CHAPTER 146
Encountering a Wise Ruler
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"I expect there should be movement from Jue'er's side by now. Let's go back and check."
Yu Lan nodded, smiling as well.
"Husband, if Yu Lan were to die, would you avenge her in the same way?"
Just as he was focusing his intent on his sword, Su Cheng heard Yu Lan’s silly little question and answered casually.
"No."
"Oh." Yu Lan's lips pressed together slightly, her eyes dimming noticeably, clearly disappointed.
Su Cheng smiled, ruffling Yu Lan's hair as he explained.
"I meant that Yulan won't die."
Hearing this, Yulan felt greatly relieved. She knew her husband was a man worthy of her trust!
"I was asking about what if?"
"There is no 'just in case'."
She just wanted to hear him say he would avenge her too!
Even though she knew her husband would protect her, she still wanted to hear him promise it with his own lips.
Yu Lan pouted, looking thoroughly disgruntled.
"Even dragons lose their claws, and horses stumble. What if that day truly comes? What would you do, my lord?"
"My husband should strike while the iron is hot."
"While it's hot? What's hot?"
Su Cheng smiled, replying casually that it was nothing.
It had taken Yu Lan quite some time to figure out this question…
By the time she grasped it, the two had already galloped to the central camp of the Northern Frontier General.
"You naughty husband! Now I understand! Even at a time like that, you were still thinking about lovemaking!"
Su Cheng roared with laughter, finding Yu Lan utterly adorable at times like this!
Allowing his loli wife to playfully hammer his chest with her tiny fists, Su Cheng rubbed his head before dismounting and lifting her down.
Before long, Dongfang Jue emerged with a contingent of soldiers to greet them. After bowing respectfully, he promptly recounted the events of the past two days to Su Cheng.
"Master Su was gone for two full days and nights. Following your instructions, Jue had the soldiers ambush outside the city and captured dozens of scouts. They were all disguised as civilians, attempting to spy on our military intelligence."
Su Cheng smiled, casually placing his hand on Dongfang Jue's head. He rubbed it as he spoke.
"Blindfolded, even standing still, most people would feel fear."
"Especially a general facing battle. With Jue'er's challenge the day before, General Luo An now stands blindfolded on a tightrope. I doubt he'll hold out much longer."
"Jue'er has done well. Now we only need to…"
As he spoke… Su Cheng noticed the peculiar expressions on the faces of the surrounding generals and soldiers. After a moment of scrutiny…
He realized his hand had been resting on the Northern Frontier General's small head for quite some time.
He quickly withdrew his hand, his face flushing with guilt. This wasn't modern society after all—gender distinctions still mattered, and Jue'er was the Northern Frontier General.
Su Cheng's behavior was clearly… a bit presumptuous…
"My apologies, Jue'er. It was unintentional. Please don't take offense."
Dongfang Jue didn't mind. If Master Su wanted to pat her head, so be it. All Jue'er cared about now was breaching the city walls swiftly.
Her face flushed as she replied, "It's fine. Master Su was just about to reach the crucial point…"
Dongfang Jue couldn't fathom Ye Qinghan's expression, which seemed utterly ecstatic, as if he'd been drugged…
Truthfully, Dongfang Jue felt nothing particularly unusual—just a mix of shyness and reassurance.
Still, seeing Master Su instinctively treat her as one of his own, without a shred of guardedness, brought her a quiet joy.
"Though I may glimpse heavenly secrets, I am not always wise in worldly matters. Should General Luo An personally lead the charge, Jue'er will certainly capture him."
"But in my estimation, General Luo An will likely not come personally. When that time comes, Jue'er need only lead the troops to attack, but be sure to spare them a way out, allowing their remnants to flee back to the city."
As Su Cheng spoke, he also took a good look at the men in Dongfang Jue's army.
His gaze swept over the gathered soldiers, and he was greatly astonished!
These men were all loyal and valiant warriors, including many former subordinates of his father. Yet…
They were all loyal subjects, every single one!
Su Cheng wondered inwardly: Could this too be a consequence of his altering the course of history?
Logically, the treacherous ministers who should have been present in the army at this moment had vanished, replaced entirely by capable officials skilled in both strategy and martial arts!
