The big bandit in the Red Mansion robbed Lin Daiyu at the beginning

The best way to deal with the situation right now is to retake Zhanjiang Prefecture.

However, what worried him was that almost all the people from Qingfeng Village came out overnight.

Huai'an Prefecture might not be spared either, but this was already within the expectations of the court, oh no, Wang Ziteng.

Zhenjiang Prefecture is adjacent to Jinling and has 20,000 imperial guards, all of whom were severely infiltrated by Qingfengzhai, so Qingfengzhai was taken down with almost no effort.

If the Huai'an Prefecture was also captured by Qingfeng Village, the rebels would have nothing to hold back before the imperial army surrounded them from three sides.

Once Nanjing sends troops, there will be no worries and 100,000 rebels will march straight south, with unimaginable consequences.

But if they don't go to war, then Qingfeng Village will completely cut off the main route for troops from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian to go north.

If the imperial army took a detour, God knows what the situation would be like.

Just when Wang Ziteng was hesitating, he tricked his servant into reporting.

"Your Excellency, the Duke has arrived!"

Everyone was shocked when they heard this.

Wang Ziteng also stood up in an instant.

Asked excitedly,

"Duke? Which Duke?"

The servant said hurriedly,

"My Lord, it is the Duke of Liguo, and he has brought an imperial edict."

Hearing this, everyone's expression calmed down.

Wang Ziteng also breathed a sigh of relief with a sense of disappointment.

He hurriedly ordered his servants,

"Hurry up and open the middle door to welcome us and set up the incense table!"

Duke Liguo Liu Biao, who was from the same lineage as the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, was brave and resourceful, and had outstanding military achievements.

He once went north to Liaodong with Jia Daishan of the Rongguo Mansion to resist the Tartars, and he was well-known in the army.

Even though he is nearly sixty years old now, he is still an important figure in the army.

Soon, the main door of Wang Ziteng's mansion opened wide.

An old man in armor and with a ruddy complexion walked into the mansion and stood in front of the incense table.

Wang Ziteng, who had been prepared for this, brought a group of second-generation nobles to greet the guests and clasp their fists.

"Your humble servant pays respect to the Duke of Liguo!"

The second generation of nobles behind them all saluted.

Duke of Liguo Liu Biao smiled and bowed to Wang Ziteng, saying,

"Your Excellency, there is no need for formalities. This duke has come to announce an imperial decree. Please accept it first!"

Wang Ziteng nodded and smiled.

"As it should be!"

Then he quickly lifted up his robe and prostrated himself on the ground.

"Wang Ziteng respectfully greets His Holiness!"

Behind him, all the nobles of the second generation bowed down to the ground.

"Holy Holy Gong!"

Duke Liguo Liu Biao clasped his fists towards the north and then unfolded the imperial edict.

"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Since the Three Sovereigns ruled the world, and the Five Emperors divided the world... Prince Teng has served loyally and diligently..."

The meaning of the imperial edict is very simple.

In addition to the court's arrangements for the current war situation, it also ordered several dukes to go to Jiangning Prefecture and Anqing Prefecture respectively.

At the end, he simply praised Wang Ziteng and rewarded him with two thousand taels of silver.

This made Wang Ziteng feel a little uneasy.

There is no other reason. The Sheyang camp was lost some time ago, and the memorial may still be on the way and has not arrived in the capital.

Zhenjiang Prefecture has been lost now, but as luck would have it, the reward from the court has also arrived.

Wang Ziteng couldn't imagine how furious the emperor would be once these two battle reports reached Shenjing.

However, from the imperial edict, Wang Ziteng also heard the court's determination to wipe out the rebels in Yangzhou.

Not only was the veteran general Duke Liguo sent, but also Duke Zhenguo, Duke Shanguo and others. Each of these people was capable of presiding over a major war.

Therefore, while Wang Ziteng felt relieved about the war, he was also secretly worried about how to face the emperor after the war was over.

"Master Wang, please accept the order!"

Seeing that Wang Ziteng remained silent after listening, Liu Biao reminded him lightly.

Wang Ziteng quickly came to his senses and kowtowed to receive the order.

After receiving the order,

Wang Ziteng took the imperial edict, sat on the incense table, and then turned around and bowed to Liu Biao with a smile.

"Thank you, old Duke, for coming all the way here to announce your decree. I truly feel honored!"

"Please come into the hall and chat! Please!"

Duke Liguo Liu Biao laughed heartily.

"You are too polite, Lord Wang. Please come in!"

Then the two of them entered the living room one after another.