PFC Chapter 347 Taking a Risk
Chapter 347 Taking a Risk
"Why can't you be an unusual emperor? No factional strife, no internal strife, just hand over the reins of government to trusted ministers, and do whatever you want?" Bai Wuyou proposed.
He once thought that if he were to become emperor, he would be an easy emperor, one who wouldn't be so suspicious that it would cause unrest for both the court and himself.
"The saying goes, 'If you're not in a position, you shouldn't meddle in its affairs.' Once you're in that position, you're no longer in control of your own destiny. It's best not to touch it." Shen Li's attitude of refusal was very firm.
"Alright then." Bai Wuyou took a breath and said, "I'll talk about it next time."
“…” Shen Li.
This was the first time she had ever seen someone persuaded to plot a coup.
"Get out, I want to go back to sleep."
Li Rui had already left the capital when the Prince of Ning rebelled. At this time, he was leading the troops of the governors-general of the three provinces, plus the officers and soldiers stationed in the surrounding prefectures, totaling 130,000 men.
When Xu Sheng arrived, his army had grown to 200,000 men, a truly formidable force.
At this time, 200,000 people were trapped outside Tiger's Mouth Pass. It is said that there were only 20,000 people inside the pass. However, the pass was built to defend against foreign enemies and was very steep. Before Xu Sheng arrived, he had attacked the city several times without any significant results, and instead suffered heavy losses.
Shen Li saw Li Rui again in the central military tent. However, after not seeing him for a while, Li Rui had obviously lost weight, and even his usually flirtatious and amorous eyes were now filled with sorrow.
She finally understood why he had always refused to vie for the throne; he probably didn't want to live such a life all the time.
Exhausting one's energy and effort can never compare to the freedom of living a carefree life.
When Li Rui saw her arrive, he waved for the eunuchs in the tent to leave, and gave her a bitter smile: "When will this ever end? It's been so long since I've had a drink."
"The capable should do more," Shen Li comforted her.
"I'm considered a capable person, so do you think our royal family is running out of talent?" he muttered under his breath.
"How can you talk such nonsense?"
"I was just venting to you, you wouldn't impeach me, would you, Imperial Censor Shen?" Li Rui teased her.
Upon hearing that familiar tone, Shen Li noticed a hint of anger on his face; his previous sorrowful expression was completely unlike him.
"You're just being cheeky," Shen Li chuckled.
"You really made a name for yourself in the battle against the Rongdi. How does the battlefield compare to the imperial court?" Li Rui poured her a cup of tea.
“It’s much more straightforward than all the intricacies of court politics. If my family weren’t in the capital, I would even want to stay on the border.” Shen Li didn’t need to hide anything from Li Rui, and spoke frankly.
"We still need to be careful. Swords don't have eyes; they can't recognize a peerless beauty." Li Rui's gaze was almost fixed on her face.
"You're so sweet-talking. I didn't come here just to talk. What exactly happened in the capital? Was it the work of that Hu princess?" Her previous guesses were just that—guessings. She wanted to find someone to confirm them.
"That's right. When she couldn't get close to me, she turned to my brother. My brother was sent by the Emperor to the Ministry of War to assist in troop deployment and was in and out of the palace all day long. After she rescued the deposed Crown Prince and Zhou Zhen from the Ministry of Justice prison, she used my brother to enter the inner palace and take away the former Crown Prince's concubine."
"Zhou Zhen and Zhou Qianqian were taken away too?" Shen Li felt like all her years of scheming had been for nothing; the people she had finally managed to get in had all escaped.
“Yes, Zhou Zhen played a significant role in the success of the deposed crown prince. As the chief minister for many years, he had cultivated a large network of connections. Seeing that the new chief minister was about to be purged, those people naturally followed him in rebellion,” Li Rui recounted.
Shen Li understood: "No wonder they were able to assemble such a large force in such a short time. They've gathered all the traitors, including the Red Lotus Sect and an internal spy, saving us the trouble of searching everywhere."
"But the pass before us is easy to defend and difficult to attack. We may not be confident that we can take them down before they capture the capital." Li Rui looked worried.
Although he always thought of being a carefree prince, he was not necessarily indifferent to matters of state and family.
“I came here to talk to you about this. Give me some men, and I’ll take a detour and go straight for it—” Shen Li walked to the map and pointed to a city with her slender hand: “Here.”
"Rock Town?" Li Rui narrowed his eyes slightly.
Rock Town gets its name from its many rocks and mountains. The town has few flat roads, making it difficult for vehicles and horses to travel, which has led to its lagging development. If it weren't located between two important large cities, the town's defenses wouldn't have been built.
Shen Li drew a semicircle from the pass, which was a mountain road, and at the end of the mountain road was Rock Town.
“This town is a thousand miles away from Kyoto, with two cities in between. Even if we take it, it will be useless.” Li Rui shook his head slightly. “Moreover, the mountain roads are steep and difficult to travel. Some deep forests are full of wild animals and poisonous miasma. Many people will die if we travel through them.”
“They think so too, so they won’t send troops to guard it. They just want to get through.” Shen Li then pointed to the two towns on the left and right of the small town: “If I occupy this place, won’t it cut off their army’s communication with the front and rear, as well as the transportation of supplies?”
Li Rui's expression gradually changed; he was becoming interested.
"Of course, this is not the end of the plan, but just the beginning." Shen Li winked playfully.
After listening, Li Rui thought for a long time before saying, "If this plan succeeds, the rebels will be doomed. However, it is too risky. I will send someone to do it, so you don't need to go."
“Alright, then please have Ninth Prince select a general who is eloquent, whose words are credible, and who can defeat me.” Shen Li readily agreed.
Li Rui couldn't do anything about it: "But I can't let you take such a big risk."
"I still have to go. Given the hatred Li Heng and Zhou Qianqian harbor towards me, if they really gain control of the world, the first ones to suffer will be me and my family." Shen Li looked at him: "Do you think I should take the risk now, or wait until I'm caught and then start cursing them out?"
“But… at least…” Li Rui couldn’t make that decision.
"If you keep nagging, I'll knock you out and lead the troops away myself." Shen Li raised an eyebrow.
Li Rui finally compromised: "How many people do you want?"
"Five thousand," Shen Li answered decisively.
“Not enough. Five thousand people crossed the primeval jungle, and five hundred of them would be considered a lot.” Li Rui shook his head: “I’ll give you twenty thousand.”
“Brother, I’m going to launch a surprise attack, not to raze the town to the ground. Five thousand men are enough,” Shen Li said firmly.
She has her own trump card.
She mustered her troops and set off in the latter half of that night. Before leaving, she went to Lin Wan'er's tent to say goodbye and was given two short muskets, which she hid in her boots.
This time, the 5,000 men were infantry, but she still used her trusted men Ma Zheng and Chen Su to lead the troops. The two knew the danger, but they followed Shen Li without hesitation.
Shen Li's trump card was Bai Wuyou, who was standing beside her in a Taoist robe. He was also accompanied by two young Taoist disciples, who were the two maids Shen Li was familiar with, Chaoyang and Mingyue.
"Hello everyone," Shen Li greeted them.
The two maids still couldn't forget that Shen Li had once been their prisoner, but they still had to respectfully address him as "Lord Shen".
Bai Wuyou is skilled in alchemy and medicine making, and he is also well-versed in wilderness survival skills. Most importantly, he is highly skilled in martial arts. Of course, Shen Li values his excellent lightness skill, which allows him to fly.