In August, a heavy rain had just ceased in Chang'an.
On the damp Dragon Tail Way winding before the Hanyuan Hall, Liu Wenji, clad in the attire of the Grand Eunuch, was followed by the subservient Duke Zhao, who had attached himself to him, and behind them, a larger retinue of eunuchs.
The Hanyuan Hall had just concluded a fierce debate between court officials and eunuchs, which ended in discord. The animosity between the ministers and eunuchs had grown increasingly tense and impossible to conceal after Lord Liu's departure for Hexi. The Emperor, unable to mediate, could only watch helplessly from the sidelines.
Duke Zhao trailed closely behind Liu Wenji, speaking in a humble tone with a relieved expression: "Your Excellency can rest assured. His Majesty has dispatched Yan Suchen to Jiannan. Yan Suchen is merely a civil official—he knows nothing of warfare. We've all seen his chaotic analysis and haphazard directives on military affairs in his memorials... It's nothing but armchair strategy, utterly laughable.
"Putting such a man in command will inevitably lead to peace negotiations. And peace talks will still require Your Excellency's involvement."
Liu Wenji remained silent.
For three or four months, Yan Shang had been preoccupied with the war—initially urging the court to fight, and later presumptuously instructing others on how to wage battles. The Emperor grew increasingly irritated by Yan Shang's attempts to dictate his actions, growing impatient with each daily memorial.
Now, due to the Lord Liu affair, the conflict between the scholar-officials and eunuchs had escalated dramatically. The Emperor, feeling compromised, dared not oppose the ministers' consensus by insisting on peace talks. Since Yan Shang showed such fervor for military matters, the Emperor—after some undisclosed discussion with him—appointed Yan Shang as commander during court to pacify the officials, tasking him with overseeing the Jiannan campaign.
This barely prevented the ministers from causing an uproar during the morning assembly.
Yet Liu Wenji felt uneasy.
He couldn't shake the feeling that allowing Yan Shang to intervene would bring no good.
Yan Shang certainly knew nothing of warfare. Having never fought a single battle, his theoretical strategies might seem plausible, but Liu Wenji had consulted several generals stationed in Chang'an, all of whom agreed such approaches were impractical on actual battlefields.
Liu Wenji had secretly negotiated terms with the Southern Barbarians and, to conceal his own dealings, had been discreetly aiding them. Sending an inexperienced Yan Shang to Jiannan should have reassured him... but Liu Wenji knew his former friend all too well.
Yan Shang never fought unprepared battles.
He rarely spoke carelessly of others or matters.
He adhered to caution in speech and action.
Would such a man recklessly issue chaotic orders in Jiannan?
Liu Wenji sighed softly: "Whether sending Yan Shang to Jiannan is for good or ill, we shall see. Let's not dwell on it. Lately, we've faced enough difficulties. That ill-fated son-in-law of yours has been hounding us daily, digging for evidence."
He referred to Wei Shu.
Duke Zhao's eyes flashed with anger.
Duke Zhao: "That insolent, reckless youth! He'll learn his lesson sooner or later!"
Liu Wenji rubbed his temples and sighed: "Enough. Since His Majesty insists on sending Yan Shang to Jiannan, we must withdraw from Jiannan affairs. Fortunately, the Hexi front remains... Peace talks are the only sensible path, yet those staunch ministers refuse to understand. They all clamor about not ceding territory and avoiding national subjugation. But peace negotiations haven't even begun—why such fervent opposition?"
He paused: "Now even His Majesty is being swayed by them."
Fearing the ministers' escalating passions might lead to greater turmoil, the Emperor no longer dared advocate for peace talks.
Duke Zhao joined in cursing them.Liu Wenji pondered inwardly that since he couldn’t intervene in the Jiannan military affairs, he had no choice but to focus on Hexi. What he feared most was losing his power and influence. To preserve that authority, even if it meant wading through mud, he would press on—
In the Jiannan Army camp, Yan Shang was the newly appointed Grand Commander of the Jiannan Circuits.
Judging by how swiftly he had reached Jiannan, he had already departed from Guangzhou before the imperial decree from Chang’an could arrive.
Most developments had unfolded within Yan Shang’s expectations, with only minor deviations—such as the death of the former commander.
Over months of correspondence, Yan Shang and the former commander had agreed on a plan: Yan Shang would arrange to transfer the commander out of Jiannan and take over the position himself.
The commander excelled in warfare but lacked political acumen, unable to withstand pressure from the central government. Yan Shang, however, could.
