During Emperor Hui's coma, Consort Xi took care of him without taking off her clothes. After he woke up, he told Consort Xi to go to the inner palace to rest and not to stay with him anymore.

Now, Emperor Hui only has Hua Zisheng and Xiu Ning by his side, taking care of him day and night.

Xie Anfeng talked to Xie Zhaozhao about many things, and Xie Zhaozhao was surprised that her father could talk to her about so many court matters.

Xie Anfeng smiled and said, "You are a high-ranking imperial consort, so you are entitled to know about some things in the court. His Majesty greatly admires you and praises you as the foremost person in the country who is loyal to the emperor and loves his country."

I had a meal with Xie Zhaozhao at Qingpuyuan before going back.

Before leaving, Xie An gave Xu Mama a thousand taels of silver and asked her to distribute it among the servants. He said that with Grand Secretary Gu away, things were not peaceful outside, and everyone should work together to protect Qingpu Garden.

Knowing that Lord Xie doted on his daughter, Granny Xu first expressed her gratitude and then, together with Xie Zhaozhao, escorted Xie An to the door.

Xie Anfeng instructed Xie Zhaozhao: "Things are not peaceful outside right now. Don't go out unless it's urgent. Stay quietly in the mansion and wait for Grand Secretary Gu to return. If the palace issues an imperial decree, send someone to inform me. Your father will go with you!"

Xie Zhaozhao was sincerely grateful and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you, Father!"

Mid-July.

Three fast horses from the border, shouting "Great victory!", entered the capital.

"A great victory in the Northeast! The imperial court has decisively defeated the Liaodong rebels and recovered Xizhou in Hebei."

"A great victory in the north! The imperial court has decisively defeated the Wei family's rebel army and recovered Hedong Prefecture."

"A great victory in the Northwest! The imperial court has decisively defeated the Western Xia rebels and captured five cities of the enemy state."

This news was a huge boost to morale, and the people were so excited that they spread the word: the big battle was won!

Three messengers, shouting all the way, arrived at the palace gate.

Carrying the military report, I await His Majesty's summons.

Soon, His Majesty issued an order for the messenger to come to court.

His Majesty was discussing matters with his officials in the Hall of Diligent Governance when three people were summoned into the hall. Emperor Hui forced himself to stay alert and listened to their reports on the battle situation.

Xie Anfeng then realized that one of the three messengers was Nanxing.

It seems the military situation is of utmost importance and cannot be afforded any mistakes.

Emperor Hui handed over the military report written by Gu Shaoyu, and listened as Nanxing reported the battle results at the front in detail.

"Grand Secretary Gu mobilized troops and dispatched four vanguard teams to launch surprise attacks on the Wei rebels, the Eastern Liao, the Western Xia, and the Uyghurs before the main army arrived at the camp, by passing through Yuzhou and the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun."

Commander Gu Chongjin of the Imperial Guards and Xie Jue, a junior officer of the Palace Guards, led 5,000 men in a surprise attack on Eastern Liao from the northeast. In coordination with the imperial border troops, they annihilated 30,000 Eastern Liao soldiers and captured a city in Eastern Liao.

Marquis Xiaoyao Yin Jin'an and his retainer Wang Fen led 5,000 men in a surprise attack on the Wei army. Together with the imperial army, they launched a pincer attack and annihilated 70,000 enemy soldiers. The Wei army is currently in a state of continuous defeat and is retreating northwest from Hedong Prefecture.

Ren Jialin, a chivalrous figure from the martial arts world, led three thousand men to defeat the Uyghurs, who then submitted a letter of surrender.

"Annan Earl Li Yunmu, along with Yunyang and Yunxiao, the military leaders of the Grand Secretary's wife, launched a pincer attack from both inside and outside the northwest, killing the Western Xia commander-in-chief Yeli Qifan and capturing 50,000 soldiers. The Western Xia army was routed and fled in panic. They have already captured five Western Xia cities..."

One word: We won!

These news swept away most of the gloom that had hung over the court for months, and even brought color to Emperor Hui's gaunt face.

"My three beloved ministers, come with me to the Imperial Study and give me your reports in detail." Emperor Hui handed the memorials he had finished reading to Xie Anfeng and the other ministers, and led Nanxing and the other two to the Imperial Study.

"Tell me the truth, is it really that optimistic over there?"

Upon arriving at the imperial study, Emperor Hui's expression changed, and he asked sternly.

Emperor Hui has been to the front lines before; how can a war be so easy to fight?

Nanxing calmly and firmly replied, "Your Majesty, I did not lie; it is all the truth."

Emperor Hui said, "Is the enemy so easily defeated?"

"No, they are strong, but we are stronger!"

Although the Western Xia scimitar was sharp, it could not compare to the new weapons of the Marquis of Xiaoyao, nor to the abundant provisions of the Earl of Annan.

Although the Wei army had a large number of soldiers and generals, the Marquis of Xiaoyao and Grand Secretary Gu cooperated perfectly, and the Wei family was completely surrounded...

It must be said that our side also suffered some damage, with tens of thousands of dead and wounded, but compared to the enemy's casualties, this was insignificant.

Emperor Hui's mood finally improved upon learning that they had truly won.

He clutched his chest and frowned, saying, "You've all had a long journey. Go to the post station and rest first, then head back early the day after tomorrow."

The group received some reward money and left the palace.

Nanxing was overjoyed and went straight back to Qingpuyuan.

Xie Zhaozhao was both surprised and happy to see Nanxing suddenly return: "Nanxing, you're back. Who will protect the Grand Secretary?"

"Madam, rest assured, Dongyue has been following the Grand Secretary closely, never leaving his side. I will be leaving the day after tomorrow."

Nanxing reported everything that had happened to Xie Zhaozhao in the Northwest and handed her a letter that Gu Shaoyu had written to her.

The letter wasn't mixed in with the official documents; it was wrapped separately in oiled paper.

The letter is short.

"My dearest wife, Zhaozhao: I am well, so please rest assured. There are few trees in the northwest, and I often gaze at the moon, imagining you in the capital, gazing at the bright moon with me..."

There is not a single word for "thinking," yet thoughts are everywhere.

Xie Zhaozhao was heartbroken to hear from Nanxing that Gu Shaoyu had been working tirelessly to mobilize troops and had lost a lot of weight.

Nanxing can't stay at home for long; she can only rest for a day or so before she has to leave.

She was thinking about what she could do for Gu Shaoyu.

Thinking about the hybrid of "Haijiao" and "Qinjiao" brought back from overseas, that pepper dish was absolutely delicious.

They also brought a type of beef jerky called "battle rations" from the sea. After improvements by several food enthusiasts, including Manman, Aunt Cui, and Aunt Chai, several ways of eating it have been invented.

She said to Yuanyuan, "Go to the kitchen and bring Nanxing some beef sauce so he can try it."

Yuanyuan hurriedly brought over a jar, filled a dish with beef sauce, and then brought Nanxing half a basket of white steamed buns.

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