Chapter 121: Yancheng, A Prolonged Siege Unbroken

Within the main camp of the Chu family army, Tang Chen cupped his hands respectfully, his face etched with bitterness. “General, our provisions are running dangerously low.”

Chu Xiong sat upright, his fists clenched tightly on the table, breathing heavily.

Over the years, the Tianqing Kingdom had cut off supplies under various pretexts more than once. The kingdom was unreliable; yet the war had to be fought.

If they did not fight, the Chu family army would inevitably be defeated, and defeat would mean utter ruin beyond redemption.

“General, Vice General Chu Xiao is still on the front lines... I, an old general, beg you to order her to withdraw and let me take command!” The veteran general bowed respectfully, his age advanced but his bearing still dignified.

Chu Xiong cast a grateful glance toward the old general, sighed helplessly, and shook his head. “Just because she is my son does not mean she should receive special treatment. One must do the appropriate work for one’s position. Uncle Li, stop. I will not agree.”

Xifeng, standing nearby, wanted to defend her husband but reconsidered. He was right; she could not afford to show weakness. She moved her lips but said nothing.

“General...” The old general tried to speak again.

Chu Xiong suddenly stood. “Uncle Li, my mind is made up. Whoever attacks alongside Han’er is not to compete for credit.”

Tang Chen stood silently to the side, his mind filled with images of the graceful young girl swaying in the breeze. Jun Han was but a young maiden. “General, I am willing to go alone to assist Vice General Chu Xiao.”

Chu Xiong hesitated briefly but ultimately agreed to Tang Chen’s request.

...

Centered around Yancheng, only a few small cities of the Liao Kingdom remained, standing isolated and forlorn.

Chu Junhan grasped her sharp sword, its tip firmly plunged into the earth. She gazed anxiously toward the nearby small cities around Yancheng—not because she could not conquer them, but because it would be pointless.

Firstly, the small cities had no provisions. Secondly, mobilizing troops would waste resources and manpower unnecessarily.

“Vice General Chu Xiao, Deputy General Tang has arrived.”

“For what purpose?” Chu Junhan frowned. Bringing troops would only deplete supplies without cause.

“I do not know, sir. Only Deputy General Tang came alone.”

“Alone?” The handsome young general raised an eyebrow.

In the eighteenth year of the Tianwu era, twelve-year-old Chu Junhan already showed extraordinary grace—arched, slender eyebrows; eyes bright like stars; a face untouched by powder or rouge, with skin as smooth as polished jade.

When Tang Chen saw her, he momentarily lost himself. Two years apart had only enhanced her beauty.

“Brother Ziyun, why did you come alone?” Chu Junhan’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“To see Junhan!” Tang Chen replied.

“Having seen me, then return!” The young general, seasoned by countless battles and familiar with partings and farewells, spoke with a hint of indifference.

Tang Chen was not offended. He found a stone bench and sat down. Being ten years her senior at twenty-two, he was at the age to establish a career and was naturally more experienced.

“Junhan, do you know why you have long failed to take the Yancheng area?” The young man crossed his arms, his gaze sharp and penetrating.

“Provisions,” she answered, “Though the Jiuling Trading Company supplies ample rations, their prices are exorbitant.”

The young man pulled his sword from the ground and brushed the dust from its tip. His deep eyes radiated a dangerous aura. “Jiuling Trading Company, Jiuling Jun... I truly want to meet this Jiuling Jun. In just two short years, the company has spread everywhere, not only monopolizing trade but controlling the commercial markets.”

“Rumor has it that the Jiuling Trading Company can dismantle a nation’s commerce in moments, causing a cascade of governance issues, forcing all countries and powers to show them great deference. Truly formidable,” Tang Chen said, a figure regarded as a demon god by the world, rarely offering praise, yet he sincerely admired the Jiuling Trading Company.