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This wasn’t just admitting a mistake—it was outright insubordination…
In the lush, vibrant days of March, with blooming flowers and swaying willows, the Kingdom of Chu had yet to descend into chaos. This was solely because the Grand Princess Nian’an led the army.
A force of tens of thousands under the command of the Grand Princess was stationed in Huaizhou, directly neighboring Yizhou.
A general in the hall, broad-shouldered and built like a tower, spoke with urgency. He had once served at the side of Prince Jin and was known for his formidable prowess—his name was Liu Liang.
“Your Highness, since we’ve already arrived in Huaizhou, why not directly seize Yizhou? The Prefect of Yizhou is colluding with Prince Changling—better to eliminate them both in one strike!”
Li Yunli, cautious in her actions, had ordered the army to halt in Huaizhou. The absence of visible disturbances along their march and her wariness of Prince Changling’s secret ties to Yizhou made her pause. However, this hesitation was causing concern among her generals.
Ji Wenxun spoke first, trying to calm Liu Liang. “General Liu, there’s no need to be so agitated. While it’s true that Prince Changling once promoted the Prefect of Yizhou, the region has remained stable for years. If we launch an attack rashly, we may end up inciting internal rebellion.”
Liu Liang waved dismissively. “The two territories are over a hundred miles apart, yet our presence here must have already reached Prince Changling’s ears. If he hasn’t fled, that means Yizhou is already in rebellion!”
Another general, Sun Jing, who had previously commanded reinforcements outside the city gates, stepped forward and saluted. “Your Highness, I believe General Liu has a point. We’ve been stationed here for three days, and scouts report that everything in Yizhou remains unchanged. This suggests that the Prefect of Yizhou is determined to shelter Prince Changling.”
Li Yunli lifted her gaze. “So, General Sun believes we should attack immediately?”
Sun Jing, once the deputy general under Prince Jin, was praised for both his tactical knowledge and his understanding of people. Though not one to rush into battle, he nodded. “I will follow Your Highness’ command.”
Li Yunli tapped her fingers lightly on the map laid out on the table. “And General Liu?”
Liu Liang clenched his fist. “Of course we should attack!”
Ji Wenxun disagreed. “Absolutely not! We’ve seen no signs of rebellion along our path. This means Prince Changling’s troops remain disciplined. A reckless assault is unwise!”
Liu Liang, growing frustrated, bellowed, “Then what? Just wait here? If we can’t fight, are we supposed to retreat?”
Unlike Ji Wenxun and Sun Jing, he had spent years defending the border. His instinct was simple—if the enemy approached, he would strike. Being told to hesitate in battle was unbearable.
Li Yunli did not immediately give her verdict. Instead, she slightly tilted her head. “What do the others think?”
Yun Chu, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, had initially planned to discuss his thoughts with Li Yunli in private. However, seeing that she had directly called on him, he had no choice but to step forward.
He adjusted his sleeves, glanced around at the others, and finally said, “I have a thought—it is not quite a strategy, but Your Highness may wish to hear it.”
Liu Liang eyed him with suspicion.
Li Yunli gestured for him to continue.
Yun Chu stepped closer, pointing at a section of the map between Huaizhou and Yizhou, drawing a circle with his finger.
“When Prince Changling’s defeated army passed through Yizhou, they entered the city unscathed—without being attacked by the bandits and refugees stationed outside. This is… rather strange.”
Liu Liang frowned. “Strange? What’s so strange about that?”
Yun Chu explained, “Years of war in the northwest have forced many refugees into banditry. The Ministry of Revenue has not addressed this, leaving many to survive through looting. If Prince Changling’s battered troops passed by, these outlaws would either attack them or try to infiltrate the city in the chaos. If neither happened, then Yizhou must be unusually stable inside.”
His voice was calm, carrying the weight of quiet insight.
Li Yunli understood immediately. In her past life, she had learned through numerous conquests of Chu’s cities that this was a crucial sign. Ironically, that knowledge was now aiding her in battle.
Liu Liang, however, remained unimpressed. He had already dismissed Yun Chu as an outsider and took his mention of the Ministry of Revenue as veiled criticism of Chu’s governance.
Growing increasingly impatient, Liu Liang saluted Li Yunli. “Your Highness, I am a simple man. Just tell me—are we fighting or not?”
Li Yunli rose to her feet, her voice resolute. “Fight. Of course, we fight!”
She cast a glance at Yun Chu.
This decision wasn’t just about quelling the growing restlessness within the army. It was also to counter Liu Liang’s growing dislike for Yun Chu.
But more importantly, she had fully grasped Yun Chu’s plan.
Perhaps the others didn’t understand, but she and Yun Chu had used this exact tactic before. The moment he mentioned the bandits, she knew precisely what he was implying.
“General Liu, the situation in Yizhou is unclear. I will give you five thousand elite soldiers to conduct covert reconnaissance. Do not hide your purpose from the common folk—spread the word that anyone who provides information will be rewarded by the Grand Princess. If you encounter rebels, kill them on sight!”
Liu Liang, now assigned a leading role, immediately saluted with enthusiasm before rushing off to prepare.
Seeing that she had grasped his plan, Yun Chu stepped aside with a faint smile.
Li Yunli turned to Sun Jing. “General Sun.”
“Present.”
“I will assign you two thousand elite soldiers to support General Liu. At the same time, spread a message to the bandits—this is a decree from His Majesty. The government will restructure the household registration system. Anyone who surrenders now will be granted silver and land to settle as ordinary citizens. But those who resist will be executed when our army arrives.”
Sun Jing saluted but hesitated. “Your Highness, are we only targeting the bandits?”
Li Yunli smiled. “Of course not. We must also let the surrendered bandits spread the news inside the city. They have their own channels, and you need not concern yourself with the details.”
With their strategy decided, the night passed peacefully.
Yet, Yun Chu, now a newly appointed general, found himself without a proper room, forcing him to seek shelter from the Grand Princess herself.
More unfortunate still—after entering her chambers that evening, he never left.
“You thought of that plan rather quickly. I take it you’ve used this trick before?” Li Yunli eyed him knowingly.
Yun Chu wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead. “Your Highness overestimates me… not that many times…”
“How many, exactly?” Her gaze trailed to his armor.
Sensing danger, Yun Chu swiftly removed his chest plate. “Your Highness, I was wrong! I admit my mistake—please forgive me!”
His voice carried an almost teasing tone, layered with an unmistakable trace of spring warmth.
Li Yunli, sensing where this was heading, turned to leave, but before she could take a step, an arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back.
Yun Chu reached up, skillfully unfastening the hairpins in her crown, letting them tumble down one by one.
His breath was warm against her neck as he murmured, “That won’t do. I can’t wait to admit my mistake.”
Feeling his slightly unsteady breath against her skin, Li Yunli suddenly realized—
This wasn’t an apology.
This was insubordination.