You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

That night, the city of Jiankang was filled with the sounds of battle.

Buddhist spies were everywhere, and the Sui Dynasty spies met a tragic end with the cooperation of the Imperial Guards and the Yin Gui Sect masters.

.......

The next morning, in the Imperial Study.

Zhang Lihua sat upright behind the imperial desk, dressed in elegant palace attire, yet her eyes held a lingering weariness and coldness.

With a creak, the door opened.

Two men entered the imperial study one after the other and bowed respectfully.

"This is to inform Your Highness the Noble Consort!"

"Last night, following the Empress's decree, the entire city was pacified."

"We, the Imperial Guards, together with the experts of the Yin Gui Sect, destroyed a total of seventeen Buddhist spies and killed 1,243 Buddhist spies."

"Five hundred and thirty-five people have been captured and are currently being held in the dungeon and interrogated."

He paused briefly, then continued, "More than a thousand packets of poison that had not yet been used were found in their lair."

A cold glint flashed in Zhang Lihua's eyes, her red lips parted slightly, and her voice, though calm, carried a chilling edge:

"Pass on the order."

"The Imperial Guards and the Yin Gui Sect will continue their investigation. All those implicated, whether monks or laypeople, will be executed without exception once verified."

"Furthermore, from today onwards, all four gates of Jiankang will be locked; entry is permitted, but exit is not."

"All city gates and market entrances were guarded day and night by elite imperial guards, who strictly checked all people coming and going."

"If anything is suspicious, seize it immediately!"

She paused briefly, then tapped her fingertips heavily on the report on the table regarding the discovery of poison: "And..."

"Have heavy guards stationed at all wells and waterway confluences throughout the city!"

"All the experts from the Yin Gui Sect who are skilled in using and detoxifying poisons have been dispatched to patrol the water source continuously for twelve hours."

"Anyone who intends to approach the water source or whose behavior is suspicious shall be executed immediately without prior authorization!"

Her gaze swept over the two people standing solemnly in the hall, and her tone was resolute: "Tell the people below that in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken."

"Better to kill the innocent than let one guilty person go free!"

"Anyone who neglects their duty at this critical juncture, or shows leniency... I will send them to join those bald monks!"

"Did you understand everything?"

"We understand!"

The two men were startled, responded in unison, bowed to accept the order, and left the hall to make arrangements.

Zhang Lihua sat alone behind her desk, watching the dawn break outside the window, lost in thought...

Military control was just the beginning; the real bloodshed was only just beginning.

She must use the most ruthless methods to eradicate all the hidden dangers in this city and crush them to dust in the shortest possible time!

Thinking of this, a sense of resentment inexplicably arose in my heart.

Aaaaaaahh ...

You haven't bothered me for so long, yet I still have to rack my brains to secure your rear according to your instructions?

I must have owed you something in my past life!

Zhang Lihua's ability to act so quickly and accurately was largely due to Fan Qinghui and Bi Xiuxin.

If it weren't for these two women's confession, how could they have uncovered the spies sent by the Buddhist sect and the Sui Dynasty so quickly?

.......

At this moment, inside the commander's tent of the Sui army's temporary camp.

Yang Su paced back and forth, his face grim. He and the Sui generals, including Yang Guang, also had deep gazes and solemn expressions.

Just then, the curtain was suddenly flung open, and a woman dressed in a plain white dress, with an ethereal air and an undisguised look of shock and anger between her brows, strode in.

This woman was none other than Yun Xiangzhen, one of the core experts from Cihang Jingzhai who accompanied the army this time.

She gave a slight bow to Yang Su and Yang Guang, saying, "Reporting to Grand Tutor and Your Highness, Prince Jin!"

"Our rear supply lines have indeed been attacked!"

"The 30,000 shi of grain being transported, along with the 2,000 elite soldiers escorting it, have all been wiped out!"

"What?"

