The Child Emperor
Chapter 188

Zhang Yanghao had taken many risks in life, and attributed his repeated losses to bad luck, a common experience among gamblers. Although they swore to quit, deep down they hoped for one more chance: after all this bad luck, what if their fortune changed?

However, every gambler eventually reaches a point where they lose everything. Zhang Yanghao had come to this point and had no more opportunities to place bets.

Several leaders, including the captain of the Northern Army, interrogated the relevant individuals overnight and unanimously concluded that Zhang Yanghao, Xie Ying, and Ding Hui had long-standing grievances with Prince Donghai. They had armed themselves and stormed the camp out of personal vendetta, which was a crime punishable by death. This was something they had done of their own accord, with no one else involved. The Prince Donghai’s attendant who had killed Chai Zhi in defense of his master had already been killed, so no one else was unaffected. Prince Donghai had seized the command seal and fled, prompting a manhunt and a report to the imperial court.

In essence, the only guilty parties were Zhang Yanghao and his two associates, along with their followers.

As for the “Sword Symbol Order” proclaimed by Prince Donghai, no one had seen the messenger, so it was dismissed, just like the secret order involving the Champion Marquis.

Although they were sentenced to death, aristocrats like Zhang Yanghao enjoyed special privileges and could not be executed immediately. Their cases needed to be reported to the imperial court, and often they could redeem their lives with their titles or those of their fathers. Thus, Zhang Yanghao and his companions were imprisoned, awaiting the imperial court’s decision. The palace had not responded to any memorials for a long time, but the rules could not be broken.

Han Ruzi had no energy to deal with the three men for now, as he faced a dilemma and needed a solution that could satisfy all parties.

His only two trusted and indispensable advisors, Chai Yue and Fang Daye, who held opposing views.

“The Xiongnu Chanyu is trustworthy. The fact that many Xiongnu people are migrating east in the snow proves that something significant is happening in the west. I believe we should continue the negotiations,” Fang Daye suggested. That drink with the Chanyu had been the most pleasant in years.

The three discussed the matter in the tent, with Han Ruzi in the middle, Fang Daye on his left, and Chai Yue on his right. Meng E sat in a corner, and Zhang Youcai served tea and water. No one else was present.

Chai Yue, now the de facto commander of the Chu army, naturally spoke on behalf of the soldiers: “Regardless of what’s happening in the west or the Xiongnu’s sincerity, the 80,000 Chu troops came to fight the Xiongnu. That’s their purpose and their opportunity for earning merit. The army believes that peace talks are just an excuse. If they suddenly become real, many will find it hard to accept, and the army’s loyalty will become even more unstable.”

The Northern Army was the main force of the Chu troops at Shattered Iron City, but their situation was awkward. The official commander had deserted and returned to the capital, leaving no word for days. The acting captain, Liu Kunsheng, had lost the command seal, and the Provost Marshal, Chai Zhi, who held the secret orders, had unfortunately died. The troops’ loyalty had been unstable, and unified hatred of the enemy was almost the only thing keeping them under control. Without the threat from the Xiongnu, Han Ruzi and Chai Yue would find it very hard to command the entire army, let alone the less respected Liu Kunsheng and others.

This was Han Ruzi’s dilemma.

Fang Daye, not a spokesperson for the Xiongnu, offered two solutions: “If we truly want peace talks, we should suggest the Xiongnu deploy troops to intimidate the Chu army. When neither side wants to fight, the peace talks will naturally succeed. If we don’t want peace talks, we should seize the opportunity to cross the river and engage in battle. The Chanyu seems to trust the Northern Protection General, so their defenses might not be tight.”

Han Ruzi would never consider intimidating his own troops, and Chai Yue strongly opposed it. However, when it came to starting a battle, Chai Yue also had reservations. “Even if the Xiongnu have no reinforcements, encircling and annihilating them is impossible. The previous battle plans are entirely unfeasible. The 80,000 Chu troops must stay together. The Xiongnu might retreat, turning it into a chase. We are not afraid of the Xiongnu turning back to fight, but we fear a shortage of supplies.”

Even staying put at Shattered Iron City, their supplies would only last a few days. Once the chase began, consumption would increase, and the Xiongnu’s tactic of following closely behind would make it hard to shake them off.

Han Ruzi, unable to decide, convened more leaders, resulting in more chaos. Military commanders hoped to start the battle quickly to gain merit by defeating the Xiongnu, while logistics officers warned of insufficient supplies, fearing the Chu army could only sustain three days of combat. If the battle didn’t end within that time, the Chu army would be in grave danger.

After an hour of debate, the military commanders gained the upper hand, confidently asserting they could defeat the Xiongnu army in a day and end the pursuit in three, returning to Shattered Iron City without giving the Xiongnu a chance to counterattack.

Han Ruzi was convinced by the military commanders. The Northern Army was like a fierce dog newly arrived at a master’s home; without a taste of food, it would soon become enraged.

To the Chu army, the Xiongnu across the river were the feast. For decades, the Chu army had never been defeated. Previously, fewer than 30,000 Chu troops had managed to hold Shattered Iron City against strong enemies. With equal numbers now, victory seemed assured.

