Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

The messenger's head tilted and he died. The imperial guards silently carried him out.

Almost at the same time, another dusty messenger hurried inside, presenting a military report: "Your Majesty! General Li Gan has an urgent report! The Hunxie tribe's sacred mountain altar has been burned, and the three remaining chiefs have been beheaded! The Hunxie royal court is shaken, and their main force seems to be returning for reinforcements!"

Qin Ming's eyes flashed with cold light! "Alright!" He slammed the imperial desk, "Send a message to Li Gan! No need to engage with the enemy reinforcements. Follow the original route, penetrate northeast, and head straight for the Xiu Tu tribe's pasture! Start another fire for me! I want to make these barbarians run around in a hurry, unable to take care of both ends!"

"Order the infantry corps led by the Privy Councilor's Deputy Envoy to change their original route, abandon their reinforcements to Blackstone Fort, and march north at full speed to seize the Langjuxu Pass. They will hold the key roads and cut off the Hunxie coalition's retreating route!"

"Order Beiting Zhou Sima to tell Black Stone Fort that there's no need to defend it to the death. Instead, we can resist step by step according to the terrain, lure the enemy deeper, and delay the enemy's main force!"

A flurry of military orders, like a torrential downpour, instantly transformed the strategic situation across the entire northern border! From holding firm and awaiting reinforcements, to proactively attacking, dividing and encircling! The emperor intended to use the remnants of Black Stone Fort as bait, Li Gan's cavalry as spearheads, and 100,000 infantry as the anvil, completely crushing the Hunxie coalition's 80,000-man army upon the northern wasteland!

The ministers were horrified when they heard this. This move was extremely risky. If they failed to lure the enemy and were instead swallowed up, or if the infantry failed to seize the mountain pass in time... the consequences would be unimaginable!

"Your Majesty! Isn't it too risky..." The Privy Councilor couldn't help but speak.

"Danger?" Qin Ming interrupted him coldly, "The Hunxie coalition forces have been attacking Ningyuan for a long time and are exhausted. Upon hearing that their base has been attacked, their morale must be shaken and they are eager to return! If we don't retreat now, when will we retreat? Follow the military order!"

"I... obey your order!" No one dared to question it anymore.

Under the emperor's cold and precise control, the empire's war machine roared again, starting a strategic detour like a gamble!

……

At the same time, another storm in the capital has quietly escalated.

Ying Qi's figure silently appeared again in the corner of the warm room, his voice very low, "Your Majesty, there have been unusual movements at the Huaiyang Palace. Last night at midnight, a assassin attempted to sneak out of the palace, but was intercepted and committed suicide by taking poison. A search of his body revealed... half of a wolf-head token that matched the token carried by the envoys of the Hunxie Tribe in the northern border. Also, fresh wheel tracks have been discovered near the exit of the secret passage in the palace's backyard, leading to... Yongtai Temple in the west of the city."

"Yongtai Temple..." Qin Ming's eyes flickered with icy flames. "That's... where the Empress Dowager worshipped Buddha."

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the towering palace complex deep within the imperial city. Things were even more complicated than he had expected.

"Add more personnel to keep a close watch on every corner of Yongtai Temple. However, do not alert the Empress Dowager. I want to see what they are planning to do."

"Then the Prince of Huaiyang..."

"Let him continue." Qin Ming said in a cold voice, "I want to see what other good performances my uncle can perform."

……

In the north, the war situation is changing rapidly.

Li Gan's cavalry, like ghosts from hell, rampaged across the vast grasslands of the Hunxie tribe. They burned pastures, destroyed altars, and scattered tribes, spreading panic and destruction across the enemy lines. Frightened and enraged, the Hunxie King was forced to send troops back to reinforce, stalling the coalition's offensive.

The pressure on Black Stone Fort suddenly decreased. Sima Zhou seized the opportunity, acted according to orders, pretended to be unable to hold on, and fought and retreated, luring the Hunxie coalition forces, who were bloodthirsty and eager to win, step by step to the predetermined battlefield - the relatively narrow river valley area south of Langjuxu Mountain.

