Chapter 767: Forced to Switch Sides
The surging river roared like a slumbering giant in the darkness, its gaping maw seemingly capable of swallowing the heavens and earth.
Though their boat was securely moored at the dock, it still rocked violently with the waves.
Under the flickering candlelight, Yu Xiang’s face instantly turned ashen.
If the turbulence was this severe here, how much more ferocious must it be on the other side?
So, Shen Yungan had known all along that a storm would strike tonight. That was why he lured Xiao Changyan westward—to ensure Xiao Changyan’s entire army would be wiped out!
“Tonight brings not only gales but also torrential rain. Yet, as a scion of nobility, Prince Jing may yet be blessed by the heavens and escape death.” Shen Yunnan spoke softly, a faint, mocking smile playing on his lips as he glanced at Yu Xiang. “Will General Yu wait with me for divine mercy?”
Wait? Wait for what?
For news of Xiao Changyan’s death? Even if Xiao Changyan miraculously survived, what about the others? Could they all emerge unscathed?
Xiao Changyan had taken the bulk of their forces. If they were all lost to the river, how could the men left here possibly stand against Shen Yungan?
“Ah, I forgot to ask: Did you receive the letters I sent you, General Yu?” Shen Yungan suddenly inquired.
Startled by the question, Yu Xiang froze momentarily before a chill ran down his spine.
Those letters were all in Xiao Changyan’s possession!
“I’ve heard that Prince Jing has a trusted advisor, one who did not accompany him in pursuing Worldly Son Bu this time…” Shen Yungan added leisurely.
The letters were not in Shen Yungan’s handwriting, so keeping them would have been useless to Yu Xiang. Since Yu Xiang had chosen to side with His Majesty, it shouldn’t have mattered if they fell into Xiao Changyan’s hands!
But that was only if they emerged victorious. Now, with the situation so dire and Xiao Changyan’s forces decimated in the river, someone would have to shoulder the blame.
If those letters were presented to His Majesty, even if they couldn’t convict Yu Xiang of colluding with Shen Yungan, they could still frame him for conspiring with “river bandits.”
Someone had to answer for the soldiers lost in the river!
“General Yu, whether that advisor returns alive to the capital depends entirely on your decision,” Shen Yungan reminded him.
His words implied that Xiao Changyan’s advisor had already fallen into Shen Yungan’s hands!
Xiao Changyan always left himself a way out, but Shen Yungan was determined to sever every last one of his escape routes.
Yu Xiang stared fixedly at Shen Yungan. This young Northwest Prince Heir, not yet thirty, had already mastered the art of manipulating hearts and minds.
From the very beginning, Shen Yungan had known Yu Xiang wouldn’t be easily coerced. Everything had been a setup, waiting for Yu Xiang to outsmart himself and walk step by step into the trap laid out for him.
Now, Yu Xiang had only two choices: fight Shen Yungan to the death and perish here together, earning a posthumous honor for loyalty from the court—or…
Yu Xiang lifted his gaze to Shen Yungan. “What makes you think I would switch sides, Worldly Son?”
If it were up to him, Shen Yungan would have preferred not to spare this man. He’d rather see him honored as a martyr than allow such a cowardly, treacherous individual to return.
However…
Shen Yungan lowered his eyes, staring at the teacup in his hand. He chuckled softly, then raised his head and drained the now-cold tea. “General Yu, do you dare to go rescue Prince Jing?”Yu Xiang was taken aback, seemingly unable to comprehend Shen Yungan's meaning. He slowly turned his head, gazing at the river surface that was gradually regaining its calm. The wind appeared to have subsided somewhat.
"General Yu, there is only one course of action now—to lead troops to reinforce Prince Jing," Shen Yungan said with a faint smile. "However, if you wish to go personally, you must first get past me."
Getting past Shen Yungan meant engaging in a one-on-one duel with him. At this moment, stranded here with no help in sight, even in single combat, he was no match for Shen Yunnan.
Undoubtedly, Shen Yungan was telling him that resistance meant certain death.
His hand, gripping the sword hilt, repeatedly loosened and tightened, tightened and loosened. His heart churned with turmoil. After countless internal struggles, Yu Xiang finally lowered his hand. "What exactly does the heir wish to do?"
"What can I do?" Shen Yungan feigned innocence. "General Yu has formed an alliance with me. I have always been protective of my own people—how could I stand by and watch you perish? Naturally, I will send someone in your stead to reinforce Prince Jing."
Reinforce? More like pursue and kill!
But as long as Xiao Changyan died in the river, along with his advisors, and with "him" visibly risking his life to rescue Xiao Changyan in the open, the court would be unable to hold him accountable. This truly was his only path to survival.
"The Military Tally, General," Shen Yungan stated his purpose outright.
After a moment's hesitation, Yu Xiang produced it. Mobilizing troops was not so simple; besides the Military Tally, there was also a mobilization order, which essentially served as a coded signal known only to the commander and deputy commander. Possessing the Military Tally alone was insufficient—the code must also match to deploy the troops.
On the surface, Xiao Changyan had left Yu Xiang with only two hundred men, but several thousand more were held in reserve. These troops were originally brought by Yu Xiang, and most were individuals he had previously promoted.
All of these, Yu Xiang handed over.
After obtaining what he needed, the merchant ship did not depart but remained detained. It was no longer suitable to set sail tonight.
Shen Twenty-Seven stayed with Yu Xiang, while Shen Yungan went to meet Shen Shiwu, who was disguised as Yu Xiang, and handed everything over to him.
"Heir, this subordinate can go alone," Shen Shiwu hurriedly said upon seeing that Shen Yungan had not disembarked.
Shen Yungan shook his head slightly, his gaze fixed on the sails swaying in the wind. "I must go."
Shen Yungan's objective in taking control of Yu Xiang's men was not to ostensibly reinforce but actually eliminate Xiao Changyan; rather, it was to intercept Your Majesty's Invincible Army.
Your Majesty had dispatched the Invincible Army—a fact Shen Xihe had already informed him of. The Invincible Army would undoubtedly follow behind Xiao Changyan, as Xiao Changyan was certain that both he and Bu Shulin were aboard that ship.
Tonight's storm and turbulent waves had been predicted by an elder from the Qu Family Shipping Company, based on decades of sailing experience. Given the recent gust of fierce wind, the elder's judgment had proven accurate.
Darkness, reefs, gales, and torrential rain—this would be an extremely perilous battle.
Shen Shiwu did not want Shen Yungan to take such risks, but Shen Yungan could not let these personal guards go alone. Firstly, he needed to bolster their conviction and morale; secondly, he needed to personally confront the Invincible Army and Xiao Changyan's Shadow Guards!
Military orders were not to be disobeyed. Unable to persuade him, Shen Shiwu had no choice but to comply. Shen Yungan mobilized all of Yu Xiang's official ships, outfitted the men brought by the Shen family and those sent by Shen Xihe in government patrol uniforms, and integrated them into the ranks. With a single command, the sails were raised, and they set forth!The journey had been relatively smooth so far, but as they ventured further into the river, the turbulence grew increasingly severe. Gusts of wind swept over them intermittently, while the crescent moon had long disappeared, its whereabouts unknown. Even the scattered starlight had vanished without a trace.
A distant flash of lightning tore through the darkness, illuminating the night and revealing the menacing, thick black clouds baring their fangs.
Shen Yungan's ship, which had been sent ahead to lure Xiao Changyan, suddenly came to a halt. The last remaining sailors abandoned the vessel and leaped into the river.
(End of Chapter)
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