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

After the complete collapse of the Haizhou defense line, officers of all ranks in the Chu army expected to encounter resistance from the people in the city.

As a result, when the Chu army marched into the city, all the people along the way watched them calmly, and not a single person came out to cause trouble.

Jiang Mengxuan and Shen Lang sat inside the four-wheeled carriage, looking out at both sides of the street through the curtain.

"I never expected that the people here would remain silent about the coming war, just as Ban Dingyuan said. I even saw many people cheering from the opposite bank during the naval landing operation."

Shen Lang's expression was grave: "It was expected. If officials don't treat the people like human beings, the people will naturally hate them to the bone. How could they possibly help Wu Zhao?"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled faintly: "So what's next? What should we do?"

Shen Lang: "Let Ban Dingyuan and Pei Ju handle this. Occupy Haizhou and use it as a base to control the Wuzhao estuary."

Then, they would advance northwards, annihilate all coastal strongholds, and force Shengjing to surrender.

Jiang Mengxuan: "Didn't Li Hong hope that I would come to Wuzhao as a guest? I wonder what he would think if he knew that I came to Wuzhao in this way."

Shen Lang smiled faintly: "Madam, leave the task of suppressing the navy in the north to me. You stay in Haizhou to appease the people."

Jiang Mengxuan nodded in agreement: "Okay, the fleet will be reorganized, leaving eight capital ships and seventeen supply ships to anchor at Haizhou."

The remaining sixteen main battle and supply ships, along with four brigades of officers and soldiers, will accompany you northward.

Shen Lang did not refuse, and he also planned to spend two months completely sweeping away the defenses of the coastal cities of Wuzhao.

With the strategic plan finalized, the two discussed some related details and tactical deployments in the car.

The four-wheeled carriage slowly drove into the prefectural government office...

Meanwhile, Nie Shitu led several hundred personal guards on a northward escape.

With Haizhou fallen, he should logically be able to send this intelligence to the Fujian government office by express courier.

However, fearing that the loss of Haizhou would be reported to the imperial court and he would surely lose his head, he decided to keep it a secret and planned to contact the garrison in Huizhou to retake Haizhou together...

Two days later, in the Huizhou government office, Nie Shitu told the Huizhou prefect, Zhao Qingshan, who was also Nie Shitu's fellow townsman, about the current situation in Haizhou.

After hearing the story, Zhao Qingshan was extremely excited: "What?! Such a thing actually happened?"

How could our mighty and powerful nation of Wuzhao be so bullied by a bunch of petty barbarians? This is utterly outrageous!

Nie Shitu cupped his hands and pleaded tearfully, "Brother Zhao, we are not only from the same hometown, but also colleagues who have worked together for more than 20 years. Now that Haizhou has encountered such a disaster, I hope that you will do your best to help us."

"This……"

Zhao Qingshan was immediately embarrassed upon hearing this.

"Brother Nie, as you know, garrison troops in various regions are not allowed to leave their posts without orders from the Governor-General's office."

Brother Nie, you should consult Lord Suo at the Governor's Office. Only he has the authority to mobilize troops from all six surrounding prefectures.

Upon hearing this, Nie Shitu's face turned extremely ugly: "Brother Zhao, if Lord Suo finds out about the fall of Haizhou, do you think I will still have a way out?"

"Brother Zhao, only you can help me now. I know you have three thousand garrison troops stationed in Huizhou. Lend them to me first so I can retrieve Haizhou. I will definitely repay you."

Zhao Qingshan shook his head and refused: "Brother Nie, these three thousand soldiers are also under Lord Suo's command. Without Lord Suo's orders, I can't help them."

In my opinion, Brother Nie should take the initiative to be honest with Lord Suo about this matter, after all, Haizhou is the Emperor's purse.

"And with so many foreign envoys witnessing the whole thing at the post station, how long can you keep it a secret?"

In fact, Zhao Qingshan was right; how could troops stationed in various places be moved around at will?

