[Wuxia] The List of Peerless Beauties of the Jiangshan [Complete] - 24

Chapter Three: The Cold Flames of War

. A maidservant served tea.

Lady Anguo inquired about Ye Feng's situation since their separation, and Ye Feng recounted it in detail. Mentioning Yang Yu, Lady Anguo smiled and said, "Yesterday, when A Yu arrived in Jin Yue City, she sent me a message. She should be preparing a song and dance performance for the Queen at Ting Yu Xuan these past few days. After this is finished, I'll have her come and talk to me."

Yang Yi said admiringly, "Sister Yang Yu is truly amazing! To be able to perform for the Queen, that's really impressive."

Everyone laughed. Ye Feng knew that Lady Anguo was a renowned singer and dancer in her time, proficient in music and dance. A thought struck him, and he smiled, "Yi'er, you may not know, but you too were a master of song and dance in your day. You studied under the renowned artist Mei Hanqing, learning the arts of music and dance, and your fame spread far and wide. If you could receive guidance from you, Yi'er would benefit immensely for life."

Yang Yi then turned her admiring gaze to Lady Anguo, asking enviously, "Really? Can you teach me, Lady Anguo?"

Lady Anguo also quite liked the pretty and lovely Yang Yi. After a moment's thought, she smiled and said, "That's fine too, since I..." "I'm bored staying in the mansion all day. It would be good to have someone to keep me company."

She then said to Ye Feng, "Xiao Feng, it's inconvenient for you to stay in the inn. Anyway, my place is spacious, why don't you and your wives move in with me? That way, I'll have someone to talk to."

Li Yin, sitting next to Ye Feng, quickly said, "Yes, yes, Ah Feng, it's Madam's kind idea. Let's move in today. Anyway, I quite enjoy singing and dancing, so I can ask Madam for advice anytime."

Ye Feng was naturally more than happy to agree, and the matter was decided. Ye Feng then instructed Liu Mingzhi and the others to move the luggage from the inn to the General's Mansion.

Liu Mingzhi responded and left.

Madam Anguo then smiled at Ye Feng and said, "By the way, Xiao Feng, when you were in Jin Yue City, I told you that I wanted to ask you about that magical art of music. These next few days are a good time to ask you, so don't hold back."

Ye Feng naturally said he wouldn't dare.

Sitting quietly beside Ye Feng, Liu Yan knew him well. Curious, she asked what was going on and immediately realized that the magical art form Lady Anguo had mentioned was Peking Opera from her original world. She couldn't believe Ye Feng was using it to impress her in this world, and couldn't help but chuckle. She rolled her eyes at him, and Ye Feng, his face slightly flushed, pretended not to notice.

The conversation then returned to opera, but soon the topic shifted to the current war.

Lady Anguo's face showed considerable worry when the war was mentioned, for the sake of the Great Yue Kingdom and also for Li Fei at the front lines. However, judging from her tone, she was unaware of Li Fei's critical situation. Ye Feng was currently powerless to help, and could only sigh inwardly.

Seeing Lady Anguo's anxious expression, Ye Feng and Liu Yan exchanged a glance, neither willing to tell her the information they had received the previous night. Ye Feng sighed, "Let's wait and see."

He tentatively asked Lady Anguo if she knew anything about the situation at the front. Lady Anguo shook her head, saying, "I'm not entirely clear on the situation there either. The people of Donghan are brave and skilled in battle, and I can't help but worry about the safety of the generals at the front."

As she spoke, her worry deepened, and she stood up, slowly walking to the windowsill. She gazed intently at the flowering trees outside, the vibrant blossoms making her beautiful face appear even more charming.

Everyone was silent. Hua Yi quickly rose to comfort Lady Anguo.

Ye Feng knew that Lady Anguo and Li Fei had always been deeply in love. They had overcome many difficulties to be together, and after their marriage, they were a devoted couple, their love only growing stronger. The depth of their affection was beyond the comprehension of outsiders.

Given the current situation, Ye Feng could only silently wish Lady Anguo well.

※※※

Liu Mingzhi carried everyone's luggage over, and Lady Anguo instructed her servants to clear out several empty courtyards for Ye Feng and his group to stay in. The General's mansion was quite large, so even with Ye Feng and his group moving in together, it didn't feel crowded.

After a flurry of activity, everything was finally settled. It was already noon, so Lady Anguo ordered a banquet to be prepared to entertain Ye Feng, Hua Yi, Liu Yan, and the others. The entire lunch was very harmonious.

After the pleasant lunch, Lady Anguo sent some attentive maids to serve Ye Feng and his companions, showing them warmth and making thoughtful arrangements, making them feel very comfortable.

Ye Feng didn't go out in the afternoon or evening, staying in the mansion to watch the song and dance performances by Hua Yi, Li Yin, Yang Yi, and others, as well as exchanging skills with Lady Anguo and the others, which he found quite enjoyable.

Liu Yan also found all of this quite novel and watched with great interest. She also watched Ye Feng showing off his knowledge of Peking Opera with a bit of amusement, but of course, she wouldn't expose his charade. Ye Feng, shamelessly, continued his discussion with Lady Anguo.

※※※

The following evening, Ye Feng, accompanied by Li Yin and Liu Mingzhi, along with their entourage of tiger guards, went to the Crown Prince's residence for a banquet. Li Yin was Li Huiwei's younger sister and the commander of the Jade Moon Prefecture. The Crown Prince naturally valued her highly, and knowing that she had accompanied Ye Feng to Golden Moon City, he specifically requested that she attend the banquet with him.

The Crown Prince's residence was located in the eastern district, a gathering place for powerful and influential families, mostly prominent clans of the Great Moon Kingdom. Behind the residence flowed the Golden Moon River, its waters meandering northwards from Golden Moon City into the Great Moon River. Along the river were ornately decorated buildings and numerous vermilion towers, a truly prosperous scene.

Upon entering the residence, the Crown Prince, whom Ye Feng hadn't seen for half a year, greeted him in the main hall. He smiled and said, "Half a year has passed, and Mr. Ye, you are still as dashing as ever. Oh, no, now I should call you Martial Arts Champion!" He then laughed heartily, clearly delighted to see Ye Feng.

Ye Feng hurriedly said, "Your Highness is too kind."

The eldest prince turned his gaze to the tall and beautiful Li Yin beside Ye Feng, a hint of infatuation flashing in his eyes. He smiled and said, "This must be General Li Yin, right? I've long heard that General Li is a woman who is no less capable than men, the number one general of Yuyue Prefecture. Seeing her today, I can see that her reputation is indeed well-deserved."

Li Yin bowed and said, "Your Highness is too kind. I dare not accept such praise."

The two then followed the eldest prince into the hall. As for Liu Mingzhi and the others, they were naturally entertained by special personnel. There were only four people present in the hall, all of whom were old acquaintances of Ye Feng: Left Chancellor Li Xinzhi, Minister Yang Liuyu, Duke Liu Zhao Jinquan, and a tall and thin man in his fifties. Judging from the situation, it was a family banquet. Ye Feng and Li Yin hurriedly bowed to them. The others had also long heard of Li Yin's name, and seeing her tall figure and radiant appearance, their eyes flashed with the realization that her reputation was well-deserved.

The eldest prince introduced the tall, thin man to Ye Feng and Li Yin. He was Li Ze, the newly appointed governor of Jin Yue City, who had taken office after the assassination attempt by Li Huiwei. Once

everyone was seated, the banquet began. The dishes served were local specialties, quite memorable.

The atmosphere was relaxed, and several beautiful women sang and danced, further enhancing the atmosphere. Li Yin watched with great interest, her beautiful eyes roaming over the women's ample breasts and shapely buttocks. The others at the table, including the eldest prince, Yang Liuyu, and Duke Zhao Jinquan, were all familiar with Li Yin's "hobbies," so they remained outwardly calm. Only the Left Chancellor, Li Xinzhi, glanced at Li Yin and frowned. Ye Feng didn't want to talk about Li Yin anymore; that was just her personality. He simply enjoyed the song and dance.

The eldest prince raised his cup to Ye Feng, saying, "I haven't yet congratulated Mr. Ye on winning the martial arts championship. Let this cup express my congratulations."

Ye Feng thanked him and drank with the eldest prince.

Yang Liuyu, Duke Zhao Jinquan, Left Chancellor Li Xinzhi, and Jin Yue City Guardian Li Ze all toasted Ye Feng to congratulate him.

Ye Feng drank them all.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the eldest prince dismissed the dancing girls and the servants, and smiled at Ye Feng, saying, "Thanks to Lord Yang's efforts, the Ministry of History has decided to officially implement the imperial examination system next year. I hope that it will help our Great Yue discover more talents. In this matter, the Martial Arts Champion has made a great contribution."

Ye Feng knew that Yang Liuyu, the Left Minister, was in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, the head of the Six Ministries, and controlled the appointment, evaluation, promotion, demotion, and transfer of officials throughout the country. The implementation of the imperial examination system was directly related to him.

Yang Liuyu stroked his beard and sighed, "I hope that the implementation of this imperial examination system can stop the outflow of talent and allow truly talented people to serve our Great Yue."

Everyone present knew that because of the previous talent policies, the Great Yue Kingdom had suffered a severe loss of capable people. One of the negative consequences of this talent drain was evident in this war. Not to mention that the planners of this war, Sun Jian and Dong Yinqiu, both had Great Yue blood, many of the invading Donghan army were knowledgeable about the internal affairs of the Great Yue Kingdom. Some clever people who had fled to Donghan had also created many siege tools, changing the previous single siege methods of the Donghan nomadic people, making the Donghan army even more formidable.

Although the powerful noble families of the Great Yue Kingdom still wield considerable influence and strongly resist the imperial examination system that could potentially weaken them, at a time when the nation's survival is at stake, the Great Yue Kingdom's leadership has no choice but to abandon the outdated talent selection system and adopt the newer imperial examination system to select outstanding individuals from among the common people.

Left Chancellor Li Xinzhi toasted Li Yin and inquired, "General Li, I have a question for you. After Lord Ye obtained the title of Martial Arts Champion, what position did Your Excellency Li bestow upon him?"

