12dz Chapter 2226 Three-party Meeting
Chapter 2226 Three-party Meeting
"Sir, His Highness has instructed that you have some supper and get some rest."
The soldier placed the tray on a simple wooden table, his voice flat and emotionless, and then withdrew.
Su Tingmei's gaze fell on the "sumptuous" food and wine, but she remained unmoved. Instead, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes, like the shadow of a fish suddenly darting across the calm surface of a lake.
He pondered for a moment, then slowly walked to the tent flap.
He didn't fully open the lid, but peered through the crack at the more densely packed guard fires outside. His voice was low, as if he were talking to himself, or perhaps to the soldier who hadn't gone far:
"With the war raging, why are the frontline camps being treated with such meticulous care? Food and drink are not what we need when we are hungry. Such lavish treatment usually has a reason."
He turned away, no longer looking at the food, and looked back towards the direction of Jianghuai City, though it was completely blocked by the heavy camps and could not be seen at all.
That deep worry transformed into an almost inaudible sigh and a deeply solemn whisper, as if trying to pierce the night sky and convey this sentiment:
"Your Majesty, Tingmei's predicament is due to my incompetence and bad luck."
"Your fate rests on the shoulders of the Great Chu Kingdom. Do not think of me as a mere scholar and take risky actions or venture into dangerous territory!"
The candlelight cast his lean yet resolute profile onto the tent, his figure seemingly bearing the weight of the entire situation.
He knew that Chu Xuan's sudden "courtesy" was by no means a good omen, and that he was likely being used as a bargaining chip or bait.
What he least wanted to see was that young king, whom he had once admired and placed high hopes on, stepping into a trap carefully laid by the enemy in order to save him, a strategist.
The night deepened, shrouded in worry and silent warning.
The following day at noon, the banks of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers were blessed with a rare sunny day.
The pale sunlight shone on the earth, but it brought no warmth to Changtingpo. Instead, it made the desolate atmosphere that permeated this open slope even more apparent.
The abandoned post station stands alone on the hilltop, its dilapidated eaves pointing towards the sky, like a silent witness.
The sound of hooves and footsteps, coming from three different directions, approached from afar, striking the ground in a dull and rhythmic manner, and also striking the hearts of everyone who experienced it.
The three teams are like three different colored but equally cold iron torrents.
Almost at the same moment, they appeared at the edge of Changtingpo, and then slowly advanced towards the pre-arranged open space in the center of the slope.
Each team, no more and no less, numbered exactly five hundred, their banners bright and their armor imposing.
Coming from the east, the first to arrive was a dragon flag with the character "Chu" on a black background and gold trim.
Chu Ning took the lead, wearing specially made bright silver armor. The armor plates shimmered with a cold luster in the sunlight, making him look like a war god descending to earth.
He was not wearing a helmet, and his hair was tied up with a golden crown.
The youthful face no longer bore the gloom and rage of the previous night, replaced by an almost frozen calm, except for a pair of eyes that were unfathomable and sharp as a hawk's.
The bright silver spear in his hand pointed diagonally at the ground, its tassel as red as blood.
About half a step behind him were Guan Yun, with a resolute expression and holding a long-handled battle sword, and Ran Ming, with a bushy beard and a large axe.
The two generals, like guardian deities, scanned the surroundings with sharp, piercing eyes.
Five hundred elite Chu cavalrymen stood solemnly behind them, their ranks perfectly aligned and silent, exuding a chilling killing intent born of countless battles.
In the middle of the ranks, several strong soldiers guarded a Tang general whose hands were bound, who looked slightly haggard but still held his head high – it was Yuchi Bo.
To the west, the bright yellow dragon flag of the Tang Dynasty fluttered in the wind.
Li Shimin sat upright on a reinforced chariot, not on horseback, clearly indicating that his injuries were still affecting him.
He changed into a military uniform, with a cloak embroidered with gold dragon patterns over it. Although his face was still pale, he exuded imperial majesty.
On either side of the carriage, Zhang Wu and another stern-faced Tang general stood guard with their hands on their swords.
The five hundred Tang soldiers, a mixed force of infantry and cavalry, were arrayed in a disciplined formation, their spears forming a forest, exuding the same resolute spirit.
Behind the chariot, several elite armored soldiers were closely guarding one person—it was Han Xing.
His injuries had clearly been treated roughly, but he was still in shackles and looked disheveled.
Only those eyes, when they saw Chu Ning under the dragon flag opposite, revealed a complex light mixed with excitement and worry.
To the north, the banners of the Youzhou army were quite unique, being slightly modified from the Chu banners and incorporating some personal emblems belonging to Chu Xuan.
Chu Xuan, dressed in a magnificent python robe covered with fish-scale armor, rode a magnificent black horse, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
His gaze shifted between Chu Ning and Li Shiming, filled with scrutiny and calculation.
Behind him stood five hundred armored soldiers from Youzhou, all battle-hardened elites, silent as mountains.
Among the procession, an inconspicuous blue-canopied carriage stood out. The curtains were drawn low, and several sharp-eyed guards stood watch nearby—sitting inside was Su Tingmei.
The three teams stopped simultaneously at a distance of about a hundred paces, forming an irregular triangular standoff.
The air seemed to freeze at that moment, even the wind seemed to stand still, with only the flag occasionally making a slight rustling sound in the still air.
On the slope, apart from the occasional snort of the horses, there was no other noise. Thousands of eyes watched each other warily, and the invisible pressure made it hard to breathe.
Chu Ning's gaze swept over Han Xing, who was being escorted, and lingered for a moment on the wounds and shackles on his body. A cold glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.
Then, he turned to Li Shiming, and finally fixed his gaze on Chu Xuan's face, especially the green-canopied carriage.
He slowly spurred his horse forward, taking about ten steps, and slightly raised his silver spear.
A clear, penetrating voice shattered the silence, resounding distinctly in all directions:
"The man has arrived. As agreed, we must first verify his identity. I want to confirm that General Han Xing is safe and sound, and that he is indeed himself. I presume the Emperor and..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Chu Xuan like an icy blade: "And my brother, we also need to confirm the situation of Yuchi Bo and Mr. Su."
His proposal is reasonable and a necessary step in this kind of exchange.
Verbal statements are meaningless; one must see for oneself to be sure and prevent the other party from using a substitute or a dead person to deceive one.
Li Shimin nodded slightly on the chariot, his face expressionless: "Yes, I also need to confirm that General Yuchi is safe and sound."
Chu Xuan's smile remained unchanged, even appearing quite magnanimous: "That's only right."
"I also want to see if my brother keeps his promise, and whether General Yuchi is in good health. As for Mr. Su..."
He deliberately drew out his words: "Naturally intact, awaiting your inspection."
"In that case,"
Chu Ning stopped wasting words and said in a deep voice, "Guan Yun, take two men to the front of the Tang Emperor's formation and carefully examine General Han."
"Ran Ming, take two men to your brother's front line. Make sure you see Mr. Su in person and pay your respects."
"The last general takes command!"