255: Chapter 0255 Where Did Lin Xiao Go?

Lin Xiao had originally considered whether he should head straight to the front lines.

But on second thought, he didn't want either side to win; he only hoped they would both suffer heavy losses.

Because no matter who emerged victorious in the end, their next step would most likely be to eliminate his Zhenbei Army.

For one, the Zhenbei Army would not submit to them.

Secondly, they would definitely covet the fat prize that was the Northern Trade Alliance.

Even though he was doing business with Li Siqing, they were enemies at their core!

Since war was unavoidable, rather than dying for nothing, he might as well use it to gain some points and prestige, which would also help him save more innocent civilians.

Therefore, he only needed to seize the key point of victory—the strategic chokepoint of Jingtian County.

By staying away from Martial Arts Grandmasters like Lu Sanchuan and Jiang Wanli, he would be less likely to have his identity exposed.

He even specifically chose to use a spear instead of a saber to avoid revealing his martial arts style.

After a day of farming kills, prestige, and picking up gear, he had earned over a dozen Cephalosporin pills; it was a decent harvest.

Lin Xiao felt that at this rate, it would be best if the fighting continued for another ten or twenty days.

That way, the military strength of both princes would be significantly weakened, and when the time came, he could take over the entire Northwest without much effort!

Just as Lin Xiao was calculating, a remarkable aura approached the camp.

Huh? A Martial Arts Grandmaster?

General Cao Wang's expression changed when he saw a group of people riding into the camp.

"Disguised Lin Xiao, get up! Commander Jiang is here! Follow me, quickly!"

Lin Xiao had already clearly seen the burly man on horseback with disheveled long hair, who didn't look much like a military commander at all.

[Jiang Wanli, 51 years old, Great General of the Azure Dragon Guard, Spear King of the North, Aptitude: Earth Grade]

[Technique 1: Sweeping a Thousand Armies (79 years of cultivation), rumored to be created by a legendary Spear Immortal, an impeccable spear technique. Grade: Heaven Grade]

[Weapon: Dragon Raises Its Head, a famous spear passed down from the previous dynasty. Grade: Earth Grade]

[Traits: Spear Master (Special), Innate Divine Strength (Special), Commanding Talent]

Upon arriving at the command camp, General Cao Wang immediately introduced Lin Xiao.

Jiang Wanli had clearly heard of "Disguised Lin Xiao's" miraculous performance, so he walked up to Lin Xiao and patted him heavily on the shoulders with both hands.

"Young man, where are you from?"

Lin Xiao was stunned. Damn, although his Eye of God could reveal stats, it wasn't advanced enough to check household registration records!

General Cao Wang hurriedly said, "Commander Jiang, he's from Nuquan in Qing Province. Please forgive him; the boy is just too excited..."

"Haha! You weren't nervous when killing General Xu Hong, but you're nervous seeing me? You little brat..."

Jiang Wanli clearly didn't take it to heart, and the camp was filled with laughter.

Lin Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that it was lucky Jiang Wanli was a simpleton, otherwise, he wouldn't have been so easy to fool.

Once the laughter subsided, Jiang Wanli's expression changed, and the atmosphere suddenly became solemn.

"I should have rewarded you for your contributions, but the situation is critical now, so I can only keep it on record for now."

"I've received the latest news. To win, that fellow Prince Bai has resorted to unscrupulous means."

"The walls of Xunyang City have been severely damaged in many places."

"At this rate, we can hold out for less than four days at most."

Jiang Wanli said seriously, "Therefore, I intend to lead the troops personally to launch a surprise attack from Jingtian County and flank the White Kings Army's rear."

Hearing this, everyone was shocked.

"Commander, why take such a risk? Even if the walls are destroyed, we shouldn't be defeated all at once, right?"

Jiang Wanli sighed.

An old man who had come along suddenly stepped forward and took off his hood.

Lin Xiao discovered that it was actually Prince Qing's aide, Official Luo Wenfeng, who had visited Baishui before.

Even this guy was here; it seemed Prince Qing's forces were all out in full strength.

"Generals, you've been busy fighting in Jingtian County and may not know that Prince Bai has gone insane in his quest to seize the North as soon as possible."

"Just two days ago, a plague spread from Yong Province toward the Capital and even to the Southwest..."

"If we still can't take down the White Kings Army soon, we might not be spared either..."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present turned pale with anger, their eyes wide.

Lin Xiao's heart also sank, and he cursed Prince Bai as a bastard!

Damn! Is there no end to this!?

At this rate, how much medicine would he need to stockpile?

But then again, what had triggered Prince Bai?

Why on earth would he spread a plague even at his own doorstep!?

...

Yong Province.

Government Dungeon.

"Jailer! Why is there sand in this food? And cockroaches? How am I supposed to eat this!?"

A middle-aged scholar with disheveled hair was complaining loudly in the cell.

"Tsk, Chen Yanqiu, you're lucky to have anything to eat at all."

The jailer, who was cracking melon seeds, said with disdain, "A heartless Poison Scholar like you would end up dead in the street if you went out. And you still want to eat?"

"What do you know? Do you know what Poison Scholar means? Do you know what 'all is fair in war' means?" Chen Yanqiu retorted defiantly.

