Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Wu Tao held the forged letter, her fingertips turning white, and a raging rage burned in her heart. It was obvious that someone had deliberately imitated her handwriting to frame her! She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. The most important thing now was to find the real culprit and clear her name.

"Did you see the appearance of that palace maid clearly?" Wu Tao asked in a low voice.

The soldier raised his head tremblingly, thought carefully, and replied: "My lady, the palace maid...is slender, with fair skin, and speaks in a thin voice, like a Jiangnan accent..."

Wu Tao frowned. These clues were too vague. In the vast sea of people in the capital, trying to find this palace maid was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

"Don't worry, I will get to the bottom of this matter and give you justice." Wu Tao put the letter away and said in a firm tone.

After the soldier left with many thanks, Wu Tao immediately found Hu Bugui and told him about the incident. Hu Bugui's face darkened immediately after hearing the incident. He knew that this matter was very serious and if it was not handled properly, the consequences would be disastrous.

"It seems that we must return to the camp as soon as possible and make long-term plans." Hu Bugui said in a deep voice.

Wu Tao nodded. She also understood that they were now in a very dangerous situation near the enemy camp and must evacuate as soon as possible.

After returning to the camp, Hu Bugui immediately summoned military advisors and generals to discuss countermeasures.

"Your Majesty, this matter is strange, there must be a dark hand behind it." The military advisor analyzed, "In my opinion, the purpose of this letter is not only to frame Miss Wu, but also to disrupt the morale of the army and create chaos for us."

The general also agreed: "Yes, some rumors have begun to appear in the army. If they are not controlled in time, they may affect morale."

Hu Bugui pondered for a moment and decisively ordered: "Pass the order down, the entire army will strengthen its vigilance and prevent the enemy's sneak attack. In addition, the military advisor will secretly investigate this matter, make sure to find out the truth and bring the mastermind behind the scenes to justice!"

"Yes, sir!" The military advisor and the general responded in unison.

After receiving the order, the military advisor immediately began to investigate the matter. He used the connections he had accumulated over the years to secretly contact some informants in the capital and gather information everywhere.

A few days later, the military advisor finally got some clues. It turned out that the imperial concubine had always regarded Wu Tao as a thorn in her side and had long wanted to get rid of her. This time, she learned that Wu Tao followed Hu Bugui to the war, so she secretly bribed the palace maid and forged this letter, hoping to take this opportunity to completely overthrow Wu Tao.

After learning the truth, the military advisor was secretly shocked. He did not expect that the imperial concubine was so vicious that she would not hesitate to frame loyal officials and endanger the country in order to achieve her goal. He must report the matter to Hu Bugui as soon as possible and make plans early.

However, before the military advisor had time to spread the news, he was discovered by the people sent by the imperial concubine...

The military advisor was captured and the clues were interrupted, which put Wu Tao and Hu Bugui in a dilemma. The enemy was pressing forward step by step, food and grass were tight, and the morale of the army was low. At this critical moment, the general stepped forward and volunteered to lead an elite team to go deep behind enemy lines, destroy the enemy's supply lines, and relieve the pressure on the front battlefield.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead 500 elite soldiers to take a detour to attack the enemy's granary, burn their food and grass, and make them fall into chaos without fighting!" The general knelt on one knee with a firm tone.

Hu Bugui looked at the battle-hardened general in front of him and knew that this was the best option at the moment, but it also meant huge risks. He patted the general on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "This journey is dangerous, you must be extremely careful. This king and all the soldiers are waiting for your triumphant return!"

The general received the order, assembled 500 elite soldiers, and quietly left the camp under the cover of night, heading towards the enemy's rear. They cut through the thorns and avoided the enemy's patrols, and finally arrived at the enemy's granary after a few days.

Looking at the piles of food and grass in front of him, the general's eyes flashed with a gleam of light. He ordered the soldiers to pour the kerosene they carried with them on the piles of food and grass, and then lit torches to prepare to set fire.

"General, look!" a soldier pointed to the distance and said in a low voice.

The general looked in the direction the soldier pointed and saw flames rising to the sky and deafening shouts of killing in the distance. He knew that Hu Bugui was leading the army to launch a frontal attack on the enemy to cover their burning of food and grass.

