Isolated town in northern border region

The moment Zhou Xun stepped out of the tent, the sunlight fell directly on his shoulder.

The encirclement was complete. Yan soldiers stood in formation with swords at their sides, while Shu archers drew their bows and nocked arrows behind them.

Yan Ji and Yang Wei stood ten paces away, their faces bearing complex expressions.

Alertness, hesitation, and a barely perceptible lapse in composure.

Zhou Xun took two steps forward, with Tie Muyun following closely behind, gripping the hilt of his sword and scanning the archers with his eyes.

Zhou Xun didn't turn around; he simply raised his hand in Yan Ji's direction as if to greet him.

"Prince Yong, Lord Yang, are you making such a grand display because you're afraid I'll run away?"

Yan Ji did not respond.

Yang Wei turned away to avoid his gaze.

Zhou Xun paused for a moment, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and smiled warmly, looking just like a storyteller.

"This is... an attempt to take my life?"

"Did the Jing Kingdom force the Yan and Shu Kingdoms to choose sides?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Ji and Yang Wei's expressions changed, while Zhou Xun merely glanced at them and made his own judgment.

"I have something to say; you two can make a decision after you've heard it."

"The State of Jing is forcing you to go to war with the State of Chu. Think about it yourselves: does the State of Jing want you to win, or does it want you to hold the State of Chu back?"

"Once you and Chu are both severely weakened, will Jing help you clean up the mess, or will it take over Yan and Shu as well?"

Yan Ji's gaze shifted, and he turned to look at Yang Wei.

Zhou Xun continued.

"The State of Chu attacked the State of Chen because the State of Chen massacred the people of Jingzhou."

"The states of Yan and Shu did not massacre any cities. As long as you withdraw from the borders of Chu, I can assure you both that Chu will not take the initiative to wage war against Yan and Shu."

Yang Wei loosened his grip on the knife hilt slightly, and began to make plans in his mind.

Zhou Xun did not pause.

"And... if I were to die here today, what do you think my lord would do?"

He paused for a moment.

"The prince is a good person in every way, except he holds grudges!"

"Moreover, his method of holding grudges isn't exactly refined. He won't rebuke them in official documents; instead, he'll personally lead his troops to settle scores with each family one by one!"

"You two can make a bet... a bet that he might drag the states of Yan and Shu into a war of annihilation for the sake of the next person!"

Yan Ji and Yang Wei exchanged a glance.

Zhou Xun's threats were terrifying!

Killing him would truly invite Xiao Lie's endless revenge... The two of them dared not even imagine what that scene would be like.

Yan Ji remained silent for a long time, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Zhou Xun and Tie Muyun.

"You're just a strategist, would the King of the Northern Frontier really go to such lengths for you?"

Zhou Xun did not answer the question. He turned his head slightly and glanced in the direction of the Jing Kingdom envoy's camp in the distance.

"If I am not worth this price, why have you two led your troops here?"

Yan Ji didn't reply, but he was already certain in his heart—with Zhou Xun dead, Xiao Lie would really go mad!

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the gate.

Everyone's eyes turned in that direction at the same time.

A carriage was slowly entering the camp, with the flag of the State of Chu hanging on the carriage.

Zhou Xun's brow twitched slightly, and Yan Ji and Yang Wei were both taken aback.

After the carriage came to a stop, the curtain was lifted slightly, and Jiang Min stepped down from the carriage. She stood still, supported by her maid, and her gaze swept over the opposing military formations and the soldiers with swords. Then she looked at Yan Ji and Yang Wei, her tone as calm as if she were asking for directions.

"I am Jiang Min, the Princess Consort of the Northern Frontier of the Great Chu!"

"Judging from this scene, are you two planning to kill the envoy of my Great Chu?"

Yan Ji and Yang Wei exchanged a glance, and Yang Wei stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Highness is too kind. It is only because the Chu envoy has been ill for a long time that we thought of inviting him to go hunting to get some exercise."

Jiang Min ignored Yang Wei's excuse and took out a scroll from her sleeve and unfolded it.

"I have come today with the new letter of credence from the State of Chu."

"As long as the states of Yan and Shu withdraw their troops and cease their offensive against Chu, Chu will not only share the existing technology in the northern frontier, but will also establish equal trade relations with Yan and Shu."

"Tribute parity, trade routes, and technology sharing."

She paused for a moment.

"Furthermore... the State of Chu will never interfere in the internal affairs of the States of Yan and Shu."

Yanji's gaze fell on the scroll, then he looked up at her.

"Your Highness, how can you guarantee that this letter of credence won't just be another piece of paper used to buy time?"

Jiang Min looked at him.

