Chapter 211: Freedom
When the Zhao Kingdom Emperor pressed Chu Zijun down on the bed, she found an opportunity to pull out the golden hairpin from her hair, held it against her own neck, and said coldly, “If you dare touch me again, I will die in front of you. I know you need to hand me over to Chu State to negotiate terms. If you touch me again, I will commit suicide!”
The Zhao Kingdom Emperor paused, sneered, and tightened his grip on her neck again, applying even more force. “What? Do you really think your Chu State soldiers can defeat the lions of our Zhao Kingdom?”
Chu Zijun didn’t speak. She couldn’t speak with her neck being choked, her face turning red. She looked at him fearlessly, the hairpin tightly grasped in her hand.
If her submission, her compromising, couldn’t bring peace, and Zhao State still launched an attack on Chu State, why should she endure it?
An emperor has an emperor’s responsibility, a head of the family has a head of the family’s responsibility.
She was a princess of a country, enjoying the admiration and support of the people, and naturally shouldered some missions.
Back then, sacrificing herself could have brought stability to Chu State’s border. She was unwilling, and the Emperor couldn’t bear it, but the situation was dire. If she didn’t agree, more commoners and soldiers would die. Although she was unwilling, she took the initiative to agree.
Back then, the situation was dire!
Sacrificing herself to exchange for peace, she had to make the sacrifice.
But today was different!
Zhao State actually broke its promise and still launched an attack, occupying their Chu State’s cities. Peace had been destroyed, and she naturally didn’t need to sacrifice anymore! Today…
All these years, watching the Zhao Kingdom Emperor humiliate her, threaten her with Chu State, and make things difficult for Chu State, she knew that he was a shameless scoundrel!
Fortunately, her imperial brother had finally grown up, and Chu State had finally become stronger. She didn’t need to endure this old man’s humiliation anymore.
Although Chu Zijun wasn’t completely aware of the situation outside, Little Ling’er had heard the palace maids and eunuchs whispering about how the commoners of the four countries were rushing to Qian Family Bank to withdraw their silver, and the bank had run out of silver.
How the Crown Prince of Chu State personally led the troops to recapture Hanxiang City and was about to attack the next city.
She knew that their Chu State finally didn’t need to be subservient to Zhao State, and she didn’t need to endure the Zhao Kingdom Emperor anymore.
Now it should be her imperial brother coming to rescue her.
The Zhao Kingdom Emperor’s visit this time was nothing more than an opportunity to humiliate her again before handing her over!
Seeing Chu Zijun’s face getting darker and darker, even rolling her eyes, he thought of the contents of that letter.
Prince Xiang and Old Master Xu had to be saved!
Furthermore, if Zhao State was besieged by three countries, the consequences would be equally unimaginable.
Zhao Luran also had to be saved; she was the most promising formation master in Zhao State.
Good one, Chu Tiankuo! He knew that failing to eliminate him back then would leave endless troubles.
He thought that by destroying the Changping Army, he had broken Chu State’s wings, rendering it unable to fly!
The original plan was to besiege the Changping Army, lure Chu Tiankuo to lead troops to rescue them, and then eliminate the Changping Army and the genius Chu Tiankuo in one fell swoop.
Unexpectedly, the Chu State Emperor changed his usual tough stance and suddenly sought peace, even proposing a marriage alliance.
With Chu State seeking peace, Jin State and Yan State wouldn’t sit idly by. He had to propose humiliating conditions, which Chu State actually agreed to, thus leaving behind this future trouble.
Regret!
The Zhao Kingdom Emperor was filled with regret, but his rationality hadn’t completely vanished. He let go of his hand, stood up, walked out with a livid face, and said to the palace maids waiting outside, “Escort her out!”
Chu Zijun lay on the bed, gasping for air.
She knew that this time, she was truly free!
She was finally liberated!
At noon, a carriage left the imperial palace. Today, it was escorted by only a squad of soldiers.
