The Jin army, with overwhelming momentum, began its attack on the city after resting for a day at Yanxun Pass.
The city fell the next day.
The fifth prince of Southern Chu, Chu Kai, finally realized the reality and fled. The Jin army successfully occupied Yanxun Pass.
Their campaign was swift and unstoppable; in just one week, they had invaded the territory of the Southern Chu Kingdom. The people of Southern Chu within Yanxun Pass were terrified, locking their doors and praying that the army would not rush in to kill or burn them.
The generals of the Great Jin army personally led men to knock on doors and post notices everywhere, telling the people of Southern Chu that the Great Jin army would never harm them or plunder their property. The people could come out without worry.
The people didn't believe it at first, but later some of the bolder ones came out and found that nothing had happened.
Wei Jingzhuo left behind an army of 10,000 to guard Yanxun Pass, and led the remaining 50,000 troops to march towards the capital of the Southern Chu Kingdom.
When the Fifth Prince Chu Kai escaped back, he was severely scolded by Emperor Chu Chang.
"I entrusted the army to you because I trusted you too easily. Now you only have 20,000 men left... How dare you come to see me?"
Chu Kai was so ashamed that he knelt on the ground.
Chu Chang reprimanded him, then said helplessly, "Get up. You are my son. Even if we are defeated, what can I do? We only have 20,000 soldiers left, and we certainly cannot defend the city. I have heard that the Jin army has not harmed my people in the slightest, nor has it looted anything. I intend to surrender."
Chu Kai was shocked and exclaimed, "Father, you mustn't! You are the ruler of a country, how can you surrender to the enemy?"
Chu Chang rebuked, "What else can we do? Who can I rely on? Yi'er is the only one who can stand up to Wei Jingzhuo, but he's not cured yet. You can't help him either. What other way out is there if we don't surrender?"
Chu Kai's face turned bright red as he got up and walked out of the main hall.
Once outside, he loosened his collar and began to pant heavily.
Qiu Jie's voice came from behind: "Fifth Prince, are you troubled by the unfavorable situation in the war?"
Chu Kai turned around and saw Qiu Jie dressed in a black robe. He couldn't help but roar angrily, "It's all your bad ideas. None of the plans you devised for me were useful."
Qiu Jie smiled and said, "Fifth Prince, strategies vary from person to person. What works for some people doesn't work for others. I suppose these two strategies won't work on Wei Jingzhuo. Now that the situation is critical, doesn't the Fifth Prince hope to turn the tide and save the country from collapse?"
“But I… I can’t beat Wei Jingzhuo.” Chu Kai lowered his head. “He’s too strong.”
"It's alright, my family of renowned healers and I will help you."
Qiu Jie stretched out her hand, revealing a needle about the thickness of a finger in her palm, filled with a dark red liquid.
"With this, you and your army will be invincible."
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