overthought it."Don't overthink it, he might just be in a bad mood."Feng Ling Xi's words caused Xiao Li to fall into deep thought. "My mood is indeed bad, but it's because I truly saw the Holy Master..."General Sun, would you be willing to protect Linxi County with me and safeguard our homeland"

Wind Ling, having finished speaking, Sun, the deputy general, and all the generals present in unison declared, “We are willing to swear our allegiance to the Princess and together protect the territory of Linxi County.”

"My Lords, please rise. What merit or ability does Feng Ling possess to warrant such loyal following from all of you"

Feng Lingxi was touched by their words and hurriedly asked them to get up.

General Zhang pointed at the generals present and said, "Your Highness may not know this, but we, along with our soldiers, have witnessed your contributions firsthand. Your abilities are evident to us all. Please do not be modest, Your Highness. We believe you will lead us in safeguarding Linxi County."

Feng Lingxi looked at them, "Take a short rest today, and prepare for battle tomorrow. As long as they dare to set foot within the borders of Linxi County, they will be killed without mercy!"

"The last general obeys!"

All the generals were in high spirits. Feng Ling looked into their eyes, seeing the excitement and fervor burning within them, and he was even more determined not to disappoint them.

"Mother, how long will it be until our troops arrive in Linxi County to join us"

Feng Lingxi asked in a low voice, looking at General Zhang taking out the topographic map of the surrounding area of Linxi County. He began to study it.

"He will join us this evening, but Mother thinks we should try a flanking maneuver, catch them completely off guard"

Yao WanYing pointed to a location on the map. "Our people are stationed here. If Feng Aotian's army comes, they will come from this road. If they attack the city, they will encircle Linxi County from both sides of the mountain valley and the river behind Linxi County. We have a team ambushing on the riverbank, and another team ambushing at the entrance of the valley. We can wipe them out in one fell swoop. What do you think, Xi'er"

Feng Lingxi listened to her mother's analysis, which was clear and concise. This strategy, tailored to the terrain of Linxi County, could cut off the enemy army before they entered the city while protecting the civilians within. It truly was the best course of action.

"Madam, the soldiers brought by General Feng are also soldiers of our great Yuan Dynasty after all. This subordinate should not plead for them, but if we could snatch them from the Empress Dowager and have them serve the Prince, wouldn't that be even more beneficial"

General Li spoke first, and Feng Lingxi readily agreed.

"Mother, Xier thinks General Li's words are extremely reasonable. They are all soldiers of the Great Yuan Dynasty after all. Following the Empress Dowager is something they had no choice about. They obey orders. If we could truly take them from the Empress Dowager's hands and use them for ourselves, firstly, it would show the people of the Great Yuan our intentions and win their hearts. Secondly, it would also let our own soldiers know that we are not fighting for the sake of killing."

Feng Ling Xi's words were met with nods of approval from the soldiers present. They were all serving the court and there was no need to harm innocent soldiers.

"Then think of a way to minimize casualties, as much as possible. In any conflict, there will be casualties, Xi'er, you should understand that."

Feng Linglong looked at Xi'er's happy expression. If she and the Fourth Prince could truly care for the people of the world, why wouldn't Yaozu support them

When the country is peaceful, then the people are peaceful.

Choose a wise ruler, and secure peace for the world.

"Thank you, Mother. Xi'er will do her best."

"The last general is willing to help the princess strategize and together reduce casualties to a minimum."

Feng Lingxi nodded, continuing to discuss with her mother. After they were finished, it was already late in the evening.

The night was dry and windless, the weather heavy and sultry. Feng Lingxi couldn't sleep, so she got up and went to the courtyard. She looked up at the stars in the night sky, a trace of worry appearing in her eyes.

Tomorrow is the day of battle, and I don't know if this battle will go as planned, or if we can minimize casualties to the lowest possible number.

If Dugu City were here, how would he fight this battle

Kingdom of Gallo

Ten days of warfare had already brought the cities of Gallo Kingdom to their knees. Dugu City and Huangfu Qingyun, clad in armor, rode on horseback, watching the casualties among the people, their expressions grave.

"That will be the end of it. The Crown Prince of Gallo has died, and the Emperor has abdicated. We have no need to continue fighting. It is the common people who suffer in the end."

Huángfǔ Qīngyún looked at Dúlú Chéng. Their first cooperation had resulted in so much bloodshed. What would Xī'ér think of him if she saw this

Dugu City nodded. "Arrange people to handle the aftermath of Galuo Kingdom, we withdraw our troops."

War is like that, even if he wanted to minimize casualties, he still couldn't.

Huángfǔ Qīngyún and Dúgūchéng led their army in retreat, camping outside Jiālǔ Guó City. “Tomorrow we’ll be able to go back and see Xī'ér. How wonderful.”

Gazing at the starry sky, Huangfu Qingyun's eyes were filled with tenderness. This time when he went back, to help Xi'er clear her grievances, he could rest assured and hand Xi'er over to Dugu City.

“Aren't you afraid that I'll take Xi'er back with me, and after that, you'll have no hope of seeing her again”

Dugu Cheng sat beside him, "Huangfu Qingyun, are you really going to give Xi'er to me"

What do you think I'm thinking

Huangfu Qingyun glanced at Dugucheng, her eyes filled with reluctance, but what could she do

"If Xi'er hadn't recovered her memory and told me that there wouldn't be a future for us, do you think I would have let her go My mother told me that loving someone means wanting them to be happy. You haven't wronged Xi'er, not even given myself an opportunity to find an excuse."

Dugu Cheng chuckled softly, picked up a wine pot from the side and handed it to him.

"Have a drink."

Huangfu Qingyun took a sip of wine and looked at Dugu City with envy in his eyes, "To be honest, I'm really envious of you. If I had met Xi'er earlier than you, she would definitely have married me, not chosen you."

"It's too late now. There's no turning back," Du Gucheng said with a chuckle.

He didn't know how lucky he was to have met Xi'er so early, otherwise, it would be him who had no fate.

Huangfu Qingyun smiled, raised her glass to him, and took a sip. The wine was bitter yet sweet.

"Report!"

A soldier rushed in and reported, "My lord, news has arrived from Linxi County. Feng Aotian is leading an army of 300,000 to attack Linxi County. The princess has returned to Linxi County. Please come quickly and report to the lord."

The smiles on Dugu Cheng and Huangfu Qingyun's faces vanished instantly. They both rose to their feet and asked in unison, “Did you say Xi’er returned to Linxi County”

"My subordinate's investigation did indeed turn up this information."

獨孤城's face darkened, "Feng Aotian actually wants to take advantage of the situation to attack Linxi County. Could it be that he even wants to kill Xi'er"

"What's the point of talking about this We should rush to Linshi County to support her. We can't let Xi'er get hurt."

Huangfu Qingyun got up and immediately sent orders. The army set off to support Linxi County.

"Wait a moment."

Dugu Cheng hurriedly stopped Huangfu Qingyun and looked at the soldier, "Do you know where Feng Aotian's army is"

"Fifty miles outside the county of Linxi, at a station."

Dugu Cheng frowned, "Even if we set off now, a day wouldn't be enough. We'd have to leave at night and even then, if we arrived tomorrow evening, we couldn't launch an attack. The soldiers just finished a battle and need to rest."

"Are you just going to let Xi'er face her father's 300,000 army all by herself", his icy gaze swept over Ye Xi, his tone laced with a warning that made Ye Xi lower her head and apologize, "Your Highness, please forgive me, Ye Xi knows she was wrong."More than a stick of incense...