I transmigrated to ancient times and became a king with a title equal to mine.

At the meeting, Ji Fangming firmly stated, "At the same time, we must also strengthen intelligence gathering and understand the court's dynamics so that we can respond in a timely manner."

Under Ji Fangming's leadership, the soldiers of the Long family army began even more arduous training. They not only had to be brave and fearless on the battlefield, but also had to strictly demand of themselves and maintain a high level of vigilance in peacetime.

Ji Fangming himself often personally went deep into the military camps to fight alongside the soldiers and understand their needs and difficulties. His approachable style made the soldiers of the Long family army more united and dedicated to the Southern King's hegemony.

After several discussions, the imperial court finally decided to send a large army to annihilate the Southern King.

However, this army was not an ordinary garrison, but an elite force led by Linghu Gongming, a general who had fought in many battles.

"This time, we must completely eliminate the Southern King and prevent him from growing stronger." Linghu Gongming made this pledge to Long Yunxi before setting off on the expedition.

News of the army's departure quickly reached Handan.

When Ji Fangming learned of this, he did not show much concern.

He knew that the real battle had just begun, and he and the Long family army were ready to meet the challenge.

"Pass down the order: the entire army is on high alert. We must let the imperial army know that the Long family army is invincible!" Ji Fangming announced loudly at the meeting.

Upon hearing Ji Fangming's call to arms, the soldiers of the Long family army were filled with fervor, eager to demonstrate their bravery and fearlessness on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Ji Fangming himself began to formulate a more intensive battle plan.

He knew that to defeat the imperial army's elite forces, he needed to rely on wisdom, courage, and the unity of the Long family soldiers.

The imperial army finally arrived near Handan. Looking at the city before them, they were filled with disdain and contempt.

In their view, the Long family army was nothing but a rabble, and was not capable of fighting against them at all.

However, they were unaware that Ji Fangming had already laid a trap, waiting for their arrival.

"Pass down the order: once the imperial army enters our ambush zone, launch the attack immediately!" Ji Fangming calmly commanded.

The imperial army entered the ambush zone of the Long family army.

Arrows rained down and cannons roared, plunging the imperial army into chaos.

Ji Fangming personally led an elite force to launch a fierce attack on the imperial army from the flank.

Their advanced weaponry and flexible tactics caught the imperial army off guard.

After a fierce battle, the imperial army was finally defeated. They fled in panic, leaving behind countless corpses and supplies.

Ji Fangming stood atop the city wall, watching the fleeing imperial army in the distance, his heart filled with the joy of victory.

"Pass down the order: the entire army shall rest for three days, and then prepare for the next battle!" Ji Fangming announced loudly.

Upon hearing Ji Fangming's order, the soldiers of the Long family army cheered with joy.

Ji Fangming won three battles in Handan, and his army of 30,000 quickly grew to 60,000. These were soldiers captured from the imperial army in the three battles, who surrendered after repeated education and guidance.

Initially, they had no choice but to submit in order to survive, but once they entered the Long family army, they were immediately attracted by the different atmosphere of the barracks.

Here, officers and soldiers are treated equally, and they even receive salaries.

Whether it's accommodation, food, or clothing, their treatment is on a completely different level compared to that of the imperial army.

Especially the steamed buns, big meat buns, and fragrant rice—wow, this place is simply a soldier's paradise.

After the morale of the army stabilized, Ji Fangming was concerned about his elder brother's trip to Kyoto.

He looked out over Kyoto from the top of the wall, thinking to himself: It's been two months already, my brother's troops should have finished their infiltration and dispersal by now, right?

Ji Fangkui personally led three thousand elite soldiers, who, disguised as merchants, famine refugees, and tourists, traveled in secret and dispersed, and finally gathered in the Jinshan Gorge north of the capital.

On the night the troops assembled, someone delivered Imperial Guard uniforms.

The entire army immediately changed their uniforms and instantly became the Imperial Guard.

The soldiers looked at each other and burst into laughter.

It was midnight, and the early winter in Kyoto was cold and gloomy.

A group of people arrived outside the dimly lit gate.

"Brothers on the city wall, please report that the Imperial Guard Tiger Battalion has returned from its field training."

A moment later, someone on the city wall asked, "Is that Brother Wang Dongming?"

"Brother Chunsheng, I am Hao Xiaomao."

"Hahaha, open the city gates!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Fang Chunsheng went back to his barracks to sleep, feeling relieved.

Ji Fangkui's three thousand men entered the city smoothly and headed straight for the Forbidden City.

Their horses' hooves echoed through the empty streets like the collapse of the heavens and the crack of the earth, heading straight for the magnificent palace gates of the Forbidden City.

The guards within the Forbidden City vanished as if they had vanished from the face of the earth, quietly withdrawing from their posts as if they had never existed, leaving behind only a seemingly calm but turbulent imperial city.

Inside the central command tent of the Imperial Guards' camp within the city, candlelight illuminated the tense yet excited faces.

Ji Fangkui dismounted with the swiftness of a tiger poised to pounce. He helped Song Liang and Shi Sanjin, the two lieutenant generals, to their feet, his smile both warm and unwavering: "My fellow colleagues, please rise! Today's battle concerns the very survival of the Great Xia. We must unite as one and face this national crisis together!"

After everyone stood up, they moved like a flock of eagles spreading their wings and went straight into the central command tent.

On the sand table, Song Liang depicted the fortifications of the Forbidden City with remarkable realism, capturing every detail. The discussion was lively and intense, as if every word carried the power of a thousand armies.

Song Liang said with great concern, "General, once the capital falls, Lu Dayou's 50,000 fierce troops are stationed at Wuliqiao outside the city, and Huanggang in the west of the city is the territory of Zhu Min's 60,000 elite armored soldiers. Once they besiege the city, we will truly become an isolated city."

Upon hearing this, a sly glint flashed in Ji Fangkui's eyes. He seemed to have already foreseen the future game: "I know that's why you disagree with taking action now. But don't forget, Lin Shan and Long Guobiao are only about two hundred li away from the capital. They are our saviors! If we can hold out for about five days, they should be able to get here, right?"

After listening, Song Liang pondered for a moment and then seemed to see a glimmer of hope: "Hold out for five days, no problem! As long as we are united, we will definitely be able to wait for reinforcements to arrive."

Ji Fangkui nodded, as if everything was under control: "Therefore, after dealing with the garrison inside the city, all the Imperial Guards stationed in the main camp outside the city must return to the city and immediately set up defenses and fortifications. We must let the enemy know that the capital city is not one they can easily conquer!"

Then, Ji Fangkui's order rang out like a thunderclap: "The Imperial Guards are to relieve the garrison of Kyoto."