On the third day of February, the fourth prince Guangshuo ascended the throne and the new emperor succeeded to the throne. He continued to use Hezong's "Qingyuan" reign title and the honorific title "Zhaokang".

After Emperor Zhaokang ascended the throne, he sent someone to ask for peace, thoroughly investigated and liquidated Xu Xiang's remaining party, and posthumously conferred the title of "Wenzheng" on Wei Xuanzhang, the head of Xianchang Hall. The truth of the Mingshui case was revealed to the world.

Xu Jingfu has controlled the government for so many years, and has been in cahoots with the crown prince in oppressing the people. Now that Emperor Zhaokang has ascended the throne, naturally no one from the Xu party who followed the crown prince will be left out.

The only exception was probably Xu Jingfu's favorite student, the fourth son of Chu from Shi Jinbo's mansion. Not long ago, Emperor Zhaokang agreed to Chu Zilan's request to resign. After resigning, Chu Zilan left the Chu family and disappeared in Shuojing City. It is said that someone once saw him at a post station outside the city. He probably left Shuojing. As for where he went, no one knew. However, no one saw the stunning maid beside him.

In the yard, Qingmei was feeding Ermao some cooked bones.

He Yan was a little dazed as he looked at the two of them being so happy together.

"You don't want to chew on that bone, do you?" someone asked beside him, with a hint of sarcasm.

He Yan came back to his senses and saw Xiao Jue coming in. He had gone out early this morning. The Fourth Prince… should be called Emperor Zhao Kang now, had summoned him frequently since he ascended the throne.

He Yan understood the Fourth Prince's plan. There were still remnants of the Crown Prince's faction in the court. Xiao Jue and Yan He were the people that Emperor Zhao Kang decided to use.

This should be a good thing, but He Yan felt a little uneasy.

"Are you worried about something?" Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows.

"After the Emperor ascended the throne, things seemed to have come to an end." He Yan looked towards Changkong, "But those Wutuo people will not let it go. Since they have been planning for so many years and have been working together with Crown Prince Xu Jingfu, how can they be willing to accept it now that the Crown Prince and Xu Jingfu have fallen? You also know that from generation to generation, the most dangerous time is when a new emperor takes the throne."

The power is even greater, and the position is not stable, especially since the people in the court have different opinions, and it is easy for others to take advantage of it. He Yan has also dealt with those Wutuo people, and no matter how you look at it, they don't seem like the type to be willing to back down.

"I know." Xiao Jue said in a calm voice.

He Yan looked at him: "How did the emperor deal with those Wutuo envoys?"

"The prince released those people before, and now some of them have been captured, but the news should have leaked back to Uto."

"You mean they're going to do it soon?"

Xiao Jue pulled the corner of his mouth: "Not bad."

He Yan sighed silently in her heart. Although she was a military commander, she did not like fighting. Fighting meant bloodshed and sacrifice, and countless people were separated from their wives and children. Especially at this critical moment.

and……

She looked at the person next to her. The man's eyes fell on the yellow dog that was playing in the yard, and his lips curled up slightly.

This is a rare moment of peace.

She swallowed the words on her lips, and after a moment, she reached out and held Xiao Jue's arm, and said solemnly: "Xiao Jue, I want to eat braised pigeon tonight."

“…”

…

Peaceful days are always exceptionally short.

Less than ten days after Emperor Zhaokang ascended the throne, the Wutuo people led a large army to attack Wei and marched northward along the Xing River.

After decades of planning, the war between the Wutuo people and the Wei Dynasty finally began.

Jiuchuan, Jijun, Yunzi, and Bingjiang were occupied by the Wutuo people in just three days because of insufficient military forces and the intentional arrangement of the prince's men. After breaking through the city gates, the Wutuo people slaughtered the people in the city. According to those who were lucky enough to escape, the corpses piled up like mountains along the river bank, and the blood dyed the river water bright red.

Emperor Zhaokang was furious and immediately sent someone to defeat the enemy. However, the Wei Dynasty had emphasized civil affairs over military affairs for so many years, and apart from General Fengyun and General Feihong, there were not many people available. At present, General Feihong He Rufei was still a fake, and the military power was returned to the royal family.