Some had been rescued from prison by Dongfang Jue, others promoted step by step to their current positions, and still others had been personally requested from the imperial court.
It must be said that compared to his father, Dongfang Jue truly practiced the principle of drawing near to virtuous ministers and distancing himself from petty men.
With such actions, these subordinates must surely be even more grateful to Dongfang Jue! If this is the case, with capable ministers assisting Dongfang Jue, how could he not rule the world?
But in truth, Dongfang Jue could see everyone's information because of the system.
Without this ability, how could he possibly discern loyalty from treachery with the naked eye?
"If that's the case, wouldn't he be missing a golden opportunity?"
Yet this also created a flaw: though assisted by the system, Dongfang Jue was still young.
Among his strategists, a few grasped Su Cheng's plan, but Dongfang Jue clearly hadn't caught on yet.
"Master Su's ingenious plan aims to breach the city walls. Since breaching the walls is the goal, success or failure in the moment is irrelevant. Had that scoundrel Luo An not arrived, even annihilating the enemy forces entirely would not have altered the current situation. Hearing this, Luo An will likely entrench himself even more stubbornly, leaving no further chance for peace talks."
"This humble servant dares to speculate that Master Su's intent is likely to isolate the rebel leader, forcing him to open the gates and surrender."
The speaker was a plain-clothed strategist, lean in build and around forty years old. His appearance conveyed two words: poverty.
Su Cheng smiled. He surmised this man was likely from the Zou clan of Anyang. Seeing him now, he realized that meeting Jue'er had indeed been a stroke of good fortune in finding a wise master.
Upon recognizing the speaker, Su Cheng realized the man was barely thirty. It was simply a life of poverty and the hardships of public service that had left him gaunt and prematurely aged.
Such words might please Jue'er, but uttered in the imperial court, they would smack of pedantry. No wonder Jue'er had sought him out from prison.
You're clever? Cleverer than the Emperor himself? You dare claim greater wisdom than all the civil and military officials in the court? What do you think you are?
With such a disposition, even if he possessed extraordinary talent, he would struggle to hold office. In the court, with so many eyes upon him, his fate was not hard to predict.
"Sir, could you be… Zou of Anyang?"
The man stepped forward with a bow, his bearing exuding scholarly dignity as he spoke.
"Master Su has keen insight. I am Zou Fu. Blessed by the General's mercy, I was rescued from prison and spared the hands of treacherous men. Now I serve under the General's command to repay his kindness."
"I have long heard of your great talents. How fortunate it is that Jue'er has such a capable minister to assist her!"
Dongfang Jue was somewhat surprised. Truthfully, she had only recruited Zou Fu recently, and never expected Master Su to hold him in such high regard!
"Master Su, why stand outside the tent? Let us speak inside."
Dongfang Jue finally realized her oversight! After all this time, she had left Master Su standing outside the tent! How shameful…
Compared to their last meeting, this time Jue'er was accompanied by countless civil and military officials who had come with her to greet Su Cheng. Su Cheng probably hadn't even received such treatment from Dongfang Shuo.
Su Cheng smiled tentatively, "With so many strategists and generals under your command, how could you not rule the world?"
His words were probing, yet his eyes swept over the assembled generals, catching many gritting their teeth in frustration. Most strategists wore expressions of deep concern.
"Master Su, please watch your words~"
A plump warrior in the crowd couldn't hold back any longer, gritting his teeth as he spoke, clearly intending to give Su Cheng a stern lecture.
Su Cheng knew without thinking that this was likely one of Dongfang Shuo's former subordinates, and he paid it no mind.
As others prepared to speak, Dongfang Jue shot a single glance that silenced the generals. He then smiled.
"Master Su is teasing Jue'er again."
"Haha, perhaps. But Jue'er has truly opened my eyes today. His ability to draw near to virtuous ministers and distance himself from petty men is a blessing for the common people and a boon for your dynasty. He surpasses your father in this regard!"
At this point, most present—including Dongfang Jue himself—understood. This was no jest directed at Dongfang Jue; it was a blatant warning to these generals and strategists!
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