Three days after New Year's Eve, Xiao Yujue ordered Mu Jingrui and Zheng Binghong to split their forces into two groups and march towards the capital with the gathered troops.
Once the war starts, there is no stopping.
In the first six months, the news that came back was almost all about defeat, heavy casualties, and even Mu Jingrui escaped death several times.
Shangguan Wanning knew that it was because Xiao Zhenting had some remaining memories from his previous life that he was suppressing Mu Jingrui in a targeted manner.
However, there were changes after all.
That is Zheng Binghong.
In his previous life, Zheng Binghong was strangled when Xiao Zhenting ascended the throne, but in this life, he is still alive, and his ability to deploy troops and march and fight is no inferior to Mu Jingrui.
The battle situation on his side was much better than that of Mu Jingrui, and it caused considerable deterrence and blow to the imperial court.
As the situation changed, Mu Jingrui began to adjust his strategy and no longer developed according to the memories of Xiao Zhenting.
The situation he faced was the same as Shangguan Wanning's, neither of them had an advantage.
Half a year later, Mu Jingrui began to counterattack, and he was almost unstoppable and invincible. Wherever he went, the imperial army was defeated, and it was common for him to defeat the larger force with a smaller one.
Gradually, Mu Jingrui's fame grew, and many generals in the cities he attacked surrendered in advance, and the cities fell without a fight.
As Zheng Binghong and Mu Jingrui continued to win, Xiao Zhenting began to feel the crisis, and he kept spreading the news that Xiao Yujue had killed the king and his father among the people, trying to shake the people's hearts.
Shangguan Yue volunteered to travel to places across the country where resistance was resolute and negotiate with local officials, hoping to gain their cooperation and support to reduce conflict.
Shangguan Wanning stayed by her father's side and began to accompany him on his trip around the country.
"My Lord, my Lady, please eat something."
The follower bought a few buns at a three-way intersection not far away and came back with an angry look on his face.
"Old Wang, what's wrong with you?" Shangguan Yue asked with a smile.
Lao Wang was filled with frustration. He was so depressed that his face turned red. He said, "Sir, I was blackmailed, but... I can't do anything about it... I feel really aggrieved."
"Oh?" Shangguan Wanning suddenly became interested.
Lao Wang has followed Shangguan Yue for many years. Whenever Shangguan Yue goes out, he is willing to take him with him. When the Shangguan family was at its peak, even officials from the court had to give him some face when they saw him, so he was considered a worldly-wise man.
"Uncle Wang, tell me about it." Shangguan Wanning broke the bun and put it into her mouth.
When Lao Wang saw that she looked like she was listening to a story, his anger subsided a lot.
"Miss, do you know how much these buns cost?"
Shangguan Wanning took a look and saw that there were thirty buns in total, each bun costing two cents, which was sixty cents in total.
"Sixty cents..."
"No, no, no," Lao Wang immediately interrupted Shangguan Wan Ning, "In today's world, even if he sells it for 80 wen, I wouldn't say it's expensive. But those two guys in the teahouse in front are selling it for 140 wen."
"Besides, they said it's up to you to buy or not. There won't be any food to eat if we go further. If we go into the city and eat at a restaurant, it will be even more expensive. You know what I'm thinking..."
Shangguan Yue and Shangguan Wanning were both shocked.
If these buns are bought for 140 wen, it shows that the soaring prices have reached a level that ordinary people cannot afford.
"Alas, the chaos and wars are endless, no wonder..." Shangguan Yue sighed silently, "Now we can only hope that your uncle and Jing Rui can capture the capital as soon as possible and restore the reputation of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"But... this increase is too outrageous..." Shangguan Wanning felt that something was fishy.
The group ate the buns and rested for a while before preparing to set off.
"Ning'er, take your people and go into the city first. I have a friend in Huashan nearby. I haven't seen him for many years. It's a rare opportunity for me to pass by here, so I thought of paying him a visit."
"I'm going too..."
"No." Shangguan Yue refused without even thinking about it.
Shangguan Wanning had just said it casually, but her father's refusal aroused her curiosity. "Dad, why can't I go? Could it be that... you are doing something else outside without telling mom..."
"Nonsense. The older you get, the more unruly you become. Talking to your father like that." Shangguan Yue poked his daughter's head. "He lives in seclusion in the mountains and doesn't like to see outsiders. When you get into the city, find an inn to stay in and don't cause any trouble. Wait until I come back and then we'll go see the prefect together."
"Oh well."
Shangguan Wanning said goodbye to her father temporarily and entered the city with her trusted followers, but the scene before her surprised her.
She had guessed that life would not be easy for the people, however, she did not expect it to be so difficult.
There were few pedestrians on the wide streets; the shops on both sides were deserted and cold; in the corners, skinny, ragged beggars could be seen everywhere.
"How could this happen?" Shangguan Wanning couldn't believe it.
The attendant replied nonchalantly: "There are wars everywhere, it's understandable..."
"No. This is an important trade route for people traveling north and south. No matter if it is the imperial army or your Highness's army, they will not affect this place unless it is absolutely necessary. Moreover, the war has not yet arrived."
"Miss, it's getting dark, let's find a place to stay."
Shangguan Wanning nodded and found an inn on the street.
As soon as I entered the door, the shopkeeper standing behind the counter greeted me warmly.
"Sir, would you like to have a quick meal or stay overnight?"
"Stay in the hotel." The attendant stepped forward and said, "Prepare four upper rooms, connected together. My young lady likes quietness, so don't rent out the two rooms next door. We will pay more for the rooms. Also, prepare some light meals."
"Yes, yes, yes..." The shopkeeper smiled apologetically and said, "Sir, it's no problem for you to have as many guest rooms as you want, but we can prepare meals... but the price is a bit higher, and you have to pay first."
"What?" The attendant's face changed when he heard it, and he grabbed the shopkeeper's clothes, "Do you think I'm your first day out on the road? I've never heard of paying money before eating to stay in an inn."
The shopkeeper couldn't help but feel a little scared when he saw that these people were not easy to deal with.
Shangguan Wanning signaled her followers to let him go, and took out a five-liang silver ingot from her sleeve and placed it on the counter.
The shopkeeper forced a smile and swallowed. "Girl, this...is not enough..."
When he saw that the man was about to get angry again, he backed away repeatedly.
"Boss, don't be afraid, we are not bad people." Shangguan Wanning glared at the follower, and the follower retreated tactfully.
Shangguan Wanning stepped forward, smiled and said, "These five taels of silver are not for food. I just want to ask you why the prices here are so high. As for our room and meal fees, I will give you some extra money."
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