Liu Yuanwen was dumbfounded after hearing Zhou Quan finish recounting the events. How could Du Bai also be poisoned?
"The poison afflicting General Du Bai is the same as His Highness the Crown Prince's, indicating it's the work of the same group," Zhou Quan said worriedly. "There are over a hundred thousand imperial troops mixed in with the civilians in the city. It will be extremely difficult to screen them out."
"Wan Nian City is now truly without a leader. We hope to invite Marquis to come forward and take charge of the situation."
Liu Yuanwen sighed. "Brother Zhou, it's not that I don't want to ask my father to come out. But as you know, you went last time, and my father refused. If I go again, I'm afraid it will be..."
Just then, a servant suddenly appeared at the doorway, looking anxious. Liu Kai hurried out to meet him and asked in a low voice, "Why the rush? The eldest young master is entertaining guests."
"We received an urgent letter from Miss at Qing Niu Mountain. Liu Ce and Liu Tie are both away, so I brought it over."
As he spoke, the man handed over a small bamboo tube, lacquered black. Liu Kai, upon seeing the color, was inwardly startled. This was an emergency signal, indicating that something important was happening at Qing Niu Mountain as well.
Liu Kai opened the small bamboo section and took out the letter. His heart was greatly shocked after just a glance.
Meanwhile, Liu Yuanwen was already preparing to see Zhou Quan off. Faced with his refusal, Zhou Quan had no good solution and had to rise to leave.
Before departing, Zhou Quan remained persistent. "Young Master Liu, please reconsider. This is a matter of the safety of our Da Cang Kingdom."
After seeing Zhou Quan off, Liu Kai hurried in and handed the letter to Liu Yuanwen. "Eldest Young Master, Miss has finally decided to come out of seclusion. She has been ordered to lead fifty thousand troops to sneak attack Qing Guang City."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yuanwen's spirits lifted. "Excellent, wonderful! My younger sister's plan has been adopted by the Emperor. I believe the siege of Wan Nian City will be lifted in a few days."
Looking at the excited Liu Yuanwen, Liu Kai was not as thrilled. "Eldest Young Master, it's probably too early to say that. Even if Miss leads the troops, she won't reach Qing Guang City in less than ten days. It's still a big question whether we can hold out now."
"Furthermore, since the enemy has attacked the Crown Prince and General Du Bai one after another, I'm afraid this news cannot be kept secret!"
Hearing this, Liu Yuanwen's brows furrowed again. "You are right. If the army's morale collapses, then we might..."
Liu Kai also sighed heavily at his words. "Indeed. The Crown Prince has not shown himself for many days. While it's said he has a minor cold, a few days is acceptable. But if it drags on, people will become suspicious."
"General Du Bai also cannot show himself. If this continues, the army's morale might..."
Liu Yuanwen frowned deeply and pondered for a long time. Finally, he sighed. "It seems I still have to go see my father. As long as he is willing to step forward, handling matters below will be easier."
Liu Yuanwen ultimately took the letter and rushed to the posthouse to request an audience with his father.
Seeing his son arrive, Liu Xiangnan was somewhat moved and ordered someone to bring him into his meditation room.
Upon meeting, Liu Yuanwen immediately lifted his robe and knelt down with a thud. "Your unfilial son Yuanwen greets Father."
Liu Xiangnan waved his hand gently. "I've already said, there is no longer Liu Xiangnan in this world, only Hui Kong."
Liu Yuanwen cupped his fists again. "Father, you are unaware of the situation outside, aren't you? Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun and General Du Bai have both been poisoned inexplicably and are in a coma. The Emperor has already left Wan Nian City."
"The city is truly leaderless now!" Su Dan Novel Network.
"I also have a letter from my younger sister at Qing Niu Mountain for you!"
As he spoke, Liu Yuanwen took out the letter written by Liu Rumei from his怀 and respectfully handed it over. Liu Xiangnan raised his eyelids, took a look, but didn't accept it. "No need to read it. I know Rumei must be urging me to come out of seclusion. However, I must tell you, I will not go out again. You may leave."
"Father, Wan Nian City is in crisis now. My younger sister, to resolve the situation, has already led five thousand troops towards Qing Guang City. It has reached this point, and if you still do not come out of seclusion..."
Hearing Liu Yuanwen's account, Liu Xiangnan's eyes suddenly widened, and a spark of spirit appeared in them for a moment, as if a sharp gleam flashed!
Then, he stood up abruptly. "Foolish, foolish! With only fifty thousand troops, you dare to sneak attack the enemy's capital. This is truly a death wish!"
"Father, my younger sister taught the Four Spirits and Eight Trigrams Formation you created to the Crown Prince to defend the city, but it was still breached by the enemy. They have retreated into the city. My sister must have been at her wit's end, so she could only..."
Hearing his words, Liu Xiangnan became noticeably agitated. "Utterly foolish! Quickly, send word to Rumei immediately and tell her to stop her reckless advance."
Hearing this, Liu Yuanwen felt a surge of joy in his heart. This indicated that his father cared deeply about the front lines and had never truly detached himself.
"But Father, if you order my younger sister to stop her rash advance, what method do you have to relieve the siege of Wan Nian City?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiangnan's expression paused. Finally, he sighed faintly. "Alright, there is no other way. However, you must immediately tell Rumei to claim an army of two hundred thousand, not three hundred thousand. This will be enough to deter Qiao Na."
At this moment, the old steward Liu Kai, who had been standing by, spoke. He stepped forward and bowed to Liu Xiangnan. "Marquis, you should come out of seclusion. Miss is about to go to Da Tu Kingdom. Can you still be at peace here chanting sutras?"
Hearing Liu Kai's words, Liu Xiangnan turned his face and looked at him again, sighing deeply. "The Emperor ordered me to shave my head and become a monk. Without a decree, I cannot leave the posthouse."
Liu Kai and Liu Yuanwen exchanged glances, and both showed expressions of joy. "I will go and gather them to come and pay their respects immediately."
The news of Liu Xiangnan's return to public life quickly spread throughout Wan Nian City. Generals of all ranks soon flocked to the entrance of the posthouse.
Liu Xiangnan stood at the entrance of the posthouse, looking at the crowd before him with a composed demeanor. He said in a deep voice, "Why are you not guarding the city gates properly and running to me? All of you go back. Du Shun and Zhou Quan may stay."
Du Shun was Du Bai's cousin. With Du Bai injured, he was the only one left to command the army.
The crowd was reluctant to leave. Zhou Quan glared. "The Marquis has come out of seclusion. Do you dare to disobey military orders?"
Only then did everyone agree and turn to leave, joy evident on each of their faces.
After everyone had gone far away, Du Shun and Zhou Quan stepped forward to support Liu Xiangnan and entered the posthouse, proceeding to the meditation room.
"Marquis, how shall we adjust the city's defenses next?" Zhou Quan asked eagerly.
Liu Xiangnan shook his head slightly. "There's no room for adjustment in defending a city. We meet the soldiers as they come and the water as it rises. As long as they don't get into the city, it's a victory."
"The immediate priority is to order someone to secretly search for skilled physicians to detoxify the Crown Prince and General Du Bai."