Li Xinzhi was in charge of military affairs in the Great Yue Kingdom, equivalent to the Minister of Defense in Ye Feng's original world, a position of immense power. According to his plan, after Ye Feng obtained the title of Martial Arts Champion and received noble honors, he intended to transfer Ye Feng to the elite Divine Feather Army stationed around Golden Moon City. The Divine Feather Army was the most elite army in the Great Yue Kingdom, traditionally controlled by the royal family, with various factions constantly vying for control. The struggle between the eldest and second princes within the Divine Feather Army had reached a fever pitch. Transferring Ye Feng to the Divine Feather Army would naturally greatly strengthen the eldest prince's side.

However, Li Huiwei had his own calculations. As one of the four military governors of the Great Yue Kingdom, he held the power of military and political appointments in his prefecture. Ye Feng came from his prefecture, so he naturally wouldn't let Ye Feng leave Jade Moon Prefecture. After Ye Feng obtained the title of Martial Arts Champion, given Ye Feng's current limited seniority and influence in the Jade Moon Army, Li Huiwei's plan was to first appoint Ye Feng as the Jade Moon Army's instructor, and then entrust him with more important responsibilities once Ye Feng had gained sufficient experience.

Li Yin, of course, knew all of this perfectly well.

She smiled and said, "Lord Li, my husband is currently serving as an army instructor in Yuyue Prefecture. Soon, my elder brother will entrust him with an even more important position. Right now, we can't be without Fenglang for even a moment."

Li Yin deliberately emphasized Ye Feng's relationship with them by using terms like husband, elder brother, and Fenglang, implying that she, Li Huiwei, and Ye Feng were all indispensable to them.

Li Xinzhi couldn't say anything more. Li Huiwei held a very high position, dominating Yuyue Prefecture and wielding both military and political power. Therefore, although Li Xinzhi and the eldest prince were on the same side as Li Huiwei, they had to think twice before doing anything to him.

The eldest prince changed the subject and asked Ye Feng, "Has the Martial Arts Champion heard any news from the front lines since arriving in Jinyue City?"

Ye Feng naturally knew, but he deliberately replied, "Not yet. Has Your Highness received the latest battle report?" It seemed that Ye Feng knew the eldest prince had already received the latest battle report from the front lines. Given the eldest prince's strength, he naturally had his own intelligence network in various places, especially on the front lines. Therefore, Ye Feng was not surprised that the eldest prince had received the news from the front at the same time as him.

Ye Feng had already told Li Yin about this yesterday, so Li Yin remained calm at this moment.

The eldest prince sighed, "I have received the latest battle report. The Winterfrost Army is advancing like a whirlwind. Li Kuan, the military governor of Yuebei Prefecture, has surrendered, and Li Rui, the military governor of Yuexi Prefecture, has been killed in battle. The three armies of Winterfrost have already surrounded Hanxiao City. General Li Fei's situation is critical?"

Ye Feng pretended to be greatly surprised and said, "What?" Hearing this news again, he was still saddened, worried about Li Fei and the current situation of the Great Yue Kingdom. Looking at the expressions of Li Xinzhi, Yang Liuyu, Zhao Jinquan, and Li Ze, he knew that they also knew the news.

The eldest prince had also received the news today, so he quickly summoned Li Xinzhi and the others to discuss it. He knew that in a few days, this matter would be known to everyone in Jinyue City, and no one knew how the people would react.

Among the three northern prefectures embroiled in war, Li Kuan, the military governor of Yuebei Prefecture, had a deep connection with the Second Prince. Li Kuan's surrender presented

the First Prince with a powerful opportunity to strike at the Second Prince. However, with the First Prince's close ally, Li Rui, the military governor of Yuexi Prefecture, killed in battle, and the three armies of Donghan surrounding Hanxiao City, and General Li Fei, a highly influential figure in the First Prince's faction, in dire straits, the First Prince could find no joy. If something were to happen to Li Fei, the consequences would be unimaginable. The

Dayue River, originating from the Yuyue Mountains, divides the entire Dayue Kingdom in two. According to the Dayue Kingdom's map and administrative divisions, the area north of the Dayue River comprises five prefectures, all of which are flat. Only the northern prefectures of Yuebei, Yuexi, and Hanxiao, bordering Donghan, are strategically important, historically crucial for resisting the Donghan people. Hanxiao City, where Li Fei is stationed, is particularly strategically important, serving as a bulwark against the Donghan forces.

If Li Fei fails in this battle, the fierce cavalry of the Winterfrost Kingdom can sweep across the land to the banks of the Great Moon River, threatening the city of Golden Moon across the river. A repeat of the events of 1445 in the Continental Calendar might be on the horizon—a scenario no one in the Great Moon Kingdom wants to see.

Even though the eldest and second princes are constantly at odds, they share the same view on this matter.

The eldest prince has discussed with Li Xinzhi and others for a long time how to formulate a plan to send reinforcements north. However, the Great Moon Kingdom's army is currently suffering repeated defeats and is stretched thin. The Divine Feather Army, defending Golden Moon City, cannot be easily mobilized. Local garrison troops? Even the powerful border armies of the north are no match for the Winterfrost people, let alone the poorly equipped and trained local garrison troops.

Mobilizing the army of Jade Moon Prefecture? Not only are those troops there wary of the movements of Orchid Kingdom and Smoke Dream Kingdom, but even if some troops could be mobilized, it would be too late to help. It's likely that before reinforcements arrive, the five northern prefectures will have already fallen to the Winterfrost people.

Li Yin was at a loss for what to do. She knew that in the flat plains of the five northern prefectures, if even Li Fei, the top general of Dayue, had failed, she had even less confidence in confronting the fierce cavalry of the Winterfrost Kingdom. The only way was to confront the Winterfrost Kingdom's cavalry across the Dayue River, a natural barrier. However, this would mean that the people of Dayue in the five northern prefectures would fall under the slaughter of the Winterfrost Kingdom's cavalry. Thinking of the brutality of the Winterfrost people, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. After

much discussion, no one had a good solution. The only option was to keep a close watch and prepare for the worst—if things came to that, they would rely on the Dayue River to confront the Winterfrost people!

※※※

After leaving the Crown Prince's residence, Ye Feng and Li Yin were both heavy-hearted, worried about the current situation.

Back at the General's residence, Ye Feng couldn't sleep until very late. He suddenly remembered his plan to visit the Queen. Since he had nothing to do tonight, he decided to go see her and perhaps enjoy and savor her beautiful and alluring body.

With a "whoosh!", Ye Feng unleashed his unparalleled "Flowing Cloud Technique" and vanished into the night sky!

Chapter Four: Spring Courtyard at Midday.

Ye Feng moved through the palace like a ghost. Although the palace was heavily guarded and filled with experts, they were nothing but decorations before his "Flowing Cloud Technique," ranked number one in the world for lightness skill.

Soon, Ye Feng arrived at the Queen's exquisite and luxurious bedchamber. He paused, then gently landed by the window. Listening, there was no sound around; the maids must have been asleep. Ye Feng peeked into the bedchamber and saw only a dim light. A captivating figure sat with her back to him, lost in thought. Who else could that beautiful figure be but the Queen?

Ye Feng gently opened the window and slipped inside. The sound startled the Queen. She called out, "Who's there?" She quickly turned around and saw Ye Feng standing before her. She paused, then said, "Mr. Ye..."

Ye Feng chuckled softly, "Your Majesty, it's me."

The Queen stared at Ye Feng for a long while, a fleeting look of joy crossing her face. "So it's Mr. Ye! I thought you weren't coming to see me."

Ye Feng smiled and said, "How could that be? I've come, haven't I?"

The Queen snorted, outwardly angry, but inwardly overjoyed. She knew Ye Feng and his party had arrived in Golden Moon City yesterday. That night, she dressed up carefully, hoping Ye Feng would come, but

she waited all night without seeing him. Today, she waited until very late again, thinking Ye Feng wasn't coming, and was feeling anxious when Ye Feng suddenly appeared before her. Instantly, all her anxiety and worry vanished.

The Queen didn't understand what was wrong with her. Ever since she parted from Ye Feng half a year ago, she had thought about him every day. The days she spent with Ye Feng were incredibly happy and exciting, sweeping away the shadows of loneliness and emptiness she had felt for many years. This year, on her birthday, when she learned that Ye Feng was coming to Golden Moon City again, she couldn't hide her joy, restless, and eagerly awaiting this day every day. Although the King of Dayue had only visited her a handful of times in the past six months, the Queen no longer cared.

Finally, Ye Feng had arrived tonight, and the Queen was overjoyed. However, on the surface, she remained nonchalant, maintaining a calm demeanor.

"Did Mr. Ye know he was coming? Oh, I should now address Mr. Ye as the Martial Arts Champion."

Seeing the Queen's expression, how could Ye Feng not understand? He stepped forward, embraced her, and whispered in her ear, "Your Majesty, it was I who was late due to official duties. I apologize to Your Majesty."

The Queen blushed at Ye Feng's affectionate gesture, and, secretly pleased, gave him a sidelong glance, saying, "Official duties? What official duties could the Martial Arts Champion have in Golden Moon City?"

Ye Feng smiled without speaking, only whispering in the Queen's ear, "Having not seen you for six months, Your Majesty is still as beautiful as ever." He then leaned down and gently kissed her delicate ear.

The Queen playfully scolded, "You're so annoying." Her ears were her sensitive spot, and under Ye Feng's kisses, she felt a long-lost electric current surge through her body, her heart fluttering with desire, and her body involuntarily began to sway.

Ye Feng stopped and gently asked in the Queen's ear, "Your Majesty, have you missed me these past few days?"

The Queen's eyes flickered, she rolled her eyes at Ye Feng, and said coquettishly, "Who missed you? Who cares about you!" For some reason, she was always very relaxed in front of Ye Feng, showing the side of an ordinary woman, completely unlike her queenly self.

Ye Feng saw that her beautiful eyes were already watery, smiled secretly, hugged the Queen's delicate body tightly, and lowered his head to kiss her rosy, sexy lips. After a moment, the Queen and Ye Feng were passionately kissing, her full breasts rising and falling. This prompted Ye Feng to place his hands on her breasts and vigorously knead them through her clothes. The Queen let out seductive moans, her body writhing against Ye Feng, appearing extremely aroused.

