Chapter 175: The Discriminated Envoy!

The northern territories ceded by the Emperor were about to be reclaimed by them!

At that moment, a guard rushed in, panting. “General, urgent report! The emperor has sent an imperial edict...”

Yue Fei was taken aback. An imperial edict? The soldiers were equally bewildered. Why would the emperor issue an edict at such a time?

Yue Fei thought for a moment. “Where is the messenger from the palace? Take me to him.”

Shortly after, he arrived before the eunuch and folded his hands in greeting.

“Sir, where is His Majesty’s edict?”

The eunuch replied indifferently, “General Yue, please receive the edict. Here it is.”

Yue Fei and his men immediately bowed. The eunuch began to recite the decree with a rhythmic cadence.

“By imperial decree: Since you are leading your troops to the border in the height of autumn, enduring harsh winds and frost, the journey is arduous. If there are any special circumstances, you may report them in confidence. Since the division of the north and south, the court has been deeply concerned.

“The upper reaches of the Yangtze River are under your care in times of emergency. You must also ensure that the remaining troops are well trained and prepared, as if the Great Zhou Army were coming.

“The armies at Qiyang and Jiangzhou should also be dispatched as needed. Why should you worry? You must return to the capital immediately. If you are loyal to the country, there is no need to say more.”

When the eunuch finished reading, silence fell over the camp. Every soldier stood frozen in disbelief.

Though the edict was wrapped in polite words—acknowledging the hardships of battle and reassuring him of his troops—its true message was undeniable. The emperor was summoning Yue Fei back to the capital immediately.

Especially the final line. “If you are loyal to the country, there is no need to say more.” A clear warning. If he disobeyed, would he not be labeled disloyal?

Yet this was a critical moment in the war against Great Zhou. If he left now, how could the northern territories be reclaimed?

The soldiers stared in shock, unable to comprehend the emperor’s reasoning. Even Yue Fei found it hard to believe. He frowned at the eunuch.

“The battle against Great Zhou is at a decisive juncture. How can I leave now? Let me finish this campaign and reclaim the north. Then I will return to report to His Majesty.”

The eunuch’s expression remained cold.

“His Majesty orders General Yue to depart immediately. Do you intend to defy the imperial edict?”

At the mere mention of defying an edict, the camp fell into stunned silence. No one had expected Zhao Ji to force Yue Fei’s return at such a moment.

Yue Fei stood motionless for a long time.

The eunuch grew impatient. “General Yue, will you not accept the decree? Or do you harbor disloyal intentions and refuse to return to the capital?”

The soldiers glared at the eunuch in anger.

Yue Fei sighed. “I accept the decree.”

“General Yue...” His officers looked at him in disbelief.

Yue Fei smiled faintly. “The war against Great Zhou is nearing its end. Our army holds the advantage. As long as you fight well, it will be the same with or without me. I will return to the capital to see His Majesty.”

The soldiers fell silent, their faces tense, but they nodded.

Two hours later, Yue Fei departed.

On the other side, a scout rushed into the Great Zhou camp.

“General, Yue Fei has left with his personal guards, returning to Song territory.”

Heichi Changzhi smiled. “The plan worked.”

“Prime Minister Yang truly leaves nothing to chance!” one of the officers exclaimed.

The others nodded in admiration. The infamous strategist had orchestrated everything perfectly from thousands of miles away, manipulating human nature with precision.

Heichi Changzhi stroked his chin and smirked.

“The Song army only dares to challenge us because of Yue Fei. Now that he is gone...” His eyes glinted. “Those soldiers are nothing to fear.”

“Prepare my orders. We strike tomorrow night.”

“Yes, General!”

The following night, as darkness fell, Heichi Changzhi led his forces in a surprise attack on the Song army camp.

Despite Yue Fei’s meticulous planning, a leaderless army was like a body without a head. It could still move, but it would never be as swift or decisive. The moment the night raid began, the Song soldiers descended into chaos.

Outside the command tent, the high-ranking officers were in disarray.

“The Great Zhou Army is attacking! What do we do?”

“We must withdraw at once!”

“No! If we retreat now, they will chase us down!”

“But we don’t even know how many enemies there are. Why not retreat first?”

Arguments broke out among the officers, while the deputy generals looked lost. In the past, they never had to make these decisions. When Yue Fei was here, they simply followed his orders.

Now that he was gone, they were at a complete loss.

Three hours later, Heichi Changzhi breached the Song camp.

Days later, in Luoyang.

“Your Majesty, a great victory!”

A soldier burst into the imperial court, kneeling with excitement.

“Yue Fei was recalled by Song Emperor Zhao Ji. General Heichi Changzhi led a night raid, crushing the enemy! Out of their 200,000 elite troops, 30,000 were slain, 60,000 captured, and the rest fled!”

A hush fell over the court. Officials inhaled sharply, turning to Yang Yi in shock.

The plan had worked!

Without a single Great Zhou soldier lost, without even raising a blade himself, Yang Yi had orchestrated a disaster for the enemy. A single scheme had shattered the Song army’s strongest pillar.

Who else but the world’s greatest strategist could accomplish this?

Xu Jingzong and the others shuddered, their admiration for Yang Yi reaching its peak. He truly was the Living Yama, grasping the depths of human nature like no other.

Wu Zhao’s eyes flickered, a hint of admiration—and something deeper—hidden within.

As long as this man stood in her sight, she felt an unparalleled sense of security.

Under her sleeve, her pale fingers curled into a fist. A strange thought crossed her mind.

Yang Yi had accumulated so many achievements. He was only a step away from being granted the title of duke. In truth, with his contributions, even a princely title would be justified.

But he was barely in his twenties. If he was already on the verge of being ennobled, what would come next?

The young empress fell into deep thought.