Kong Ze gave Feng Yunshu a meaningful look. "Do you think that with the sophistication of you, a thousand - year - old cunning fox of a prince, he wouldn't know such news?"
Feng Yunshu thought seriously for a while, then nodded in agreement. "Third Senior Brother, you're right. With his cunning, how could he not know such a major piece of news? It seems that the clown is actually me. I really know nothing..."
"Alright. We'll talk about Concubine Mu's matter in detail later. First, take me to see that man named Chang Ying. I need to confirm whether he is actually Zhu Shan."
At the mention of Zhu Shan, both Feng Yunshu and Kong Ze's expressions unconsciously turned solemn. Zhu Shan was like a scourge to them.
Meanwhile, when Heranyan Ting was on the city wall discussing with General Shi how to make the Dan Kingdom surrender, Yan Qi stepped forward and whispered in his ear, "My lord, according to the secret guards' report, a suspicious strange man pretended to be a soldier and entered the princess's camp."
Heranyan Ting's face darkened slightly. "Keep an eye on him and see what his purpose is."
"Yes, my lord."
General Shi noticed that Heranyan Ting's expression was a bit off and asked, "Military Advisor, have you encountered any troubles? Why do you look so impatient?"
Heranyan Ting silently glanced at General Shi. "It's nothing. Continue with what we were talking about."
"Are you really okay?" General Shi thought the military advisor must have something on his mind. His face was so gloomy. "Could it be that you've had a quarrel with Miss Yun Xi?"
General Shi started to be self - righteous. "I think Miss Yun Xi has a gentle and kind personality. Logically, she shouldn't have a conflict with the military advisor... Unlike my wife at home. She's extremely tough. Every time I go back home, she'll be the first one to scold me..."
Heranyan Ting's eyebrows twitched. He glanced at the overly talkative General Shi again. "General Shi, do you have any more family matters to share? How about sitting down and having a cup of tea to chat in detail?"
General Shi got a shock and seemed to just realize his mistake. He quickly shook his head and smiled awkwardly. "No, no. I talked too much just now. I hope the military advisor won't mind."
Heranyan Ting turned to look at the Dan Kingdom's soldiers' camp across the way and then signaled the soldiers beside him to hang the captured Duke Ding on the city wall.
Previously, Feng Yunshu was hung horizontally, parallel to the ground, and kept swaying. She felt so nauseous that she almost vomited. It was extremely uncomfortable.
Now, the Duke Ding was even worse. He was hung upside - down with his feet tied. His head was facing down. Soon, his brain was congested, his face turned red, and his head was buzzing.
The soldiers of the Dan Kingdom across the way saw the Duke Ding hanging on the city wall, wriggling like a caterpillar. They couldn't help but look at each other in dismay, seeing panic and confusion in each other's eyes.
"Deputy General Lin, the Duke Ding has been captured by the enemy. What should we do now? Should we still fight?"
The soldiers, like headless chickens, cast pleading looks at Deputy General Lin. The commander - in - chief and the generals of the Dan Kingdom's army were either dead or disabled. There was also General Li who had just been captured, and the Duke Ding hanging on the city wall. At the moment, the only one they could turn to for help was Deputy General Lin.
Deputy General Lin looked at the Duke Ding hanging upside - down on the city wall in the distance with a dark face. His expression was extremely complex.
Not long ago, he had discussed with the Duke Ding that when the Third Prince and General Li were captured on the charge of treason, this chance to make meritorious deeds would fall to him. As long as he could successfully defeat the Dan Kingdom and capture Stone City, he would no longer be just Deputy General Lin but General Lin, a famous and meritorious general of the Dan Kingdom!
But now...
The Duke Ding had been captured. Should he seize this last chance to fight to the death with the enemy, or could he choose...
Thinking of this, Deputy General Lin said, "Everyone, don't act rashly. I have my own plan."
Soon, Deputy General Lin proposed to meet with General Shi and Heranyan Ting to talk in detail.
General Shi and Heranyan Ting agreed to Deputy General Lin's request. The two sides soon met in a camp.
Heranyan Ting had roughly guessed Deputy General Lin's intention when he made the request. After listening to what he said, he was even more certain of his thought. At the same time, he also thought that this Deputy General Lin was really treacherous.
