Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Chapter 1509: Just Taking Advantage of Your Suspicion

The morning light of March penetrates the mist and shines on the wilderness outside Licheng.

Hundreds of thousands of troops confronted each other here, with flags like forests and swords and spears like wheat, which seemed endless at a glance.

The spring breeze blew, stirring up clouds of dust mixed with the scent of rust and leather.

The three major armies of the Chu army were on high alert.

The Canglang Legion on the left was composed entirely of black-armored cavalrymen, their horses spewing white steam and their iron hooves digging the ground from time to time.

The Central Tiger Corps is an elite Modao team, and the sharp blades shine coldly in the sunlight.

The Black Tortoise Legion on the right is composed of heavy shield bearers, whose shields are connected together and as strong as a city wall.

The three armies are arranged in the shape of a Chinese character "品", which is magnificent.

The formation of the Wei army on the opposite side was even more peculiar.

The eight teams are arranged according to the eight trigrams, echoing each other yet being independent of each other.

The flags in the formation are of different colors, embroidered with the eight characters Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui respectively.

General Xu Fang sat at the center of the formation, with a 10-foot-long spear pointing straight to the sky.

"This Eight-Gate Golden Lock Formation is more exquisite than the last time." Chu Ning stood on the city wall, squinting his eyes and looking into the distance.

His silver armor gleamed in the morning light, and the tassel of the sword at his waist swayed gently in the wind.

Xun Yu twirled his graying beard, his brow furrowed. "Your Majesty, see clearly. Judging by the shifting of flags in the formation, Sima Yi must have improved the formation. A rash attack could lead to disaster."

Han Xing stood with his sword in hand and said in a deep voice, "I've observed their formation. The gate of life seems to be in the northeast, and the gate of death is in the southwest. But the formation can change at any time and is difficult to predict."

As they were talking, drums suddenly sounded in the Wei army's formation.

I saw a team of golden-armored warriors slowly coming out with a dragon chariot.

Sitting upright on the chariot was a man wearing a crown and a dragon robe. It was Sima Yi, the ruler of Wei.

"Chun Ning!"

Sima Yi's voice pierced the battlefield, coming through clearly: "Last time, you invited me to stand before you. This time, it's my turn to invite you to stand before you!"

Chu Ning raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

He turned to the generals and said, "Old Sima Yi can't hold his temper. Let's go and meet him."

The city gate slowly opened and the drawbridge was lowered.

Chu Ning rode out alone, wearing silver armor and riding a white horse, looking like a god descending to earth in the morning light.

Behind him, Generals Ma Chao and Han Xing each led a hundred personal guards and followed closely behind him.

In front of the two armies, a hundred steps apart, the two emperors faced each other from afar.

Sima Yi had a gaunt face and a pair of narrow eyes that were shrewd.

He stroked his beard and said casually, "Chu Ning, my formation is here. Do you dare to break in?"

Chu Ning sneered, "Sima Yi, you're putting on this display just to lure me into a trap, aren't you? I won't be fooled."

"Scared?"

Sima Yi sneered and raised his voice deliberately: "Last time, if your cavalry hadn't escaped in time, they would have been killed in the battle!"

A burst of laughter suddenly broke out in the Wei army.

Some soldiers banged their shields, some blew whistles, and some even shouted curses:

"The Chu army is full of rats!"

"Go back to Chu!"

Upon hearing this, the Chu army officers and soldiers all opened their eyes wide with anger.

Ma Chao was so angry that his face turned red and the spear in his hand creaked.

A cold light flashed in Han Xing's eyes, and his left hand was already on the hilt of the sword.

Even Xun Yu, who was usually calm, frowned.

"His Majesty!"

Ma Chao growled, "Let me lead the troops into battle. I'll tear Sima Yi's stinky mouth to pieces!"

Chu Ning looked calm, but he raised his right hand slightly, signaling the generals to stay calm.

His eyes were like lightning as he stared directly at Sima Yi: "Provocation won't work on me. Don't worry, I will break your formation sooner or later, but not today!"

