Chapter 94: Facing the Abyss

Chapter 94: Facing the Abyss

Chapter 94: Facing the Abyss
Leaving the central army tent, a cold wind blew in his face, blowing away the warm feelings in Lu Yunyi's heart.
His thoughts gradually calmed down, his face became calm, and there was no ripple in his eyes.

He had anticipated today's situation, but he didn't expect it to happen so soon.

Moreover, the sincerity displayed by Lan Yu was greater than he had imagined.

It is no exaggeration to say that
From this moment on, he has embarked on the road to a high position and power, and has taken a solid step forward.

But he didn't feel safe at all.

Instead, he felt that there was a dangerous aura all around him, wrapping him tightly and making it difficult for him to breathe.

The Ming Dynasty was founded 21 years ago, and the great struggle has not yet subsided. Some talents have just begun to emerge.
The turmoil has just begun. Lu Yunyi doesn't know whether he can survive in the turmoil.
His originally calm face suddenly showed a trace of self-mockery. If it hadn't happened today,

He was still very confident that he would survive in the future.

But today, after learning about the conspiracy in the court, the power of the bigwigs, and some unknown secrets in history,
Instead, he felt himself becoming increasingly insignificant, even like an ant in the Ming Dynasty.

So what if an eighteen-year-old commander commands two thousand soldiers?
In the midst of turmoil, like a small boat under the raging waves,
There is no need to even target him, he will die if you just let things take their course.

The greater the power and the greater the future achievements, the smaller Lu Yunyi feels his hope of survival is.

After calming down his thoughts, Lu Yunyi arrived at the camp in Lianfeng Valley.

His soldiers had been waiting here for a long time, and when they saw him come out, they all showed joy on their faces.

This relieved some of Lu Yunyi's worries. At least he still had some soldiers to rely on.

Sighing, Lu Yunyi got back on his horse and said softly:
"Let's go back."

The sound of horse hooves followed, and the neighing of war horses faded away little by little in the night, gradually disappearing into the darkness.

In the central army tent, Lan Yu sat behind a simple long table, quietly reading the military reports.
After an unknown amount of time, a cold wind blew through the tent, and a skinny figure walked in silently.
Without speaking or making any sound, he just walked behind the tent and stood quietly in the shadows.

After a long time, the figure in the darkness finally uttered a hoarse voice:
"After sending me away, who did the general meet?"

Lan Yu's writing brush suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed, and his gaze became sharper:

"Jiang Li, this is not your business."

"General, you are in command of the army, so you must always pay attention to yourself.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ordered me to come here to ensure your safety. There are some mysterious and unpredictable ways of killing people in this world, and we must be on guard against them."

"I am surrounded by an army of one hundred thousand. Who can kill me?" Lan Yu's voice suddenly rose, as if he was very angry.

Jiang Li chuckled in the darkness: "Don't be angry, General. I'm just being cautious."

Lan Yu's face darkened, and he suddenly became quiet, his eyes became empty.

The stopped brush also began to tilt slightly and fell to one side with a slight "click" sound.

"What have you found out in secret over the years?"

A voice came from the darkness: "We have found out something, but we have no evidence and we don't know who is behind it."

For some reason, Lan Yu suddenly became a little hesitant. After a long time, he asked what was in his mind:
"Have you found out anything about the Crown Princess?"

"The Crown Prince does not allow us to inquire about the affairs of the inner court, so there is no way to investigate."

Lan Yu pursed her lips tightly, and a hint of evil appeared in her brows;
"What about Li Wenzhong? He's been dead for almost ten years, and there's still no conclusion?"

"There is no way to verify it. At that time, Duke Cao was in charge of the Grand Military Governor's Office and the Imperial College.

Except for Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, there is no one better.
Being both civil and military is a taboo in the country.
I don’t know how many people in the world saw him as a thorn in their side, and he died so quickly that there is naturally no way to verify it.”

The voice in the darkness was neither fast nor slow, but its content was horrifying.