Even if he had a good relationship with Zhao Qingshan, if the court found out that he had secretly mobilized troops to other places, he would probably lose his official title at best, and be exiled to a cold and desolate place at worst.

He couldn't possibly ruin his future for Nie Shitu's Haizhou Prefecture.

Moreover, although Haizhou has fallen, there are still 1,700 military officers and soldiers guarding the area. As long as Soyin gives the order, these fierce imperial elites can easily tear apart the entire Chu army.

However, Zhao Qingshan overlooked one problem: he had no understanding whatsoever of the Chu army's true combat capabilities.

Seeing that Zhao Qingshan's area was not receiving any assistance, Nie Shitu had no choice but to get up and decide to try his luck in Bozhou again.

"Report~"

Suddenly, a soldier came to report.

"My lord, several massive steel warships have appeared outside Huizhou Port. On board is a man who claims to be the Duke of Zhenguo of Chu. He has submitted a letter of state and hopes that you will forward it to Shengjing."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingshan flew into a rage: "Fine! Isn't it enough that these barbarian vassals have already ravaged Haizhou?"

"How dare they swagger and bully us in my Huizhou territory! I hereby issue this order: all officers and soldiers stationed in Huizhou are to immediately defend against the enemy!"

The guard looked troubled upon hearing this: "Your Excellency, you'd better go and see for yourself. The Chu army is not to be trifled with."

"What a piece of trash!" Zhao Qingshan said coldly. "They are nothing but a small, insignificant country, not worth mentioning. Let's see how I deal with them."

Nie Shitu hurriedly advised, "Brother Zhao, it's best to be cautious. The enemy's firearms are extremely sharp and difficult to withstand."

"Firearms? Hahaha!"

Zhao Qingshan laughed dismissively.

"My Huizhou city has oil jugs, rocket launchers, flint and steel balls, and heavy oil tanks. What do we have to fear from the Chu army's firearms?"

Just as Nie Shitu was about to explain, Zhao Qingshan waved his hand and said, "Alright, Brother Nie, don't say anymore."

"This matter is entirely entrusted to me. If we defeat the invading foreign powers, it will also boost Brother Nie's morale in reclaiming Haizhou."

Hearing him say that, Nie Shitu thought it made sense.

Since you're unwilling to help me, I might as well drag you down with me.

"Once you see the Chu army's firearms, you will be amazed."

……

Outside Huizhou Port, Shen Lang stood in front of the Chang'an ship, using binoculars to observe the Huizhou coastal defense fortress ahead.

After a long silence, he put down his binoculars, shook his head, and said to Lü Meng behind him, "Huizhou's coastal defense is far inferior to Haizhou's. When the landing operation begins, I'll give you thirty minutes to take over the coastal defense line as quickly as possible."

Lu Meng thought for a moment and said, "Commander, I heard from Staff Officer Ban that Huizhou City is divided into an outer city and an inner city. The inner city is where the Di nobles and military families live."

The defenses inside must be very tight; I humbly request that infantry and artillery units be deployed to assist.

Shen Lang remained silent for a while, then nodded: "I trust you to handle things. Remember, try to avoid unnecessary casualties."

"Then I will go and prepare for the landing."

As soon as Lü Meng finished saluting and left, he saw a small boat in Huizhou Port slowly approaching his flagship.

As they approached, a local soldier from Huizhou, trembling, shouted loudly at the bow of the Chang'an:

"Listen up, foreign captain! I have come here on the orders of the Prefect to inform you that you must leave Huizhou Port immediately. If you continue to be obstinate, you will not be able to return."

Shen Lang immediately replied, "I only have one question for you: has your prefect read the official letter submitted?"

“Our superiors are busy with countless affairs of state; how could they possibly care about something from a foreign land like yours?”

"Then go back and tell your prefect that, from now on, the Chu army and Huizhou have officially entered a state of war."

You have thirty minutes to prepare. In thirty minutes, Huizhou will be met with the baptism of fire from the Great Chu Navy!