The Qi Kingdom had 13 prefectures in the capital region. There were more than 200,000 soldiers stationed in the capital region.
Other than the 50,000 Imperial Guards guarding the capital, the rest of the soldiers were distributed in the prefectures.
The capital region was the hinterland of the Qi Kingdom and was responsible for the safety of the capital. The soldiers stationed in the capital region were only under the command of the Emperor.
Because these prefectures were too close to the capital and too sensitive, no one dared to attack them even when the Crown Prince and the Third Prince fought fiercely for power.
After the death of the Emperor, Zhao Zheng, as the Crown Prince, took control of the 150,000 soldiers in the capital region before the Third Prince, Zhao Yi. He besieged the capital and completely reversed the situation.
The Shengzhou was one of the 13 prefectures in the capital region.
After the incident in the capital region, the Shengzhou was sealed and it was difficult to enter or leave. During this period, riots broke out more than once and there were many refugees. Lin Wanru and her group were in danger. Lin Yong tried his best to send a message.
She had guards with her who were all skilled and could overcome normal dangers and difficulties. However, the situation in the war zone was ever-changing and it was not a good place to stay for long.
Li Yi sat in the yard and looked at the letter for a long time.
"Go." A gentle voice came from behind him.
He turned his head and saw Ruyi walking over and sitting next to him. She said, "Sister Wanru is in danger now. Every day that passes, she will be in more danger. Don't hesitate anymore, husband …"
Li Yi's lips moved and she shook her head. "Don't worry about this place, husband. With me here, nothing will happen."
Li Yi was silent for a long time. He put his arm around her waist and nodded. "The Qi Kingdom is in chaos and the Liuzhou is not a good place to stay. You should go back to the Shuzhou as soon as possible. I will pick up Wanru and go back immediately."
It was not a good place to stay in the Qi Kingdom. Ruyi escorted them from the Liuzhou route. They were accompanied by countless masters. On the way back, the branches of the Holy Religion had been subdued and there was almost no danger.
Ruyi leaned on his shoulder and said, "I will take care of everything here. I will leave sister Wanru to you, husband."
"Hiss …"
Li Yi sucked in a breath of cold air. If he wanted to talk, then talk nicely. Why did he have to twist his waist …
…
The capital.
The enemies outside the city had stopped attacking, but they did not retreat either. Instead, they set up camp outside the city.
On the city wall, an imperial army general's expression darkened. "Your Highness, they're trying to exhaust us to death!"
Zhao Yi was also clad in armor. He looked at the person beside him and asked, "How long can the food stored in the city last?"
Minister of Revenue Cui Jiang looked outside the city and said, "Your Highness, the national treasury has not been full in recent years. I have already sent people to check the major granaries in the city. If we save some, it will be enough to feed the entire city for half a year."
If an ordinary city was besieged, the food in the city would be exhausted after a few months.
The capital was far wealthier than ordinary cities, but the capital was densely populated, so food was naturally consumed much faster.
"Half a year …" Zhao Yi stood on the city wall and looked into the distance. He murmured, "Half a year is enough."
Within half a year, even the farthest Feng Province would be able to send reinforcements.
Victory Province.
Located in the hinterland of the capital region and close to the capital, Victory Province was originally one of the top ten wealthiest provinces in the Qi Kingdom.
However, since the death of the former Emperor half a month ago, the Crown Prince, who was in Victory Province, took over Victory Province and transferred away the garrison troops. Victory Province had undergone earth-shattering changes.
Many wealthy families had their properties confiscated, and their properties used to pay for the army. A large number of citizens had been conscripted to become live targets on the battlefield. On the streets of Shengzhou, it was rare to see shops open for business. Most of the people walking on the streets were women.
Most of the provinces in the capital region were no different from Victory Province.
Victory Province, Provincial Governor's Mansion.
In the study, the young man raised his head and looked at a middle-aged man sitting at the head of the table. He said slowly, "Father, we've bet everything on the Crown Prince this time. If the Crown Prince fails …"
"Times have changed …" The middle-aged man looked at him and said, "When the Crown Prince's troops came to Victory Province, if we didn't agree to his request, would we still be alive?"
