Please call me Your Majesty!

Chapter 305 Trusting the Fourth Prince is the Right Thing
While Chu Shizhao was comforting Li Batian, all the soldiers of Xueyuan Pass around him were listening intently to his words.

The wounded soldiers stopped groaning, and several soldiers resting against the city wall unconsciously straightened their backs and even their breathing became lighter. All eyes were focused on that tall and upright figure.

Therefore, Chu Shizhao's words were not only addressed to Li Batian, but also to all the soldiers of Xueyuan Pass.

Chu Shizhao's voice was exceptionally clear in the twilight, each word striking the hearts of the soldiers like a heavy hammer.

"Xueyuan Pass is the territory of our Great Zhou, a place where the men of our Great Zhou would fight to the death to defend it."

His gaze swept over every brick and stone on the city wall, and in those blood-soaked cracks, the loyal souls of countless soldiers were condensed.

"Not to mention that as a prince of the Great Zhou, I should guard the borders and protect the Great Zhou with my life, and absolutely not allow any inch of land to fall into the hands of these barbarians!"

When Chu Shizhao mentioned the word "barbarians," a cold glint flashed in his eyes, like a lion eyeing its prey, exuding a chilling murderous aura.

"Therefore, you don't need to worry at all that I would so easily hand over Xueyuan Pass to the Northern Barbarians."

Li Batian noticed the terrifying aura that Chu Shizhao exuded when he said those words, which even made him feel a little uneasy.

"I am confident that I can make them vomit up just as much as they have swallowed."

"So please rest assured, General..." Chu Shizhao seemed to only then remember that there were other soldiers around him, and he quickly and solemnly looked at everyone: "And all of you soldiers."

His gaze slowly swept over each tired face, lingering on those faces, whether young or weathered.

"I promise you, Your Highness, that your blood will not be shed in vain. Those invaders, those wolves who dare to covet our Great Zhou, will surely pay the price in blood."

"When we sounded the horn of our counterattack, not a single Northern Di dared to stand in the way of our Great Zhou soldiers!"

Chu Shizhao's words were resounding and carried far, and almost all the soldiers of Xueyuan Pass heard them clearly.

If someone else had said this, these people would definitely think it was just bragging.

After all, they were facing 100,000 fierce and powerful Northern Di cavalry.

Recalling the earth-shaking force of the Northern Di people's charge, many unconsciously touched the scars on their bodies. Those hideous wounds were the best testament to their battle.

These guys were all covered in iron armor and were as strong as monsters.

Even though they had been personally guarding the city for the past few days, they still found it incredible that they had managed to hold out for so many days.

Everyone understands that the reason they were able to hold on was not because they were so hardworking or powerful.

It was because of Chu Shizhao, the prince's strategic planning.

Although Zhao Wenguang, who commanded the battle, was also very capable, many of them were aware of his abilities.

But precisely because they knew this, they also understood that with Zhao Wenguang's strength, no matter how hard they tried, they absolutely could not defend Xueyuan Pass.

They don't even have many warhorses, yet they dare to launch an attack on such an enemy?
Is this because they think they don't have long enough to live?

If it weren't for the Fourth Prince's ingenious schemes that outmaneuvered the Northern Di, Xueyuan Pass would not have been able to withstand the fierce attack of the Northern Di cavalry.

Recalling those elusive ambushes and those schemes that had caused the Northern Di people so much suffering, the soldiers' eyes rekindled with hope.

Some people couldn't help but grin, revealing the gap in their missing front teeth.

Therefore, if His Highness says that they still have a chance to counterattack, no one doubts it.

Although they didn't know how to fight back when their side had suffered heavy losses and everyone was wounded.

But it doesn't matter.

They just need to trust the Fourth Prince.

Chu Shizhao's eyes reddened: "Thank you for your trust, soldiers. I will never let you down. Otherwise, I will never be able to inherit my father's position."

Everyone was still reeling from Chu Shizhao's words.

The soldiers looked at each other, some even unconsciously picking at their ears, wondering if they had misheard.

A soldier who was bandaging a wound trembled, pulling at the wound without realizing it.

However, someone soon burst out laughing: "Your Highness, you've really gone to great lengths."

The laughter came from an old soldier whose face was covered in soot. He was missing a front tooth, and his laugh was lisping but exceptionally hearty.

