Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Then He Jingchuan and the Fifth Prince began to fight separately again.

After discussing it, the two decided that they must destroy one of the countries in one fell swoop, so as to deter the other countries.

After some discussion, they decided to destroy the Northern Desert.

Because the northern desert is mostly grassland, it does not have as many fortified cities as the northern border.

And what about the northern desert region?

Most of them just don't have enough brains.

Like the Great Zhao, the Northern Li had many capable civil and military officials.

We really can't wipe them out in a short time.

Otherwise, not only would the battle drag on for a long time, resulting in wasted effort and money, but it would also be uncertain whether we could overcome this tough challenge.

So we can only take it step by step.

The northern desert is relatively easier to deal with.

All you need to do is hit.

They don't have the brains to plot and scheme.

Therefore, the Fifth Prince will continue to fight against Bei Li this time.

Meanwhile, He Jingchuan had already ventured deep into the heart of the grasslands, preparing to uproot the northern desert region.

...............

As one victory after another reached the capital from the front lines, the court officials and the common people cheered with joy, and at the same time, they finally felt at ease.

As expected, General He was an invincible general; there was no enemy he could not defeat.

But the Fifth Prince is also quite good; he is a rare military general.

So not only in the capital, but also in other parts of Dazhao, people were celebrating wildly.

Everywhere in Dazhao was filled with joy and celebration.

But Lingyan's bad premonition grew stronger.

She didn't understand why either, since the situation was so good right now.

But she was too far from the battlefield to help and was powerless to do anything about it.

Just then, the Dragon Boat Festival arrived.

In the countryside, the streets and alleys were filled with a festive atmosphere well in advance.

At the market, vendors' stalls were filled with all sorts of items related to the Dragon Boat Festival.

There were colorful silk threads, which shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, attracting the children's attention.

The children surrounded the stall, pestering their parents to buy them a few strands of silk thread, which they then happily took home to make beautiful bracelets and anklets.

The stalls selling zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) were packed with people.

The steaming hot rice dumplings emitted an enticing aroma, making one's mouth water.

The vendors shouted loudly, "Selling zongzi! Red date zongzi, savory pork zongzi, salted egg yolk zongzi, all kinds of flavors are available!"

Customers stopped to choose their favorite zongzi.

Some people peel open a zongzi on the spot, and the sweet aroma instantly fills the air, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

A lively folk performance is underway in the town's central square.

A group of performers dressed in brightly colored costumes are performing dragon and lion dances.

The dragon and lion props were exquisitely crafted and brightly colored.

The performers moved with agility and power, bringing the dragon and lion to life.

The audience gathered around, cheering loudly.

In some wealthy households, the women were also busy.

They set up a table in the yard, placed ingredients such as bamboo leaves, glutinous rice, and red dates on it, and the family sat together to wrap zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).

Laughter echoed in the courtyard, and family affection felt especially warm at that moment.

Meanwhile, a grand dragon boat race is about to begin on the riverbank.

The riverbanks were already packed with onlookers.

The beautifully decorated dragon boats were neatly arranged along the riverbank, and the paddlers on them were all in high spirits with taut muscles.

They were dressed in uniform, with colorful headscarves wrapped around their heads, and gripped oars tightly in their hands.

With a crisp gong sound, the dragon boat race officially began.

The dragon boat sped across the water like an arrow released from a bow, stirring up layers of waves.

The rowers' shouts echoed through the sky as they worked together, rowing with all their might.

The crowds on both sides of the riverbank erupted in cheers, shouting encouragement that seemed to pierce the clouds.

The children jumped and shouted excitedly, waving colorful little flags in their hands.

In the homes of some literati and scholars, a poetry gathering themed around the Dragon Boat Festival is being held.

In the study, there is an antique-style desk, covered with Xuan paper, and the inkstone is filled with the fragrance of ink.

The scholars stood or sat, holding brushes dipped in ink, and wielded their brushes across the rice paper.

Beautiful poems leap off the page, some depicting the lively scene of the Dragon Boat Festival, and others expressing longing for a better life.

In that peaceful village, the villagers were also celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival.

They placed calamus and mugwort on their door, their emerald green leaves swaying gently in the breeze.

The farm women were busy in the kitchen, preparing a sumptuous meal.

The men were drinking realgar wine in the courtyard, discussing the growth of the crops.

Children ran and played in the fields, their faces beaming with innocent smiles.

And of course, there is a palace banquet in the palace today.

From early this morning, the imperial chefs began busily preparing various exquisite zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).

The carefully selected glutinous rice was soaked in clear water until each grain was plump and translucent, like pearls.

The dates were carefully selected; they were large, red, and exuded a sweet aroma.

Salted pork is made from high-quality pork belly, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and cut into even small pieces.

The imperial chefs skillfully wrapped the zongzi, first washing the bamboo leaves and then cleverly folding them into a funnel shape in their hands.

Then add glutinous rice, red dates or salted meat in sequence, and cover with another layer of glutinous rice.

The bamboo leaves were turned nimbly in their hands, and finally the rice dumplings were tied tightly with colorful silk threads.

Some of these zongzi are small and exquisite, like delicate handicrafts; others are large and generously filled, full of value.

So everyone happily and joyfully attended the banquet.

Therefore, on this Dragon Boat Festival, whether in the palace or among the common people, whether in the bustling capital or in the quiet village, everywhere is filled with a joyful and peaceful atmosphere.

On this day, people celebrate this traditional festival in their own ways.

It created a rich, colorful, and heartwarming festive atmosphere.

Lingyan also tried to focus her attention on the matter at hand, using the festive joy to dispel the anxiety and unease in her heart.

...............

A month later.

News then spread from the capital that He Jingchuan had completely wiped out the Northern Desert.

From that time on, the country of Mobei ceased to exist.

That land in the northern desert has now become part of the Great Zhao Kingdom.

The royal family of the northern deserts was also completely wiped out.

As for Princess Huarong, who was sent to marry a foreign ruler, she was executed by the King of Mobei in a fit of rage after a series of failures.

As for the other ministers and common people in the northern desert region...

Of course, those who should be killed should be killed, and those who should be subdued should be subdued.

At this point, only six of the seven kingdoms remained.

The Fifth Prince also recaptured two cities of Dazhao within a month.

After recaptured the last two cities, all the cities occupied by Dazhao would be recovered.

After He Jingchuan completely wiped out the Northern Desert and the news of the Fifth Prince's successive victories spread throughout the land.

The imperial courts of various countries were like lakes where giant stones had been thrown in, creating huge waves.

北厉

King Bei Li sat upright on the cold throne, his face so gloomy it seemed to drip water.

He gripped the armrests of the throne tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

His eyes were fixed on the messenger, as if trying to see the falsehood in the message from the messenger's face.

However, the scout, trembling, repeated this irrefutable news over and over again.

A sense of crisis, unlike anything he had ever felt before, surged through the heart of the Northern King.

With the Northern Desert destroyed, shouldn't it be Bei Li's turn next?

At this moment, the ministers of Bei Li were also discussing among themselves in the imperial court. Some had solemn expressions, while others were in a panic.

One of the ministers said, “Your Majesty, I believe that the Great Zhao is currently advancing rapidly. We can unite with other countries to jointly resist the Great Zhao. It is feared that our Northern Li alone will not be able to contend with it.”

King Li of the North already had a solution in mind, which coincided with the minister's.

So he immediately began to plan the next steps.