At this moment, the 100,000 infantry corps led by the Deputy Privy Councilor was marching at an astonishing speed, regardless of casualties and fatigue, and marching day and night. Finally, one day before the main force of the Hunxie coalition arrived, they occupied the advantageous terrain of Langjuxu Pass and built a solid camp defense line overnight according to the mountain terrain!

When the Hunxie coalition dragged their exhausted troops and chased the "defeated" remnants of the Qian army to the Langjuxu Pass, they saw the main force of the Qian army standing ready with flags flying everywhere, and Li Gan's cavalry behind them, harassing their flanks again like a leech!

Caught between a rock and a hard place! The way back is blocked!

Only then did Hunxie Lao Wang realize that he had fallen into a trap, but it was too late!

"kill--!!!"

Amidst the deafening sound of drums and horns, the Qian army's infantry, relying on the terrain's advantage, used powerful bows and crossbows, rolled logs and rocks, and from their high ground, dealt a crushing blow to the enemy! Meanwhile, Li Gan's cavalry continuously penetrated and cut into the enemy's perimeter, harassing their supply routes and attacking their flanks!

The Hunxie coalition's morale was in turmoil, and they were at a loss as to how to advance or retreat. They were huddled together in the narrow river valley, becoming sitting ducks for the Qian army's long-range weapons! Corpses littered the ground, and blood flowed like a river!

……

When the victory report reached the capital, Qin Ming was reviewing the new regulations for the grain transport system. He put down his red brush and listened to the secretary's report, which was almost distorted with excitement. His face remained expressionless. He simply said, "Tell Sima Zhou and Li Gan that I don't want to crush them. I want to... annihilate them completely."

……

Huaiyang Palace.

Qin Zhang sat in his darkened study, listening to news of the disastrous defeat in the North brought by his trusted advisors. The teacup in his hand clattered to the ground, shattering. His face was pale, his lips trembled, and the last glimmer of hope in his eyes was completely shattered.

"It's over... It's all over..." He muttered to himself, "The Hunxie Tribe... These rubbish..."

“Your Highness…should we…should we…” The staff member’s face turned pale.

"Shut up!" Qin Zhang raised his head suddenly, a trace of crazy despair flashed in his eyes, "Now that things have come to this, only... only..." Before he finished speaking, the study door was slammed open!

The Tingfeng Guards rushed in like wolves and tigers, and the cold blade was instantly placed on everyone's heart!

Ying Qi walked in slowly, holding a black iron token in his hand. His voice was as cold as a knife. "Your Majesty has issued an order: Huaiyang Prince Qin Zhang has colluded with foreign vassals and plotted against us. The evidence is irrefutable. He must be arrested immediately, his residence sealed, and all persons imprisoned to await trial!"

Qin Zhang slumped in his chair, his face ashen, devoid of his former charm. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

……

The next day, there will be a meeting.

Qin Ming sat high on the dragon throne, his dark robe making his expression even colder and harder. He did not mention the great victory in the north, nor did he immediately announce the punishment for the Prince of Huaiyang.

He simply threw a final report on the deficit of grain in Jiangnan last year, jointly submitted by the Audit Department and the Censorate, under the imperial steps.

"Read." His voice was flat.

The Chief Censor took a deep breath, unfolded the memorial, and with a trembling voice, read out shocking names, appalling amounts, and heinous deeds... From the grain transport office to local prefectures and counties, from the officials of the Ministry of Revenue to the wealthy and powerful families... The scope of the involvement and the huge amount of money involved were horrifying!

The entire court, including civil and military officials, was in dead silence. Many people were sweating profusely and could barely stand.

After finishing his speech, Qin Ming slowly stood up, his eyes like a cold blade sweeping over the ministers below who were silent as a cicada in fear.

"The northern borders are ablaze with flames, soldiers shed their blood; the grain south of the Yangtze River is used by corrupt officials to enrich themselves." His voice was low, but every word was like a hammer, hammering down on everyone's heart. "Is this my kingdom? Are these my officials?"