The laughter was like a floodgate being opened, instantly easing the tense atmosphere.

All the soldiers who had retreated burst into laughter.

Laughter echoed on the city wall. Some people laughed so hard they slapped their thighs, some covered their wounds and couldn't help but smile, and even the most serious person couldn't help but smile.

If someone uses this as an oath, they're just playing with their feelings.

But this is a prince. If he can't inherit his father's position, then he can't become emperor, right?

Even if it was just a joke, it still shows Chu Shizhao's determination.

Several veterans straightened their backs in unison, their weariness replaced by determination. Their rough hands rubbed their weapons, as if they couldn't wait to fight back.

Seizing the opportunity, Chu Shizhao immediately ordered a continued retreat.

He made a simple gesture, and his personal guards immediately sprang into action. Messengers galloped down the city wall, their horses' hooves ringing out crisply in the twilight. The retreat horn sounded, but the previous dejection was gone.

Li Batian scratched his head, his previous confusion completely gone, and laughed heartily as he assured, "Your Highness, rest assured, this humble general will definitely be the first to rush to the top of the city wall in a moment."

From the moment Chu Shizhao began speaking, Zhao Wenguang's mouth never closed.

Whatever the reason, they certainly failed to stop the enemy's attack.

Zhao Wenguang looked into the city; the torches of the Northern Di people were gradually lighting up. Those flickering flames reminded them that they had lost the city.

Although he knew that this was a grand strategy by Chu Shizhao.

But the ordinary soldiers who knew nothing would not think that way. In their eyes, wasn't this just a case of being unable to win and preparing to run away?
They fought to the death for Xueyuan Pass, but all they got was an order to abandon the place they swore to protect.

As a result, morale was extremely low.

The retreating column was initially slow and sluggish, with some even deliberately slowing their pace. The groans of the wounded were mixed with sighs, and even the warhorses seemed listless, their hooves making a chaotic, disorganized sound.

Zhao Wenguang tried every possible method, but none of them could boost morale.

He tried offering rewards and scolding him, but these were like punching cotton, with little effect.

Their voices were hoarse from shouting, but they still couldn't dispel the gloom that shrouded the entire army.

But His Highness's few words were enough to rouse these people back to their spirits.

Zhao Wenguang looked at the soldiers standing tall and proud before him, and could hardly believe his eyes.

Even though they were doing the same thing, all the soldiers had been dejected.

But now, they all stand tall and proud, practically looking down at people with their chins.

Their retreat was not slow. However, the Northern Di were advancing much faster through the undefended Xueyuan Pass.

When the first Northern Di wolf flag was hung on the inner city wall.

Chu Shizhao and his soldiers from Xueyuan Pass had only walked less than a mile along the official road.

By this time, it was completely dark.

The scout at the back of the column looked back and could clearly see more and more torches on the city wall.

Their cheers carried far through the night, making one's teeth itch with excitement.

Naturally, the Northern Di cavalry could also clearly see their departing torches.

This distance was practically negligible to the Northern Di cavalry.

The most radical Northern Di commander, upon witnessing this scene, immediately wanted to muster his troops to give chase.

The burly general ripped open the collar of his leather armor, revealing a ferocious wolf's head tattoo on his chest. He brandished his scimitar, the tip of which gleamed red in the torchlight, resembling a bloodthirsty beast baring its fangs.

They all knew that among this defeated army was the Fourth Prince of the Great Zhou, Chu Shizhao.

The captain's personal guards exchanged greedy glances, some already calculating how much reward they would receive.

Capturing a prince is a merit that can bring a lifetime of wealth and honor.

Thinking of this, the commander's breathing became heavy. He could almost see himself being personally rewarded by the king, and hear the envious whispers of his colleagues.

However, before the commander could make a move, he was stopped.

Another commander rode across the road, his mount a head taller than any ordinary warhorse.
The jet-black fur gleamed with an oily sheen. This action caused the guards on both sides to simultaneously grip the hilts of their swords.

"What do you mean? Are you trying to steal my credit?" the commander, who was about to give chase, shouted impatiently. "Get out of my way, or I won't hesitate to step over you."

His voice became shrill with excitement, and he spat all over the other person's face.

The curved sword in his hand was already raised, its cold light suggesting it could strike at any moment.

