Three days later, the imperial edict issued by the young emperor to weaken the power of the vassal kings spread throughout the Great Ye Empire.
The vassal kings across the land reacted differently.
Some hoarded their troops in their fiefs, waiting to see how things would develop, while others led their armies towards the Yan Region.
Those who were on their way to the Yan Region also had their own agendas. Some intended to show their loyalty to the court in order to claim credit, while others, like the Kings of Zhou and Qi who had already returned to their fiefs, were going to assist the Yan Region.
Li Muge had personally set off for the Yan Region to oversee this great battle.
Once the capital of Yan, Yanjing, was captured, he would become the young emperor's most trusted confidant, and his future power would surely rival that of the Yuwen family in the past.
However, both the young emperor and Li Muge overestimated human nature in their enjoyment of feasts and flattery. They never expected that few would truly respond to the emperor's imperial edict to launch a punitive expedition.
Most preferred to sit on the sidelines and watch the tigers fight.
As a result, the war dragged on much longer than they had anticipated.
Not only did the troops of the Kings of Zhou and Qi openly cause trouble behind the Southern Army, but there also seemed to be far more people in Yanjing City than expected. Instead of the supposed 20,000 defenders, there were at least 50,000 to 60,000 troops, a sea of black heads as far as the eye could see!
The Southern Army had only assembled 100,000 troops for the time being, having a slight numerical advantage.
However, the Southern Army was unfamiliar with the terrain, and the city walls of Yanjing were extremely strong. Several all - out attacks by the Southern Army had been in vain, and the two sides became deadlocked.
Li Muge was extremely anxious. He stationed himself under the city walls of Yanjing to personally supervise the battle.
Inside the main tent of the Southern Army's camp, 20 li outside Yanjing City.
Li Muge angrily threw the military report on the ground:
"Damn it! That bastard Xiao Rencheng! He was so highly regarded by the young emperor that he was appointed as the governor of the five provinces in Shaanxi and Gansu. But he turned out to be an ungrateful wretch!"
The military report fluttered in the wind after being thrown on the ground, making a rustling sound.
The words on it fluttered in the wind, clearly stating: "The reinforcements in Yanjing City are led by Xiao Rencheng!"
Lieutenant Fan Li was extremely worried. "Sir Li, what shall we do now?"
"The scouts reported that General Tan Xiong of the Yan Army has successfully negotiated with the King of Shu. The Yan Army has smoothly passed through the Shu Region and is about to enter the Qin Region. According to the estimated travel time, they will reach outside the Shanhaiguan Pass in three days!"
Li Muge let out a wild laugh. "Haha! What do I have to worry about? With the young emperor's call in the capital, over 500,000 troops have been assembled and will arrive today to join our army. Then we can wipe out the Yan Army and Xiao Rencheng!"
It was midsummer, and the weather was sweltering.
There were signs of turmoil and chaos all over the country, and the common people were in a state of panic.
However, a small fishing village on the eastern coast of Guangdong seemed to be unaffected by the war and remained peaceful and serene.
Sheng Jiangli and Lan Guifan were walking back to the village, each carrying a big fish they had caught from the sea, chatting and laughing.
Suddenly, Sheng Jiangli stopped in his tracks. His eyes, which had not shown their sharpness for a long time, scanned the small cottage in the village, and his pupils gradually darkened.
Lan Guifan came to a sudden stop and turned to look at him. "Brother A Li, what are you doing? Sister is waiting for our big fish to cook!"
Sheng Jiangli looked at the cottage, which should have had smoke rising from its chimney at this time every day. A hint of killing intent flashed across his charming face, and he said with a faint smile:
"I just remembered that I forgot to buy soy sauce. Fan'er, could you go to the village entrance again?"
He took out a few copper coins and threw them to Lan Guifan. "Don't secretly buy roast chicken. If you eat too much and don't eat your sister's cooking, she'll blame me for spoiling you."
Lan Guifan looked at the few lonely copper coins in his palm, curled his lips in disgust, and said, "With the money you gave me, I can barely buy a shrimp..."
Then he stuffed the fish in his hand to Sheng Jiangli. "You go back first. I'll be back soon."
After Lan Guifan left, Sheng Jiangli looked at the silent wooden door, strode over, and kicked it open.
"Bang!"
