There was no such thing as an impenetrable wall in the world. The news of Lingnan finally reached the eastern capital, Dong Shuang City.
The entire eastern capital was shaken. No one would have thought that even a famous general like Xu Jiantao had surrendered to someone else. From the messenger's mouth, they could even faintly feel that Xu Jiantao had surrendered.
In Ling Xi's palace, the officials were discussing. Everyone had already arrived before the morning court started. Without a doubt, the matter of Lingnan would be the first major event of today's court.
Lin Muyu, who had hurried back to Dong Shuang City the day before, had already put on Wang Jue's armor and entered the palace side by side with Qin Yan. In the days when Feng Jixing wasn't here, only the two of them had the final say.
"Big Brother, is the news true?" Qin Yan and Lin Muyu stood side by side in front of the throne and asked worriedly.
"Yes, it's most likely not fake."
Lin Muyu nodded and looked at the officials. She found that Su Yu, Zhen Yifan, Zhen Fang, and the others all had anxious expressions. Everyone knew that the military force of Lingnan was already one of the main forces of the empire. Xiang Yu's 70,000 men and Xu Jiantao's 50,000 made up a total of 120,000 elites. They were the Qin Empire's reliance against the Blackstone Empire. If these 120,000 men and horses all surrendered to someone else, then Lingnan had already changed its banner.
"The court meeting begins!" The eunuch announced loudly.
Outside the palace, a group of Imperial Guards guarded all the entrances and exits. Their swords and armor were bright and glowed faintly under the morning light. The Qin Empire had lasted for tens of thousands of years. No one knew how long this light could shine. Almost everyone in the world felt that the Qin Empire's fate had come to an end. However, Lin Muyu, Feng Jixing, Tang Xiaoxi, and the others were still working hard. They firmly believed that a miracle would happen. It had always been so.
"Bring the messenger." Lin Muyu waved her hand and said indifferently.
"Yes!"
Wei Chou cupped his fists and signaled with his eyes. Two soldiers from the Longdan Army Camp brought in a man in the Empire's military uniform. He had escaped from Lingnan, which was why he had released the news.
"What's your name?" Lin Muyu asked without anger.
"This lowly one's name is Fan Ni." His entire body trembled.
"Which department are you from?"
"This lowly one originally belonged to the Third Battalion of the Military Governor's Office of Cangnan Province. I followed Lord Cangnan Marquis Xu Jiantao on an expedition to Lingnan and was then assigned to the Eleventh Battalion of Combat. Six days ago, this lowly one was still in Dragon Slaying Pass. Because I was punished for fighting with others, I stole a horse. Along the way, I earned gold and silver to cross the Qinling Mountains and came to Winter Frost City to look for Your Highness."
Lin Muyu looked at him calmly. Her clear eyes seemed to be able to see through Fan Ni. She said, "I won't pursue the matter of you defying military law for now. Tell me, what happened in Lingnan?"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Fan Ni knelt on the ground again, raised his head, and said, "The Blackstone Empire marched straight into Lingnan and won every battle. Later on, the Marquis crushed their edge. After that, the Marquis gathered his troops in Dragon Slaying Pass. It was also at that time that we learned that the Celestial Pole Continent's Battle Angel Corps was split into two. They seemed to have split up. Dora was one faction, while Xiyin was the other. Xiyin led six Battle Angels and a group of troops using strange weapons to infiltrate Lingnan. Later on, for some reason, Duke Yu surrendered to Xiyin. Furthermore, this lowly one heard that Xiyin's army met Marshal Xiyin of Yihe Country. Later on, the Marquis offered Dragon Slaying Pass and allowed Xiyin's men to settle in."
"Have you seen Xiyin?"
"No." Fan Ni shook his head and said, "But this subordinate saw with my own eyes that Xiyin's men replaced ours. Although the Empire's Purple Yin Flower flag is still fluttering in Dragon Slaying Pass, Xiyin's Battle Angel Corps' war flag is also fluttering."
"What is Xu Jiantao doing!!" Lin Muyu said, slightly angered.
In the crowd, a middle-aged general cupped his fists and said, "Your Highness, Xu Jiantao's troops have not reported any news to the Eastern Capital for nearly ten days. Furthermore, the Battle Eagle scouts we sent have not returned. There is no news at all. This general believes that Xu Jiantao's actions are tantamount to treason. The Battle Angels are people of the Celestial Pole Continent. Giving Dragon Slaying Pass, the throat of Lingnan Province, to the people of the Celestial Pole Continent, is tantamount to treason!"
Another old minister also nodded, "Your Highness, this subordinate concurs."
"Marquis Golden Worm and General Wang Qiu, please calm down. This matter has not reached the point where it is certain. No matter what, the Empire's war flag is still fluttering in Dragon Slaying Pass and Divine Heaven Pass. I believe that Xu Jiantao and Xiang Yu must have some hidden troubles that are difficult to speak of."
Lin Muyu gritted her teeth and asked with a cold face, "Duke Fan, what do you think?"
Zeng Yifan kept a low profile and only smiled, "Before Xu Jiantao and Xiang Yu see us, it is obviously impossible to make a conclusion based on the words of a small pawn. After all, a duke and a marquis are both powerful ministers of the Empire who hold heavy military power. We cannot easily convict them. This old minister suggests that we send a trusted aide of Your Highness to Lingnan to investigate."
"This is a good idea."
Lin Muyu looked disdainfully and asked, "Who is willing to go?"
Among the generals, Wei Chou was the first to stand out, "I'll go!"
"No."
Lin Muyu shook her head, "Wei Chou, you are more familiar with the defense of Luo River Estuary Fortress and Winter Frost City than me. We need you, Duke Wei. If you can't go, who else is willing to go?"
