"Good, good, good!
"Since Prince Yun is so versed in military affairs, why not let Prince Yun take charge of this battle?"
Grand Commandant Tong said "good" three tis in a row, obviously beside himself with anger.
Of course, he couldn’t really hand over command to Prince Yun. His statent was nothing more than a tactical retreat.
Prince Yun was rely a prince who had seldom left the capital. What did he know about fighting a battle? Even if Grand Commandant Tong offered to hand over command of the battle, would he dare to accept it?
A person should have so sense of their own limits, shouldn’t they?
Unexpectedly, Prince Yun’s spirits rose instantly, and he confidently said, "Good, agreed!
"Grand Commandant Tong, we do not jest in the military! All the generals have heard you, saying yourself, that you would hand over command of this battle to ."
With that, he turned to General Liu, "General Liu, I wonder if you would be willing to join in this campaign?"
A look of hesitation crossed General Liu’s face.
Clearly, he now faced a difficult choice, to side with either Prince Yun or Grand Commandant Tong.
If he were to make a rational decision, he should naturally stand with Grand Commandant Tong.
After all, Prince Yun was here only to gain experience and had little prestige or say, whereas Grand Commandant Tong was the one whose orders were absolute. Once Prince Yun left, wouldn’t he still have to face Grand Commandant Tong’s petty reprisals?
But considering the dangers of advancing on Tong’an City were far greater than any rewards, and his long-standing dislike of Grand Commandant Tong—hatred to the bone, even—these considerations no longer mattered.
General Liu steeled his heart: "Your servant is willing!"
Fan Cun then looked towards the other Western Army generals, especially the renowned yet lesser-known than General Liu at this ti, General Zhong Pingyuan.
"Generals, I am not soone who takes matters lightly. This battle is critical for the fate of Great Qi Country and cannot be jeopardized.
"I ask but one thing of you, to join in leading the troops to support General Liu. If General Liu encounters an ambush on his way to Tong’an City, I will lead you generals in breaking the encirclent.
"If General Liu arrives safely at Tong’an City, I will leave the Western Army and go to my Imperial Father to accept punishnt, while also apologizing to Grand Commandant Tong.
"What do you think, generals?"
The generals looked at each other, utterly unprepared for the situation to have escalated to this point.
Was Prince Yun’s request excessive?
To say it was excessive would definitely be true since everyone knew he was simply here for experience, and now he was openly seizing military power from Grand Commandant Tong? Even if taken up with His Majesty, it would be an untenable position.
But to say it wasn’t excessive—it was also acceptable, in fact.
Prince Yun wasn’t asking to take all the military power; he was simply requesting that in this battle, other generals lead their troops and follow General Liu towards Tong’an City. If they did indeed encounter an ambush, they would co to the rescue, which would please everyone; if there was no ambush, the troops would have rely wasted a journey, squandering so provisions at worst.
As the most favored prince by the current Emperor, to be sowhat willful... seed... acceptable, too.
General Zhong Pingyuan was the first to stand up: "Your servant is willing."
Clearly, the hearts of the Western Army generals were more inclined towards General Liu.
After all, they had all spent decades fighting side by side on the battlefield, forging deep bonds in life-and-death struggles. A eunuch like Grand Commandant Tong lording over them and often issuing misguided commands—who could respect him?
It was only that no one had dared to make the first move.
Now that General Zhong Pingyuan and the others saw the danger of attacking Tong’an City and Prince Yun’s insistence on standing up for General Liu, they naturally took advantage of the situation.
As for whether they would suffer Grand Commandant Tong’s retaliation later on... at this mont, that concern was set aside.
With General Zhong Pingyuan leading the way, the other generals also began to voice their support.
Of course, there were also so generals who kept silent; they were the more rational ones, thinking that supporting Prince Yun wouldn’t bring them much benefit and it wasn’t worth offending Grand Commandant Tong over.
However, a majority in support was already enough.
Grand Commandant Tong turned green with rage, but he was powerless.
If he now insisted on sending General Liu alone to fight for Tong’an City, what result could be expected?
In the event of a military defeat, Prince Yun would join these soldiers in making a great fuss to the Emperor.
Thinking of this, Grand Commandant Tong almost gnashed his teeth as he said, "Fine, since Prince Yun is so confident, I will indulge you in this folly! General Zhong, feel free to accompany Prince Yun to battle. But if you return without success, wasting troops and missing opportunities, consider well the consequences!"
Fan Cun sneered disdainfully. Such threats might be severe for General Zhong Pingyuan, but they ant nothing to him.
For Grand Commandant Tong would soon experience... this Prince Yun’s dinsional strike.
...
General Liu rode his warhorse, gazing at the distant ramparts.
Tong’an City was beginning to take shape on the horizon.
The city was a natural stronghold deep inside Xixia territory. If it could be developed as a base, it might be possible to annihilate Xixia.
And annihilating Xixia would an completely pacifying the northwest, a feat of unparalleled rit.
Obviously, Grand Commandant Tong coveted this unparalleled rit, but he had pushed all the risks onto General Liu’s shoulders.
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