The young man hesitated for a moment and asked, "But if the Third Prince gets reinforcements, won't we …"
"150,000 troops surrounding the city …" The Provincial Governor of Victory Province shook his head and said, "Reinforcements won't be easy to wait for. I'm afraid they'll be exhausted to death in the capital before reinforcements arrive. The winner takes all. The Crown Prince has the Third Prince's throat in a choke hold. He needs to understand the situation …"
The young man nodded and said, "Father, I understand."
Although they had almost submitted to the Third Prince, they couldn't go against the trend. The Crown Prince's military might was unstoppable. A wise man submits to circumstances …
He walked out of the study and looked in a certain direction in the back residence. A smile appeared on his face and he strolled over.
In a remote courtyard in the Provincial Governor's Mansion of Victory Province.
Lin Yong had a worried expression as he paced in the courtyard. Finally, he couldn't help but walk up to Lin Wanru and say, "Miss, that Ma guy doesn't have good intentions. We can't stay here for long!"
Lin Wanru shook her head slightly and said, "I'm afraid we can't leave even if we want to now."
She naturally knew that the son of the Provincial Governor of Victory Province didn't have good intentions. However, this was Victory Province, which was already under the control of the First Prince. If they were to go out, they would have to face great danger.
All of the Qian Clan's businesses in Victory Province had already been taken over by the First Prince. Presumably, the shops of the Lin family in the other provinces in the capital region wouldn't be spared either. Once their whereabouts were exposed, the First Prince would definitely not let her, the person in charge of the Lin family, off.
In order to protect her, the guards around her had already been scattered during the refugee tide when the government captured people to join the army. Only Lin Yong and a few others were left by her side.
Xiu 'er ran in from outside and said anxiously, "Miss, that Ma guy is here again!"
When Lin Wanru stood up, the sound of footsteps could already be heard from the door.
A young man walked in from outside. Looking at her, he said with a smile, "Is Miss Li used to living here?"
Lin Wanru nodded and said, "Even if I'm not used to it, it's still much, much better than living outside. Thank you, Young Master Ma, for saving me …"
"There's no need to be so courteous between us." Young Master Ma waved his hand and said, "Miss Li, don't worry. In this Provincial Governor's Residence, no one can harm you. If there's anything you need, just say the word. As long as I can do it, I'll do it for you!"
He smiled and said a few words. Then his tone suddenly changed as he asked, "I wonder if you've considered the matter that I mentioned to Miss Li yesterday?"
Lin Wanru looked at him with a troubled expression. "Young Master Ma …"
The smile on Young Master Ma's face faded slightly. Then, he smiled again. Looking at her, he said, "When I first met Miss Li, I was shocked and thought that if I could tie the knot with Miss in this life, it would be a great blessing in my life. I'm sincere towards Miss, and I hope that Miss can consider it seriously …"
Lin Wanru smiled apologetically and said, "Marriage is a big matter. It's decided by parents and the words of a matchmaker. How can I be so reckless …"
Young Master Ma shook his head and said, "Times have changed. Now, the Qi Kingdom is in chaos. There are rebels everywhere. Even if I really wanted to invite Miss's parents over, not to mention the long journey, the many dangers along the way must not be taken lightly …"
Lin Wanru fell silent. Young Master Ma smiled and said, "Miss Li, don't be in a hurry to agree. If you don't agree today, I'll ask again tomorrow …"
This was a naked threat. Lin Yong's breathing was heavy. He rolled up his sleeves and was about to get angry when Lin Wanru suddenly stood up.
She looked at Young Master Ma and smiled. "It's not that I can't agree to it. In fact, it's not easy to be alone all these years. I've always wanted to find someone to rely on … However, for a woman, marriage is one of the most important things in life. It's already a pity that my parents can't come. But if I don't even inform them, it would be unfilial of me as a daughter. Please forgive me, Young Master Ma."
"What's so difficult about that?" Seeing that she had relented, Young Master Ma waved his hand and said, "Where are they now? I'll send someone to deliver a letter to them. It won't delay our wedding!"
Lin Wanru looked up at him and said, "Liu Province."
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