Yuan Kai saw Du Jianghong coming, and although he had no fondness for this treacherous old fox, he had to admit that whenever there was trouble, it was always him who cleaned up the mess.

Gao Ziyue glanced at Du Jianghong, still not restraining his temper, continuing to slaughter relentlessly, his eyes bloodshot, brutal, and violent.

"I have a plan that might capture the Emperor of Daxuan," Du Jianghong reported.

Gao Ziyue suddenly stopped.

Yuan Kai also swiftly turned his head to look at Du Jianghong.

This old fox hadn’t been at the front lines with the Crown Prince for so long that he thought Du Jianghong was scared and possibly had escaped back to the Cang Kingdom. Yet, unexpectedly, he was secretly pondering strategies!

"Speak!" Gao Ziyue demanded harshly.

Du Jianghong spoke respectfully, "Given the current situation, fighting Daxuan Kingdom head-on offers no chance of victory and will only cause us heavy losses. Even if Your Highness takes to the battlefield, it won’t change the outcome!"

"Don’t persuade me to retreat or surrender. I’d rather die here than do something so disgraceful!" Gao Ziyue stated his position clearly.

"I know Your Highness’s determination, so I’m not suggesting retreat. I just suddenly thought that the Emperor of Daxuan has personally led battles numerous times! To capture the bandit, capture the king. If we can lure the Emperor of Daxuan to our position, set an ambush, and catch him in a trap, there’s a sliver of a chance for victory!"

Gao Ziyue frowned, not hastily agreeing, "Is the Emperor of Daxuan so easily lured? With the current situation, how can we get the Emperor of Daxuan to come to our camp?"

"Only if Your Highness becomes the bait yourself." Du Jianghong stated bluntly.

Gao Ziyue’s eyes flickered.

"During the ceasefire, Your Highness personally leads an elite team. With General Yuan as cover, you dash into the Daxuan Camp when they least expect it. Pretend to fight, then swiftly retreat. Once the Emperor of Daxuan sees Your Highness, he will certainly seize the chance to pursue. I believe the Emperor of Daxuan doesn’t want to continue warring with our army. Even though he holds the advantage, the prolonged fight increases Daxuan’s casualties and losses. The Emperor of Daxuan certainly desires to capture Your Highness to end this war!"

Gao Ziyue nodded, agreeing with Du Jianghong’s words.

"All Your Highness needs to do is lure the Emperor of Daxuan to the border of the Daxuan Camp. We will secretly lay a net at the border, trapping the Emperor of Daxuan with no escape!" Du Jianghong continued, "It’s the only method I can think of with even a slight chance of success. Otherwise, I’m powerless and have no other plans!"

"I disagree," Yuan Kai suddenly spoke, "Putting aside whether the Emperor of Daxuan will actually be lured by Your Highness, going to the Daxuan Camp would be extremely dangerous. What if you enter and can’t get out—isn’t that like walking into the lion’s den?!"

Gao Ziyue looked at Yuan Kai and found that his words made sense too.

"Given our current situation, we have no chance of victory. If we don’t take risks, we’re just waiting for annihilation and to be wrapped in horsehide." Du Jianghong stated frankly, "And since the outcome is already doomed, why not make a gamble! His Highness has made clear just now, even willing to die on the battlefield rather than retreat, so since Your Highness is prepared to sacrifice, why not take the risk?! I’m willing to go with Your Highness to the Daxuan Camp, through life and death!"

As he spoke.

Du Jianghong knelt on the ground, expressing his determination.

Yuan Kai, seeing Du Jianghong reaching this point, did not rebut further.

Gao Ziyue was silent for a long time.

Still somewhat hesitant.

Now both armies were in chaos, at least they couldn’t reach him for a while.

If he truly went to the Daxuan camp, he’d be literally sending himself in, and in case of an accident, it would be walking into a trap.

"Your Highness, the only reason I request you to personally lure the enemy is due to the previous battle between Daxuan Kingdom and Beimu Country, where Beimu used such a strategy to capture the Empress of Daxuan and then General Bai Mowan." Du Jianghong continued persuading, "Since it succeeded once, it shows this method is feasible."

Gao Ziyue, with a cold face, clenched his fists.

"The Emperor of Daxuan countless times plotted against our army, causing over a hundred thousand casualties, this is unbearable!" Du Jianghong said with righteous indignation, "Even if it’s at the cost of death, I must vent this anger!"

Du Jianghong knew the Crown Prince’s character well.

He couldn’t stand being toyed with.

This war saw the Crown Prince constantly suppressed by the Emperor of Daxuan, holding back a deep resentment that wasn’t vented.

With some goading, the Crown Prince could lose his sanity.

"Alright!" Gao Ziyue agreed in a single breath.

Du Jianghong breathed a small sigh of relief.

An Ning also subtly moved his fingers.

Trying to calm himself.

"This time, I’ll make sure that dog Emperor of Daxuan dies a miserable death!" Gao Ziyue said viciously.

An Ning’s eyes flickered as he glanced at Gao Ziyue.

Pressed his lips together.

"Then I will make arrangements immediately," Du Jianghong said hastily.

"Think Tank." Gao Ziyue suddenly called out.

Du Jianghong’s heart twitched.

Wouldn’t he change his mind the next moment?

An Ning also pressed his lips tightly.

"You don’t have to accompany me personally on this campaign," Gao Ziyue suddenly said.

Du Jianghong was a bit surprised.

"You’re wise and resourceful, a rare talent. My father, before the expedition, advised me not to act rashly and to heed your opinions. I don’t want, in this perilous outing, for you to end up buried with me!" Gao Ziyue said, his suddenly calm tone seemingly mixed with a hint of affection, "If this mission ends in failure, retreat with the troops, and don’t sacrifice yourself for me. My father still needs your assistance. I’ll personally write a letter to my father for your protection, ensuring he doesn’t blame you for this defeat or my death."

Du Jianghong’s eyes were visibly red.

An Ning’s heart skipped a beat.

Not moved by their monarch-subject affection.

In this moment of crisis, life and death are more important.

What worries him is if Du Jianghong, out of sudden compassion from Gao Ziyue, turns against him.

If so, her entire plan would collapse.

An Ning couldn’t help but clench her fists.

Du Jianghong knelt on the ground, not rising for a long time.

Clearly struggling and conflicted inside.

"Get up," Gao Ziyue observed Du Jianghong’s demeanor, without suspicion.

Though Du Jianghong hadn’t been by his side long, he could still feel his loyalty.

Hence, he believed it was his affection that moved Du Jianghong profoundly.

Du Jianghong suddenly kowtowed heavily, "I thank Your Highness for your grace!"

Gao Ziyue nodded slightly, indifferent, "Go prepare the plan, the sooner it’s carried out, the better."

"Yes." Du Jianghong accepted the order.

Then slowly stood from the ground.

Turned and left.

Du Jianghong’s guards naturally followed him out of the tent.

An Ning walked closest to Du Jianghong.

Du Jianghong said, "A Li."

To avoid slip-ups in addressing, An Ning let Du Jianghong call her this way.

"Hmm."

"I know I’m not in a position to negotiate with you, but I hope you will keep your promise to save the soldiers of the Cang Kingdom and spare the Crown Prince’s life," Du Jianghong said sincerely, "In the future, no matter the task, as long as I, Du Jianghong, can accomplish it, I will not shirk."

"Rest assured, sir. I never break a promise. Sir only needs to follow our plan, and I assure you, the tens of thousands of soldiers of Cang Kingdom, and the Crown Prince, will be safe!"

"It’s a promise."

"Promise kept!"