The generals in the tent were in an uproar, and Yang Guang suddenly stood up, his face drained of color.

Being cut off from supplies is a major taboo in military operations!

Yang Su's pupils suddenly contracted, and she abruptly stopped, her sharp gaze fixed on Yun Xiangzhen. Her voice was terrifyingly low: "Where are the eight Innate Realm experts who were escorting the grain supplies with the army?"

Yun Xiangzhen took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Reporting to the Grand Tutor..."

"They were all killed in battle; not a single one survived!"

"This shows that there are quite a few skilled warriors in the Chen army!"

Upon hearing this, the tent fell into an instant of deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop.

"well......"

Yang Su slowly closed his eyes and sighed, "I underestimated my opponent..."

"What a brilliant move by Zhang Zhongjian! What a masterful tactic of luring the enemy deep into our territory!"

"He abandoned Nanxu, feigning weakness to lure our army into this region where supplies are scarce and we are constantly constrained!"

"It seems we need to rearrange things."

"The best course of action now is for the army to hold its ground and not to advance rashly."

"I will immediately dispatch more skilled soldiers and elite cavalry to reinforce the rear, wipe out the remaining enemy forces, and ensure the supply lines are cleared and secured!"

"Supplies are the lifeblood of an army; they cannot be lost!"

"Grand Tutor!"

"Absolutely not!"

Yang Guang abruptly stood up, interrupting Yang Su: "Jiankang City is now within reach, only a few hundred miles away!"

"Our army's momentum from the recent victory has not yet dissipated; how can we allow ourselves to falter because of a minor setback?"

"If we rest and recuperate on the spot now, wouldn't that play right into Zhang Zhongjian's hands, giving him a chance to catch his breath?"

He stepped forward and explained his strategy: "In my opinion, not only can we not defend it, but we should immediately advance and march straight for Jiankang!"

"Firstly, Zhang Zhongjian, in order to lure us deeper into his territory, did not hesitate to abandon the defense of Nanxu and deployed his main force to attack our supply lines from the outer lines. At this moment, the defenses of Jiankang must be vulnerable!"

"The city is where the Southern Chen dynasty's treasury is located; its stockpiles of grain, fodder, and weapons must be plentiful!"

"The city is where the Southern Chen dynasty's treasury is located; its stockpiles of grain, fodder, and weapons must be plentiful!"

"If our army can seize Jiankang in one fell swoop, it will not only instantly collapse the morale and central government of the Chen state, but also seize a large amount of supplies to sustain the war!"

"One strike to decide the fate of the world!"

"Secondly, even if we cannot capture the city immediately, our army can follow the ancient tactic of 'obtaining supplies from the enemy'!"

"The area surrounding Jiankang was the most prosperous region in Southern Chen, with dense villages and towns and full granaries."

"The army will forage for food in enemy territory, camp outside the city, and divide its forces to collect provisions in all directions. This will be sufficient to sustain the army and allow us to besiege Jiankang!"

"Thirdly, to ensure everything goes smoothly, we can immediately send someone to Daxing to ask the King to issue an edict inviting more top experts from Buddhist sects such as Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Chanzong to come out of seclusion and help us."

"And I request that Father King dispatch additional elite cavalry and military supplies to escort the remaining provisions along the way, ensuring the safety of my rear!"

Yang Guangguang looked intently at Yang Su: "Grand Tutor!"

"A fleeting opportunity!"

"The real trouble will come when Zhang Zhongjian eliminates internal threats and strengthens the city's defenses!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Su did not reply immediately. Instead, he lowered his gaze, staring at the map on the table, remaining silent for a long time.

After a full half-cup of tea time, he slowly raised his head: "What Your Highness Prince Jin said is not without reason."

As the art of war says, "Strike unexpectedly and attack where the enemy is unprepared."

"With Zhang Zhongjian's main force roaming outside, Jiankang may indeed be vulnerable."

