books44 Chapter 240 Closing the Net
Chapter 240 Closing the Net
The altar was built with a built-in amplification system. The officials below the long steps, who were not of high enough rank to go up, were actually fortunate in a way. They did not have to face the life-or-death choice of choosing sides immediately. They watched a dramatic live broadcast from below, separated by soldiers from both sides.
What's going on here?
Feigned surrender, counter-espionage, schemes within schemes, and turning the tables on each other... they were dazzled by the sheer variety of tactics employed.
At this moment, on the long steps, no matter what turmoil was churning in his heart, Shen Qing did not show it on his face. Instead, he smiled and said, "How does the Commander of the Imperial Library know that this is not yet another false message?"
Kuang Jie also laughed and said, "Whether it's true or false, we'll know in no time."
Watching the two of them calmly pulling back and forth, the three imperial envoys from Xuan State, as well as Yao Guang, Yang Xuan, and other old officials of An State, all had mixed feelings. This day was more exciting than any of the past decades combined. They were eager to see the outcome soon, as their hearts couldn't take it anymore due to their age!
"Even if Father is truly terminally ill, does the Commander of the Imperial Guard think that the mere Northern Camp can defeat the Chixiao Army, forged in countless battles, in a short time?"
"Of course I dare not underestimate Commander Lu. If General Shen has a backup plan, do you think I don't?"
Seeing Kuang Jie's confident and smug expression, Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. "Oh~ then let this general guess your next move~"
Kuang Jie calmly watched Shen Qing pretend to ponder, his hands tucked into his sleeves. He knew that both sides were stalling for time, and the decisive battle had already moved outside the palace.
"Ah~" Shen Qing clapped his hands dramatically, "They must be the guards of the Tao and Cui families!"
Kuang Jie's upturned lips froze, his smile gradually faded, and his gaze became serious.
The smile didn't disappear, it just shifted. Shen Qing's smile widened even more. "It seems I guessed right."
As if to confirm Shen Qing's words, the clanging of armor and the rhythmic sound of footsteps as the army marched approached from afar.
"They've arrived." Shen Qing looked down and her smile deepened.
Kuang Ji and the others on the altar also looked down the long steps in the direction of the sound. They saw that wherever the red cloud-patterned banner passed, the onlookers below all stepped back and made way for it.
The sound of horses' hooves clattering on the marble floor resonated in the hearts of everyone present. The dashing man riding ahead was none other than Lu Zhen, whom Kuang had claimed was nearing the end of his life!
An Huai and the others who had just defected turned pale. Although Kuang Jie was still able to stand firm, his eyes were dull and he couldn't understand why the Tao family was the least likely to be suspected by Lu Zhen and Shen Qingxi. Where did things go wrong?
Could it be... that Tao Yong has betrayed his cause again?
Shen Qing simply smiled without saying a word. This matter stemmed from the visit of Tao You's wife, Su Liangyu, to the camp yesterday...
……
Shen Qing stared in shock as Su Liangyu pulled a baby boy out of the box of local specialties that had been given to him.
“This is my son, Tao Yu.”
"..." I don't eat children, thank you.
Of course, Su Liangyu had no intention of giving her son away, and she explained her purpose in detail.
Ever since Tao You's incident, Su Liangyu had been living like a quail in the Tao residence, but she was also keeping a close watch on the outside world, ready to run away at any moment.
She actually discovered the unusual movements of the garrison. The Tao family had already surrendered, so what reason did they have to mobilize troops again? There were probably other unforeseen events. If war broke out, the Xuan Army's garrison was far safer than the Tao family's residence.
If Tao herself harbors disloyal intentions, then regardless of whether the outcome is victory or defeat, Wei will kill her and her son first!
After hearing why Su Liangyu had taken her son to seek refuge, Shen Qing pondered for a moment, then took out the genealogy of the gentry of Anguo and began to study it, eliminating possibilities one by one, until he saw that Yuan Niang, the eldest daughter of the Tao family's matriarch and the Wei family's legitimate wife, was now the wife of the Cui family's clan leader. He then went straight to the commander's tent...
……
Back to the present, Lu Zhen and Shen Qing exchanged a glance across the long steps.
"It's time to close the net."