The only issue was the considerable time required for such a transfer. Before Yan Shang could act, the commander took his own life, clearing the way for Yan Shang in the swiftest manner possible. This outcome was undeniably disheartening.
Standing in the former commander’s main tent, Yan Shang leafed through the letters exchanged between them, reading the commander’s repeated accounts of his torment in Jiannan. A general meant for the battlefield had been trapped in camp, entangled in political games, leading to this tragic end.
Yan Shang’s fingers resting on the desk trembled slightly, and he closed his eyes.
He reflected that this was the first person he had known to die in this war.
Many more would lay down their lives for this conflict.
He would do his utmost to protect them, but he might not succeed.
No matter how heavy his heart, he had to persevere. Let the true military talents fight the battles with smoke and fire; he would support them from behind, ensuring they had no worries at their backs, so they could focus on winning the war without smoke. Only then could he honor the former commander’s death and the sacrifices of countless others.
To secure his transfer to Jiannan, Yan Shang had negotiated numerous terms with the Emperor. To dissuade the Emperor from seeking peace talks, he outright promised to end the war within a year and to cover half of the military provisions and pay himself, without relying entirely on the court. The court only needed to supply half; Yan Shang would raise the remainder.
If, after a year, the war remained unresolved or if Yan Shang dragged the entire Great Wei into defeat, he would atone with his death, taking full responsibility for the war.
The Emperor, who cared only for wealth and pleasure, agreed to Yan Shang’s terms, enabling his arrival in Jiannan.
After a moment of contemplation in the tent, Yan Shang turned and called out, “Summon the generals, the eunuchs from the central government, and have Yang Si come in.”
In the presence of the generals and the eunuchs, Yan Shang amiably arranged for the eunuchs to return to Chang’an, declaring that from then on, only his word would hold sway in the Jiannan theater, and the central government would no longer interfere.
The eunuchs were startled and suspicious, but the arrow Yan Shang had shot earlier had weakened their resolve; they dared not challenge this seemingly gentle yet formidable new commander. One eunuch forced a smile and mentioned they had not received an imperial decree.
Yan Shang replied softly, “The decree is already on its way. If you gentlemen head back, you might just meet it halfway. Wouldn’t that save trouble and please us all?”
The eunuchs fell silent.The generals in the tent watched with immense satisfaction as Yan Shang effortlessly dispatched the eunuchs from Jiannan with just a few words, feeling that the grievances they had endured earlier were finally avenged. Their gazes toward the new commander-in-chief were no longer as sharp and disdainful as before—this new leader appeared refined and scholarly, like a gentleman of jade from Chang'an who discussed literature and philosophy, hardly resembling a battlefield general.
They had initially assumed the central court had casually sent a feeble scholar to deal with the war effort. But now, it seemed this seemingly frail scholar was capable of driving away the eunuchs and daring enough to execute the executioner upon arrival—clearly not aligned with the Emperor.
Immediately afterward, in front of all the generals, Yan Shang ordered Yang Si to be untied and, with an air of nonchalance, appointed him as a general.
The tent erupted in an uproar.
A general protested discontentedly, "Commander..."
How could a convict directly become a general? The previous commander would have considered everyone's temperaments and not been so rough! This man clearly knew nothing of warfare and was giving blind orders!
Yan Shang interrupted amiably, "I am the Grand Marshal of the Army and Horses, the only third-rank official here, responsible for all military affairs in Jiannan. I alone bear the responsibility for victory or defeat; there is no need for you to worry. If you truly have suggestions, officials of the third rank or above may speak to me directly. Those below third rank need not speak."
The generals: "..."
Those with higher ranks than Yan Shang's current position were probably only the current prime minister and the six ministers of the board. Who else could possibly qualify to offer suggestions to Yan Shang?
In the tent, Yan Shang looked at Yang Si.
Yang Si curled his lips into a careless, mocking smile—after years apart, Yan Erlang's temper had certainly grown.
After the officers withdrew, Yan Shang kept Yang Si in the camp. Then, in a whirlwind, Zhao Lingfei entered.
Seeing her cousin safe, Zhao Lingfei jumped up, crying and laughing with boundless joy. Seeing Yan Shang felt like reuniting with family, filling their hearts with a sense of security.
Zhao Lingfei chattered excitedly, "I was about to take action when Han Shu Xing suddenly grabbed my arm from behind to stop me. Just as I was nearly fighting Han Shu Xing, I saw Second Brother Yan shoot the arrow... Second Brother Yan's sudden appearance scared me to death!"
