Although Su Jin has always dominated the battlefield, this doesn’t mean that Xie Jingchen is weak.

It’s just that Su Jin is too strong, whoever provokes her ends up unlucky, leaving him with no chance to display his skills.

Indeed.

Not only does he have no chance to display his skills, he often ends up being a hindrance.

But both Su Jin and Xingxing have witnessed Xie Jingchen’s tactics and capabilities.

When Marquis Dongxiang mentioned his impressive performance, Su Jin genuinely believed he had done well, since in the military, the higher the rank, the greater the possibility of accessing classified information. Yet, he only managed to become a small Thousand Commander?

With Xie Jingchen’s level of caution in undercover operations, it would be surprising if Nanliang discovered him.

Upon closer thought, it’s understandable that Xie Jingchen spent so long in Nanliang yet achieved only such a minor status.

On the battlefield, the enemy’s heads are their cloud ladder.

Xie Jingchen is stationed in the Nanliang Military Camp, and to rise through the ranks, he must tread upon the corpses of Daqi’s soldiers, either by personally going to battle or devising strategies that Nanliang adopts for victory.

Both options are too difficult for him.

For Xie Jingchen, his low rank in Nanliang minimizes his contributions there, thus reducing harm to Daqi.

In fact, this point truly impresses Su Jin about Xie Jingchen. Amongst thousands, he selected the Heir of Marquis Changning, using him as a stepping stone; even as a small Thousand Commander, he can still access Nanliang’s secrets.

And even though Su Jin hadn’t told Xie Jingchen about the telescope lens’s utility, he discovered it on his own and discreetly burned Nanliang’s grain and grass.

Xie Jingchen returned to the Nanliang Military Camp half a month ago, and every time there’s a battle, he must enter the battlefield.

However, few know his identity, and Su Chong and Prince NanAn have gone to assist Old Duke Chong and have yet to return.

Marquis Dongxiang has never seen Xie Jingchen in disguise. This time he guessed it since the incredible archery only injured people without killing them, raising suspicion.

Apart from Xie Jingchen, who can’t and won’t kill, Marquis Dongxiang couldn’t think of anyone else, especially someone beside Dong Chenglang and Young Master Shi.

To avoid alerting the enemy, Xie Jingchen has not contacted Daqi nor transmitted any information after going undercover, leaving the things he’s done unnoticed.

After being instructed by Duke Nanliang to wound, not kill, Xie Jingchen followed orders, and a few days later, Nanliang attacked the city again.

This time, just as before, Xie Jingchen stayed close to Dong Chenglang and Young Master Shi.

He aimed to kill, but each time his bow was raised, he didn’t have the courage to shoot.

Originally, he could have injured fifty or sixty people, but ended up hurting none, enraging Duke Huguo.

With Xie Jingchen’s excellent archery, Duke Huguo had high hopes for him, wanting to bring him over.

As long as he’s not beside Dong Chenglang, Dong Chenglang would have died under enemy arrows long ago.

Wanting to recruit, he couldn’t berate harshly, especially since Xie Jingchen’s attitude in admitting mistakes was annoyingly good. He said he hadn’t killed any Daqi people...

The statement seemed fine, but Dong Chenglang and Young Master Shi felt Xie Jingchen’s wording was too precise, perceiving him as an exceptionally honest person —

He hasn’t killed anyone, but he hasn’t killed Daqi people.

Regarding Xie Jingchen disregarding Duke Huguo’s words, Dong Chenglang was beyond satisfied, stepping out to speak on Xie Jingchen’s behalf.

The more pressured he is, the more timid he becomes.

What could Duke Huguo do? Injuring is better than going onto the battlefield to hold the bow and watch.

Coming out of the military tent, Dong Chenglang admired Xie Jingchen immensely, patting his shoulder and saying, "I have no doubt you’ll hold the commander’s seal one day."

Who in the army has the gall to tease Duke Huguo?

Even his uncle, General Shi, doesn’t have that courage.

He’s just a small Thousand Commander, yet he not only toyed with Duke Huguo but also made him back down without temper.

In the Capital City, Dong Chenglang witnessed Xie Jingchen’s strategizing; now, he’s seen Xie Jingchen’s courage.

Dong Chenglang felt more affirmed in his choice.

Ask yourself, could a small Hidden Guard from Donglin Prince Mansion exhibit such courage and strategy? With such talents around Zhao Xu, how could major affairs not succeed?

Xie Jingchen was about to say a few modest words when Dong Chenglang patted his shoulder and remarked, "I think of you as a brother and speak genuinely. I see you’re no longer young, so marry sooner rather than later; marrying a princess isn’t particularly advantageous."

Xie Jingchen, "...."

Xie Jingchen’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Dong Chenglang assumed he doubted it, saying, "Don’t be fooled by the glamorous facade of a princess; throughout histories, few Prince Consorts married to princesses lived untroubled lives."

"It’s not just that you can’t have multiple wives or indulge; one slip, you won’t even enter the room and end up being scolded by the Emperor, think how miserable that is."

Dong Chenglang was sincerely advising him.

But all his heartfelt words transformed into sharp blades piercing Xie Jingchen’s heart, injuring him internally.

Is this miserable?

He’s never lived with two fathers-in-law, one being the Emperor, the other even more difficult than the Emperor.

With these two monumental burdens, he can’t move at all.

Xie Jingchen looked deep into Dong Chenglang’s eyes, and if he remembered correctly, Nanliang’s Prime Minister Zhao had a daughter awaiting marriage...

Dong Chenglang’s back grew cold, inexplicably trembling with a chill.

He glanced at Xie Jingchen, sensing something different in Xie Jingchen’s eyes.

Failing to grasp the underlying meaning in Xie Jingchen’s eyes, he merely stated, "Brother Li, I meant well for you."

"I know," Xie Jingchen replied with a smile.

For his sake, let’s join him and be companions.

...

Zhaozhou.

At the gates ten miles away, Old Duke Chong stationed thirty thousand troops.

Last time, upon learning he became a great-grandfather, Old Duke Chong invited Marquis Yangnan to drink with him.

Marquis Yangnan was also delighted at having a great-grandson.

Both drank until thoroughly drunk.

After sobering up, they commenced attacking Prince Qi, causing Prince Qi’s forces to abandon their helmets and armor.

Chasing all the way to Zhaozhou, Prince Qi sent a letter, making Old Duke Chong cease the siege.

Prince Qi didn’t show surrender or submission; he sent a threatening letter.

If Old Duke Chong continued to pursue him without respite, he shouldn’t blame him for being ruthless.

Prince Qi didn’t write anything excessive in the letter, but the messenger conveyed two words: city massacre.

These words nearly put the recently recovered Old Duke Chong back onto the sickbed.

Unexpectedly, grain and grass couldn’t serve as leverage for Prince Qi to threaten the court; he shamelessly threatened them with the lives of Zhaozhou citizens.

Prince Qi’s forces are scattered across various provinces controlling grain and grass, making regrouping difficult, which explains their helpless defeat.

Moreover, Prince Qi didn’t initially plan to rise in rebellion; he intended to wait until Nanliang and Daqi were locked in fierce conflict, wearing down Daqi soldiers and the court before advancing towards Capital City.

Who expected the successive defeats between Nanliang and Daqi, and his own strategic misstep turned their protective amulet of grain and grass into a binding rope, deepening their plight.

He could only delay time, hoping the forces would regroup and then plan for subsequent actions.