Ye Feng's heart stirred even more. His right hand intensified its kneading of her high, firm breasts, and he whispered in her ear, "Queen, did you really not miss me?" The Queen remained silent, her face flushed like a peach blossom, her breathing becoming even more rapid.

Ye Feng didn't want to tease her too much. Seeing that the time was right, he picked up the Queen and placed her on the bed. The Queen's pretty face was flushed, but she kept her eyes closed and remained silent.

Soon, a pair of naked flesh appeared on the bed. When Ye Feng deeply entered the Queen's body, she let out a cry of "Ah!" and her whole body convulsed as if electrocuted.

Ye Feng understood her needs, and soon, intoxicating moans filled the air. Under Ye Feng's fierce assault, the Queen gasped for breath, feeling so comfortable that her soul seemed to leave her body. Her body clung to Ye Feng like an octopus.

※※※

After their lovemaking, the Queen lay in Ye Feng's arms like a docile lamb, her plump, snow-white thighs straddling him, her pretty face full of satisfaction. The two remained silent, savoring the tender moment.

After a long while, the Queen asked, "Will the Martial Arts Champion visit me often?" Her dark eyes looked at Ye Feng with longing.

Ye Feng stroked her smooth, black hair, inwardly praising her as a true beauty. He replied, "Of course. I will be staying in Golden Moon City for a while longer. I will come to see you whenever I have time."

The Queen straightened up, looking at Ye Feng, "Don't you have several wives and concubines with you on this trip? How come you have time to come?"

Ye Feng said, "I can come after they fall asleep. You know my abilities."

The Queen understood the meaning behind Ye Feng's words, and her pretty face flushed again. However, she was delighted and scolded him playfully, "You

're just bragging." Ye Feng laughed, "You'll find out whether I'm bragging or not later." He then feigned anger, "Fine, you dare not believe my abilities? See how I deal with you!" He pounced on the Queen, who cried out in surprise as Ye Feng kissed her. Soon, alluring moans rang out again.

Before dawn, Ye Feng left the Queen's palace. When he left, the Queen was still fast asleep, a sweet smile on her pretty face. After last night's passionate encounter, her jade-like face possessed an even more alluring charm.

Gazing at the Queen's beautiful and mature face, Ye Feng felt a surge of tenderness. He gently kissed her cheek, then used his "Flowing Cloud Technique" to leave the palace unnoticed.

During their sweet talk last night, Ye Feng hadn't mentioned the current situation at the front lines to the Queen. She was usually confined to the palace and unaware of what was happening outside, and no one would discuss such matters with her. To avoid worrying her, Ye Feng hadn't spoken of it last night.

※※※

In the afternoon, a luxurious carriage stopped in front of the General's Mansion.

A tall, thin servant respectfully greeted Ye Feng, who had just emerged, "I am a servant from Master Zhao Cuo's residence, sent to welcome the Martial Arts Champion to a banquet at his home."

Ye Feng recalled the invitation Zhao Cuo had sent him a few days prior, and thinking of his plan to subdue Zhao Xiu, he nodded, took Ru Qing with him, and boarded the carriage. Liu Mingzhi and the other Tiger Guards naturally accompanied them.

Zhao Cuo's home was located on Meihe Street in the east of the city, a gathering place for wealthy merchants of Jin Yue City. It was about a half-hour journey from the General's Mansion. In the carriage, Ye Feng held Ru Qing's slender waist, chatting with her while admiring the scenery outside, feeling quite content. The road was bustling with people, a testament to Jin Yue City's wealth and its status as a symbol of civilization on the continent.

Ru Qing leaned against Ye Feng, her expression joyful. Since their marriage, with Ye Feng surrounded by numerous wives and concubines, she rarely had the chance to be alone with him. At this moment, she and Ye Feng pointed out the scenery outside the window, laughing incessantly.

The two discussed the purpose of their trip. Ru Qing said, "Brother Feng, Zhao Cuo invited you to his house for a banquet this time. I think he most likely wants to win you over and rely on you. The Zhao family is currently facing business difficulties, and Zhou Yun may have abandoned them. If they can climb onto your coattails during this difficult time, it would be a great boon for the Zhao family."

Ye Feng smiled and said, "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. The Zhao family used to be so glorious, but now they've fallen to this state. However, if we can win over and subdue Zhao Xiu, it will not only strengthen our business power but also alleviate some of the pressure on you."

Ru Qing smiled and said, "Feng... " "Brother, don't be careless. Although the Zhao family has encountered difficulties recently, they have deep roots and are not without other solutions. Of course, relying on you is a better way to solve the problem."

Ye Feng said, "Sister Ru is right. You can take full charge of business matters."

Ru Qing couldn't help but smile. Looking at Ru Qing's charming face, Ye Feng's heart was moved. He lowered his head and kissed her full and sexy lips. Ru Qing was both shy and happy, and protested, "Brother Feng, we're in the car now..." Before she could finish speaking, Ye Feng kissed her so hard that she couldn't say anything.

After entering Meihe Street, the environment became quieter. Soon, the carriage stopped in front of a cluster of buildings; they had arrived at Zhao Cuo's residence. As expected of a wealthy man in Jin Yue City, the residence was vast, with red walls and green tiles, magnificent and imposing. Two powerful stone lions stood on either side of the gate, displaying Zhao Cuo's immense wealth.

An elderly man in his sixties, of medium build, dressed in fine clothes, was already waiting at the gate. Upon seeing Ye Feng, Ru Qing, and the others, he hurriedly came forward: "I am Zhao Cuo, and I respectfully welcome the Martial Arts Champion. Your presence is an honor to my humble abode."

Ye Feng replied, "You are too kind, Master Zhao." He looked the old man up and down, thinking that he couldn't believe this ordinary-looking man was once a prominent and influential merchant in Jin Yue City. It was a pity that he was now old and had to rely on his daughter for many things. In terms of circumstances, he was somewhat similar to Ru Qing's family.

Zhao Cuo turned his gaze to Ru Qing beside Ye Feng and smiled, "This must be Boss Ru. I've long admired your name. My daughter has collaborated with you on business before, but this is our first meeting."

Ru Qing understood that he wanted to establish a relationship with her, but didn't point it out. She smiled slightly, "You flatter me, Master Zhao. I'm unworthy of such praise. How is Miss Zhao Xiu?"

Zhao Cuo quickly replied, "Yes, yes, thanks to Boss Ru."

After a few words, the servants played a welcoming tune, and Zhao Cuo respectfully ushered Ye Feng and Ru Qing inside. As for Liu Mingzhi and the others, they were naturally entertained by special personnel.

Zhao Cuo's mansion was quite large, with layers of eaves, towering pillars, and artificial hills and flowing water hidden among them. It was clear that a lot of thought had been put into building the mansion. Upon arriving at the main hall, many elegantly dressed people were already respectfully waiting under the elaborately crafted gate tower. Zhao Cuo introduced them to Ye Feng and Ru Qing one by one; it turned out that these people were all members of Zhao Cuo's family. It was clear that Zhao Cuo attached great importance to this banquet.

Upon entering the hall, Ye Feng surveyed his surroundings. The interior was lavishly decorated, with a painting of a hundred horses hanging on the screen wall in the main hall. The painting was incredibly lifelike, depicting horses sitting, lying down, or galloping, each in a unique pose, no two alike – a true masterpiece.

After the guests and hosts were seated, Zhao Cuo clapped his hands, and soon, food and wine were served in a continuous stream. Every dish and drink was exquisite and rare, showing that Zhao Cuo had put a lot of thought into the banquet. Beautiful women sang and danced to entertain the guests, further enhancing the atmosphere.

Zhao Cuo raised his cup to Ye Feng, saying, "When Lord Ye won the title of Martial Arts Champion, I hadn't yet congratulated you. I offer this humble cup to express my congratulations."

Ye Feng replied, "Of course," and drank the wine.

Other guests also toasted Ye Feng, and he accepted each toast without hesitation, downing each one in one go. Only Ru Qing, unable to hold her liquor, stopped drinking after a few cups when her cheeks flushed.

Zhao Cuo and the others, seeing Ye Feng's amiable demeanor, exchanged glances, a hint of joy in their eyes. The conversation gradually shifted from the trends of Jin Yue City to clothing.

Zhao Cuo stroked his beard, casually saying to Ru Qing, "I've heard that Boss Ru's business is thriving; congratulations! My family has always cooperated with Boss Ru. Although there were some minor misunderstandings in the past, Boss Ru is very magnanimous. Is there any possibility of continuing our cooperation?"

Some time ago, Yu Hu Cloth Shop had been making things difficult for Ru Qing's cloth business. Then, because of Ye Feng and others, Jin Yue Ji of the Chun Shui Kingdom Cloth Wholesale Market broke her contract, transferring the Zhao family's exclusive agency rights for Dayue Kingdom cloth to the Ru Qing family, causing the Zhao family significant losses. The entanglement between the two parties couldn't be easily dismissed with a mere misunderstanding. However, Zhao Cuo, a seasoned businessman with decades of experience, made the matter seem insignificant with just a few words.

Ru Qing glanced at Ye Feng, who smiled. Ru Qing understood his meaning and immediately said, "Master Zhao, it was indeed a misunderstanding. Let bygones be bygones. I've always had a close relationship with the young mistress, Miss Zhao Xiu, and I'd be happy to resume our cooperation."

Zhao Cuo was overjoyed, not expecting Ye Feng and Ru Qing to be so agreeable. Recently, due to supply issues, Yu Hu Cloth Shop had been suffering huge losses daily. While Yue Nan Prefecture and Yue Dong Prefecture in the Great Yue Kingdom also had some cloth wholesale businesses, their scale was far smaller than that of the Spring Water Kingdom. Moreover, Zhou Yun had become increasingly cold towards Zhao Xiu recently, indicating that this patron was no longer viable. For the sake of his family's interests, he needed to find a new ally. Naturally, the promising Ye Feng was an excellent new prospect, and a marriage alliance would be even better.

He exclaimed happily, "Thank you, Boss Ru! Thank you, Lord Ye! It's a pleasure to cooperate with you." The others then toasted Ye Feng. The atmosphere at the banquet grew increasingly harmonious.

