C172. Battle Under The Forest.

Chapter 172

As for inviting Yuan Li to Yangzhou as a guest?

This is even more ridiculous, just a pretext for taking action against Yuan Li.

Yuan Li calmly replied, "Tell him: How could Prince Chen know of my whereabouts? Judging from the manner in which these hundred warships are approaching, it doesn't seem like an invitation for me to visit Yangzhou but more like a siege against me."

This statement was like tearing off a mask and revealing the truth.

Chen Xi did not expect Yuan Li to be so direct and straightforward, bypassing any niceties. He couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed and tried to downplay the situation, saying, "With your distinguished status, Duke Wen, of course, we must welcome you grandly. Please accompany us back to Yangzhou, as we are old acquaintances. Our father also admires you greatly. We hope Duke Wen will do so willingly and not put me in a difficult position."

Yuan Li remained expressionless, "What if I am unwilling?"

The other side replied, "Then we will offend Duke Wen."

Yuan Li snorted and instructed the centurion, "Funny! Prince Chen and I made a covenant by the Luo River, agreeing not to interfere in each other's internal affairs or use force within five years. Anyone who violates this will be abandoned by all. Now, before the five years are up, Prince Chen is preparing to use force against me. This is a breach of the covenant, exposing the Chen family as treacherous and untrustworthy individuals for all to see. Do you not fear this stain on your family's reputation?"

Before coming to capture Yuan Li, Chen Xi had been specifically instructed by Prince Chen regarding the covenant.

They were the first to break the covenant, a fact that could not be justified no matter how eloquent one tried to be. Yuan Li would surely mention this, causing Chen Xi embarrassment and uncertainty.

However, Chen Xi must not respond, not even acknowledge it, to avoid making matters worse. Prince Chen had instructed that if Yuan Li brought up the covenant, an attack should be launched immediately, to prevent Yuan Li from exploiting the situation.

Though Chen Xi remembered these instructions, he still felt flushed with embarrassment by Yuan Li's words. He just wanted to attack quickly, hoping to stop Yuan Li from saying more.

To his surprise, Yuan Li seemed to anticipate his actions and continued with a mocking tone, "As the son of Prince Chen, you don't even offer an explanation. Are you too proud to explain yourself to me, or do you simply know you cannot justify your actions? I once thought Prince Chen was a hero in this world, but now I see that I was mistaken. Prince Chen is no hero; he is merely a man without benevolence, integrity, or virtue."

Chen Xi was furious, "Yuan Li, you -!"

A nearby counselor quickly grabbed Chen Xi's arm, "Young master, do not be angry. Lord Yuan Lejun is only trying to provoke you; do not take his words to heart."

But being insulted in front of tens of thousands of navy troops and several officers in such a manner left Chen Xi feeling deeply humiliated, as if he had been stripped naked in public.

He struggled to suppress his anger, but then heard the person on the other side shout, "Even the common people of Qian know how to honor their promises, yet the renowned Prince Chen has not even held on for a mere five years, scheming against his allies. By following such a person, are you not afraid that Prince Chen will turn against and harm you one day as well?"

"This is all nonsense!" Chen Xi flung his sleeve, unable to contain himself any longer, and angrily retorted, "Yuan Lejun, do not try to sow discord!"

Yuan Li chuckled lightly, raising an eyebrow, "Let me guess, did your father send you to besiege me with the assurance that as long as you defeat me, breaking the alliance wouldn't matter? Chen Xi, you are still too young. Do you truly believe that winning against me will spare you from the condemnation of the world?"

After a brief pause and the centurion's interjection, Yuan Li continued, "Throughout history, even emperors of past dynasties have faced numerous accusations. Are they not considered victors? Betrayal is like a stain that cannot be washed away. Right is right, wrong is wrong, even if no one dares to say it to your face, the murmurs of the people cannot be silenced."

Chen Xi wanted to plug his ears and ignore Yuan Li's words, but he found himself unable to resist listening further, feeling a sense of begrudging agreement with Yuan Li's words.

"The world will remember your attack on me during the alliance at the Luo River, and this will be recorded in history, passed down through generations. Your descendants will bear the shame of your actions, and your subjects will question your integrity. If the blood oath can be easily broken, how can there be so much condemnation? Your father may be departing, unafraid of this, but are you, Chen Xi, not afraid of bearing this eternal stigma?"

Chen Xi fell silent, shaken by Yuan Li's words.

If his father, Prince Chen, was not seriously ill, he would not have violated the five-year alliance. But now, out of fear for Prince Chen's well-being, he was willing to take the risk.

