Upon entering the capital region, Mu Zian immediately encountered some refugees who had fled after the Xiongnu had breached their cities.
Although the city walls of Dali were tall and imposing, it should have been impossible for only 20,000 men to breach them.
However, at this moment, Mu Zian had a vague sense of unease.
Moreover, it would take at least seven or eight days to gather troops from other cities in the capital region.
There are too many variables in these seven or eight days.
Therefore, Mu Zian did not hesitate at all and decisively chose the latter, continuing to lead three thousand men straight to the capital.
"Ding-dong! Congratulations, host, you have received a reward!"
"Would you like to begin the summoning?"
This time, Mu Zian did not immediately begin the summoning.
Since the infantry is being summoned this time, summoning them now would inevitably slow down the march.
Therefore, Mu Zian had no choice but to temporarily put aside his all-out sprint.
As night fell.
The entire capital was shrouded in darkness.
Inside the Third Prince's residence, Xiao Mei couldn't help but sneer as she listened to her subordinates' report.
"I never expected my ninth sister to have such ruthless methods. I really underestimated her before."
A scholar-official in a Confucian robe spoke up beside the Third Prince.
"The Second Prince's actions were not inappropriate, but I did not expect that the Ninth Princess would have such courage to make an example of someone."
"Now that His Majesty has entrusted the defense of the capital to Princess Ninth, I think it is not advisable for Your Highness to continue to confront her. It would be better to wait for the right opportunity."
"Even if Princess Ninth is exceptionally sharp, she is still just a woman and is unlikely to inherit the throne."
"As the saying goes, the more you do, the more mistakes you make. Besides, His Majesty also has the Fifth Prince, the Sixth Prince, and the Eighth Prince in addition to the Second Prince and His Highness."
"If Your Highness and the Ninth Princess were to fight each other like the snipe and the clam, I fear that the princes would be the ones to reap the benefits."
"Instead of doing that, it would be better to secretly accumulate strength and let the Second Prince and the Ninth Princess both suffer heavy losses, so that the Princess can reap the benefits in the end."
"The struggle for the crown prince position has never been about who comes first or who comes last, nor about who gets temporary glory. In the end, it's about who lives the longest."
Xiao Zi thought there was some truth to what he said.
"I have taken Mr. Wu's words to heart."
The strategist was pleased to hear this.
"It's good that Your Highness remembers. Among all the crown princes, only you and the mistress of the Second Prince and the Ninth Princess are the most honorable. As long as you can endure it, the throne will surely belong to you in the future."
Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed across Xiao Zi's face.
"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Wu. If I were to ascend the throne in the future, I would certainly appoint you as my prime minister!"
After the two had a heart-to-heart talk in the room for a while, the strategist surnamed Wu finally left.
The moment the strategist left, Xiao Mei's expression turned grim.
He had been insulted by Xiao Xiuning in the main hall, and he couldn't swallow his anger.
Xiao Zi then summoned a trusted aide and whispered a few words in the man's ear.
"Remember, this matter must be handled very cleanly."
Upon hearing this, the confidant clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"Please rest assured, Your Highness."
Xiao Zi nodded, and his confidant immediately turned and left.
The night outside the window was deep and dark, and Xiao Zi sneered.
"Ninth Sister, Ninth Sister, do you really think that those unruly and ignorant people can defend such a vast capital city?"
"I am the only savior of this world."
Inside the Ninth Princess's residence, the lights were also on full display.
Xiao Xiuning, Chen Congwu, and a group of city-defending generals gathered together.
Although the Xiongnu were renowned for their cavalry, they were indeed lacking in siege warfare skills.
Today's resounding victory left everyone present feeling refreshed and invigorated.
"The Xiongnu are nothing special. Even though they have few soldiers in the city, it's nothing short of a pipe dream for them to capture the capital!"
“That’s right! As long as we defend the nine gates of the capital, these Xiongnu will collapse on their own.”
A burly captain stepped forward and said.
"Princess! These Xiongnu are already isolated and outnumbered, and today their attack on the city has failed. Their morale must be wavering!"
"Why not let me personally lead an elite force tonight to raid the Xiongnu camp! We're sure to achieve something!"
Upon hearing this, the generals in the room all echoed his sentiments.
“That’s right! Your Highness! Today we are riding high on the momentum of our great victory! Our military strength is at its peak! If we don’t launch a counterattack now, when will we?”
Xiao Xiuning responded upon hearing this.
"The area outside the capital is flat and open. If we launch a surprise attack, we may be surrounded by the Xiongnu cavalry."
"Moreover, the Xiongnu are cunning. They did not attack the city with all their might today. Their retreat may be an attempt to lure us out of the city to attack."
"The military strength in the capital is already stretched thin, and if there is any unexpected event, the capital will be unstable."
Xiao Xiuning was not a gambler; for her, protecting the capital was the most important thing.
The night raid yielded great results, but the corresponding risks were also enormous, and he couldn't afford to gamble.
Upon seeing this, Shen Congwu slammed his hand on the table and angrily rebuked him.
"There are hundreds of thousands of people in the capital. Don't you know the responsibility on your shoulders?"
"Taking risks is not advisable at the moment; simply defending the capital would already be an immense achievement."
Shen Congwu saw through their schemes at a glance.
They probably just wanted to earn more military merits to facilitate their own promotion.
Seeing that their secret plans had been exposed, everyone quickly lowered their heads.
Xiao Xiuning spoke up.
"Gentlemen, there is no need to be angry. I will naturally give you the opportunity to make achievements."
"As long as you can help me defend the capital, I will not hesitate to reward you handsomely!"
After saying that, Xiao Xiuning clapped her hands.
Guards immediately carried in two large boxes from outside the door.
When the box was opened, it was filled with gleaming silver.
Everyone was shocked to see this.
Xiao Xiuning spoke up.
"These are just appetizers. Once the Xiongnu retreat, I will personally petition the Emperor for your merits!"
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a surge of excitement and immediately began to speak up.
"I am willing to die for Her Highness the Princess!"
As the saying goes, a generous reward will surely bring forth brave men.
Money has always been the best motivation for a person to fight desperately, and this has been true throughout history.
The brewing method that Xiao Xiuning obtained from Mu Zian has made her so wealthy that it's beyond description.
Therefore, Xiao Xiuning was not stingy with money.
If an ordinary prince dared to spend so much money to reward these officials guarding the capital, he would surely be accused of colluding with military generals.
But Xiao Xiuning has nothing to worry about, because she is a princess and a woman.
No court official was willing to invest in Xiao Xiuning.
No matter how dazzling Xiao Xiuning is, he is destined to have no chance of the throne.
Just as various factions within the capital were in turmoil.
A secret letter was placed in front of Yelü Junba outside the capital.
The letter contained only one sentence.
"At midnight tomorrow, three lanterns at the south gate will serve as a signal; the high wall can then be scaled."
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