"Brothers, the time has come to make achievements! Burn it!" The general roared and threw the torch in his hand towards the pile of grain and grass.

The dry food and grass caught fire, and the raging fire spread quickly, engulfing the entire granary. The flames shot up into the sky, illuminating half of the sky, and also illuminating the resolute faces of the general and others.

"Retreat!" The general gave an order and led the soldiers to quickly evacuate the granary.

At this time, on the battlefield in the distance, shouts of killing shook the sky. Hu Bugui led the army and launched a desperate fight with the enemy. Although the enemy had a large number of people, their morale was weakened due to the burning of food and grass, and they gradually fell into a disadvantage.

In the camp, Wu Tao was also busy. She knew that the heroic fighting of the general and Hu Bugui alone was not enough to turn the tide of the war. What she had to do was to do her best to improve the combat effectiveness of the army and provide stronger support for the soldiers on the front line.

She organized the soldiers to undergo more rigorous military training and taught them new tactics. At the same time, she actively communicated with the soldiers, boosted their morale, and made them understand that this war was not only for victory, but also for protecting their homes and everything they cherished.

It was late at night. Wu Tao stood on a high point in the camp, looking at the flames rising to the sky in the distance, silently praying in her heart that the general and Hu Bugui would return safely. She knew that the war was far from over and greater challenges were still to come. And she was ready to face the coming storm... Peach Blossoms Shining in Chang'an Chapter 89: Survival in Adversity

The flames lit up half of the night sky, but Wu Tao's heart felt as cold as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. She understood the cruelty of this battle, and even more so the life-and-death test that Hu Bugui and the soldiers were facing. But she couldn't panic, she was the backbone of this army, and she had to be strong.

Chun Tao hurried into the tent with a somewhat anxious look on her face: "Miss, the people in the city heard that the war was getting intense and donated supplies. Many young and strong men also spontaneously organized themselves to go to the front line to kill the enemy!"

Wu Tao held Chun Tao's hand tightly, tears flashing in her eyes: "Thank them for me. With such people in the Tang Dynasty, there is no need to worry about not being able to defeat the enemy!" She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "You organize people to properly keep the materials donated by the people. In addition, tell those people who want to join the army to stay and receive training first, and not to rush to the battlefield."

Chuntao nodded and turned to make arrangements. Wu Tao looked at her leaving figure, her heart full of gratitude and admiration. In this era, most women stayed at home to take care of their husbands and children, but Chuntao was able to stand up bravely and fight alongside her. She will always remember this friendship.

After settling matters at the rear, Wu Tao plunged into the armory. She knew that relying solely on the bravery of the soldiers and the support of the people was not enough to win the war. The enemy was strong and we were weak, so we had to find another way to turn the tide.

She carefully observed the weapons in the warehouse. There were swords, spears, swords, and halberds, but they all lacked sophistication and lethality. Wu Tao thought of the documentaries she had seen in modern society, and an idea flashed in her mind. She found craftsmen, described the improved weapon drawings in her mind in detail, and personally guided them to make them.

The craftsmen were skeptical about the young woman's idea at first, but as Wu Tao explained in depth and saw the exquisite design on the drawings, they were gradually convinced and threw themselves into the intensive production.

Time passed quietly in the busy work, and soon the first batch of improved bows and arrows were completed. Wu Tao tested an arrow, and the arrow shot out like a meteor, accurately hitting the bull's eye a hundred steps away. She smiled with satisfaction. With these weapons, the soldiers could play a greater role on the battlefield.

However, Wu Tao's heart was still shrouded in a haze. She knew that there was a bigger conspiracy behind this war. Why could the enemy gather so quickly? Why did they know their actions so well? All of this pointed to a truth that she didn't want to believe, but had to face.

She looked out the window. The night sky was dotted with stars, but they could not cover the flames. She knew that Hu Bugui was fighting bloody battles on the battlefield, and she also wanted to contribute all her strength to the victory of this war.

The days of waiting are always extraordinarily long. Finally, in the midst of the anxious waiting, news came that Hu Bugui had returned triumphantly. Wu Tao's heart was finally at ease, but before she could breathe a sigh of relief, another piece of news came, which made her heart rise to her throat again...