"Taking advantage of their inability to attend to both internal and external affairs, and striking directly at their heart is indeed a risky move, but it could also be a brilliant one."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious: "However, to carry out this thunderous strike, we still lack a crucial support."

Yang Guang: "What is the Grand Tutor referring to...?"

Yang Su: "Does Your Highness still remember that the six great families of Southern Chen have already secretly sent envoys north to express their willingness to pledge allegiance?"

"That's natural."

Yang Guang nodded: "Didn't the Sui Dynasty reach an agreement with them?"

Yang Su shook his head and said, "But there are some things His Majesty has not agreed to for them."

"If His Highness Prince Jin, in the name of our Great Sui Dynasty, clearly agrees to the main conditions previously proposed by the six great families of Southern Chen, in exchange for their immediate and full loyalty and support."

"Then their private soldiers and granaries will be used by our army!"

"Only with their tangible support can we continue our advance!"

"Otherwise, we can only hold our ground and protect our supply lines first before considering anything else."

This……

Yang Guang was in a dilemma; this was an act of usurpation!

How can I presume to do what my father has not agreed to?

At this moment, another soldier burst into the commander's tent.

"I hereby report to the Grand Tutor and to His Highness the Prince of Jin."

"News just came from Jiankang: the representatives of the six major families have all been abducted and murdered!"

Is this really true?

Yang Su suddenly took a step forward, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. His previous solemnity vanished, replaced by an unbelievable ecstasy!

The soldier, intimidated by the Grand Tutor's imposing presence, quickly lowered his head and said, "It's absolutely true!"

"The news comes from our multiple undercover contacts in Jiankang. Core members of the six great families have been ambushed and killed by mysterious experts on the official road outside the city, almost..."

"They were almost all captured!"

Yang Su was slightly taken aback at first, then burst into laughter: "Hahaha...!"

"good!"

"What a fine Chen Shubao!"

"What a foolish and self-destructive ruler!"

"Your Highness, this is the tyrannical emperor severing ties with the gentry of Jiangnan!"

"He's afraid the six great families aren't defecting fast enough, so he's personally offering us a 'pledge of allegiance'!"

Yang Guang finally realized that the six great families had been robbed. Who else but a tyrannical emperor could have done it?

His face flushed instantly, and he was so excited that he almost clapped and cheered!

Originally, they were struggling with whether to overstep their bounds and agree to the aristocratic family's conditions, but now this problem has been easily solved!

"What an utterly ridiculous and stupid fool!"

"Although the six great families have been secretly colluding with our Great Sui Dynasty, they have not yet openly rebelled and are still observing and waiting for the right price!"

"That Chen Shubao, he's so eager to purge 'his own people' on our behalf!"

Yang Guang grew increasingly excited as he spoke: "Does this fool really think that he can intimidate the powerful clans that have been entrenched for hundreds of years with just a few assassination attempts?"

"He's stirred up a hornet's nest!"

"He is telling all the gentry of Jiangnan that those who submit to me will not necessarily prosper, while those who oppose me will surely perish!"

"After this incident, what way out do the six great families have?"

"What luck is there left to be had?!"

Yang Su interjected, "At this moment, the six great families must be filled with fear and dread!"

"That tyrannical ruler can kill the sons he sent back to their hometowns today, and tomorrow he can slaughter their entire families!"

"If they don't completely surrender to our Great Sui, they'll be sitting here waiting to die!"

"That's right!" Yang Guang nodded vigorously. "They have no interest in haggling over conditions with us now."

"Survival and revenge are the top priorities!"

"They must, and have no choice but to, pledge allegiance to our Great Sui!"

After a pause, Yang Guang ordered, "Pass on the order!"

"Immediately write letters in my name and send them to all the major noble families!"

"Tell them that the Great Sui army is here to mourn the people and punish the guilty, and is willing to join hands with the gentry of Jiangnan in this righteous cause to overthrow the tyrannical and incompetent ruler!"