After dark, Elena's army stopped marching, and Ai Zijun also chose to stop.
He set up a campfire less than five miles from Elena's army. The firelight danced in the night, like the eyes of a demon, watching their every move.
Ai Zijun ate something casually, then prepared to find a sheltered spot to rest and enjoy this moment of tranquility.
"General, there is a sheltered spot where you can rest."
A soldier pointed to a low-lying area not far away, his voice tinged with respect.
Ai Zijun nodded, stood up, and was about to walk in that direction when Chen Zhennan's special forces team suddenly arrived, breaking the silence of the night.
"Your Highness, we have captured Ivanov!"
The team member's voice carried a hint of excitement, and his eyes gleamed with the light of victory.
Upon hearing this, Ai Zijun's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Chen Zhennan to move so quickly; only one day had passed.
"How did you do that?" Ai Zijun's voice carried a hint of surprise, and his eyes gleamed with admiration for Chen Zhennan.
The team member recounted in detail how he captured Ivanov, his voice tinged with pride, and he appeared remarkably relaxed.
"Chen Zhennan truly lives up to his reputation; he captured Ivanov in such a short time." Ai Zijun's voice carried a hint of admiration, and his eyes shone with respect for Chen Zhennan.
He stood up, his gaze once again fixed on the distance, his confidence in winning the war growing stronger. Capturing Ivanov meant they had seized the initiative in the war.
"Quickly, send someone to Elena's camp and tell her that Ivanov has fallen into our hands and that I want to meet with her in person!"
Ai Zijun's voice carried a hint of urgency, and his eyes sparkled with anticipation for the upcoming meeting.
Upon hearing this, the deputy general hurriedly dispatched a shrewd and capable soldier as an envoy to Elena's camp.
The messenger's figure quickly disappeared into the night, like a cheetah moving at night, swift and silent.
The messenger arrived at Elena's camp, revealed his identity, and expressed his wish to meet Elena.
However, Elena's soldiers were filled with hostility towards the suddenly appearing messenger, their eyes flashing with vigilance and suspicion, as if they were ready to tear him to pieces at any moment.
"I am an envoy sent by General Ai Zijun. I have important news to convey to General Elena!"
Despite the messenger's words, the soldiers were not convinced. Their weapons gleamed coldly in the sunlight, as if they were ready to strike at any moment.
Just then, Elena heard the commotion in the camp, turned around and walked out of the tent, her eyes filled with a hint of authority, and stopped the soldiers' impulsive behavior.
"Stop! In war, envoys are not to be killed. No rudeness allowed!" Elena's voice carried an undeniable authority.
The soldiers immediately stopped what they were doing, their eyes filled with awe, and they all stepped aside.
Elena walked up to the messenger, a hint of curiosity in her eyes: "What news do you have to tell me?"
The envoy took a deep breath and slowly said, "The Prince of Zhenbei sent me to tell you that Marshal Ivanov has been captured by us, and he wishes to meet with you in person to discuss the follow-up matters."
Elena's expression changed slightly, and a hint of shock flashed in her eyes.
This news was undoubtedly a huge shock to her; she knew it would completely change the course of the war.
"Come with me to the camp. I need to know the details," Elena said, her voice tinged with urgency.
The envoy nodded and followed Elena toward her tent.
Inside the tent, firelight flickered, and the atmosphere was tense and solemn. Elena sat in the main seat, her eyes filled with caution, awaiting the messenger's detailed report.
"General Elena, I must tell you that Marshal Ivanov has been captured by Commander Chen Zhennan, and Novgorod has also fallen into Chen Zhennan's hands."
The messenger's voice was calm, but every word struck Elena's heart like a heavy hammer.
Elena frowned, a hint of shock and doubt flashing in her eyes.
"What evidence do you have? Otherwise, why should I believe the words of an enemy envoy?"
Despite Elena's questioning, the envoy remained calm.
“General Elena, I have not brought any evidence, but most importantly, Prince Ai Zijun of Zhenbei wishes to meet with you. I wonder if you can grant me permission.”
Elena took a deep breath, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.
Based solely on the messenger's words, she still couldn't be certain of the news of Ivanov's capture, but at this crucial moment, she dared not completely disbelieve it.
Her heart was like a turbulent sea, full of contradictions and struggles.
After a long period of thought, Elena finally nodded slightly, her voice carrying a hint of determination.
“I agree to Ai Zijun’s request for a meeting. Go back and tell him that tomorrow morning, at my military camp, if he dares to come, then we will meet; otherwise, there’s no point in talking.”
The envoy nodded slightly, said nothing more, turned and walked out of the tent, riding back to Ai Zijun's camp.
His figure gradually disappeared into the night, like a ghost, silent and still.
The messenger returned to Ai Zijun's camp and quickly reported his conversation with Elena to Ai Zijun.
Ai Zijun sat inside the tent, his figure appearing exceptionally upright in the firelight.
"Very good, you did a great job. Go and rest now."
Elena's request was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples in Ai Zijun's heart.
He knew that if he fell into Elena's hands, not only would his own safety be in danger, but he might also lose the advantages that Chen Zhennan had worked so hard to build.
"Go alone? Isn't that just walking into a trap?" Ai Zijun's deputy general frowned, his voice filled with obvious worry and opposition.
Ai Zijun stood in the tent, his shadow stretching long in the candlelight, his eyes flashing with complex emotions.
“If I am timid and hesitant, how can I command respect? How can I lead an army?” Ai Zijun’s voice was deep and powerful, every word revealing determination and courage.
"Elena wouldn't dare do anything to me; she's not the kind of person who acts recklessly."
Despite having already made up her mind, as the night deepened, Ai Zijun's heart remained as turbulent as a stormy sea, unable to find peace.
Ai Zijun barely slept a wink all night, weighing the pros and cons repeatedly and considering every possible detail.
After daybreak, Ai Zijun handed her sword to her deputy.
“I’ll go alone. You stay in the camp. If something happens to me, you take all the brothers to Novgorod and follow Chen Zhennan’s instructions.”
The lieutenant was about to stop her, but Ai Zijun snatched the lieutenant's sword, hung it at her waist, and rode off at breakneck speed toward Elena's camp.
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