A middle-aged man with a prosperous appearance, standing next to Zhao Cuo, said to Ye Feng, "We've heard that the Martial Arts Champion runs a business called Mahjong in Jade Moon City. It was once a favorite of Master Yang Yu, with customers flocking in every day, making a fortune daily. Now, it's all the rage in Golden Moon City. Our Zhao family is quite interested. Is there any possibility of cooperation with the Martial Arts Champion in this area?"

Ye Feng had already heard Zhao Cuo's introduction and knew that this middle-aged man was named Zhao Ti, Zhao Cuo's younger brother, who managed many of the family's businesses. Golden Moon City was a place where various forces intersected; even if his Demonic Sect had immense influence, it couldn't monopolize this vast market. He immediately smiled and said, "Of course! We welcome all kinds of partners. As for the specifics, you can discuss them with Sister Ru."

The matter was settled, and Zhao Cuo was in high spirits, repeatedly urging Ye Feng to drink.

Ru Qing looked around and asked Zhao Cuo, "Master Zhao, where is Miss Zhao Xiu?"

Zhao Cuo deliberately looked around for a moment, then said to someone nearby, "Where is that girl Xiu'er?"

The middle-aged man with a prosperous face beside him, Zhao Ti, said, "She was here before the banquet; she probably went to the inner hall."

Zhao Cuo nodded and said to a maid beside him, "Xi Lian, go and call Miss out." The maid named Xi Lian responded.

Soon, footsteps sounded, and a beautiful girl walked out from the inner hall, wearing a light blue dress that made her even more beautiful. It was Zhao Xiu. However, her eyes were a little red, as if she had been crying not long ago.

Zhao Cuo smiled and said, "Xiu'er, come and greet the Martial Arts Champion."

Zhao Xiu stood there, looked at Ye Feng, then at Ru Qing, her pretty face expressionless, and slowly walked to the banquet table.

Ye Feng smiled and said, "I've met Miss Zhao Xiu a few times before; we're old acquaintances, so there's no need for formalities."

Zhao Xiu, however, didn't accept Ye Feng's greeting. Her expression was cold, and she gave Ye Feng a forced bow: "Greetings, Martial Arts Champion." Before Ye Feng could speak, she said to Zhao Cuo, "Father, I'm feeling a little unwell. I'll go inside first." With that, she went into the inner hall.

The Zhao family members at the table exchanged bewildered glances. They hadn't expected Zhao Xiu to act this way. If Ye Feng got angry because of this, things would be very bad. Everyone cursed Zhao Xiu inwardly. Ru Qing also found it somewhat amusing.

Zhao Cuo looked embarrassed, secretly

glancing at Ye Feng before standing up to apologize, saying, "My daughter was ignorant just now; I hope the Martial Arts Champion won't take offense." Ye Feng hadn't expected Zhao Xiu to be so strong-willed; he hadn't noticed it before. He smiled and generously said, "It's alright, she's just a young lady like that. Don't take it to heart, Master Zhao."

Zhao Cuo was relieved and quickly raised his wine cup to urge Ye Feng to drink, restoring the cheerful atmosphere to the banquet.

After the meal, Ye Feng and Ru Qing took their leave, and Zhao Cuo and the others respectfully saw them off outside the mansion, watching them depart.

Chapter Five: Turbulent Times

In the eastern district of Jin Yue City, a place teeming with powerful families, along the beautiful Jin Yue River, about two miles from the Crown Prince Li Zhiji's residence, lay a magnificent estate—the residence of Li Weiquan, the second prince of the Great Yue Kingdom.

While Ye Feng was attending a banquet at Zhao Cuo's residence, in the luxurious reception hall of the royal palace, Li Weiquan was speaking with several people, his brows furrowed. One of them, with a sinister face, appeared to be over sixty years old, with small eyes; this was none other than Grand Tutor An Jingqu, whom Ye Feng had met before. Because of his favored daughter, Consort An, he was currently extremely powerful in the Great Yue Kingdom. By design, the second prince, Li Weiquan, was his grandson. However, the Great Yue Kingdom had always been very wary of relatives of the empress, so although An Jingqu held a high title, he had no real power.

To his right was an elderly man in his fifties, with deep-set eyes in a sharply defined face; this was none other than the current Right Chancellor, Liu Zhencheng. In the Great Yue Kingdom, the Right Chancellor was a powerful figure who controlled all officials, equivalent to the prime minister in Ye Feng's original world. He always assisted the king in handling various political affairs. However, because the Right Chancellor directly managed all officials in the court, he often led them in confrontations with the king; his power had become excessively inflated, which had aroused the dissatisfaction of the Great Yue King.

Beside him stood a man with piercing eyes, around forty-four or forty-five years old, none other than Zhou You, the current Vice Minister of Rites, responsible for managing the affairs of academies nationwide and relations with vassal states and foreign countries. He was also the chief examiner of the five rites: auspicious, celebratory, military, diplomatic, and mourning.

At this moment, all of them wore deep frowns.

Li Weiquan's handsome face was filled with worry. He said bitterly, "You have all seen the secret reports from the front lines. Li Kuan's surrender is extremely disadvantageous to us. Not only has our strength been greatly diminished, but I believe the Crown Prince and his faction will use this to their advantage. That fool Li Kuan is utterly useless." Like the Crown Prince, the Second Prince also had his own intelligence network throughout the Great Yue Kingdom, and these networks could even transmit information faster than the frontline battle reports.

An Jingqu calmly said, "Your Highness need not worry. Outsiders have no concrete evidence of our dealings with Li Kuan, and the Crown Prince cannot find any fault with us. The best course of action now is to actively condemn Li Kuan and sever all ties with him. In this way, we will be safe."

Li Weiquan happily said, "Grand Tutor, you are right. That's exactly it."

An Jingqu continued, "Although Li Kuan's surrender has weakened our strength, the Crown Prince is not much better off. Li Rui, the military governor of Yuexi Prefecture, who was on good terms with him, has died in battle, and Li Fei, who relied on him, is currently in an unfavorable situation. The Crown Prince's side is currently in a worse position than us."

Right Chancellor Liu Zhencheng sighed, "It's just that the front lines have suffered a defeat, and the three armies of Donghan have surrounded Hanxiao City. If General Li were to die, the consequences would be unimaginable. It would be a repeat of the situation in 1445 of the Continental Calendar, a calamity for our Great Yue." Unlike An Jingqu, although he was on good terms with the Second Prince, he was quite objective about national affairs and would not oppose for the sake of opposing. He was a nationalist of the Great Yue Kingdom.

He advised the second prince, "Your Highness, this matter will surely be the subject of debate at the court assembly in a few days. The Crown Prince will definitely request aid to Li Fei. I suggest that Your Highness prioritize national affairs and agree with the Crown Prince's proposal."

An Jingqu said, "But wouldn't this just increase the Crown Prince's strength?"

Liu Zhencheng said, "Grand Tutor, times have changed. The Donghan people are ruthless. If they breach Hanxiao City, the five northern prefectures will fall under their iron cavalry. They can advance all the way to the banks of the Dayue River, facing Jinyue City across the river. Our Dayue will be in constant danger of national annihilation. When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? This is not the time to scheme for petty gains; national affairs should be the priority." Zhou You, the Vice Minister of Rites, also agreed with Liu Zhencheng's opinion.

An Jingqu had nothing to say, and Li Weiquan nodded, saying, "The Prime Minister is right; this is not the time to haggle over trivial matters." Like Liu Zhenjun, although he was locked in a life-or-death struggle for power with the Crown Prince, he was also a staunch advocate of the Great Moon. Of course, he would not agree to become a subjugated people, especially in a war between nations, where if one side were to fall, the fate of the royal family would be extremely tragic.

After discussing for a while, Liu Zhenjun and Zhou You took their leave.

Li Weiquan watched the two leave, sighed, poured himself a cup of wine, drank it in one gulp, and called out to the door, "Li Shen!" A capable-looking man entered, "Your Highness."

Li Weiquan asked, "Has the invitation to the martial arts champion Ye Feng been sent out?"

Li Shen respectfully replied, "It has already been sent out."

Li Weiquan nodded, and Li Shen withdrew again.

Li Weiquan said to An Jingqu, "Grand Tutor, do you think this martial arts champion Ye Feng can be used by me? Although he and Zhou Yun are somewhat at odds, I am a man who cherishes talent."

An Jingqu pondered and said, "Ye Feng is Li Huiwei's subordinate, and Li Huiwei and the Crown Prince are originally from the same faction. However, Li Huiwei is a rather ambitious man, and his relationship with the Crown Prince is only superficial. He wouldn't easily let Ye Feng out of his side, let alone use him. However, this man's strength is growing stronger and stronger. If he cannot be used by me, I must get rid of him as soon as possible."

"If we can recruit him at tomorrow's banquet, that would be a good thing. Even if we can't recruit him, it will arouse the suspicion of the First Prince afterward. When we spread the word, even Li Huiwei might have some different thoughts. This is a plan that kills three birds with one stone."

Li Weiquan said, "Grand Tutor is absolutely right." He laughed heartily.

※※※

The next evening, Ye Feng, along with Liu Mingzhi and other Tiger Guards, went to the Yiqing Tower in the northern district of Jinyue City to attend the Second Prince's banquet.

Yiqing Tower was a renowned brothel in Jinyue City, luxuriously decorated and filled with beautiful women. It offered a variety of captivating performances and was considered a haven for men, where entry was restricted to those of high status.

When Ye Feng arrived, dusk had fallen, and Yiqing Tower was ablaze with dazzling lights. The Second Prince warmly greeted him and introduced him to the guests. Among them were Grand Tutor An Jingqu and his close associates, demonstrating the Second Prince's high regard for Ye Feng. Zhou Yun was not present. Ye Feng

greeted him, and the Second Prince kindly invited him to sit. Soon, a continuous stream of food and drink arrived, each dish exquisitely prepared, followed by a magnificent song and dance performance. Amidst

the music and flowing sleeves, the guests toasted each other, creating a lively atmosphere.

During the banquet, the Second Prince engaged in lively conversation, his friendly demeanor making everyone feel relaxed.

During the banquet, the Second Prince subtly hinted at recruiting Ye Feng. Ye Feng, recalling Liu Yan's words, remained ambiguous, neither agreeing nor refusing. The Second Prince said nothing more, but a fleeting glint of cold light in his eyes sent a chill down Ye Feng's spine.

