Chương 226: Killing the Chicken to Warn the Monkey
"It appears that Yueying and the others have already made their move." Xianyue sat by the riverbank, where the darkness enveloped the area, but even the slightest glimmer on the opposite shore was palpable. Looking up at the rockets descending toward the iron chain ships, she murmured.
Bai Pingting followed Xianyue's gaze, her eyes catching the flickering lights in the far distance. The once pitch-black night sky was now dotted with shimmering sparks, like stars embedded in the heavens, gradually falling down.
Xianyue rose to her feet, feeling the dampness of the ground seep into her attire after sitting there for the entire night. In that fleeting moment, the rockets struck the large ship newly constructed by the Xuanyuan army. Bai Pingting stood up alongside her, brushing off her skirts. In the blink of an eye, a massive blaze erupted on the river surface, illuminating their side instantly with fiery brilliance.
"Sister Pingting, instruct the soldiers stationed by the river to board the ships."
Though aware that diesel could fuel the flames, Bai Pingting had not anticipated such a devastating effect. In mere moments, the fire spread swiftly, fueled by the river winds, seemingly eager to engulf the entire surface of the river. She pondered that perhaps she was not mistaken; in addition to the oil-filled barrels placed beneath the ship by the Green Garb, there were also barrels on the river surface. The rockets had pierced these barrels, causing the oil to leak onto the water, making the vicinity around the ships ignitable. Even if the Xuanyuan soldiers jumped in, unless they submerged completely, their efforts would be in vain. Although the water in the Biluo River was not frozen at this time of year, it was still frigid at night. Submerging underwater was manageable for the White Chu soldiers accustomed to it, but for the Xuanyuan soldiers, it was an insurmountable challenge; survival would largely depend on sheer luck.
"Sister Pingting."
Noticing Bai Pingting's delayed response, Xianyue turned and called her name sharply. "Never mind." She withdrew a prepared firework from her bosom. She had entrusted this operation to Cheng Qiang, with whom she had previously arranged to cross the river upon seeing the fireworks.
The colorful fireworks erupted, illuminating the dark night with hues that contrasted sharply against the fiery backdrop. Cheng Qiang, waiting by the riverside, immediately ordered the White Chu troops to board the ships upon seeing the signal. He found it puzzling why the princess chose to mobilize the 50,000 soldiers from White Chu when they had a combined force of 200,000, including 100,000 from the Lan Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the soldiers of White Chu had already boarded the ships, and the river surface south of the Biluo River sparkled with flickering lights.
"Princess, what are you sending them to do?"
"I'm concerned for the Green Garb. I want Cheng Qiang to go to their aid."
"Why not take this opportunity to eliminate Xuanyuan Hao?"
After this battle, Xuanyuan Hao would undoubtedly suffer significant setbacks. In the past, with 300,000 Xuanyuan troops present, she would have feared a counterattack in response to Xuanyuan Hao's demise. But now, even if they attempted to retaliate, her forces could easily counteract. If Xuanyuan were no more, who could contend with Fenglan? Such a prime opportunity squandered would be a pity.
"There's only one route from Baishan to Biluo River. If we move a large army, it would be impossible to cross the Biluo River under Xuanyuan's nose without alerting him. The soldiers accompanying Xuanyuan Hao are fiercely loyal, having followed him for years. This fire won't claim everyone's life; we must seize this chance to pursue. Do you think the remaining soldiers will allow us to harm Xuanyuan Hao?"
Bai Pingting gazed at Xianyue, contemplating for a moment before remaining silent. Perhaps not. Just as they were devoted to the princess, even if they were besieged in the future, they would fight to protect her, ensuring she faced no harm. They believed the princess would avenge them, fulfilling their worth.
"Xuanyuan Hao will surely flee back to Chu."
If her intent was mutual destruction, she wouldn't employ such an intense strategy at night.
"We must pursue vigorously, ensuring Xuanyuan Hao does not return to his kingdom." Although there had been minimal casualties this morning for Feng Kingdom, Lan Kingdom, and even White Chu, the soldiers of Xuanyuan who perished in the flames were also innocent. Sacrificing these 300,000 was acceptable; beyond that, she feared the burden of such bloodshed would be unbearable.
Across the vast expanse of the Biluo River, Xianyue could faintly hear cries for help echoing from the other side, piercing her heart with their desperate, sorrowful resonance.
"Princess, if it pains you, don't watch."
Xianyue did not turn away; her bright eyes fixed unwaveringly on the direction of the Xuanyuan army. For those Xuanyuan soldiers who could not swim, the raging fire was a merciless deathtrap. Regardless of whether she looked or not, events had unfolded. She would feel culpable for their deaths, for this was her conception of war—an unavoidable reality.
