Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 159. Retreat

159. Retreat and Defense

"Princess Consort!" Feng Zhiyao whipped in like a gust of wind. His usually carefree face was uncharacteristically beaded with sweat, its roguish charm paling due to stress. Ye Li looked up at him with a smile and asked, "What’s the matter?" Feng Zhiyao gestured towards her, flustered, then rapidly withdrew his hand. He wore an unsettled expression and stammered, "You... Princess Consort... you really..."

"Yes." Disliking his dithering manner, Ye Li generously nodded and admitted, "Yes, I’m pregnant."

"How could this happen!" Feng Zhiyao looked as if he’d been struck by lightning, pitifully gazing at Ye Li. A moment of helplessness flashed through Ye Li’s heart. She put down her pen with resignation and said, "The Prince and I have been married for more than a year. What’s wrong with having a child?" Feng Zhiyao remained silent. What could be wrong with a married couple having a child? Of course, there was nothing wrong. But now, in the midst of a war, for the commander-in-chief to be with child, was that not a problem? Wearing a long face, Feng Zhiyao sighed. "The heir... his timing is terrible. Even a few days earlier would have been better. At least the Prince would still be here and would know how to handle this." Unconsciously, Ye Li gently stroked her flat abdomen and laughed softly. "Even if it’s not the right time, he’s already here. What can I do?" It’s true I was negligent about contraception. "Does Third Feng have any suggestions?"

"I must immediately report this to the Prince!" That was Mo Xiuyao’s child, the heir of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion! How could he dare to make any suggestions?

"No." Ye Li shook her head. "News of my pregnancy should only be known to Zhuo Jing and the others. Among the military commanders, only you should know, and it mustn’t be leaked."

Feng Zhiyao frowned. "Why is that?"

With a hint of frustration, Ye Li replied, "The Prince has his hands full currently, so why distract him? Moreover, the news of my pregnancy would bring us no advantages." Feng Zhiyao said apprehensively, "But the safety of the Princess Consort and the heir... and I fear the secret can’t be kept for long." Ye Li speculated, "I estimate this war will be over within three months. By then, the child will be less than four months old. As long as we exercise some caution, there should be no problem." Feng Zhiyao tried to persuade her further, but Ye Li countered, "It’s already difficult for the Prince to deal with the allied forces. If he also has to be distracted worrying about us here, do you think it would be beneficial for him?" Seeing Ye Li’s resolute expression, Feng Zhiyao finally gave a resigned sigh and said in a low voice, "This subordinate understands. Princess Consort, please take care of yourself."

"I know." Ye Li nodded. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

At the end of September and the beginning of October, the weather in the Northwest had already turned somewhat cold and gloomy. The occasional light rain and the biting cold wind allowed those who had grown up in the Capital of Great Chu to feel the premature arrival of winter. And with the onset of winter, the supply of provisions for the army and fodder for the warhorses began to grow scarce. The Xiling Kingdom had never been a major grain producer, so its grain storage was naturally not abundant. Furthermore, they had completely failed to anticipate that this war, which they originally saw as a certain victory, could result in such a deadlock. Xiling’s grain reserves began to show signs of insufficiency. By mid-October, aside from some troops still besieging Xinyang, the Southern Garrison Prince had already moved the majority of his forces towards Hongzhou, known as the granary of the Northwest. The Xiling soldiers had also resumed their long-abandoned practice of looting. They robbed government granaries, looted unharvested crops from the fields, and even escalated to raiding ordinary villages.

When the news reached Xinyang, Ye Li was naturally furious. She had experienced countless conflicts in both her past and present lives, but she had never been through a true war. Yet, she understood war, for the peaceful era of her previous life had not been far removed from its shadow. Mo Jingli’s earlier rebellion hardly counted as true warfare in comparison. Mo Jingli was a man of Great Chu and, moreover, not a madman. Even during battles, he would not indiscriminately harm common people. In Mo Jingli’s heart, those were still his people, his subjects. But the Xiling people were different. They wanted not only the vast lands of Great Chu but also the grain and wealth upon it. They might even wish to exterminate as many of the people living on these lands as possible. Xiling was bitterly cold; they needed these fertile lands cleared for them. I can imagine the kind of suffering the people in the Northwest are going through, and yet... I am powerless...

"Princess Consort..." In the spacious study, all the seated commanders wore grim expressions. Feng Zhiyao looked at Ye Li’s clenched fists and her cold expression, then frowned. "Princess Consort, please calm down. This matter... is not your fault." Ye Li huffed lightly, her gaze sweeping over the commanders. She said plainly, "If it’s not my fault... whose fault is it then?" The men lowered their heads and said in unison, "We, your generals, were incompetent. Please punish us, Princess Consort." Ye Li lowered her eyes and sighed softly. "I have no grounds to punish you. I only hope you all remember one thing: the duty of the Mo Family Army is to protect our homes and defend our country. And now, the Xiling people are rampaging through the Northwest, and our people are suffering terribly. Gentlemen, look out from the city walls. Do you know what this is? This is... the disgrace of the Mo Family Army! To allow a foreign tribe to trample upon the people we are sworn to protect is a soldier’s disgrace! It is also a disgrace to the Mo Family Army! And likewise... it is a disgrace to the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion!"

The faces of the assembled men flushed red. Some young officers, unable to contain themselves, stepped forward. "Please give the order, Princess Consort! We, your generals, volunteer to be the vanguard in driving out the Xiling invaders and revitalizing the spirit of the Mo Family Army!"