The banquet ended in a harmonious atmosphere, with everyone returning home satisfied.

※※※

Time passed quickly. On December 9th, the day before the Queen's birthday, as Ye Feng and Tai Ren had predicted, news of the battle at the front finally spread to Jin Yue City. Immediately, the entire city was enveloped in an atmosphere of fear and anxiety; everyone was apprehensive. In

just two months, the Winterfrost Army had swept through the land with unstoppable momentum. Li Kuan, the military governor of Yuebei Prefecture, surrendered; Li Rui, the military governor of Yuexi Prefecture, was killed in battle. The three armies of Winterfrost had already surrounded Hanxiao City, and General Li Fei was in dire straits. This news was utterly unbelievable, especially the surrender of Li Kuan, the military governor of Yuebei Prefecture, which drew condemnation from the entire Great Yue Kingdom. Meanwhile, the number of refugees fleeing south to Jin Yue City from the five northern prefectures increased, bringing with them various news that caused even more panic.

Although General Li Fei was currently surrounded, many firmly believed he could hold out. As the top general of the Great Yue Kingdom, Li Fei was revered as a god of war by the people.

Upon hearing the news, Lady Anguo was devastated, extremely anxious, and Ye Feng, Hua Yi, and others could only comfort her day and night.

※※※

At this moment, in the council hall of the Great Yue Royal Palace, King Li Houze of Great Yue was also furious. Even his protruding belly was trembling, clearly indicating his extreme anger. In recent years, he had mostly delegated state affairs to the Right Chancellor Liu Zhenyi, while he indulged in pleasure in the harem. However, the matter at hand was too great for him to ignore.

Under his loud roar, none of the ministers in the hall dared to meet his gaze, fearing that they might be caught in the crossfire.

Li Rui, the military governor of Yuexi Prefecture, died in battle, loyal to the country, and naturally deserves great praise. The entire nation should be encouraged to learn from him. General Li Fei is currently fighting hard on the front lines, and his contributions are also significant. However, given the current defeat, all the blame naturally falls on Li Kuan, the military governor of Yuebei Prefecture, who surrendered to the Donghan Kingdom.

The Great Yue King roared, "Li Kuan is a traitor! He has received the king

's favor for generations, yet he shows no gratitude and instead surrenders to the enemy! He deserves to die a thousand deaths!" Before the crown prince could seize the opportunity to attack the second prince, the second prince had already stepped forward to condemn Li Kuan. Then , the ministers who were on good terms with the second prince echoed his sentiments.

Naturally, in the end, both the crown prince's faction and the second prince's faction demanded that Li Kuan be "clearly punished according to the law to uphold discipline!" However, since Li Kuan's entire family was in Yuebei Prefecture, they could only offer their condemnation; they couldn't harm a single hair on Li Kuan's head. Finally, it was decided that Zhou You, the vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, would draft a document and issue it nationwide, denouncing Li Kuan's treason.

After everyone calmed down, the King of Dayue asked, "The situation is critical. What good strategies do you, my esteemed ministers, have?"

Left Chancellor Li Xinzhi stepped forward. He was in charge of military affairs and had a good relationship with Li Fei, so he was naturally concerned about the situation at the front. He said, "Your Majesty, the battle at the front is critical. General Li Fei's safety hangs in the balance. For the sake of Dayue, we should quickly send reinforcements to support General Li."

Crown Prince Li Zhiji, Duke Zhao Jinquan, and Minister Yang Liuyu, among others, stepped forward to support Left Chancellor Li Xinzhi's suggestion.

The Second Prince and others did not object to this proposal, so the ministers quickly reached a consensus.

The remaining questions were how to provide aid, who to send, and where to draw troops.

It was finally decided that garrison troops from the five northern prefectures, where the fighting had not yet reached, would be drawn to provide support. Meanwhile, the prefectures south of the Dayue River were to issue mobilization orders, summoning garrison troops from various regions in preparation for any eventuality. In particular, Li Huiwei, the military governor of Yuyue Prefecture, was instructed to begin gathering troops, ready to support the front at any time.

※※※

Beside Jin Yi Lake in the central district of Jin Yue City, an area primarily reserved for foreign envoys. At this moment, inside an elegant mansion in the central district, a man in his forties took a sip of his wine and said to a tall, thin man beside him, "Lord Hua Mai, what's your opinion on this matter?"

The man called Hua Mai carefully examined the intelligence report in his hand and replied, "My lord, in my humble opinion, although the situation in Da Yue Kingdom is currently precarious due to the attack by Dong Han Kingdom, the war is far from over. Although Da Yue Kingdom's power has declined in recent years, it is still a formidable force, possessing the strongest national strength on the continent. Once mobilized, it will be a force to be reckoned with. For now, we only need to maintain close monitoring." "Let them fight to the death, and we'll reap the benefits."

The man laughed, "Lord Huamai is indeed a wise man, his words are spot on. The Great Yue Kingdom is indeed a terrifying country. In 1445 of the Continental Calendar, our Orchid Kingdom attacked the Jade Moon Prefecture of the Great Yue Kingdom while the Winter Cold Kingdom was attacking it, but we were defeated. This lesson is very profound. It is indeed not advisable to act rashly now. Just as Lord Huamai said, we should keep a close watch and let them fight to the death, while we reap the benefits! I believe King Hua Meng of the capital shares the same view."

The two laughed heartily.

At this time, in a refined mansion not far from here, several people were also discussing the war.

A middle-aged man in his forties said, “Gentlemen, intelligence has been sent back to Yanmeng Kingdom. The war between Donghan Kingdom and Dayue Kingdom is tense. What do you all think, how should Yanmeng Kingdom react?”

A young man in fine clothes said, “Sir, I believe Yanmeng Kingdom and Dayue Kingdom are both civilized nations on the continent, while Donghan Kingdom are barbarians and beasts. We should help Dayue Kingdom and condemn the Donghan Kingdom's invasion. We might even send troops to participate if necessary.” Several younger people in the room agreed with his view. Dayue Kingdom had been established on the Floating Cloud Continent for hundreds of years, and its civilization and etiquette had always been admired by other countries. This young man was a pro-Dayue person from Yanmeng Kingdom.

The middle-aged man turned his gaze to an elderly man in the room: “Mr. Zhao Ti, what is your opinion?” In the various countries of the continent, the surname Li was common in Dayue Kingdom, while Zhao was more prevalent in Yanmeng Kingdom.

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment before saying, “Regardless of the circumstances, we should indeed stand with the Great Yue Kingdom, but the method needs further discussion. As Young Master Zhao Jian just said, both my Yanmeng Kingdom and the Great Yue Kingdom are civilized nations on the continent, and we have maintained peace for hundreds of years. Although there have been occasional minor conflicts, both sides have exercised restraint and adhered to basic civilized and moral principles, refraining from indiscriminate killing.

“The Donghan Kingdom, on the other hand, is an undeveloped barbarian nation, cruel and tyrannical, capable of anything. During the war in 1445 of the Continental Calendar, an army from the Donghan Kingdom invaded my Yanmeng Kingdom, and the bloody massacres are recorded in historical texts, chilling to the bone. Once the Great Yue Kingdom is conquered, the next target will undoubtedly be my Yanmeng Kingdom. Everyone understands the principle of mutual dependence, so aiding the Great Yue Kingdom is essential, and I believe the officials of Yangjing understand this.”

“However, how to provide aid, and how to best align with the interests of my Great Yanmeng Kingdom, still needs to be discussed. Moreover, General Li Fei is still fighting a fierce battle, and the situation is not yet clear. The officials of Yangjing may not express our stance prematurely!” "

These words received unanimous agreement from everyone present.

Meanwhile, envoys from other countries in Golden Moon City also reacted in different ways, which we will not elaborate on here.

Chapter Six: The Queen's Birthday

. In this atmosphere, on December 10th, the Queen's birthday began.

The Queen of Great Moon was dignified and virtuous, enjoying high prestige among the ministers and people of Great Moon. Furthermore, on her birthday, a large number of gifts would be bestowed upon the commoners who came to witness the celebration outside the palace gates. In addition, given the current unfavorable situation, this was also a way to bring good fortune, so the ministers and people participated in the Queen's birthday celebration with great enthusiasm. Moreover, tonight, Yang Yu, the most famous courtesan of Great Moon, would perform, so as soon as evening fell..." The city of Golden Moon was enveloped in a festive atmosphere.

The Queen's birthday celebration was being held in the Drunken Flying Pavilion Garden next to the Great Moon Palace. The Drunken Flying Pavilion was not far from the Plum Blossom Pavilion by the Imperial River; both were prominent locations within the Great Moon Palace complex, where banquets, music, dances, and ceremonies were frequently held for royal birthdays, enthronements, and other important national events.

Commoners of Golden Moon City were also permitted to enjoy themselves in the plaza outside the Drunken Flying Pavilion Garden, and would receive generous rewards of wealth and food.

In the evening, Ye Feng and Lady Anguo's entourage headed towards the palace. Lady Anguo and the Queen were close friends and often chatted together. Although... However, she was recently troubled by Li Fei's matter, but she still had to attend the Queen's birthday celebration. Hua Yi had always disliked crowds and showing her face in public, so she wouldn't go tonight; Lin Su, Liu Yan, and Ru Qing would stay home with her.

Li Yin loved such occasions and naturally would go, as did Yang Yi, who also enjoyed lively gatherings, so she stayed with Ye Feng and Li Yin. During their time at the General's Mansion, Yang Yi often accompanied Lady Anguo, talking to her to relieve her boredom, and her obedient demeanor pleased Lady Anguo.

Walking on the street, although it was winter and the weather was cold, Jin Yue City was already ablaze with color and bustling with activity. A large flow of people were heading towards the Royal Palace.

The group arrived at the Drunken Flying Pavilion Garden, which was already packed with ministers, noble ladies, and envoys from various countries, forming a continuous canopy of flowing robes and a bustling atmosphere. The lush garden was illuminated by dazzling lights, making it shine like a jewel. Banquet tables were set up in the garden's open spaces, and palace maids busily prepared various fine wines and dishes. The

appearance of Ye Feng, Li Yin, and Lady Anguo immediately attracted the attention of most people. Of course, most eyes were on Lady Anguo; as a prominent figure on the list of beauties of the land twenty years ago, her unparalleled beauty and charm still captivated everyone.

