204: Chapter 0204 Father and Brother

"Public support?" Liao Meier read it aloud.

Prince Bai furrowed his brows even deeper.

"Exactly. Your Highness possesses exceptional wisdom and likely realized long ago that the reason the White Kings Army always suffers losses against the Zhenbei Army is, in many cases, because Your Highness has lost the support of the people!"

Chen Yanqiu said, "That Lin Xiao, he reorganizes military discipline, recruits the Militia, provides the common people with food, drink, and clothing, and even builds schools, repairs bridges, and paves roads for them..."

"Does Your Highness truly believe he is some reincarnation of a saint? That he is completely selfless?"

"On the contrary, what he wants is for the common people to give their hearts and souls, even to sacrifice their lives for the Zhenbei Army!"

"This Lin Xiao is strong in bewitching people's hearts. He knows the importance of public support, which is why he can repeatedly defeat the many with the few!"

The more Prince Bai listened, the more reasonable it sounded, and he felt greatly inspired!

"Correct! Mr. Chen, what you say is absolutely right! I saw it long ago; this man is just a hypocrite!"

Prince Bai said disdainfully, "Since ancient times, there has been a distinction between ruler and subject, let alone those lowly commoners. If a ruler must cater to the common people, then how can he govern the world!?"

"Your Highness is absolutely right."

Chen Yanqiu nodded, "Therefore, what Your Highness must do is make the common people of the Northern Territory see Lin Xiao's true face, so that the Zhenbei Army is no longer some 'righteous army'!"

"By then, let alone Sha Prefecture and E Prefecture, even Cang Province will have to be obediently returned to Your Highness by Lin Xiao!"

"Does Mr. Chen have a brilliant plan?" Prince Bai's eyes lit up with excitement.

Chen Yanqiu smiled slightly, "Your Highness... this is not difficult..."

As he explained it bit by bit, Prince Bai became happier and happier as he listened.

"Good! We shall do as you say, Mr. Chen! Hahaha..."

...

Night, the stars and moon were sparse.

At the border between E Prefecture and Tai Prefecture of the Yan Region.

Banners bearing the character "Zhao" snapped loudly in the cold wind.

Outside the main commander's camp, Zhao Caiwei, tall and slender in gray-blue cold iron armor, was looking up at the sky.

The wind blew a strand of her hair, brushing against her slightly pale and haggard cheeks, adding a touch of cold, otherworldly sorrowful beauty.

"Get out!! All of you, get out!! Cough, cough!! —"

Suddenly, Zhao Yunting's angry roar came from inside the main tent.

Zhao Caiwei hurriedly turned and ran in, arriving at the side of her father, who was coughing up blood.

"Father! Take it easy, don't get angry!"

She turned her head and glared at two tall, burly men also wearing iron armor.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, Father's health has not been good, why must you anger him?!"

The eldest son, Zhao Yelong, said with a dark face, "You still have the nerve to ask? Why should my Dragon Battalion only serve as flank support for your Hanguang Battalion?"

"Hmph, Big Brother, need you ask?"

The second son, Zhao Yefei, sneered, "Of course it's because our good sister wants to claim the primary credit so she can naturally take over Father's commander seal!"

Zhao Caiwei took a deep breath, "Father asked you to provide support from the flanks because he is worried that the person bribed by the Prince of Yan is actually a trap."

"We might be surrounded then. With you supporting from the flanks, we can advance or retreat, and we won't be completely wiped out!"

"Ridiculous!! A mere city garrison general dares to deceive the Prince of Yan?"

Zhao Yelong said disdainfully, "Caiwei, if you want to be the commander, I will yield it to you!"

"Your martial arts are superior, and your military achievements are greater; I cannot compete with you. But you don't have to treat us two brothers like fools, do you!?"

"Military orders are like mountains! This matter needs no further discussion, get out!!"

Zhao Yunting could not listen anymore and directly ordered his two sons to get out.

Zhao Yelong and Zhao Yefei were full of resentment, but they had no choice but to withdraw, casting a cold glance at Zhao Caiwei before leaving.

Once the tent was quiet, Zhao Caiwei said, "Father, I will have Little Sister come over to brew some medicine for you."

"No need... The great battle is about to begin. Although I, as the commander, am only sitting here, I cannot drink medicine; if word gets out, it will shake the morale of the army!"

Zhao Yunting waved his hand.

"Yes..." Zhao Caiwei agreed, lowering her head.

"Caiwei, don't blame your Big Brother and Second Brother. They are dull and narrow-minded, but that is not their fault; it is my fault for not raising them well!"

Zhao Yunting sighed, looking helpless.

Zhao Caiwei shook her head, "Daughter will not hold a grudge against them, Father, rest assured..."

"That is good. You should go get some rest early as well. Tomorrow is the first battle, which is crucial; you must be well-rested!"

"Alright..."

Zhao Caiwei stood up and had just reached the tent entrance when she suddenly stopped.

"Father, if you are worried that entering the city tomorrow will be a trap... then would it be more advantageous if Big Brother goes as bait and I lead the Hanguang Battalion to provide support from the outside?"

Zhao Yunting was stunned, his expression showing a trace of struggle.

"It was my mouth running wild, Father, please do not take it to heart."

A trace of sadness appeared in Zhao Caiwei's eyes, and she walked out silently.

A sigh came from the main tent behind her...

Zhao Caiwei walked back to her own tent. As soon as she entered, she saw the words "Bitch" scratched into the sand on the ground.

She remained expressionless, not even bothering to erase the two words, and prepared to take off her armor to rest.

Just then, the voice of a personal guard came from outside.

"General, someone is looking for you outside the main camp, claiming to be from the Zhao family, and they have brought a token!"

Zhao Caiwei was stunned. So late, and in a place about to go to war, who could it be?

"Bring it in!"

The guard brought in a small black silk pouch.

Zhao Caiwei took out what was inside; it was, surprisingly, a piece of seed-material celadon jade with the words "Set your heart at ease" carved on it.

"How could it be..."

Zhao Caiwei's frost-like face revealed a trace of long-lost joy, like an iceberg snow lotus blooming.

"Quickly invite that person in... Oh no! I will go myself!!"