Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"Father...is passing the throne to my thirteenth brother?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Ke felt extremely conflicted.

Why, why did Father Emperor pass the throne to Murong Jun, and not to me?

He was the future ruler of the Great Yan, so why did he act so foolishly?

The scout continued, "Your Highness, the new emperor has ascended the throne. Please lead your troops back to Yanjing immediately to attend the late emperor's funeral."

Murong Ke composed himself and continued, "Did the late emperor leave any further instructions?"

The scout shook his head: "No, everything is up to the new emperor."

The atmosphere became oppressive, and Murong Ke stared silently at the gradually emerging dawn sky.

A new day has begun.

"Besides those in Yanjing, how many people know about the late emperor's passing?"

"Your Highness, I have traveled a long and arduous journey and have not dared to be negligent in the slightest. So far, no one else knows about this."

"very good."

Murong Ke gave a desolate smile, but unfortunately, this scene was shrouded in darkness, and the scout kneeling on the ground did not notice it.

He slowly extended his hand: "You've worked hard. Go and rest first. I will immediately gather the army and return to Yanjing City."

A chill ran down the scout's scalp, and his heart tightened involuntarily.

Just as he was about to step back, a ball of inextinguishable azure flame erupted from Murong Ke's palm.

"Second prince."

Just as Murong Ke was about to deliver the fatal blow to the scout, Murong Chui's voice rang out from outside the tent.

Murong Ke thought to himself that it was a pity, and immediately put away the Unextinguished Flame. He put his hands behind his back and said to the scout, "You may leave now."

"Yes."

The scout rose, bowed to Murong Ke, and then turned and walked out of the tent.

Just as they left the camp, the scouts encountered Murong Chui.

He bowed to Murong Chui and was about to leave when he was called back.

"What happened in Yanjing?"

The scout replied, "The late emperor has passed away, and the thirteenth prince has succeeded to the throne. His Majesty specifically ordered me to come and inform His Highness the Second Prince to quickly lead his troops back to the capital to await orders."

"What? The late emperor has passed away?" Murong Chui's face was filled with disbelief. "When did this happen?"

"Seven days ago," the scout replied truthfully.

"okay, I get it."

Murong Chui rushed into the military tent and asked Murong Ke, "Second Prince, with the late Emperor's passing, shouldn't we be returning to the capital?"

Murong Ke: "General, I was just about to discuss this matter with you. Please sit down and let's talk."

Murong Chui sat down at the table and sighed deeply: "Since last December, our Great Yan has been locked in a stalemate with Goguryeo for seven months."

War-weariness was running high in the army, and supplies were running low. It was indeed unwise to continue the campaign at this time. It was the perfect opportunity to lead the troops back and let the soldiers rest.

Murong Ke gave a bitter smile: "General, if we withdraw our troops now, all the sacrifices we made before will be in vain, and it will only benefit the Chu Kingdom. Are you really willing to do that?"

Murong Chui shook his head: "Of course I'm unwilling, but what can I do? The emperor's orders are hard to disobey. Since the new emperor has ordered us to withdraw our troops, we should just do as he says."

Murong Ke: "Since we are unwilling to give up, then we must not withdraw our troops."

Murong Chui's expression hardened: "What does the Second Prince mean by this?"

Murong Ke: "General, you are the commander-in-chief of the three armies, and a veteran of the Great Yan battlefield. In terms of military strategy and tactics, I am far inferior to you."

But right now, I need your support. Please conceal the news of the late emperor's death and continue your advance towards Rangzhou.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness, but I will never carry out this military order."

Murong Chui rejected Murong Ke's request without even thinking about it.

"As subjects of the Great Yan, we should obey the Emperor's orders. Since His Majesty has ordered us to withdraw our troops, we should carry it out immediately."

"But if our Great Yan retreats, there will be absolutely no future for us!"

Murong Ke said coldly, "As long as Shen Lang is still in Liaodong, the situation in Liaodong will never be peaceful. Aren't you worried that Liaodong will be incorporated into the territory of Chu?"

Murong Chui shook his head: "Second Prince, it was you who insisted on going to war with Goguryeo on the grounds of the Great Yan Kingdom."

Now that Goguryeo has been destroyed and Shen Lang has delivered Gao Zang's head, the original strategic objective has been achieved.

Now you've changed your mind again, insisting on fighting Shen Lang to the death. This humble general has no idea what you're thinking.

Moreover, the army has been engaged in continuous warfare for years, and both men and horses are exhausted. There have been many complaints within the army on the way to Rangzhou. How could such an army possibly continue to the front lines?

Murong Ke: "Shen Lang is ambitious and ruthless; he won't miss such an opportunity."

They will definitely try to find out news about my Yanjing from all sides.

Do you think he'll let us withdraw so easily?

Murong Chui: "It is also the Second Prince's own fault. Since he agreed to let Chu cede the desert north of Bingzhou, he should have fulfilled the agreement."

Now that you've gone back on your word like this, even if I were Shen Lang, I would be disgusted by such an untrustworthy person. The State of Song is the best example of this. How is your behavior any different from that of the rulers and ministers of Song?

Murong Ke's face was extremely gloomy: "So, does the General mean that he opposes my opinion?"

Murong Chui shook his head: "Your Highness, please don't be offended. I am a soldier, and a soldier's duty is to obey orders. Since His Majesty has ordered us to withdraw our troops and return to Yanjing, I will naturally obey the imperial decree."

"Hehehe."

Murong Ke couldn't help but shake his head.

"I never expected this. I thought the General was the one who understood me best, but it turns out he's no different from those pedantic fools."

"Your Highness, stop making a scene. Let's have a proper talk with Shen Lang. It's not too late."

Murong Ke remained silent, his eyes filled with desolation.

Just as Murong Chui thought Murong Ke had nothing more to say and got up to leave.

"Withdrawal is fine, but I will not give up an inch of my Great Yan territory, not even the suzerainty of Goryeo to Chu. This is my bottom line."

Murong Chui turned around and said, "That's His Highness's business. I only want to prepare the troops and return to Yanjing to report. Farewell."

After speaking, Murong Chui strode away from the military tent.

Murong Ke took a deep breath and sat quietly in the stuffy tent.

"Finally, I can go home!"

Suddenly, a joyful roar rang out from outside the tent.

That was the soldiers shouting loudly after learning that the army was about to withdraw.

Amidst the clamor, Murong Ke's face had turned deathly pale.

"What a pity, what a real pity."

He muttered to himself, powerless to change the current outcome.

……

"What did you say? Northern Yan has withdrawn its troops?"

When Yue Fei, who was reinforcing the defenses, heard the news of the sudden withdrawal of the Northern Yan army, he was completely dumbfounded.

What exactly happened in the Northern Yan army?

"Reporting to the commander, news has come from our spies in the Northern Yan army that Murong Zhao of Yanjing has passed away, and Murong Ke has had no choice but to recall his troops."

Upon hearing this news, Yue Fei paced back and forth on the spot.

After a long pause, he decisively gave the order: "Now that the commander is absent, all soldiers in the army shall obey my command."

Now, I want you to follow me in launching a proactive attack and completely annihilate the remaining main force of Northern Yan!