Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 165: Battle

165. Battle

Deep into the night, in the Mo Family Army’s commanding officer’s tent, the candle flame still burned silently. Mo Xiuyao sat behind his desk, reading a petition, his handsome brows furrowing from time to time. Mo Jingqi’s determination to destroy the Mo Family Army was indeed not to be underestimated. In recent days, the 500,000-strong Mo Family Army had to face more than 800,000 known enemies, not to mention the hidden ones, conservatively estimated to be around one million. Although Mo Xiuyao was indeed a military genius, such circumstances still placed him under considerable pressure. He had to divide his forces to deal with the armies from Nanzhao, Xiling, and Prince Li, all while constantly guarding against Mo Jingqi’s schemes from the rear. In less than a month, he had become even thinner than when he was ill.

"Prince," Ah-Jin, who had not been seen for some time, appeared at the door, his young face as taciturn as ever.

Mo Xiuyao looked up and asked, "Has the battle report from the Northwest arrived?" Ah-Jin nodded, presenting the freshly received report. No matter how late it was, the Prince insisted on reading the daily battle report from the Northwest before resting. Knowing this well, Ah-Jin had made it a habit to deliver the report to the Prince immediately upon its arrival. Mo Xiuyao took it and, upon seeing its contents, his brow furrowed. The news of the Mo Family Army retreating towards Hongzhou was unsettling. This was uncharacteristic of the Mo Family Army, and the Xiling Army had not yet demonstrated enough power to force such a rapid retreat. Looking at the casualty figures, Mo Xiuyao massaged his temples. Is this Ah-Li’s idea? What are you thinking, Ah-Li? After a moment of contemplation, Mo Xiuyao commanded, "Bring me all the battle reports from the past few days, and the maps!"

Ah-Jin, startled by the sudden change in his prince’s demeanor, promptly obeyed and hurried to fetch what Mo Xiuyao had requested. He worked quickly, and soon the maps and reports Mo Xiuyao needed were laid out before him. Mo Xiuyao carefully examined each report, mulling over every sentence, occasionally glancing at the map before falling into deep thought.

"Prince?" Ah-Jin asked with concern, noting the Prince’s troubled expression.

Mo Xiuyao lowered his head, his face showing a hint of bitterness and helplessness. Ah-Li... A maelstrom of emotions washed over him as he looked at the map covered in markings. He understood Ye Li’s strategy and her intentions, but this understanding brought him profound pain. His beloved wife, his Ah-Li, who should have been enjoying a life of privilege as the esteemed Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom, was instead far away in the barren Northwest, commanding thousands of soldiers amidst the blood and chaos of war. All of this... is because of my incompetence... She’s trying to cut off the Xiling Army from the Xiling border garrison and annihilate the 200,000-strong Xiling Army... Ah-Li, Ah-Li... Mo Xiuyao felt a sharp pang in his heart, as if something had been violently wrenched, leaving him momentarily breathless. Once the turmoil in his mind subsided, a new thought struck him. Ah-Li’s plan might be brilliant, but the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling is no ordinary man. If he sees through her intentions...

Standing up abruptly, Mo Xiuyao commanded sternly, "Prepare my horse. I need to go out. The Grand Generals will take temporary command of the army!"

Ah-Jin was taken aback, unable to comprehend Mo Xiuyao’s sudden decision. It’s already the third watch. Why would the Prince want to go out at this hour? Glancing at the scrolls and map spread on the table, he wondered if something had happened to the Princess Consort. Ah-Jin did not immediately obey, instead saying gravely, "Prince, the fifteenth, the full moon, is almost upon us. What if something happens to you during the journey? Moreover, the war is at a critical juncture, and your sudden departure might be... inappropriate." Mo Xiuyao lowered his head. He, too, remembered that today was already October thirteenth, and it would be impossible for him to reach Hongzhou in two days regardless. Besides, urgent military matters in the camp required his attention. After a pause, Mo Xiuyao collected himself and said, "Tomorrow morning, notify all generals and those of higher rank to meet me. Also, inform Mo Hua to immediately lead men to the Northwest to protect the Princess Consort. If necessary... bring the Princess Consort away from the battlefield, at any cost. Depart at once!"

