Chapter 66: The Urgent Plan |
Holy shit, your mom... really gave birth to a good son.
The rage that had surged up in Song Shi'an moments ago dissipated instantly.
I'm sorry, that was on me.
I got a bit anxious there, thinking that at this critical moment when the arrow was already on the bowstring, you were going to give me some wishy-washy indecision.
It's the instinct for survival—you have to understand.
"Your Highness, it's not that this subordinate is unwilling to shoulder this burden, but that this subordinate cannot bear it," Song Shi'an explained.
"No need to say more. I understand very clearly. Moreover, this matter can only be done by me."
Wei Wusheng's heart was clear as a mirror.
If any random general could mobilize military supplies and provisions, the Great Yu's realm would have had small rebellions every three days and major uprisings every five.
"Furthermore, once we commit to this, we must be absolutely determined and can never turn back." Wei Wusheng spoke with extreme seriousness. "Even if this matter succeeds, once the court learns of it, they will absolutely dispatch envoys to strip away our authority and transfer the supplies and troops back to Langya."
The logic was simple—the Emperor would never believe that using all available resources would be enough to hold Shuofeng, especially not with Wei Wusheng defending it.
The 'gold-inscribed edicts' summoning them back would come one after another.
"A general in the field need not accept all commands from his sovereign," Song Shi'an stated directly. "As for the envoys dispatched by the court—detain them one by one. Imprison them all."
"But if we do that..." Wei Wusheng furrowed his brow, extremely conflicted. "Our control over the army isn't sufficient. If the court's imperial edicts reach the city and we refuse to accept them, that shows treasonous intent. If we prevent their proclamation and detain them directly, that's already an act of treason. Should our subordinates fear being implicated, a mutiny could break out."
Once a mutiny occurred and Wei Wusheng was seized, it would all be over.
He would die bearing the infamy of a rebel.
His words touched upon the execution-level aspects of seizing power.
Although those were matters for much later, they were indeed critical issues that absolutely could not be overlooked.
Thus, the two fell into contemplation.
"What if we intercept and kill the envoys along the way..."
Suddenly, Xinyue spoke up.
"Why are you being so terrifying? They're all people of Great Yu."
Song Shi'an's heart tightened at her suggestion. After his complaint, he acknowledged part of Xinyue's proposal: "How about this—we disguise ourselves as bandits along the route and temporarily detain the court's envoys. While we may not be able to catch every single one, we should be able to intercept most of them."
"Good idea," Wei Wusheng nodded.
Because of Xinyue's rather hypothetical suggestion of 'interception and killing,' Song Shi'an looked at her standing to the side and said, "Join us in discussing the power seizure."
Afterward, Xinyue also gathered around.
The three of them surrounded a small table with a map, beginning an emergency conference.
"Deploy one thousand Forbidden Army troops ten li from Langya along the Yan River... no, downstream," Song Shi'an pointed to a location on the map.
"Why?" Wei Wusheng inquired.
"To reduce the garrison commander's vigilance during the subsequent power seizure," Song Shi'an explained. "From upstream to Langya is downhill—troop movement is smooth and can be achieved in moments. But downstream is uphill, and marching back requires slightly more effort. Moreover, downstream is closer to Shuofeng. No one would expect us to circle back in the opposite direction."
Though no one would connect this deployment to the army potentially participating in a power seizure.
But seizing power was such a delicate and urgent operation—it had to be executed with the speed of thunder, not giving anyone any 'potential crisis' that could easily arouse vigilance.
"Acceptable," Wei Wusheng nodded, finding no issues.
Next, Song Shi'an continued: "We call them personal guards, but the number absolutely cannot be large. What if it's just the three of us?"
"But then when the matter comes to light, it'll be very easy to pin it on you," Wei Wusheng said.
Hearing this, Song Shi'an laughed: "Your Highness, do you think that once this kind of affair erupts, I can still maintain my pure innocence and avoid suspicion?"
He was absolutely right.
From the moment he wanted to come to Shuofeng, he had basically shown his hand—wanting to be Wei Wusheng's blade.
Could Song Shi'an possibly conceal that?
It was impossible.
