A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 732: Chapter 732: Stalemate

This made Arubasi quite anxious.

”Damn it, as cunning as a fox!”

Min Tu, however, laughed.

”Father, don’t worry. We’ll just keep waiting. They can’t stay put forever, and when they finally come out...”

Arubasi was somewhat agitated.

”But I don’t want to waste time!”

Min Tu offered another strategy.

”In that case, Father, why not find an appropriate opportunity for us to go ashore as well?”

”After all... we’re going to have to land eventually to deal with them!”

Arubasi thought about it but was still hesitant.

”I’ll think about it some more!”

After all, he knew he commanded only a navy. If they went ashore, they would encounter infantry. Could they win with unfamiliar terrain and tactics? The more Arubasi pondered, the less credible he found the plan.

He turned to his son.

”The enemy’s chief and deputy commanders you had people inquire about—who are they? What are their specialties? Have you found out yet?”

Min Tu shook his head.

”Don’t worry, Father, we’ll have news soon!”

”During this time, we need to do the same as before!”

”Provoke them occasionally to lower their guard!”

Arubasi was actually very anxious. But having fought so many battles, big and small, he understood the principle that haste makes waste. Therefore, he didn’t press too hard.

Thus, the stalemate between the two sides continued.

「On the side of the Great Chu Dynasty.」

The enemy had brought 50,000 men. Now that 10,000 had been killed by fire, 40,000 remained. Forty thousand fierce and surging Navy Forces were not to be taken lightly. Therefore, a meticulous plan was required to ensure victory.

In Zhao Junyao’s main command tent, military leaders of all ranks had been discussing plans to attack the enemy day after day for the past few days.

After Ye Tang was promoted to Fifth Rank Valiant General, she was no longer required to serve in the Bureau of Warhorses and was directly transferred to the Ministry of War, serving under Yang He. Thus, she also had a place at these discussions. However, such discussions of military strategy were not her strong suit. So, she stood in a corner, saying little and listening intently, deeming it the best approach.

「That day.」

A few fast horses stopped outside the camp, and a servant boy-like figure came forward to report. After the soldiers below received the message, it was first scrutinized by various generals. Once it was confirmed there were no issues, it was presented before the Emperor.

Zhao Junyao saw it was Zhao Junqi who had arrived. Although he was slightly annoyed, he couldn’t very well turn him away. After all, isn’t the Guangnan Territory the fiefdom of him and his father, Prince Yan?

In the tent, Zhao Junyao dismissed everyone else, leaving only Zhao Junqi.

He asked with a stern expression, ”Why have you come?”

Zhao Junqi quickly stepped forward. ”Imperial Brother, Father said the people here are suffering from the ravages of war. As the lords of the Guangnan Territory, we cannot abandon the people and hide in the Capital City. That’s why Father sent me here!”

The reason was flawless. Zhao Junyao found no grounds to object, so he asked another question. ”Has Imperial Uncle arrived?”

Zhao Junqi shook his head and explained urgently, ”Father didn’t come; he has trouble with his legs, and Mother is also unwell! Father said he’s old now and doesn’t want to concern himself with these affairs anymore; the old couple has retired to settle down.”

Zhao Junyao looked at him for a moment without saying much. Something feels off, he thought. Why is he so eager to explain? Zhao Junyao knew Zhao Junqi had always been unreliable. Since when could he answer questions so coherently? He didn’t believe it! However, Zhao Junyao had been busy recently, his thoughts somewhat scattered, so he hadn’t considered this particular aspect.

After settling Zhao Junqi down, the commanders once again began to discuss the grand strategy for the campaign. Zhao Junqi was always brazen enough to join in, under the virtuous pretense of ”contributing his part for the sake of Guangnan’s common folk.”

Heavens, what could he possibly contribute?! Zhao Junyao felt that if Zhao Junqi just stayed quietly in his tent, that would be contribution enough. But Zhao Junqi didn’t see it that way and was even more enthusiastic than everyone else each time. This led Zhao Junyao to wonder if he had truly matured and had a change of heart. After a while, Zhao Junyao stopped paying him much mind.

「This particular day.」

The commanders, both high and low-ranking, were again discussing military affairs in Zhao Junyao’s tent. Zhao Junqi, as usual, joined in. He was the last to leave, not departing until late into the night after everyone else had gone. Since this was routine, nobody thought much of it.

It was getting late. After the men returned to their quarters, they washed up and went to sleep. Soon, the entire military camp quieted down. Outside, there was only the sound of soldiers patrolling back and forth. Because the night was so still, Zhao Junqi could hear them from afar. And because he could hear them, he could... avoid them.

Taking a left turn here and a right turn there, Zhao Junqi moved stealthily through the darkness, avoiding the soldiers as he made his way in a specific direction. The night stretched on, and the camp was quiet. Almost no one noticed a thing. As Zhao Junqi walked, he kept looking back. After repeatedly confirming that no one was following, he slipped out of the camp, mounted a horse, and galloped toward the coast. Someone was there waiting for him.

Once the horse had raced into the distance, a shadow emerged from the darkness by the roadside. This person was Xia Tingfeng.

What a joke, Xia Tingfeng thought. As a close guard to the Emperor, if I lacked even this much vigilance, the Emperor might have been assassinated hundreds of times by now. Perhaps he would already have perished.

In fact, from the very first day, the Emperor had harbored suspicions about Zhao Junqi and had assigned Xia Tingfeng to follow him. After observing for several days, Xia Tingfeng had finally caught him tonight. He had gone to the seaside, all alone. It truly made one ponder!

Xia Tingfeng let out a cold laugh and turned to leave.

「That very night.」

Zhao Junyao was informed of the incident. After hearing the report, his expression turned grave, and he remained silent for a long time. It would be a lie to say his heart didn’t ache. After all, Zhao Junqi was his cousin, and Imperial Uncle his own uncle. He couldn’t believe they would do such a thing. Yet, the evidence lay right before his eyes, leaving him no choice but to believe.

After what felt like an eternity, Zhao Junyao spoke in a heavy tone, ”Continue the surveillance. Act as if you know nothing of this! During the day, everything remains as usual. Discuss what needs to be discussed!”

”Yes!” Xia Tingfeng acknowledged.

「The night passed without further incident.」

The next morning, Zhao Junqi was, as usual, the first to arrive at the tent. To mask the fatigue from his nocturnal exertions, he deliberately feigned a sleepy appearance.

He complained to Zhao Junyao, ”Imperial Brother, the conditions here are truly awful! I couldn’t sleep at all last night!”

Zhao Junyao feigned composure. ”Awful conditions? We’re here to fight a war, not for you to enjoy yourself! If you find it so hard, why did you come?”

Zhao Junqi hung his head, looking distressed. ”Sigh, Imperial Brother, I didn’t really want to come. It was all Father... As long as Father is in the residence, he scolds me every day for being useless! He says I should learn more from you, Imperial Brother! And don’t even get me started on my mother! She nags me about getting married every day. It’s driving me insane!”

Zhao Junyao offered a faint smile. ”Is that so? You’re not in a hurry? I heard the Empress Dowager is selecting consorts for Little Fifth. You should keep an eye out too. If there’s someone suitable, I will grant you the marriage!”

Zhao Junqi feigned surprise. ”Ah? Imperial Brother... please don’t!”

What kind of uncle selects consorts alongside his nephew? It sounds utterly awkward even to hear of it!