471: Chapter 471 Avoiding the Edge

While waiting for the person to arrive, General Zhao Kuan, standing to the side, said with a solemn expression, "Princess Consort, Prince Qing sending someone at this juncture is a bit too coincidental. They don't come with good intentions."

"I was saying, Prince Qing hasn't made a move for half a year. Even when Western Qiang was brought under our control, he didn't make a peep."

Wei Dongxue frowned and said, "Could it be that he's following Prince Bai's example, cooperating with foreign tribes to deal with our Zhenbei Army?"

"Based on my understanding of Prince Qing, he is proud and has his principles; he shouldn't be cooperating with the Khitan," General Zhao Kuan said, stroking his beard.

Xiao Qingxuan was also uncertain for a moment. "We'll understand once we see the envoy."

Soon, Official Luo Wenfeng, looking quite weathered, stepped into the main camp.

"Prince Qing's special envoy, Luo Wenfeng, greets the Princess Consort of Zhenbei," Official Luo Wenfeng bowed, neither humble nor arrogant.

After some pleasantries, Xiao Qingxuan invited Official Luo Wenfeng to sit.

"May I ask what brings you here, Mr. Luo?" Xiao Qingxuan went straight to the point.

Official Luo Wenfeng said seriously, "To be honest, His Highness Prince Qing has been worried ever since he heard that the Yan Region was invaded by the Khitan and the people were displaced."

"If it weren't for the fact that the Western Border is too far from the Yan Region, separated by the Northern Border, His Highness Prince Qing would have longed to send troops to assist the Yan Army in repelling the enemy."

"But now, we hear that the Khitan Army has already crossed Alimu Mountain and arrived at the Northern Border, attempting to invade while the Prince is away..."

"His Highness Prince Qing naturally cannot sit idly by in the face of such wild ambitions."

"Therefore, His Highness Prince Qing intends to send thirty thousand Azure Dragon Guards to fully assist the Zhenbei Army and deal a heavy blow to the Khitan barbarians!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the several members of the Zhenbei Army present became extremely unsightly.

How long has it been since the Khitan arrived? And your Prince Qing already knows?

"Mr. Luo, your side's information is a bit too well-informed, isn't it?"

Xiao Qingxuan chuckled. "Our scouts only detected the Khitan's arrival less than two days ago. How did you find out?"

Official Luo Wenfeng said calmly, "That is thanks to the Azure Dragon Guard's intelligence network. It's not convenient to say more."

"In short, His Highness Prince Qing will never let the Zhenbei Army fight alone. The Northern and Western Borders share a common fate and should resist the enemy together!"

Wei Dongxue stood up and said, "Mr. Luo, setting aside the fact that we haven't asked Prince Qing for help, how exactly do the Azure Dragon Guards intend to help us resist the Khitan?"

"Naturally, by marching from Liang Province into Cang Province, and then towards E Prefecture."

Official Luo Wenfeng said with a smile, "Rest assured, everyone. We will bring our own provisions and will absolutely not use the Zhenbei Army's supplies."

"You mean you want our Northern Border to open its gates wide and let thirty thousand of your Azure Dragon Guards into Cang Province?" General Zhao Kuan asked with a faint, knowing smile.

Official Luo Wenfeng said as if it were only natural, "The Azure Dragon Guards are here to support the Zhenbei Army. Are you really going to shut them out of the cities?"

"With the Prince of Zhenbei away, both sides should work together with one heart and mind, putting the safety of the people first, shouldn't we?"

Several generals wanted to retort, but they were stopped by Xiao Qingxuan.

Xiao Qingxuan said with a smile, "Prince Qing is truly thoughtful. I wonder which Great General is leading the Azure Dragon Guards this time?"

Official Luo Wenfeng stood up proudly and said, "Princess Consort, rest assured. This time, Commander Jiang is personally leading the troops. We will surely wipe out the Khitan dogs in one fell swoop!"

"Commander Jiang?"

Xiao Qingxuan's expression changed. "Jiang Wanli?"

"The Princess Consort must be joking. Could there possibly be a second Commander Jiang?" Official Luo Wenfeng laughed.

The soldiers present looked at each other, clearly surprised.