Yang Si, however, thought of the arrow Yan Shang had shot and was reminded of the one Yan Shang and Mu Wan Yao had jointly fired at Meng Zaishi back on Zhong Mountain years ago.
Yang Si clicked his tongue, "Yan Er has always been skilled with the bow."
He scrutinized Yan Shang, "You should really hone this skill. If you had practiced properly, you might have become a master archer by now, capable of going to the battlefield..."
Zhao Lingfei's eyes shone with admiration for Yan Shang as she retorted to Yang Si, "Wouldn't it be a pity for someone like Second Brother Yan to go to the battlefield? He is most powerful when he's not on the front lines! Second Brother Yan, didn't Her Highness the Princess come with you? Tell us, how did you suddenly arrive? We didn't hear any news about it. Second Brother Yan, you're simply amazing...
"Are you some kind of immortal? Did you divine that we were in trouble?"
Yan Shang smiled helplessly. After all these years, Zhao Wuniang was still as chirpy and lively as ever, not letting him get a word in edgewise. But neither he nor Yang Si stopped Zhao Lingfei; she had been suppressed for so long because of Duke Zhao, and it was rare to see her so happy and talkative—how precious that was.
Just then, a soldier reported from outside that new visitors had arrived. The tent flap lifted, and Yan Xiaozhou and Han Shu Xing entered one after the other.Yan Xiaozhou saw that the man she loved was indeed with her brother, just as her brother had conveyed through Han Shu Xing... Her brother had promised to save Yang Sanlang, and he truly hadn't lied to her!
Yan Xiaozhou rushed over and threw her arms around Yan Shang, overjoyed: "Second Brother! You really came... Second Brother, you look much better than when you were in Chang'an. Are you and sister-in-law doing well in Lingnan? Why didn't sister-in-law come? I thought you two were inseparable wherever you go."
Yan Shang caught his younger sister as she threw herself into his arms, amused by her sudden chattiness. Hearing both Yan Xiaozhou and Zhao Lingfei ask about Mu Wan Yao, he felt somewhat embarrassed.
He wondered why everyone thought he and Your Highness were always together.
He replied sheepishly: "The journey has been exhausting, and besides, we each have our own responsibilities. We're not together all the time."
Seeing her second brother blush, Yan Xiaozhou tactfully changed the subject.
Zhao Lingfei teased: "Given Your Highness's controlling nature toward Second Brother Yan, I thought it impossible for you two to be separated for long. Her Highness needs to keep Second Brother Yan under her watchful eye to feel at ease."
Yang Si examined Yan Er, recalling Mu Wan Yao's temperament, and showed a knowing smile as he stared at Yan Shang. Only someone with Yan Er's gentle disposition could tolerate Yao Yao's domineering nature.
Yan Shang coughed lightly, unwilling to discuss his personal feelings further. He said: "Yang San, for this war, I strongly advocate for you to take command as the main general. If you lead the vanguard, are you confident of victory?"
Seeing that Yan Shang didn't want to satisfy the girls' curiosity, Yang Si followed his lead in changing the subject. Yang Si said slowly: "If we have sufficient backup and ample provisions, I can definitely make sure the Southern Barbarians never return."
Yan Shang nodded: "One year deadline."
Yang Si's eyes flickered, he pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.
Yan Shang: "In that case, you go fight the war. I'll find ways to handle the military provisions."
Both Zhao Lingfei, who was sensitive to court affairs, and Yan Xiaozhou, who was clever, looked at Yan Shang with surprise upon hearing this. Yang Si was a beat slower than the two women to react: "Is the court not providing provisions?"
Yan Shang said: "Only half. It's fine. I can raise provisions from local gentry and powerful families everywhere. Sanlang, just focus on fighting. You don't need to worry about these matters or dealing with the central government. As long as you win the war... that will be helping me."
Yan Xiaozhou looked worried, suspecting her brother had made an extremely pressured commitment. She volunteered: "If it's about raising provisions, I can help Second Brother..."
Zhao Lingfei interrupted: "No, Sister Xiaozhou should continue caring for the wounded. A delicate young lady like Sister Xiaozhou would face many inconveniences visiting powerful local families. Second Brother Yan has friends everywhere, so he should find it easier than any of us to raise provisions."
Yan Shang smiled and nodded.
