will leave tonight!"

Zhao Yu had no choice but to accept the order with a fist salute and turn to leave.

Not long after Zhao Yu left, a burst of hearty laughter suddenly came from outside the hall. The sound was as loud as thunder, and it caused the candlelight in the hall to sway slightly.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! The King is here!"

Before the people arrive, the sound comes first.

There is only one person in the world who dares to be so presumptuous in front of Chu Ning - His Highness the Thirteenth Prince, Chu Kuang!

Sure enough, the palace door was suddenly pushed open and a burly figure strode in.

Chu Kuang was nine feet tall, with a broad back and strong arms. He was wearing red armor and had a pair of heavy iron hammers hanging from his waist. The ground seemed to tremble slightly when he walked.

He had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and his beard stood up like steel needles. He looked like a tiger out of a cage, with an imposing aura.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Chu Kuang saluted with his fists clasped and his voice was loud.

Although he was arrogant, he did not dare to be too presumptuous in front of Chu Ning.

After all, if Chu Ning hadn't saved his life back then, he would have died long ago.

Chu Ning smiled slightly: "Brother Thirteen, you are not leading the troops at the front line, why did you run back to Jicheng?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Kuang's face was immediately filled with displeasure. He strode to the table, grabbed the teapot, gulped down a few mouthfuls, then wiped his mouth and said angrily:

"Those two stubborn old men, Jia Yu and Ma Chao, are refusing to let me attack the Tang army! They've been saying things like, 'A safe and secure defense is the best way to go,' and I've heard them so many times I'm almost getting calluses!"

He slammed the table so hard that the teacup jumped. "Your Majesty, I came here this time to ask for an order to attack!"

A hint of smile flashed across Chu Ning's eyes, but he remained calm and said slowly, "You've come a long way on horseback, so you must be tired."

"It's just right. I'm getting ready for dinner. Why don't you have a drink with me? It's been a while since we've had a drink together."

"drink wine?"

When Chu Kuang heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up, and the anger on his face instantly dissipated, replaced by excitement.

"Your Majesty truly understands me!"

He laughed heartily. "For the past two years at the front, the military regulations were so strict that I didn't dare drink a drop of alcohol. I'm so stifled!"

Chu Ning smiled and patted his shoulder: "Let's go to the side hall. I have asked someone to prepare the best wine and food."

In the side hall, candlelight was bright, and the table was filled with delicacies.

As Chu Kuang entered the room, his eyes were fixed on the jars of aged wine, and his throat rolled unconsciously.

"This wine..." He leaned in and sniffed it, his eyes full of greed. "Could it be the tribute Chixia wine?"

Chu Ning nodded with a smile: "Yes, it is the fine wine that I have collected for many years. I specially brought it out today to entertain Brother Thirteen."

Chu Kuang was overjoyed and couldn't wait to break the mud seal, poured himself a big bowl, and drank it all in one gulp.

The wine went down his throat, rich and sweet, and he couldn't help but praise it: "Good wine! It really is a good wine!"

Chu Ning smiled slightly, poured himself a glass, and sipped it slowly, but his eyes were always on Chu Kuang, with a hint of deep calculation in his eyes.

Chu Kuang was already addicted to alcohol, and now he drank to his heart's content, bowl after bowl. Soon, his face turned red from drunkenness, and his speech became unclear.

"His Majesty……"

He burped and grinned, "This time... you must give me a military order... let me... have a good fight!"

Chu Ning gently shook his wine glass and said calmly, "Don't worry, Brother Thirteen, I have my own arrangements."

Chu Kuang laughed heartily and drank another bowl of wine. Then his body swayed and he finally couldn't hold on any longer. He fell on the table with a thud and snored loudly.

Chu Ning put down his wine glass, a cold light flashed in his eyes, and he whispered, "Come here, send His Highness Thirteen back to his room to rest."

After the guards carried Chu Kuang away, Chu Ning stood up, looked at the dark night outside the hall, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Come here, tell Zhao Yu to set off as planned!"

The next morning, Chu Kuang climbed out of bed, clutching his swollen head, muttering, "This wine... has a really strong aftereffect..."

He looked around and found himself in the guest room of the palace, but Chu Ning was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is His Majesty?" he asked with a frown.

The guard respectfully handed over a letter: "Your Highness, His Majesty has left with his troops. This is a handwritten letter left for you."

Chu Kuang grabbed the letter, unfolded it, and his originally hungover eyes gradually brightened up, and in the end he couldn't help but burst out laughing!

"Hahaha! Good! Good! Your Majesty is still amazing!"

He stood up suddenly and shouted, "Come on! Prepare the horses! I want to rush back to the front immediately!"

The guards quickly brought the warhorse, and Chu Kuang jumped on the horse, whipped it and galloped away, his eyes flashing with excitement.

Chu Ning's plan has begun!