News of the great victory at Jianmen Pass spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of Shannan Prefecture.
Before the morning mist had even dissipated, the doors of every household were already open.
People flocked to the streets, their joy evident in their expressions.
Children, holding candied hawthorns, skipped and hopped through the crowd.
A crisp laugh echoed through the alley.
The adults gathered in small groups to talk about this hard-won victory.
The news spread like wildfire, with some saying that Lord Lu was a genius in military strategy.
They captured Jianmen Pass in one night;
Some people say that Lord Lu is resourceful and wise.
They cleverly exploited the weaknesses of the Northern Xiang Kingdom and captured the city without bloodshed.
Whether true or not, this victory undoubtedly gave the people of Shannan Prefecture a shot in the arm.
It filled them with hope for the future.
The taverns and teahouses were bustling with activity, with every seat filled.
The storyteller stood on the high platform, waving a folding fan with great vigor.
He eloquently recounted the story of Lu Yan's clever capture of Jianmen Pass.
He vividly described the fierce fighting on the battlefield.
How Lord Lu strategized and won battles from afar, defeating the Northern Xiang Kingdom's army in a rout.
The audience below the stage listened intently, sometimes holding their breath, sometimes applauding, and sometimes bursting into laughter.
The clinking of teacups, cheers, and applause created a sea of joy.
Even the waiter was captivated by the story, serving tea and water more frequently than usual.
The Shannan Prefecture under Lu Yan's rule was filled with a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
This stands in stark contrast to the war-torn areas beyond the Great Wall.
The shops lining both sides of the street are dazzling with their products, and the silk shops sell smooth and lustrous silks.
The clothing shops offer novel styles, and even rare and precious items that are seldom seen in ordinary times are displayed in prominent positions.
The people's faces were beaming with smiles, and they carried large and small bags of New Year's goods, enjoying this rare peaceful and prosperous time.
Upon returning to Shannan Prefecture, Lu Yan immediately began to reward those who had contributed to the cause.
On the drill ground, banners fluttered in the wind.
The soldiers, clad in armor and armed with weapons, stood in neat square formations, awaiting Lord Lu's reward.
Sunlight shone on their gleaming armor, reflecting a dazzling light.
They stood tall and proud, their eyes shining brightly.
His face was filled with the joy of victory and admiration for Lord Lu.
Standing on the high platform, Lu Yan looked at the familiar faces and was filled with emotion.
These soldiers were all trained by him.
They went through countless battles with him.
They went through thick and thin together, forging a deep brotherhood.
With a wave of his hand, he took out a large amount of gold and silver jewelry from the spoils of war.
Those who have made contributions will be rewarded according to the magnitude of their merits.
"Li Kui! Kill three hundred enemies, and you will be rewarded with one hundred taels of gold!"
"Zhang San! For his bravery in charging into battle and killing the enemy, he is rewarded with fifty taels of silver!"
...
Each time a name was called, the soldiers would erupt in enthusiastic cheers.
The heavy gold and silver jewelry was the best reward for their bloody battles.
The soldiers cheered and their morale soared.
They couldn't wait to charge into battle for Lord Lu again and achieve great deeds.
"This great victory is all thanks to the brothers' valiant fighting!"
Lu Yan said loudly.
"I will never mistreat anyone who has rendered meritorious service! In addition to gold and silver, I will also provide you with a better life!"
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience.
Standing in the crowd, Li Kui looked at Lu Yan's spirited appearance and secretly admired him.
He rubbed his hands together, thinking: This time, I'm sure I'll get a share of the rewards, hehe!
After bestowing the rewards, Lu Yan immediately began to reorganize the defensive fortifications of Jianmen Pass.
He entrusted Zhang Xun with the task of reinforcing the city's defenses, and repeatedly gave him instructions:
"Old Zhang, this mission is no small matter. We must build Jianmen Pass into an impregnable fortress and ensure that those bastards from Beixiang Kingdom never return!"
Zhang Xun patted his chest and guaranteed:
"Rest assured, sir, I will certainly not fail in my mission!"
The responsibility of comforting the wounded and handling logistical matters fell on Lu Fei's shoulders.
Lu Yan said to him earnestly:
"Lu Fei, many of our brothers were injured in this battle. You must take good care of them."
"Let them recover their strength as soon as possible. We also need to expedite logistics to ensure the stability of the army."
Lu Fei nodded solemnly:
"Rest assured, my lord, I will do my utmost!"
Lu Yan then dispatched Night Owl to lead special forces to scout the enemy situation outside Jianmen Pass and report on the movements of Beixiang Kingdom at any time.
He repeatedly instructed Night Owl:
"Night Owl, be careful, don't let the spies from Beixiang Kingdom find out."
"You must report any unusual activity to me immediately."
The owl bowed and accepted the order:
"Rest assured, my lord, I will be extremely careful!"
...
Meanwhile, inside the magnificent palace of the Northern Xiang Kingdom, the atmosphere was as frozen as ice.
The King of Beixiang was furious.
He smashed the wine glass in his hand to the ground, shards flying everywhere, just like his mood at that moment.
"Useless! All of you are useless!"
He roared, spittle flying onto the faces of the ministers closest to him.
They were so frightened that they trembled and dared not utter a sound.
"If you can't even defeat a mere prefect, what use are you to me?"
Inside the main hall, civil and military officials knelt on the ground, all silent and trembling.
Jianmen Pass fell, and Zhao Xuan was captured.
This news was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue for the Northern Xiang Kingdom.
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