"A short pain is worse than a long one. Only by capturing Nanjing as soon as possible can Daqian return to peace sooner."

After he finished speaking, everyone in the tent nodded.

Qin Ze looked at the geomantic map, pondered for a long time, and then sighed softly:

"Whether it was attacking or defending the city, in the end, the city was still destroyed and reduced to ashes. In fact, this was a land of great calamity."

"But we have no choice but to fight, and bloodshed is inevitable. This great battle requires destruction before construction."

"Yes, my lord." After the words were spoken, everyone showed a thoughtful expression.

Qin Ze picked up the geomantic map from the table and continued:

"If we head south, these two small towns will be easy to take; we shouldn't need a direct assault. But this place is very important." Qin Ze pointed to the marker for [Yanluo Mountain].

"Yanlu Mountain will be our next battlefield."

Zhang Liao and Xu Huang peeked over, their faces showing confusion.

"My lord, has Jin Fengluan already dispatched troops here?"

Qin Ze shook his head. "I don't know."

"Although we have managed to capture Anyang County, a key town, Gao Shun has just reported to me that we have suffered heavy losses today, with tens of thousands of dead and wounded."

"And half of Anyang County's city defenses have been destroyed by us. Once we take it, I can't just leave it alone. Therefore, it's best not to attack the city unless absolutely necessary. Even that old thief Xiao Ru, hmph."

Shaking his head, Qin Ze continued, "Anyang County is of vital importance to Dagan. Once Jin Fengluan learns of its fall, he will surely send a large force to retake it."

"Yanlu Mountain is the only way to go. I want to go south, but she wants to send troops north."

"Therefore, I want to turn Yanlu Mountain into a massive battlefield."

"I'll kill as many people as she sends, the more the better. Next... we'll be closer to the capital. How many more can she send to stop me?"

Zhang Liao nodded and said, "That's good. Continuing to advance and fight in the city is better than fighting on the open field. At least... the city won't be destroyed."

Qin Ze nodded slightly. "That's right. Since we have to keep fighting anyway, avoiding the city is the best option."

"Yanlu Mountain is indeed very dangerous. If she has already sent reinforcements there, it will definitely be a lot of work for us. However... who knows?"

“I conquered Anyang County in a single day, and the news has not yet reached the capital. Yanlu Mountain may not even have any troops there yet.”

"Therefore, after the fall of Anyang County, I sent the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun to Yanluo Mountain. I hope there are no troops there. If we can take advantage of the terrain first, it will be much more convenient."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement.

Dian Wei nodded in agreement, but then suddenly laughed:

"My lord, I remember you said before that Anyang County was that woman's little treasury. Now that we've taken it, won't that woman be short of money?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Ze shook his head and smiled:

“She was repairing the palace. Before I came to Beiliang, she was still adding to it. The tax silver from Anyang County has not yet been sent there. The tax silver from Donghai also has to pass through here. Now that Anyang County is in my hands, it will not be able to be sent to the capital.”

"Losing a few cities might only make her feel like she's lost face..."

"But the money in her pocket is less, and with her temper, she'll probably be furious."

"That's why she's determined to take back Anyang County. She'll send a large army, and this time, we'll see how many she sends and how many we can handle."

"Sigh, taking Anyang County is really like cutting off a piece of her flesh."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Everyone burst into laughter, and the candlelight flickered amidst the laughter.

——

The capital city, a bright moonlit night.

A gentle breeze swept through the palace as the palace maids carried lampshades into the bedchamber.

Although it was late at night, the palace was still brightly lit. In front of the bed, Jin Fengluan lay on the bed with a face as white as frost, accepting the tea handed to her by a maid.

"Your Majesty, perhaps we should summon the imperial physician for you," the maid said cautiously.

"No need, I just feel a little tightness in my chest and nausea, it will be fine after a night." Jin Fengluan stretched out her fair arm, and the maid immediately took the teacup from her hand.

"Is there any urgent report?" Jin Fengluan asked, touching her forehead.

"Your Majesty, no."

"The gold medal Your Majesty sent to the Southern Barbarian army should have arrived in the last couple of days. Once they receive it, they will speed up their march and arrive in Anyang County as soon as possible. Your Majesty can rest assured and take care of your health," the palace maid said, bowing her head.

Jin Fengluan sighed softly, frowning as she said:

"How could I not know? It's just that as long as Qin Ze is not eliminated, I feel suffocated. I went to see the Imperial Advisor earlier, and I slept well for a few nights afterward."

"These past few days, for some reason, I've been feeling unwell again."

The palace maid comforted him, saying, "Your Majesty, the weather is getting colder and the wind is blowing harder. The capital has never been like this before. Perhaps Your Majesty is thinking too much and has caught a chill, which is why you are not feeling well."

"Your Majesty, it is late. You should retire for the night."

Jin Fengluan rubbed his temples and shook his head, saying, "I hope Wu Kui can arrive in Anyang County soon and suppress that traitor. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep soundly. Sigh."

After speaking, Jin Fengluan gave a look to dismiss the palace maids and silently retreated back into the quilt.