Nearly 50,000 soldiers on the Southern Qi border suffered food poisoning. At that very moment, troops with a Northern Rong accent gathered to attack them and burned the Southern Qi soldiers' provisions.

The news caused a sensation worldwide.

The people were terrified, shocked, and sighed with dismay.

Meanwhile, the Southern Emperor urgently ordered the erection of defenses and the mobilization of troops, commanding Shen Yuan to rush to the border.

Amidst the clash of swords and the rising smoke of battle, a high defensive line was erected along the northern border.

A major battle is about to break out.

However, before Bei Rong could launch an attack, the Southern Qi soldiers, who had already suffered heavy losses, suddenly rallied and launched a counterattack, unexpectedly setting Bei Rong's supplies on fire.

Fires broke out everywhere, burning half the sky.

In this round, Southern Qi wins.

Moreover, it was a bloodless victory.

...

Beirong.

Council Hall.

"You bastard."

The Northern Emperor angrily threw down the memorial in his hand, slamming it heavily onto the gleaming floor. He glanced around and said, "You can swallow this kind of injustice in silence, and you still have the nerve to submit a memorial?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. I really didn't expect that Southern Qi would resort to this self-inflicted injury ruse."

The Minister of War stepped forward.

Having lost both his eldest son and daughter, the Minister Fangfei aged ten years overnight, but the resentment in his eyes was undeniable and undisguised.

"So you want me to sit here and wait to die?"

The Emperor was furious. He stopped looking at the Minister of War and instead looked at General Xie below him. "General Xie, now that Lord Qi's whereabouts are unknown, I have already ordered Yu Qingyi, who has not yet arrived in the capital, to turn back halfway to the border city of Beirong. Apart from that, do you have any other suggestions?"

General Xie stepped forward, his brows lowered, displaying exceptional humility. "Your Majesty," he said, "this humble subject is willing to lead troops there and vow to defend the prestige of my Northern Rong Kingdom to the death."

"In the end, we still have to fight. Although we have made arrangements for defense and deployed troops in a timely manner, the world does not know that we have fallen for the Southern Qi's ruse. We have lost the support of the people, and with our supplies burned, we are at a disadvantage everywhere, and the morale of our soldiers is somewhat disordered."

An official stepped forward to offer his advice.

"So, am I just going to wait for the Southern Qi to attack?"

When the emperor was enraged, the entire council hall fell silent instantly.

The Southern Qi was caught off guard and came on strong. Coupled with the grudges between them and the Southern Qi princess, no one dared to say much.

"Your Majesty, we can win over Western Xia..."

After a while, a young man in court attire, who was at the end of the officials' ranks, walked out of the hall.

That was Qin Xun. In the past few days, he had already held an important but not insignificant position in the court.

After Wang Renyi's death, and after Qi Rufeng's disappearance, the emperor heavily relied on him.

At this moment, Qin Xun uttered a single word, and the Emperor's sharp gaze suddenly fell upon him, "Western Xia?"

"Your Majesty, that's right. The Western Xia has a unique geography, located between the Northern Rong and the Southern Qi. If we rashly attack the Southern Qi now, the Western Xia might take the opportunity to help the Southern Qi... Even if they don't help the Southern Qi, they could still cause us trouble from both sides. Rather than waiting for such a problem to occur, we should strike first and persuade the Western Xia. Even if the Western Xia doesn't agree, we can find an opportunity to restrain them sooner."

Qin Xun finished speaking in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, and then lowered his head.

At the head of the table, the Emperor's gaze lingered, sweeping around the room. "Does anyone else have anything to say?"

"Your Majesty."

The Marquis of Loyalty and Courage stepped forward. Xu Shixun had already returned to his residence. Since returning, he had been silent and was injured. He believed that Xie Lingqin was responsible. He said with certainty, "The Southern Qi should not be underestimated. With General Xie leading the army and Lord Qin persuading the Western Xia, I think it is feasible."

"Then who should we send?"

"I volunteered for the mission."

Zou Xun bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

Inside the council hall, the officials looked at each other, and no one objected.

"Alright, but I'm worried that you can't manage alone, so I'll send someone else to go with you."

Qin Xun's eyes narrowed slightly, and he sent someone to accompany him.

Could it be...?

Inside the hall, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Clearly, none of them wanted to go; no one wanted to associate with Western Xia. They were also unsure who the Emperor intended to send…

Only Lord Huo, the Prefect of the Capital, remained serious and silent, only glancing at Qin Xun intermittently and subtly before withdrawing his gaze, seemingly lost in thought.

"Fifth Prince, Yuwen Shi."

"Head of the table," the Emperor said loudly.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

I had heard that the Fifth Prince had secretly entered the capital, but he had never shown his face, nor had I heard the Emperor mention it. Is this the official announcement that the Fifth Prince is in the capital?

"The Fifth Prince's health..."

Han Chen stepped forward, for everyone in the court knew that the Fifth Prince had been frail since childhood.

"Yes, my dear ministers, there is no need to worry. Having been raised in Fengnuan City for so many years, the Fifth Prince is perfectly capable of handling the mission to Xixia."

Since the Emperor had said so, the ministers naturally dared not contradict him.

"Qin Xun, do you have any objections?"

The Emperor is asking questions at the head of the table.

Qin Xun was suddenly met with the Emperor's sharp, cold gaze, and his heart trembled. However, he tried his best to suppress his emotions, raised his hand, and lowered his head, saying, "Your Majesty, I will follow your arrangements."

"Then it's settled. We'll set off tomorrow."

"yes."

"Then let's adjourn the court."

All the adults came out of the hall.

Only after leaving the palace did the Prefect of the Capital casually walk alongside Qin Xun.

"Lord Qin." A soft voice called out.

"Take care on your journey."

Lord Huo did not stop walking. Before Qin Xun could react, he whispered these words again and walked ahead of him.

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