Chapter 373

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Walking into the camp, Yan Wang saw the Kitchen Camp people had already begun busily preparing dinner.

Today's dishes were what he had specially instructed; although not as lavish as last time's barbecue, nearly everyone's bowl had meat in it.

Everyone tasted the delicious food, praising it incessantly; every mouthful intoxicated them.

When everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Yan Wang slowly stood up, a smile on his face, he looked around, then said in a loud voice: "Everyone has worked hard today!" His voice was resonant and powerful, as if it could penetrate every person's heart.

Then, Yan Wang continued: "Tomorrow we will continue attacking the next city; although the coming days may be even more arduous, I believe that as long as we unite as one, we will certainly achieve victory!" His words were full of confidence and determination, making everyone present feel roused.

Yan Wang paused slightly, then said: "I know everyone has worked very hard, so I have already submitted a memorial to the Emperor, detailing everyone's efforts and contributions.

When we return in triumph, everyone will receive their due rewards. Those who perform outstandingly may even have the opportunity for promotion and ennoblement!"

Finally, Yan Wang said with a smile: "Alright, I'll go back and rest first; everyone finish eating quickly and rest early too. The next few days will still require everyone to maintain good condition and fighting spirit." Finished speaking, he turned and left, leaving everyone discussing animatedly on the spot.

However, the crowd's discussion was not complaint or worry, but words of mutual encouragement. Everyone was full of confidence in the coming battles, believing that under Yan Wang's leadership they would certainly capture more cities.

The second day at dawn, the sky not yet fully bright, everyone rose early and began preparing for the new day's battle. After accumulating practical combat experience over the past few days, Yan Wang had become increasingly adept at leading troops and fighting wars.

Under his command, the army advanced swiftly and orderly; in just two days they captured two more cities in succession.

Now, only Yiran City remained ahead; this city's strategic position was extremely important — once captured, it meant Nan Liang's capital — Yiliang City — was close at hand.

Yan Wang knew very clearly in his heart that the coming battles would likely become increasingly difficult. These two days' victories were merely because they had caught Nan Liang off guard.

He calculated: taking advantage that the news of Yixin City's capture had not yet reached the Nan Liang Emperor, capture as many cities as possible. Facts proved his idea was correct.

Simultaneously, on the other side, Nan Liang Emperor Xin Derui, when he received the news of Yixin City's capture, it was already that evening.

These days Xin Derui, because of losing cities one after another, was in an extremely anxious mood, unable to sleep night after night. Today, it was still the Imperial Physician who prescribed him calming medicine, and only then did he just manage to fall asleep.

Right then, a burst of urgent knocking suddenly sounded, breaking the night's tranquility. Xin Derui was startled awake by this sudden noise, a surge of irritation instantly rising in his heart. He shouted loudly: "Middle of the night, who is disturbing Our sleep? Drag him out and behead him!"

Eunuch Qiu outside the door was Xin Derui's most trusted person. He knew the matter was urgent and could not be delayed, so disregarding Xin Derui's roar, he shouted loudly: "Your Majesty, disaster! Yixin City has fallen!"

Hearing these words, Xin Derui felt as if struck by lightning; he only felt a "boom" in his head, instantly going blank.

Because after Yixin City there were two more cities before Yiran City, and after Yiran City fell came Yiliang City — this meant the enemy had already nearly reached his doorstep! The situation was urgent; he shouted without hesitation: "Come in!"

Eunuch Qiu heard the order and rushed in hurriedly. Xin Derui was frantic with anxiety and immediately asked: "Who brought the news back?" Eunuch Qiu hurriedly answered: "It was the City Lord of Yixin City."

Xin Derui pressed on immediately: "What about Ye Wu? Is he still alive?" Eunuch Qiu's answer made him feel as if falling into an ice cellar: "The man is gone."

This news was like a bolt from the blue; Xin Derui only felt the world spin in an instant, his vision went black, and he fainted completely. Eunuch Qiu saw this, frightened pale; he hurriedly shouted loudly: "Someone! Summon the Imperial Physician! Summon the Imperial Physician!"

The Imperial Physicians, hearing the summons, quickly arrived carrying small medicine boxes. Because the Emperor had fainted, they didn't bother with salutes and immediately stepped forward to examine him.

The Imperial Physician placed his hand on Xin Derui's pulse, diagnosed carefully for a good while, then slowly released his hand and said: "Your Majesty this is Qi attacking the heart, momentarily fainting; however there is no serious harm, after a while he will wake on his own."

Hearing the Imperial Physician's words, the large stone in Eunuch Qiu's heart finally settled; he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and said: "Fortunately nothing serious."

The Imperial Physician continued: "Originally recently Your Majesty's sleep has been poor; now suddenly suffering such a great shock, this Subject worries that once awake this time, Your Majesty's physical condition may be far worse than before.

However, there is also no need for excessive worry; this Subject will later return and certainly prescribe more tonifying good medicines for Your Majesty, to be taken on schedule daily. As long as it is persisted in for a period, once the body is slowly nursed back, it will naturally improve."

Eunuch Qiu heard this and hurriedly nodded in agreement: "Good, then many thanks to the Imperial Physician. Thus, this servant will not detain you further; Imperial Physician, you go attend to your duties first."

The Imperial Physician cupped his hands in salute and said: "Good, then this Subject will take leave first." Finished speaking, he turned and left the Emperor's Qin Gong.

Eunuch Qiu stood guard by Xin Derui's bedside, seeing he still showed no signs of waking, though anxious in heart, he could do nothing.

As time dragged on, Eunuch Qiu himself couldn't help feeling somewhat drowsy; his eyelids began to droop, and in the end he couldn't resist dozing off.

However, unexpectedly, although Xin Derui had fallen asleep because of fainting, this sleep actually made his physical condition slightly better than the Imperial Physician had predicted.

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight passed through the window and fell on Xin Derui's face, he slowly opened his eyes.

Xin Derui woke and only felt his head somewhat heavy; he subconsciously rubbed his temples, then turned his head to look at Eunuch Qiu by the bed and asked: "Xiao Qiuzi, how long did We sleep this time?"

Eunuch Qiu heard the Emperor's voice and startled awake, hurriedly knelt and replied: "Replying to Your Majesty, this sleep of yours lasted a whole night."

Xin Derui's words weren't finished when he suddenly stopped, as if there was something difficult to speak of. His expression became somewhat grave, as if pondering some important question.

"Slept a whole night?" Xin Derui murmured to himself, his tone revealing a trace of doubt and surprise. Some images rapidly flashed through his mind, but were quickly replaced by another more pressing question — how far had Dachang's army advanced?