Yet, if his father took the risk and left, he would still be alive to bear the consequences. It was he who led the attack on Yuan Li.

Would he not be the one to face the scorn of others in the days to come?

Yuan Li was right, weren't the emperors in history considered victors despite their tarnished actions?

Could he silence the mouths of countless people, let alone the entire world?

Fearing the implications of his actions, Chen Xi hesitated, unable to heed his counselor's advice.

The counselor, who admired Chen Xi's receptiveness to advice, now wished he were more resolute in his decision.

Seeing that Chen Xi remained silent, Yuan Li changed his tone, "I am not entirely opposed to accompanying you back to Yangzhou. If I agree willingly, you and your men will not bear the stain of treachery."

A flicker of hope sparked in Chen Xi's heart, "Would Duke Wen be willing to come with us?"

Narrowing his eyes, Yuan Li said, "I want to ask you a question in person. Come closer."

The counselor intervened, "Young master, you cannot be swayed by Lord Yuan Lejun. We must give the order to attack immediately!"

"No need," Chen Xi said, reluctant to bear the shame. He sought a compromise and, with a fleet of a hundred warships behind him, felt confident that Yuan Li could not escape. "With Duke Wen's Wen limited men and only twenty warships, our Yangzhou navy is unparalleled. This is the sea, not land. Do you truly believe the northern navy can match the might of Yangzhou?"

Although the counselor understood the rationale, he still felt uneasy. Unable to stop Chen Xi, he could only have the surrounding ships close in, tightly surrounding Chen Xi's warship.

As Chen Wang's warships drew nearer, Yuan Li turned back, satisfied. The sea wind had whitened his face and tinged his lips with a hint of blue, but his sharp determination pierced through, almost becoming tangible. "Where are we, and what is the name of this place?"

The Centurion respectfully replied, "Lord Yuan, this place is called Linxia, derived from the meaning 'beneath the forest is all seawater'."

"Linxia," Yuan Li nodded approvingly, "a fitting name. Strive hard, for if this battle can capture Chen Xi, then this 'Battle of Linxia' will go down in history as a rare instance of overcoming odds. It will surely be recorded and remembered for generations to come! Whether we can achieve feats that future generations will admire and marvel at, depends on you all today."

With just a few words, the surrounding generals and leaders were filled with fervor, all raising their fists in agreement, "Yes!"

The warships quickly sprung into action, the twenty vessels adjusting positions and setting up formations. Catapults were readied, ballistae armed with flaming arrows, and the five thousand navy troops were ready to face off against the Yangzhou navy!

These navy troops were handpicked from the soldiers of Youzhou, all possessing courage and valor. Trained in Yuan Li's methods for some time, they were confident they could match up to the Yangzhou navy.

Chen Xi advanced about a hundred meters forward, ensuring Yuan Li could hear him clearly, before calling out, "May I ask what Lord Yuan wishes to inquire about?"

Yuan Li gazed silently at him, the sea breeze tousling his hair. After a moment, he spoke, "Where is Chu Hechao?"

The wind carried his words clearly to Chen Xi. Startled, Chen Xi blurted out, "Isn't he dead?"

As soon as those words left his mouth, Chen Xi felt a sense of foreboding. He quickly looked up, only to see Yuan Li expressionless, his eyes icy as they bore into him.

A scratchiness in his throat made Yuan Li resist the urge to cough. He stared at Chen Xi intently, veins bulging on the back of his hand, his expression menacing.

Dead?

Ridiculous, how could Chu Hechao be dead.

"Attack," Yuan Li commanded with a firm grip, each word pronounced forcefully, "Capture Chen Xi alive. His life has value to me!"

With his order, giant stones tore through the air, spear-like arrows barbarously leaping across the sea, mercilessly striking Prince Chen's warship.

The sea water splashed and sprayed as the huge stones hit their mark.

Several warships aggressively closed in on Prince Chen's vessel, their prows reinforced with iron plates, solid and unyielding like heavy cavalry, serving as the vanguard.

Chen Xi was taken aback by Yuan Li's sudden aggression, the waves splashing onto the ship causing chaos. Nearly stumbling, Chen Xi was helped up by his advisor, who shouted, "Counterattack, protect the young master, capture Lord Yuan alive!"

As Chen Xi managed to regain his footing, he witnessed the surrounding warships protecting him being hit by stones and arrows. Wooden ships were pierced, soldiers falling into the sea, some even crushed into pulp by the giant stones.

The long arrows with extreme range rarely killed people, but their powerful impact drove them deep into the ship's planks, igniting the oil cloth on board and turning the warship into a roaring inferno in an instant.

