Who says the prince is weak and can't take care of himself?

Chapter 160 It’s Dangerous, But It Can Be Done

The time, the place and the people are all right. The time can be waited for and the place can be found. Your Majesty is seeking the harmony of the people.

There probably wasn't a princess of marriageable age in the Zhou Kingdom, otherwise it wouldn't have been Tang Ling who was sent to Dachen.

However, Marquis Xun An would definitely not agree to the idea of ​​a marriage between Tang Ling and the Fifteenth Princess to form a coalition. If this were to happen, it would be like a knife hanging over the Tang family's head, threatening to kill them all at any moment. Using 100,000 tons of black iron ore as bait, are you sure you can trap the young emperor of Zhou?

Qi Xiao thought about it carefully and decided that yes, it was possible. The Emperor of Zhou had been on the throne for two years, and all the power in the government was in the hands of Xun Anhou. If he had any ambition at all, he would not be willing to be a puppet. He was the emperor supported by the Tang family, and it was impossible to get rid of Xun Anhou by ordinary means, unless there was a war. Anything could happen on the battlefield. Wouldn't Xun Anhou's death in battle also make him a legend as an emperor and a famous general?

Even if Xun Anhou survived, Tang Ling would be trapped in Dachen, unable to inherit her father's legacy. Your Majesty would be delighted to see the Zhou Emperor and the Tang family fall out, and might even help the Zhou Emperor kill Tang Ling. Your Majesty wouldn't even need to worry about it; hadn't the Dushifu already planned the assassination?

The more Qi Xiao thought about it, the more heartbroken he became. He unknowingly pinched Tang Ling's wrist, leaving a circle of red marks.

"I have a way, don't think too much."

Qi Xiao came to his senses and realized that he had squeezed Tang Ling to the point of cold sweats. He hurriedly let go of her hand and said, "I'm sorry. Does it hurt?"

Tang Ling shook her head: "It doesn't hurt."

Qi Xiao carefully massaged Tang Ling's wrist, and couldn't help but think of the days when he was chained by Chen Yuan. His wrists always bore deep marks from being bound, and occasionally rubbed raw, leaving traces of blood. Now that Chen Yuan had long been removed, why was Tang Ling still chained so tightly?!

"sorry."

"Qi Xiao, don't be so cautious with me. You're making me feel uneasy and even scared." Tang Ling repeated Qi Xiao's words, "It's never your fault."

"...Okay, go on."

"The Emperor has arranged for Princess Xihe to marry the Crown Prince of Chen."

"But the choice of crown prince has not yet been decided..." Qi Xiao smiled, "I want to see the drama of the succession battle."

Tang Ling smiled and said, "For the sake of the Zhou Kingdom's dignity, Princess Xihe naturally cannot marry casually."

"The marriage can be arranged, and His Majesty will probably agree. But a princess's marriage won't be completed in a year or two. The conditions are far inferior to your marriage with the Fifteenth Princess. His Majesty won't be satisfied, so he asked for 100,000 black iron ore, right?"

"Yes."

"How are you going to solve this game? What can I do?"

Tang Ling looked at Qi Xiao and said slowly, "I want to fight."

"You want me to lead the army to attack Qi? You want me to earn military merit? But even so, His Majesty will not give up your marriage with Shiwu."

"I'm with you."

Qi Xiao was stunned, stunned. He thought he had misheard. Tang Ling asked him to go to the battle, and Tang Ling wanted to go with him?!

If Tang Ling were with the Chen army during the attack on Qi, it would be impossible for Xun Anhou to suddenly break his promise and defect, putting the Chen army in danger. Otherwise, his only son, Tang Ling, would also die. Far from defecting, he would fully support the Chen army. As long as Your Majesty is determined to form an alliance to attack Qi, this would be more effective than any marriage.

"No! I can ask to fight, but you can't go."

"Why can't I? I've been with my father for ten years, why can't I?"

"no!"

