Su Jin's army moved stealthily through the mountains, the cover of night serving as their shield. Her elite forces were closing in on the Crimson Hand's stronghold, aiming to launch a surprise attack that would shatter the enemy's power. Meanwhile, within the kingdom's borders, Cao Ying's scheme for revenge was reaching its final stages. An invisible clash was unfolding, one that could determine the fate of the kingdom.
In the command tent, Su Jin studied the map, a mixture of anticipation and tension brewing inside her. Her strategic team was discussing the final details, ensuring every move was precise and flawless. She knew that the success of this raid would not only impact the war but also the future stability of the kingdom. A failure here could throw the entire realm into chaos.
Gu Tingfeng spoke softly, "The Crimson Hand's defenses are strong, but we've identified a route that bypasses their main force, allowing us to strike directly at the Blood Sovereign's camp. Timing is crucial. There can be no delays."
Su Jin nodded. "This operation must be executed flawlessly. We can't afford to give the enemy any chance to regroup." She took a deep breath and glanced at Zhang Huai and Lord An, her most trusted advisors. With their support, she believed that if executed correctly, this strike could be the decisive victory they needed.
Just as she was about to give the command, a messenger rushed into the tent, carrying an urgent message from the capital. Su Jin opened the letter, her expression growing grim as she read.
"There are signs of unrest in the capital," she said coldly. "Cao Ying has gathered a band of rebels in the south, attempting to undermine our rule."
Gu Tingfeng was stunned. "Cao Ying? Does he not realize that this is the kingdom's most critical moment?"
Su Jin remained silent for a moment, fury simmering within her. She had always thought Cao Ying's threat was merely a minor civil disturbance, but now he had amassed enough power to try and launch a rebellion while she was out on campaign. This was not just a simple expression of discontent; it was a calculated political move. Cao Ying intended to topple her authority by destabilizing the kingdom from within while she was occupied with the war against the Crimson Hand.
Meanwhile, far to the south, Cao Ying was crafting his next steps. His rebel faction was growing, with more vassals secretly voicing their dissatisfaction with Su Jin's leadership. Some had even begun to offer covert support to his cause. They were not just weary of the war but had lost faith in Su Jin's ability to lead the kingdom to victory.
"We've already managed to divert her attention," Cao Ying said to his advisors. "As long as she remains focused on the Blood Sovereign, we have the chance to create chaos in the capital. If her power base is shaken, the rest of the kingdom will soon fall into our hands."
One of his strategists nodded, confidence gleaming in his eyes. "The unrest in the capital is already brewing. The people's resentment towards the ongoing war has reached its peak. With just a bit more pressure, we can tip the scales in our favor."
Cao Ying smirked. "Su Jin may be fearless on the battlefield, but she underestimates the power of political maneuvering. Her enemies are not only in front of her; they are beneath her very feet."
Though furious at the news of Cao Ying's rebellion, Su Jin knew that now was not the time to rush back to the capital. She had to trust that her generals there could handle the situation for the time being. Her focus needed to remain on the current mission. Any distraction could jeopardize the operation against the Crimson Hand, giving the enemy a chance to strike back if they sensed instability within the kingdom.
"We cannot halt this operation," Su Jin told Gu Tingfeng. "I'll send a messenger back to inform the generals in the capital to suppress the rebellion. But we must keep our attention on the task at hand."
Gu Tingfeng nodded solemnly. "We will ensure this raid proceeds as planned."
As the night deepened, Su Jin's forces crept closer to the Crimson Hand's encampment. In the camp, soldiers stood vigilant, aware that the success of this mission would determine the war's outcome. However, unease lingered in their hearts, not only because of the looming battle but also due to the internal unrest and betrayal that threatened the kingdom.
While Su Jin's troops prepared to launch their assault, Cao Ying's rebels were steadily expanding their control around the capital. His forces engaged in skirmishes with those loyal to Su Jin outside the city, intensifying the instability within. Panic spread among the citizens, who began to doubt whether the queen could truly overcome the external enemy and bring peace to the realm.