Inside the carriage, Chu Zijun and Little Ling’er had their hands and feet bound.
The carriage left the imperial palace and headed straight for the city gate.
On the street, in a teahouse, a bearded man saw the carriage leaving. He put down a silver ingot and walked out.
Outside the city gate, a hundred thousand Zhao State troops had already assembled, led by the Zhao Kingdom Crown Prince.
✿✿✿
Seeing the carriage leaving the city gate, the Zhao Kingdom Crown Prince said loudly, “Let’s go!”
~
Jiangdong City
In the past few days, Chu Tiankuo had once again captured Zhao State’s Jiangdong City. At this moment, he was discussing matters with his generals.
The group was discussing the plan to capture the next city, Jiangzhong City, tomorrow.
Zhao State’s Jiangdong City, Jiangzhong City, and Jiangxi City were not far apart, only a day’s journey away. It was very easy to seize them consecutively!
Chu Tiankuo always liked to reciprocate and return favors in kind, so he planned to capture all three cities before the Zhao State army arrived.
After Jiangdong City, Jiangzhong City, and Jiangxi City, the next one would be Jiangdu City. Jiangdu City had a strategic location, easy to defend and difficult to attack, but he had a solution.
However, Chu Tiankuo didn’t plan to attack now, considering Zhao State’s attitude. After all, the four countries were currently in a four-way standoff. If he continued to attack, Jin State and Yan State wouldn’t remain calm, and the balance among the four countries would be lost.
Peace in the world was hard-won. There was no need to provoke conflicts among the four countries, leading to constant warfare and the suffering of the people. Moreover, Chu State currently only had the strength to protect itself, but not enough strength to conquer the world.
But they could unite with the other two countries to destroy Zhao State. He had a way to persuade the other two countries.
His aggressive capture of several Zhao State cities in a row this time was also intended to let the rulers of the other three countries, especially the Jin Kingdom Emperor, see his strength and the strength of Chu State.
“Crown Prince, if we leave ten thousand soldiers to guard the city tomorrow, our army will have less than thirty thousand left. Will that be enough to attack Jiangzhong City?” A lieutenant general asked worriedly.
Chu Tiankuo said calmly, “Our reinforcements will arrive tomorrow.”
The news of his consecutive capture of two Zhao State cities in the past few days had been sent back.
Xie would know that he had retreated and become a deserter, and would definitely be punished. Now was the time for him to redeem himself. At this time, he would definitely be rushing over with thirty thousand troops!
He had left someone to guide him through the formation in the Snow Mountain to get here.
Hearing this, the lieutenant generals no longer said anything, but listened attentively to Chu Tiankuo’s arrangements.
The Crown Prince had captured three Zhao State cities in a row without significant losses, and the morale of the Chu army had long been boosted!
Just as everyone was enthusiastically discussing the matter of attacking the city tomorrow, Bai Yang came to report, “Master, Heir Apparent Wei requests an audience!”
Chu Tiankuo’s eyes flickered. He motioned for everyone to continue their discussion and walked out.
Wei Feng, with a full beard, saw Chu Tiankuo and immediately saluted, “Crown Prince!”
Chu Tiankuo motioned for him to enter another room to talk.
Inside the room, Wei Feng said directly, “Crown Prince, Eldest Princess is being escorted on the road. The Zhao Kingdom Emperor has sent a hundred thousand troops.”
He originally wanted to take the opportunity to rescue Eldest Princess, but Chu Zijun was traveling with a hundred thousand troops, and he only had a few dozen people with him. He couldn’t find an opportunity.
Chu Tiankuo narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, “How long until the Zhao State army arrives?”
“About ten days! This subordinate requests five thousand troops from the Crown Prince. This subordinate wants to set up an ambush at Jiangdu City to rescue Eldest Princess.” Seeing that his beloved woman had left that dragon’s den and tiger’s lair, he couldn’t wait any longer.
He had waited for more than seven years!
