The first thing Huo Xi did after arriving was to overturn the tactics previously devised by the Seventh Prince and replace the city guards with his own personal guards.
There were no signs of troops being deployed for two consecutive days.
Empress Yan was getting impatient and sent people to urge them on more than once.
All I got in return was a "not suitable" message, and to wait a little longer.
Enraged, Prime Minister Yan went to Huo Xi several times to demand an explanation, only to find Huo Xi guarding Huo San's room, helping Huo San apply medicine to his wounds.
Upon seeing Prime Minister Yan arrive, Huo Xi casually scooped up a spoonful of medicine, spread it in his palm, and gently applied it to Huo San.
They didn't seem anxious at all.
"Huo Xi, it's been two days already. When do you plan to send troops? The Empress's health is failing." Prime Minister Yan questioned him abruptly.
Huo Xi said, "I have consulted the imperial physician. The poison that the Empress has been given is not likely to kill her easily, but she will suffer. War also requires the right timing. If we send troops out rashly, we will only lose our composure, and the consequences of defeat are something that neither you nor I can bear."
His tone was indifferent, showing no regard for Empress Yan's life or death.
Huo San hummed in agreement, "Brother is right."
Prime Minister Yan was so angry that he choked on his words, his face turning pale and then flushed. Just as he was about to speak again, the sound of drums and horns came from outside the door.
He was both surprised and delighted.
"General, the Northern Chu army is attacking the city!" a guard shouted as he came to report.
Huo Xi's expression changed slightly. He put down the ointment, washed his hands, and stood up with a long stride. He glanced at Prime Minister Yan and said, "Prime Minister, why are you in such a hurry? Look, isn't this the time?"
Prime Minister Yan moved his lips: "Then congratulations to General Huo on his early triumphant return."
...
The Northern Chu army was at the city gates.
Zhao Jiahua, disguised as a soldier, also came along. He looked up at the high city wall and saw that the commander-in-chief who appeared on the wall was Huo Xi.
She smiled, a slight curve to her lips.
"The leadership in southern Xinjiang has changed."
"Changing generals on the battlefield is a major taboo, the Southern Frontier Emperor is such a fool!" The Northern Chu Emperor curled his lip and stretched.
I heard that Huo Xi had arrived a few hours ago.
To guess whether the general had been replaced, Zhao Jiahua deliberately led his men to pretend to attack the city. After confirming that there was no mistake, he said to the Emperor of Northern Chu, "Let's retreat."
"good!"
The Emperor of Northern Chu waved his hand and ordered the troops to withdraw.
So the Northern Chu army left in a grand procession.
Huo Xi, watching this scene from the city wall, frowned deeply. His adjutant asked in confusion, "What exactly does Northern Chu mean by this?"
"Could it be that they are afraid of the general's reputation?"
Huo Xi remained silent.
The next few days
The Northern Chu army came every day, with thousands of horses galloping, always pretending to be about to attack the city. But every time Huo Xi showed his face, the Northern Chu army would retreat.
Over time, Huo Xi's patience ran out.
Finally, when the Northern Chu army attacked again, the city gates were opened, and countless Southern Frontier soldiers rushed out. Zhao Jiahua narrowed his eyes: "Look, the city gates are open now, aren't they?"
The Emperor of Northern Chu smiled and nodded, but as he gripped his long sword, his smile vanished, and he gave a deep command: "Kill!"
The city gates in the southeast, west and south directions were attacked by the Northern Chu army.
The city was in complete chaos.
This battle lasted for two whole days, with neither side gaining the upper hand.
However, the Northern Chu forces were the majority, and the Southern Frontier soldiers were not united. Once they had the intention to retreat, they would keep retreating.
"Your Majesty, the situation outside is dire. We must retreat immediately," said Prime Minister Yan.
Empress Yan, disregarding her chest pain, immediately nodded and instructed Qingzhi to pack up and prepare for retreat as soon as possible. Before leaving, she also ordered someone to take the Seventh Prince with her.
"The city has fallen?" The Seventh Prince was suddenly stunned.
Empress Yan said urgently, "The border town is not wealthy to begin with. It's alright if we lose it. Let's retreat quickly."
The Seventh Prince looked at Empress Yan with disdain: "The construction of the border city cost countless resources. The city walls are indestructible and it took more than ten years to complete. As long as the city gates are not opened, the Northern Chu army simply cannot break in!"
At this point, Empress Yan finally realized that something was wrong: "So what do we do now?"
The border town wasn't poor; it was just that all its silver had been used to build city walls, making it as solid as an ironclad fortress.
"It's too late to say all this now, let's retreat first," Prime Minister Yan said anxiously.
evening
The border town has fallen and been occupied by the Northern Chu.
Huo Xi led his troops in retreat.
The Emperor of Northern Chu ordered that the fleeing enemy should not be pursued, and that the soldiers should rest and recuperate in the border city.
"Once the border city is breached, the other cities in the southern frontier will be no match for us!"
"That fool, the old emperor of the Southern Frontier, abandoned the Seventh Prince, the God of War, and actually used such an incompetent general. Haha, he's just letting us get away with this."
"After being chased and beaten by the southern border for so many years, we have finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel."
The generals from various countries chatted excitedly, their respect for the Northern Chu Emperor growing ever stronger: "The Northern Chu Emperor is indeed insightful; he conquered the border city without lifting a finger."
The Northern Chu Emperor's smile remained unchanged: "Now we can rest for ten days or so and reward the three armies."
"Why not press the attack?" Some people felt the fight wasn't enough and wanted to continue.
The Northern Chu Emperor shook his head: "With the generals of the Southern Frontier distracted, we only need to wait. When we attack, we will suffer fewer losses and have a greater chance of winning."
"What if the old emperor of the Southern Frontier uses the seventh prince again?"
Several generals had suffered losses at the hands of the Seventh Prince, and they all wanted to take advantage of the fact that the Seventh Prince was not their commander-in-chief to seize the southern border in one fell swoop.
The Northern Chu Emperor laughed: "Generals, think about it. The Southern Frontier Emperor went through a lot of trouble to regain the Seventh Prince's military power. How could he easily relinquish it? Furthermore, the Huo family army is very arrogant. How could he simply hand over military power to the Seventh Prince? Wouldn't that give the Seventh Prince an opportunity to deal with the Huo family?"
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