Chapter 307: Chapter 283: All of this, it’s just too logical_2
It was even deeper and more intricate than she could imagine!
Perhaps, from the very beginning, his "weakening" was not forced.
Perhaps, he had anticipated today from the start!
If that is truly the case, then it can only be called—fate!
Shang Ruyi suddenly felt the world shake, as if a gigantic scroll named fate was slowly unfurling before her eyes. She seemed to see something, but soon, she found herself enwrapped by the enormous scroll, helplessly tossed and turned by the waves within.
While she was somewhat lost, Jiang Kesong suddenly said, "Young Madam, besides these, did the Duke say anything else?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi composed herself and turned to glance at him.
She shook her head: "No."
Jiang Kesong slightly furrowed his brows: "Did he not say, what we should do?"
Shang Ruyi still shook her head.
In fact, such matters did not need to be written in a letter. After all, Yu Wenquan was also an extremely cautious person. Even though the letter described matters concerning the Turks, his words were very moderate. Even if others saw it, they couldn’t find any fault.
He never left traces in his actions, let alone in written letters.
However, while he wrote not a single word, each word was clear—
Now, with no external threats, nor the court’s surveillance, whatever he wanted to do wasn’t difficult, his only concerns being herself in the Eastern Capital, and Yu Wenye leading the troops.
So now they...
Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and suddenly asked, "How long have I been here?"
Jiang Kesong quickly replied, "Three days."
Tushere added, "Miss, the Emperor’s procession is set to depart the day after tomorrow."
"The day after tomorrow,"
Shang Ruyi murmured, "So, at the latest, we have to set out for the Eastern Capital by tomorrow."
At this moment, the man who delivered the letter said, "Young Madam, Elder Brother, there are two more matters I haven’t reported."
Jiang Kesong immediately said, "What are they, Chen Tang, quickly tell us."
That Chen Tang said, "Our scouts have learned that Liang Shide, leading a force of a hundred thousand, departed from Hejian two days ago. They are marching swiftly, directly towards Luoyang."
"Two days ago?!"
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but gasp.
Previously, they had speculated that Liang Shide would attack the Eastern Capital, but none imagined he would move so quickly, setting out as early as two days ago.
Which means, shortly after she left Luoyang, these forces were closing in on the city.
And hearing this, the furrow on Jiang Kesong’s brow deepened as he thought for a moment, then said, "Young Madam, there’s a map in the assembly hall."
Coincidentally, Shang Ruyi also wanted to see the map, and she immediately asked him to lead the way. The group quickly walked into the assembly hall ahead. Seeing their worried expressions, Wo Xue and Chang Wan approached. Jiang Kesong spread out a map on the floor. Clearly familiar with the local terrain, he swiftly located Hejian and then pointed to Luoyang.
Estimating the distance, his face grew serious.
"Liang Shide’s army, after liaising with the Turks, has acquired many horses and is primarily cavalry. If they set out at full speed from Hejian two days ago, then—in two days, they’ll arrive at Luoyang!"
"In two days?"
Hearing this, Tushere gasped, "Are they going to directly confront His Majesty’s Imperial Carriage?"
Jiang Kesong’s expression also grew more tense, and he looked up at Shang Ruyi.
At this moment, Shang Ruyi was also drenched in cold sweat.
Yet she still tried to calm herself, looked at Luoyang, and then at Hejian—she rarely had the opportunity to look at maps, except for a few times when her father guided her in childhood, and recently when Yu Wenye showed her many map markings.
Then there was—
In Ziwei Palace, the Warm Dock, which seemed like a mortal paradise, where a gigantic map lay on the ground.
And that handsome man in white, wearing Feathered Immortal Shoes, standing on the map like an Immortal, in love not with the country, but with his passion guiding it.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi softly said, "No, they aim to strike the Eastern Capital right after the Emperor has just left."
"Why?"
"Because, as for him—for His Majesty, once he leaves the Eastern Capital, he will not turn back, no matter what happens there. His destination is his priority."
Jiang Kesong said, "Young Madam, does this mean even if there’s a battle behind, the Emperor will not return to aid?"
Shang Ruyi gently nodded: "It should be so."
Jiang Kesong gasped in shock, "If so, those within the Eastern Capital City may feel more despair than ever."
"Yes,"
Gazing at the map, Shang Ruyi felt her fingertips grow cold. She could even visualize the garrison in the Eastern Capital, knowing they had been abandoned by the court, now assaulted by rebels just as the Emperor left, while he looks forward, leaving them behind.
At that time, even with strong walls and ample supplies...
How long can scattered morale hold?
She suddenly realized, the one who devised such a strategy must truly understand Chu Yang, and human nature.
Was it Lei Yi, Lei Yu?
Or Xiao Yuansui?
But no matter which of them it was, even now, with two days until Liang Shide’s forces press on Luoyang, she seemed to already see the outcome of the battle.
She furrowed her brow in silence for a long time, then suddenly remembered something, and said to Chen Tang, "You said there were two things to report, what’s the other?"