"Hmph, is it that there is no way to verify it, or that you can't say it?" Lan Yu snorted coldly, turned back suddenly, and stared at the dark place.

"There is no way to verify it." Jiang Li's voice was calm, as if he was talking about something completely unrelated.

Lan Yu's palm slapped down suddenly, making a loud noise:
"Is it related to Hu Weiyong?"

The military tent fell into silence for a long time. After a long time, Jiang Li's voice came out little by little:

"The Crown Princess died in the eleventh year, Duke Cao died in the twelfth year, and the Hu Weiyong case broke out in the thirteenth year.

If I say there is no relationship, I am afraid the general will not believe it.
If the general wants to know the details of the dispute, he should ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in person.

Only Your Majesty and the Crown Prince know the full story of these matters."

Lan Yu suddenly showed a trace of self-mockery, staring at the darkness and muttering to himself:

"Your Highness knows that I am a domineering person, so he never tells me about this matter.

Considering our decades of friendship, I will ask you one last question. Whether you answer or not is up to you."

"Excuse me, General."

"At that time, Hu Weiyong was the magistrate of Ningguo County. He was recommended by Han Guogong.

His younger brother Li Cunyi's son Li You was the son-in-law of Hu Weiyong's nephew. The two were considered relatives and had close contacts.

I would like to ask whether these things are related to the Korean government. "

Lan Yu's eyes were bloodshot, his fists were clenched, and he exuded a dangerous aura.

But time passed little by little, until footsteps were heard outside the military tent.

All the dukes and princes were preparing for tomorrow's battle, and Jiang Li's voice was no longer heard in the big tent.

At the beginning of the Yin hour, Lu Yunyi led his soldiers back to the camp on the southern shore of Buir Lake.
The camp was silent, with only the continuous stream of torches shining through.

Some patrolling soldiers were also listless, with empty eyes, and full of confusion about the future.

Even though the soldiers had already fallen asleep, there was still a faint sense of depression in the military camp.

Lu Yunyi is extremely sensitive to the level of morale.

He saw everything that happened in the camp, but ignored it.

Arranging the soldiers to return to the camp to rest, Lu Yunyi returned to the central army tent with a serious expression.
When I entered, I saw a figure waiting here long ago. He was looking at the map with a serious expression and holding some unprocessed documents in his hand.

Hearing the sound, Liu Heiying raised his head abruptly, his eyes lit up, and he rushed over:

"Brother Yun'er, you're back! How was it? Did you see the general?"

Lu Yunyi was a little tired. He took off his head armor and put it aside. He slowly sat down on a chair beside him and pointed to the teacup in the distance:

"Get a pot of water."

Liu Heiying rushed over with a teapot in hand and a teacup in hand in case of emergency.

But Lu Yunyi didn't hesitate and just gulped down the drink.
Liu Heiying, who was waiting on the side, also noticed that something was wrong with the atmosphere.

His face gradually became more serious, and he quietly grasped the long sword at his waist, with a vigilant look.
Then he quickly walked to the side of the curtain, gently opened it, and instructed his brothers who were guarding outside:
"No one can get close."

"Yes"

When Liu Heiying returned, he saw Brother Yuner sitting there quietly.
He looked dejected and frowned, as if he had some unresolved knot in his heart.

"What's wrong, Brother Yun'er? Is the war not going well, or does the general not agree with our tactics?"

Lu Yunyi shook his head:
"No, the general agreed, and things went more smoothly than I expected. I am a little scared now."

"Scared?" Liu Heiying was startled and his eyes widened slightly.

He had a full understanding of Brother Yun'er.
Normally, I always tell soldiers to be careful with their lives on the battlefield so that they can gain more intelligence information.

But he always rushed to the front, like a madman on the battlefield, hacking and killing without any scruples.

Why would I be afraid?
Lu Yunyi pursed his lips, looked at Liu Heiying, stretched out his hand and pinched his chubby face:

"We thought too simply in the past. There are traces of intrigue in the battlefield.