Emperor Zhaokang asked in the court who was willing to lead the army to quell the rebellion. Except for Lieutenant General Yan He of Guide and Commander-in-Chief of the Right Army Xiao Jue, no one stepped forward. To be precise, there was an old general who was willing to take up his sword and mount his horse, but unfortunately, he was too old to go back to the battlefield.

The evil consequences of the Wei royal family's years of indulging in comfort finally emerged at this moment.

In the Jinluan Palace, Emperor Zhaokang looked at the civil and military officials below the stage, his face as gloomy as water, and sighed: "You are incompetent and can't protect our Great Wei."

But someone came out in the silence, with a clear voice, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the Vietnamese army to Jiuchuan to fight the enemy."

The woman in red court dress stood in the hall, looking exceptionally tall and heroic. She raised her head and looked towards the emperor sitting on the high throne with a clear and firm gaze.

This is He Yan, Marquis of Wu'an, and the wife of General Feng Yun.

Emperor Zhaokang paused slightly.

In the contest with the crown prince, the Xiao family finally stood on his side. Xiao Jue was also very smart and did not directly participate. Emperor Zhaokang intended to use Xiao Jue, but he could not give him too much power. After much deliberation, he finally promoted He Yan.

After all, He Yan is a woman, and now she is just a marquis. Promoting He Yan is a reward to Xiao Jue, but it does not make the Xiao family's power too great. As the current Queen Mother once said, don't underestimate women. Promoting He Yan is also a check on Xiao Jue in some ways.

But Emperor Zhao Kang did not expect that He Yan would stand up at this time.

He subconsciously looked at Xiao Jue, trying to catch some emotion on his face. Unfortunately, the famous commander of the right army of Wei was calm and showed no emotion at all.

Could it be that he knew about this all along? If he knew about this, why didn't he tell me about it in private first, but waited until now?

He Yan leaned forward and said, "I have fought with the Wutuo people several times, and I am daring to ask Your Majesty to allow me to lead the troops to Jiuchuan."

When it comes to fighting the Wutuo people, she does have experience. Whether it was in Jiyang or Rundu, otherwise Emperor Wenxuan would not have promoted her to an official position at that time. But when it comes to leading troops in battle...

Before Emperor Zhaokang could speak, a civil official said, "Marquis Wu'an, you are just a woman, how can you lead troops to fight the enemy?"

"My Lord, I'm afraid you've forgotten," He Yan said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone, "the mighty General Feihong was originally a woman."

The minister was speechless.

Yes, the real General Feihong was a woman.

Emperor Zhaokang was silent for a while, then said: "This matter is of great importance, I cannot make a decision casually, let me think about it and then make a decision."

He looked at Xiao Jue.

So far, Emperor Zhaokang is still not sure whether Xiao Jue knows He Yan's plan. If Xiao Jue also supports He Yan's decision, then he will definitely come to find him privately. If it is Xiao Jue who asks, Emperor Zhaokang will consider agreeing. If He Yan really doesn't have that ability, the commander of the right army of Wei will not easily let his wife die.

Of course, the most crucial point is that, as Concubine Lan said, there is no one left in the Wei Dynasty. There are only a few generals with excellent ability to lead troops in battle. Even if He Yan doesn't go, who else can go?

He smiled bitterly inwardly, feeling that the bright yellow dragon crown on his head was very heavy.

…

After the court session, He Yan followed Xiao Jue out, and Yan He unexpectedly followed them from behind.

He called He Yan: "Hey, are you really planning to lead your troops to Jiuchuan?"

"What?" He Yan had something on his mind, and answered absentmindedly while looking at Xiao Jue's back.

Yan He followed her gaze and looked forward, thought for a moment, and asked, "Could it be that Xiao Huaijin doesn't know about what happened in the court today?"

He Yan didn't say anything.

"He Yan, you're really amazing." Yan He understood and looked at her in amazement: "No wonder I saw Xiao Huai Jin looked so angry. You didn't even discuss such a big thing with him, and you played the game of acting first and reporting later? OK, if you say you can make Xiao Huai Jin so angry, it seems that even if you really go to Jiuchuan, those Wutuo people will not be your opponent." He made a gesture to pat He Yan's shoulder, and raised his hand to halfway, but probably thought of He Yan as a woman, so he retracted it, looked at He Yan with a gloating look and said: "Xiao Huai Jin is so angry, Wu An Hou, I wish you good luck." After that, he flicked his sleeves and walked forward.