"Sister Pingting, no need for a large-scale war; this land of Xuanyuan will soon belong to the Lan Kingdom." Given the current smooth progress, she hoped her next plans would also unfold seamlessly.
"Summon Young Master Bai and the other generals."
The soldiers patrolling in the shadows had noticed the unusual activity across the river. Approaching the riverbank and gazing at the flames on the opposite shore, they were bewildered. The river was full of water; how could such a massive fire occur? And judging by the flames, it appeared that the river itself was ablaze.
Before the Lan soldiers could reach Bai Zhanfeng's camp, they saw him rushing out in a frenzy.
"Young Master Bai, our queen requests your presence along with the other generals."
"Where is she?" Bai Zhanyuan asked anxiously. Since this afternoon, he and several generals from the Bai family had been cooped up in the tent, and the outside had remained eerily quiet until just moments ago when they heard the distant sound of fireworks followed by a series of piercing screams that sent chills down their spines. Though faint, the cries were unmistakable, and he yearned to rush out. However, remembering Xuan Yue's instructions from this morning, he held back. Suddenly, the once-silent tent erupted with commotion, the cacophony of hurried footsteps thudding against his heart. Unable to contain himself any longer, he burst out of the tent, followed closely by the other generals from Bai Chu.
Following a soldier to the riverbank, Bai Zhanyuan was met with flames leaping into the sky, as if hell itself sought to engulf the world. He widened his eyes; despite the great distance, he could almost feel the searing heat radiating from the inferno across the river.
He turned to Xuan Yue beside him, her white attire and black hair billowing in the river breeze, exuding an air of calm composure. The slight upturn of her lips appeared cold and cruel to him as he gazed at the opposite shore. The previous bloodcurdling screams gradually clarified, unmistakably emanating from the other side. How had it come to this? How could such a tremendous fire exist? Weren't the Xuanyuan troops preparing to attack them? Everyone's gaze converged on Xuan Yue.
"I ordered the destruction of all Xuanyuan vessels," Xuan Yue stated matter-of-factly, the flickering flames casting alternating shadows across her serene face.
So, the Xuanyuan army wouldn't be able to attack them for the time being, but what of those screams? Did even the fierce Xuanyuan soldiers fear fire?
"Xuanyuan Hao had intended to assault us this morning, and their soldiers had already boarded the ships. I had them douse the bottoms of the vessels with kerosene, so—"
Xuan Yue glanced at the astonished ministers behind her and gestured toward the raging sea of flames. "What burns is not merely the Xuanyuan ships, but also their soldiers."
Her tone was calm, so casually indifferent, as if she were merely discussing the weather. The implication was clear: she had allowed those men to burn alive. The curiosity and confusion in their eyes swiftly transformed into a deep-seated terror, mirroring the fire across the river that seemed poised to consume them all. Although they harbored animosity towards Xuanyuan, as seasoned warriors, they understood that such a strategy—defeating the enemy without losing a single soldier—was indeed superior. Yet those were living men, all trapped aboard. Even if there were not three hundred thousand of them, it was still a significant number, burning alive. They stared at Xuan Yue; if they had once regarded her with respect, it had now morphed into fear. Was this truly a woman standing before them? They pondered, questioning their own lack of such audacity, such courage, and such means. It was no wonder she radiated such confidence; all of this had clearly been calculated in advance. If Xuanyuan Hao could suffer such a disastrous defeat at her hands, how much more so would they of Bai Chu?
"Since you are so assured of victory, what need have you for my military talisman?"
Bai Zhanyuan gazed at Xuan Yue, lost in thought. She was indeed far more ruthless than he had imagined.
"Xuanyuan Hao is retreating north with his men. I have dispatched Cheng Qiang to lead your Bai family's soldiers to pursue them. Moreover, with Green Attire and the others still on the north bank, I must send someone to support them. Your Bai family is bound to be the main force in this battle."
That was just how she was; everything came so naturally to her.
"What do you intend to do with those men?" Bai Zhanyuan's voice trembled with urgency.
"I merely want Cheng Qiang to drive Xuanyuan back. Do you really believe that at this moment, Xuanyuan Hao is preoccupied with selecting a battlefield to engage your Bai army?"
In the glow of the flames, Bai Zhanyuan's eyes turned cold. Her intent was clear: she could easily obliterate the Bai forces.
"I, Feng Xuan Yue, am only cruel to my enemies. As I mentioned yesterday, I hope Bai Gongzi and the other generals will consider this carefully to avoid unnecessary casualties."
With that, Xuan Yue turned to leave. The others watched her retreating figure, understanding that this was a clear warning: her words were both a threat and an undeniable truth.
"Princess." Bai Pingting followed her, "I'm tired and wish to rest. Let's go to the north bank together tomorrow."
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