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After the Martial Emperor left, the grand hall immediately descended into chaos. People were abuzz with discussions about the war in Youping County, still unable to believe it was true.

How could Ying Feiyu have been defeated so quickly?

That was an elite army of three hundred thousand soldiers, yet they couldn't hold on for even half a month.

The combat prowess of the North Country soldiers is too terrifying, isn't it? fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

They had originally thought that the North Country's defeat of the barbarian tribes of the North Land and Tianqi King's army might have been due to some luck, and if it had been Great Wu's army in their place, North Country would only be humiliated. Now, it seems they had seriously underestimated the military strength of the North Country.

It wasn't long before that.

Inside the Green Cloud Palace, amidst curling wisps of smoke, Wu Junwan's expression was very unsightly within the red silk chambers.

She had also received news from the frontlines immediately. Although she had long sensed that the North Country would not be easily defeated, she had not anticipated that Great Wu's army would collapse so quickly.

At that moment, Chai Jiliang entered the grand hall.

"Your servant pays respects to Princess Junwan!"

Wu Junwan coldly asked with an expressionless face, "Mr. Chai should already know about the incident that occurred in Youping County, right?"

Chai Jiliang replied, "Your servant learned of it while in court."

Wu Junwan asked, "Mr. Chai, what do you make of this matter?"

Chai Jiliang answered, "If Great Wu's army could have held Youping County and continued to stall the several hundred thousand troops of North Country in Yongan County, there would still be hope for victory if General Zhan and the others could breach into North Country."

"But…"

Chai Jiliang did not continue.

Wu Junwan inquired at that time, "Why has Mr. Chai stopped?"

Chai Jiliang then continued, "But judging from the swift defeat of Youping County's three hundred thousand troops, the military capability and the combat prowess of North Country soldiers have far exceeded our estimates. No one knows what other cards North Country may hold.

Even if General Zhan and his forces were to penetrate into the homeland of North Country, they may not necessarily be able to smoothly advance to Yan County and eradicate North Country."

The battle between Yongan County and Lingyun City had directly shattered Chai Jiliang's confidence. With such a formidable Great Wu army defeated in just a few days, it was not only Chai Jiliang who lacked confidence; few in court still harbored great hope for the war launched by Great Wu.

Listening to Chai Jiliang's words, Wu Junwan fell into contemplation for a moment before murmuring, "It seems my palace will face quite a few troubles ahead."

Wu Junwan thought to herself that it must have been the mysterious weapons of North Country that had caused Great Wu's army to be defeated so quickly.

She had failed to investigate those weapons beforehand. With the war turning sour, inevitably some would seize on this to raise issues, then impeach her.

Thinking of this, Wu Junwan felt uneasy, her mind already working on how to avoid this crisis.

If anyone targeted her, she really wouldn't have much to say, as the one in charge of intelligence. She had provided absolutely no information on the terrifying weapons of North Country, contributing to the disastrous defeat of Great Wu's army, a failure she could not shrug off.

After pondering for a while, Wu Junwan came up with an idea; there was no other way now but to make the Qian Family the scapegoats.

She could cast all the blame onto the Qian Family, then claim that she was deceived by them, which was why she failed to provide intelligence on North Country. Although she would still bear responsibility, she could shift most of the blame and appear merely to have been misled by her subordinates.

Thinking this, Wu Junwan immediately said to a female guard in the palace, "Xiao Yu, immediately send someone to arrest the entire Qian Xingchang family. We can't let the Qian family escape!"

"Yes!"

The female guard immediately turned and left the grand hall to arrest the "chief culprits."

Witnessing this, Chai Jiliang instantly realized what Wu Junwan was doing. The Princess was preparing to shift the blame.

Wu Junwan then said to Chai Jiliang, "Mr. Chai, in the coming days, my palace might face impeachment by many ministers. I would trouble you to handle that for my palace."

Chai Jiliang promptly replied, "Your Highness can rest assured. Your servant will not let any scoundrel tarnish your reputation."

Chai Jiliang would never allow Wu Junwan to be engulfed in an affair that could lead to her dethronement. Even if Wu Junwan truly fell into crisis, he would stand by Princess Junwan's side, unwaveringly. After all, this woman represented not only his political interests but was also the object of his affection.

Hearing Chai Jiliang's commitment, Wu Junwan smiled faintly then said, "Then I'll trouble Mr. Chai with this."

Chai Jiliang replied, "It is your servant's duty."

...

A few days later, the true report of the battle entered the Capital city. By this time, Great Wu's reinforcement army of two hundred thousand had already set out for Youping County.

In the court of Great Wu, there was silence, not a single minister dared to speak, and even Chai Jiliang had lapsed into quiet.

They all knew the latest battle reports had reached the Capital city. Only the Martial Emperor had seen the reports thus far, and having them summoned to court likely meant they were to discuss the report.

At that time, the Martial Emperor pulled out a battle report and began, "A battle report personally written by General Ying has arrived in our hands."

"According to Ying Feiyu, the North Country has unveiled a kind of mysterious weapon. These weapons, resembling iron spheres, are hurled using catapults. Once an iron ball lands among soldiers, it immediately explodes. And when an iron ball explodes, it is as if a Grandmaster has struck." Discover stories at m,v l'-novelbuddy.net

"North Country has a vast number of such weapons. Faced with these iron balls, Great Wu's military formations could not withstand even a quarter of an hour before collapsing!"