Chapter 1454 - 1129: The Eyes of Two Clever People

Inside the Central Army Tent, Xiao Yuansui sat there with a grim expression, listening to the messenger’s report.

Actually, he almost wanted to stop listening halfway through, but he forced himself to endure, his hands pressing down on his knees, the bulging veins on the back of his hands indicating his near explosive mood.

It turns out, this was Yu Wenye’s true intention.

Last night, all the elites at Hulao Pass were deployed, turning it into an "empty city", allowing his team to rescue Shi Yutao. But in reality, Yu Wenye used Shi Yutao to exchange for Shi Yuxin at Huilu Storehouse.

He had indeed been calculated, yet Yu Wenye calculated even more!

Although Shi Yutao was rescued, due to previous missteps in deployment, he was captured by the enemy alive. Such a person couldn’t possibly be trusted to lead troops into battle in the short term — military morale is crucial, and with leaders like him, the soldiers would certainly be unsettled.

So, what Xiao Yuansui saved was just an empty shell.

But Shi Yuxin was different; she was brave and wise, capable in battle. The previous campaigns deviating through Huai State and Heyang toward Chang An were her strategies. Although the plans didn’t succeed, they did manage to capture Shang Ruyi. Moreover, stories from those who escaped from Huilu Storehouse revealed that even when ambushed, Shi Yuxin didn’t panic impulsively but fought fiercely against generals like Shen Tu Tai for dozens of rounds, before finally being captured when attacked from both sides.

This "trade" cost Xiao Yuansui dearly!

Thinking this, Xiao Yuansui felt even more infuriated. But looking up at Hua Ziyang’s grave expression, and the pale, bewildered Shi Yutao, seemingly yet to recover his wits, he suddenly felt a sense of helplessness.

Last night, if he could have slain Yu Wenye, even if Shi Yuxin was captured, so what?

In the end, he was the one who was calculated against.

Yet he vaguely felt that it wasn’t Yu Wenye who calculated against him; rather... he had always been toyed with by fate. Hence, even when victory at Xingluo Granary was within grasp, Yu Wenye thwarted it from underneath; and just when Wanggang Village was in favorable conditions, it disintegrated because of Yu Wenye; even now, when rescuing Yu Wenye, it’s again Shantong’er from Wanggang Village who came to his aid.

Could the prophecy of Fengming Xiaoshan be false?

While Xiao Yuansui was silent, Hua Ziyang beside him watched as his brows gradually furrowed; it was the second time he saw such a dazed and bewildered expression on Xiao Yuansui’s face — this was extremely unusual for his eldest brother, who had always been resolute, surviving court’s persecution onslaught before, even single-handedly capturing entire Wanggang Village, carving his place in the power struggle.

But at this moment, his eyes were lost, his breathing erratic, like a wanderer terrified at losing his way.

Thinking thus, Hua Ziyang carefully said: "Great General."

"..."

Hearing his voice, Xiao Yuansui abruptly snapped back, meeting Hua Ziyang’s concerned gaze, and recalling those absurd earlier thoughts of his own, he felt somewhat angry, yet suppressed the urge, simply addressing those who escaped from Huilu Storehouse: "You may leave now."

Just then, a middle-aged man among them cautiously asked: "But, General Xiao, this time our grain transport failed; what about Luoyang?"

The others also timidly asked: "Yes, the granary at Luoyang is nearly empty."

"If no more grain is transported back, I’m afraid it can’t be defended."

"General Xiao, you must find a solution."

Xiao Yuansui’s brow gradually furrowed in concern. Seeing his displeased expression, Hua Ziyang immediately said: "The Great General will decide this matter; you all may leave now."

The crowd wanted to say more, but at that moment, a soldier entered, hesitating as he saw many in the Central Army Tent, not speaking right away. Xiao Yuansui recognized him as the one stationed to guard Shang Ruyi — last night’s chaos led to Shang Ruyi desperately trying to break out of the tent, ultimately needing his men to bind her and barely manage to control her.

Seeing him come in, Xiao Yuansui immediately asked: "What’s the matter?"

The soldier hastened to respond: "Great General, the Princess — she wishes to see you."

Upon hearing this, the others in the tent fell silent, glancing at one another, seemingly puzzled, while Xiao Yuansui paused momentarily before saying: "Bring her here."

"Yes."

The soldier quickly turned and exited, and Xiao Yuansui glanced at the remaining individuals, saying: "You can leave now."

Hearing his words, the crowd left reluctantly.

As they exited, they whispered to the youngest and strongest in their midst: "Chi Ying, you’re the smartest among us; you need to think of a solution, if Luoyang can’t be held, our families will suffer."

The young man named Guan Chiying remained silent, merely clenching his teeth, while others watched the swollen scar running across his face — inflicted by Chen Cai’s whip last night, bleeding profusely during his escape, now scabbing over, yet more frightening and hideous.

Perhaps the pain kept him speechless, the crowd thought, reluctantly moving on with sighs.

And Guan Chiying’s footsteps became more dragging, gradually lagging behind the group. As he was about to leave, he suddenly turned to glance back, seeing the same soldier, along with another young soldier, escorting — or perhaps protecting — a beautiful young woman into the Central Army Tent.

Almost simultaneously, Shang Ruyi instinctively turned around, having just seen that dusty group leaving the tent, where this youth stood out not due to his youthful stature and being surrounded by others, but because of the scar across his face, deforming it into an unrecognizable state, yet making the eyes above it appear calm and bright.

Clearly, those are the eyes of an intelligent person.

Moreover, those eyes were looking at her.

But before their gazes could meet, capturing each other’s expressions, the tent door shut, and Shang Ruyi’s breath tightened, slowly turning to face another pair of intelligent eyes.

Xiao Yuansui was seated at the center of the tent, quietly watching her, and just as Shang Ruyi had been distracted by Guan Chiying, Hua Ziyang and the others had also left, leaving only the two of them inside.

Shang Ruyi took a deep breath: "Who just stepped out of here?"

"...?"

Xiao Yuansui raised his eyebrows slightly, somewhat surprised as he looked at her: "I thought you would inquire about Yu Wenye’s fate first."