The Whole Dynasty Spoils the Tyrant's Beloved Youngest Daughter-Chapter 441 - 440: A Tear Falls

"What?" Ye Ying was shocked.

Chao Jiu said, "Crown Prince, your initial prediction was correct. This method of combat, pitfall, so unscrupulous and cruel, is being used again by Fei Yuque, with no regard for reputation, just to win."

Previously, Jun Ning and Chao Jiu had discussed Fei Yuque’s famed battle, which relied on diversionary tactics to trap and kill tens of thousands.

This time, although Fei Yuque did not use diversionary tactics to lull everyone into thinking he wouldn’t resort to such despicable means, he ultimately chose to use the pitfall.

Not only unexpectedly, but it was carried out openly under the noses of so many, without concealment.

It was truly audacious.

Ye Ying berated himself, "It’s all my fault for the incompetence of the spies I sent out. Such a major pitfall event, yet they found nothing. Qianji Pavilion is becoming more useless, and I also bear responsibility for poor supervision. Ah Ning, please punish me severely."

Jun Ning patted Ye Ying on the shoulder and said, "Ye Ying, don’t blame yourself, or take responsibility for this matter. The location where Fei Yuque plans to trap and kill the soldiers is now confirmed, within the Bei Xia encampment range. It is very concealed and heavily guarded, making it normal for spies to be unable to investigate."

Ye Ying still couldn’t reconcile, "No, maybe if we had been more diligent, we could have discovered it. But now, discovering nothing, and suddenly facing this situation—it’s deadly!"

Ye Ying was worried that the previously uncertain battle might instantly turn around because of this. Eastern Chu was about to fall behind and get utterly defeated by Fei Yuque’s forces.

"Ye Ying, go do what you need to do. Now the time is about right, when the pitfall ends and Bei Xia’s hidden troops emerge, you can send in our thirty thousand archers." Jun Ning’s face was tense, "As for the pitfall event, don’t worry."

"How can I not worry, I’m worried to death." Ye Ying looked troubled.

Jun Ning said, "I had anticipated this and made some contingency plans. You could say it’s within controllable boundaries, and we aren’t completely passive without any solutions."

"Really?" Ye Ying’s eyes lit up with a hint of joy, "Ah Ning, you’re not lying to me to ease my worries, are you?"

"Ye Ying, I would never lie to you!" Jun Ning laughed, "Go ahead, leave the pitfall matter to me."

"Alright, waiting for your good news." Ye Ying said, "I’m going to work now."

Ye Ying rode his horse, turned to leave, but Jun Ning suddenly called him back, saying, "Ye Ying, promise me, nothing can happen to you. You must come back safely to see me?"

Ye Ying turned on his horse, looking at Jun Ning, nodded solemnly, "Ah Ning, don’t worry, I will return safely. Besides, I want a victory to come back and drink with you."

"Alright, drink together when we return, it’s a deal."

Ye Ying left.

Jun Ning and Chao Jiu discussed the pitfall issue and finally decided to activate the previously drafted plan to stop it.

"Chao Jiu, you personally lead the team to place and ignite the explosives!" Jun Ning closed her eyes, showing pain, "If there’s a chance, tell the sacrificed soldiers that the court will take care of their families."

Chao Jiu’s expression was heavy, head bowed as if he couldn’t lift it, he said hoarsely, "Yes, Crown Prince."

"Remember to fire the signal flare after completing the task!"

"Yes."

Chao Jiu also left, and Jun Ning looked at the corpses scattered around, listening to the sound of slaughter not far away, as tears fell from the corner of her eye.

...

In this age of limited communication, with hundreds of thousands of troops entangled in battle, stopping a pitfall was not easy; it required external aid beyond manpower.

When Jun Ning rushed from the Imperial City to the battlefield, she secretly had a batch of explosives made, based on the available conditions.

Due to technical issues and secrecy in production, the quantity made was limited.

However, these explosives were highly destructive.

At crucial moments, they could save lives and turn the tide of battle.

Faced with the likely occurrence of a pitfall, the only way Jun Ning could think of to prevent it was to use explosives to destroy a few miles of road in front of the pit, preventing further approach to the pit’s location.

As long as they didn’t approach the pit and then found a way to divert soldiers from both armies to another direction, Fei Yuque’s pitfall plan would fail.

Only—

On the road to be destroyed, there were both Bei Xia and Eastern Chu soldiers.

While the death of Bei Xia’s soldiers was no loss, the shedding of tears was for the Eastern Chu soldiers on that road, who inevitably would also be killed.

Jun Ning didn’t want them to die, she wanted them to see the moment of victory in this battle. But she had no choice.

If that small number wasn’t sacrificed, the entire Eastern Chu force would have to be sacrificed.

By then, the Eastern Chu soldiers would be forced into the pit, with no retreat, many would be crushed to death, with no chance for counter-attack or self-rescue.

And if Bei Xia suddenly dispatched hidden rescue forces to encircle them, Eastern Chu would be completely annihilated, losing everything.

Therefore, for the greater good, destroying the road section was the best choice.

Even if there were casualties in the destroyed road section, the loss to Eastern Chu’s hundreds of thousands of soldiers would be minimal.

...

Fei Yuque stood high, watching as the armies gradually pushed towards the pitfall, he smiled contentedly and said to the deputy by his side, "Once the majority of Eastern Chu forces fall into the pit, you can lead the twenty thousand hidden troops to encircle Eastern Chu’s remaining forces, and capture Eastern Chu’s Crown Prince alive."

The deputy nodded, "Yes, Marshal, understood."

After a moment’s hesitation, Fei Yuque asked, "What do you think of these pitfalls, Fei Du?"

Fei Du, Fei Yuque’s distant cousin, was practical, capable, and perceptive. Fei Yuque had only given him a slight promotion, and he gradually climbed to his current position as deputy, proving he was competent.

Facing Fei Yuque’s question, Fei Du candidly said, "Using pitfalls in a battle involving tens of thousands is indeed extreme and brutal, but..."

"But what?"

Fei Yuque wasn’t interested in the earlier comments; sacrifices were inevitable in war, and kindness was useless. He was only interested in what came next.

Fei Du continued, "But, this pitfall will destroy Eastern Chu and help Bei Xia expand territories. This is a great achievement that will last through the ages. So, even if it requires brutal means to kill some, it is acceptable."

Fei Wuque laughed, "You understand me well, I think the same. This endeavor is an immortal achievement and worth pursuing, regardless of its brutality."