Zhao Lingfei's eyes shone: "I'll go with Second Brother Yan! As the Minister of War's daughter, I can approach different targets. I'll borrow provisions from local governments while Second Brother Yan raises them from powerful families. No matter how much provisions Cousin needs, we can provide! It's much better to keep these matters in our control than let others manipulate them."
Yan Shang sighed: "Fifth Lady has grown up so much."
Then they began discussing how to conduct the war. Although Yan Shang claimed he wouldn't command, he still wanted to hear Yang Si's thoughts.Upon hearing Yang Si's account of how he had surrounded and deceived the Southern Barbarians, a faint glimmer flashed in Yan Shang's eyes as he slowly remarked, "Previously, wasn't Jiannan's stance always to seek peace talks with the Southern Barbarians? Why not inform them to come for negotiations and have their generals attend? If we can capture them all in one fell swoop..."
Yang Si raised an eyebrow.
Crossing his arms, he sighed, "Yan Er, you are truly cunning. Is this not against the rules? If the world learns of your scheme to deceive the Southern Barbarians by exploiting peace talks, no one will ever call you a gentleman again."
Yan Shang replied, "There are no gentlemen in officialdom. Those who wish to be gentlemen cannot become officials."
By mid-August, Great Wei had initiated peace negotiations with the Southern Barbarians in Jiannan.
Upon receiving the message, King Ale laughed heartily three times, feeling half the pressure lifted from his shoulders. Having committed the entire nation's strength to the war against Great Wei, defeat would mean the Southern Barbarians might cease to exist as a state. With all military resources invested in the conflict, their reserves were already strained. Great Wei's offer of peace talks was like a lifeline.
Meng Zaishi cautioned King Ale, "The newly appointed commander in Jiannan is Yan Shang. This man is not to be underestimated. Your Majesty should be wary of his tricks—he would not propose peace talks without a fight."
Meng Zaishi added indifferently, "To secure victory, we should actually assassinate Yan Shang. While Jiannan has yet to fully grasp his capabilities, eliminating him could mean we are halfway to winning this war."
King Ale dismissed the concern, "You, I've heard about what happened in Chang'an back then. Didn't you lose a woman to Yan Shang? Just a princess of Great Wei—once we win, how many could we have? You care too much about that princess, which is why you're so fixated on Yan Shang.
"The peace talks are the Emperor's idea. Didn't you say those officials of Great Wei dare not defy their Emperor? And didn't you claim that Yan Shang, with his delicate skin and tender flesh, knows nothing of warfare? Meng Zaishi, are you being overly cautious toward Great Wei because of your past humiliation in Chang'an?"
Meng Zaishi considered pressing further but then thought better of it. If King Ale suffered a setback, it would only benefit him.
So he conceded that he was merely afraid.
King Ale laughed heartily.
Nevertheless, King Ale did not let the joy of potential victory cloud his judgment entirely. On the first day of negotiations, held in a border county of Jiannan, he did not attend in person but sent Meng Zaishi and other key generals to the enemy camp for discussions.
In the military camp, Meng Zaishi trailed at the rear of the generals. Lifting his eyelids lazily, he observed the camp's banners and spotted Yan Shang standing at the entrance, smiling as he welcomed them. Upon seeing Yan Shang's truly refined and scholarly appearance, the Southern Barbarian generals let go of their last shred of worry.
Yan Shang said with a smile, "I have prepared food and drink in the camp for the generals. Let us discuss matters over a meal."
One Southern Barbarian general was tempted, "I've heard Jiannan has a particularly strong liquor..."
Yan Shang understood, "Jiannan Chunshao? We have it."
The Southern Barbarians felt an itch in their hearts. Accustomed to a rough life, the mere chance to taste Great Wei's liquor made them feel their lives were worthwhile... Why not seize such wealth from Great Wei?
At the banquet, Yan Shang toasted each of them one by one, excusing himself from drinking by claiming a low alcohol tolerance. The Southern Barbarians, faced with fine wine and delicacies, could not restrain themselves. Even those with some self-control wavered at that moment. Without a doubt, the Southern Barbarians were exceedingly poor.
Poverty erodes ambition, weakens resistance to temptation, and fuels greed for wealth.Yan Shang offered wine to Meng Zaishi, who knelt with one knee bent but did not drink. As they watched the courtesans' dance, Meng Zaishi and Yan Shang sized each other up.
With a faint, ambiguous smile, Meng Zaishi lowered his voice: "Yan Erlang, the wine is drugged, isn't it?"