"General Shi, Military Advisor Ting Yan, now that the Duke Ding is in your hands, it's really not advisable for us to act rashly. However, this news hasn't reached the imperial city yet. If I insist on continuing this war, it will surely be a life - and - death battle. Your Yuan Kingdom's soldiers will also suffer some losses."
Deputy General Lin got straight to the point. "I won't beat around the bush with you. The Dan Kingdom's military camp is already in a complete mess. I have no intention of staying any longer."
"Moreover, if I go back after this defeat, I'm afraid I'll lose my head. But if your Yuan Kingdom can promise to spare my life and give me the position of a general, I'll lead all the remaining Dan Kingdom soldiers to surrender to you. How about it?"
Everything was within Heranyan Ting's expectation. After hearing this, Heranyan Ting couldn't help but sneer and raised his eyebrows playfully as he glanced at Deputy General Lin. "Deputy General Lin has made good plans for himself early on."
"Well..." Deputy General Lin felt a bit embarrassed. "As the saying goes, if a man doesn't think for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him. I'm just trying to survive better."
Heranyan Ting didn't say anything more. General Shi turned to look at him and asked in a consultative tone, "What do you think, Military Advisor?"
Deputy General Lin looked at the two people sitting in the upper seats and suddenly felt a bit confused, as if he had discovered something new.
In any army, the highest - ranking one is naturally the general. The military advisor is just there to offer strategies for the general's reference. How come this military advisor named Ting Yan has such a grand manner? It seems that even General Shi has to follow his advice.
This is really strange...
Heranyan Ting pondered for a moment. His expression remained calm, making it hard to guess what was on his mind.
After a while, he said, "Yes."
Hearing this, the heart that Deputy General Lin had been holding in his throat finally fell back to its place. General Shi glanced at Deputy General Lin. He originally wanted to say something to Heranyan Ting, but in the end, he just moved his lips and didn't say anything. He just nodded in agreement. "I also think it's feasible. In that case, I'll accept the surrender of the Dan Kingdom."
With General Shi's words, Deputy General Lin felt more at ease. He was extremely proud of himself, thinking that he was really smart and resourceful. He could not only save himself in this ever - changing situation but also continue to be a general. He thought the treatment in the Yuan Kingdom wouldn't be too bad.
"Thank you, General Shi and Military Advisor, for your kindness! This is truly a win - win situation. You two are really wise!"
Soon, General Lin was sent back to the Yuan Kingdom's side. Heranyan Ting asked him to go back and tell the Dan Kingdom's soldiers and prepare for the surrender.
After seeing General Lin off, General Shi immediately said what he hadn't said before. "Second Prince, is this really appropriate? I think this Deputy General Lin is reckless in nature. He has repeatedly betrayed his master for personal gain and is too selfish. If such a despicable person is really made a general of our Yuan Kingdom, won't it cause chaos?"
Heranyan Ting smiled, picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and then looked at him calmly. "Since General Shi is so worried about this, why didn't you object just now?"
General Shi was stunned for a moment and then immediately replied, "Didn't you, Your Highness, say 'yes' just now?"
"Oh? So General Shi has no objection?"
General Shi nodded. "Yes. Although I have objections, in the end, I still have to follow your opinion, right?"
"Hehe."
Heranyan Ting smiled again. He suddenly understood why General Shi was so easily persuaded to defect. With such a straightforward and inflexible way of thinking, not many people could have it.
"What? Does Your Highness have any concerns?"
Heranyan Ting shook his head. The smile on his face gradually faded, and his eyes were filled with confidence and calmness as if he had complete control of the situation.
"General, you don't need to worry. This Deputy General Lin is really not a good person. What I want is the surrender. As for his ending, it's none of my business."
With General Shi's way of thinking, he couldn't understand Heranyan Ting's words for a while. "I don't know what Your Highness means by this..."
"General Shi just sit back and watch the show."
In front of this mysterious Second Prince who always seemed to know everything, General Shi felt that his brain was really not enough. In the end, he gave up thinking and chose to continue to trust him.
Sure enough, the good show soon began.