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On the wedding night, red candles shone brightly in the Prince of Qin's mansion.

It's rare for Su Ning to marry three women at once. Luckily, Su Ning is physically strong enough, otherwise he really wouldn't be able to handle it.

Having just settled things with the principal wife Lin Wan, he immediately went to the courtyards of the secondary wives Zhou Ehuang and Fu Qing.

Zhou Ehuang and Fu Qing were naturally quite surprised, thinking that Su Ning would put aside the other two concubines and favor her first.

Little did he know, Suning intended to sleep with three women in one night, truly sharing his affections equally.

Fu Qing looked at Su Ning with a satisfied and smug expression. "Your Highness, you've favored me first. Won't Princess Qin have any objections?"

"You're overthinking it! I have my own plans for how to handle this."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The next morning, Su Ning returned to Lin Wan's place feeling refreshed.

Upon seeing Su Ning enter, Lin Wan quickly stood up, somewhat at a loss.

"Sit down," Su Ning said. "Don't be so formal."

Lin Wan sat down again and looked at Su Ning.

Su Ning had changed from his bright red tuxedo into a prince's casual attire, but his aura was even more imposing.

Especially those eyes, which remained calm and serene.

Lin Wan looked at the man before her with gentle eyes and asked, "Your Highness is tired, would you like to rest for a day?"

Su Ning sat down next to Lin Wan and remained silent for a while. "Today is a good day."

"Your Highness is right." Lin Wan nodded.

But I was thinking about something else.

"..." Lin Wan was taken aback. "What is it?"

"The matter of war."

Lin Wan looked at Su Ning without replying; she knew Su Ning was referring to the Southern Tang.

These days, everyone in the manor is saying that His Majesty and Prince Qin are going to attack Southern Tang.

Zhou Ehuang came from the Southern Tang Dynasty, and I heard that her father was the Minister of Works of the Southern Tang.

On his wedding day, the groom was thinking about war.

If it were any other woman, she would probably be heartbroken.

But Lin Wan didn't ask, "How does Your Highness intend to fight?"

Su Ning turned to look at her.

When this ordinary farm girl from Linjia Village asked this question, there was no unusual expression on her face.

Don't you think it's inappropriate to say this on your wedding day?

Lin Wan shook her head. "Your Highness is the Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces of the Realm. It is only natural for you to want to fight. I do not understand warfare, but I do know that if Your Highness has something on your mind, it is better to speak it out than to keep it to yourself."

“…” Su Ning remained silent for a moment.

He suddenly realized he had made the right choice.

This woman is not the kind of ordinary woman who only knows about romantic love.

She understands what it means to be dutiful and what one's responsibilities are.

"The matter of the Southern Tang has been planned for a long time. The conquest of Jingnan was to push forward from the west. Now that the north is stable, it's time to make a move."

Lin Wan listened attentively. Although she didn't understand the military matters, she could tell that His Highness spoke calmly.

It's like saying something you have to do sooner or later.

When does Your Highness plan to send troops?

"Soon," Su Ning said. "Once the New Year is over and the weather warms up, we should get moving."

Lin Wan nodded.

"Then Your Highness should rest well these next few months. Once the war starts, there will be no time to rest."

Su Ning looked at Lin Wan and felt very satisfied.

……

Three days later, the newlywed King of Qin appeared in the Chongyuan Palace.

When the civil and military officials saw him, they were all somewhat surprised.

"Your Highness, the King of Qin? Newly married, what brings you to court?"

"Shouldn't Your Highness rest at home for a few more days?"

Ignoring the stares, Su Ning walked straight to the front of the martial arts class and stood there.

On the throne, Guo Rong looked at Su Ning with a slight smile on his lips.

"Your Highness, on your wedding day, why don't you rest for a few more days?"

“Your Majesty,” Su Ning said, “military affairs are of utmost importance.”

Guo Rong nodded.

He knew his younger brother's personality.

Newlywed bliss and the pleasures of a romantic relationship are nothing compared to important matters in his eyes.

"Very well, let's discuss the Southern Tang today."

Inside the imperial study, maps were laid out.

Su Ning stood in front of the map, pointing to the densely packed cities on the north bank of the Yangtze River.

"Jingnan has been pacified, and the western gateway is wide open. What we need to do now is to advance on two fronts simultaneously."

"One route goes from Huaixi, taking Shouzhou and Haozhou, and heading straight for Chuzhou. The other route goes from Jingnan, taking Huangzhou and Qizhou, and going down the river."

