"Good is good, but..." Before the Second Madam could say more, the Second Master quickly stopped her. Some things were useless to say more. If it weren't for his own poor health and inability to serve in the court, why would he need to send his son to the front lines to fight? All in all, it was his own inadequacy.
The Second Madam looked at her husband's self-reproaching face and knew what he was thinking. Although his health had been poor for so many years and he couldn't enter the court, he had personally visited her before their marriage and told her about his physical condition. At that time, the Second Madam thought he was sincere, and his family background was also good. Even though his life would be ordinary, as long as he treated her well, she would reciprocate unconditionally. They might not be rich, but they could grow old together.
Everything was developing as she had expected, but ever since the sons of the First Household became increasingly useless, failing in both civil and military endeavors, Old Madam Li began to dote more on the children of the Second Household. The couple, who had previously kept to themselves, started to change, targeting the Second Household everywhere.
Old Madam Li was easily influenced by what she heard, and at the time, the couple readily agreed. However, they continued to do as they pleased afterward, which angered her greatly, yet she was powerless.
Why were her own sons so incompetent, while the sons of the Second Household were so outstanding? The more this was the case, the more unbalanced their minds became. They knew that with the eldest son of the Second Household's talent, if he were to enter the imperial court, he would surely achieve success. If Li Ninghou truly did so, their status within the mansion would be very awkward. Given how the couple had always tried to control the Second Household, once their position was stable, they would surely retaliate. To prevent such a thing from happening, they suppressed them everywhere, preventing them from coming to prominence.
In this world, participating in the imperial examinations required the patriarch's signature. Li Ninghou, wanting to prevent them from rising, found an excuse to refuse. Li Zixiang, unwilling to live in the mansion for his entire life, took a risky path and joined the army secretly, defying everyone. In just two years, he went from an ordinary soldier to a well-known general, which demonstrated his true capabilities.
How could he not guess his uncle's intentions? He was simply powerless. The thought that even if he successfully quelled the rebellion, he would still be constrained by them, filled him with despair. Sometimes he truly wished to defy them openly, and if they didn't want the Second Household to live well, then they would all sink together. But when he thought of his own parents, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
If only he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have been soft-hearted back then. He knew clearly how many wrongful deeds his uncle had committed over the years, and Li Zixiang also had some understanding. He believed that if he investigated diligently, he would definitely find evidence. If some of it were strategically leaked, it would tarnish the Li family's reputation. However, this would make him a sinner in the eyes of his family, and he believed his parents would be very sad, which made him hesitate. He hadn't expected to be placed in such a perilous situation. Even though he knew he couldn't defeat the Third Prince, he still had to charge into battle.
The Third Prince was not fighting an unprepared war. For many years, although he was guarding the imperial mausoleum, he had been secretly contacting his former subordinates, evading the emperor's spies. To avoid detection, they were dispersed in various locations, engaged in business while developing their own forces. Almost every one of them commanded dozens of men.
When the Third Prince occupied two cities and declared rebellion, they quickly responded to the call, bringing all their wealth to purchase a large quantity of grain and supplies, and followed him. In just one month, they had gathered three hundred thousand men.
When Li Zixiang also led three hundred thousand men to the border, he learned of this news. At once, the soldiers on this side began to buzz with discussion. Thinking that the Third Prince was leading the enemy, and his subordinates were all skilled martial artists, while their own Li Zixiang, though born into a noble family, had only been on the battlefield for two years. Moreover, the imperial court had not experienced any major wars for many years, leading these soldiers to be lax and inexperienced, with nothing to compare.
Before even engaging, the men under Li Zixiang's command first lost their will to fight. Seeing their dejected appearance, he had to stand on a high platform and look at them sternly. "Look at yourselves, as if you have no will to live. Anyone who didn't know would think we had lost every battle against the enemy? In fact, we haven't even touched them. If I could, I would also flee, but our parents and our wives and children are waiting for my triumphant return in the rear. If I leave, do you think the Emperor will spare them?"
Seeing everyone dejected, he continued, "If my sacrifice can bring them peaceful days, I believe it is worth it. What do you think?"
They understood these principles, but no one pointed them out directly. Sometimes, fate felt extremely unfair. It was only when this moment arrived that they realized how desperately they longed to live.
No one knew who started it, but someone shouted, "Worth it! A man should die on the battlefield."
Then, one after another, people echoed the sentiment. Some couldn't help but shed tears, yet their expressions were firm, ready to die at any moment. Seeing this scene, Li Zixiang couldn't help but shed tears and quickly wiped them away when no one was looking. After his words of encouragement, the morale of the troops was greatly boosted.
When the Third Prince learned that he was leading the army, he sent people to conduct a thorough investigation of his deeds. Combining his series of actions, he had to admit that he was quite capable. It was a pity that such a person was suppressed and never got to rise, otherwise, he would surely become a marquis and minister in the future. This time, he was unfortunately encountered by him.
"If only he could be of use to us," Wu Caiwei sighed. She felt it was possible, and did not believe that the other party held no resentment towards the Li family. If there was a suitable opportunity to help him escape the grasp of the Li family, she believed he would consider it.
The two exchanged glances, and everything was understood without words.
After observing for several days, Li Zixiang discovered that the enemy planned to remain shut in their city. After all, they had sufficient grain and water sources, and as long as they defended the high city walls, they believed they couldn't be harmed.
He was somewhat anxious. The Emperor, eager for results, would not allow him to slowly wear down the enemy. Indeed, after observing nearby for a few days, a senior eunuch arrived with an imperial decree. The decree essentially ordered him to speed up and quell the rebellion in one fell swoop.
At that moment, he couldn't help but close his eyes, accepting the reality. That night, while the enemy was unprepared, he launched an attack, catching them off guard.
Upon taking over the city, Gao Zimu had already reinforced and raised the city walls.
Although the enemy's attack was very sudden and caught them off guard, their days of training were not in vain. They quickly regained their senses and counterattacked in an orderly fashion.