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

"Ah."

After reading the letter of appointment presented by Ban Dingyuan, Jiang Mengxuan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Ban Dingyuan's eyelids twitched incessantly; he could tell that the Empress's laughter was filled with murderous intent.

After a long silence, Jiang Mengxuan slowly stood up and said to Ban Dingyuan, "Go back and tell He Yong that there's no need for him to see me, and the relevant agreement needs to be revised. Negotiations should be suspended for now."

Tell him to go back and inform Li Hong that my husband will personally travel north to discuss this marriage with him, so that he can be mentally prepared.

Ban Dingyuan cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, then this agreement..."

“Send it directly to Southern Zhili by telegram and tell the Duke of Zhenguo that he can make all the decisions.”

"My subordinate understands."

Ban Dingyuan immediately took his leave and left the inner courtyard.

Qingwen asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, even at this point, how dare the King of Wuzhao still humiliate you like this? What is he planning?"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled and said, "Some people think they can save face this way."

If I agree, how will I explain this to the hundreds of millions of people in Chu?

How can I repay my husband for all the hard work he has done over the years?

I am greedy, greedy for the land of Wuzhao, greedy for the near-perfect trading port of Haizhou, but what I want, I will never sacrifice my reputation for.

Moreover, does the current Wu Zhao Kingdom even have the right to make demands? Li Hong still hasn't grasped one crucial principle: the foundation for preserving dignity is strength.

Rather than this ridiculous imperial scheming, truth lies only within the range of cannons—this is the principle my husband taught me.

Our great Chu is a land of etiquette; that etiquette is not reserved for stubborn barbarian tribes, but for friends.

As for Li Hong and this Wu Zhao Kingdom, our Great Chu can only respond with force; that's the best way to make them realize reality.

Qingwen: "Your Majesty, if the Duke of Zhenguo knew, he would be very moved."

Jiang Mengxuan shook her head: "What I want is not his gratitude, but for my husband to stay by my side for a lifetime. We have been husband and wife for more than ten years. If it weren't for my husband showing me the way..."

"How could I and the State of Chu have achieved what we have today? It is the State of Chu and I who owe my husband, and what I can repay him with is my unwavering trust and tenderness."

Qingwen was deeply moved: "Since ancient times, it has been said that the most ruthless family is the imperial family."

But what I see in His Majesty and the Duke of Zhenguo is unwavering affection, so this statement isn't entirely true.

"Emperors are human beings just like everyone else, with their own emotions and desires. It's just that their status dictates that they must abandon many of the feelings that ordinary people can easily experience."

But someone always has to try something different; perhaps that will yield different results.

At this point, a faint blush appeared on Jiang Mengxuan's face.

“When I chose my husband, I was actually gambling, betting whether my feelings would pay off. Now it seems that I made the right bet.”

"My husband, Duke Shen Lang, has ushered in a new era for the Great Chu."

"The State of Chu emerged from the mire and became a unique world hegemon."

"And I, too, have gained the happiness that emperors lack."

Qingwen stared intently at Jiang Mengxuan, her eyes sparkling with a captivating light as she spoke these words…

Outside the Governor's Mansion, Ban Dingyuan relayed Jiang Mengxuan's words to He Yong.

After hearing this, He Yong was completely dejected.

"Does the Empress really not want to see me?"

This attitude indicates that the situation is heading towards an even more irreversible extreme.

Seeing his bewildered expression, Ban Dingyuan sighed, "Lord He, let's go back. Things have already gone too far to turn back. His Majesty will absolutely not agree to this."

He Yong gave a bitter laugh, staggered back two steps, and respectfully bowed to Ban Dingyuan: "Actually, I expected this outcome."

His Majesty made a mistake in this move, but he's had a tough time too.

After saying this, he boarded the carriage, looking exhausted, and slowly headed towards the post station.

……

April 22nd, Qingcheng.

After Fuheng led his remaining troops to Qingcheng, soldiers from the military camp and various outer vassal states who had managed to escape from the Zijin Mountain battlefield soon joined him.

After a final count, there were 3,500 men and fewer than 2,000 horses left, half of whom were wounded and unable to fight.

These troops, hailed as the empire's most elite, now appeared listless and vacant, clearly terrified by the Chu army's artillery fire.

After inspecting the entire force, Fu Heng knew at a glance that the once formidable army, which Li Hong had rebuilt over five years and spent decades accumulating wealth, was now completely ruined.

For a moment, he was worried about the future of Wu Zhaoguo.

After losing the Wuying Outer Garrison Cavalry, what power does the Wuzhao Army have left to intimidate the surrounding states? It can't even suppress the popular uprisings within Wuzhao's own territory.

He composed himself and asked, "Where are the Chu troops now?"

Lou Shide replied, "The Chu army has currently blocked the Sanguan Road in Suizhou, and our route back north has been completely cut off."

That being said, Lou Shide knew very well that even if the Chu army did not block the Sanguan Road, they would not be able to return to the capital smoothly after losing a large number of warhorses.

The only thing we can do now is to wait here for news from the capital.

Now, the entire city of Qingcheng is hoping that the imperial court can make peace with the Chu army as soon as possible and end this endless war.

Where are the troops currently stationed?

Fu Heng suddenly asked.

Lou Shide sighed: "The intelligence sent by the spies is that the garrison has been setting up camp forty miles away from Sanguan Road for two days now."

Fu Heng sneered: "It seems that the news of our defeat has already reached the generals among the stationed troops, so they are pacing back and forth, waiting for the court's arrangements."

Lou Shide said contemptuously, "These soldiers are not to be counted on at all. Back when we attacked the Xuechuan rebels, our Wuzhao army could have achieved a brilliant victory in the Battle of Shuanglonggou."

However, because the garrison's defensive line was breached by a detachment of 600 rebel soldiers, 4,000 warriors were killed, resulting in a disastrous defeat.

Fu Heng: "What's the use of saying all this now? If the Chu army wants to continue fighting, the only thing they can rely on right now is these garrison troops armed with muskets and cannons."

Lou Shide, however, was quite disdainful: "Ha, please forgive my bluntness, but the stationed troops are just a bunch of rabble."

Fu Heng did not reply, but instead turned his gaze toward the direction of the Three Officials Road.

The temporary combat command post on the Sanguan Road in the direction of Suizhou.

At this time, the Sanguan Road had already been completely blocked by Lü Meng's troops, who were just waiting for the enemy to arrive so they could launch a strong attack.

But to Lü Meng's surprise, this garrison of more than 30,000 men actually set up defensive fortifications 40 miles away.

"They're probably terrified."

Jiang Qin said dismissively.

"After the battle of Zijin Mountain, the morale of Wu Zhao's army is already low. As for these stationed soldiers, there is really no need to pay too much attention to them."

Lu Meng: "Vice-Commander, you are far too optimistic. The Commander said that you can be as despiseful of the enemy tactically, but you must remain calm strategically."

"Is the Chu army's current position solely due to its advanced weaponry? Of course not, it's also due to a clear understanding of the situation."

Jiang Qin nodded in agreement: "I'm sorry, Commander, I was too proud and complacent."

Lu Meng thought for a moment, then suddenly said to Jiang Qin, "Don't rest either. Take two companies of troops and go probe the enemy's strength immediately."

Remember, do not linger in battle. After scouting enemy movements, immediately return to regroup. We only have two regiments; do not advance rashly.

Jiang Qin patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, just wait here for my news."

After saying that, he left the command post.