"With the two armies joining forces at the gates of Jinling, the Southern Tang can be defeated in one battle."

Guo Rong stared intently at the map, his eyes gleaming.

"What about the Southern Tang navy? Can our navy defeat them?"

"We can't win," Su Ning said frankly. "The National Defense Navy has only been established for a short time and has not yet truly formed combat capability. We don't have as many ships as the Southern Tang, and our personnel are not as familiar with the Southern Tang. If we fight a direct battle by water, we will definitely lose."

"Then how do we cross the river?"

"But not across the river."

Guo Rong was stunned for a moment.

"But if we don't cross the river, how can we attack Nanjing?"

“Force them to cross the river,” Su Ning said. “The fourteen prefectures north of the river are the granary, salt fields, and financial center of the Southern Tang. If we lose the north of the river, the Southern Tang will only have half of the south of the river left. Li Jing cannot hold on.”

"He either sues for peace or sends troops across the river to plunder. If he sends troops across the river, his navy will be rendered useless. Once their troops are on land, can they be a match for the National Defense Army?"

Guo Rong's eyes lit up.

"You mean... lure them ashore to fight?"

“That’s right,” Su Ning said. “No matter how strong the Southern Tang navy is, it can only dominate on the water. Once it’s on land, the world is ours.”

The Imperial Study was quiet for a moment.

Wei Renpu was the first to speak, “This plan is brilliant. But there is one problem: there are fourteen prefectures north of the Yangtze River, with numerous cities. How long will it take to conquer them one by one?”

"Don't attack the city," Su Ning said. "Besiege the city and attack the reinforcements."

"Surround several major cities and lure the Southern Tang troops to their aid. Defeat them one wave after another. Once they are defeated and no longer dare to come, the garrison in the cities will naturally surrender."

Wei Renpu nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

He knew that the King of Qin had thought through every step of this battle.

Guo Rong looked at the map and remained silent for a long time. "Crown Prince, you will lead this battle."

Su Ning raised his head, "Does Your Majesty trust your younger brother?"

“I can trust you,” Guo Rong said. “I trusted you after the battle of Gaoping.”

Su Ning clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying, "Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission."

……

In the first month of the third year of Xiande, Guo Rong issued an edict to attack the Tang Dynasty.

The four Class A divisions of the National Defense Army—the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Divisions—along with the five Class B divisions—the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th Divisions, totaling 90,000 men, were led by the King of Qin and marched south in two routes.

The Sixth Division remained in Bianliang to protect the capital.

The navy sailed south along the canal and stationed itself in Chuzhou to support the land route.

The clarion call to conquer the south has finally sounded.

On the eve of his departure for the campaign, Su Ning returned to the palace.

Lin Wan had already had wine and food prepared.

It's very simple: a few home-style dishes and a pot of warm wine.

"Your Highness, you're leaving tomorrow?"

"Ah."

How long will it last?

"I don't know. Maybe six months, maybe a year."

Lin Wan nodded.

She didn't say anything like "take care" or "be careful," she just poured him a glass of wine.

"Your Highness, please finish this cup and get some rest."

Su Ning picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp. "Aren't you worried?"

Lin Wan shook her head. "What's the use of worrying? His Highness is going to war, not to play. I don't understand anything, so I can only wait in the manor until His Highness returns victorious."

Suning remained silent for a moment.

He suddenly reached out and gently squeezed her hand.

That hand was still so rough, still so steady.

"When I come back, I'll take you to see Jiangnan."

Lin Wan was taken aback. "Jiangnan?"

"Yes. After we take it down."

Lin Wan looked at Su Ning and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, yet it inexplicably warmed Su Ning's heart.

"it is good."

The next morning, Su Ning led his troops out to battle.

Outside Bianliang city, a large army was arrayed, its banners obscuring the sun.

Guo Rong personally escorted them to the city gate, where the two brothers stood facing each other.

“Your Highness,” Guo Rong said, “I await your triumphant return in Bianliang.”

Su Ning clasped his hands in a fist salute, "Your Majesty, please take care."

He mounted his horse, pulled on the reins, and glanced back at the majestic capital city.

The army set off, heading south in a rolling mass.

Behind them, Bianliang City gradually shrank, eventually becoming a blurry black dot on the horizon.

Ahead lies an unknown battlefield, a territory awaiting conquest.

