With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

Chen Qingwan sighed inwardly that Lu Yan had good governance.

It is truly impressive that Shannan Prefecture has developed into this state in such a short period of time.

However, when she thought of Princess Mingyue, her face turned gloomy again.

She arrived at the prefectural governor's mansion without any obstruction. The soldiers guarding the gate obviously knew her and greeted her one after another.

Some people even offered to lead the way for her.

Chen Qingwan went upstairs with a cold face and said nothing, thinking in her mind how to "settle accounts" with Lu Yan.

She tried hard not to think about what happened between Lu Yan and Princess Mingyue.

But those scenes were like lingering nightmares, appearing in her mind again and again.

She never wanted to see the two of them hugging each other again, and the thought of it made her furious.

Chen Qingwan pushed open the door of the prefect's study.

A familiar scent of ink mixed with a faint scent of sandalwood wafted towards me.

She felt mixed emotions, unable to tell whether she was relieved or disappointed.

Walking closer, I saw Lu Yan buried in his work.

He looked focused, as if everything in the outside world had nothing to do with him.

His brows were slightly furrowed, and his slender fingers tapped the paper from time to time, as if he was thinking about some difficult problem.

Seeing him so devoted, Chen Qingwan's originally tense heartstrings unconsciously relaxed.

The stone hanging in my heart also fell to the ground quietly.

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help but feel a little annoyed at her own reaction.

Lu Yan heard the noise, looked up and saw that it was Chen Qingwan.

A surprised smile suddenly appeared on the originally tense face:

"Miss Chen, what brings you here?"

Chen Qingwan tried hard to suppress the emotions surging in her heart and put on a cold look:

"Of course I'm here to discuss business. Could it be that I'm here to see you?"

Lu Yan smiled slightly and pointed at the chair opposite him nonchalantly:

"Miss Chen, please take a seat."

But he had a vague feeling in his heart that her intention was not so simple.

This tone, this expression, both reveal a hint of alienation and...jealousy?

After Chen Qingwan sat down, her eyes swept across the study and finally fell on Lu Yan, her eyes were complicated and difficult to read.

She recalled the scene a few days ago when Princess Mingyue snuggled in Lu Yan's arms, and a bitter feeling welled up in her heart.

Lu Yan noticed Chen Qingwan's gaze and his heart skipped a beat.

He recalled the day when he hugged Princess Mingyue goodbye and Chen Qingwan happened to pass by.

"Miss Chen, Princess Mingyue and I..."

He tried to explain, but didn't know how to start.

"Lord Lu,"

Chen Qingwan interrupted him coldly before he could finish.

"I came here this time to buy a batch of arms from you."

Lu Yan was stunned for a moment, then regained his usual composure and said with a smile:

"Miss Chen, please feel free to ask for anything you want. As long as Shannan Prefecture has it, I will not be stingy."

Chen Qingwan didn't beat around the bush and said directly:

"I need a thousand muskets, fifty thousand rounds of bullets, and the corresponding gunpowder."

Lu Yan raised his eyebrows. This is not a small number.

"Miss Chen, are you going to fight?"

Chen Qingwan did not answer directly, but said lightly:

"Master Lu, just name your price."

Lu Yan pondered for a moment and reported a number:

"One thousand taels of silver for a musket, one tael of silver for a hundred bullets, and gunpowder is another price. How do you do that?"

Chen Qingwan agreed without hesitation: "Deal."

Lu Yan sighed inwardly, this woman was really quick and efficient, it seemed the matter was indeed urgent.

He picked up a pen and prepared to draw up the contract.

"Also," Chen Qingwan suddenly spoke.

"I also need something...special."

Lu Yan raised his head and looked at her doubtfully:

"Something special?"

Chen Qingwan smiled slightly, with a cunning smile:

"For example, a poison that can make a person disappear without anyone noticing, or a drug that can make a person behave obediently..."

Lu Yan looked at Chen Qingwan, with a playful look in his eyes:

"What is Miss Chen going to do? Could it be..."

Chen Qingwan did not answer, but smiled meaningfully:

"Master Lu, there's no need to ask any more questions. Just provide them."

Lu Yan shrugged and said with a smile:

"Well, since Miss Chen doesn't want to say anything, I won't ask any more questions."

"However, these things are not good things. You must be careful when using them."

Chen Qingwan nodded to show that she understood.

The two discussed some details and finally finalized the deal.

After signing the contract, Chen Qingwan stood up and prepared to leave.

"Miss Chen, why don't you stay a few more days?" Lu Yan asked.

Chen Qingwan shook her head: "No, I still have things to deal with."

Lu Yan didn't force her to stay, and stood up to see her to the door.

"correct,"

When Chen Qingwan walked to the door, she suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lu Yan.

"Princess Mingyue...where is she?"

Lu Yan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said:

"I have returned to Beixiang Kingdom."

Chen Qingwan nodded, turned and left without saying anything else.

Lu Yan looked at her departing back, feeling mixed emotions.

He didn't know what Chen Qingwan was thinking, nor did he know why she suddenly became so indifferent.

Back in the study, Lu Yan sat in a chair and pondered for a long time.

He always felt that Chen Qingwan's visit to Shannan Prefecture this time was not just to purchase arms.

After leaving Shannan Prefecture, Chen Qingwan kept spurring her horse and whipping it, wishing she could grow wings and fly back to Jingzhou.

The galloping horses raised clouds of dust and left two deep ruts on the official road.

The road was bumpy, and Chen Qingwan's body in the carriage kept shaking with the ups and downs of the carriage.

But she didn't feel tired at all. Instead, her heart felt heavy, making her breathless.

The situation in Jingzhou is complicated. The enemy is in the dark and we are in the light. If we are not careful, we may lose everything.

She had to race against time and make full preparations before the Zhou army launched a large-scale attack.

This battle is not only related to her personal life and death.

It is also related to the fate of the people of Jingzhou as a whole, and must not be taken lightly.

As night fell and the lights came on, Chen Qingwan finally arrived at Jingzhou City.

Without taking the time to wash off the dust from the journey, he immediately summoned his two trusted generals, Li Mu and Xia Shanhu, to discuss military affairs.

In the dim conference room, the flickering candlelight illuminated the solemn faces of the three people.

Chen Qingwan took out a roll of silk cloth from her arms and spread it flat on the table.

It is densely marked with the deployment of enemy forces around Jingzhou.

"General Li, the tiger descending from the mountain,"

Chen Qingwan's voice was low and hoarse.

"It will take some time for the arms from Shannan Prefecture to reach Jingzhou."

"Before that, we can only rely on the existing forces to defend the city."

"Your Majesty, I will defend Jingzhou to the death!"

Li Mu and Xiashanhu answered in unison, their tone firm and powerful.

However, at this moment, the door of the conference room was suddenly pushed open.

A scout stumbled in, knelt on one knee, and reported breathlessly:

"Your Majesty, Qu County, Zeng County, and Chi County are in urgent need of support!"