He recalled Li Jingang's parting words: "Take good care of this world... don't become like me."
"I won't," Zhao Muyun murmured to himself, "but I won't miss a single battle that needs to be fought."
Outside the window, it started to drizzle again.
May 18th, Chengdu.
The governor's mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and officials came in an endless stream to offer their birthday greetings.
Yang Yan sat in the main seat, receiving congratulations from his confidants, feeling smug and self-satisfied.
He knew, of course, that Pang Qing was operating in secret, and that some people in the army were wavering.
But it doesn't matter—after today, he will purge all the suspicious people and make Jiannan a solid block.
The banquet lasted until late at night, and after several rounds of drinks.
Yang Yan was a little drunk and was about to announce the end of the party when he suddenly smelled a burning smell.
"What's going on?" he frowned.
Before he finished speaking, flames suddenly shot into the sky from the west side!
"Fire! Fire!" Exclamations arose from all sides.
Chaos erupted among the guests. Surrounded by his guards, Yang Yan rose to his feet: "Don't panic! Someone, quickly put out the fire—"
His words came to an abrupt end.
A long sword pierced his back and emerged from his chest.
Yang Yan turned around with difficulty and saw his most trusted deputy general—that familiar face was now as cold as frost.
“You…” Yang Yan opened his mouth, and blood gushed out.
"The General has ordered that the traitor Yang Yan be killed without mercy."
The lieutenant drew his sword, and Yang Yan fell to the ground with a thud.
Almost simultaneously, shouts of battle rang out from all over the Prince's mansion.
Tang Yanhai and Shen Qian led their elite troops out from the shadows, and together with the already turned garrison, they quickly took control of the situation.
Pang Qing, accompanied by the officials he had contacted, stormed into the Prince's residence and publicly read out Yang Yan's crimes and the imperial edict of pacification issued by the Great Yin Dynasty.
"Yang Yan is dead! Those who surrender will not be killed!" The shouts echoed through the Chengdu night sky.
At dawn, Chengdu changed hands.
Three days later, all thirteen prefectures of Jiannan submitted.
When the news reached the capital, Zhao Muyun was inspecting the new army at the drill ground.
After hearing the battle report, he only said one sentence: "Tell Tang Yanhai, Shen Qian, and Pang Qing that they should be rewarded for their merits. Tell them to appease the people of Jiannan. Spring plowing is imminent, and the farming season must not be missed."
He turned around and looked north.
The capital has been secured, Shandong and Huainan are being recovered, and Jiannan has submitted.
Now, there's only one last thing left.
Zhao Muyun gripped the hilt of the sword at her waist.
Beyond the Great Wall, on the grasslands, it's time to settle accounts with the Northern Barbarians who have repeatedly invaded the border and slaughtered civilians over the years.
Spring breezes are about to sweep across the land, but this year's spring breezes will carry the scent of iron and blood.
The world has been pacified, but the real war may have only just begun.
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