Who put the yellow robe on me?

After saying that, Zhong Xiaodan rushed towards the door of the tent like the wind.

However, before he stepped out of the military tent, he suddenly stopped, as if thinking about something.

Zhong Xiaodan turned around, walked back to Jiang Chen, bowed respectfully, and said, "Sixteenth Prince, the unusual movements of the Northern Qiang are of great importance.

I wonder if Your Highness has any other plans? If you don't mind, why not come back with me to the Zhong Mansion and discuss countermeasures together."

Butler Wang stood aside, with an obvious look of embarrassment on his face.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally mustered up the courage to speak: "Second Young Master, this isn't right, is it? The Master only told me to look for you back home, and didn't mention Your Highness..."

And His Highness the Sixteenth is injured, I'm afraid..."

He originally wanted to dissuade Zhong Xiaodan from letting Jiang Chen get involved in this matter. After all, General Zhong Wenbin had repeatedly reminded him before he set out that this matter must not be known to outsiders.

Zhong Xiaodan's eyes turned cold. He interrupted Butler Wang with an unquestionable dignity in his tone: "Butler Wang, shut up! His Highness the Sixteenth Prince is not only my savior, but also Princess Rou's biological brother. What is there to hide?"

Butler Wang was startled by Zhong Xiaodan's sudden scolding. He obviously didn't expect Zhong Xiaodan to lose his composure like this.

Although he and Zhong Xiaodan were nominally master and servant, Zhong Xiaodan had always been respectful to him as his uncle since he was a child and had never behaved in such a disrespectful manner.

At this time, he could only stop talking, quietly stepped aside, and kept his head down without saying a word.

After seeing Zhong Xiaodan's performance, Jiang Chen had even more trust in him.

Zhong Xiaodan's sincere attitude and decisive decision-making in a tense situation made Jiang Chen realize the seriousness of the matter.

Facing Zhong Xiaodan's cordial invitation, Jiang Chen smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "Brother Zhong, it's hard to refuse such a kind invitation. In that case, I will go with you to the Zhong Mansion to discuss the plan together."

Zhong Xiaodan was relieved when he heard this. He nodded solemnly and turned to Butler Wang and said, "Send the order and prepare the carriage. We will set off immediately."

Although Butler Wang still had doubts in his heart, seeing that Zhong Xiaodan and Jiang Chen were determined to do so, he had no choice but to do as they said and immediately turned around to convey the order.

The two of them boarded the carriage together, with Butler Wang leading the way, and the carriage quickly drove towards the Zhong Mansion.

After arriving at the Zhong Mansion, Jiang Chen and Zhong Xiaodan got out of the car and went to the main hall. They saw that seats had already been prepared in the main hall. The entire Zhong Mansion looked solemn and dignified.

In front of the hall, Zhong Wenbin, the general of the Zhong family, sat in the middle with a stern expression, obviously aware of all the situations.

Sitting on the upper and lower seats on his left were Mrs. Zhong and Zhong Dalu, the eldest son of the Zhong family. Both of them had solemn expressions and the atmosphere was extremely depressing.

When Jiang Chen walked into the main hall, Mrs. Zhong and Zhong Dalu were both slightly startled. Obviously, they did not expect that the Sixteenth Prince would come in person.

Although the lady was surprised, she remained dignified and graceful, smiling slightly and nodding. Zhong Dalu narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a thoughtful look, as if he was trying to guess the Sixteenth Prince's intentions.

Zhong Wenbin, on the other hand, seemed to have anticipated Jiang Chen's arrival. He looked at Jiang Chen calmly with a calm expression and said calmly, "Sixteenth Prince, please take a seat."

Jiang Chen nodded slightly and sat down to the right of Zhong Wenbin. Zhong Xiaodan sat below Jiang Chen, waiting for his father's instructions.

After everyone took their seats, Zhong Wenbin calmly scanned everyone present, finally landing his gaze on his eldest son, Zhong Dalu: "Lu'er, tell me about the situation in Beiqiang."

