Who put the yellow robe on me?

Chapter 161 Xian Yu Returns

The words in the imperial edict were even harsher and clearly threatening. Xianyu knew that the King of the Western Regions no longer trusted him, and if he continued to refuse to return to defend the city, the consequences would be disastrous.

General Xianyu slowly knelt, holding the imperial edict in his hands, and remained motionless for a long time. His gaze was fixed on the ground, as if a heavy burden weighed heavily on his shoulders.

General Mammon, standing nearby, saw Xianyu so lost in thought that he couldn't help but step forward and help him up. "Brother Xianyu, you can't do this... Although His Majesty has doubts about you, you are the pillar of the Western Regions after all! If you don't take action, you will be branded a traitor!"

General Xianyu slowly stood up, a look of deep helplessness on his face. He shook his head slightly and said in a low voice, "We have fallen into the enemy's trap."

General Mammon and Xuanyuan Feiyan looked at him in shock. "Falling into the enemy's trap? What does that mean?"

General Xianyu gave a wry smile, his eyes filled with mixed emotions. "The Northern Qiang have joined forces with Daliang, not only to capture Gaochang, but also to plunge the Western Regions into chaos. Now, rumors are spreading, and Your Majesty has become suspicious of me. This is the enemy's most terrifying strategy."

He took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Daliang and Northern Qiang are attacking the city from outside, while we are suspicious of each other inside. If I withdraw rashly, it will play into the enemy's hands. But if I don't withdraw, Your Majesty will become suspicious. Now, I am caught in a dilemma."

When Xuanyuan Feiyan and General Mammon heard this, their hearts sank.

They realized that the entire situation had been controlled by the enemy's carefully planned conspiracy, and not only Gaochang, but the entire Western Regions was in a precarious situation.

He held the second imperial edict in his hand, his eyes scanning every word, his heart churning with turmoil. The King of the Western Regions' order was extremely harsh, and already contained a subtle threat.

Xianyu knew very well that the King of the Western Regions was extremely suspicious of him, and this suspicion came not only from the defeat on the battlefield, but also from rumors from the outside world.

"Proclaim yourself king..." General Xianyu couldn't help but sneer, his heart heavy. As the pillar of the Western Regions, he had fought for many years, but had never faced such suspicion and dilemma. Now, before the enemy's sword fell, he was forced into a desperate situation with no choice.

Suddenly there was a commotion outside. It seemed that something had happened outside the camp. There were chaotic shouts mixed with the sound of weapons clashing.

"What's going on?" General Xianyu stood up suddenly, his face darkening. "Let's go out and take a look."

General Mammon and General Xianyu walked out of the tent quickly together, and saw that in the camp in the distance, two soldiers were fighting with each other. There was a circle of soldiers watching the fight nearby. It was obvious that the situation had become serious.

The soldiers around were talking among themselves, with different expressions. Some had a hint of fear on their faces, while others seemed indifferent.

General Xianyu frowned and shouted, "Stop!"

He shouted angrily, like a bolt of thunder, instantly stopping the two fighting. The two soldiers, their clothes disheveled and their faces covered in scars, gasped for breath at each other, their eyes filled with anger and hostility.

"What happened?" General Mammon also stepped forward and asked in a cold voice, with a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

One of the soldiers pointed at the other and said angrily, "It's him! He said General Xianyu wanted to make himself king and that he was leaving with the Tiger Guards in order to rebel!"

The other soldier, looking aggrieved, hurriedly defended himself, "No, I didn't say that! That's what everyone in the central camp says. I just mentioned it casually!"

General Xianyu's heart suddenly sank, as if a chill ran down his spine. He glanced at the soldiers around him and found that many of them lowered their heads, deliberately avoiding his gaze, as if they didn't dare to meet his gaze.

"Central Army Camp?" General Xianyu's voice was low, filled with barely suppressed anger and disappointment. Rumors were spreading in the camp, and even the soldiers were beginning to suspect each other. This was the most terrifying thing.

"Alas..." General Xianyu sighed softly, feeling a sense of powerlessness. He had never imagined that after all his years of fighting, he would be defeated by such a scheme rather than by the enemy's sword. Daliang's conspiracy, without even a single soldier being mobilized, had already sown the seeds of distrust within his army.

General Mammon's face darkened upon seeing this, and he felt a little uneasy. "Brother Xianyu, if there are more rumors like this in the army, I'm afraid..."

General Xianyu took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with determination. He looked at Mammon and said in a deep voice, "I must return to Kucha. The main force must not be moved. If we retreat, the Northern Qiang and Daliang will seize the opportunity to launch an offensive. If the Tiger Guards are in disarray, the Western Regions will be doomed."

General Mammon's eyes widened, clearly shocked by the decision. "Brother Xianyu, if you go back now, you're walking right into the clutches of the King of the Western Regions! The King is already extremely suspicious of you. What if he takes advantage of the situation..."

General Xianyu's expression remained calm, but a bitter smile lingered in his eyes. "I know, but there's no other way now. If I don't return, the rumors in the army will only spread further and further, and by then, the entire Western Region will be plunged into chaos."

He paused, his tone more resolute: "Brother Mammon, after I leave, the Tiger Guards will be handed over to you. You must lead them well and never let the elite troops of the Western Regions fall to such a conspiracy."

General Mammon's eyes were filled with worry, but he knew Xianyu's decision could not be changed. He could only nod his head heavily, "Yes! Brother Xianyu, don't worry, I will definitely defend the Tiger Guards!"

General Xianyu nodded, a look of determination in his eyes. He pulled the Tiger Guards' military token from his waist and handed it to Mammon. "Remember, if the King of the Western Regions issues another imperial decree urging you to do so, you must withdraw the 30,000 troops on the flank and rescue Gaochang."

General Mammon tightly grasped the military token and replied in a deep voice, "Yes! Brother Xianyu!"

General Xianyu said nothing more, turned around, mounted his horse, and left the Tiger Guards camp without looking back. His back looked particularly lonely in the night, like a solitary soldier, facing the ruthless test of fate alone.

Liangzhou City was brightly lit. Jiang Chen stood on the city wall, overlooking the windblown sandstorm outside. Dian Zhang stood behind him, his expression confident and calm.

"Your Highness, as you instructed, the rumor has spread, and everyone in the Xianyu camp is talking about it now." Dianzhang reported with a hint of pride in his tone.

Jiang Chen nodded lightly, a gleam in his eyes, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Very good, rumors are an invisible knife that hurts the enemy without being seen."

Dianzhang continued, "Also, Xianyu Linyuan seems to have returned to the Western Regions. It seems that our strategy has worked this time."

Jiang Chen's smile deepened, his eyes cold and steady. "Xianyu Linyuan? There's no way he can escape this crisis. The Western Region King's suspicions are already deep. Xianyu will inevitably fall into greater trouble when he returns. And without his leader, the Tiger Guards won't be able to hold out for much longer."