Han Ruzi issued the order for the entire army to prepare. They would eat before dawn and cross the river at sunrise, heading straight for the Chanyu’s camp to the north. If the Xiongnu engaged in battle, that would be ideal. If they fled, the Chu army’s tactic would not be to pursue but to continue north, cutting off the stretched-out Xiongnu camp, letting the eastern ones go, and encircling the western Xiongnu, aiming to end the battle in a day without further pursuit.

Chai Yue had previously scouted in detail. The western Xiongnu cavalry was the largest force. Eliminating them would greatly weaken the Xiongnu.

This was a smaller-scale battle plan, especially by letting the Chanyu and others go, focusing on destroying the large western Xiongnu cavalry. The process was relatively simple and could establish an advantage for future battles.

Chai Yue and others went to arrange tasks, while Han Ruzi kept Fang Daye to seek his opinion. “After this battle, the Chanyu will never negotiate with the Great Chu again. Is it worth it?”

Fang Daye was silent for a while, not answering directly but recounting a story: “In the late Martial Emperor’s reign, the Eastern and Western Xiongnu hadn’t split but were terrified and sent envoys to surrender to Great Chu. The Grand General Deng Liao went personally to the Xiongnu camp to negotiate with the Chanyu, gaining their trust. A few days later, he led his army to surround and annihilate at least 50,000 Xiongnu cavalry, forcing some to surrender unconditionally while others fled west and have only recently returned.”

“Did Grand General Deng think there were too many Xiongnu to manage?” Han Ruzi smiled.

“Yes, but that’s not my point. All’s fair in war, Northern Protection General. You worry about losing trust, but the Chanyu might be planning a sneak attack to crush the Chu army and strike Divine Hero Pass.”

Han Ruzi didn’t show much guilt, but he was indeed hesitant, which didn’t escape the veteran general Fang Daye. He stood up and said, “The Chu army hasn’t done enough. Allow me to go to the Xiongnu camp as an envoy, agree to continue peace talks tomorrow, and observe their preparations. I’ll stay in their camp and send someone back to report. If the talks are set for before noon tomorrow, it means they are ready for battle. If it’s after noon, be cautious.”

Han Ruzi also stood up, surprised. “How can you stay in the Xiongnu camp? If a battle starts, the Chanyu won’t spare you.”

“Again, all’s fair in war. If my presence makes the Xiongnu relax their guard, it’s a big gain.”

Han Ruzi wanted to speak, but Fang Daye said, “There are no outsiders here, Northern Protection General. You can tell others you persuaded me three times, but I insisted on going. Don’t waste time; you will agree anyway.”

Han Ruzi, feeling awkward, finally said, “Losing you would be a greater loss for me.”

“I’m a soldier, not a strategist. Devising plans isn’t my strength, and I might not die in the Xiongnu camp. Please assign me two brave, trustworthy guards.”

Han Ruzi called two soldiers from outside. Although there had been traitors in the camp, they were outsiders who joined midway. The fishermen from Riverside Village had always been loyal.

It was Han Ruzi’s first time engaging in such deceptive tactics, and he felt uneasy, pacing in the tent. He glanced at Meng E in the corner, who had been there all along but rarely noticed.

“Would you trust someone who uses deceit in battle?” Han Ruzi asked.

Meng E, as still as a wooden figure, thought for a while before saying, “I don’t know, but you look more like an emperor to me now.”

Han Ruzi laughed. Everyone faced their own dilemmas, Meng E’s was that those without ability aren’t worth following, and those with ability might be ungrateful for her help.

But everyone must choose. Han Ruzi chose cunning in war, and Meng E chose to trust the young man before her.

“Are you worried about LadyJin?” Meng E suddenly asked.

Han Ruzi was taken aback. “Jin Chuiduo? No, no… have you met her?”

Meng E shook her head. “No, but I’ve heard of her. A beauty suited to an emperor. If you want to be an emperor, naturally you need a beauty.”

Han Ruzi couldn’t help but laugh. “Fortunately, there’s a beauty in the Weary Marquis’ residence worthy of the Great Chu’s throne.”

Meng E lowered her eyes, seemingly not planning to ask further but also not convinced.

Han Ruzi said seriously, “Something must be happening in the Capital, and I’m trapped in the frontier, without even the qualification to vie for the throne. Do you think I care about a Xiongnu ‘beauty’? Tomorrow, everything will be clear.”

Meng E nodded and said no more.

Han Ruzi walked to the tent door, lifted the curtain, and looked outside. The setting sun cast a glow on the snow-covered ground. Zhang Youcai and Ni Qiu were warming their hands by the entrance, while armored soldiers stood motionless in the cold wind a bit farther away.

He didn’t need to be accountable to the Xiongnu. Even if the so-called “Spirit Chanyu” dared to invade Chu territory, the Great Chu didn’t have to ally with the fleeing Xiongnu.

He was responsible for the 80,000 Chu troops at Shattered Iron City, and he also needed their loyalty and support in the future.

Han Ruzi wiped away his last bit of hesitation.

In the evening, Ma Da, who had accompanied Fang Daye to the Xiongnu camp, returned. “The peace talks are set for before noon tomorrow, at the same place.”

This was Fang Daye’s signal for attack.