……

In February of the third year of Xiande, the King of Qin personally led a large army south.

The army split into two routes: the Second Division advanced eastward from Jiangling, going down the river to contain the western front of the Southern Tang; the main force, personally commanded by Su Ning, consisted of three Class A divisions—the First, Third, and Fifth Divisions—plus five Class B divisions, marching in a mighty force toward the Huai River.

The army crossed the Ying River and entered the territory of Shouzhou.

The prefectures and counties along the way surrendered without resistance.

It wasn't that the defenders were weak; they simply couldn't fight.

Outside those cities, members of the Mingli Hall had been lying in wait for months, even a year. They knew the temperament of the garrison commander, who his trusted men were, how much grain was stored in the granaries, and which section of the city wall was the weakest point…

Everything was thoroughly investigated.

Moreover, as soon as the army arrived, the agents inside the city moved.

Some opened the city gates, some set fire to the military camps to create chaos, and some even beheaded the defending general.

The most amazing thing is that small county outside Shouzhou City.

The people of Minglitang bribed the younger brother of the city's garrison commander.

While his older brother was drunk, the younger brother stole the token, opened the city gate in the middle of the night, and led Zhou's army into the city.

When the constable sobered up, he was already tied up at the entrance of the county government office, looking at the city walls covered with Zhou army flags.

Suning's army crossed the Huai River with almost no resistance.

……

In mid-March, the vanguard had already reached the walls of Chuzhou.

Chuzhou, an important town north of the Yangtze River, was where the Southern Tang Dynasty stationed 5,000 troops.

The garrison commander's surname was Liu, and his given name was Renzhan. He was a veteran general of the Southern Tang Dynasty who had fought in battles and seen blood. He was not one of those who would back down at the slightest intimidation.

Suning set up a large camp outside the city and did not rush to attack it.

Where are the people from Minglitang?

Zhao Pu said, "In the city. He went in three months ago, posing as a grain merchant, and made contact with Liu Renzhan's quartermaster."

"Can you open the city gate?"

"The city gates cannot be opened. Liu Renzhan is strict in disciplining his troops, personally patrolling every night, and he doesn't even know when the password has been changed."

Suning nodded. "Then let's fight."

"promise."

The siege has begun.

The way the National Defense Forces attacked cities was completely different from that of this era.

It's not about piling up human lives, but about relying on equipment, tactics, and teamwork.

The catapults pounded the city walls day and night, creating gaps in them.

The ballistae were aimed at the city walls to suppress the archers of the defending troops.

Under cover of darkness, the engineers sneaked to the base of the city wall and planted gunpowder.

boom--

With a loud bang, a hole was blasted open in the city wall.

Soldiers of the National Defense Force poured in through the breach and engaged in street fighting with the defenders.

Liu Renzhan stood on the city wall, looking at the ferocious Zhou army, his face pale.

He had served in the military for thirty years and had never seen such a fighting style.

What is that gunpowder, that gunpowder that can blow up city walls?
He didn't know; all he knew was that the city couldn't be defended.

Then Liu Renzhan led his remaining troops into the inner city and held out for three days.

On the fourth day, the outer city fell completely, and the inner city was besieged.

The people from Minglitang finally showed up.

They found Liu Renzhan's nephew, a young man who was a junior colonel in the army.

The young man had been bribed long ago and had been waiting for this day.

That night, Liu Renzhan's nephew, accompanied by several trusted confidants, opened the small gate of the inner city.

The National Defense Forces quickly poured in.

Liu Renzhan was tied up in his sleep.

At daybreak, he was brought before Su Ning.

Su Ning sat in the makeshift command tent, looking at the gray-haired old general, "General Liu, shall we surrender or not?"

Liu Renzhan raised his head and stared at the young King of Qin. "What is that gunpowder of yours?"

"confidential."

Liu Renzhan was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed, "I've fought all my life, and this is the first time I've lost so convincingly."

Then he lowered his proud head.

The fall of Chuzhou sent shockwaves through the Jiangbei region.

Haozhou, Sizhou, Chuzhou, Yangzhou...

One city after another was either opened by an inside agent, breached by a large army, or had its people sent to surrender.

The net that Minglitang has cast over the past few years is finally ready to be pulled in.

Some of the spies who had been lurking in the Southern Tang Dynasty had waited for three years, some for two years, and the shortest wait was half a year.

They disguised themselves as merchants, accountants, down-on-their-luck scholars, and some even as beggars, staying in those cities for months at a time.