Ye Li shook her head and sighed. Handing out a petition from her desk, she said, "Take a look at this. Tell me, how do you propose we fight this battle?"

The complexions of those who read the petition Ye Li handed down changed drastically. The Southern Garrison Prince had reinforced his troops in the Northwest, clearly intending to wipe out the Mo Family Army stationed there and then encircle the Prince’s rear. In recent days, the garrisons throughout the Northwest had suffered significant losses.

"Third Feng, what’s your opinion?" Ye Li asked.

Feng Zhiyao looked up at Ye Li, seeming somewhat hesitant. Ye Li said, "Speak honestly."

Feng Zhiyao gritted his teeth and said, "This subordinate’s opinion is to abandon Xinyang!" A hubbub arose amongst the men. Xinyang had been previously massacred and then personally recaptured by the Prince from Xiling hands. If it were lost again, it would be a great loss of face for the Mo Family Army. Ye Li remained composed and quietly said, "Explain your reasons." Feng Zhiyao said, "Xinyang City is flat on three sides, making it easy to attack but difficult to defend. Moreover, it is now just an empty city; there is no point in stubbornly defending it. Once the Xiling Army occupies the eleven cities of the Northwest, Xinyang will inevitably become an isolated city. Then, even if we could hold it for a few months, what would be the point?" Ye Li nodded and said, "Continue." Feng Zhiyao walked to a large map hanging nearby, looked up, pointed to a location, and said, "My suggestion is to abandon Xinyang, force a passage via Lishui, and defend Hongzhou. Hongzhou is the granary of the Northwest, and its terrain is complex and treacherous. Although the Xiling Army is currently striving to open a path to Hongzhou, they are meeting with repeated setbacks. We are familiar with the Northwest terrain and can definitely reach Hongzhou before their main forces arrive, allowing us to eliminate any advance troops already there. Furthermore, Hongzhou is a strategic chokepoint, the gateway to the Northwest. As long as we defend Hongzhou resolutely, even if the Southern Garrison Prince has a million troops, he won’t be able to enter the Central Plains from the Northwest."

The study was silent, everyone staring at the map, seemingly deep in thought about Feng Zhiyao’s words.

Ye Li raised her head to look at the crowd. "What do you all think?"

After a long pause, the young Yun Ting stepped forward. "This general agrees with General Feng’s proposal and is willing to serve as the vanguard to clear the way for the Princess Consort!"

Soon, more men voiced their agreement.

Seeing the fervent commanders before her, Ye Li nodded and said softly, "I understand. You may all return and make preparations. Whatever kind of battle lies ahead, I expect you all to be sufficiently prepared and energetic."

"Yes, Princess Consort."

The commanders departed one after another, leaving only Feng Zhiyao, Zhuo Jing, and a few others. Feng Zhiyao looked at Ye Li’s knowing expression and asked, "Does the Princess Consort agree with my proposal?" Ye Li smiled faintly. "We’ve been bogged down in Xinyang for so long. Is Third Feng getting anxious?" Feng Zhiyao shook his head. "This subordinate understands the Princess Consort has her own considerations. Moreover... the Princess Consort’s current physical condition is truly unsuitable for an arduous journey..." To pin down the Southern Garrison Prince in the Northwest, the retreat to Hongzhou must be timed perfectly—neither too early nor too late. Too early, and the Southern Garrison Prince might see through their intentions. Too late, and they risked losing all three provinces and eleven cities of the Northwest. Ye Li replied, "My body is fine. Go and prepare. There is also one more matter that you must handle personally." When Feng Zhiyao saw Ye Li speaking with such gravity, he also adopted a solemn expression. "Princess Consort, please give your orders."

Ye Li lowered her gaze and stated, "Even if we retreat to Hongzhou, I don’t want the Xiling people to get a single grain of rice or any food from the Northwest."

Feng Zhiyao was taken aback. "The Princess Consort means..."

"Scorched earth policy," Ye Li uttered the four words in a low voice.

Feng Zhiyao remained silent. Although he had never heard this term before, he understood its meaning. Gazing at the beautiful woman before him, her expression cool and resolute, Feng Zhiyao’s own features shifted. He bowed respectfully. "This subordinate understands and will carry out the order."

"You may leave."

"This subordinate takes his leave."

Watching Feng Zhiyao’s retreating figure disappear through the doorway, Ye Li closed her eyes, weary. A hint of sadness touched her brow. Zhuo Jing glanced at her and said in a low voice, "Princess Consort, the Xiling army is currently rampaging through the Northwest, burning, killing, and looting. The people are already suffering terribly. This is not your fault." Ye Li shook her head and gave a bitter laugh. "But I fear I am only going to add to their suffering." If the Xiling people cannot seize any food, they will surely vent their rage on the common folk, won’t they? Zhuo Jing said, "There aren’t many civilians left near Xinyang anymore."

Ye Li raised her hand and massaged her temples, whispering, "So be it. Go and prepare. If we’re to withdraw, we cannot do so without leaving the Xiling forces a little farewell gift."

Qin Feng’s eyes lit up, and he stepped forward. "Princess Consort, this subordinate requests to remain behind and cover the retreat."

Ye Li looked at him. "Do you have a plan?"

Qin Feng smiled, a little sheepishly. "I do have a few small ideas, but... some secrets are best kept." Ye Li’s lips curved into a slight smile. "Coincidentally, I also have a few small ideas. Why don’t we discuss them together?"

Not only Qin Feng but also Zhuo Jing and the others seemed energized. Qin Feng declared loudly, "This subordinate will obey your command!"