Your Majesty said that my life is worthless, so why are you crying when I increase my troops?

Xia Lingfeng was riding on a warhorse, and the violent shaking made his face pale.

Soon, the previous excitement disappeared.

Seeing that he was slowing down, the imperial guard general Zhang Ziqian breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand to slow down the imperial guards as well.

"You, why don't you slow down? Just chase me."

"If you let Xia Mingyuan escape, I will definitely ask for your heads!"

Hearing this, Zhang Ziqian was stunned for a moment, and then quickly said, "Your Highness, you are too tired. Since you want to rest, we dare not move forward rashly. We must stay by your side."

"fart!"

Xia Lingfeng's face turned pale as he glared coldly at Zhang Ziqian. "Zhang Ziqian, stop talking nonsense. If I can capture Xia Mingyuan, my father will definitely take a look at Gu Gao after we return to the capital."

"Just because of those brothers, no one will be qualified to compete with me for the throne in the future. What did mother tell you before you left? Have you forgotten?"

Zhang Ziqian's mouth twitched, and he quickly knelt on one knee. "I naturally dare not forget your Majesty's instructions, but in all my actions, I must always prioritize your Highness's safety."

"No matter what, I will not leave your Highness for even a moment."

"If Your Highness wishes to pursue, please continue to mount your horses. I and others will follow you even if we have to sacrifice all our lives."

When Xia Yingfeng heard this, his face turned darker than the bottom of a pot.

"You bastard, can't you see that I can't ride anymore?"

"I'm only nine years old. How can I compare with you thick-skinned, thick-fleshed bastards?"

Xia Yingfeng's words made the soldiers behind Zhang Ziqian look humiliated, but they dared not speak out.

At this moment, the scouts in front suddenly came riding over on horseback.

"Your Highness, General Zhang, we are investigating ahead and have discovered that Xia Mingyuan's troops have abandoned their armor and weapons and are fleeing in all directions."

"Even a lot of food and supplies were left behind."

As the scout spoke, he picked up the helmet he had picked up from the ground and handed it to Xia Lingfeng.

Xia Lingfeng took the helmet and his eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance.

"You all saw it, didn't you? It seems that Xia Mingyuan is just a tough guy!"

"He panicked when he saw our cavalry pursuing us. He was probably worried that Hanyang was empty and we might split our forces into two groups."

"I've said it before, I don't think Xia Mingyuan will ever cause any trouble, but you still don't believe me. Now it proves that I'm well-versed in military strategy and have already anticipated the enemy's moves."

Zhang Ziqian was stunned and stood there for a moment, at a loss as to what to do.

He didn't know the situation in Hanyang, and he couldn't help but feel worried.

Xia Mingyuan's behavior really surprised him.

Could it be that this young prince really had stumbled upon a makeshift team on the other side?

Zhang Ziqian remained silent, and the atmosphere at the scene was eerily quiet.

At this moment, a deputy general cautiously said, "Your Highness, could this be a treacherous plot by the enemy, deliberately luring us into continuing our pursuit?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Before the deputy general finished speaking, Xia Lingfeng jumped up and down anxiously and stomped his feet.

"You guys have only read a few military books, but you really think that idiot Xia Mingyuan would do something like this?"

"Let me ask you, right now, as our army is invading Hanyang, what is giving Xia Mingyuan the biggest headache, besides the manpower?"

Zhang Ziqian was stunned for a moment, then blurted out, "Of course it's food. Without the imperial court's support, they won't be able to hold out for long with only the food stored in Hanyang."

Xia Lingfeng's face was filled with pride, and he said smugly, "If that's the case, what would you do if it were you, Zhang Ziqian?"

"Even if you throw away your armor and weapons and lure the enemy deep into our territory, can you abandon your food and supplies as well?"

"These are life-saving things!"

Hearing this, Zhang Ziqian was completely stunned.

Even though he felt something was not right, he had to admit that what Xia Lingfeng said made some sense.

"What are you still standing there for? The more panicked Xia Mingyuan gets, the more he's just a facade of strength."

"We are waiting to take advantage of his illness and kill him now!"

"As for my safety, you've all seen Xia Mingyuan fleeing for his life up ahead. Could he possibly turn around and strike back?"

"Leave me a few personal guards, and I'll follow you. Maybe by the time I get there, you'll have already captured Xia Mingyuan alive."

"When the time comes, you will be the greatest contributors to this rebellion suppression, and your right-hand men by my side in the future."

Seeing that the soldiers remained silent, Xia Lingfeng urged them again.

Listening to Xia Lingfeng's encouragement, Zhang Ziqian was silent for a while, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "Hu Yong, you take the 100 people and stay here to ensure His Highness's safety."

"Everyone else, follow me. We must catch up with Xia Mingyuan before dark."

After he finished speaking, Zhang Ziqian didn't dare to hesitate any longer. He jumped on his horse and the nine hundred cavalrymen left a trail of dust in the wilderness.

Soon, the sun set and it was dusk.

Xia Mingyuan looked at the cavalry chasing him from behind, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Commander-in-Chief, we have fifteen miles to go before we reach the encirclement set up by General Yue and his men."

"There are at least three thousand ambush troops there, enough to eat all these people."

Xia Mingyuan nodded slightly and said calmly, "Go and change the color of our military flag according to the original agreement."

"Once the enemy has crossed the mountain pass, immediately issue the order and have Yue Hanshan attack with all his might."

"Remember to pay attention to the children in the crowd. Don't kill them. This is a great opportunity. How can we not catch them alive?"

"As long as we catch him alive, I don't believe that the one in the palace can still sit still!"

"Yes!"

Wang Ganger agreed, his face full of excitement.

Zhang Ziqian watched as the figures of Xia Mingyuan and the others were getting closer and closer, and gradually began to enlarge in front of his eyes.

"The enemy can't run any longer. Their horses have run out of concentrated feed. Everyone, prepare to fight."

At Zhang Ziqian's command, the imperial guards behind him all showed ferocious looks.

After catching up with them all the way, they were all filled with anger.

"kill!"

With Zhang Ziqian leading the charge, more than a thousand cavalrymen and nine hundred cavalrymen quickly rushed forward and broke into the valley without hesitation.

The atmosphere in the valley was eerily quiet; not a single bird was startled by the sound.

Zhang Ziqian frowned and felt a chill down his spine.

Before he could react, there was a sudden sound of breaking wind behind him.

Zhang Ziqian's expression changed drastically, and he quickly turned his horse back, "Oh no, we've fallen into a trap, the enemy has an ambush!"

"Everyone, listen up! Leave the col immediately!"

However, he was still a step too slow.

At this moment, countless arrows flew in the valley like heavy rain.

The next moment, the imperial guards beside Zhang Ziqian fell down in large numbers like wheat being cut.

On the top of the mountain, Yue Hanshan took the lead, sweeping the spear in his hand and charging towards him on horseback.