This is the day we've been waiting for.

Once the army arrived, they became the sharpest blades.

They were the ones who opened the city gates.

They were the ones who set fire to the grain.

They were the ones who turned the defending general against the enemy.

The Southern Tang's defense line north of the Yangtze River was thus torn to shreds.

……

In mid-April, Su Ning led his army to the outskirts of Yangzhou.

Yangzhou, the most important town in Huainan, was the source of the Southern Tang Dynasty's wealth.

The city was high and the moat was deep, with more than 10,000 soldiers guarding it. The general in charge was Li Jing's brother-in-law, surnamed Zhong, named Mo, a playboy who only knew how to enjoy himself.

The people at Minglitang had already figured him out.

This man is lustful, greedy, and terrified of death.

Before the city was even besieged, a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan came to the door, saying he would offer ten beautiful women in exchange for a way to live.

Zhong Mo stared wide-eyed at the beautiful women.

"What way out?"

"Open the city gates, surrender to the Great Zhou. General, you can secure wealth and honor."

Zhong Mo hesitated all night.

The next day, Zhong Mo nodded.

At night, the city gates were wide open.

The National Defense Army entered Yangzhou City without losing a single soldier.

……

When the news reached Jinling, Li Jing was drinking in the inner palace.

After hearing the report, the wine cup in his hand fell to the ground with a "clatter".

"Yangzhou...Yangzhou has been lost too?"

No one dared to answer.

Li Jing stood up, staggered to the window, and looked towards the north of the river.

That area was once his granary, his salt field, and his source of wealth.

Now, it's all gone.

"Where is Zhou Jun...?"

"Your Majesty, the vanguard has reached the Six Harmonies."

Six Harmonies.

Beyond Liuhe lies the Yangtze River.

Once you cross the Yangtze River, you'll reach Nanjing.

Li Jing slumped into a chair.

"Summon...summon all the ministers for a meeting..."

The discussion was pointless.

Of the fourteen prefectures north of the Yangtze River, twelve have been lost.

The remaining two were also surrounded by Zhou Jun.

The flag of the National Defense Army was planted all the way from the Huai River to the north bank of the Yangtze River.

In mid-May, Su Ning convened a military meeting in Yangzhou.

The map was laid out, showing the conditions of the various prefectures north of the Yangtze River...

Those who have surrendered are marked in red, those who have not surrendered in black, and those who are currently attacking are marked in yellow.

There are more red ones and fewer black ones.

“Jiangbei is settled,” Su Ning said. “Next, it’s Jiangnan.”

The generals in the tent were invigorated.

"Your Highness, when shall we cross the river?"

“No rush.” Su Ning pointed to the city on the opposite bank of the Yangtze River on the map. “Jiangnan is not like Jiangbei. The Southern Tang has been developing for decades, the city is fortified, but the people’s hearts are not yet with it. If we attack head-on, many people will die.”

"Then how do we fight?"

"Wait."

"Wait for what?"

"Let them make a mess of things themselves."

Su Ning said, "If Jiangbei is lost, the Southern Tang court will definitely start arguing. The pro-war and pro-peace factions will fight each other, and the emperor and prime minister will suspect each other. Let them argue, let them make a mess of things."

"We'll cross the river after they've made enough of a ruckus."

The generals nodded and accepted their orders.

……

In June, the National Defense Army began to cultivate land north of the river.

This wasn't just for show; it was genuine land reclamation.

The soldiers trained and farmed at the same time.

After six months, the army in Jiangbei was self-sufficient in food supplies, no longer needing to transport grain from the rear.

When the news reached Jinling, Li Jing was even more desperate.

Zhou Jun, however, was in no hurry to cross the river.

They are waiting.

Let the Southern Tang Dynasty rot away on its own.

But the most dangerous wars are the unseen ones, and Minglitang's spies have already been acting frantically for a long time.

The Southern Tang leadership also realized this, after all, Minglitang had already proven its strength with practical actions.

As a result, the entire Southern Tang court was filled with fear and unease, and Li Jing looked at everyone as if they were traitors.

In the autumn of the third year of Xiande, the entire Jiangbei region was pacified.

Su Ning led his army to garrison in Yangzhou, looking across the river towards Nanjing.

Across the Yangtze River, the flags of the Southern Tang Dynasty still fluttered.

But everyone knew that the flag wouldn't fly for much longer.

...(End of this chapter)