Zhong Dalu's expression grew more solemn upon hearing this. He stood up, bowed respectfully to Zhong Wenbin, and said, "Yes, father."

"The Northern Qiang have been at the border with Daliang and Eastern Goryeo for many years, and border disputes have continued, but they have always been primarily offensive.

Our Shanhaiguan front was repeatedly provoked by them, but a month ago, the situation suddenly changed."

Zhong Dalu paused, a look of contemplation flashing in his eyes, and continued, "More than a month ago, we learned from intelligence reports from the front that the Northern Qiang, unable to bear the harassment from the rear of the Eastern Goryeo, had transferred 300,000 troops to the border of the Eastern Goryeo. They seemed to be preparing to crush the Eastern Goryeo in one fell swoop, and even threatened to destroy the country."

Zhong Dalu continued, "Strangely, however, the border between us and the Northern Qiang has suddenly become unusually quiet. In the past, they always initiated battles, but this time, they bucked the trend and maintained a tight defense, not attacking."

He looked up at his father. General Zhong had a deep look in his eyes and remained silent.

Zhong Dalu understood his father's concerns and continued, "General Liang Shengnan, the Northern Guard General, believed that since the Northern Qiang were no longer actively attacking, he suggested that we take appropriate rest periods and allow the soldiers to return home to visit their families. So, ten days ago, I returned to the capital."

Sixteenth Prince Jiang Chen shifted slightly in his seat, his eyes revealing a knowing look as he slowly said, "I'm afraid we've fallen into the enemy's trap of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west."

As soon as Jiang Chen finished speaking, the entire main hall fell into silence.

Everyone's eyes turned to him, as if pondering his speculation.

Zhong Dalu nodded with an expression of admiration: "Your Highness the Sixteenth Prince has good eyesight. This is exactly the case."

Madam Zhong sighed softly, her tone filled with surprise: "Feinting east and attacking west... The Northern Qiang are indeed cunning."

Jiang Chen continued, "The Northern Qiang mobilized their army to the border of East Korea in order to create a false impression and make us mistakenly believe that their main target is East Korea. In fact, this is to make us relax our vigilance."

Zhong Wenbin asked Zhong Dalu, "Lu'er, is that so?"

Zhong Dalu said with a serious expression: "On the fifth day after I returned to Beijing, that is, this morning, an urgent report came from the front line that the Northern Qiang army suddenly counterattacked and attacked our Shanhaiguan line.

General Liang, the Northern Guardian, was caught off guard. Although he immediately organized a resistance, he suffered heavy losses. The enemy was clearly well prepared, taking advantage of our rest period to launch this surprise attack.

After hearing this, Zhong Xiaodan's expression changed slightly. He stood up, his eyes filled with anxiety. "Brother, what's the situation on the front line now?"

Zhong Dalu said puzzledly, "What's very strange is that they didn't launch an attack, but instead adopted a posture of surrounding but not attacking."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions grew even more solemn. General Zhong Wenbin's deep gaze revealed a sharpness as he slowly spoke, "Besieging without attacking is either a threat or something they're waiting for."

Mrs. Zhong looked at Zhong Dalu nervously, her tone filled with anxiety: "Lu'er, you have received the military report. Has the imperial court also taken any action?"

Zhong Dalu frowned and was about to speak when he heard the low voice of General Zhong Wenbin: "It will probably be soon."

Just as he finished speaking, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside, followed by a eunuch hurriedly walking into the main hall.

"The imperial edict has arrived!"

Everyone knelt and saluted to receive the order: "Long live our emperor!"

The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict held the imperial decree in his hand: "By the will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: summon General Zhong Wenbin, General Zhong Dalu of Anbei, and General Zhong Xiaoshan of Annan to the palace immediately to discuss state affairs."

Zhong Wenbin's face was as gloomy as water. He stood up, took the imperial edict and said slowly, "I obey your command."

A hint of determination flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes. He slowly stood up, straightened his sleeves, and said calmly, "Let's go. What's coming will eventually come."