As night fell, the governor, fast asleep, was jolted awake by a deafening roar. The world spun around him, and he immediately threw off his covers, grabbed his weapon, and ran towards the city walls.
After Ye Xingli’s army arrived, he hadn’t dared to undress even when sleeping. His quarters were also located very close to the city walls, precisely to avoid any sudden incidents that might prevent him from reaching his post in time.
The closer he got to the walls, the louder the screams became. Illuminated by the firelight, he saw thick plumes of smoke and couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.
What followed was a scene that shocked him. As he neared the city walls, he saw the Grand Commander, clad in armor, wielding a saber, and wearing a mask. His soldiers, following closely behind him, had already breached the city.
Had someone betrayed him again? Otherwise, how could an army have entered so easily, given the high and thick walls, and the constant reinforcement of the city gates in recent days?
Before he could comprehend the situation, a saber was at his throat. The soldiers on the battlements, seeing the city gates breached, either fled in panic or hid, believing the thunderous noise was divine wrath they dared not oppose. Others, led by some righteous soldiers, fought back desperately.
However, morale had collapsed. The resistance was weak and was quickly wiped out by Ye Xingli’s men.
The Grand Commander’s swift capture of Yizhou was an unexpected blow to everyone. When the news reached the King of Qin, he felt it as a bitter irony. It had taken him years to conquer just one city, while the Grand Commander had claimed Yizhou as his territory in such a short time.
From this moment on, the Grand Commander officially caught the Emperor’s attention. Among all the rebel forces, his was now the most powerful.
The day after Yizhou fell, Wu Caiwei rushed to the city. Ye Xingli breathed a sigh of relief. Having just taken over Yizhou, there were bound to be numerous matters requiring his attention. Some would resist, and undercurrents of dissent would surface. He wouldn’t trust anyone else with these tasks, making Wu Caiwei the ideal choice. He knew she would have to work hard for a while.
Upon their handover, Ye Xingli led his army toward Xuzhou. The Emperor’s forces would soon arrive. Before their arrival, Ye Xingli and Wu Caiwei aimed to conquer another prefecture. This would provide them with a larger territory to develop their economy and the capacity to repel the imperial army.
As soon as Wu Caiwei took charge of Yizhou, she began investigating the past of the officials. Those who proved to be competent were retained. Those who failed to serve the people were not only dismissed but also sentenced according to the severity of their wrongdoings. Suddenly, officials lived in fear. Their attitudes towards the populace improved significantly, and they performed their duties with utmost caution, terrified of being sent back to farming.
The common people rejoiced. Wu Caiwei also brought the grain seeds and administrative systems from Binzhou to Yizhou, giving the prefecture a sense of a fresh start.
Of course, the damaged city walls also needed repair. Yes, the thunderous sound the governor had heard that night was caused by the explosives developed by Ye Xingli. However, aware of their destructive power, they rarely used them, resorting to them only when absolutely necessary for sieges, to minimize their own casualties.
But explosives were unknown in that era. No one had ever seen them before. Consequently, the entire Celestial Dynasty was abuzz with the tale that the Grand Commander was the Mandated Son of Heaven. It was said that during his conquest of Yizhou, celestial forces aided him, sending down several lightning strikes that shattered Yizhou’s walls, thus enabling their swift victory.
When this news reached the capital, the Emperor was enraged. He was the true Mandated Son of Heaven, not this Grand Commander who dared not even show his face. Anyone who dared to discuss this matter was immediately arrested. Although outwardly, everyone pretended the incident never happened, what had occurred left its mark. Even the Emperor occasionally pondered, Was he destined to fail?
No, he refused to believe in fate. Fate was in his own hands. Hadn’t the reputation of the Valiant King once overshadowed his own? In the end, hadn’t he fallen prey to his schemes, leaving his grave overgrown? It must be that Grand Commander, attempting to sow discord among the populace. He would not fall for such a ploy.
Thus, he immediately mobilized troops and gathered provisions, marching them to the front lines with the firm intention of annihilation.
The governor of Xuzhou had been preparing ever since he received a letter from the King of Qin. Knowing that his prefecture bordered Binzhou, he anticipated an attack at any moment. Upon hearing that the Grand Commander was personally leading his forces to Yizhou, he felt a sense of relief.
This governor was unlike those in other regions. He lacked substantial capabilities. His current position was entirely due to the Emperor’s leniency, a special promotion in consideration of his father’s past service.
Years ago, his father had been the Emperor’s most trusted confidant. During an assassination attempt, he had shielded the Emperor from an arrow, dying two days later. On his deathbed, he couldn’t rest easy thinking of his son. The Emperor immediately vowed to ensure his son would be well looked after in the future.
Many years passed, and the Emperor had not forgotten his promise. Unfortunately, the son was somewhat inept, like mud that couldn’t be molded. After several years, the Emperor gradually promoted him to the position of governor of Xuzhou.
After the turmoil in Binzhou, he regretted his decision to come to Xuzhou. If the rebels intended to defy the throne, they would likely seize his territory. He had already petitioned the Emperor multiple times for reinforcements, but the imperial court had no surplus troops, only able to send more provisions and instruct him to recruit soldiers.
When he heard that the Grand Commander’s forces had arrived outside the westernmost county of Xuzhou, his hands trembled as he held the letter. He quickly asked, "Generals, do you have any strategies?"
They looked at each other, but no one spoke. They had also heard the rumors from the previous period. Although discussion was forbidden, they couldn’t help but murmur amongst themselves at times.
Moreover, Binzhou was a formidable force. Everyone knew Binzhou was exceptionally prosperous now. Their products were well-received, and silver flowed in continuously. They lacked neither money nor provisions. Many of their troops were remnants of the former Valiant King's army, and everyone knew the Valiant King was an exceptional warrior. The soldiers there had been forged in battles against foreign tribes, possessing extraordinary ferocity, a stark contrast to their own men.
The governor of Xuzhou felt disappointed by their silence and, at the same time, a sense of panic. Had his tenure as governor come to an end? He could only order his nephew, General Liu, to take the lead.
General Liu accepted the command with a grim expression. Although his brow was furrowed, he knew this battle was inevitable. For years, Xuzhou had been under the Liu family’s influence. If they failed today, what would become of the Liu family?
The reason Governor Liu had insisted on coming to Xuzhou was that the Liu family's ancestral home was there. With numerous Liu family members in the region, he could promote them upon his arrival and find loyal supporters. His plan was not flawed, and thus, despite his lack of talent, Xuzhou had been well-governed for years.