Yu Wencheng turned his head to look at him: "What about me?"

Yu Wenye said: "I can’t take you with us, to avoid affecting the morale and further delaying our march. Also, those severely injured soldiers under your command need a place to recuperate."

His cold and harsh words made Yu Wencheng’s face turn pale again. He gritted his teeth and said, "Then what do you want?"

Yu Wenye said: "You, immediately take your men—"

Back to Tongguan.

At this moment, everyone, even Shantong’er, who was just a child in the eyes of others, understood that Yu Wencheng could not follow the army, nor could he return—after all, the Dasheng Dynasty had just been founded, and Yu Wenquan had just proclaimed himself emperor. A son who lost the Dragon Raising Land returning to the city would only disappoint the people.

So the best solution was to send him to Tongguan, hold it there, and wait for Yu Wenye to return from battle before taking him back to Chang An for trial.

But just then, there was a sudden, urgent, and heavy sound of footsteps outside the tent. A soldier ran to the entrance of the tent, anxiously saying, "Prince Qin, urgent report!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye immediately raised his head: "Come in!"

The soldier hastily entered, quickly saluted, and everyone saw his pale face, and somewhat panicked expression, all vaguely felt something was amiss. Yu Wenye immediately said: "What is it, speak!"

The soldier said: "Just now, an urgent report from the rear—the Yellow River Floating Bridge has been broken!"

"What!?"

As soon as Yu Wenye heard this, he immediately frowned.

Not only him, but everyone else in the tent also had their faces sink, especially Shen Wuzheng, who immediately looked down at the scroll in his hand.

It should be known that their initial plan was to lead 20,000 advance troops out of Tongguan, rescue Yu Wencheng, and then wait until the main army crossed the Yellow River after the battle at Cangbai Mountain. Then both forces would merge and advance northward to attack Taiyuan.

But now, the Yellow River Floating Bridge had been broken!

It must have been the recent continuous rain and snow that caused the torrents upstream, destroying the floating bridge.

Yu Wenye thought for a moment and immediately said, "How long will it take to rebuild the bridge?"

This question, naturally, the soldier could not answer. Instead, Shen Wuzheng asked: "Was the bridge completely destroyed?"

The soldier nodded, "That’s what the report from the rear said."

Shen Wuzheng frowned, thought for a moment, and then said to Yu Wenye: "The main army has a large number of soldiers and even more supplies. A simple floating bridge isn’t enough to support them. If the floating bridge was completely destroyed, it would take at least two or three more days to rebuild such a bridge."

"..."

Yu Wenye exhaled heavily.

This time, he set out for Taiyuan to strike unexpectedly, setting a meticulous ambush at Cangbai Mountain to ensure no one escaped, fearing someone might report back and alert Taiyuan’s defenders to their plan to retake Taiyuan. But if the main force behind them needs two or three more days to repair the bridge, it will take them at least four or five days to get here.

In that case, the best timing would have already been missed!

Moreover, on the eastern line, there was still a force of Yu Wenqian!

If he is delayed here for four or five days, Yu Wenqian might have already reached Taiyuan. If he captures Taiyuan first, then the Crown Prince position—

Seeing the somber expression on Yu Wenye’s face, with fierce sparks in his cold and stern eyes, as if countless thoughts were emerging from his heart and colliding incessantly, Yu Wencheng looked at him and suddenly sneered, saying: "What’s the matter, second brother? Why do you look so grim?"

"..."

"Oh, I remember, the elder brother—oh no, the First Prince, he is also heading to Taiyuan."

"..."

"Are you worried he’ll get there before you?"

This information he just acquired during his rest while inquiring around. Although he didn’t know why Yu Wenqian hadn’t taken the western route to rescue him, he understood deep down that his beloved elder brother would never really leave him behind, and as long as he saw this second brother suffer, it would bring him enough joy.

The more he thought about it, the happier he felt. The anger disappeared from his face, replaced by a smug smile, though that smile was exceptionally twisted, making his face appear more menacing: "But, don’t be angry, First Prince is older, he has always been ahead of you. Even if he attacks Taiyuan before you this time, it’s nothing unusual."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s face also darkened.

She understood well that she couldn’t say much in the army, but she also understood her role was to ease the tension between Yu Wenye and Yu Wenquan; now, with Yu Wencheng back, his nature would only create obstacles, further straining the relationship and possibly leading to hostility.

So—

Thinking of this, she said softly: "Third Brother is right, there is a natural order of seniority."

"..."

"Prince Han is your elder brother. Naturally, he is ahead of you. There’s nothing wrong with that. But this military campaign is not about who gets there first, but about Taiyuan City. For the father, it is not only a birthplace but also the Dragon Raising Land. Whether it’s Prince Han or your second brother, if they win this battle, it’s a great joy for the Dasheng Dynasty, and wouldn’t it also benefit you, Third Brother?"

Yu Wencheng glared at her but had nothing to say.

Shang Ruyi finally breathed a sigh of relief in her heart and looked up to meet Shen Wuzheng’s gentle gaze, only to smile faintly, and then turned to look at Yu Wenye.

Seeing him immediately divert his gaze, he coldly said: "Yan Jie, take your men and temporarily stay at Changchun Palace!"

Changchun Palace was an imperial palace built shortly after the former Emperor Wen ascended the throne, on the high ground across the Yellow River outside Tongguan. But since Chu Yang built the Eastern Capital, taking most of the officials with him, and had hardly returned to the Western Capital, that palace was almost abandoned.

At this time, sending Yu Wencheng to temporarily reside at Changchun Palace was just right.

Not only to avoid him having no retreat or awkwardness unable to join the campaign but also to facilitate the recovery of those severely injured soldiers.

"Alright, I’ll go."

Yu Wencheng sneered at Yu Wenye and said: "Then, I’ll take my people to Changchun Palace. During these days, I’ll be at Changchun Palace, wishing my imperial brothers victory from afar. I’m just not sure—who among you will reach Taiyuan first."

After saying this, he laughed heartily, swaggered, and walked out of the Central Army Tent.

Watching his back, Yu Wenye’s brows furrowed, and even the other deputy generals didn’t relax—after all, Yu Wencheng was arrogant and unruly, never an obedient person. No one knew what he might do afterward; in such a situation, the best solution, or rather, in terms of emotion and reason, Yu Wenye had to leave someone to watch over him.

The question is, who to leave?

As everyone exchanged glances, all looking at Yu Wenye, he suddenly said: "Shen Wuzheng."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wuzheng lifted his head and saluted: "I am here, Your Highness."

Shang Ruyi stood by, her heart skipping a beat, feeling a bit anxious as she watched her brother, yet unable to speak at that moment, only watching as Yu Wenye said: "I appoint you to stay at Changchun Palace, safeguard King Qi’s safety."

Shen Wuzheng looked at him, remained calm and said: "I accept your command."

"..."

"Only, I’m not sure how many troops Prince Qin will allocate for me to guard Changchun Palace."

"..."

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, then said: "Two hundred men should suffice."

Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi’s eyes widened: "What?!"