"Yes, Prince!" Ah-Jin acknowledged and departed.

Mo Xiuyao slumped back into his chair, seemingly drained, and murmured softly, Ah-Li... you must remain safe...

The war in the Northwest, suppressed for too long, seemed ready to erupt at any moment. After entering Hongzhou, the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling quickly noticed that the Mo Family Army’s assaults grew fiercer with each engagement, slowing his army’s advance. Gazing at the distant Hongzhou City, the Prince’s sullen face remained grim. He knew he had fallen for Ye Li’s trap, lured into the heartland of the Northwest. But so what? Even if the Xiling Army suffered heavy casualties, the Mo Family Army would be no better off. He refused to believe he would lose to a woman when their forces were equal. Moreover, time did not permit him to wait for reinforcements from the Xiling border. He had to capture Hongzhou City as quickly as possible, secure the entire Northwest region for his approaching reinforcements, and also prepare to enter the Chu Mansion.

"Prince, the main body of the Mo Family Army has retreated into Hongzhou City, presumably preparing to defend it to the death."

The Southern Garrison Prince arched an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. "I thought Ye Li had some brilliant strategy, but she’s merely defending Hongzhou. Can she hold out for ten days? Half a month? By the time my eastern campaign army arrives, how many more days can she withstand in that insignificant Hongzhou City?" One of his generals advised, "Prince, do not underestimate her. Ye Li once defended Yonglin at Broken Snow Pass with a mere 20,000 troops, and it never fell. She is not to be taken lightly." The Southern Garrison Prince’s smile vanished. He stated coolly, "Naturally, I won’t underestimate Ye Li. Take Hongzhou City with utmost speed!" Of course, I won’t underestimate her; I will use all my strength to breach Hongzhou. Carelessness and underestimating the enemy are not mistakes a man of my age makes easily. Thinking of that seemingly gentle yet beautiful woman, he found himself curious: would she maintain such composure when he finally broke through Hongzhou and stood before her?

On October thirteenth, the Xiling Army finally laid siege to Hongzhou City, launching an unprecedentedly fierce assault. In turn, they encountered the most tenacious resistance they had ever faced. From the city tower, arrows from the Black Cloud Cavalry rained down like a torrential storm upon the invaders below, while the attackers surged forward relentlessly, fearless of death. The Southern Garrison Prince, mounted on his horse, could faintly discern a woman in green seated serenely atop the highest point of Hongzhou City’s wall, calmly surveying the carnage below. Behind her, several tall men stood with hands clasped behind their backs, also observing the battle. Even from afar, the Southern Garrison Prince recognized one of them—a handsome man in red—as Feng Zhiyao, Prince Ding’s trusted confidant. Seeing his adversary so composed on the high platform, a murderous glint flashed in the Southern Garrison Prince’s eyes, yet he laughed aloud. "What a Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom!"

On the high platform, Ye Li gazed towards the rear of the distant Xiling Army, then turned to Feng Zhiyao with a smile. "Third Feng, this is our first direct confrontation with the Southern Garrison Prince, isn’t it?" Feng Zhiyao rolled his eyes, feigning disinterest, and remarked, "Indeed. Before, it was all trickery or fighting retreats. If this continues, people will start wondering if the Mo Family Army only knows how to fall back." Hearing Feng Zhiyao’s rather resentful complaint, Ye Li smiled faintly. "Since that’s the case, we should celebrate this occasion properly..." With that, Ye Li turned, took the Pipa from Qin Feng’s hands, and lightly plucked its strings. A crisp melody flowed from her fingertips. A subtle smile on her face, Ye Li’s fingers danced over the Pipa—plucking, flicking, sweeping, and strumming. The Pipa’s sound, soft at first, gradually swelled, its powerful notes spreading across the entire battlefield.

The soldiers locked in combat had no leisure to appreciate the majestic music; on the battlefield, even a moment’s distraction could cost a life. Yet, the music—somber yet stirring—reached every soldier’s ear. It was as if the Mo Family Army soldiers recalled their army’s past glories, as if they saw the valor and indomitable spirit of the past Princes of Ding Kingdom leading them into the fray.

"Expel the bandits and revive the soul of our Mo Family Army!" someone cried out, and instantly, the battlefield erupted with a thunderous roar: "Kill!"

