"Quick, pass it!"
Ling Mohan put down the book in his hand and said urgently.
Seeing Chu Chenyi, Ling Mohan's suspended heart finally relaxed a little: "You're finally here. If you didn't come any sooner, you'd be waiting to collect my corpse."
"You are the God of War of Eastern Chu, who could possibly defeat you."
"Enough nonsense. Have the hundred thousand troops you brought been settled?" Ling Mohan's mind was entirely on the hundred thousand troops Chu Chenyi brought; they were the key to turning the tide.
"I was worried you might be killed, so I came to check on your life first. The remaining army will arrive by evening."
Ling Mohan shot Chu Chenyi a look. No one would think he was mute if he didn't speak.
"Hurry up and get me some food." To reach Yingzhong Commandery as soon as possible, he had been rushing, not even eating. His stomach was empty and uncomfortable.
"The city has been surrounded by rebels for many days. Every grain in the city is rationed. There is truly no surplus grain to give to Prince Jing. I ask Prince Jing to bear with it for a while longer until your supplies arrive before talking about food."
None of the army's supplies had arrived yet, and he wanted to eat his food? Impossible.
Chu Chenyi's mouth trembled slightly: "I risked my life to bring the army to support you, and you won't even give me a bite to eat. Ling Mohan, has your conscience been eaten by dogs!"
"This general is also powerless. If Your Highness Prince Jing is truly hungry, feel free to find food in the city yourself." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"I don't believe it! The vast Yingzhong Commandery has no food for me!"
Chu Chenyi was convinced it was deliberate on Ling Mohan's part and immediately ordered his soldiers to search for food.
"Your Highness, our young general is telling the truth. After being besieged by rebels for a month, the city is isolated and has no grain."
Lu Shi, unwilling to let them work in vain, stepped forward and stated the truth.
"Is there really no grain?"
"If Your Highness hadn't arrived sooner, the soldiers would be too weak to even hold their weapons."
They were only eating one meal a day, and when hunger became unbearable, they drank water to fill their stomachs. Countless brothers had already fainted from hunger. If the reinforcements did not arrive in a few more days, before the enemy could attack, they would all starve to death.
Chu Chenyi lowered his gaze, concealing his true emotions. He only knew that the rebels had surrounded Yingzhong Commandery and had suffered casualties in several attacks. He had no idea they had run out of food.
"It is all my oversight. If I had arrived sooner, the soldiers would not have suffered so much."
The soldiers sacrificed themselves on the front lines, yet they couldn't even provide basic sustenance.
Even more outrageous was Chu Yanxi, who, for his own selfish gain, had deliberately delayed the reinforcement army, nearly causing a grave mistake and plunging the entire population of Yingzhong Commandery into dire straits.
"It is not too late as Your Highness has arrived as soon as possible," Ling Mohan said calmly.
"Lu Shi, pass down orders to the three armies to prepare and rest well tonight. Tomorrow morning, open the city gates to meet the enemy. This battle will surely result in a great defeat for the enemy and redeem our honor!"
Ling Mohan, having been pushed to such a desperate situation for the first time, was already filled with pent-up anger.
Previously, the enemy's sieges had been unsuccessful. Now, their morale was at its lowest, and they were unaware that reinforcements had arrived. This was the perfect opportunity to catch them off guard.
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Chu Chenyi pondered, "Attacking so hastily, I only worry that the soldiers will not be able to rest properly."
Marching into battle while exhausted was a grave military taboo, and he was concerned that the soldiers, after enduring so much hardship, would not be able to adjust in time.
"Now is the time when the enemy's morale is low, and our soldiers' morale is high. We must seize this opportunity for a decisive victory!"
Ling Mohan had already calculated that this was the best opportunity. Once missed, it would be difficult to find another chance for a decisive victory.
"After your hundred thousand troops arrive, settle them down first."
As he finished speaking, Ling Mohan picked up his sword and walked out of the tent.
"Aren't you going to inspect the army later?"
Tomorrow was the day of the great battle. Shouldn't he go to the camp to inspect and boost morale? Instead, he was leaving. What was the meaning of this?
"I need to go back and check on Feng Jin. I'll leave the army inspection to you."
The news of the rebels besieging Yingzhong Commandery was spreading like wildfire in the city. Feng Jin was pregnant, and hearing this news would undoubtedly cause her to worry.
He had also been tied up with military affairs. Now that he had finally found an opportunity, he naturally had to go back and check on Feng Jin's condition first.
"You..." Before Chu Chenyi could finish his words, Ling Mohan had already disappeared from his sight.
Ling Mohan galloped back at full speed, pushed open the door, and rushed to find Feng Jin, not even noticing Ling Muzhu greeting him.
"Elder... brother..." Ling Muzhu's outstretched hand froze awkwardly in the cold wind. Was his presence truly being ignored like this?
"Young General, you're back?"
Cai Qing's joy was uncontrollable upon seeing Ling Mohan return, and her voice unconsciously grew louder.
Feng Jin, who was inside the house, also heard Cai Qing's voice. She immediately got up and ran out. Opening the door, she saw the person she had been longing for, standing safely before her. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she threw herself into the man's arms.
Seeing the scene, Cai Qing wisely retreated, leaving the space for the two who had not seen each other for a long time.
"Alright, don't cry, I'm back safe and sound." Ling Mohan's deep, slightly hoarse voice sounded from above Feng Jin's head, bringing her a rare sense of peace.
"Do you know how worried I was about you? I heard the rebels were attacking the city, and I wanted to find you, to be with you again, but I couldn't get out. I could only be confined in this square courtyard..."
For the past two days, she had been restless, her heart feeling as if it were being roasted over a fire.
"I know everything. As soon as I had a moment, I rushed back to find you."
Ling Mohan held Feng Jin tightly, his longing finally somewhat relieved.
"What's the military situation? Have the reinforcements arrived?"
"The reinforcements arrived today. Tomorrow will be the decisive battle with the rebels. If we win this battle, we can return soon."
This war had dragged on for too long; it should have ended long ago. After the war, he only wanted to protect Feng Jin and await the birth of their child together.
"Good, after you win, we will go back."
Feng Jin nestled in the man's arms, enjoying the rare peace, wishing there would never be any more wars.
"Stay in the courtyard tomorrow and don't go out recklessly. I will return immediately after the battle is over."
Fearing Feng Jin's impulsive nature, Ling Mohan cautioned her with concern.
"I know!" Feng Jin replied with certainty. She knew that Ling Mohan would win tomorrow's battle and return safely.