The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Thinking of this, Cen Jiexiao immediately called a carrier pigeon and sent a message to Xiaozhi of Zhaoyin Academy, asking her to notify the news media department to "go all out" on the topic of "Da Zhou's ally Xi Xiang's great victory over Bei Di" and to use newspapers and other various publicity channels to make sure that this news spreads to every corner of Da Zhou.

When Xiaozhi received the letter from Cen Jiexiao, she immediately jumped up excitedly.

"The dean is the dean. This publicity idea is really great!" She muttered as she rushed to the News and Media Department and conveyed Cen Jiexiao's instructions.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the News and Media Department sprang into action. Those who wrote, those who set the layout, those who printed, were busily engaged. Soon, one passionate article after another was freshly published and distributed to every corner of the Great Zhou.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! The Xiang people of Xixiang have won a great victory over the Beidi people. Our allies of the Great Zhou are mighty!" Newsboys shouted at the top of their lungs in the streets and alleys. The smell of ink on the newspapers mixed with the festive atmosphere filled the entire capital.

Citizens poured into the streets, rushing to buy newspapers and reading detailed reports of the victory. The name of Xixiang Crown Prince Xia Chenghao, like a rising star, was sung over and over again.

"This Prince Xixiang is truly a hero!"

"Yes, he is so brave at such a young age. He must have a bright future!"

"With allies like these, our Great Zhou will surely prosper!"

The people talked about it a lot, full of admiration and respect for Xi Xiang's victory.

At the same time, Chai Zhen also received a reply from Xia Chenghao, in which Xia Chenghao expressed his gratitude for Chai Zhen's praise and said that the Xixiang tribe would always be the most loyal ally of the Great Zhou.

After reading the letter, Shai Zhen's face showed a satisfied smile. He walked to the window and looked at the bustling crowd outside, his heart filled with lofty ambitions.

However, he didn't know that at that moment, Cen Jiexiao was sitting in the military tent, her brow furrowed as she stared at the map in her hands, her heart filled with anxiety. Xi Xiang's victory was certainly gratifying, but it also made her more vigilant. She had a feeling that behind this victory, there was a greater conspiracy hidden...

At this moment, there was a commotion outside the tent. Cen Jiexiao stood up alertly, holding the dagger at her waist tightly.

"Report! The Xixiang envoy requests an audience!"

Cen Jiexiao's heart trembled. An envoy from Xixiang? Why were they here at this hour? Could it be... Xia Chenghao?

She took a deep breath and tried to keep herself calm.

"Invite him in."

The curtain was lifted, and a man in Western clothing walked in. He was tall, dark-skinned, with a subtle arrogance on his face.

"Master Cen, how are you?"

Cen Jiexiao frowned slightly. This voice was not familiar.

"You are……"

"My name is Amur. I'm here on the orders of the Crown Prince to invite Lord Cen to the Beidi military camp to discuss the final matters." The man smiled slightly, revealing a row of white teeth.

After saying that, Amur showed Cen Jiexiao the special token of the Xixiang envoy.

Cen Jiexiao sized up Amur before her, her heart thick with doubt. Why didn't Xia Chenghao send someone he knew? The token was genuine, and the Xixiang envoy's attire was correct, but she couldn't help but feel something was amiss. Perhaps it was Xia Chenghao's newly promoted confidant? She pondered, her expression impassive. "So it's Lord Amur. My apologies. What instructions does His Royal Highness have?"

Amur smiled broadly, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that although the remnants of the Northern Di tribe were defeated, the subsequent matters are complicated and require consultation with Lord Cen to properly handle them and eliminate future troubles."

He made a "please" gesture.

"The carriage is ready, please move, Lord Cen."

After a moment's hesitation, Cen Jiexiao decided to go. With Xixiang's victory, she needed to understand the follow-up arrangements. This was also a good opportunity to discuss further cooperation plans with Xia Chenghao. She instructed Xiaoman to stay in the barracks while she followed Amur into the carriage.

