Name Your Ransom

General, this Ren Tianye seems to be rebelling. He actually dared to fight our Imperial Guards, showing no regard for your authority. If he hasn't rebelled already, he is well on his way.

The deputy general carefully advised the General of the Guards, Lu Qing: General, with Ren Tianye's posture, combined with Yunji City's high and thick walls, and our lack of siege equipment, I'm afraid we won't be able to take Yunji City anytime soon.

How about we think of another way?

What do you mean? Lu Qing suddenly turned around, his eyes sharp. Are you telling me to abandon my nephew?

Although he is not my son, he is the son of my eldest brother and Ruyue.

Ruyue's son... Even if I have to die, I will save him.

Facing Lu Qing's anger, the deputy general could not help but shudder, knowing this man dared to kill at the drop of a hat.

He didn't dare to say more.

But saying nothing wouldn't solve the problem.

The defending general of Yunji City, for some unknown reason, had changed from that lowly trash Zhan Shubai to this Ren Tianye!

This Ren Tianye was clearly an abandoned pawn cast aside by Duke Ren's Mansion. How did he suddenly become so ruthless?

He actually had the guts to block the Imperial Guards!

And he truly had them stuck here.

Seventy thousand Imperial Guards—how could they be mobilized so casually?

If it only took two or three days, slaughtering this Yunji City would be fine, but if they delayed any longer, who knew how much chaos would erupt.

Especially now...

In the midst of such turbulent times!

But, how could he advise the General of the Guards to recognize reality without making him angry?

While he was feeling depressed, a soldier reported from outside the tent.

General, there is a letter for you.

Lu Qing took it, opened it, and after just one glance, he was instantly furious: Outrageous! I oversee the capital, yet someone actually dares to deny me face!

Simply outrageous!

By the time he finished reading it carefully, his face had turned ashen.

The deputy general then carefully asked again, General, has... has something happened?

Hmph, the remnants of the Chifeng Army have fled south and stirred up a rebellion. Someone is already using the slogan 'The Emperor is foolish and kills the loyal; raise an army to pacify the disaster,' rallying an army of two hundred thousand and heading straight for the capital.

The deputy general instantly paled in shock.

An army of two hundred thousand!

Heading straight for the capital!

This was a rhythm meant to overturn the state!

He quickly took the opportunity to say, General, this matter is of grave importance. We cannot afford to delay under Yunji City.

We must quickly go and suppress the rebellion.

Lu Qing's eyes were cold. When I lead my troops there, I will definitely teach these rebels how to be loyal to the Empress and loyal to Great Yu.

However, after saying that, his face inevitably showed some frustration.

With an army of two hundred thousand rebelling in the south, he had to immediately rush to kill the enemy and defend the state, but what about his nephew inside Yunji City right now?

Regardless, he absolutely could not give up.

That was Ruyue's child.

He could not personally protect Ruyue in this life, but he definitely had to protect Ruyue's child well.

Thus, he let out a rare sigh and said gloomily, Fine, this time I will give this Yunji City a chance to live. You...

He pointed at the deputy general and said, Go to the walls of Yunji City right now and shout to the defender. Tell him that I will not hold this against him anymore, and let it go as long as he releases my nephew.

The deputy general felt numb upon hearing this.

Wait, they had fought a sea of blood and mountains of corpses during the day, and now just one sentence of 'not holding it against you' would make them release the person?

The courage Yunji City had displayed showed that they were definitely not cowards.

Wasn't this just asking for trouble?

Why aren't you going?

General... the deputy general advised humbly. It's not that your subordinate won't go, but I fear it will have no effect.

No effect? Are you saying this defending general of Yunji City still wants a written promise from me? Hmph, he has a lot of nerve!

The deputy general was instantly speechless.

This General of the Guards, Lu Qing, had clearly inherited the excellent traditions of Duke Fuguo. He was a master at commanding the army, training the Imperial Guards under his banner to strictly follow orders and be incredibly brave.

Even the former Chifeng Army admired them.

It was just that...

Why didn't he inherit the brains?

Or did it break at some point?

He quickly said, General, my meaning is, I'm afraid we have to give the defending general of Yunji City enough sincerity, as a ransom, to exchange for the Young Duke.

What? He actually...

The deputy general rarely interrupted decisively: General, everything must prioritize the Young Duke. He is Lady Ruyue's son. For Lady Ruyue's sake, your subordinate suggests the General endure this momentary anger.

The word Ruyue was like a magic spell.

The moment it was spoken, it instantly calmed Lu Qing down.

However, he still couldn't accept bowing down and paying a ransom to redeem someone.

He was the dignified General of the Guards, deeply valued by the Empress, commanding one of the Four Great Camps, and entrusted with the heavy responsibility of strangling the Chifeng Army. When had he ever suffered such indignity?

It was just that...

The moment he thought of Ruyue's graceful face, all his anger was suppressed. Fine, fine. For Ruyue, I will offer my sincerity.

You go...

He pointed at the deputy general again. Go and call out the defending general of Yunji City. I will personally ask him what conditions he wants!

Yes!

The deputy general, who had been painstakingly advising for a long time, was overjoyed and hurried to do it.

Arriving under Yunji City, he shouted a series of calls.

The news was quickly delivered to Ren Tianye by a messenger.

At this time, Ren Tianye had not yet returned to the general's manor. Riding on his horse, he had been reviewing today's battle with the Imperial Guards in his mind.

He felt there were quite a few problems.

The biggest problem was actually the fear born from facing the Imperial Guards, which made him almost blindly send all the soldiers of Yunji City onto the city walls.

There was no rotation, no reserves.

This was a major taboo.

So, in the future, when facing an attack, whether it's the Imperial Guards or a stronger army, I must be methodical and absolutely cannot make a mistake like today.

As he was thinking this, the messenger's words jolted him awake.

The Imperial Guards are here again to demand the Young Duke, Lu Jun?

Yes, General. However, the tone of the people below the city is quite polite, saying that everything can be discussed, and even letting us state our conditions!

Oh? They've been beaten into submission and are starting to negotiate? A smile spilled from the corner of Ren Tianye's mouth. Perfect, let's go take a look.

After going up the city wall again, he saw a group of about a hundred Imperial Guards quite a distance from Yunji City. In the middle, they surrounded Lu Qing in golden armor. Under the illumination of the torches, his face flickered in the light and shadows.

Defending general on the wall, listen up. Hand over my nephew, and you can name any conditions. I, Lu Qing, will absolutely not bargain.

Yo!

They really couldn't win and came to pay a ransom!

But these words sounded really arrogant!

What do you mean 'name any conditions'? If I really stated a condition, could you accept it?

Therefore, Ren Tianye directly opened his lion's mouth to demand an exorbitant price: If you want me to release Lu Jun, it's easy!

Just leave behind the armor, weapons, and all equipment of your seventy thousand Imperial Guards.

Lu Qing's voice came from afar.

Agreed!

Ren Tianye: ???

Damn it!

...