Daylight broke.

As the sun rises above the horizon, even in the cold winter, the sunrise brings a sense of warmth.

The warm, gentle sunlight shone on the ground, beginning to dispel the chill.

The frost-covered wild grass bowed its head, the frost melting into crystal-clear dew that slid off its leaves and dripped onto the reddish-brown ground, mingling with the congealed blood and reflecting a dazzling light.

The rumbling of the war chariots left ruts on the slightly damp ground.

The neighing warhorses, heads held high, strained to pull the wooden cart laden with stones. Beside them, the cavalrymen stood tall and proud, their resolute faces radiating boundless vigor, just like the rising sun.

Banners fluttered in the wind like flames, and iron hooves thundered like rolling thunder.

An army of over 200,000, leading war cavalry, crossbows, and ballistae, marched unhurriedly across the plains.

In the midst of the army, Qin Ze wore a white cloak, his face showing little expression, only composure.

A gust of wind blew by, causing a strand of his black hair to flutter on his forehead. He looked up at the sky and wrapped his cloak tighter around himself.

"Although it's a sunny day, it's getting colder and colder; it looks like it's about to snow..."

Bai Dian nodded, "That's right. A few days ago was the Minor Snow solar term, and it didn't snow in Xijing. But it should snow in the next few days. I think it's going to snow today, even though it's sunny. It's unusually cold, and the weather might change this afternoon."

At this point, he changed the subject, a cold glint appearing in his eyes.

"My lord, Huo Qubing has successfully blocked Tu Yuan's retreat. They only have about 200,000 troops left. We can take them down in one fell swoop today!"

Qin Ze nodded slightly. "Mm."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dian Wei continued, "After yesterday's battle, these people were terrified. Today, why don't we take these war lances and crossbows and attack their camp directly?"

Bai Qi stroked his beard and smiled: "That's right."

At this point, he turned his head to look at the rear of the army.

Those were wooden carts, piled high with shovels, their purpose, of course, being to dig holes.

Bai Qi turned his head, looked at the land, and said:

"After this battle, the land outside Xijing should yield a good harvest next year if crops are planted there."

Dian Wei looked completely bewildered, his face filled with confusion.

——

Knowing that Tu Yuanjun had no chance of escaping, Qin Ze did not order the army to march at a rapid pace.

Of course, the army needed to move quickly, and the war machines couldn't keep up. So it wasn't until noon that the army could see the towers of the Tu Yuan army camp in the distance.

At this point, there were still several miles to go.

At this moment, another army arrived to join them; it was Huo Qubing and his entourage.

Upon seeing Qin Ze, Huo Qubing revealed a faint smile.

"My lord, we have been waiting for you for a long time."

Qin Ze looked at him and smiled faintly, saying, "How was it last night?"

“Tu Yuan’s morale has been shattered, and they are like frightened birds. I led the archers to pursue them and killed several thousand of them. Although they outnumbered me, they dared not pursue me.”

At this point, Dian Wei laughed heartily.

Qin Ze looked up and saw that some corpses had begun to appear on the ground in front of him.

"Indeed, it's good to deplete some of their forces, but with these weapons today, it's even easier to fight them."

Just then, Huo Qubing interjected, "Last night I heard some commotion in Tu Yuan's army. Judging from the sounds, it seemed that some people had left the camp and rushed to the border last night."

"But it was already late at night, and I figured we had to cross the bridge. With such harsh weather and a big battle during the day, I estimated we wouldn't arrive until the afternoon."

"I wonder if they'll bring their troops back once they see the bridge is blocked...hehe."

Bai Qi stroked his beard, a hint of a smile in his eyes: "After traveling day and night, will we still be able to return to the military camp?"

"I'd be exhausted to death, or frozen to death!"

As they spoke, the army marched on for a while longer, and was now only three or four miles away from Tu Yuan's army camp.

After walking another two miles or so, we could set up war siege towers, arrange three-bow crossbows, and begin bombarding the Tu Yuan army camp.

But just then, Huo Qubing, with his sharp eyes, raised an eyebrow and spoke:

"Look! The gates of Tu Yuan's military camp are open!"

Everyone looked up and, sure enough, the gates of the military camp seemed to be open. The next moment, a man rode in on horseback.

The man and his horse arrived in a hurry.

Dian Wei's face darkened. "What's going on? Are you trying to assassinate me alone on horseback?"

As the distance closed, Qin Ze stared intently. The man was not wearing any armor, nor was he carrying any weapons. His bald head gleamed in the sunlight.

Huo Qubing frowned, took out his bow and arrow from his back, and was about to nock the arrow when he heard the man shout:

"I am Tu Yuan Commander Mokhadin! Please allow me to meet with the Prince of Zhenbei! I have something to say!"

Qin Ze raised his hand, signaling Huo Qubing to put down his bow and arrows.

Then Mokhadin arrived on horseback. He was only wearing a single layer of clothing, and his face was pale from the wind on his way here. His lips were purple, and his hands were red and swollen.

"Halt!" Dian Wei shouted.

A hundred meters away, Mokhaddin stopped his horse, then dismounted. He took a few steps forward, away from the horse, then raised his hand, turned around, and indicated that he had no weapons.

After finishing these tasks, Mokhadin turned around and looked at the army, his gaze falling on Qin Ze in the crowd.

Although he had never met him, he knew from the soldiers beside Qin Ze that this was the renowned Prince Zhenbei.

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