12dz Chapter 1723 Angry Chu Ning
Chapter 1723 Angry Chu Ning
The scorching July sun scorched the earth, the weeds on both sides of the official road drooped, and the air was filled with the smell of dry dust.
A cavalry of white horses was galloping on the official road, the sound of their hooves was like thunder, raising a cloud of yellow dust.
The leader was none other than the Great Chu Emperor, Chu Ning. He was clad in silver armor and had a dragon-patterned sword hanging from his waist. His handsome face showed a hint of fatigue, but the sharp edge in his eyes could not be concealed.
"Report——"
A quick shout came from behind. Chu Ning pulled the reins, and the white horse neighed and stood up.
Zhao Yu was seen galloping towards them on his horse, holding a secret letter sealed with wax in his hand.
"Your Majesty, urgent information from Lord Jia!"
Chu Ning raised the corner of his mouth slightly and reached out to take the letter: "It must be the victory report that Qingcheng defeated the Tang army, right?"
He spoke in a relaxed tone and casually opened the sealing wax.
However, when his eyes swept over the contents of the letter, the smile on his face froze instantly.
"what?"
A fierce aura burst out from Chu Ning, and the air around him seemed to stagnate.
His hand holding the letter was shaking slightly, and his knuckles turned white from the force.
"King Zhao is injured and his life hangs by a thread!"
These eight words were like a bolt from the blue, exploding in Zhao Yu's ears.
His pupils suddenly shrank, and his brows furrowed. "Your Majesty, isn't everything going smoothly in Qingcheng? Yesterday's victory report said that the Tang army was defeated, and King Zhao led his army in pursuit..."
Chu Ning's voice seemed to come from the Netherworld: "The Scorpion Tribe sent 30,000 soldiers to ambush King Zhao on his way! Not only did they injure King Zhao, they also poisoned him with the Scorpion Heart Powder!"
He suddenly looked up, his eyes burning with anger, "Jia Yu has sent a pigeon to Kyoto City, asking Dr. Sun to come and treat him!"
"Scorpion tribe?"
Zhao Yu's face changed drastically, and cold sweat oozed from his forehead: "Haven't they always remained neutral? How could this happen?"
Chu Ning didn't answer. He whipped his whip fiercely and said, "Pass the order down, rush to Qingcheng at full speed!"
The military order was as heavy as a mountain, and the speed of the White Horse Cavalry increased suddenly.
The journey that originally took a day was shortened to half a day under Chu Ning's urging.
The sound of horse hooves was like thunder, dust was flying, and this elite cavalry was like a silver lightning, cutting through the July heat wave.
As the sun sets, the tall city walls of Qingcheng finally come into view.
At the city gate, Jia Yu and Ma Chao, whose left arm was still bandaged, had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Chu Ning's banner, they immediately knelt in salute.
"Your Majesty! We are guilty, and we beg Your Majesty to punish us!"
Chu Ning dismounted, his eyes lingering on Ma Chao's bandaged wound for a moment, and said in a deep voice:
"No need to be so polite. General Ma Chao is seriously injured. He should return to the city and rest well first."
His voice was calm, yet filled with unquestionable authority: "As for whether you are guilty or not, I will tell you after I have seen my brother!"
Jia Yu quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please come this way!"
Under Jia Yu's guidance, Chu Ning walked through the winding streets of Qingcheng.
The atmosphere in the city was solemn, the soldiers looked solemn, and the people were walking in a hurry.
The shadow of war hangs over this important border town.
The mansion was filled with the aroma of medicine.
When Chu Ning stepped into the inner room and saw Chu Kuang lying unconscious on the bed, his heart seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand.
The once majestic King Zhao now had a dark purple complexion, was breathing weakly, and the bandage on his chest was still stained with dark red blood.
"What did the military doctor say?" Chu Ning's voice was as cold as ice.