The wooden door flew open, and the elegant and noble woman sitting inside was startled. She almost dropped the teacup in her hand.
Several other Dongchang agents dressed as eunuchs in the room quickly drew their swords and stared at Sheng Jiangli menacingly.
"Brother Sheng!" Qingqing, who was standing beside Lü Baiwei, called out. A look of anxiety appeared on her face, and she hesitated to speak. "It wasn't me..."
She had underestimated the enemy.
She never thought that Lü Baiwei had now grown powerful enough and no longer needed her. So after they parted ways in the Qilian Mountains two years ago, she had resigned from the young emperor.
After that, she had been following Caiyu's family from a distance.
If she wasn't allowed to appear, she could at least watch him from afar, couldn't she?
Sheng Jiangli swept a cold glance around and said, "Hmmm, I know."
Then his gaze fell on Lü Baiwei, who was now bejeweled and imposing. He curled his lips in a sly smile:
"Long time no see, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. You're even more radiant and charming."
Lü Baiwei quickly regained her composure after the initial shock. She casually waved her hand, signaling the Dongchang agents to put away their swords. With a charming smile, she said:
"Long time no see, General Sheng. Your mouth is still as sweet as ever. One word from you can make a woman's heart flutter."
"Just being polite." Sheng Jiangli glanced around the room, casually pulled out a chair, and sat down. "You don't come to a place like this without a reason, Your Majesty. I'm sure you have something important to discuss. Why don't you get straight to the point?"
"Good, straightforward." Lü Baiwei curled her lips. "I'm here this time to invite General Sheng to come out of retirement and help the young emperor lead the army to conquer the Yan Region in the north!"
Lü Baiwei's words even made Sheng Jiangli, who had seen many great storms, think he had misheard.
It took him a while to digest what she said. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Did I hear you right? Have you fallen out with His Highness the King of Yan?"
He was well aware of Lü Baiwei's deformed feelings for Song Yinghuai.
This woman was greedy. She was reluctant to give up either power or men.
How could she have the intention to kill Song Yinghuai?
It was more likely that she still had feelings for him.
As if irritated by Sheng Jiangli's half - smiling expression, Lü Baiwei's face showed a hint of embarrassment.
However, she was a woman who had seen many great storms in the deep palace. Now that she had become the all - powerful Empress Dowager, she quickly adjusted her emotions and maintained a calm expression:
"For me, power is more important than men... I once gave up Xuan Yao for power, and this time is the same."
"Although you've been hiding in this small fishing village, you can't be completely unaware of the earth - shattering events that have happened in the Great Ye Empire."
"Xuan Yao... has become irreconcilable with the young emperor. I'm the young emperor's mother and the Empress Dowager of the Great Ye Empire. At this time, I have to put righteousness above family loyalty."
"I think Your Majesty is just worried that if His Highness the King of Yan seizes the throne, he won't give you wealth and honor. So you have no choice but to help your own son, right?"
A look of embarrassment flashed across Lü Baiwei's face. "Regardless of the reason, my coming here in person today shows my great sincerity..."
"Where's Shu'er?" Sheng Jiangli interrupted her. "Where did you take her?"
Lü Baiwei smiled faintly. "She's fine. She's in the inner room. My men gave her a little medicine, and she's asleep... I really didn't expect that she didn't die. She actually colluded with you to fake her death. I never thought that Qingqing, that little rascal, would act against me. She saved Lan Guifan but lied to me that he was missing! I wonder what Xuan Yao will think when he finds out the truth?"
"What he thinks doesn't matter anymore." Sheng Jiangli stood up and walked towards the inner room. "Time has changed, and things are no longer the same."
The agents stepped forward to stop him, but Sheng Jiangli pushed and released one of them. The agent's back hit the wall, and a mouthful of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. His face turned pale.
Sheng Jiangli looked at their fierce gazes, sneered contemptuously, and walked straight in.
"Let him go in and take a look," Lü Baiwei said. "He won't negotiate with me until he's sure."
The woman in the room was sleeping on the couch, her black hair spread out.
The sea breeze had not wrinkled her beautiful face in the slightest.
Sheng Jiangli reached out his hand and felt for her breath. His tense expression relaxed.
Then his gaze fell on the teacup on the table.
There were still some residues in the cup, and the water at the bottom had a strange sheen.
Sheng Jiangli's face changed!