Since the Battle of Jingtian, there had been no news of Jiang Wanli.

Some said he died in battle, but since his body was never found, it was hard to believe that the dignified Spear King of the Northern Border, a fierce general said to be second only to General Yelu Chuku, would just vanish like that.

More people said that Jiang Wanli had gone to recover from his injuries, which was why he hadn't appeared.

"Is Jiang Wanli making a comeback?"

"Hmph, taking advantage of our Prince's absence—what kind of hero is he!"

Official Luo Wenfeng acted as if he hadn't heard. He cupped his hands and smiled, "I have delivered the message. If the Princess Consort has no other instructions, I shall take my leave!"

Xiao Qingxuan remained expressionless and nodded slightly. "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Luo. I won't see you out."

After Official Luo Wenfeng left, several generals began to curse loudly.

"This Prince Qing is truly shameless! Taking advantage of Grand Marshal Lu and Commander-in-Chief Zhao being stationed in the Northern Barbarians and Western Qiang and unable to return, he actually sent the Azure Dragon Guards to take advantage of us!"

"Princess Consort, why did you let him go? Once these Azure Dragon Guards enter Cang Province, it'll be easy to invite them in but hard to get them to leave!"

Xiao Qingxuan looked at everyone and sighed. "If I refuse to let them in, will they really not come?"

"On the contrary, not only will they come, but they will also publicize it widely, saying that our Zhenbei Princes Mansion is ignoring the lives of the border people for our own selfish interests."

"After all, they are coming under the guise of supporting the Zhenbei Army and resisting the Khitan. Either way, they have a justification."

Commander Bai Buhei said indignantly, "But Cang Province is our Prince's territory. How can he just come as he pleases?"

"The Prince's territory? As long as the Prince does not sit on the dragon throne, this land of Dagan belongs to the Imperial Family."

General Zhao Kuan shook his head with a bitter smile. "When it comes down to it, Li Siqing is of the Li family bloodline after all. He is sending his own troops to fight the barbarians, using his own supplies. It is indeed difficult to oppose him."

"Brother Zhao is right. Prince Qing has seized upon this point. With the border being invaded, in the face of such a major issue of right and wrong, the interests of a fief-holding prince naturally count for nothing."

Everyone frowned, feeling somewhat uncomfortable about Prince Qing having taken the moral high ground.

"There's no need for everyone to worry. Since it's already happening, overthinking it won't help."

"Since the Prince dared to go to the Yan Region to provide support, he must have been prepared. You don't need to worry too much; just fulfill your duties."

When everyone heard that Lin Xiao had a plan, they immediately felt reassured. They all accepted their orders and went out to get to work.

Leng Bingyan had been silent in the background, but now she stepped forward and whispered:

"Qingxuan, didn't husband say that in the Battle of Jingtian, he had already killed Lou Suifeng and Jiang Wanli? How could..."

Xiao Qingxuan's gaze was cold. "That's what I'm most worried about right now. Everything else is manageable, but what is going on with Jiang Wanli? Husband shouldn't have made a mistake..."

"Could it be a Medicine Man?"

"No, even a Medicine Man needs a corpse."

"Then is someone impersonating him?"

"I don't know either..."

Xiao Qingxuan took a deep breath, her eyes flickering. "We can only take it one step at a time."

The woman's complex gaze fell upon Liang Province on the sand table...

Liang Province, Qing Kings Army camp.

Li Siqing was playing chess face-to-face with a man with disheveled hair.

If Lin Xiao were present, he would surely be shocked, because this man was none other than Jiang Wanli, whom he had killed!

"With this move, I am betting everything. Are you certain?"

Li Siqing placed a black piece and asked in a deep voice.

"Do you have a choice?"

The long-haired man said expressionlessly, "Prince Bai is dead, the Emperor is dead. The people of the Li family will all die sooner or later..."

"I am not afraid to die, but the Li family's empire is not for an outsider to sit upon. And... he killed my master," Li Siqing said, his eyes filled with killing intent.

The long-haired man placed a white piece, and the chess game took a sudden turn. "Everyone has a weakness. Avoid his brunt, strike at his soft spot, and you will have a chance to turn the tables!"

Li Siqing looked at the chessboard and nodded.