The general trend

Finally, Zhao Xiyao checked the time, saw it was getting late, and rose to take her leave. Xian Ying saw her to the door, feeling somewhat dejected.

At the gate of the Xian Family residence, Zhao Xiyao suddenly took hold of Xian Ying's hand.

"Your status will be different from now on, Sister. It doesn't matter much at home, but when you are out, your attire should be more dignified. I think what you are wearing today is quite good."

After saying this, Zhao Xiyao waved her hand, and several Female Soldiers carried a large chest inside and set it down in the courtyard.

"Husband is very busy with official matters now, so I will take his place for some things. Please, Sister, do not mind."

Without waiting for Xian Ying's response, Zhao Xiyao boarded her carriage and drove away, leaving Xian Ying standing there, reflecting on today's visit.

Xian Ying was a clever woman; otherwise, she would not have been able to build her own power right under Feng Pu's nose.

After a moment of reflection, she understood what the change in Zhao Xiyao's address implied, as well as the meaning behind the phrase "your status will be different."

Ecstatic, Xian Ying's steps became much lighter. She trotted all the way to the study, found paper and a brush, and wrote down her joy, wanting to share it with Xian Xing and Xian Chong.

At the same time, she made up her mind to bring out all the resources of the Xian Family to help Gao Yuan, to help this man who was about to become her Husband achieve his grand ambition.

Gao Yuan was unaware of all this, as he had been so busy with military affairs lately that he barely had time to touch the ground.

His subordinates were all out, and the drilling of new recruits and the training of surrendered soldiers were all matters he had to oversee personally.

These days, Gao Yuan left the house early every morning and didn't return until dinnertime, not even complaining about the new rooster in overalls at home.

Therefore, Gao Yuan was completely unaware of what had happened at home. He only occasionally saw Xian Ying, which made him a bit curious, but that was all; he didn't pay it much mind.

After ten days of rest and with the rotating troops in place, Xue Linfeng decided to launch the third phase of the campaign: to capture Duan Prefecture and Shao Prefecture in one stroke.

Ma Song and Chen Dao led ten thousand men from the Baier Soldiers and the Lingnan Corps to march on Shao Prefecture, while the Central Corps attacked Sihui and the city of Duan Prefecture.

At the same time, in the Nanyue Kingdom palace in Panyu City, Guangzhou, Feng Pu, with gray hair and looking every bit the old man, arrived at the throne supported by a Eunuch.

Losing two sons in succession, especially the fall of his heir, Feng Chengqian, had completely crushed the spirit of this once high-spirited King of Nanyue.

At this moment, he looked like a man in the twilight of his years, hardly like someone who had just turned fifty, which made everyone feel vaguely uneasy.

Struggling to open his eyes, he scanned the crowd before speaking slowly.

"Cough, cough, cough... My dear subjects, you have all seen it. Since Chengqian passed away, my health has been deteriorating day by day. However, a country cannot go a day without a ruler. I have decided to name my third son, Chen Dao, as the His Highness the Crown Prince."

Everyone exchanged glances before stepping out together to bow.

"Please take care of your health, Your Majesty. We pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."

After announcing this decision, Feng Pu left, supported by the Eunuch, and Feng Chengdao finally sat on the chair he had longed for.

But before his seat was even warm, bad news arrived: the Qian Army was attacking Sihui and Shao Prefecture.

Feng Chengdao cursed inwardly, gritting his teeth as he slammed his desk.

"That brat Gao Yuan is truly insatiable! Pass the order: mobilize all troops and recruit all able-bodied men. I will fight Gao Yuan to the death!"

The corners of everyone's mouths twitched. Wouldn't such a desperate move risk everything they had?

The head of the Zhao family, Zhao Han, immediately stepped forward.

"His Highness the Crown Prince, we are currently outnumbered. If we spread our defenses, we will easily be defeated one by one by the enemy. Therefore, I believe we should consolidate our forces; only by clenching our fist can we strike with force."