A flurry of people came to pay their respects, including some foreign envoys. Many also greeted Ye Feng and Li Yin. Ye Feng, as a recent celebrity and the first martial arts champion of the Great Yue Kingdom, naturally had reasons to befriend him. Li Yin, a "legendary figure" among women and a renowned female general of the Jade Moon Prefecture, also aroused curiosity, especially given her recent victory over bandits, which had already spread throughout Golden Moon City.

People were also interested in the relationship between Lady Anguo and Ye Feng. Recently, Ye Feng and his group moving into the General's Mansion in Golden Moon City had become major news, and everyone wondered why Lady Anguo valued Ye Feng so highly.

Li Yin returned the greetings, looking around at the various beauties with great interest, her beautiful eyes revealing excitement. Golden Moon City certainly had more beauties than Jade Moon City.

Naturally, Ye Feng's old acquaintances, including Left Chancellor Li Xinzhi, Left Minister Yang Liuyu, and Duke Zhao Jinquan, also came to greet Lady Anguo and her entourage. Ye Feng and Li Yin quickly returned their greetings, all tacitly avoiding mentioning the front lines to prevent Lady Anguo from worrying.

As they were talking, Ye Feng suddenly felt a gaze upon him. Turning his head, he saw a handsome one-armed man calmly observing him from a distance, accompanied by a beautiful young woman—Zhou Yun, whom he hadn't seen for many days. Seeing Ye Feng looking at him, Zhou Yun nodded slightly, his expression neither pleased nor angry. The beautiful young woman beside him was Zhao Xiu, whose entire gaze was now fixed on Zhou Yun. Although Zhou Yun seemed rather cold towards her, she still tried to ingratiate herself by his side. When Ye Feng looked again, Zhou Yun and Zhao Xiu had already disappeared into the bustling crowd.

The people chatted and took their seats, awaiting the start of the banquet.

Finally, the Queen's birthday banquet began. A burst of music filled the air, and everyone stood respectfully at attention. Soon, a colorful procession entered through the garden gate, and the Great Yue King, Queen, and other concubines, escorted by valiant imperial guards, entered the garden.

In the garden, everyone bowed to the Great Yue King amidst the music, shouting "Long live the King!

" The Great Yue King took his seat at the head of the table and smiled, "Rise, my beloved subjects, no need for such formalities." The other concubines and princes also took their seats according to rank.

Everyone relaxed and took their seats according to their status.

Ye Feng looked over and saw that the Queen, sitting to the Great Yue King's right, was showing a rare smile, a smile rarely seen when she was with him. She wore a light blue dress, her attire simple yet elegant, exuding a subtle and captivating nobility.

To the left of the Great Yue King sat Consort An, his favorite concubine. Her hair was styled in a high bun, and her voluptuous figure was clad in a luxurious mink robe. Her large, almond-shaped eyes seemed to casually sweep over the crowd, exuding an undeniable allure, yet her face maintained a reserved expression, giving her an air of unapproachability.

Crown Prince Li Zhiji and the Second Prince Li Weiquan sat to the left and right of the Great Yue King. The other princes and princesses were also seated in their respective positions.

Ye Feng and the Queen's eyes met briefly, then both casually looked away. Ye Feng glanced at Li Yin again, noticing her gaze lingering with interest on Consort An's alluring figure, occasionally shifting to the Queen, a strange expression in her beautiful eyes. Yang Yi whispered, "The Queen and Consort An are so beautiful, and their clothes are so pretty too." This elicited a smile from Lady Anguo beside her.

Because of Ye Feng and Li Yin's recent rise in status, and also because they were traveling with Lady Anguo, he and the Left Chancellor Li Xinzhi and others were seated at the front of the banquet.

A quick glance revealed Zhou Yun and Zhao Xiu seated behind Zhou You, the Vice Minister of Rites. Zhou Yun's expression remained calm, while Zhao Xiu curiously looked around, displaying her girlish nature. When her gaze met Ye Feng's, he smiled slightly at her, and Zhao Xiu nodded reluctantly, then stole a glance at Zhou Yun, who noticed but showed no change in expression.

Amidst joyous music, Zhou You, the Vice Minister of Rites, first led the officials in offering wine to the King of Dayue, then tea and wine to the Queen, congratulating her on her birthday. The band played celebratory music in unison. After a while, the congratulations concluded, and everyone returned to their seats.

The King of Dayue laughed heartily, raised his cup to the Queen, and said, "Your Majesty, today is your birthday. I wish you a happy birthday."

The Queen smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty," raising her cup to drink.

Beside King Dayue, Consort An wore a half-smile, her eyes sparkling as she raised her cup, saying, "Sister, I also wish you a happy birthday." It was the first time Ye Feng had heard her speak, and her voice held a captivating allure.

The Queen smiled faintly, "Thank you, sister." Although the two usually schemed and fought amongst themselves, they appeared quite harmonious in public, their address rather intimate. King Dayue stroked his beard and nodded in agreement.

Crown Prince Li Zhiji stood up, saying happily, "Mother, I wish you a happy birthday and good health." Among those who came to offer their congratulations, he was naturally the most sincere.

The Queen smiled with a touch of emotion, "Very well, my son is so kind."

Then the Second Prince also stood up with great poise, saying loudly, "I also wish Your Majesty a happy birthday and everlasting good health." He raised his cup and drank it all in one

gulp. The Queen smiled and nodded.

Then, a group of princes and princesses toasted the Queen and offered their congratulations, which she smiled and nodded to each one.

Next came a variety of festive song and dance performances, which livened up the atmosphere. Everyone watched with great interest, the clinking of glasses blending together to create a very lively atmosphere. The banquet quickly reached its climax.

Of

course, everyone present was most looking forward to Yang Yu's performance later. Everyone had heard that since arriving in Golden Moon City, Yang Yu had been preparing a song and dance performance for the Queen. What would it be like? They were really looking forward to it.

Yang Yi also said, "What will Sister Yang Yu perform later? I really want to see it."

Lady Anguo said affectionately, "You'll find out soon enough, Yi'er."

Ye Feng was also very excited, and naturally, everyone present felt the same way.

Amidst the conversation about Yang Yu's song and dance, Yang Yu's performance finally began. The melodious and cheerful sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and many beautiful young women, each holding flowers, sang birthday songs and danced gracefully as they entered from outside the garden.

The women moved about, singing and dancing, filling the air with a joyful festive atmosphere. Their dance steps were varied and exquisite. When they reached the center of the garden, the graceful Yang Yu appeared from among the women, immediately eliciting thunderous applause.

Yang Yu sang and danced, her voice sweet and cheerful, captivating all who heard her. Her clear, large eyes sparkled with emotion, possessing a breathtaking and alluring charm that left everyone mesmerized.

Ye Feng gazed at this peerless beauty, his heart filled with joy. Everyone present stared intently at Yang Yu, their eyes fixed, afraid to miss a single detail of her dance. The Second Prince's eyes were also fixed on Yang Yu, his gaze filled with infatuation. Beside the Great Yue King, Consort An looked at Yang Yu's enchanting figure with a hint of jealousy in her eyes. Lady An

listened and nodded, noting that Yang Yu's dance was more refined than before, and that the unique melody seemed to have reached a new level of artistry. Yang Yi stared intently at Yang Yu, her eyes filled with joy. She had always loved singing and dancing, and seeing such beautiful music

made her exceptionally happy. The Queen, seated at the head of the table, also looked at Yang Yu with eyes full of joy and affection. She had known for days that Yang Yu had been preparing for tonight's performance behind closed doors, and seeing her tonight, she was indeed delighted. Moreover, Yang Yu was her junior apprentice, and the two had always been close friends.

The singing and dancing continued, the lively rhythm and cheerful music drawing everyone into an indescribable atmosphere. It was a light and joyful feeling, refreshing and delightful. Everyone present was captivated.

After the performance, prolonged applause erupted in the garden.

The Queen smiled and said, "Junior sister, you've worked hard! This dance is light and cheerful, refreshing and delightful. It's truly admirable how much effort you've put in these past few days." She publicly acknowledged her close relationship with Yang Yu, clearly showing her great affection for her.

Yang Yu smiled faintly, "Senior Sister, you flatter me."

Then, the Great Yue King and the Second Prince showered Yang Yu with praise. Finally, the Great Yue King said, "Master Yang, you've worked hard. Please take a seat."

Everyone was eager to see where Yang Yu would sit, and hoped she would sit beside them.

Yang Yu smiled sweetly and gracefully walked towards Lady Anguo. Lady Anguo smiled, "Ayu, sit here with your senior sister."

Yang Yu glanced at Ye Feng, whom she hadn't seen for several days, and sat down beside Lady Anguo. Instantly, everyone in the garden couldn't help but envy Ye Feng sitting beside Lady Anguo, and the nearby Left Chancellor Li Xinzhi, Minister Yang Liuyu, and others.

Ye Feng was also delighted, genuinely fond of this intelligent and virtuous woman. Once she was seated, Ye Feng praised her, "Master Yang's dance was light and lively, truly delightful to watch. You are indeed worthy of the title 'Master'." Yang Yu smiled slightly. Having not seen Ye Feng for several days, she was overjoyed to see him again. She gently touched a strand of hair behind her ear, a very feminine gesture that immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Yang Yi also said, "Sister Yang Yu's dance was so beautiful, so lovely!"

Li Yin also praised, "This music should only exist in heaven; how often can one hear it on earth?"

Yang Yu couldn't help but chuckle, "You all know how to talk." During her stay at the Listening Rain Courtyard, she had already become familiar with Ye Feng, Li Yin, Yang Yi, and others, so she was no longer unfamiliar with their forms of address.

Lady Anguo couldn't help but

smile. Next, Li Xinzhi, Liu Yupang, and others praised Yang Yu, and Yang Yu politely responded to each one with a gentle smile. An Jingqu, Zhou You, and the men around them, sitting opposite each other, felt a pang of jealousy. Zhao Xiu, sitting next to An Jingqu, stared blankly at the stunningly beautiful Yang Yu. It was also the first time she had seen Yang Yu that evening and witnessed her singing and dancing.

