The imperial court is ceding territory from our northern border? Then we'll rebel!

News of the great victory at Shuobei City and the defeat of the three-tribe allied forces spread like wildfire throughout the entire northern frontier.

For a time, Xiao Jingchen and his Northern Frontier Army reached the peak of their prestige.

Those northern border cities and local forces that had initially adopted a wait-and-see attitude due to the tense relationship between the imperial court and the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion sent envoys to congratulate Xiao Jingchen and pledge their loyalty.

In a very short time, the entire northern frontier was effectively unified and firmly controlled by Xiao Jingchen.

But Xiao Jingchen's goal was clearly not limited to that.

"My lord, Ashina Sun has led his remaining troops back to the grasslands. Our scouts report that they were ambushed by several reinforcements of defeated troops from the Eastern Frontier along the way, suffering heavy casualties. By the time they reach the royal court, it is estimated that less than ten thousand men will remain."

In the study of the Marquis's residence, Lei Lie excitedly reported the latest military intelligence.

"After this battle, the allied forces of the three races will be unable to advance south for at least ten years. The northern frontier is now completely secure."

Xiao Jingchen nodded, but there wasn't much joy on his face.

He walked to the huge sand table and his gaze fell on a city called "Yunzhou" in the southeast of Shuobei City.

Yunzhou, located at the junction of northern Xinjiang and the Central Plains, is a vital transportation hub connecting the two regions and holds an extremely important strategic position.

The city's garrison commander was a trusted confidant personally promoted by the Empress after her ascension to the throne. He commanded 30,000 troops and had always obeyed only the orders of the imperial court.

It can be said that Yunzhou was a nail driven into the throat of the northern frontier by the imperial court.

"What's going on in Yunzhou?" Xiao Jingchen asked.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Li Huai, the garrison commander of Yunzhou, has ordered martial law throughout the city after receiving the imperial decree to punish you. It's clear he intends to fight us to the death," Black Crow replied from the side.

"Hmph, a sycophant who only knows how to flatter dares to block the Marquis's army?" Lei Lie said disdainfully. "My lord, give the order! This humble general is willing to lead five thousand iron cavalry and within three days, we will surely take Yunzhou and bring back Li Huai's head for you!"

"We'll definitely have to fight," Xiao Jingchen said, tapping his fingers lightly on the sand table. "But we don't necessarily have to use knives."

Lei Lie and Black Crow were both taken aback.

"My lord, you mean to..."

Xiao Jingchen didn't answer directly, but turned to look at the door: "Let her in."

Soon, Princess Li Qingluan, who had changed into an elegant long dress but still exuded a noble air, slowly walked in.

After three days of struggle and deliberation, she finally chose to compromise.

Because she wanted to live.

"Greetings, Lord Marquis." She curtsied slightly to Xiao Jingchen, her posture very humble.

"No need for formalities." Xiao Jingchen gestured to the chair beside him. "Sit."

Li Qingluan sat down as instructed, feeling uneasy, wondering why Xiao Jingchen had summoned her.

"Your Highness, I need you to write an imperial edict for me," Xiao Jingchen said bluntly.

"Imperial edict?" Li Qingluan was stunned.

"That's right." A meaningful smile appeared on Xiao Jingchen's lips. "A 'secret edict' written by you, Princess Chang Le, and stamped with your personal seal, addressed to Li Huai, the garrison commander of Yunzhou."

Li Qingluan instantly understood Xiao Jingchen's intention.

He was planning to forge an imperial edict!

"The contents of the secret edict are very simple," Xiao Jingchen continued. "It says that the court's attack on me is just a pretext to lull me into a false sense of security. In reality, Her Majesty the Empress has a meticulous plan to lure me into the capital and capture me all at once."

"The imperial edict orders Li Huai to abandon Yunzhou and lead his 30,000 troops to immediately and secretly retreat south to a designated location outside the capital to participate in the encirclement and suppression of this marquis."

"You must tell him that this is an excellent opportunity to redeem himself and atone for his sins. If he does it well, His Majesty will not only pardon his involvement with the 'traitorous princess,' but will also promote and ennoble him."