Too dangerous! Attacking Qi from Zhou is a smooth journey; if you can't win, you can always run away. However, attacking Qi from Chen is separated by Fenglin Mountain, making it difficult for reinforcements to cross the mountains. Communication will be cut off, rescue efforts will be inadequate, and even baggage and supplies will be delayed. Once you cross Fenglin Mountain, you'll be isolated and have no way back. If you can't win, you'll die.

"Only if I go can the coalition be formed. Only if you go can I go." Tang Ling's fingertips touched Qi Xiao's eyebrows and cheeks, and she said softly, "Qi Xiao, my life is yours, my body is yours, I am yours, remember?"

Qi Xiao looked at Tang Ling, holding his hand and trembling uncontrollably. He remembered what he said, but that wasn't what he meant. He wanted Tang Ling to love him and only him for the rest of her life, not to die together!

Tang Ling gently licked Qi Xiao's lips, sucked slowly, prying open his lips and teeth bit by bit, entangled with him passionately. Tang Ling hugged Qi Xiao and sat on his lap. He had given Qi Xiao everything he wanted, and now he wanted it.

"Qi Xiao, give it to me."

"Tang Ling..." Qi Xiao breathed heavily and said in a hoarse voice, "I won't let you take any risks."

"So I married the fifteenth princess?"

"No!"

Tang Ling smiled, more charming than a flower: "Qi Xiao, give it to me."

At some point, Tang Ling's clothes were ripped open, and Qi Xiao bit his shoulder, as if he was holding back a lot of grievances and couldn't speak. He would give Tang Ling whatever she wanted.

Tang Ling held up Qi Xiao's face and asked, "Give it to me, okay?"

"……it is good."

***

Tang Ling lay on Qi Xiao's shoulder lazily.

"What do you want me to do?" Qi Xiao thought for a moment, "If we want to fight, the only way is to take the enemy by surprise and attack them when they are unprepared."

Fenglin Mountain is a natural barrier between Chen and Qi. At that time, Bai Liu's 300,000 troops could barely defend it. It was almost impossible to send troops from Dachen and capture the capital of Qi, Shuoliang, with a single army.

"Have you thought of it?" Tang Ling looked up at Qi Xiao.

Qi Xiao sighed. He knew why Tang Ling wanted to go, and also why she wanted him to go.

"Station troops in Fenglin Mountain before the heavy snow closes the mountain. Wait until next spring to attack Qi State by surprise."

Qi Xiao was familiar with Fenglin Mountain. He had been Lu Fangjin's guide in Fenglin Mountain. No one was more suitable than him.

After crossing Fenglin Mountain and reaching Qi territory, they could only use surprise attacks, capturing cities and territories as quickly as possible to reach Shuoliang. Since the baggage and supplies could not keep up, they simply gave up.

To use a surprise attack to penetrate Qi's six northeastern passes, without heavy troops and powerful weapons, intelligence was essential. This army must be like a sharp steel needle, piercing Qi's most vulnerable point, both swiftly and fiercely. With the Xingluo Guard and the Tiance Camp, this could be accomplished.

You can do it!

It's dangerous, but it can be done.

Tang Ling hooked Qi Xiao's finger, and he was trembling slightly with excitement.

Seeing Tang Ling's bright smile, Qi Xiao also smiled, but the more he smiled, the more bitter it became. He sighed again, "His Majesty will not tolerate you."

It is difficult for Dachen to send troops to attack Qi. Even if the whole country's troops cross Fenglin Mountain, it is almost impossible to win. That's why they want to unite with Zhou and use 100,000 black iron ores, or even more other things, to coerce and bribe Zhou to send troops. As long as Zhou and Qi go to war, the troops will be transferred eastward, and when Qi's troops are exhausted, Dachen can reap the benefits.

Tang Ling's strategy could preserve Zhou's military strength and national power, preventing him from becoming your Majesty's pawn, while also helping you achieve your ambition to conquer Qi. Winning would benefit both sides, while losing would not shake the foundations of the nation.

Tang Ling saw through His Majesty's plan and broke His Majesty's plan. Regardless of the success or failure of the attack on Qi, His Majesty cannot let him live.

"So you have to go even more. You have to protect me, right?"