The Yi leader Bu Lou also stepped forward to support Zhao Han's suggestion, which immediately made Feng Chengdao waver. He glanced at his trusted aide, Tan Xiang, who was standing nearby.

Seeing Tan Xiang nod, he immediately changed his mind.

"My dear subjects are right. I have decided to abandon Duan Prefecture and Shao Prefecture, mobilize all troops to defend Panyu, and transfer three thousand garrison troops each from Xunchou and Chaozhou to assist in the defense of Panyu."

Seeing that Feng Chengdao had changed his mind so quickly, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged satisfied smiles.

Following the order, the more than five thousand Southern Yue Army troops stationed in Duan Prefecture voluntarily abandoned Sihui and the city of Duan Prefecture and began to retreat towards Guangzhou.

In Shao Prefecture, looking at the order in his hand and then at his family, whom he had secretly brought to Shao Prefecture, Yao Jie felt fortunate for his decisiveness.

"These short-sighted people; Panyu City has no natural defenses. Can that little bit of force withstand the elite troops and fierce generals of the Commandery Duke?"

Long before Xue Linfeng raised his army, Yao Jie had already communicated with all the garrison commanders. These people were not exactly loyal patriots, and it was easy for Yao Jie to persuade them with his silver tongue.

Therefore, when Ma Song had just stepped into the territory of Shao Prefecture, he received a secret letter sent by Yao Jie, which he found hard to believe at first.

After Yao Jie personally arrived at the camp with his men, Ma Song finally accepted Yao Jie's sincerity. He arranged to take over the defense of Shao Prefecture while sending a messenger on horseback to deliver the news to Gao Yuan and Xue Linfeng.

With the news from Yao Jie, Gao Yuan finally confirmed why Feng Chengdao's troops had never appeared. It turned out to be infighting between brothers, all for that one position, which made him sigh endlessly.

Thinking back to the history of the Xuanwu Gate succession, the Jingnan Campaign, and the Nine Princes' struggle for the throne, Gao Yuan had to admit the wisdom of the primogeniture succession system.

Gao Yuan did not discriminate against Yao Jie. Although his behavior was a bit like a traitor, it was understandable, and Gao Yuan still needed to maintain a certain posture towards such people.

After summoning Yao Jie to County for an interview, Gao Yuan gave him an appointment letter as a provincial inspector and threw this B+-rank pure administrative talent to Gao Yao.

With Shao Prefecture and Duan Prefecture pacified, Guangzhou faced a pincer attack from Gao Yuan. At this time, Guangzhou had concentrated 80% of the Nanyue Kingdom's remaining forces, all gathered in Panyu City.

After reading the intelligence, Xue Linfeng and the others laughed until they could barely catch their breath.

"I really don't know what Feng Pu was thinking to make such a stupid decision."

"Indeed. Panyu City has no natural defenses, yet they are actually thinking of going all-in."

"Commander, just tell us, how shall we fight this battle?"

Xue Linfeng rubbed his stomach, which ached from laughing, and began to issue orders.

"Zhao Meng!"

"This humble general is here!"

"I order you to lead two brigades of the Beiwei Army to bypass Panyu City and attack Xunchou."

"Understood!"

Zhao Meng proudly took the token and left. Xue Linfeng then continued to issue orders.

"Xia Luqi, I order you to lead five thousand troops to attack Chaozhou."

Xia Luqi also hurriedly took the token and triumphantly lifted the curtain to walk out of the commanders tent. He ran into Zhao Meng, and the two looked at the tokens in each other's eyes, beginning to secretly compete with each other.

After sending off the two hot-headed warriors, Xue Linfeng ordered the main army to advance towards Panyu City. His task was very simple: to trap the garrison of Panyu so they could not rescue Xunchou and Chaozhou.

In Panyu City, hearing that the Qian Army was already at the gates, Feng Pu, on his sickbed, finally learned of the stupid things his son had done, and immediately spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.

Before losing consciousness, only two words flashed through his mind: "It's over!"