On the other side.
Outside Jingzhou City, banners fluttered and rustled in the wind.
Chen Qingwan, dressed in military uniform, looked heroic and dashing, her warhorse neighing beneath her.
Celebrating the victories of the past few days, several counties have been captured, and the rebel army has been routed.
Chen Qingwan's mood was anything but relaxed.
Instead, it felt like a huge rock was pressing on my chest, heavy and unbearable.
"Report—"
Amidst the rising dust, a fast horse galloped up to Chen Qingwan.
The rider dismounted, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and urgently called out:
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened in the capital!"
Chen Qingwan's heart sank suddenly, and an ominous premonition surged into her mind.
"What's wrong?"
Her voice sounded unusually calm.
But beneath this calm surface, turbulent waves are brewing.
Li Mu arrived shortly after, his face ashen, and said in a deep voice:
"Beixiang and Java... they joined forces and breached the capital!"
"What?!"
Chen Qingwan's pupils suddenly contracted, as if she had heard a fairy tale.
How could the capital, an impregnable fortress, possibly be breached?
Those court officials and military generals who are used to living in luxury and only know how to flatter and fawn.
They couldn't even defend the capital?
Li Mu briefly reported the ins and outs of the matter.
From the sudden alliance between North Xiang and Java to the successive defeats of the capital's garrison.
Then there was the desertion of Liu An and others in the face of battle...
Every word was like a sharp knife, piercing Chen Qingwan's heart.
"Liu An...this bunch of good-for-nothings! What idiots!"
Chen Qingwan's fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
The fingernail dug deep into the flesh, yet there was no pain whatsoever.
A surge of intense anger welled up in Chen Qingwan's chest, threatening to consume her completely.
She hated Liu An and his men for their incompetence; in her eyes, the capital's garrison was child's play and utterly vulnerable!
What she found even more unbearable was her own dereliction of duty as the Empress of Datong.
It is unbelievable that the country has fallen to such a state, with its vast territory falling into the hands of foreign enemies.
She tarnished the glory of our ancestors and betrayed the safety of the people.
How could she face her ancestors in the afterlife?
How will we face the people of Datong a hundred years from now?
How could she possibly live up to the name "Qingwan" and the dragon robe she was wearing?
The loss of the capital city is tantamount to losing its heart, and the destruction of the Great Tong Dynasty is not far off.
Before Chen Qingwan's eyes appeared the tragic scene of the people of the capital being displaced and their families torn apart.
"Liu Wen of Beixiang Kingdom is now making even harsher statements."
"If Lu Yan doesn't release them, they will slaughter hundreds of thousands of people in the capital!"
Li Mu's voice was low and hoarse, filled with despair.
Their own country was falling into ruin, being invaded by foreign powers.
But he was powerless to do anything about it, and this sense of powerlessness brought him to the brink of collapse.
"Liu Wen specifically requested that he release Princess Mingyue."
"There are also Mu Qing and Zhao Mu, the garrison commanders of Jianmen Pass, and Tu Rong, a general from Java."
Chen Qingwan's eyes were bloodshot, her chest burning with anger, yet she was helpless.
"I'm going to find Lu Yan and tell him to release them!"
She seemed to have grasped at the last straw, and her voice became shrill.
"Your Majesty, this..."
Li Mu hesitated for a moment and said:
"What if he doesn't let go?"
"Besides, Shannan Prefecture is a powerful force; how could it possibly be threatened by Beixiang Kingdom?"
"If he won't release it, then find a way to make him release it!"
Chen Qingwan said through gritted teeth.
"If he can save the people of the capital, I will agree to any conditions he proposes."
"The fate of Datong's empire is more important than my personal dignity!"
She turned abruptly, strode out, leaving behind a cold remark:
"I'm leaving the affairs of Jingzhou to you and Qiao'er. I'm heading to Shannan Prefecture now!"
Li Mu watched Chen Qingwan's departing figure with a sense of emotion.
Your Majesty's journey will surely be fraught with peril.
The journey to Shannan Prefecture was long and arduous, with bandits roaming the roads and troops from North Java wandering around.
And will Lu Yan agree to release them?
All of this is unknown.
Chen Qingwan spurred her horse and galloped at breakneck speed, wishing she could fly to Shannan Prefecture immediately.
The scenery along the way rushed past, and Lu Yan's cynical face kept appearing in her mind.
"Giddy up!" Chen Qingwan lashed the whip sharply.
The warhorse beneath him neighed in pain and sped up even more.
At this moment, Shannan Prefecture was truly a scene of peace and prosperity, filled with singing and dancing.
The people live in peace and contentment, their faces beaming with happiness.
Where is there even a trace of the tension and panic that should be present during times of war?
A month ago, the Northern Xiang Kingdom's army of 100,000 men marched in with great momentum.
As a result, they suffered a crushing defeat at the foot of Shannan Prefecture and slunk back to their hometown in disgrace.
The King of Beixiang is now so terrified at the mere mention of the name "Lu Yan" that he would never dare to provoke him again.
As for Java, don't even mention it.
Not only is the journey long, but last time Lu Yan beat me to a pulp.
They're probably still licking their wounds right now, they don't have time to act like idiots anymore.
At this moment, Lu Yan was sitting in the main hall of the government office, listening to his subordinates' reports.
This year, the commercial development of Shannan Prefecture is progressing well, with all sectors showing a thriving scene.
The trading volume of goods such as fabrics, silk, tea, and porcelain increased by 30% year-on-year, and tax revenue also increased by 20% accordingly.
It also actively expanded trade with neighboring countries.
In particular, the trade routes with the Western Regions brought in substantial profits.
Currently, the Ministry of Commerce is preparing to establish a large-scale trade center.
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