15: Chapter 15 Zhao Yun's Birth!
"Mr. Zhao, you have a brilliant plan. If we can accelerate the depletion of the Northern Barbarians' food supplies, they won't be able to hold out for long and will be forced to retreat as quickly as possible."
Princess Zhu Yunxi was becoming quite excited now.
Caiwei approached with a tea bowl and gently placed it before Zhao Zilong. "Mr. Zhao, please have some tea."
Zhao Zilong's mouth was indeed a bit dry. He took a small sip of tea and said, "Of course, there is another possibility: the leader of the Northern Barbarian army might decide to burn their bridges and make a desperate gamble."
"How would they burn their bridges?"
Princess Zhu Yunxi was truly puzzled. Caiwei had no idea what Zhao Zilong was talking about; she barely understood the concept of overextending the enemy's lines.
She only knew that the Princess was clearly happy, so the method must be feasible.
Outside the door, Cai Wenjing also couldn't fathom how the enemy could make such a desperate gamble.
In her view, Zhao Zilong's strategy was foolproof; the Northern Barbarians would have no choice but to return empty-handed, having wasted a massive amount of manpower and resources for nothing.
Zhao Zilong raised his hand and pointed at the defense map again. He said, "Princess, please look. If the Northern Barbarian general is a ruthless man, he will lead his army to bypass Yulong City and head straight for Ye City, striking directly at the Imperial City."
As Princess Zhu Yunxi followed the route Zhao Zilong traced in the air, her expression changed, showing a hint of worry.
"Mr. Zhao, if the Northern Barbarian army really does this, can the Imperial City be held?"
Zhao Zilong said, "Under normal circumstances, if the Northern Barbarians dispatched fifty thousand troops for a surprise attack on the Imperial City, it would be impossible to defend. Of course, that's assuming we haven't anticipated the possibility. If we are prepared, then the Northern Barbarians bypassing the city would be no different from seeking death."
"Mr. Zhao, I understand the strategy you've described. You possess great talent, and I truly admire you."
Princess Zhu Yunxi said with a face full of respect, "I must trouble you to work a bit harder, Mr. Zhao, to write this strategy down in detail. I will immediately send someone to deliver it to His Majesty in the Imperial City so that he can make a decision early."
Zhao Zilong nodded slightly.
Princess Zhu Yunxi personally ground the ink for Zhao Zilong.
Zhao Zilong began to write. He actually felt some admiration for his predecessor; the handwriting was excellent and didn't embarrass him.
The brush moved like dancing dragons and snakes, vigorous and powerful—the complete opposite of his predecessor's cowardly, cautious, and patient personality.
In less than fifteen minutes, Zhao Zilong finished writing the strategy.
"Mr. Zhao, for presenting this plan, I will certainly submit a memorial to His Majesty to request a reward for you."
Zhao Zilong naturally wanted to earn merit. If he could gain His Majesty's appreciation, a rapid rise through the ranks would no longer be a dream.
However, there was still some time before the Northern Barbarians attacked Daye, and unexpected things could happen. If the plan failed, he wouldn't just lack merit; he would be guilty of a crime.
That would be troublesome.
The Princess's current gratitude was one thing, but it didn't mean the Empress would let him off if something went wrong.
He had no relationship with the Empress whatsoever.
"Princess, this is merely my duty. As long as I can resolve the crisis of Daye and help you, I am satisfied. I do not seek any reward."
Zhao Zilong spoke with an air of sincerity.
"Mr. Zhao, what do you mean by that?"
Princess Zhu Yunxi was puzzled.
Zhao Zilong said, "Princess, as I mentioned before, please just write any name you like. Just don't write mine."
Zhao Zilong had thought it through. It didn't matter if his name was on it now. If the plan failed and the Princess hadn't used his name, based on what he knew of her, she certainly wouldn't expose him, ensuring his safety.
If the plan succeeded, he had ten thousand ways to let the world know the strategy came from him.
By then, the credit would naturally fall into his hands; it wouldn't escape him.
"Mr. Zhao, your selflessness truly earns my admiration."