Beads of sweat formed on Jia Yu's forehead. "The military doctor said he can only suppress the toxicity temporarily. We'll have to wait for Dr. Sun to arrive to see the outcome."
Chu Ning's gaze was like a knife, piercing Jia Yu: "Why didn't the Jinyiwei get any news about the Scorpion Tribe's expedition this time?"
Jia Yu fell to his knees with a thud, his voice trembling, "Your Majesty, the Scorpion Tribe has completely surrendered to the Tang Dynasty! The Imperial Guards I assigned to the Scorpion Tribe have been wiped out; not a single one has escaped!"
He raised his head, his eyes filled with fear. "Moreover, this matter is also related to the Tang Dynasty. It was the Tang Dynasty that assisted the Scorpion Clan in destroying the Jinyiwei that I arranged."
Ma Chao also knelt on one knee and said, "I am also responsible for my negligence in this matter. Your Majesty, please punish me."
"okay!"
Chu Ning interrupted harshly, he turned and looked out the window, the afterglow of the setting sun stretched his figure very long.
"I am not here to punish you, I want to avenge my brother Prince Zhao!"
He turned abruptly, murderous intent in his eyes. "Now, tell me, where are the remaining Scorpion Cavalry?"
Jia Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "These people seemed to know that our army would retaliate, so they retreated immediately after their defeat."
"Today, the Jinyiwei sent news that they have retreated to the border of the Tang Dynasty and joined the main force of the Tang army."
Chu Ning sneered, his right hand unconsciously tightening the hilt of his sword: "Do you think that I can't do anything to the Tang army just because they are with them?"
His voice was low and dangerous. "Send the order down, have the spies find their location within the Tang army! Also, send a message back, terminate all trade with the Scorpion Tribe!"
He walked to the window, looked at the setting sun in the distance, and said word by word, "Scorpion Tribe, you are courting your own death!"
As night falls, Qingcheng is shrouded in a solemn atmosphere.
Chu Ning stood alone on the city wall, his robe fluttering in the night wind.
In the distance, faint lights of fire could be seen on the border of the Tang Dynasty.
His eyes were as deep as the abyss, and he had already made up his mind.
Zhao Yu came up behind him without him noticing: "Your Majesty, Dr. Sun's medical skills are superb, he will definitely be able to cure King Zhao!"
Chu Ning nodded slightly: "Brother Zhao Wang is a lucky man. I believe he will survive!"
After a pause, he said in a deep voice: "Order the three armies to assemble at dawn tomorrow."
"Your Majesty wants to..."
"eye for eye."
Chu Ning's voice was terrifyingly calm: "Since the Scorpion Clan dared to hurt my brother, they must pay the price. As for the Tang Dynasty..."
The corner of his mouth curled up into a sneer: "It's just right to settle the old accounts together."
Zhao Yu hesitated to speak, and finally bowed deeply: "I will prepare it right away."
He knew he couldn't stop it at all and could only follow orders.
Silence returned to the city wall, with only the howling of the night wind.
Chu Ning looked at the starry sky and murmured to himself, "Brother Wang, don't worry, I will make those who hurt you pay with blood."
At dawn the next day, flags fluttered and war drums thundered inside and outside Qingcheng.
One hundred thousand elite troops have assembled, waiting for the emperor's order.
Chu Ning, dressed in military uniform, stood on the reviewing platform, his eyes sweeping over the soldiers standing solemnly below.
"Soldiers!"
His voice was especially clear in the morning breeze: "The Scorpion Tribe has betrayed us and injured our King Zhao. Today, I will personally lead the army to avenge this blood debt!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!" The three armies shouted, and the sound shook the sky.
Chu Ning drew his sword and pointed it towards the direction of the Tang Dynasty: "Let's go!"
The army set out, their iron hooves trampling the dawn.
This war, made more complicated by the involvement of the Scorpion Clan, is about to take a new turn.
The sky in July is full of ever-changing weather.
A bigger storm is brewing.