"I may not be educated, but I know the difference between a human and a beast!!"

The jailer picked up a whip. "You're just a thing waiting to die! Say one more word and I'll whip you!!"

Chen Yanqiu quickly dodged back a couple of steps and muttered, "A petty man who has his way... when I get out, I'll... forget it, I won't stoop to your level!"

Just then, a graceful figure wrapped in a black cloak and wearing a veil walked down.

The woman took out a command medallion, and the jailers were startled, quickly retreating.

"Mister Chen, you've suffered." Liao Meier took off her veil.

Chen Yanqiu didn't seem surprised at all. He yawned and said, "Madam Liao, I'm practically at death's door. Couldn't the Prince let me have a few comfortable days? Does he have to be so heartless?"

"What are you saying, Mister Chen? This is a ruse of self-injury. Once the Qing Kings Army is defeated, the Prince will naturally find an excuse to release you."

As Liao Meier spoke, she set down a basket and took out fine wine and delicacies.

"You wouldn't come here without a reason. What does the Prince want to ask?"

Liao Meier smiled awkwardly. "Mister Chen, you've truly misunderstood. The Prince is very concerned about you."

"Humph... No matter how much he's concerned about me, he wouldn't offend Lu Sanchuan for my sake."

Chen Yanqiu said indifferently, "I've long since looked past life and death; I only seek a carefree life. Madam Liao, please speak plainly."

Liao Meier sighed and then said, "The Prince has received news that the faint-hearted Emperor is going to open Yucheng Pass and let the Prince of Nanling's Red Flame Iron Cavalry march straight toward Yong Province."

Chen Yanqiu mused, "That's a bold move. I wonder if it was Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong's or Official Xie Tong's idea..."

"Does Mister have a counter-strategy?"

Chen Yanqiu was in no hurry to answer, instead looking over the dishes one by one.

"Pearl chicken, Jade delicacy soup, East Sea sea cucumber... all of them are my favorites..."

Liao Meier smiled. "The Prince naturally keeps you in his thoughts, Mister."

Chen Yanqiu gave a sarcastic smile. "Madam Liao, you should go back. The Prince already has a counter-strategy in mind."

Liao Meier was startled. "What do you mean by that, Mister?"

"Heh... If the Prince really wanted to ask for a strategy, he would have come himself. Why would he have you deliver this fine wine and gourmet food?"

Liao Meier suddenly realized, and her face instantly turned pale. "Does the Prince intend to..."

"Haha... The world calls me the Poison Scholar and says my poisonous schemes have killed tens of thousands of commoners..."

"But I, Chen Yanqiu, have never even killed a single chicken in my life. My hands have never been stained with a drop of blood."

Chen Yanqiu turned back and smiled playfully. "Madam Liao, tell me... isn't it ironic?"

Liao Meier couldn't laugh; a hint of helplessness showed on her face.

In the end, whether it was her or Chen Yanqiu, they were both just pawns of Prince Bai.

"Mister, take care..."

"Madam Liao, it's never too late to turn back."

"..."

The next day.

A large number of plague-infected civilians were discovered in the villages outside Yongzhou City.

The Bai Princes Mansion announced to the world that this plague outbreak was the private doing of the Poison Scholar, Chen Yanqiu, in collusion with some treasonous officials.

Chen Yanqiu, out of resentment toward the court, had attempted to use the plague to bring chaos to the people of the world.

His Highness Prince Bai discovered it in time and, acting on behalf of Heaven, ordered the execution of the Poison Scholar Chen Yanqiu and several other officials by public beheading.

This matter, from beginning to end, had nothing to do with Prince Bai!

Over the next two days, a large number of plague cases also appeared in Qixia County, eighty li from the Capital.

The Red Flame Iron Cavalry, which had intended to head straight from Yucheng Pass to Qixia Pass, as well as the armies from the two Southwest provinces, no longer dared to approach.

The entire Capital was in a state of panic, and the provinces to the east and west were on high alert, cutting off all trade and commerce with Yong Province.

Imperial Palace.

Emperor Hong looked at the memorial submitted by the Prince of Nanling, Li Sixun, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

Li Sixun explained in the document that on the way to Yong Province, the plague was everywhere, and the army could not set foot there at all.

Therefore, he had no choice but to withdraw the army and hoped Emperor Hong could understand.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Your health is of utmost importance..." Zheng Yangwei said with a look of concern.

Emperor Hong laughed out of extreme anger. "My fourth brother has such methods... He had already planted the seeds of disaster in Qixia County, which is why he dared to deploy all his troops to attack Qin Province."

"That poisonous strategy offered by Chen Yanqiu has truly been used to its fullest by him."

"As things stand, we can only hope that the seventh brother's Azure Dragon Guard army can stop that rebel."

Zheng Yangwei frowned. Although he had lived in the palace for a long time, he was still aware of the methods of Lu Sanchuan and Jiang Wanli, and he felt that hope was slim...

Presumably, Emperor Hong was also well aware of this, which was why he was so enraged.

"By the way, where did Lin Xiao go?"

Emperor Hong wondered aloud, "How is it that I have not heard any news of him for so long?"