The carriage jolted along, heading in an unfamiliar direction. Cen Jiexiao lifted a corner of the curtain and gazed at the increasingly desolate scenery along the way. A growing sense of unease grew within her. This direction seemed to be somewhat veer away from the Xixiang Central Army Camp...

"Lord Amur, this road..." Cen Jiexiao asked tentatively.

Amur turned his head and smiled, revealing a row of white teeth: "Don't worry, Lord Cen. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has specially chosen a secluded place so that he can discuss important matters without being disturbed." His smile made Cen Jiexiao feel a chill.

The carriage lurched to a halt. Cen Jiexiao lifted a corner of the curtain. Instead of the expected flamboyant Xixiang military camp, she saw a desolate and dilapidated scene. A few tattered tents lay scattered across the withered grass, as if ready to be blown away by the wind. Around the tents, a group of ragged, menacing soldiers gathered. Their eyes gleamed with greed and brutality, and a variety of weapons slung from their belts. They looked more like a mob of bandits than soldiers. Cen Jiexiao's heart sank, and a sense of foreboding washed over her.

"Lord Amur, this is..." Cen Jiexiao asked tentatively, with a hint of trembling in her voice.

Amur did not answer, but smiled coldly, revealing a row of yellowed teeth. This smile was completely different from his previous amiable appearance, which made Cen Jiexiao feel creepy.

At this moment, a ragged soldier came close to Amur's ear and whispered something. After hearing this, Amur's smile became even more sinister. He suddenly opened the curtain, grabbed Cen Jiexiao's arm, and pulled her out of the carriage roughly.

"Sir Cen, I'm sorry!" Amur's tone was cold, as if Cen Jiexiao was already his prisoner.

Cen Jiexiao was thrown heavily to the ground. She looked up and saw that the soldiers had surrounded her. The swords in their hands reflected a dazzling cold light, as if they would fall at any time.

"Amur, who are you?" Cen Jiexiao shouted sternly, and at the same time calmly reached into her sleeve and tightly grasped the dagger hidden inside.

Amur laughed heartily, his laughter filled with mockery and pride. "Master Cen, isn't it too late to ask now? To tell you the truth, I am a spy from the Northern Di, lurking in Xixiang for many years!"

Cen Jiexiao cursed herself for being so careless, falling into the enemy's trap! But she didn't panic. She forced herself to calm down and analyze the situation. The enemy outnumbered us, and a head-on fight was not the best strategy. She had to find a way to buy time and wait for rescue.

"You Beidi are so despicable and shameless! You actually use such despicable means!" Cen Jiexiao shouted angrily.

Amur sneered disdainfully: "The victor is the king and the loser is the bandit, how can it be despicable? Those who achieve great things don't care about trivial matters! Hahahaha..."

He waved his hand and ordered the surrounding soldiers: "Tie her up!"

Several Beidi soldiers rushed forward and tied Cen Jiexiao's hands behind her back. Cen Jiexiao struggled hard, but to no avail. She could only watch helplessly as she was taken into one of the shabby tents.

Inside the tent, a Beidi general with a face full of flesh was sitting at a simple wooden table, holding a sharp dagger in his hand, whittling the wood in his hand. His sinister eyes fell on Cen Jiexiao, as if he was looking at a lamb to be slaughtered.

"Oh, this is the famous Lord Cen. I have heard of your name for a long time, and today I finally meet you in person." The Beidi general said sarcastically, his tone full of teasing and ridicule.

Cen Jiexiao snorted coldly and looked at him fearlessly, her eyes full of contempt and disdain.

"I heard that you are cunning and helped the Great Zhou and Xixiang to defeat us. Tell me, how should I deal with you?" The Beidi general put the dagger against Cen Jiexiao's face and gently stroked her cheek. The cold touch made Cen Jiexiao feel a chill.

The sharp blade flashed before her eyes, and the threat of death loomed over her, but she still did not show any fear. Instead, she looked at the Beidi general more firmly.

At this moment, a burst of shouting and screaming suddenly came from outside the tent, getting closer and clearer. Then, a familiar voice rang out outside the tent: "Sister Cen!"