Yan Shang's expression remained unchanged as he smiled: "Why not try it, General, and find out?"
Meng Zaishi: "Such a crude method."
Yan Shang laughed: "Crude doesn't matter, as long as it works."
Meng Zaishi: "When we met in Chang'an back then, I never imagined it would come to this day."
Yan Shang tilted his head and set down his wine cup. He lowered his gaze with a smile: "You didn't foresee it? Strange, I actually anticipated it back then."
A sharp glint flashed in Meng Zaishi's eyes.
He whispered: "We can still cooperate."
Yan Shang sighed softly: "Then first give me some dividends, General, so I can see the benefits of cooperation."
As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Zaishi suddenly tensed all his muscles, sensing unprecedented danger. Like a leopard, he leaped up, overturned the table before him, and rolled several times across the hall's open space. The sounds of pursuit thudded relentlessly behind him as Meng Zaishi twisted and rolled, evading repeatedly.
He lifted a long table to block the sword strikes from behind.
Simultaneously, the entire banquet descended into chaos. Generals of Great Wei drew their blades from under the tables, the dancing courtesans fled in panic, and soldiers of Great Wei surrounded them from all sides. The Southern Barbarians who had been admiring beauties and drinking wine drew their swords fiercely but found themselves weakened, dizzy and disoriented.
Meng Zaishi watched coldly as the man holding the long sword with imposing aura turned out to be Yang Sanlang Yang Si. Yang Si crouched on an overturned table, his sharp eyes fixed on him.
Meng Zaishi didn't dare be careless.
Other Southern Barbarians shouted: "You poisoned the wine! How treacherous! To poison during peace negotiations!"
Yan Shang remained motionless.
He still knelt before the table where he had just conversed with Meng Zaishi, watching the chaos in the hall. Yan Shang said calmly: "I don't understand what these barbarians are saying."
He gave the order: "Kill—"
Meng Zaishi watched Yang Si stand up and saw the Great Wei soldiers surrounding them. Meng Zaishi laughed: "Impressive. So the Great Wei people also abandon righteousness and play such tricks."
Yang Si smiled: "We learn from each other."
Meng Zaishi: "Is Yang Sanlang only focused on killing me? Among all present, I might be the most favorable toward you."
Yang Si replied casually yet seriously: "It's just that you're the only one I know. I think... it'd be better for Great Wei if someone as capable as you died. Don't you agree?"
Meng Zaishi: "What a coincidence, I also think it'd be better for our Black Barbarians if you and Yan Erlang died."
Yang Si continued smiling, and Meng Zaishi smiled back at him. Both wore smiles, but the light in their eyes grew increasingly fierce. Then suddenly, they leaped up simultaneously, swift as lightning and leopards, striking at each other. Sword light illuminated their eyes—
"The unfinished battle from Chang'an's military exercise shall resume today—let's see which side will ultimately prevail!"
Great Wei's false peace negotiations inflicted heavy losses on the Southern Barbarians. Meng Zaishi fought desperately alongside several Southern Barbarian generals to break out of the Great Wei military camp. Half of the Southern Barbarian generals who went to negotiate died in the Great Wei camp. King Ale was enraged and immediately launched an attack on Jiannan.
The war that had ceased for a month resumed.
From this point onward, it entered a fierce, life-and-death phase.
This period lasted for half a year.Yang Si grew like a war god on the battlefield, his military talent earning the respect of the Jiannan generals, who no longer dared to underestimate him. Their commander, Yan Shang, earned even greater admiration from these officers and soldiers. Yan Shang rarely intervened in warfare, generally only observing his generals' strategies from the sidelines.
Yan Shang shielded them from various opinions and meddling interference from the central government.
While the Hexi battlefield became entangled like a vortex due to central government delays, the Jiannan battlefield remained completely unaffected by central authority.
Moreover, their provisions were abundant.
Yan Shang traveled everywhere raising supplies, borrowing grain from various prominent families, powerful local families, and local gentry. His extensive network of connections deeply impressed the Jiannan military personnel. Not only did Yan Shang secure grain supplies, he even managed to borrow troops from neighboring provinces and commanderies such as Huainan, drawing soldiers from under other military governors to serve Jiannan's needs.
Everything was dedicated to supplying the battlefield.
The war began with victories and defeats on both sides, but as time passed, the Southern Barbarians' inherent issues began to take their toll—they were simply too poor. Their poverty compelled them to wage this war, yet it also made them unable to sustain it.