"Oh?"

Sima Yi raised an eyebrow: "Then when will you break the formation? Do you have to wait until I capture Licheng?"

Chu Ning suddenly smiled, and that smile made Sima Yi's heart tighten:

"Sima Yi, don't think I don't know. Li Jing is leading 80,000 Tang troops towards this side. You are trying to lure me into action. You are clearly attacking me from both sides with Li Jing!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in front of the two armies.

On the Chu army side, Ma Chao, Han Xing and Xun Yu looked at each other in confusion.

Ma Chao's eyes widened, and he lowered his voice to ask Han Xing, "Didn't Li Jing return to Luoyuepo?"

Han Xing also looked at Xun Yu with confusion.

The old strategist twirled his beard, but a glimmer of understanding flashed in his eyes.

There was even more commotion in the Wei army.

General Xu Fang rode his horse to Sima Yi's side and whispered in his ear.

Sima Yi's expression was uncertain, and the look of surprise and suspicion in his eyes became more and more intense.

"Li Jing is here?"

Sima Yi's mind was in turmoil. "Why was I completely unaware of this? Could it be that the Tang army wanted to take all the spoils of war for themselves? Or... was this another trick of Chu Ning's?"

Chu Ning took in all the changes in Sima Yi's expression and smiled inwardly.

He took advantage of the situation and continued to pressure: "Not saying anything? It seems you know you're in the wrong. Humph, how could I fall for such a treacherous scheme?"

Sima Yi forced himself to remain calm and forced a cold smile: "Chu Ning, stop slandering me! I have an alliance with Li Jing, how could I do such a despicable thing?"

"is it?"

Chu Ning stroked the horse's mane gently, his tone leisurely, "Then why are Li Jing's 80,000 troops already here, marching day and night? Sima Yi, didn't your ally even tell you this?"

Fine beads of sweat oozed from Sima Yi's forehead.

He indeed had not received any news from Li Jing, but Chu Ning's words were so certain that they did not seem to be groundless.

If Li Jingzhen led his army here without notifying him, there must be something fishy going on.

"If you have the guts, give the order to attack the city!"

Chu Ning suddenly raised his voice and waved his right hand: "I want to see if your Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation can capture Licheng!"

After saying this, he turned his horse around and slowly retreated back to the city surrounded by his generals.

The archers on the city wall drew their bows and arrows, ready for battle.

Tens of thousands of Chu troops under the city formed a defensive formation, with shields like walls and spears like a forest.

Sima Yi watched Chu Ning leave and didn't know what to do for a moment.

Continue to challenge? The Chu army obviously won't fight.

Order an attack on the city? Not entirely sure.

What made him even more upset was Li Jing's movements.

"Retreat!" Sima Yi gritted his teeth and ordered, "Return to the camp first!"

The Wei army retreated like a tide, leaving only footprints and raised dust on the ground.

Back at the Licheng Commander's tent, Ma Chao couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, is Li Jing really here?"

Chu Ning took off his sword and laughed heartily: "That was just me lying to Sima Yi, you believe it?"

Ma Chao was stunned at first, but then he suddenly realized what was going on and clapped his hands in admiration, "Brilliant! Your Majesty's divisive tactic will surely keep that old Sima Yi awake and uneasy!"

Han Xing also showed admiration: "Sima Yi is suspicious by nature. After this incident, he will definitely send someone to question Li Jing."

"From now on, the Wei-Tang alliance will be at odds with each other."

Xun Yu poured a cup of tea for Chu Ning and said with a smile, "From the way Sima Yi's face turned pale and blue just now, I believe he must have become suspicious."

"Your Majesty, this plan does not require a single soldier, yet it is more powerful than a thousand troops."

Chu Ning took the teacup, his eyes gleaming. "Sima Yi wants to use provocation to lure me into battle, so I will give him a taste of his own medicine."

"Next, it's up to him and Li Jing to fight each other."

As they were talking, a personal guard came to report: "Your Majesty, Lord Jia requests an audience."