Situ Sen stepped out of the ranks, "This subordinate is willing to go."
"You can't either."
"Why?" Situ Sen was startled, "Your Highness, you don't trust this general?"
"No, General Sen, you are too hot-tempered. If there is any mistake in this matter, I am afraid it will lead to unnecessary trouble. After all, we do not know what that Xiyin's attitude is at the moment. So … Fengxi, don't hide. You will go to Dragon Slaying Pass on my behalf."
Fengxi frowned, "Yes, Your Highness."
"What, you are not willing?"
"Yes!" Fengxi raised his head and said, "Your Highness also knows that Beiming Huan is mobilizing troops to attack Winter Ridge Province. The next battle will decide the fate of Eastern Capital. This subordinate wants to stay here and make a contribution."
"You want to make a contribution?"
Lin Muyu couldn't help but smile, "That is easy. As long as your diplomatic mission to Dragon Slaying Pass goes smoothly and you can come back alive, I will immediately promote you by one rank. You will be in charge of a 20,000 man army. How about it?"
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Fengxi knelt down on one knee.
"Wait a moment." Su'Er looked at the crowd with her bright eyes and smiled, "General Fengxi is a soldier after all. He is firm and not soft. How about … sending another woman to go with him?"
"A woman?" Qin Yan was startled.
At this time, the first person in the line of female court officials stood up. It was a graceful woman. She was the first female court official by Qin Yin's side, Shangguan Jingyue. In the blink of an eye, several years had passed, and Shangguan Jingyue had matured even more. That kind of steady and virtuous charm could be seen at a glance. She respectfully said, "Your Highness, let me go with Sir Fengxi. Back then, Jingyue had also represented Her Highness on a diplomatic mission to Bai Ling City. This time, going to Dragon Slaying Pass to see our own people, I think … Jingyue is more suitable than anyone else."
"Shangguan Jingyue, aren't you worried that Xu Jiantao will really rebel?" Lin Muyu smiled and asked.
Shangguan Jingyue smiled as well. "Your Highness Yu's eyes are like torches. Over the years, many generals of the Empire have betrayed or fled, but none of Your Highness's men have betrayed you. So, Shangguan Jingyue firmly believes that Lord Xu Jiantao isn't that kind of person. If he is, then he wouldn't dare to fight the 200,000 strong army of the Darkstone Empire commanded by Baili Qin."
"Good, you are indeed courageous and insightful!"
Lin Muyu smiled with satisfaction, "However, you cannot bring too many people. After all, the Eastern Capital also needs manpower, so I will give you two hundred and one hundred cavalry guards. When you arrive at the Dragon Slaying Pass, you need to investigate the truth of the matter. Also, bring an empire's Golden Star Medal. If Xu Jiantao did not commit treason, then bestow him with a Golden Star Medal as a reward. That is what he deserves."
"Yes!"
In the afternoon, the diplomatic team left Winter Frost City. The development of the situation was becoming more and more bizarre, and Lin Muyu was already completely unable to guess what was going on. However, he could not personally go to the Southern Ridges. After all, a battle could break out at the mouth of the Luo River at any time. Once he left, it was likely that it would be difficult for the Four Absolutes of White Leaves and Qu Chu to resist the numerous God realm experts of the Tianji Empire.
… …
When it was close to evening, Wei Chou directly entered Ling Xi Palace and said in a low voice, "Five merchant ships from the Blackstone Empire have docked at the Blue Wind Harbor. They claim to be Your Highness's people, and they have delivered the things Your Highness needs."
"Did they say who sent them?"
"They said it was Your Highness's younger sister."
Lin Muyu's heart thumped. It was Si Kongyao, that's great!
He immediately sat up from his desk and said, "Wei Chou, fly with me to the Blue Wind Harbor and transport the goods back overnight. We cannot let them be robbed by the pirates of the Blackstone Empire."
"Yes!"
… …
When night fell, two figures floated down from the sky. They were precisely Lin Muyu and Wei Chou. After the Blue Wind Sea Battle, the Imperial Navy was almost completely annihilated. However, the Blue Wind Harbor was close to the mainland, so it was still in the hands of the Empire. However, there were not many soldiers stationed here, only a few thousand.
"Greetings, Your Highness! Greetings, Duke Wei! "
A group of imperial soldiers knelt down one after another.
"Rise, bring me to see the goods."
"Yes!"
Inside the harbor, five large ships were currently unloading goods. When Lin Muyu and Wei Chou approached, a fat merchant walked forward with a face full of smiles. He cupped his fists and said, "This lowly one, Zhuge Heng, greets Your Highness Yu."
"You were sent by Yao?"
"Yes, this lowly one was originally one of the secret merchants of the Celestial Emptiness Sect. Eldest Miss Si Kongyao and Leader Liu Buyi spent a long time to gather these five ships' goods. Along the way, in order to open up the sea passage, they spent no less than a hundred thousand gold coins."
"Is that so?" Lin Muyu was slightly delighted, "What's inside?"
Zhuge Heng smiled and said, "Four of the ships are fully loaded with Demon Heart Stones, enough to forge five hundred thousand Demon Heart Arrows. The other ship is loaded with gold and silver that Bai Ze Mercenaries plundered from the treasury of the Blackstone Empire, as well as some high-grade demon spirit stones that Your Highness needs. Among them … Eldest Miss Si Kongyao personally went to Celestial Emptiness City and asked for seven Demon King level demon spirit stones from Sikong Ming. Before she left, she said that it was specially prepared for you, and others cannot use it without permission."
"Ah?" Lin Muyu was stunned.
Wei Chou secretly laughed at the side.
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