Chapter 1499: Lu Wushuang's Goodwill

## Chapter 1484: Lu Wushuang's Good Intentions

The Golden Tao King also panicked and had no choice but to seek help from Beijia. "You've been swaggering around my territory, eating and drinking my provisions, and I've even squeezed the last drop from my people for you. Can't you be useful now, at this critical moment?"

Baimoji was in the thick of his assault on Yuheng City and naturally didn't want to bother with such trivial matters. Getting involved in minor national disputes was unwise and drained strength. Furthermore, the Beijia army had its own difficulties; although they had received a shipment of military provisions from Nandong, the quantity was limited, barely enough for two meals over three days. Ultimately, they still needed to cross to the other bank to secure ample food.

However, the crisis within Golden Tao truly affected the Beijia army's operations. Baimoji considered this and assigned the task to Lu Wushuang. In his view, the Xiluo army was useless except as cannon fodder, and keeping them on the front lines simply wasted provisions. He decided to send them into Golden Tao, pitting them against those inexperienced rebels.

Lu Wushuang did not object and readily agreed. Since Baimoji was in charge of the Golden Tao front, she had no intention of arguing.

But before she left, she said, "From what I've seen of He Lingchuan, Yuheng City's commander, he often sets traps for his opponents, whether it's an 'empty fort strategy' or luring the enemy by feigning weakness. Fushanlie's fate serves as a cautionary tale; General, you must be careful."

Baimoji chuckled, "Commander Lu, that's thoughtful of you, but please focus on your mission: first, eliminate the bandits within Golden Tao." He had been through countless battles over many years; why would he listen to a naive young female disciple from the Green Palace giving him pointers? What commander doesn't want to set traps for their opponent? But it has to be effective, doesn't it?

Lu Wushuang gave a faint smile.

Five days prior, Baimoji's army had seized a batch of provisions from Longchuan, just enough for the army's few days of consumption, and he had then ridiculed her, stating that the Xiluo army had gained nothing from Longchuan. In Lu Wushuang's opinion, however, that was merely a small bait set by Yuheng City, fearing Baimoji might simply throw his hands up and retreat.

In the long run, both sides knew the food shortage problem could certainly be resolved. Saying Beijia couldn't acquire food was surely a joke. But currently, the Beijia army was severely hampered by it, suffering greatly.

She took out three earth-yellow rings from her storage ring and placed them on the table. "One ring can control one Whirlwind Armored Worm."

Baimoji was slightly moved. "The Whirlwind Armored Worms from the Green Palace's collection?" He had heard of them but never seen them. It was said that during the War of Yuanguo, the Green Palace had strategically deployed Whirlwind Armored Worms, which played a crucial role. Lu Wushuang actually carried these three treasures with her?

"The three Whirlwind Armored Worms are currently behind my tent. I am lending them to General Bai. If used at the right moment, General Bai can achieve extraordinary success with them."

Baimoji glanced at her, half-believing, half-doubting. His attitude toward Lu Wushuang had never been very friendly. Could a Green Palace Adjutant be so kind? He picked up an earth-yellow ring and put it on. The method for controlling the Whirlwind Armored Worm immediately appeared in his mind.

Baimoji's expression changed. "It actually consumes so much energy?" He knew that powerful weapons had high consumption, but he hadn't expected it to be *this* high!

"Success always comes at a price," Lu Wushuang said with a slight smile. "I wish General Bai swift success during my absence!"

With that, she turned and left the tent. As her retreating figure disappeared, a staff officer immediately said to Baimoji, "General, things from the Green Palace should not be used casually."

Baimoji grunted softly, "Do I need you to tell me that?" He had always been deeply wary of people like Lu Wushuang. How could Lu Wushuang be satisfied with merely being a Xiluo Commander? For someone of humble origins, the craving for power was like a shark scenting blood.

The next day, Lu Wushuang led the Xiluo army to suppress the rebellion. After leaving the frontline camp, her personal guard finally asked, "My Lady, that fellow Bai was so disrespectful to you. Why did you still help him?"

"Help?" Lu Wushuang gazed at the vast forests on either side. "How long do you think it will take Baimoji to win Yuheng City?"

"Huh?" The guard was taken aback, then thought for a long time before saying, "I somehow feel it's getting harder and harder?" Initially, everyone thought, how could the Beijia army's advance be halted by a mere small city? Once the fighting began, they were sure to sweep across the Maohe Plain. After the first battle: *Huh, something seems off?* And after four more failed attempts to cross the river: *Uh, the earth embankment on the west bank of the river is a bit high, and the evening porridge is a bit thin.*

"On the battlefield, failure is failure. Excellent achievements, noble lineage, imperial favor—none of these honors matter; everything depends on oneself," Lu Wushuang remarked. "Baimoji has fought so many battles, starting with a formidable presence, yet he's been increasingly suppressed. Do you know why?"

"Please enlighten me, My Lady."

"When I attended Baimoji's pre-battle meetings, I noticed he always tried to rack his brains to devise a foolproof plan. But on the battlefield, there are too many unexpected incidents, so he always tries to fit them into his existing plan framework, ideally using pre-determined methods to solve new problems."

"However, his opponent is agile in adapting to situations, often playing outside the conventional rules," Lu Wushuang sighed. "I see He Lingchuan as cunning and bold, yet his judgment is precise, and he frequently comes up with brilliant ideas."

"One is rigid, the other is flexible. Who do you think will gain the upper hand? Baimoji has fought so many battles that his tactics have long been familiar to his opponent, yet he remains utterly unaware. His opponent fights with increasing ease, while he becomes more and more passive!" Just then, a grasshopper leaped past her eyes. She swung her whip, striking it away with a sharp crack. "Hmph, the battlefield cares nothing for etiquette or personal connections; it has no place for mediocrity!"

The personal guard hesitated before saying, "But... but General Bai doesn't seem to be showing signs of defeat yet?"

"He is, after all, leading the Beijia army!" Lu Wushuang scoffed. "Besides, He Lingchuan on the opposing side has long gauged Baimoji's true capabilities. His reluctance to defeat Baimoji quickly is precisely because he doesn't want our country to replace him with someone else!"

"This..." How did she figure that out?

"The outcome of every battle is roughly the same: Baimoji hasn't suffered a major defeat, nor has the opponent achieved a decisive victory," Lu Wushuang stated calmly. "If Commander He's skill wasn't significantly superior to Baimoji's, how could he control the situation so subtly?"

"Furthermore, the Yuheng army defending the river embankment has been constantly rotating! I heard that He Lingchuan's forces include the Yuheng army, the Ximo army, and his elite Tiger Wing army! He's using the battlefield as a whetstone, bringing various units into the fray for training!" If he wasn't fighting with such ease, what commander would dare do this against Beijia?

"Do you think I'm the only one who sees this? Several veteran generals under Baimoji understand it perfectly well, they just don't say it aloud," Lu Wushuang sighed softly. "Imperial military positions are always occupied by such mediocrities. For people like us who wish to demonstrate our abilities, it's harder than ascending to heaven."

Though young, she had already reached the position of Green Palace Adjutant. To advance further, she would need to accumulate military achievements, and they had to be truly illustrious ones.

Her personal guard immediately said, "You are immensely talented, My Lady; your wishes will surely come true."