Chapter 202: Taking Over the Yun Family Army
General Dingyuan's reaction was within Yun Chu's expectations.
She smiled slightly and was about to have the soldier deliver another message when the sound of galloping hooves rose behind her, kicking up yellow dust. Immediately, all the guards at the camp entrance dropped to one knee: "Greetings to Prince Pingxi!"
Yun Chu turned around.
She saw the man atop a tall steed.
Clad in black battle armor with a dark sword at his waist, he appeared majestic and imposing.
Meeting Yun Chu's gaze, he dismounted from his horse.
"Your Highness Prince Pingxi."
Yun Chu's elder brothers hastily bowed in greeting.
"Are you planning to enter the military camp?" Chu Yi cut straight to the point. "Then follow me inside."
Yun Yi scratched his chin. "Wouldn't that be against regulations?"
"Regulations?" Chu Yi chuckled. "Miss Yun holds my Token, which grants her not only free access to the Court of Judicial Review but also to all major military camps in the capital's outskirts."
Yun Chu hadn't known this and was about to express her thanks.
But Chu Yi simply waved his hand. "Follow me in."
The Yun family entourage followed Chu Yi into the military camp, and no one dared to stop them along the way.
It wasn't until they neared the center of the camp that General Dingyuan received the report and hurried to greet them: "Your Highness, forgive this humble official for failing to welcome you properly!"
Chu Yi's eyes fell upon the training ground, where two members of the Yun Family Army were tied to frames, undergoing flogging.
His face darkened as he drew the sword from his waist. With several swift strokes—
General Dingyuan stumbled in fright and fell to the ground.
He felt the flash of blade shadows before his eyes and sensed an overwhelming killing intent.
He wanted to say something, but under the immense pressure of Chu Yi's aura, he couldn't utter a single word.
Finally, the pressure subsided.
Looking down, he discovered his battle armor had been sliced apart by the sword, falling in pieces onto the yellow earth. The helmet on his head had also shattered.
For a general to have his armor and helmet destroyed by another was a profound humiliation.
Yet he dared not offer the slightest resistance.
Prince Pingxi had first stepped onto the battlefield at just fifteen, assisting the Pillar of the Nation Great General in quelling the Western Border rebellion.
Later, stationed in the capital, he led mere thousands of guards to gradually eradicate the bandits of the Great Jin Dynasty...
As a mere third-rank general, he didn't dare even breathe loudly before Prince Pingxi.
"The Great Jin Dynasty stands firm among nations, due in no small part to the contributions of the Yun Family Army!" Chu Yi's voice was icy. "By flogging the Yun Family Army, you, General Dingyuan, are slapping the faces of thousands of soldiers still guarding our borders! Those soldiers are the soul of our Great Jin Dynasty! How dare you show such disrespect—what punishment do you deserve?!"
General Dingyuan shuddered and knelt on the ground. "Your Highness, that's not what happened! These two men defied my authority and incited the Yun Family Army to cause trouble!"
"The Yun Family Army acted out of urgent concern for saving lives, not with intent to cause trouble," Yun Chu interjected gently. "Please allow me to speak with the Yun Family Army, General Dingyuan."
General Dingyuan kept his head lowered, resentment plain on his face.
With Prince Pingxi present, did he even have the right to refuse?
But it didn't matter.
A wise man knows when to retreat.
Once Prince Pingxi left, he would have plenty of opportunities to discipline these disobedient Yun Family Army soldiers.
As long as he could turn the Yun Family Army into his loyal dogs, he would successfully secure a connection with Gong Xi Prince...
Yun Chu stepped onto the platform and looked down at the Yun Family Army below. Three thousand soldiers stood there—two tied up, over a dozen detained, the rest wearing expressions of fury."The rumors in the streets claim that the Pillar of the Nation Great General has committed treason by colluding with the enemy. I don't believe it, and I think you don't either, which is why you're all so eager to go to the Southern border region to search for my father's whereabouts." Her voice was gentle, like a murmuring stream. "Thirty years of achievements are but dust and soil, eight thousand miles of journey through clouds and moon... Loyalty can move metal and stone, striving to establish merits that will be recorded in history... After fulfilling his mission, my father will surely return to the capital. I ask you to also fulfill your duties—remain loyal to the Emperor and protect the imperial city!"
Her meaning was clear.
There was no need to stand up for the Yun family anymore.
Understanding the current situation and striving to preserve themselves—
This was the greatest loyalty they could show the Yun family.
Yun Yi was the first to speak, shouting loudly: "Remain loyal to the Emperor, protect the imperial city!"
The Yun Family Army exchanged glances, then shouted in unison: "Remain loyal to the Emperor, protect the imperial city!"
General Dingyuan knelt on the ground, looking up at the Yun Family Army with an expression of utter disbelief.
After taking command of the Yun Family Army, he had tried every approach—kind words, harsh words, threats, inducements, even punishments—yet these soldiers remained unmoved.
And now, with just a few words from the Yun family's daughter, they had suddenly changed their stance.
The Yun family's influence over their army was truly astonishing.
Being entrusted with these three thousand soldiers was both the Emperor's trust in him and his future leverage in official circles.
With these three thousand troops, he wouldn't need to curry favor with the Gong Xi Prince anymore—instead, the prince would be the one begging him to join his faction...
Countless thoughts flashed through General Dingyuan's mind in that instant.
However—
Chu Yi's voice cut through: "From this moment on, I am taking command of the Yun Family Army. General Dingyuan, where is the Token?"
General Dingyuan froze.
The Token to command the Yun Family Army had been in his possession for less than a day, and now it was going to change hands?
Just when these three thousand soldiers were becoming compliant, with just a little more effort they could become his Zhou Family Army—how could he bear to hand them over...
He bowed his head: "This humble official was appointed by imperial decree to command the Yun Family Army, Your Highness..."
Before he could finish speaking.
He felt a sharp pain in his wrist.
Chu Yi's sword blade was pressed against his hand, already drawing blood.
He knew that if he continued to resist, Prince Pingxi would surely cut off his arm.
The Token clattered to the ground.
Cheng Xu picked it up and presented it to Chu Yi with both hands.
"Get out!"
Chu Yi's cold command echoed.
General Dingyuan fled with his subordinates in disarray.
Deep in Yun Chu's eyes, complex emotions swirled.
Had this man stopped hiding his intentions after the Yun family's downfall?
With the Yun family collapsed, was he now seizing the Yun Family Army?
As she pondered this.
Chu Yi approached her with the Token: "As the eldest daughter of the Yun family, the Token of the Yun Family Army shall be entrusted to your care."
Yun Chu was utterly astonished.
Did he understand what this Token represented?
"I believe General Yun would never betray the nation, nor would any harm come to him. He will surely return to the capital one day soon, covered in honors." Chu Yi's cold features and sharp gaze contrasted with the gentleness in his words. "When that time comes, you can personally return this Token to your father."
Yun Chu's heart softened inexplicably.
Various emotions intertwined within her.
The man before her suddenly leaned close, his voice very low: "The Yun family is under close watch now, and your movements attract too much attention. Later, I will personally bring the child to Yulin Lane."
Yun Chu pressed her lips together: "Thank you.""There's no need for Miss Yun to thank me. If anything, I should be the one thanking you." A curve lifted at the corner of Chu Yi's lips. "Thank you for being so patient with my two children."
Yun Chu remained silent.
She also wanted to thank him for saving both children's lives.
Thank him for raising the two children to this age.
She realized she truly couldn't bring herself to scheme against this man before her.
OpenNovel