Yang Si's military prowess put immense pressure on the Southern Barbarians. Even though the Hexi battlefield remained deadlocked, it did little to alleviate the strain on the Jiannan front. Yan Shang proved as impenetrable as an iron barrel, and the traps they laid, combined with Liu Wenji's influence in the central command, failed to infiltrate Jiannan at all.
King Ale grew increasingly irritable, and he came to realize how correct Meng Zaishi's initial suggestion to assassinate Yan Shang had been. What use was military skill alone? The true mark of greatness lay in being able to fend off political attacks from the rear, allowing one's officers and soldiers to fight without restraint.
Unfortunately, the Southern Barbarians no longer had the capacity to send assassins after Yan Shang. Yan Shang seldom even left the military camp these days and never set foot on the battlefield... What could King Ale possibly do?
As the Southern Barbarians were dragged deeper into the war, their inability to adapt to the harsh climate of Great Wei became apparent. Southern Barbarians began falling ill, and the number of soldiers collapsing in the camps grew steadily. They had gained little advantage from the battlefield, and as the war dragged into winter... the Southern Barbarians simply could not endure!
By the tenth month of that year, seeing his troops struggling more and more, King Ale knew they could not continue like this.
But how could the Southern Barbarians possibly admit defeat?
After much deliberation, he concluded that killing Yang Si on the battlefield was crucial, and assassinating Yan Shang off the battlefield was equally vital. Only with these two men dead could the tide turn in the Jiannan theater.
King Ale summoned Meng Zaishi to discuss, saying, "I plan to divide our forces."
Meng Zaishi remained expressionless, thinking that dividing their troops at this stage would be suicidal.
But King Ale shot him a glance and added, "We'll split to attack and seize Lingnan, marching on Guangzhou."
Meng Zaishi's eyelids twitched slightly as he looked at the king.
King Ale stared intently at him. "I've had people investigate. Before coming to Jiannan, Yan Shang was the governor of Guangzhou. Even now, his wife remains there, and his entire family is still in Guangzhou. I looked into Yan Shang's background and must admit I underestimated him. But while researching, I unexpectedly discovered that Yan Shang seems to share an exceptionally deep bond with that princess."
Meng Zaishi's expression remained blank.
King Ale continued, "If something were to happen to that princess, we could force Yan Shang to withdraw his troops from Jiannan to rescue her! His feelings for his wife are something we can definitely exploit! What do you think?"
Meng Zaishi replied tonelessly, "A brilliant idea."
He lowered his eyes with a faint, mocking smile. "Is Your Majesty sending me to kill that princess?"
King Ale laughed heartily, clapping Meng Zaishi on the shoulder. "What I mean is, I want you to stay in the Jiannan theater and take care of Yang Si for me. I will personally lead the troops to kill that princess. Given your past history with her, I wouldn't dare assign you to kill your old flame."
Meng Zaishi chuckled lightly. "That was merely a youthful dalliance. I've long forgotten her. Your Majesty underestimates me."
King Ale exchanged half-serious, half-jesting laughter with him but truly dared not entrust the Lingnan mission to Meng Zaishi. Late that night, after finalizing the new strategy, King Ale led a portion of the troops away from Jiannan. They would travel by water to attack Guangzhou, determined to force Yan Shang to withdraw from Jiannan—
In Guangzhou, as enemy forces approached by water, the military governor of the city immediately sought out Mu Wan Yao.The military governor was slightly flustered. After half a year of military exercises, he never expected they would actually see real combat. He hurried to the Princess Residence to seek the princess. Mu Wan Yao slowly fanned herself with a round silk fan and rose to her feet.
She said calmly, "Why panic? A thousand days of military training are for one moment of battle. I, the princess, foresaw this and am personally overseeing the situation. What is there to fear?
"Attack—"
Her sleeves fluttered as a flash of lightning illuminated Mu Wan Yao's eyes. Cold and ruthless, she stared directly at the military governor, who yielded and escorted the princess out of the residence to observe the battle from the main thoroughfare—
"Your Highness has arrived! Men, to battle!"
Mu Wan Yao quietly watched the orderly ships and soldiers below. War drums thundered, battle flags soared high, and the military governor stood beside the princess, observing as the soldiers' roars shook the heavens, stirring fervent passion in all who heard.
Mu Wan Yao closed her eyes, feeling the hot blood surge within her, scorching her skin: The defense of Guangzhou had finally begun.
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