There are too many ruthless, domineering women who are considered "losers"!

The next day, the new emperor held a military review in the morning, but morale remained low. Panic gripped the capital, and rumors spread like wildfire. Some said the current emperor was all show and no substance, a mere playboy prince, how could he possibly withstand the demonic attack? For a time, everyone lived in fear.

[Xuanyuan Qingfeng led eight hundred armored soldiers to defend the outer city wall alone. The new emperor was overseeing the battle from the city wall that day. The soldiers and civilians were united in their hatred of the enemy, and there were many powerful experts among them. They managed to withstand the first wave of attack.]

However, the demon army adopted a fierce offensive strategy. After three days of bitter resistance, under immense pressure, the First Commander of the Tiger Guard, the personal guard, fled in fear, and the West Gate was the first to fall. Demons entered the city, causing widespread devastation.

To protect the people from demons, Xuan Yuan Qingfeng and his armored soldiers fought to the death, refusing to retreat, and perished atop the city walls.

Seeing the exclamation mark above Xuan Yuan Qingfeng's head, a new string of characters was formed.

Lu Chang'an already had a plan in mind.

Although he is not in immediate danger, he saw the future of the capital city in Xuan Yuan Qingfeng's death prophecy.

Logically speaking, it would be difficult for him to intervene.

Just like Grandpa Fu's prediction, nothing has changed.

He will likely die a violent death in a day at most.

Lu Chang'an was also unsure whether he could change the fate of others.

If it's within my power, I'll still intervene.

Defending the city was a matter of life and death for him, and he could not ignore it. Moreover, Western Shu was one of the few forces that had allied with the Great Yuan. It not only diligently provided supplies but also led troops to aid the emperor.

In such a difficult and dangerous situation, they are a rare breath of fresh air.

Lu Chang'an decided that he had to intervene.

After the envoy from Western Shu left, Lu Chang'an summoned Eunuch Fu and asked, "Eunuch, the day when the demons descend upon the city is only a few days away. I wonder how the Empress Dowager's preparations are going?"

The eunuch Fu respectfully replied, "Her Majesty personally commands four imperial guard units: the Tiger Guard, the Dragon Xiang Guard, the Phoenix Creek Guard, and the Wolf Fierce Guard. She trusts those she employs without reservation. The city has over 80,000 troops available, with numerous skilled warriors, all ready for battle. Troops from all over the land are also on their way to aid the emperor. Your Majesty need not worry; as long as we hold out for a month, the demons will retreat on their own."

Upon hearing this answer, Lu Chang'an suddenly understood.

No wonder.

They originally thought they had enough manpower and there was nothing to worry about.

Lu Chang'an had long felt that this empress was being excessively calm.

Despite his elder brother's passing and the demon race's southward advance across the Great Wall, he was still vying for power in the court, appearing carefree and complacent.

She had already made preparations; as long as she was alive, she could protect the court and its foundation.

As long as Da Yuan was there, the rest of the people didn't care.

Once the loyalist armies from all over the country arrive, no matter how powerful the demons are, they will still be divided and defeated.

A dead skinny camel is bigger than a horse.

The Yuan Dynasty was, after all, a unified dynasty with a large army.

If my elder brother hadn't died suddenly outside the Great Wall, the Yuan Dynasty wouldn't have collapsed so easily.

There were more rebels in the southeast, but the marshal was leading the quelling of the rebellion, while the armies from all directions in the north were still very powerful.

This doesn't seem like a sign of national subjugation at all.

At most, Da Yuan just tripped and fell, but he can get up on his own.

But only Lu Chang'an knew that this difficulty would not be so easy to overcome.

This was the end of the Yuan Dynasty.

Lu Chang'an had no way to tell everyone this, nor could he reveal his ability to see prophecies.

He could only frown and ask, "Who is this First Commander of the Tiger Guard, the Imperial Guard?"

The eunuch replied, "Your Majesty, he is Zhang Ze, a nephew of the Empress Dowager."

......

After leaving the palace.

The group of envoys from Western Shu continued to whisper among themselves on the road.

The young woman, dressed in splendid attire, pouted and scoffed, "Uncle, in my opinion, this new emperor is nothing but a money-grubber, utterly ungrateful for profit!"

Xuanyuan Qingfeng smiled slightly: "How do you know?"

Wu Anyu said angrily, "Before they even saw the roster, they called us country bumpkins, saying we were from a tiny, rural area. But after seeing the numbers on the roster, they said Western Shu is a land of plenty, full of talented people. Tell me, what else is that but greed?"

"Hahaha!"

Xuanyuan Qingfeng burst into laughter after hearing this.

"Uncle, you're still laughing!"

Wu Anyu, recalling his initial skepticism towards the young man, said, "I noticed something amiss as soon as we entered the capital. All matters of state, regardless of their importance, must be reported to the Empress Dowager, not the Emperor. With such a young Emperor in charge of the capital, I fear he cannot withstand the demon army. Let's wait for the next Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Qingfeng gently shook his head.

"Nonsense!"

"Whether they are Hu people, Mulan people, or Mongols, or Han people who rule the Central Plains, they are all emperors of my human race."

"But if we allow the demon race to enter the pass, then the human race will become food for the demon race. Where will we have a place to live? Our destruction is only a matter of time."

"Besides, the demon race is currently only raiding south for food supplies. It's unrealistic for them to actually breach the capital. The armies from all over the country will arrive in a month, and the sects in various regions are also poised to act. If the demon race dares to come, we will teach them a lesson."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng was still optimistic about the future. He instructed, "You think the current emperor is so incompetent, but your uncle thinks that the new emperor is shrewd, courteous, steady and calm, and already has some of the qualities of an emperor."

"How do you know?" Wu Anyu asked, slightly indignant.

"Having been humiliated by you beforehand, yet remaining unmoved; having received the confession and knowing the connection to Western Shu, yet speaking with such maturity and tact during the conversation—isn't that enough?"

Xuanyuan Qingfeng chuckled and asked in return.

"If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's immense power and influence, the current emperor would certainly be a wise and capable ruler, and the dynasty's destiny could have lasted at least another sixty years."

Wu Anyu exclaimed in surprise, "A lifespan of sixty years? Uncle, you're giving him far too much credit!"

Xuanyuan Qingfeng laughed heartily: "You underestimate him! He tried to insult others but ended up being insulted himself. Who can he blame?"

"And do you really think the Emperor is without anyone behind him? Didn't you notice that there was always a woman in purple following the Emperor?"

Wu Anyu asked疑惑地问道, "What's so special about that woman in purple?"

Xuan Yuan Qingfeng carefully recalled the figure of the woman in purple and commented, "I will only say one thing: this woman's skill in swordsmanship is no less than that of my uncle."

Upon hearing this, Wu Anyu was greatly shocked and exclaimed, "Uncle, you are the number one swordsman of Western Shu!"

Xuanyuan Qingfeng shook his head: "The land of Western Shu is still not enough compared to the heroes of the Central Plains. It is best not to mention this name in the future, as it will only make people laugh at us."

Wu Anyu seemed to understand something and said, "No wonder in the end, Uncle wanted to hand over the eight hundred armored soldiers he brought with him to the current emperor's command. Compared to the hundred thousand troops in the capital, eight hundred men are just a drop in the ocean, but it was a timely help, so that he could cultivate a good relationship with this emperor in the future?"

Xuan Yuan Qingfeng smiled and ruffled her hair: "Princess is indeed clever."

......