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Li Yunli’s vision darkened, and her strength drained from her body…
The White Tiger Order!
Zheng Siyan was momentarily stunned upon seeing the object.
Half of it was in Shen Huan’s hands, allowing him to win over some of the surviving Wei soldiers.
The other half was supposed to be with the emperor. Zheng Siyan had assumed it had disappeared the day the emperor perished with the nation.
Yet, it was now in Yun Chu’s hands.
With this item, if it were to be combined with Shen Huan’s half, it would symbolize the remaining foundation of the Wei army. Those who had yet to pledge loyalty, or those who had already been recruited by the Chu kingdom, would also respond to their command.
Zheng Siyan suddenly chuckled, half in disbelief.
“Shen Huan never told me that the other half of the White Tiger Order was with Your Highness.”
“There was a reason for that. On the day our nation fell, my father, the emperor, passed the White Tiger Order to me, granting me the authority to mobilize all troops and take command over the entire nation’s military.” Yun Chu’s expression remained cold as he looked at Zheng Siyan. “Prime Minister Zheng, you should know that this decree remains valid to this day.”
Zheng Siyan closed his eyes and nodded slightly.
Of course, he understood.
The people of Wei were persistent in their beliefs. Even though the nation had only been gone for two years, the White Tiger Order still held immense influence.
Observing the slight struggle on Zheng Siyan’s face, Yun Chu knew that he had already conceded internally.
In his previous life, he had managed to stand on equal footing with Zheng Siyan in their path of revenge precisely because of the power this token provided.
“Yes,” Zheng Siyan hesitated before speaking again, “Our forces in the northwest are gathered here. While Li Yunli is trapped in Yongzhou, and He Liancheng clearly intends to fight her, Your Highness must understand that no matter how much internal conflict they have, they are still people of Chu. If we interfere, they will immediately unite against us. Our current strength is not enough to withstand both of them at once.”
“Who said we need to confront them both?” Yun Chu sneered, as if mocking Zheng Siyan’s rigid thinking. “When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. And all the fisherman has to do is wait for the battle to end.”
“You wish to be that fisherman?” Zheng Siyan raised his head and asked, “But the fisherman, after gaining his reward, takes the snipe and clam home to eat. If we act as the fisherman, won’t we still have to face the victor in the end? That would only exhaust our forces—what benefit is there in that?”
Yun Chu lowered his gaze to look at him.
As expected, Zheng Siyan was the same as he remembered—consumed by vengeance, yet lacking true ruthlessness.
Clearing his throat, Yun Chu said, “We must act under the banner of the White Tiger Order. We cannot rely on secret assassins; we need a solid foundation. And right now, Yongzhou seems like the perfect choice.”
Zheng Siyan was momentarily stunned.
This was his weakness.
Despite having a large number of loyal Wei warriors under his command, in both this life and the last, before meeting Yun Chu, he had never openly raised the banner of rebellion against Chu.
All he had done was disrupt their plans and sabotage them—like an annoying fly—never once making a decisive move.
A scholar, bound by moderation.
Without sacrifice, one cannot capture the wolf.
Seeing that he was listening, Yun Chu pressed further, taking advantage of his previous life’s experiences and guiding him step by step.
If they truly sought revenge, mere assassins were not enough—they needed to be the roaring tiger that would strike fear into the hearts of the Chu!
Several times, Zheng Siyan glanced at Yun Chu as if finally realizing his true intentions.
In the end, he was completely convinced.
Power, influence, and making the Chu pay the price.
His strategies were cruel, but he lacked the resolve for a do-or-die struggle. Yun Chu was bolder!
They should join forces to strike at their enemies!
When Yun Chu described the current situation in Yongzhou, Zheng Siyan was fully persuaded.
“Your Highness’ plan is indeed feasible!”
He Liancheng gave Li Yunli little time to breathe.
After the floods in Yongzhou, the remaining troops were few—only a thousand men left by General Xiao and the scattered militia from Leopard Head Mountain.
Having schemed this far, He Liancheng knew this was the perfect opportunity to attack!
When his private army arrived outside Yongzhou, Li Yunli was having a meal.
She had been too busy for two days, only stopping to eat when a guard reminded her that a maid had prepared food.
Just as she finished her bowl of noodles, the warmth of the meal barely soothing her hunger, an urgent report arrived.
“The Marquis of Yongcheng has led his army to the city gates, with war chariots in tow—at least five thousand men! They intend to break through!”
Li Yunli set down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and felt unsatisfied.
Shen Ziyu had already stood up, furious. “That man goes back on his word!”
He had personally gone to negotiate, and the Marquis of Yongcheng had clearly agreed to retreat. Yet, the moment the flood had passed, he had mobilized his troops instead?!
Li Yunli, however, was unsurprised. “Minister, you must understand—there’s no such thing as too much deception in warfare. Right now, Yongzhou is poorly defended, General Xiao is outside the city, and even if he receives word and rushes back, it will take time. As for Ji Wenxun, who went north to gather reinforcements, he is even farther away. This is the Marquis’ one and only chance.”
She had simply not expected him to actually seize it, which made her look at him in a new light.
Shen Ziyu, unaware of her thoughts, anxiously asked, “Then what should we do? Should we send word to General Xiao, or—”
Li Yunli shook her head slightly and uttered a single word:
“Stall.”
“Stall?”
“I dare to rely on the terrain. Though Yongzhou suffered a flood, the city walls remain intact and its defenses unbroken. Most of the population has already fled, meaning food supplies won’t be an issue. We have no such concern—but he does… He—”
Her voice suddenly faltered.
Shen Ziyu looked up in confusion.
He saw Li Yunli clutching her stomach, her voice trembling.
“He…”
A sharp pain twisted through her abdomen, rising up through her stomach, heart, and lungs, overwhelming her entire body.
Her vision darkened, and strength drained rapidly from her fingers.
She barely managed to hold herself up against the table, looking at the empty bowl with shock in her eyes.
“In the food…”
Shen Ziyu rushed forward to catch her. “Your Highness! What’s wrong?!”
His voice seemed distant in her ears as her head tilted to the side, and she lost consciousness.
Having secured his authority and arranged troop deployments, Yun Chu caught sight of a sneaky figure in the courtyard.
The person had climbed over the wall—not exactly a righteous approach—but seemed quite familiar with the route leading to Zheng Siyan’s residence.
“Halt!”
The person froze.
“…Third Highness.”
Hearing the title, Yun Chu became more alert. The face was familiar, yet he couldn’t immediately recall where he had seen him before.
But since the man addressed him as “Third Highness,” he was likely an ally.
Yun Chu frowned. “What are you doing?”
“I have completed my mission and came to report to Master Zheng.”
He saluted, using the etiquette of the Chu people.
Realizing his mistake, he quickly switched to the Wei military salute.
That gesture made Yun Chu remember where he had seen him before—he had been a guard in Li Yunli’s residence!
He had followed her to Yongzhou?
He was one of Zheng Siyan’s men?!
Yun Chu’s heart sank, his voice turning cold. “What mission?”
“Master Zheng ordered me to poison the Grand Princess of Chu. The task is complete—she is dead!”
“What?!”
Yun Chu’s eyes widened in shock.
Seeing even the Third Prince so startled, the man was proud of himself, his voice carrying excitement.
“The poison Master Zheng sent was very effective. Just a small amount mixed into the noodles, and she was gone in an instant!”
He pulled out a packet of leftover poison, shaking it slightly.