 Peach Blossoms Shining in Chang'an Chapter 89: Survival in Adversity

The days of waiting were always extraordinarily long. Finally, in the midst of the anxious wait, news came that Hu Bugui had returned triumphantly. Wu Tao's heart was finally at ease, but before she could breathe a sigh of relief, another piece of news came, which made her heart rise to her throat again - Hu Bugui was seriously injured and unconscious.

Wu Tao rushed to Hu Bugui regardless of everything, and seeing his pale face, he felt heartbroken. The imperial physician said that Hu Bugui was poisoned, and this poison was very rare and the antidote was hard to find.

Despair and grief almost overwhelmed Wu Tao, but she knew that she could not fall. She held back her tears and stayed by Hu Bugui's side day and night, wiping his body and feeding him medicine and water. She read medical books to find a way to detoxify him, and at the same time, secretly investigated the truth of Hu Bugui's poisoning.

Finally, after much effort, Wu Tao found out that the poison that Hu Bugui was poisoned with was related to the imperial concubine in the palace. The imperial concubine wanted to kill Hu Bugui because she was colluding with the prince and wanted to take this opportunity to get rid of Hu Bugui and control the government.

Fury burned in Wu Tao's heart, and she was determined to seek justice for Hu Bugui. She found a reliable person and sent the evidence of the imperial concubine and the prince to the emperor. The emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation of the matter.

In the court, Hu Bugui, despite his illness, exposed the conspiracy of the imperial concubine and the prince in public. The evidence was overwhelming, and the prince and the imperial concubine had no way to defend themselves, and finally pleaded guilty.

The emperor issued an edict to depose the crown prince and banish the imperial concubine to the cold palace. At the same time, he gave more support to Hu Bugui's army and rewarded Wu Tao for his contribution.

The truth was revealed and justice was served, but Wu Tao did not feel the slightest joy in her heart. Looking at Hu Bugui who was still unconscious, she only hoped that he would get better soon, and they could return to their place together and live a peaceful and tranquil life.

However, the dark clouds of war have not dissipated, the enemy is still eyeing them, and new challenges are about to come...

 Peach Blossoms Shining in Chang'an Chapter 90: Regrouping

During the time when Hu Bugui was poisoned and unconscious, Wu Tao seemed to have experienced the most unbearable torture in the world. She stayed by his side day and night, wiping his body, feeding him medicine and water, and even cut her wrist to use her own blood to prolong his life. The imperial doctors all shook their heads and sighed, saying that Hu Bugui was in great danger, but Wu Tao never gave up hope.

"Your Highness is a lucky man. He will definitely wake up." Wu Tao said to the unconscious Hu Bugui over and over again. Although his voice was weak, it was extremely firm.

Perhaps Wu Tao's sincerity touched the heavens, and under her careful care, Hu Bugui's condition finally improved. He slowly opened his eyes, and what he saw was Wu Tao's haggard face.

"Taotao..." Hu Bugui's voice was hoarse and weak, but it made Wu Tao cry with joy. She held his hand tightly, and all her words turned into tears in the corners of her eyes.

The news of Hu Bugui's awakening quickly spread throughout the military camp, and the soldiers were overjoyed and their morale was boosted. They had been depressed because of the poisoning of their commander, but now seeing that Hu Bugui was safe and sound, their fighting spirit was ignited.

"For the prince, for the Tang Dynasty, we must win this battle!" The soldiers were excited and shouted loudly.

Although Hu Bugui was weak, he still insisted on inspecting the military camp and comforting the soldiers. Looking at the high-spirited faces in front of him, he was moved and relieved. He knew that his efforts were not in vain, and this army had become his strongest backing.

Wu Tao was also not idle. She distributed the new weapons she had developed to the soldiers and personally taught them how to use them. These new weapons were powerful and easy to operate, and soon won the unanimous approval of the soldiers.

"With these weapons, we can defeat the enemy!" The soldiers became more confident and eager to try out their new weapons in battle.

With the joint efforts of Wu Tao and Hu Bugui, the morale of the army was unprecedentedly high, and they were fully prepared to meet the upcoming decisive battle. However, the enemy was no slouch either, and they were also secretly accumulating strength and preparing to launch a more fierce attack.

Who will win this war? What will be the fate of Wu Tao and Hu Bugui?