"I am willing to remain here as a hostage!"

"As long as I remain in the Yan-Shu camp, the Northern Frontier King will not wage war against Yan-Shu."

"how?"

She paused.

"If you still don't believe me... then begin your hunt..."

"I'd like to see if your states of Yan and Shu will shed rivers of blood!"

The area in front of the tent remained quiet for a long time.

Tie Muyun's blade tilted slightly downwards, and Yan Ji's gaze shifted back and forth between Jiang Min and Zhou Xun, his heart trembling.

One Zhou Xun was already significant enough, and now we have a Northern Frontier Princess as well!

This Jiang Min is actually a princess of the Jing Kingdom!

If they really make a move, not only will they become mortal enemies with Xiao Lie, but they will also give Jing Kingdom a handle to use against them. Only a madman would do such a thing!

He finally spoke.

"Will the King of Northern Frontier agree to the princess staying here?"

Jiang Min did not answer directly.

"I have arrived."

She took back the scroll.

"If the two of you are willing, the State of Chu and the States of Yan and Shu will henceforth be friendly nations."

"If you don't want to..."

She glanced at the soldiers with knives.

"I will stand right here today; you may make your move."

Yan Ji remained silent for a long time.

Then he turned around and waved to the guards behind him.

"Step back."

The soldiers sheathed their swords and retreated.

Yan Ji bowed slightly to Jiang Min.

"Your Highness, I will have someone prepare a tent for you in the camp."

"Let's discuss the letter of state after the King of Northern Frontier returns victorious..."

Yang Wei said with a smile.

"Exactly, exactly!"

"I'm sorry to trouble the Princess Consort these past few days."

Jiang Min watched his departing figure without answering, simply tucking her hand back into her sleeve, still exuding elegance and grace.

Jiang Min turned and walked towards Zhou Xun, whose face was paler than before.

"Your Highness! You shouldn't have come!"

Jiang Min looked at him.

"When the prince left the capital, he instructed that if the Jing Kingdom interfered behind the scenes, he should let me out for a stroll."

"If I hadn't come, you wouldn't be leaving today."

Zhou Xun lowered his head.

"I can postpone it a little longer!"

"Your worth is far greater than my worthless life!"

Jiang Min shook her head.

"You think I'm just here to save you?"

"You are in charge of the northern frontier and are familiar with the allocation of resources in various factories. Hurry back to the capital and make up for the Prince's logistics."

"Railways, factories, and transportation lines must be restored as soon as possible!"

"The prince is still fighting on the Chen side, the cannonballs can't be stopped."

"My brother has already dealt with the Sima family. If he were to completely seize control of the Jing Kingdom's military... things would be in grave danger!"

Zhou Xun was taken aback upon hearing this, but instantly understood the whole story.

"Every second counts!"

"Your Highness, please bear with this for a few more days. I will certainly assist Your Highness in conquering the Chen Kingdom as soon as possible!"

When news of Jiang Min staying in the Yan-Shu camp reached the Chu Kingdom, someone smashed a cup in a teahouse in the capital.

"The princess is alone in the enemy camp! The prince is still fighting on the front lines, how can this be allowed!"

"Have all the men of my great Chu lost their balls?!"

Someone responded.

"But if the Princess hadn't risked her life, how could the Yan and Shu kingdoms have possibly withdrawn their troops?"

"Now that the Prince is still attacking Chen, if Yan and Shu were to send troops at the same time, Great Chu would be in grave danger!"

Someone was silent for a moment.

"Princess of Jing Kingdom, Queen Consort of the Northern Frontier... This woman is truly extraordinary."

After a moment of silence in the court, Xie Anlan spoke.

"No one in the entire Great Chu can match the Princess's actions!"

"How utterly shameful!"

No one refuted.

After Zhou returned to the capital, he immediately began to reorganize the city.

He led his men to the damaged smelting plant and sent others to repair the destroyed railway section.

Qian Wanli mobilized supplies from Yongzhou overnight, and Chen Hu replanned the transportation route on the southern front.

The Great Chu is gradually recovering from the war and destruction.

Meanwhile, Xiao Lie, far away on the battlefield in Chen, was leading his army to conquer cities and territories in the south.

Luo Daniu captured a prisoner, asked him a few questions, and then kicked him.

"Say it again, where is your king?"

The prisoner pointed in a direction, trembling.

"In...in Yingzhou..."

Xiao Lie did not turn around.

"Reorganize the troops and continue south."

Luo Daniu chased after him.

"Your Highness, what about the Princess Consort...?"

Xiao Lie waved his hand.

"Rest assured, no one in the world dares to touch my woman!"

"Any action...will lead to the destruction of the nation!"