The commander who had blocked his way took several steps back: "General, I'm doing this for your own good. You know how this prince is. Even General Murong has suffered at his hands several times."

"Just a short while ago, they were determined to hold Xueyuan Pass to the death, but now they have suddenly and inexplicably retreated, and have handed over the entire Xueyuan Pass to us all at once. Do you think that's possible?"

"I can guarantee that this guy has definitely set up many ambushes on his retreat route, just waiting for us to fall into his trap."

The commander who wanted to pursue was the same guy who had clung to the soldiers of Xueyuan Pass when Chu Shizhao ordered a retreat.

Originally, this guy's judgment was actually quite accurate.

Given the current state of the soldiers at Xueyuan Pass, they are no longer able to set up any more traps or mechanisms.

But unfortunately, this guy had just been tricked by Li Batian and his men.

Recalling the small-scale battle reported by his subordinates, the burly commander's temples throbbed with anger.

One hundred-man squad was wiped out, and another hundred-man squad was half burned by a fire.

They had no idea that Li Batian had only been sent there temporarily to support the retreating garrison.

Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that Li Batian was a trap set by Chu Shizhao.

More than 150 people may not sound like much, but it was enough to raise the alarm of this commander of ten thousand.

The person named Chu Shizhao gave him the feeling of being the leader of a wolf pack on the grassland.

They are cunning and treacherous, always able to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy at the most crucial moment.

So, he was actually persuaded not to continue the pursuit.

Of course, there was another reason that made him give up the idea: it was now completely dark.

As the last rays of the setting sun were swallowed by the twilight, the shadows of the trees lining the official road gradually merged into one.

The distant mountains were reduced to blurry outlines, resembling unsettling crouching beasts.

The night wind whipped up sand and dust, making it impossible for people to open their eyes.

Although they could see the torches, they couldn't see the road conditions at all.

Several Northern Di scouts reined in their horses at the fork in the road, holding torches and looking around. The flickering flames illuminated the messy footprints and ruts on the road, but could not penetrate the thick darkness ahead.

The other side of Xueyuan Pass is already within the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty, even though the Dark Night Cult has given them a lot of information.

Anyone who has led troops knows that intelligence and reality are two completely different things.

It can be used as a reference, but it should never be taken as gospel. If you fight a war based solely on intelligence, you might not even know how you died.

"Hmph! Let them run for one night." The 10,000-man commander with a face full of scars said relentlessly, "When dawn breaks, my Northern Di Iron Cavalry will launch a full-scale attack, and it won't be difficult to trample those escapees into mincemeat."

He spoke through gritted teeth, cracking the air with his riding crop.

But anyone could tell that these words were more of a way for him to save face. Several guards tactfully echoed him, but their voices lacked conviction.

Xueyuan Pass faces the direction of the Northern Di.

Tuoba Lie, the commander of the Northern Barbarian Iron Cavalry, waited and waited until half an hour after dark before a messenger rushed in with a report. His voice trembled with excitement: "Reporting to the commander, our army has completely captured Xueyuan Pass and driven the remaining Southern Barbarian troops out of the city. The commanders of ten thousand humbly invite the commander to enter the pass."

"Great!" Tuoba Lie felt all the pent-up anger in his chest vanish completely, and he felt as if he had been reborn: "This is wonderful!"

Before setting out, probably no one in the entire Northern Di tribe expected that a mere Xueyuan Pass would hold off their Northern Di cavalry for so long.

It's a bit of a pity that Chu Shizhao got away, but it doesn't matter.

Tuoba Lie squinted and looked south, towards the vast heartland of the Central Plains.

He could almost see the Northern Di cavalry galloping across the fertile fields and hear the terrified cries of the Great Zhou people. A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips, revealing his gleaming white teeth.

Once Xueyuan Pass is breached, the road ahead will be wide open. At that point, no matter how capable Chu Shizhao is, he will be unable to conjure up a force capable of stopping the Northern Di cavalry's charge.

"Come here, prepare your horses!"

Just as Tuoba Lie was about to mount his horse and enter the pass, he suddenly heard shouts of battle coming from the direction of Xueyuan Pass.

His outstretched hand froze in mid-air, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

Didn't those commanders say that all the enemies in Xueyuan Pass had been wiped out?

Why did they start fighting again?

An enemy ambush?

One question after another kept popping into Tuoba Lie's mind.

(End of this chapter)