He Yan was not angry after being humiliated by Yan He. She did not discuss today's matter with Xiao Jue and directly asked for permission in the Golden Palace. She guessed that Xiao Jue was also angry. However... there were many concerns, and she really didn't know how to talk to Xiao Jue.

At this moment, Xiao Jue had already walked towards the carriage of the Xiao family outside the palace. He Yan hurriedly followed him, got into the carriage, and sat with him. The driver drove the carriage, and on the way back to the Xiao family, she raised her head from time to time to glance at the person beside her. Xiao Jue looked calm, and the calmer he was, the more He Yan could feel his anger at the moment.

He Yan didn't say anything. She still had to think about what to say.

When the carriage stopped at the gate of Xiao's house, Xiao Jue got off the carriage first and walked inside without looking back. He Yan jumped off next. Perhaps the atmosphere in the carriage was too stagnant, the kind-hearted driver reminded He Yan: "Madam, the young master doesn't look happy today, why don't you comfort him?"

He Yan smiled and said, "Definitely."

When she followed Xiao Jue into the Xiao Mansion and returned to the courtyard, Qing Mei was drying her quilt in the courtyard. Seeing He Yan, she said happily, "Young Madam—"

"Shh." He Yan made a gesture to silence her and followed Xiao Jue into the house.

As soon as she entered, she closed the door and was met with Xiao Jue's slightly cold eyes.

He Yan didn't say anything, but went over and hugged him, "Calm down first."

Xiao Jue stood in the room, motionless as she held him, and said coldly, "Don't use the same trick every time."

Although it's nothing new, it works fine. He Yan complained in her heart. She didn't want to use this trick every time, but Xiao Ershao fell for it, so what else could she do?

"Let me explain." He Yan tightly grasped the belt of the person in front of him, speaking sincerely, "I wanted to tell you, but every time I wanted to say it, I always felt that it would ruin the atmosphere, so I kept putting it off until today. Let me first say that I definitely did not kill first and then report. Even if I did, the one who was right was the emperor, not you. Today, I was afraid that if I didn't say it, the emperor would appoint someone else to lead the troops, so I had to speak first. Xiao Jue," she raised her head and looked at the other party, "I really didn't mean it."

Xiao Jue avoided her gaze and said in a cold tone, "Miss He, are you even being so perfunctory when you're lying to people now?"

She even said the words "Miss He", which showed that she was really angry. He Yan's heart was startled, and he hurriedly said: "Xiao Jue, as the commander, how can you take the lead? I really didn't lie to you."

She really wanted to say it, but during these peaceful days, every time she saw Xiao Jue looking so relaxed, she didn't want to bring up these things.

"Okay, I do have some concerns." Seeing that the Second Young Master Xiao's attitude was still cold, He Yan honestly admitted his selfish thoughts, "I... I don't know how to tell you."

She loosened her grip on Xiao Jue's belt, looked down at her toes like a child who had made a mistake, and said hesitantly, "The situation in Wutuo is so chaotic, you are going to lead the troops to Yunzi, Yunzi and Jiuchuan are not in the same direction. If I take the initiative to ask the emperor for permission to go to war, and if the emperor agrees, I will lead the troops to Jiuchuan alone."

“You must be worried.”

She glanced at Xiao Jue's face and saw that he was looking down at her with his eyes brightened. He turned his head away very quickly. He Yan knew what was going on. She grabbed his hand, looked up at him, and spoke with affection, "After I married you, I found that all the men in Shuojing City were not as considerate as you. You are a unique husband. You must be worried about a delicate wife like me being alone outside. If I really led the troops to Jiuchuan, I'm afraid you would miss me and worry about me every day. You might even lock me in the house. A delicate girl like me, I can't see the light of day..."

She started talking nonsense again, Xiao Jue was so angry that he laughed, and looked at her: "Lock you in the house?" He sneered: "There is no wife in the world who can break the door lock with one punch."

"You misunderstood me," He Yan pointed to his chest, "Although I look strong and powerful, my heart is very fragile. For example, when you were angry just now, I was very sad and my heart was broken."