Zhao Zilong had a pure heart and great talent, yet he did not seek fame or fortune. Princess Zhu Yunxi deeply respected such a person.
Caiwei also hadn't expected Zhao Zilong to be so indifferent to fame and wealth, refusing such great credit.
In her nearly twenty years of life, she had never seen someone like him.
In her heart, she felt immense respect for Zhao Zilong.
She felt regret for her previous attitude toward him.
"No wonder he's been in the Fuzheng Division for so many years without standing out; it turns out he has such a detached nature. However, Zhao Zilong, it's not good to hide such talent. I must make sure you are put to good use."
"The Remnants of the Previous Dynasty have infiltrated Qingyang County, clearly coming for the Princess. I was just worrying about how to deal with them when you, Zhao Zilong, popped up. I'll have to make you responsible for this matter."
Furthermore, Zhao Zilong had a grudge against Cao Yun. Cao Yun was a useless glutton who occupied a position without doing any work. Cai Wenjing had long wanted to kick Cao Yun out of the Fuzheng Division but never had the chance.
Now, perhaps she could use the conflict between Zhao Zilong and Cao Yun to drive Cao Yun out, which would also allow Zhao Zilong to take over as a Little Flag.
"Zhao Zilong, you want a quiet life, but I simply won't allow it."
"Mr. Zhao, go back and have a good rest today. Just come back tomorrow to organize the records."
Princess Zhu Yunxi didn't want Zhao Zilong to overwork himself.
After Zhao Zilong left, Cai Wenjing walked in.
"Wenjing, why are you back?"
Princess Zhu Yunxi asked, puzzled.
Cai Wenjing said, "Princess, I just received news that Remnants of the Previous Dynasty have infiltrated Qingyang County. I'm afraid they are coming for you."
"The Remnants of the Previous Dynasty are causing chaos in Daye, which has a massive impact. His Majesty is also very anxious about this, but there has been no way to solve it. It is indeed a major hidden threat."
Princess Zhu Yunxi said with a somber expression.
Cai Wenjing said, "Yes, the Remnants of the Previous Dynasty can't be wiped out. You kill one batch, and another appears. It's truly a headache."
At this point, Cai Wenjing changed the subject. "Princess, I actually have an idea."
"What idea?"
"You might as well ask Clerk Zhao how this should be resolved."
"Wenjing, you didn't happen to overhear Mr. Zhao's words, did you?"
"I won't hide it from you, Princess; I did hear. Zhao Zilong has extraordinary talent. Perhaps he has a way to solve this matter."
"I will ask Mr. Zhao tomorrow. Wenjing, you say Mr. Zhao is so indifferent to fame that he doesn't want His Majesty to know he provided the poem and the strategy. Do you think I should agree to his request?"
"Princess, for the time being, you don't have to reveal his name."
Princess Zhu Yunxi nodded. After Cai Wenjing left, she packed up the poem and the strategy Zhao Zilong had written.
However, she knew that the Empress would definitely want to know who wrote the poem and who offered the strategy.
After thinking a lot, as if possessed, Princess Zhu Yunxi wrote down a name—Zhao Yun.
"Princess, you haven't fallen for Mr. Zhao, have you? This name you've chosen is so meaningful."
Seeing the pseudonym 'Zhao Yun', Caiwei couldn't help but think of something, her face full of surprise.
Princess Zhu Yunxi gave Caiwei a sidelong glance and said, "Caiwei, don't talk nonsense. I only have respect for Mr. Zhao, not romantic feelings. As for the name Zhao Yun, the word 'Yun' is used in the sense of 'to speak'."
"Zhao Zilong says, hence Zhao Yun. Princess, you are truly clever, but I don't quite believe that's all there is to it."
Caiwei looked at Princess Zhu Yunxi with a knowing smile. "Although Mr. Zhao is forty, he looks to be in his early thirties. He looks very young, mature, and steady. Most importantly, he is so talented."
"A rapid rise to success is just around the corner. He would actually be a good match for you, Princess."
"Caiwei, if you keep talking nonsense, I'll ignore you."
"Princess, why is your face turning red? Hee hee..."