After a brief period of commotion, various performances followed.

The banquet ended in a lively atmosphere, followed by a relaxed lantern festival. King Dayue and Consort An, among others, returned to their palaces to rest. The Queen glanced at Ye Feng and his group from afar before joining them.

※※※

Ye Feng, Lady An, Yang Yu, Li Yin, and Yang Yi strolled through the garden. Various colorful lanterns hung from the branches of trees throughout the garden, making it dazzling. The garden was filled with the sounds of birdsong, and the officials and noble ladies took the opportunity to socialize, gathering in small groups, laughing and playing. Furthermore, various entertainers and musicians performed magic tricks, songs, and dances throughout the garden, creating a lively and relaxed atmosphere.

Originally, Ye Feng intended to return after the banquet, but Li Yin and Yang Yi suggested they explore the Drunken Flying Pavilion Garden. Like the Plum Blossom Pavilion, it was one of the two most famous spots in the Great Yue Kingdom, renowned throughout the entire kingdom. Since they were there, why not enjoy it? Ye Feng could only agree.

Along the way, countless envious gazes were cast upon Ye Feng. What did this young man possess to have four beauties by his side? If looks could kill, Ye Feng would have died countless times over. Along the way,

people came up to greet Lady Anguo and Yang Yu, making it difficult for Ye Feng and his companions to walk more than five steps before needing to stop. As

they were talking, the Second Prince, followed by a group of people, appeared out of nowhere. Ye Feng glanced at him; he was accompanied by Grand Tutor An Jingqu, Vice Minister of Rites Zhou You, and others, with Zhou Yun and Zhao Xiu also following behind.

The second prince approached, greeting Lady Anguo respectfully and gently. He then greeted Li Yin and Ye Feng. After everyone had exchanged greetings, his gaze fell upon Yang Yu, and he smiled, "Madam and Lady Yang seem to be in high spirits. What are you discussing?"

Yang Yu smiled faintly, "Just taking a stroll and looking around."

The second prince's eager gaze vanished for a moment, replaced by a gentle expression. He said to Yang Yu, "I will be hosting a banquet in a few days. Would Lady Yang do me

the honor of attending?" Yang Yu's beautiful eyes subtly swept over Ye Feng, who was standing nearby, and she said with slight difficulty, "I have already promised Madam that I would spend these few days with her and study song and dance with her. However, I will try my best to make time to attend the banquet at your residence."

Lady Anguo was slightly taken aback, thinking, "When did you say you would spend these few days studying song and dance with me?" Her gaze swept over Ye Feng, and she understood somewhat. She smiled and said, "It's alright, Your Highness. If you have time, please come, as Your Highness might have something important to attend to."

The Second Prince's gaze swept over Yang Yu and Ye Feng's faces, and he said with great poise, "Actually, it's nothing important. If Lady Yang is unavailable these days, we can reschedule." He glanced at Ye Feng again, smiled, and left.

Zhou Yun and Zhao Xiu also glanced at Ye Feng and followed the Second Prince and the others.

Ye Feng's heart skipped a beat. Although the Second Prince's glance at him earlier seemed normal on the surface, Ye Feng saw a deep-seated murderous intent. Moreover, he had previously refused the Second Prince's offer of recruitment, so it seemed that things wouldn't be peaceful between them in the future.

Furthermore, there were countless powerful people in Golden Moon City, and his close relationship with Yang Yu couldn't possibly go unnoticed. As a woman listed among the most beautiful women in the land, Yang Yu had attracted the covetous eyes of countless people. If Yang Yu were to fall into his arms, he wondered how many people would plot against him. It seemed that a storm was brewing.

Chapter Seven: Li Fei's Death in Battle

After the Queen's birthday, due to the tense situation, Ye Feng and his group remained at the Lady Anguo's residence in Jin Yue City to better gather information, temporarily delaying their return to Yu Yue City. Yang Yu frequently visited the Lady Anguo's residence, and Ye Feng, surrounded by flowers, was naturally delighted.

However, the situation at the front lines grew increasingly tense, with various unfavorable news arriving daily, causing constant alarm. In Jin Yue City, countless refugees from the five northern prefectures poured in daily, bringing with them various rumors. They recounted their own tragic experiences to the people of Jin Yue City, or told stories of the brutality of the people of Dong Han Kingdom, further chilling the hearts of the people.

Finally, more than a month later, shortly after the New Year, on January 15th, 1607 (lunar calendar), earth-shattering news reached Jin Yue City: Li Fei had died in battle!

***

Upon hearing this news, everyone was in disbelief; how could this be?

Ye Feng and Li Yin had visited Hanxiao Prefecture before and knew that, as the foremost of the four major military prefectures of the Great Yue Kingdom, Hanxiao Prefecture had always been the most important military stronghold in the north of the Great Yue Kingdom. It commanded a total of 150,000 troops, each a seasoned veteran. Moreover, Hanxiao Prefecture was situated in a strategically important location. Not only was Hanxiao City itself a formidable fortress, but

Hanxiao Pass, facing the Winter Cold Kingdom, was even more treacherous. Nestled in the middle of a steep mountainside, with towering peaks, it was exceptionally dangerous, guarding the only passage between the northwest of the Great Yue Kingdom and the Winter Cold Kingdom. Four large stone walls and seventeen smaller stone walls, along with fifteen passes, formed a formidable defensive system. Every time the Winter Cold Kingdom attacked the Great Yue Kingdom, they had failed here.

Therefore, the Winterfrost Kingdom learned its lesson this time, deploying two large armies to bypass the central and northeastern parts of the kingdom, first attacking Yuebei Prefecture and Yuexi Prefecture, rendering Hanxiao Pass ineffective, and then launching a three-pronged attack on Hanxiao City to eliminate any threats from the north.

However, Hanxiao City was well-fortified and well-supplied. With Li Fei's military prowess, he could have held out for at least a year, waiting for reinforcements and a change in the situation. How could the city have fallen in just three months?

A few days later, more concrete news arrived: the fall of Hanxiao City was due to a traitor among Li Fei's trusted generals, someone no one in the Great Yue Kingdom could have imagined—Li Po!

Everyone in the Great Yue Kingdom knew that Li Po was Li Fei's trusted general, responsible for the defense of the eastern part of the city during the siege of Hanxiao City. At the height of the battle, Li Po opened the city gates, leading to the city's fall.

Why did Li Po betray Li Fei and the Great Yue Kingdom?

It turns out that Li Po's true identity is not that of the Great Yue Kingdom, but of the Winter Cold Kingdom, and the younger brother of Winter Cold Kingdom's top general, Dong Yinqiu. When he was ten years old, he was sent to Cold Howl City by the Winter Cold Kingdom, where he wandered as a homeless child. Homeless children were common in Cold Howl City, and his accent was a pure Great Yue Kingdom accent, so no one suspected his identity. One day, he was discovered and taken in by Li Fei. Because of his intelligence, competence, and battle prowess, he gradually gained Li Fei's appreciation and was eventually given an important position.

At the most crucial moment of this battle, Li Po opened the city gates, and the Winter Cold Kingdom army surged in like a tidal wave. However, the soldiers of the Great Yue Kingdom fought to the death, engaging in street fighting with the Winter Cold Kingdom soldiers, but the tide had turned against them. His soldiers urged Li Fei to abandon the city and flee, but Li Fei sighed, "As a soldier of the Great Yue Kingdom, I have received the nation's favor for generations. How can I abandon the people within the city? I swear to live and die with Hanxiao City!"

After eight days of street fighting, his soldiers dwindled, and all hope seemed lost. Ignoring the repeated pleas for surrender from Marshal Dong Yinqiu, commander of the Donghan Kingdom, Li Fei ultimately committed suicide. His Yue guards and soldiers desperately retrieved his body and broke through the encirclement. The news of Li Fei's death shocked and grieved

the

entire Great Yue Kingdom. Li Fei was the Great Yue Kingdom's foremost general, strict with himself yet lenient with others, compassionate towards his subordinates, and loving towards his people. He had always guarded the north for the Great Yue Kingdom, earning the title of a pillar of strength and deeply revered by his people. His death was a profound loss.

When Li Fei's body was transported back to Jinyue City, the streets were filled with people who spontaneously came to receive it. King Dayue personally went outside the city to receive Li Fei's remains and held a grand state funeral for him, building the Hall of Loyalty and Martyrdom in his honor. When Lady Anguo saw Li Fei's body, she fainted from grief. Ye Feng, recalling his experiences with Li Fei, also wept uncontrollably. To prevent any unforeseen events, Ye Feng instructed Hua Yi, Yang Yu, and others to stay by Lady Anguo's side day and night, lest she commit suicide.

When news of Liu Fei's death spread throughout the country, the entire Dayue Kingdom was filled with grief and a heavy atmosphere. Li Fei was dead; who could stop the Winterfrost people? An atmosphere of fear and anxiety immediately enveloped the nation.

This proved true; when news of the previous crisis arrived, the Dayue Kingdom had dispatched 200,000 troops from various regions and gathered some of the defeated forces to aid them. However, before even reaching Hanxiao City, news of its fall arrived, further destabilizing the army. The reinforcements were routed upon contact with the Winterfrost army, suffering a crushing defeat and fleeing south, with the five northern prefectures falling one after another.

On February 20th, 1607 (Continental Calendar), the army of the Winterfrost Kingdom captured Kaiyuan City, the capital of Kaiyuan Prefecture, the last major stronghold among the Five Provinces and Five Prefectures. Hundreds of miles beyond Kaiyuan City lay the Great Yue River, a natural barrier of the Great Yue Kingdom. Beyond the Great Yue River lay the Great Yue Kingdom's capital, Golden Moon City.

The Great Yue King and his followers were terrified and hastily mobilized troops to strengthen the defenses of the Great Yue River, intending to use its natural defenses to confront the Winterfrost Kingdom. They also demanded that troops from all over the Great Yue Kingdom be sent to defend the capital. Fortunately, the Winterfrost Kingdom's offensive halted at this time, merely consolidating its occupation and rule over the five northern prefectures of the Great Yue Kingdom.

※※※

Winterfrost Marshal Dong Yinqiu stood on a hill, facing the surging, boundless Great Yue River. Beyond the river, not far away should lay Golden Moon City, the most prosperous and wealthy capital of the Great Yue Kingdom on the continent.