But the criticisms after his sudden rise to power came and went without a trace.
If the general hadn't told me today,
I don't even know who did it or why they did it.
Sometimes even enemies will help you, and you can’t tell who is friend or foe.”

Liu Heiying frowned slightly, with a puzzled look on his face. Lu Yunyi thought for a moment and said, "In our previous deduction, Usar Khan was bound to die, and no one in the entire Northern Yuan Dynasty could escape.
But now...I went to the central army tent and Usar Khan has a chance of survival, and it is a sure thing."

what?
Liu Heiying opened his mouth wide and suddenly felt his throat dry. He moved his mouth back and forth, and his face revealed an unusual warmth.

"Great General, are you collaborating with the enemy?"

Lu Yunyi smiled softly and shook his head slowly: "No, this is politics."

"politics?"

Lu Yunyi nodded: "Yes, politics,

What would happen to the Ming Dynasty if a living Usar Khan wandered around the grassland carrying the seal?
The nobles on the grasslands may be covetous.
The conflict between the Borjigin, the Tatars, the Oirat and the nobles granted fiefdoms by the Yuan Dynasty would surely become a mess.

You tell me, is it better for Usar Khan to be dead or alive? "

Liu Heiying didn't say anything, but snatched the teapot from Lu Yunyi's hand and drank it. He was extremely thirsty at the moment.
"It's good to be alive."

Lu Yunyi nodded: "The Ming Dynasty does not want him to die, and all the dukes should know that it is best for him to be alive.

However, there was a high-ranking and powerful person in the army who pretended not to see it and wanted to use Usar Khan's life to exchange for his future. "

"What?" Liu Heiying was stunned.

Usar Khan is tacitly aware of this, but if someone captures Usar Khan,
It was still a great achievement, but this great achievement disgusted everyone.

But some people just want to do this.

"Who is it, Brother Yun'er?"

"Yu Tongyuan."

A tall man with an unprepossessing appearance but an air of dignity suddenly appeared in Liu Heiying's mind. He was a lieutenant general in the army.

"When the war begins, we will let Usar Khan go." Lu Yunyi's voice rang out.

There was a sudden chill in the military tent.

“Then shouldn’t we go against him?

Ruining one's future, this is more serious than killing one's parents, Brother Yun'er." A trace of fear flashed in Liu Heiying's eyes:
"He doesn't dare to cause trouble for the general, but he might cause trouble for us. What should we do?"

"He will definitely cause trouble for us." Lu Yunyi said in a loud voice.
After the fall of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, the chances of launching a northern expedition were visibly reduced.
Moreover, now that the old is taking over from the new, if Yu Tongyuan fails to make the breakthrough this time, he can only wait for his brother to die.

Therefore, Lu Yunyi was almost certain that
As the person who personally handled such matters, he would definitely be suppressed by Yu Tongyuan.

And there is something more important.

Lu Yunyi's eyes deepened little by little, and he felt his whole body was cold. He turned his head to look at Liu Heiying and said softly:

"The general said that we had the most merit in this battle, but what he didn't say was,
Letting Usar Khan go is our leverage and proof of our allegiance."

what?
Liu Heiying stood up with a bang, his face full of horror:
"Brother Yun'er, this... this is not what the court wants to see."

Liu Heiying's voice suddenly stopped, his face gradually became quieter, and then a strong fear surged up.

This was a tacit agreement.

However, as the ones who were in charge of this matter, they were exposed and committed treason and treason.

This matter can be big or small, it depends on whether the higher-ups will pursue it or not.

"We... Then aren't we, doomed?"

Lu Yunyi's neck was a little stiff, and he slowly turned around, staring at Liu Heiying with empty eyes:
"We won't die for now. If we commit a crime in the future, this matter will be brought up, we will be convicted, and then beheaded and our family will be exiled."

He thought of Lan Yu for some unknown reason.

After failing in his bid for the throne, one of the charges against Lan Yu was disrespecting imperial authority.

