Although Huanzhou Prefecture is referred to as the provincial capital, but it is actually a tiny border town in the north.
The prefecture was named a hundred years ago, but due to frequent invasions by foreign tribes, the people gradually moved away, and now there are only a hundred households left. The Hu people invaded every year, and they specifically chose small passes like this to plunder.
As soon as the military information came, the general’s mansion became brightly lit. The governor of Hanzhou, Xiao Ping, and the deputy generals in the city gathered around Cen Yelan.
This was the closest Yuan Zheng had ever come to battle.
The tea in his hand had gone cold. He sat aside and listened to them discuss military matters nonchalantly. Yuan Zheng was both a military supervisor and a member of the royal family, so no one could drive him away. He kept silent, and Cen Yelan acquiesced. Naturally, the others just pretended not to see it.
It was late at night, but Yuan Zheng was not at all sleepy. He just looked at Cen Yelan under the candlelight. He was calm, dispatching troops and giving orders in an orderly manner.
That night, several scouts came in a hurry, and the “report” was like a death order, adding a bit of depressing and tense atmosphere to the dark night. It was not just Huanzhou Prefecture that was attacked that day, but also Yuping Pass and Longsha Fort. The attack was fierce, and it was obvious that they had a plan. The Hu people hadn’t made such a big move for five years. Some of the deputy generals and border officials in the room had a bad temper and could no longer hold back, and some of them looked solemn.
Yuan Zheng watched coldly, thinking, No wonder there were so many people impeaching the Cen family in the court, suspecting that they had their own army and were afraid that they would rebel and become a threat. These civil officials and military generals who received court salaries actually listened to Cen Yelan, even the governor of Hanzhou was no exception.
The Cen family is the fortress and a sharp weapon that is invincible for Dayan. However, once they have other intentions, it will undoubtedly be a big threat to Dayan.
By the time they left one after another, it was already the fifth watch13-5am in the morning.
Only Yuan Zheng and Cen Yelan were left in the room.
Cen Yelan raised his hand and pressed his forehead, only to find that Yuan Zheng was still here, looking at him. He put down his hand and calmly said, “Does Your Highness have anything to say?”
Yuan Zheng yawned and said, “General Cen is thoughtful and has planned an overall situation already. What can I say?”
He looked at Cen Yelan, smiling, “Don’t worry, although I’m an assh*le, but I won’t treat national affairs as a joke.”
Cen Yelan said indifferently, “This is the best.”
Yuan Zheng looked at him for a while. Cen Yelan looked at him without dodging, which made Yuan Zheng feel a sudden pain in his heart for no reason. He turned away with a cold face.
As soon as the war broke out, there were more soldiers patrolling in Hanzhou City, but the people had long been accustomed to it and stayed indoors.
The group of dandies from the capital felt bored, thinking that Cen Yelan was making a fuss about nothing. Hanzhou was an important place on the northern border, and the Hu people invaded every year, but they have never crossed Hanzhou. The war was far away, so why make it so serious and sensational?
But within three days, Longsha Fort fell, and the situation at Yuping Pass became a stalemate. These dandies gradually turned pale and began to feel uneasy. Some of them even urged Yuan Zheng to return to the capital.
Yuan Zheng had always been unwilling to stay on the northern border, but this time he kept silent. Annoyed by the noise, he kicked the man out and said coldly, ‘If you keep making alarmist remarks here, I will kill you with my own hands without waiting for the Hu people.’
Until that day, Cen Yelan led his troops out of the city.
Cen Yelan was the commander of the northern border. In ordinary battles, he only needed to stay in the rear and did not need to fight in person.
Yuan Zheng asked to go with him.
The servant went to get the horse, and Qi Ming, dressed in armor, followed Cen Yelan.
Cen Yelan’s face was gloomy, and he coldly said, “This is a battlefield, not the hunting ground or martial arts training ground that you are used to. There are arrows, crossbows, swords, spears, axes, and halberds everywhere on the battlefield. If not careful, you will die on the spot!”
His words showed a hint of contempt and impatience. Yuan Zheng pursed his lips and said coldly, “I am the military supervisor and should accompany the army. General Cen is obstructing us in every possible way. Is it because he is guilty or has something to be ashamed of?”
Fang Jing wanted to persuade him, but Yuan Zheng glanced at him, and he swallowed his words. Yuan Zheng was always like this. If he really wanted to do something, no one could stop him.
The horses were brought over. Cen Yelan didn’t want to argue with Yuan Zheng anymore, so he jumped onto the horse, sat high on its back, and directly ordered his personal soldiers to put Yuan Zheng and his group under house arrest.
Yuan Zheng’s face darkened, he stared at Cen Yelan and said, “Cen Yelan, do you really think they can stop me?”
Cen Yelan said nothing.
Seeing that the atmosphere between the two was becoming increasingly tense, Fang Jing took a step forward and called out softly, “General Cen.”
“I promise that we will not interfere with military affairs if we go there.” Fang Jing said, “His Highness is very skilled and capable of protecting himself. We will only watch from afar and will not cause any trouble to the General.”
“Your Highness, is that right?” He nudged Yuan Zheng with his elbow.
Yuan Zheng sneered and said nothing.
Cen Yelan’s eyes fell on Fang Jing, then slowly looked at Yuan Zheng, raised his hand, and the personal soldiers standing in front of them withdrew.
Cen Yelan suddenly pulled the corner of his mouth, looked into Yuan Zheng’s eyes, and said in a light tone that was as sharp as a knife edge, “Your Highness, the battlefield is blind.”
“You better be careful.”