Li Qingluan was terrified.

This scheme was undeniably ruthless.

Li Huai was a confidant of the Empress and was extremely loyal to her.

As for her, she was a "traitorous princess," and Li Huai would definitely suspect the orders she gave.

However, precisely because she is a "traitorous princess" and has now fallen into Xiao Jingchen's hands, the orders she sends out have become even more deceptive.

What would Li Huai think?

He wondered if this was a fake imperial edict that Xiao Jingchen had forced the princess to write.

But then he would think, what if... what if it's true?

What if this really is His Majesty using me, the "traitorous princess," to deliver a true order?

After all, his collusion with foreign enemies has been exposed. It is only reasonable for His Majesty to use him, the "discarded pawn," to do some shady things in order to clear himself of any involvement.

Once Li Huai harbored such doubts and wishful thinking, he found himself in a dilemma.

If defending the city is indeed the emperor's will, then he would be disobeying the imperial decree and missing out on a tremendous opportunity.

If the imperial edict is found to be fake, withdrawing the troops would be considered abandoning the city and fleeing, which would be an even more serious crime.

This was a multiple-choice question that could drive him insane.

"Will he... will he believe it?" Li Qingluan asked uncertainly.

"Whether he believes it or not is not important," Xiao Jingchen smiled. "What is important is that this imperial edict will turn him into a frightened bird."

"Then, let's add fuel to the fire."

Xiao Jingchen looked at Lei Lie: "You shall immediately lead an army of ten thousand to the gates of Yunzhou. However, surround the city but do not attack."

"Every day, they would drill and shout outside the city, making it seem like they were about to attack, putting pressure on him."

"At the same time, we composed a ballad about our great victory in the northern frontier, the defeat of the three-ethnic coalition, the defection of tens of thousands of troops in the eastern frontier, the turmoil in the capital, and the lack of response to the Empress's decree to punish the rebels. We had the soldiers sing it down in front of the city."

"I want every soldier in Yunzhou City to know that their general is leading them to fight a war that is doomed to failure and is unpopular."

"I want to demoralize them and extinguish their fighting spirit."

Lei Lie nodded repeatedly, a smile of excitement spreading across his face: "I understand, My Lord! This is called winning hearts and minds!"

"Finally," Xiao Jingchen's gaze returned to Li Qingluan, "after the imperial edict is written, I will arrange for someone to 'secretly' deliver it to Li Huai. At the same time, I will also have someone 'accidentally' leak the news that 'the princess's secret edict summons Li Huai to abandon the city and head south' to the other deputy generals and soldiers in Yunzhou City."

Li Qingluan's pupils suddenly contracted.

She finally understood Xiao Jingchen's entire plan.

This was the winning goal!

When Li Huai received this secret edict, the authenticity of which was difficult to discern, he was already hesitant.

Outside the city, Xiao Jingchen's army was pressing in, their morale soaring.

Inside the city, morale among the troops was wavering, and rumors were rampant.

At this critical juncture, he learned that his "plot to abandon the city" had been leaked!

What will he think?

He would think that there was a spy of Xiao Jingchen in the city! That his own deputy was going to betray him!

He will be plunged into immense suspicion and panic.

At that point, he would only have two choices.

Alternatively, he could defend Yunzhou to the death in order to prove his innocence, but could he hold out against a demoralized army and a large, menacing force outside the city?

Or, if all else fails, just go all the way and follow the "secret order," take your trusted confidants, and abandon the city overnight!

No matter which option he chooses, Yunzhou City will fall without a fight!

Having figured all this out, Li Qingluan looked at the young marquis before her and, for the first time, felt a sense of awe.

This man's scheming is terrifyingly deep.

He wasn't fighting a war at all; he was manipulating people's hearts.

……

Five days later.

An urgent letter from Yunzhou arrived on Xiao Jingchen's desk.

The letter was sent by Lei Lie.

The letter contained only one sentence:

"My lord, Li Huai has escaped, and Yunzhou City has been captured."