Xue Shen looked at the thick smoke rising from behind the Northern Rong army camp, and his smile gradually widened: "Why do you think I've been dealing with you for so long?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier from the Northern Rong army camp galloped up to report: "Report—Your Majesty! The granary is on fire!"
The King of Beirong was startled and turned to look in the direction of the granary, only to see billowing smoke rising and Beirong soldiers running in panic.
The King of Beirong's eyes widened in fury as he glared at Xue Shen: "You're using a feint to the east while attacking the west on purpose!" He then turned his gaze to Wang Yuanguang and the others: "I underestimated the people of Wei."
Wang Yuanguang and the others were intimidated by his fierce gaze, but then they remembered that the Northern Rong granary had really caught fire, and their faces couldn't help but show joy.
The Northern Rong people were enraged at the sight, but with their supplies saved, they were caught in a dilemma. They had no choice but to order, "Put out the fire first!"
They were actually abandoning the Wei people.
The women, who had thought they were about to die, didn't understand what was going on. They looked at each other until they heard Xue Shen order "Return to the city." Only then did they finally realize that they didn't have to go to marry the Northern Rong people. They all cheered in disbelief.
As Wang Yuanguang ordered the retreat, he looked warily at Xue Shen and tentatively asked, "Is His Majesty aware of the Prince's arrangements today?"
Xue Shen said with a mocking expression, "It was I who acted on my own initiative. What, does Prime Minister Wang want to go back and complain to the Emperor?"
Wang Yuanguang repeatedly said he dared not, but at the same time, his fear of Xue Shen grew even stronger.
He was a man of great social skills. In order to gain the favor of Emperor Cheng'an, he was always adept at understanding the emperor's intentions and acting as the emperor's henchman.
But today, after witnessing Xue Shen fight the Northern Rong King to a standstill, his original stance began to waver. Was it really the right thing to place his bets on the Emperor and the Crown Prince?
Although the King of Qin acted first and reported later, his surprise attack burned the Northern Rong's granaries. With insufficient supplies, the Northern Rong would be unable to continue the siege and would likely have to retreat soon. After this battle, the King of Qin would surely become famous among the common people.
The emperor, who sacrificed the people of the city to negotiate peace in order to protect himself, and the crown prince, who has yet to return, are probably no longer able to contend with the King of Qin.
After the war ends, the voices in the court supporting the return of power to the King of Qin will inevitably grow louder.
Wang Yuanguang pondered the matter deeply, but ultimately chose not to offend either side. He quickly changed his attitude and began to flatter, saying, "Your Highness is a man of brilliant strategy; the siege will surely be lifted soon."
Xue Shen glanced at him, not exposing his little thoughts, and gave a nonchalant "hmm", saying, "The Northern Rong people are too busy to take care of themselves, so they probably won't catch up. The rest of the journey will be left to Prime Minister Wang."
Wang Yuanguang was taken aback: "Your Highness, what is this...?"
Xue Shen made no attempt to hide his intentions, saying, "Prime Minister Wang wouldn't think that I went to such lengths just to burn the Northern Rong's grain supplies, would he?"
He smirked coldly: "Of course, we should strike while the iron is hot and kill him."
Before Wang Yuanguang could react, Xue Shen spurred his horse toward the Northern Rong army camp.
Other officials noticed Xue Shen's departure and looked at Wang Yuanguang with surprise and questions.
Wang Yuanguang's face twitched for a long time. Thinking of the declining Emperor Cheng'an, he gritted his teeth and decided to take the gamble. He smiled and said, "His Majesty has other matters to instruct Prince Qin to handle. There is no need to ask any more questions."
He was always the emperor's confidant, and everyone believed him without question, so no one questioned it anymore.
After pondering for a while, Wang Yuanguang spurred his horse forward to find his eldest daughter, Wang Yunting.
Wang Junting was outstanding from a young age, and the Wang family originally cultivated her with all their might, hoping that she would compete for the position of Crown Princess after she came of age. However, after Xue Shen's incident, the dynasty changed and Emperor Cheng'an did not establish a Crown Prince. At that time, the most likely eldest prince, Xue Heng, had already married a princess, so the Wang family temporarily gave up their plans.
Later, they intended to find Wang Yunting a good marriage, but Wang Yunting couldn't forget the King of Qin and kept delaying the marriage proposal, which is why it has been delayed until now and the marriage alliance has come to fruition.
Wang Yuanguang was originally very disappointed in his eldest daughter. After all, the family had worked hard to cultivate her, but she had developed delusions about an impossible romantic relationship and disregarded her parents and family.
But now, Wang Yuanguang thinks that his eldest daughter did have some good judgment.
Wang Yuanguang called Wang Yunting aside, and together they rode behind the rest of the group. He asked slowly, "Are you still in love with the Prince of Qin?"
Wang Junting gave a soft "hmm".
From a very young age, she knew that she was studying the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, in order to prepare for her future bid to become the Crown Princess.
The Emperor and Empress were deeply in love, and the vast harem consisted solely of the Empress. Crown Prince Xue Shen, the Emperor and Empress's only son, surpassed them all. Not only was he exceptionally capable and highly praised, but his devotion to his father was also identical to the Emperor's.
While other noble families had concubines at a young age, the Crown Prince never approached women.
Wang Yunting had complained about why she had to work so much harder than her sisters, but ever since that fleeting glimpse at the palace banquet, she had never complained again.
She learned what her teacher taught her, and she also learned what he didn't teach her, all so that she could outshine all the other beauties in the Crown Prince's selection of a consort and make him notice her.
But who knew that things would turn out so unexpectedly?
The young prince who had amazed her had become the cruel and tyrannical King of Qin. She thought that her youthful feelings had turned to ashes. But whenever her mother asked her to look at other young men, she would always unconsciously compare them with the prince of yesteryear. After comparing them again and again, she naturally felt that they were far inferior and looked down on everyone.
As she dragged it out, she grew older day by day, and all her sisters in the family were engaged, but she remained unmarried.
She had originally intended to listen to her mother and choose someone acceptable, but just then, the King of Qin's leg was healed.
The King of Qin, upon returning to the court, vaguely resembled the man he once was.
Wang Junting felt both excited and unwilling.
This resentment reached its peak when she learned that she was to be sent to the Northern Rong for a marriage alliance, but she did not expect that the King of Qin, just like before, could still turn the tide single-handedly.
She watched intently as the King of Qin fought the King of the Northern Rong, her heart pounding with anticipation.
When the King of Qin defeated the King of the Northern Rong, her heart pounded wildly, unable to contain itself. The tender feelings of a young girl seemed to ferment and grow ever stronger.
Wang Yuanguang observed his daughter's shy expression and smiled, "After we go back this time, I will tell your mother that there is no need to rush your marriage. A daughter of the Wang family can boldly pursue whatever she likes."
Wang Junting's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at him.
Wang Yuanguang patted her shoulder and said, "Although the Shen family girl has gained an advantage, if the Prince of Qin comes along in the future... you are not without a chance."
Wang Junting's heart raced. She understood her father's meaning, hesitated slightly, and then slowly nodded: "Daughter understands."
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