Therefore, Wei Wusheng needed to take all responsibility entirely upon himself—even if others didn't believe it, what could they do?
Even if beaten to death, those hundred thousand Golden Core pills were all eaten by me, Sun Wukong, alone!
"Mm, the fewer people the better," Wei Wusheng agreed.
"I will do my utmost to complete my task," Xinyue also nodded.
Among them, she was the only one who had killed before.
When it truly came to some critical moment, the other two couldn't be completely relied upon.
Not that they were incapable, but killing truly required resolve.
The resolve for the first time was very difficult to summon.
"The three of us will go see the garrison commander. Then Your Highness will press him step by step, forcing him to draw his sword," Song Shi'an continued. "Once he draws his sword, we'll use the crime of threatening a prince to force him to surrender his weapons. Then, we'll completely control him."
Both found no problems with this plan.
"But there's one more critical matter."
Wei Wusheng raised his head, looking at Song Shi'an, and said: "If we're going to take him hostage, we must completely control the garrison commander. That means it's best to meet privately. So then, what reason should we use to create such a situation?"
Everything had to be accomplished in secrecy.
But late at night, who would meet with a prince alone?
Of course they'd have to meet—the honored status of a prince, even at a time like this, required the commander to personally lead officers out of the city to welcome him.
But in that case, seizing power would be impossible.
The two looked toward Song Shi'an, their gazes burning.
If he hadn't formulated an absolutely feasible plan, why would Song Shi'an have brought this up so abruptly?
With extreme composure, he spoke: "Your Highness. The Great Way is supremely simple."
………
Langya, the Prefect's Estate.
Before the sand table, General Gate Tooth and Cangwu Prefect Luo Ting were discussing military intelligence with his burly and solid deputy general, Wang Dalong.
At this moment, a soldier entered from outside to report: "General, the Sixth Prince has arrived outside the city gate with two attendants and has a letter."
"The Sixth Prince?"
Hearing this, Luo Ting showed a surprised expression, quite perplexed.
Then he quickly stepped forward, extending his hand to take the letter.
"Why has the Sixth Prince come in person?" Wang Dalong was quite confused.
"His Highness has stationed his troops outside Langya city, ten li downstream at the ferry. Tomorrow, he plans to board ships and travel downriver to Shuofeng. At this time, he wants to see me alone?"
Luo Ting was also quite puzzled.
Because there was no reason for this.
If it was about requisitioning naval vessels, there was even less reason.
When the Sixth Prince's cavalry messenger had requested the use of ships, he had quickly replied in agreement.
After all, it was just using empty ships to transport troops for a stretch—after delivery, the ships would return.
Generally speaking, this was all very normal.
After all, during military campaigns, local forces needed to provide full cooperation.
Coming almost alone tonight—could there be urgent business?
Shaking his head, completely unable to figure it out, Luo Ting opened the letter.
After reading it, he fell into contemplation.
"General, what does His Highness mean?" Wang Dalong asked.
Luo Ting waved his hand, dismissing the soldiers and guards before saying: "His Highness says he wants to meet with me privately to borrow some military equipment to bring to Shuofeng."
"I'm afraid that won't work?" Wang Dalong said. "General Xiao Qun hasn't arrived yet, and the current Governor-General and Regional Inspector haven't issued orders. We can't move any supplies."
"If I could decide, I truly would want to give His Highness some."
Luo Ting sighed with emotion.
"Defending Shuofeng is nine deaths and one survival." Wang Dalong also felt somewhat helpless. "The Sixth Prince is truly... such a pity."
Wei Wusheng possessed a great character.
Noble as a prince, yet volunteering to rescue Shuofeng—for men of the military, this was deeply moving.
The aristocratic families and nobles only hoped the northern frontier remained peaceful. No matter how many died, as long as it didn't affect their wealth and status, that was enough.
But one person said: I will go together with you all.
At that moment, his personal capabilities could be completely set aside.
"We should meet with him." Wang Dalong was also a man of sentiment. "Even if we can't lend him anything."
"Indeed."
Luo Ting nodded, looking at the letter with a trace of compassion: "The Sixth Prince... suffers so."
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