As the flames rose high and voices clamored, many called out Chen Xi's name to lead the battle. But Chen Xi's lips quivered, and he became flustered, asking, "What...what should I do?"

All that he had previously learned had vanished from his mind at that moment.

Just as another wave of boulders approached, the leading battleship of the Yangzhou navy became chaotic. The rear ships quickly moved to surround the Youzhou navy from both sides.

Yuan Li made a decisive decision, "We must attack now, aim to collide with their ships, and capture Chen Xi. Otherwise, we will be trapped in the encirclement of the Yangzhou navy."

Upon receiving the order, the ships on both sides of Yuanli bravely attacked, accelerating towards the front. The sailors manipulated the ropes, causing the propellers on both sides of the ships—made of wood and iron blocks—to rotate.

Upon collision, they would likely shatter the opponent's wooden ship into splinters.

Meanwhile, the Youzhou warships continued to follow closely behind.

On Chen Xi's side, they also noticed the enemy's intentions and retaliated, with arrows carrying flames landing on the decks of the two attacking ships.

However, the two Youzhou ships leading the way showed no signs of slowing down, as both captains were determined to ram Chen Xi's ship, regardless of the flames engulfing their own vessel. With a loud crash, they broke through the protective layers of Chen Xi's ship and collided directly with the ship where he stood in horror.

The Yangzhou warships proved sturdier than expected, with men on both ships tumbling from the impact. While the bows of the two Youzhou ships were dented and leaking water, the fate of the Yangzhou warships was far worse—one ship had its bow crushed, and the bottom was torn by the propellers, edging closer to sinking.

Clutching onto a wooden pillar, Chen Xi yelled frantically, "Help, someone, quick!"

Seizing the opportunity, the Youzhou navy brandished their swords and charged aboard to capture Chen Xi.

The Yangzhou navy reinforcements were hindered by boulders and ballistas from the Youzhou navy, leaving both sides locked in brutal combat on Chen Xi's ship. The sea was painted red with blood as men were tossed overboard.

Amidst the chaos of clashing swords and screams, the ships tilted dangerously, threatening to sink.

Panicked, Chen Xi's advisors hurriedly tried to move him to another ship for safety. But as the Youzhou navy closed in, Chen Xi stumbled and, slipping with the ship's angle, was on the brink of falling into the sea.

"Help, save me!" Chen Xi cried out, desperately clutching onto whatever he could reach.

Just as he was about to plunge into the water, a large blade pierced through the fabric of Chen Xi's shoulder, pinning him firmly to the ship. With relief, Chen Xi looked up and pleaded, "Take me to safety—"

Realizing that it was a Youzhou soldier who had saved him, Chen Xi's eyes widened, and he fell silent.

The soldier chuckled and, lifting Chen Xi, rushed towards a supporting ship, shouting for cover. "Come and cover me!"

A quarter of an hour later, a bedraggled Chen Xi was brought before Yuan Li.

The surviving Youzhou soldiers were also rescued and brought aboard other ships.

Of the initial twenty Youzhou warships, only fifteen remained, but they had destroyed around twenty of Chen Xi's warships.

At this moment, Chen Xi's surviving ships encircled Yuanli and his men, with countless arrows and arrowheads aimed directly at them.

It seemed that Yuan Li's forces were doomed to be defeated.

Yet, Yuan Li remained calm and composed. Handing over a heater to Lin Tian, he drew a large blade from Jia Qing's waist and pressed it against Chen Xi's neck.

Frozen with fear, Chen Xi's eyes were fixed on the blade, not daring to move.

Tensions rose as the soldiers of the Yangzhou navy approached, their leader shouting, "Stop!"

"Back away," Yuan Li surveyed the scene, a faint smile on his face as he menacingly brought the blade closer, "Let my ship depart, or I will kill your lord to vent my anger."

A thin trail of blood appeared on Chen Xi's neck.

Moaning in pain, Chen Xi hastily cried out, "Retreat, quickly retreat!"

Witnessing the scene, everyone understood that Yuan Li was not bluffing.

If they did not let him go, he would indeed kill Chen Xi.

Though capturing Chen Xi alive was crucial for the Yangzhou navy, it was also apparent that if Chen Xi wasn't the main heir or if there were other successors to the throne, his death wouldn't pose as much of a problem.

But...

The leader of the Yangzhou navy, panting heavily, remained silent for a moment before reluctantly waving his hand.

A few moments later, the Yangzhou warships, following orders, slowly backed away, creating a path for Yuan Li to leave.