Liu Heiying was like an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth in the small military tent, frowning, and constantly thinking about how to break the impasse.

He turned his head suddenly and looked straight at Lu Yunyi, with a warm light in his eyes:
"Brother Yun'er, this is what the general asked us to do. If His Majesty wants to cause trouble, he should go to the general first. There is no way we, the little guys, would get the chance."

For some reason, Lu Yunyi suddenly wished he was like Liu Heiying, knowing nothing.
This can also help you comfort yourself.

Sighing, Lu Yunyi spoke in a deep voice:
"The general has his own pledge of allegiance, and besides...after the war is over, we may not even be considered minor officials.

Killing 20,000 enemies and being the first to achieve great success in the Northern Expedition, if we were older, it would not be impossible for us to be knighted after fighting."

"A knighthood?" Liu Heiying's eyes suddenly widened and his breathing became rapid.

When they were young, the two of them used to hide in their home and plot,

It is believed that one may not be granted a title until the age of fifty, or even until the day of death.

I just didn't expect that, after only a few years,
The first time you decide to shine and show your true abilities, you will be given a title?

Liu Heiying felt a sense of fear for no reason. He was also a person who was familiar with storytelling, opera and history books.
Since ancient times, few of those who became famous at a young age in the military had a good ending.

"Brother Yun'er, it's too fast. We can't do this."

Lu Yunyi's eyes flickered, and his breathing became a little faster:

"I know this won't work, but I have a solution. Can you help me listen to it and see if there are any omissions?"

"Okay." As usual, Liu Heiying agreed.

Lu Yunyi's breathing slowed down little by little, and all the rules and regulations began to be set up left and right.
After a while, he opened his eyes, his gaze was deep, and he spoke lightly:
"Let me first state my position.
Now we have two forces before us.
One group of princes and dukes, led by the general, hoped that Usar Khan would escape with the seal.

The other side is headed by Yu Tongyuan, a group of adults who have not yet been granted titles but are in high positions of power.

At first we were stuck in the middle, like ants that were so small that they couldn’t be any smaller, unable to influence the situation.

From today on, we will stand on the side of the general.
I want to let Usar Khan go, and I have handed in my pledge of allegiance. I have the ability to initially influence the situation. Is it right to stop here?"

Liu Heiying frowned and kept thinking in his mind.

Finally, he shook his head violently, his brows full of anxiety:

"wrong!
Not all the dukes and princes hoped that Usar Khan would escape.

His escape would only benefit the Ming Dynasty and the generals, who were in charge of the army.
As long as the war is won, the general will gain the greatest benefit.

But the other dukes were different.
If Usar Khan ran away, they might not stop him, but if they could catch him, they would surely not let him go.

After all, the credit can go to one's own family.

Moreover, now that the veterans in the army are retiring one by one, there may be some who want to use Usar Khan’s merits to stay in the army.

Therefore, we and the great general Usar Khan should stand on one side, and the dukes should stand in the center.

On the other side were a group of untitled gentlemen, headed by Yu Tongyuan."

Liu Heiying said as he gestured,
Hearing this, Lu Yunyi frowned and felt depressed.

When Liu Heiying finished speaking, he stood up suddenly and walked quickly to the side.
He picked up the bucket, filled the basin with ice water, and then put his head in.

咕噜 咕噜
Huge bubbles were churning, and the coldness was like piercing steel needles, piercing his cheeks again and again.

The feeling of suffocation made Lu Yunyi feel very uncomfortable, but it also made his mind much clearer.

Liu Heiying was right. He actually failed to distinguish such an obvious position.

This is a failure to see the situation clearly, which will have more serious consequences than military defeat.

If we act according to our preconceived position,
What awaits him is only death.

After a long time, until he could no longer breathe, Lu Yunyi finally pulled himself out of the cold ice.
His eyes regained some of their former clarity, he grabbed the sackcloth and wiped his face casually, then quickly returned to his chair and sat down.

"Go on, I'll tell you to listen and see if there's anything you missed."

(End of this chapter)