Chen Qingwan's voice was somewhat hoarse, yet it clearly carried a hint of authority.
"I have an important announcement to make."
Everyone pricked up their ears, waiting for Chen Qingwan's announcement.
Chen Qingwan looked around at everyone, her tone heavy yet firm:
"My mind is made up. I agree to Zhang Xinwang's conditions."
These words struck like a thunderbolt, leaving everyone stunned.
Qiao'er was the first to react, and she knelt down with a thud, saying in a tearful voice:
"Your Majesty, no, absolutely not! That Zhang Xinwang is clearly a hungry wolf. You're inviting a wolf into the house!"
Li Mu's face was also ashen, and he said in a deep voice:
"The Zhang family's intentions are clear to everyone! Your Majesty, please rescind your order!"
His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, clearly indicating that he was trying his best to suppress his anger.
Qiao'er crawled two steps, grabbed Chen Qingwan's skirt, and cried out:
"Your Majesty, no matter how powerful the Zhang family is, they are not as powerful as Shannan Prefecture! Instead of begging the Zhang family, why don't you go to Shannan Prefecture yourself, go to... Lord Lu... Lord Lu! Can the Zhang family possibly deal with Shannan Prefecture?"
Upon hearing the words "Shannan Prefecture," Chen Qingwan's heart tightened, and her face paled even more.
How could she not want to go find Lu Yan?
But as the Empress of Datong, how could she lower herself to beg for favors every time?
His relationship with Princess Mingyue was ambiguous, and he no longer wanted to rely on her.
Moreover, she had concealed her identity...
The tiger descending the mountain also looked anxious and advised:
"Your Majesty, this is far too risky. Please reconsider!"
Chen Qingwan took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, and explained:
"I know you are all loyal, and I also know this is dangerous. But now Jingzhou is besieged, with no reinforcements from outside and no food supplies inside. We are at our wits' end."
"The marriage alliance with the Zhang family is merely a temporary measure, intended to preserve the last strength of the Great Tong Dynasty and await the opportunity to launch a counterattack!"
Li Mu advised again:
"Your Majesty, it's far from that point! If we can't hold the city, then we'll fight our way out and retreat to Qingzhou to plan for the future!"
Chen Qingwan shook her head, her delicate brows furrowed, and tears glistening in her eyes.
"I...I can't retreat any further! I can't abandon the people of Jingzhou! They...they are all my subjects!"
She paused, took a deep breath, and tried to steady her trembling voice, her tone becoming firmer:
"Before I raised the imperial banner, I could still live a life of ignominy, but now that I have raised the imperial banner!"
"I...I am the Emperor of Datong! I...I no longer wish to flee!"
She closed her eyes, and the image of her desperate escape a year ago flashed through her mind, causing a sharp pain in her heart.
Now, does she have to go through this humiliation again?
How could she, the dignified Empress of the Great Tong Dynasty, retreat again and again? Absolutely not!
Chen Qingwan suddenly opened her eyes, a resolute light flashing in them.
Of course she knew what kind of person Zhang Xinwang was! But how could she get him to take the bait without using some ruthless tactics?
Hmph! She's going to set a trap, a trap that will make these bastards kill each other!
She wants to reap the benefits without lifting a finger!
Qiao'er wanted to persuade her again, but Chen Qingwan interrupted her sharply:
"It's settled then! Immediately! Under the cover of night, send out the Imperial Seal and the Imperial Edict!"
Although everyone was unwilling, they had no choice but to comply when they saw Chen Qingwan's resolute attitude.
As night fell, a tense atmosphere enveloped the city of Jingzhou.
The imperial seal and the imperial edict were secretly sent out of the city.
Standing on the city wall, Chen Qingwan gazed at the dark night sky in the distance, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
She recalled a year ago, on a similar night, when she fled the capital in a sorry state with only a few close confidants.
At that time, he was forced to abdicate by the treacherous minister Liu An and nearly lost his life.
If Lu Yan's men hadn't arrived in time, she would probably be dead already.
Now, as the Empress, she must rely on scheming and tactics to protect herself and the Great Tong Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, it is late. You should return to the palace to rest."
Qiao'er's voice sounded from behind, tinged with worry.
Chen Qingwan turned around and looked at Qiao'er's worried eyes, feeling a warmth in her heart.
She gently patted Qiao'er's shoulder and said:
"I'm fine, you should go and rest."
Qiao'er wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Chen Qingwan's gaze.
Chen Qingwan stood alone on the city wall, letting the night wind blow through her long hair.
...
The city of Jingzhou was exceptionally quiet under the cover of night, like a lurking beast awaiting the arrival of dawn.
At this moment, the Red Sand Army camp was bustling with noise.
After besieging the city for many days, the soldiers were exhausted, but tonight, they surprisingly did not launch an attack.
Inside the central command tent, General Chisha was frowning as he looked at the map.
Jingzhou City is easy to defend and difficult to attack. A strong attack would only increase casualties, while a siege would not sustain our own food supplies for long.
"Report! General, we've captured a group of scouts from Jingzhou!"
A soldier rushed in to report.
"What intelligence did you bring?"
General Chisha suddenly looked up, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"Reporting to the general, we didn't get anything out of them. These guys are very stubborn and would rather die than confess."
The soldiers were somewhat frustrated.
"Useless!" General Chisha roared, but then seemed to realize something.
"Were you searched? Did you bring anything?"
The soldier quickly pulled out a package and handed it over like a treasure.
"Reporting to the General, we have captured some treasures!"
General Chisha took the package and opened it suspiciously.
The package contained three things: an imperial seal, a scroll of imperial edict, and... a marriage certificate?
"What's this?"
"Why don't you open it yourself and take a look, General?" the soldier chuckled.
General Chisha unfolded the imperial edict, his expression changing drastically.
The imperial edict boldly stated:
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Zhang Xinwang of Huai'an is hereby granted the title of Duke of Anguo, and is betrothed to me…
Looking at the marriage certificate again made him gasp in shock.
This marriage certificate was actually bestowed upon Zhang Xinwang by the Empress of Datong!
"This imperial seal is so real it's hard to tell if it's genuine!"
General Chisha carefully examined the jade seal in his hand, his heart filled with turmoil.
"General, the imperial edict and marriage certificate are also here; they're probably genuine!"
General Chisha looked at the imperial edict and marriage certificate again, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.
If these three things are real, then we're in big trouble.
The Zhang family of Huai'an has tens of thousands of mercenaries and no less than 20,000 cavalry. If they were to come to help the Empress now, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"If we really let the Empress give away these three things, we're going to suffer a huge loss!"
General Chisha muttered to himself, a fierce glint in his eyes.
"General, now that we've seized the Zhang family's goods, what's the next step?"
The soldier asked cautiously.
"If the Zhang family finds out that we have the item, they definitely won't let it go! Maybe we should withdraw our troops first."
General Chisha pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
"Withdraw troops? Withdrawing troops now would mean all our previous efforts would be wasted. Go and find someone knowledgeable to check if this imperial seal is genuine."
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