[BL] After Being Abducted by the General

chapter 174

A month and a half ago, Chu Hechao fell into an ambush set by Chen Wang and plunged into the Huai River.

The arrow wound was actually fake; Chu Hechao was wearing armor, and the arrows couldn't pierce through. However, surrounded by Chen Wang's forces with no escape route, the only chance of survival was to jump into the river. Chu Hechao pretended to be shot and jumped into the water, followed by his loyal soldiers who jumped in with him.

Once in the water, they discarded their heavy armor, as they were all skilled swimmers, trained regularly by Yuan Li. However, the Huai River was turbulent, and the Yangzhou navy was chasing after them. During their escape, over a dozen of their comrades drowned. Many of their arms and legs were broken by stray rocks, and Yuan Congyun was almost knocked unconscious by a large rock. Fortunately, Chu Hechao grabbed him by the collar just in time to save him.

In the process of saving him, Chu Hechao's thigh and waist were pierced by sharp, thick branches.

Chu Hechao gritted his teeth, holding Yuan Congyun with one hand and another exhausted soldier with the other, dragging them ashore with all his strength. Once on land, Chu Hechao collapsed into unconsciousness.

Most of their comrades were injured, and Chu Hechao's wounds became infected. With the Yangzhou navy still chasing them, they were fortunate to come across a fishing boat heading to Jingzhou, where they could finally take some time to rest.

Following Yuan Li's instructions, Yuan Congyun cleaned Chu Hechao's wounds, using moxibustion and herbal medicine, anxiously waiting for him to regain consciousness. Luckily, Chu Hechao had a strong will to live, and finally opened his eyes half a month later.

Yuan Congyun was overjoyed, promptly informing Chu Hechao of all the information he had gathered during the past half month, including Yuan Li leaving Xuzhou and Chen Wang's attack on Xuzhou. After finishing the explanation, Yuan Congyun asked Chu Hechao if they should return to Youzhou or go to Xuzhou.

Chu Hechao pondered for a moment and decided to change to another fishing boat heading to Jiaozhou.

He understood Yuan Li's character. He disappeared under Chen Wang's plot, and Xuzhou was in a dire situation. Yuan Li's departure was undoubtedly to gather troops. Considering the time spent on the round trip and troop mobilization, Yuan Li would probably return to Xuzhou within three months at most. Chu Hechao's group was too far from Youzhou, and he was heavily injured. By the time they arrived in Youzhou, Yuan Li might already be back in Xuzhou, fighting against Chen Wang. So returning to Youzhou was not an option.

Returning to Xuzhou was even more dangerous as they could be discovered by Chen Wang's forces at any time.

Furthermore, Wu Kai and Ouyang Ting were currently guarding the city, and defense was easier than offense. With them in charge, the defense of Xuzhou should be able to hold for several months. Even if Chu Hechao managed to avoid Chen Wang's forces and successfully rendezvous with Wu Kai and the others, his group of a few dozen injured soldiers would not be much help to Xuzhou.

Chu Hechao was not the type to wait for death. Since he couldn't go to Youzhou or Xuzhou, he decided to head to Jiaozhou and seek the help of the Governor, Zhou Lian, who was a friend of his father, Chu Hengping. The Governor had a son named Zhou Yukan, who had once served as a ministerial official in the capital, and was a close friend of Chu Mingfeng.

Chu Mingfeng had once given Yuan Li a letter of introduction to Zhou Yukan, but Yuan Li had not visited him.

Chu Hechao had a distant relationship with the Governor of Jiaozhou, having met a few times and addressing him as an uncle.

However, the Governor once wrote to him seeking help on dealing with the southern barbarians, and Chu Hechao had offered his assistance and shared his strategies.