On the surface, Dong Yinqiu appeared calm and composed, but she couldn't suppress her inner excitement. The dream of the Winter Cold Kingdom for centuries was about to become a reality. This beautiful, rich, and civilized land before her would soon belong to the people of the Winter Cold Kingdom, who would no longer suffer from the harsh cold and hardship, but would live a prosperous and civilized life.

She was still riding her beloved fiery red horse, her shapely body clad in silver armor and a large cloak. Combined with her unparalleled beauty, once listed among the most beautiful women in the continent, she was truly incomparably heroic, inspiring awe and reverence.

Surrounding her like stars around the moon were a large number of Winter Cold Kingdom soldiers, each one burly and tall, riding fine horses and clad in iron armor, a magnificent military display. Needless to say, the beautiful female guards who had accompanied her 24 hours a day before, whom Ye Feng had seen, were naturally standing behind her.

Beside Dong Yinqiu stood her younger brother, Li Po, who had rendered great service this time. Now called Dong Po, his dark, calm face was expressionless as he silently gazed at the surging river before him.

To Dong Yinqiu's right was Dong Gu, one of the commanders of the three routes of the Donghan army. He was a burly man, with shoulder-length green hair and deep blue eyes that occasionally flashed with a brutal light—a typical Donghan tribesman. Behind Dong Gu stood a large man with high cheekbones and eyes like steel bells. If Ye Feng were present, he would recognize this man as Dong Haolang, whom he had fought before. He was now excitedly looking at the Dayue River ahead.

To Dong Yinqiu's left was Dong Chun, the commander of another route of the three Donghan armies. Tall and thin, with gloomy brown eyes, he enjoyed reading Dayue Kingdom military texts and was skilled in strategy. This time, he had forced the surrender of Li Kuan, the military governor of Yuebei Prefecture, at a minimal cost, becoming a celebrated story in the Donghan Kingdom and its army.

Surrounding and behind the three generals of the Winterfrost Kingdom were numerous other Winterfrost Kingdom generals, and not far from them were countless elite warriors guarding them. This time, the Winterfrost Kingdom had deployed its elite and fiercest generals to fulfill the unfinished ambition of the Winterfrost Kingdom in 1445 of the Continental Calendar.

Dong Gu, looking around with self-satisfaction, said to Dong Yinqiu, "Marshal Yinqiu, why did our army stop after capturing Kaiyuan City? Why not press on, cross the Dayue River, and strike directly at Jinyue City, crushing the Dayue Kingdom to dust?" He was a renowned and fierce general of the Winterfrost Kingdom, a formidable enemy feared by all.

Dong Yinqiu gazed calmly into the distance, her gentle and moving voice speaking: "The Great Yue Kingdom has a large and powerful army, and now, facing a life-or-death crisis, they will undoubtedly be more united than ever before. Furthermore, they have the natural barrier of the Great Yue River to defend them, and the Jiangnan region is dotted with lakes and rivers, which is unfavorable for our Donghan cavalry's offensive. A hasty advance could lead to unforeseen circumstances. We must strictly adhere to the plan formulated before the war!"

This time, Donghan's invasion of the Great Yue Kingdom was based on the previous Yue-Dong war. Dong Yinqiu and Sun Jian meticulously planned a three-step strategy, carefully considering the suggestions of many former Great Yue people who had defected to Donghan. The first step was to capture Hanxiao Prefecture, Yuebei Prefecture, Yuexi Prefecture, and the other three prefectures.

The second step was to unite the three into one, concentrating three armies to attack the remaining Kaiyuan Prefecture and Ma Prefecture. They would occupy the five prefectures north of the Great Yue River, which were rich in grain and other crops, as well as mineral resources, including iron ore, cotton, and hemp, which the Great Yue Kingdom desperately needed.

Then, using this as a base, he would reorganize his troops, eliminate resistance forces in various regions, strengthen his rule over these five prefectures, and relocate a large number of people from the Winterfrost Kingdom to eliminate any worries about the rear during this war. The last war in 1445 of the Continental Calendar failed because the advance was too rapid, the battle lines too long, and ultimately, insufficient troops led to being bogged down in the people's war of the Great Yue Kingdom, nearly having their retreat cut off and almost resulting in total annihilation.

Therefore, in this war, Dong Yinqiu was extremely cautious, strictly adhering to the military plan established at the beginning of the war, proceeding step by step. Only after completing the first two steps of the plan could the third step—attacking the Great Yue Kingdom's capital, Golden Moon City—be carried out. After capturing Golden Moon City, the remaining resistance forces would be no longer a threat and could be gradually eliminated.

In fact, even if only the second step of the planned war was completed, the people of Winterfrost would be very satisfied. The territory of the five northern prefectures of the Great Yue Kingdom was already larger than the entire territory of Winterfrost, and the warm climate and fertile land made the people of Winterfrost, who had immigrated from the barren and cold Winterfrost Kingdom, feel as if they were in paradise.

Donggu said discontentedly, "Marshal and Lord Sun Jian are being too cautious, aren't they? The Yue people are cowardly. Since our army entered the Great Yue Kingdom, we have been unstoppable. Why be so timid?"

Donggu had always been brave and warlike, and since entering the Great Yue Kingdom, he had not encountered any enemies, so he couldn't help but look down on the people of the Great Yue Kingdom. Although he had always admired Dongyinqiu's military achievements, he was a straightforward person, and at this moment he spoke frankly. Moreover, since entering the Great Yue Kingdom and the three armies joined forces, Dongyinqiu had strictly forbidden the Donghan Kingdom's army from burning, killing, and looting, which had caused considerable resentment among Donggu's soldiers.

Post-war looting and killing were commonplace for the Donghan army. They were utterly dismissive of Dong Yinqiu's claim that "whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the world." In their view, the Dayue people were cowardly, born slaves to the Donghan warriors. The Donghan people had a long tradition of using swords to reap the heads and wealth of the Dayue people, a tradition reflected in their domestic propaganda and education

. Dong Yinqiu smiled slightly, her captivating beauty stunning the generals around her. She knew that discussing strategy with a brute like Dong Yinqiu, who only knew how to kill, was like casting pearls before swine. She had always admired the Dayue culture, her hope being to conquer Dayue and then implement Dayue etiquette and institutions within Donghan, transforming it from a barbarian nation into a civilized one. Her ancestors were from Dayue, and her mother was deeply influenced by Dayue civilization, telling her stories of Dayue from her mother. For her, Dayue was a beautiful dream, a place she deeply longed for.

She glanced at Dongpo, who had remained silent beside her, feeling a pang of tenderness. Her younger brother, for the sake of the Donghan Kingdom's interests, had left home at a young age to infiltrate Li Fei's inner circle. Over the years, the siblings had only met twice. Dongpo's assistance in capturing Hanxiao City was of paramount importance.

Dongyinqiu also knew that Dongpo harbored deep remorse for Li Fei's death. Similarly, despite being from an opposing nation, Dongyinqiu held Li Fei in high esteem. After entering Hanxiao City, she ordered the people of Dayue to be treated well and strictly forbade the Donghan Kingdom's army from burning, killing, and looting within the city, with violators to be beheaded on the spot.

She smiled at Dongpo and said, "General Dongpo, what are your thoughts?" In front of outsiders, she never revealed her familial relationship with Dongpo.

After a long period of contemplation, Dong Po said, "The Yue people may seem weak in ordinary times, but when their nation is in peril, they are united and incredibly brave. Moreover, the Great Yue Kingdom is the most powerful on the entire continent. Once the entire nation is mobilized, they will display astonishing strength. In 1445 of the continental calendar, our army broke through the natural barrier of the Great Yue River, and hundreds of thousands of troops besieged Golden Moon City. However, after half a year, we still couldn't capture it, and finally, we were forced to withdraw from the war in defeat. We must heed this lesson."

"Furthermore, the Yue people are not all weak. It is only because of long-term peace that they have gradually abandoned warfare. In times of national crisis, it is not impossible for figures like Li Tie and Li Fei to emerge again."

The people of Donghan Kingdom were stirred. Li Tie was the famous general who caused Donghan Kingdom's direct defeat in the last Yue-Dong war, and Li Fei was also someone everyone present greatly respected. In fact, not only Dong Yinqiu, but the entire Donghan Kingdom army also greatly admired Li Fei. Donghan Kingdom has always respected warriors, regardless of whether they are from their own country or an enemy nation. Li Fei was also regarded as a military god by the people of Donghan Kingdom.

Moreover, Dong Po had endured humiliation and hardship, infiltrating the Great Yue Kingdom and suffering the pain of separation from his family. This time, he had made great contributions and was admired by everyone. Having lived in the Great Yue Kingdom for a long time, he naturally knew more about it than anyone else present. What he said was naturally very reasonable.

Among the three generals who were attacking from the south, only Dong Chun remained expressionless. He had always been dissatisfied with Dong Yinqiu. He was very proud of himself, yet he had to obey the orders of a young girl in everything, which made him extremely unhappy. However, he was always very shrewd and never showed his emotions. He was also good at judging the situation.

At this moment, he slowly said, "Marshal Yinqiu and General Dong Po are right. The Great Yue Kingdom has many soldiers and generals, and the Great Yue River is a natural barrier. Moreover, Golden Moon City is the most fortified city on the continent. It is not something that can be achieved in a short time. We must be careful and cautious. We must not be complacent because of the early success, lest we fail at the last moment."

Everyone nodded.

Dong Yinqiu smiled faintly, "Even so, generals need not be pessimistic. My Donghan warriors are unparalleled in the world. As long as we proceed step by step according to the war plan, I believe that one day the entire Great Yue Kingdom will be incorporated into the territory of Donghan. At most, within a year, my invincible Donghan army will sweep across the Great Yue River."

"Is that the dreamlike Golden Moon City on the other side? I wonder what it looks like?" Dong Yinqiu thought to herself, "It won't be long before I arrive!"

She shouted, facing the surging river, drew her sword, and roared, "Our army will surely win!"

The generals were all filled with fervor, drawing their swords and sabers in unison to respond to the shout, "Victory! Victory! Victory!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Countless Donghan soldiers also drew their swords and shouted in response, their cries surging across the Great Yue River like a tidal wave.

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