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

Ma Chao had barely finished speaking.

The more composed Guan Yun echoed in a deep voice. He had always been on good terms with Han Xing, and his face was now grave.

"Your Majesty, although General Ma spoke impulsively, what he said was reasonable."

"General Han is a pillar of the nation and the backbone of the army. Li Shiming's use of this to blackmail him is despicable. However, General Han's life is at stake and we must save him."

"Although Yuchi Bo is brave, he is ultimately an enemy general. How can his value be compared with that of General Han?"

“Exchanging hostages is an ancient practice, and it is beneficial to the morale of our army and to Your Majesty’s reputation for benevolence.”

Even the usually carefree Ran Ming spoke up, "Your Majesty, this humble general seconds this proposal."

"The enemy is currently very powerful, and with the addition of General Han, their arrogance is at its peak."

"If our army resolutely refuses, they will surely kill General Han to vent their anger and show their strength, and spread the news widely to dampen our morale and disrupt our army's spirit."

"On the contrary, if we agree to the exchange, although it may seem to satisfy our hostility, we can protect our general, unite the people, and demonstrate to the world His Majesty's love for meritorious officials and his loyalty to his comrades."

"And... there may be other plans involved in the exchange process."

He spoke his last sentence in a low voice, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

The three generals spoke one after another, their words sincere and their reasoning clear, but the core message was the same—Han Xing must be saved!

Chu Ning had his back to them, his gaze still fixed on the outside of the city, as if trying to see through the silk scroll and the enemy camp outside the city.

Hearing the impassioned, even questioning, pleas of his beloved generals behind him, the turmoil in his heart did not subside; instead, it surged even more violently.

He understood their feelings; he knew Han Xing's prestige and popularity better than anyone else.

The morale of the troops is indeed the most crucial factor that cannot be shaken at this moment.

After a long while, just as Ma Chao was about to be unable to hold back and volunteer again, Chu Ning slowly turned around.

His face remained terribly gloomy, and his eyes were bloodshot, a testament to exhaustion, anger, and immense pressure.

But when his gaze swept over Feng Mulan, Ma Chao, Guan Yun, Ran Ming, and all the soldiers around him who were looking at him expectantly, it carried an unquestionable determination.

"enough."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried the unique imperial authority that instantly silenced all the noise.

"Han Xing is my general, the supreme general of the Great Chu, and a loyal minister who was imprisoned for covering the rear for me and the entire army."

Chu Ning spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice cold and clear: "His life is not for others to control. And why do you all need to be here—to persuade him?!"

He deliberately emphasized the word "persuasion," his gaze sharp as he swept over the crowd.

"Even if you don't come, even if no one speaks a word for Han Xing,"

Chu Ning's tone was resolute, carrying an undeniable air of dominance and determination: "I will definitely agree to replace him!"

Upon hearing this, the generals on the city wall were stunned for a moment. Then, Ma Chao, Guan Yun and others immediately showed expressions of relief and excitement. Feng Mulan's tightly furrowed brows also relaxed slightly, and a hint of tears welled up in her eyes.

Chu Ning continued, his voice suppressing a torrent of anger: "Li Shiming wants to use this method to demoralize my army and blackmail me. He has miscalculated!"

"Han Xing, I will save him! As for Yuchi Bo, give him to him! But this matter is not up to Li Shimin to decide!"

His gaze returned to the city walls, a cold glint in his eyes: "Issue my decree to Li Shiming. The hostage exchange is approved."

"But the details must be determined by me! The time, place, and method must all comply with the rules to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

"Tell him that if Han Xing suffers even the slightest damage, I will make Yuchi Bo pay tenfold, and he will have to pay an unbearable price for the entire Tang Dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Generals including Ma Chao clasped their hands in excitement, bowed deeply, and responded in unison.

Chu Ning's statement not only determined Han Xing's fate, but also stabilized the wavering hearts of the people at a critical moment, demonstrating the emperor's responsibility and protection of meritorious officials.

Chu Ning nodded slightly, said no more, and turned to face the outside of the city again.

The morning light illuminated his tall, yet remarkably solitary figure.

Agreeing to replace him is only the first step.

How to make the exchange, whether there can be any progress in the process, how to deal with the possible alliance between Chu Xuan, the Scorpion Clan and the Tang Dynasty after the exchange, and how to clean up the mess left by the bloody battle of hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

Countless problems still loomed over Jianghuai City like dark clouds, weighing heavily on Chu Ning's mind.

But at least, Han Xing's life was temporarily snatched back from the enemy's blade.

What follows will be another battle without gunfire, yet equally perilous.

Chu Ning's decision to exchange Han Xing temporarily stabilized the morale of the army, but the tense atmosphere on the city wall did not dissipate.

The shadow of Chu Xuan's betrayal, like a venomous snake, coiled around everyone's hearts, causing far more chill and confusion than the enemy troops outside the city.

Why would this prince, who holds a high position and commands a large army, choose to turn his blade against his own younger brother, the current emperor, at such a critical moment?

The brief silence was broken when Feng Mulan looked around at the assembled generals and raised the question that had been lingering in everyone's minds:

"Generals, His Majesty has made his decision. The matter concerning General Han may be put on hold for the time being."

"However, the current crisis is primarily due to Prince Xuan's rebellion, which Mulan finds utterly perplexing."

"Prince Xuan is the Emperor's elder brother, holding the reins of Youzhou and holding the highest position among officials. His Majesty has never treated him poorly. Why... why would he take such a rebellious act that hurts his own people, pleases his enemies, and defies the world's condemnation? Have you all considered the reasons behind this?"

These words were like a pebble thrown into a stagnant pond, instantly creating ripples.

"What other reason could there be?" Ran Ming, the most hot-tempered and upright, was the first to lose his temper.

He was already seething with anger because of Han Xing's capture and the reversal of the battle, and upon hearing this, he was even more furious, his hair and beard standing on end. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chu Ning, and his voice boomed like thunder:

"Your Majesty! This humble general is a rough man and doesn't understand so many intricacies!"

"But I know that loyalty to the emperor and love for one's country are a matter of course!"

"Chu Xuan, as a member of the royal family and Your Majesty's own elder brother, has received the country's favor and commands a large army in the northern frontier. Instead of repaying the court and assisting Your Majesty in completing the great cause of unification, he has colluded with foreign invaders at such a crucial moment concerning the fate of the nation, betrayed his country on the battlefield, and stabbed you in the back!"

"Such behavior is simply... simply outrageous! It is unworthy of a subject, and even less worthy of being a descendant of the Chu family! His heart deserves to be punished, and his actions deserve to be executed by dismemberment!"

"Your Majesty, this humble general requests permission to personally slay this traitor if given the opportunity, in order to uphold the laws and order of the nation!"

His eyes were wide with anger, and his chest heaved violently, clearly showing his deep resentment towards Chu Xuan's betrayal.

Compared to Ran Ming's indignation, Guan Yun, who was more composed and thoughtful, appeared calmer.

He frowned and pondered, "What General Ran said is certainly reasonable, but Chu Xuan is by no means a reckless and foolish person."

"He has been managing Youzhou for a year, and his foundation is deep. Unless he has a major scheme or is overconfident in his ability to control the situation, he would never take such a risky move and isolate himself from the world, Your Majesty,"