Standing beside Ye Li, Feng Zhiyao’s expression shifted slightly. This is... the King Yue’s Breakthrough Melody... Ye Li offered no reply, her fingers merely flying faster, the music growing more powerful and imbued with a chilling killing intent. Having been raised by Ms. Xu and the Xu Family, how could Ye Li truly be ignorant of music theory? She simply wasn’t overly fond of it. This battle piece was originally a Guqin melody—grand, majestic, archaic, and elegant, possessing an ancient air. However, Ye Li felt it was better suited to the Pipa, much like "Ambush from Ten Sides" from her previous life. Other instruments might be able to perform it, but they could hardly achieve the Pipa’s impact. The Pipa’s fingering techniques and range were perfectly suited for such fierce and grand compositions. Feng Zhiyao evidently hadn’t expected a response. He murmured softly to himself, The King Yue’s Breakthrough Melody has been lost for over two hundred years. Perhaps only the Xu Family would possess such an ancient score.

When two armies clash, it is said that the brave emerge victorious in a narrow pass. As the Mo Family Army’s soldiers, galvanized by their Princess Consort, seethed with fighting spirit, the Xiling soldiers, in contrast, appeared less spirited. Far in the distance, the Southern Garrison Prince’s banner fluttered. He stared intently at the distant figure in green, his eyes gleaming. A nearby general whispered, "Prince... the Mo Family Army’s morale is at its peak. Perhaps we should first... avoid the brunt of their assault?" He had to admit, the Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom is truly talented. With just a Pipa, she elevated the entire Mo Family Army’s morale by a whole level. The Southern Garrison Prince threw back his head and laughed, pointing his riding crop towards the highest point of the city wall. "A woman like this is truly interesting! Compared to her, all other beauties in the world are mere trifles! HAHA! Any man who dares retreat will be executed! This woman... I claim her!"

The generals beside him, though hesitant, dared not offer further counsel and merely voiced their assent. The Southern Garrison Prince smiled. "It is said Mo Xiuyao is a genius at military formations. I wonder, with Mo Xiuyao absent, is there anyone left in the Mo Family Army who can break them?" The Southern Garrison Prince had clearly recognized the earlier piece as the King Yue’s Breakthrough Melody. After all, Xiling and East Chu originated from the same source over a millennium ago; though not identical, their cultures shared many similarities. With a wave of his hand, war drums thundered behind him, and several soldiers began waving small red flags. Swiftly, the Xiling soldiers’ battle formation started to shift—a change that did not escape Ye Li and the others observing from their high vantage point. Feng Zhiyao frowned, watching the formations morph below. The Six-Flower Formation... No... there’s something different...

Below the city walls, the Xiling soldiers rapidly formed a massive array, circular within and square without, encompassing countless smaller formations nested inside. The Mo Family Army soldiers who had charged out to engage were already outnumbered by the Xiling Army. Once caught within this intricate enemy formation, they seemed as insignificant as drops of water lost in a vast ocean.

Feng Zhiyao snorted softly. With a wave of his hand, a green flag was unfurled on the city wall. The Mo Family Army’s formation shifted in response, coalescing into an enormous black dragon that coiled across the battlefield, its fearsome head—formed by the Mo Family Army’s most elite Black Cloud Cavalry—so menacing that none dared meet its charge. When the black dragon lashed its tail, the enemy’s formation scattered and teetered on the brink of collapse.

Behind the Xiling Army, a black flag rose. The Six-Flower Formation on the battlefield morphed again, transforming into a giant eagle whose razor-sharp talons swiftly seized the black dragon’s body, instantly severing it in two.

"Damn it!" Feng Zhiyao cursed under his breath. The flags on the city wall changed once more, and the sundered halves of the Mo Family Army’s black dragon instantly transformed into countless sharp black arrows, hurtling towards the giant bird.

Ye Li rose and observed the battle raging below the city. In modern warfare, the concept of such formations had long been lost and was largely unnecessary. Consequently, Ye Li was quite unfamiliar with them. Although she had read extensively about formations in military treatises, practical application was a complete blank for her. Watching Feng Zhiyao command the army’s formations finally gave her a more concrete understanding. She also began to ponder methods of breaking them.