She was now speaking shamelessly, and Xiao Jue was completely out of temper. After a long while, she spoke in a neutral tone: "Do you think I would disagree with you leading your troops to attack Jiuchuan?"

He Yan didn't say anything.

He stared at the woman in front of him, feeling a little angry, but mixed with a hint of helplessness. Finally, he turned around and said, "If you had told me directly, I wouldn't have stopped you."

He Yan looked at his back, and the playful smile on his face faded. He whispered, "I thought if it were you, you would let me go to Yunzi with you..."

"Jiuchuan is close to Mo County. You are familiar with the terrain of Mo County, so you would naturally prefer to lead the Vietnamese army to Jiuchuan." Xiao Jue's voice was calm. "You can't fully display your strengths in Yunzi."

He Yan was startled. He turned around and his eyes met He Yan's.

Clear, frank, and obvious like a mirror, reflecting all her thoughts.

It turns out he knew everything.

He Yan paused, then stretched out his arms again to hug the person in front of him, muttering: "How do you know everything..."

She really preferred to go to Jiuchuan, and had never been to Yunzi before. If she went to Yunzi with Xiao Jue, Emperor Zhaokang would definitely send other generals to Jiuchuan. But no one was more familiar with Jiuchuan than her. It was not that she was confident, but it could even be said that no one knew how to win a battle in Jiuchuan better than her.

Right now, Wei had no one available. Bingjiang was the least vulnerable, while Jiuchuan, Jijun, and Yunzi were the worst. Even though she knew her own abilities, she was still worried. Xiao Jue was her husband now, so he might not be willing for her to lead troops to a dangerous place alone.

Just like how Mrs. Xiao always obstructed Xiao Zhongwu back then.

"I've said before," Xiao Jue's voice came from above his head, "Just do whatever you want to do, as long as you can do it."

He Yan raised his eyes and asked, "Do you believe I can do it?"

He snorted, "There's nothing General He can't do."

He Yan looked at his awkward expression and burst out laughing.

What was originally thought to be difficult to explain was now made clear in just a few words. He was very tolerant of her, to the point that He Yan even felt that some of her own considerations and concerns were ridiculous.

"However, the emperor may not give me the military power directly." He Yan's smile spread for a moment, and suddenly he remembered another thing.

After all, in the eyes of outsiders, she only got the title of Wu'an Hou because of Xiao Jue. Even in Jiyang and Rundu, there were Xiao Jue and Li Kuang. She had never led troops to fight a battle alone. If the military power was directly handed over to her, outsiders might not be convinced.

"I will go to the palace to see the emperor, and the military power of the Fuyue Army will be handed over to you." Xiao Jue said, "But how to convince your subordinates depends on you alone."

"Are you telling the truth?" He Yan suddenly became excited.

She has plenty of ways to convince her subordinates. If Xiao Jue can convince Emperor Zhaokang, the matter will be set in stone.

"The emperor didn't reply to you directly today because he was watching my intention." He raised his lips, "He doesn't trust you, but he trusts me. If I can guarantee it for you, he will believe in your ability to lead troops."

"It's a time of trouble. Isn't His Majesty afraid that if you give me the military power, we will have too much power and pose a threat to him?" He Yan joked. At this juncture, whoever has the military power will have a chance of winning. Although the crown prince is no longer here, no one in the royal family can pose a threat to Emperor Zhaokang for the time being, but too many military achievements... have never been a good thing to be happy about since ancient times.

"My elder brother and sister-in-law are still in the capital. Moreover, my sister-in-law is pregnant with a child from the Xiao family. In the next few years, the emperor will not be suspicious of the Xiao family."

He Yan felt relieved, but... she looked at the person in front of her and asked, "I have another question. You said the emperor wants you to vouch for me, Xiao Jue, do you believe that I can defeat those Wutuo people?"

Xiao Jue seemed to think that her question was ridiculous. He couldn't help laughing. He turned his head away without commenting and said lazily, "Who in the world would not bow down to you?"

Although the words were said in a mocking tone, there seemed to be a sense of pride in the tone.

He Yan was very pleased to hear this. She stood on tiptoe, leaned close to Xiao Jue's ear, and whispered, "It's the same for you, Commander Xiao."

"I also believe that you will continue to be successful and win again."