In a chaotic and famine-stricken era, I picked up an empress to be my wife.

At this moment, Yuwen Bingyu was like a female dog.

Even with her face swollen from being slapped, she still tried her best to put on a flattering smile.

"Lord Shen, you said you'd do anything I could to help you!"

"The first thing I need to do is take over your territory. I need your cooperation in this process to reduce local resistance."

"I will absolutely cooperate on this matter! I believe you are far more capable than I am in governing Nanling Prefecture. So, what is the second matter?"

"The second thing is, I've heard that your Yuwen family has a legendary military treatise. Is it in your possession?" Shen An asked.

"This military treatise is not in my possession. If it were, I wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat," Yuwen Bingyu replied.

"Wrong! Even if you had that military treatise, you would still be utterly defeated," Shen An retorted.

Yuwen Bingyu was unconvinced. Although she seemed to have regained her senses now, she still thought she was very capable. She was just unlucky and had encountered some unreliable men.

If she had that military treatise, she would definitely be able to turn the tide.

Their family's military treatise, named Yuwen Divine Weapon, was created by their ancestor Yuwen Ba, who was hailed as the God of War. There were even rumors that obtaining that treatise would bring one closer to unifying the world!

However, she dared not reveal her true thoughts, instead saying, "Our Yuwen family's military treatise was lost many years ago, but if you wish, I can try to find it for you!"

"No need, I'm just a little interested." Shen An waved his hand.

That military treatise by Yuwen Shenbing might seem impressive to others, but if it were truly that powerful, the Yuwen family would have unified the world long ago.

Moreover, can that so-called military strategy compare to Sun Tzu's Art of War?

Can it compare to the devastating impact of modern machinery on ancient military tactics?

He was only slightly interested.

"From now on, you just stay here and behave yourself. I'll come find you when I need you!"

Shen An got up to leave.

Yuwen Bingyu was unwilling to give up and tried to seduce Shen An with her beauty, but Shen An kicked her and broke three of her ribs, causing her to lie on the ground and wail.

When he returned to his residence, Wang Junfeng and the three teams he had sent out to gather information had already returned.

"You guys go first!" Shen An pointed to the captains of the three squads.

"The fleeing soldiers fled towards Nanling Prefecture."

"Li Huaiyi led his soldiers towards Yangnan Prefecture, and they have now fled a hundred miles away."

"Yuwen Qin also led his men towards Nanling Prefecture."

"My lord, it seems that Yuwen Qin intends to take advantage of this opportunity to seize Nanling Prefecture!" Liu Wenyuan saw through his thoughts.

This was all within Shen An's expectations, which is why he chose to spare Yuwen Bingyu's life for the time being.

She still wields considerable influence in Nanling Prefecture. Even if Yuwen Qin takes control of Nanling Prefecture, he won't be able to hold onto it for long!

After Shen An shared his thoughts, Liu Wenyuan immediately realized that Shen An was a well-rounded leader and truly deserved to be their lord.

"So when shall we take Yuwen Bingyu to Nanling Prefecture?" Wang Junfeng asked.

"We need to make sure Li Huaiyi has completely escaped before we go! Now tell me about the results of this battle."

"My lord, we suffered 130 dead and 321 wounded in this battle."

The harvest included 10,000 bows and arrows, 300,000 arrows, 120,000 swords, 10,000 sets of armor, 500,000 shi of grain, and 8,000 horses.

"Three thousand soldiers have surrendered!" Wang Junfeng reported.

Shen An was very satisfied. Whether it was swords, bows and arrows, or armor, everything could be melted down and remade.

Five hundred thousand shi of grain could greatly replenish their food reserves.

The number of horses exceeded his expectations.

The three thousand who surrendered, along with some of the people of Julu Prefecture who had witnessed the benefits Shen An could bring them, also saw a significant number join the army.

Shen An's total military strength has now reached 35,000 men.

The city of Qingyang is garrisoned by 10,000 men.

Five thousand in Qingping County, twenty thousand in Julu City!

Compared to a few months ago, his strength has greatly increased.

"Liu Wenyuan, triple the compensation for the deceased and make sure it is delivered to their families before nightfall. Also, ensure that the injured receive proper medical treatment."

"If anyone is left with a disability, has difficulty living, and is unable to continue serving in the military, in addition to receiving a discharge pay, they will also need to be provided with monthly food rations to ensure their livelihood," Shen An ordered.

Liu Wenyuan was deeply shocked by Shen An's words.

What kind of magnanimity does one possess to treat his soldiers so well?

But Shen An was simply using modern systems to win people's hearts. They were shocked, but they had never experienced such a thing before.

The next morning.

When the news arrived, Li Huaiyi had already gone north completely.

Shen An made a decisive decision, leaving 5,000 soldiers to guard the city while he led 15,000 troops to Nanling Prefecture.

At the same time, it allows people to get some fresh air.

Yuwen Qin betrayed Yuwen Bingyu.

Yuwen Bingyu is currently leading a large army to punish Yuwen Qin, the traitor.

However, Shen An's army had just left the city.

A horse-drawn carriage blocked the army's path.

"Who dares to block the way? Get out of here, or you'll be killed without mercy!"

Wang Junfeng stepped forward.

Yuwen Bingyu thought someone had come to rescue her, but when the sedan chair came out, she found a stunningly beautiful stranger dressed in red.

The person who arrived was Luo Li.

Several days ago, she had already come to Qingyang City from the capital. After inquiring, she learned that Shen An was in Julu Prefecture.

When she arrived.

Yuwen Bingyu and others then attacked.

She was blocked outside and wanted to take a detour, but she also wanted to help Shen An, so she went to the vicinity to call for help.

By the time she found someone, the battle was already over!

This made her quite depressed.

When Shen An saw Luo Li from afar, his first thought was that she should never call him her best friend in front of everyone.

They immediately ordered someone to quickly escort her into the sedan chair.

The sedan chair wasn't spacious, but Luo Li was very happy. She smiled and pinched Shen An's cheek, saying, "My dear sister, it's been so long! Did you miss me?"

"I want to, I want to..." Shen An said against his will, "I wonder what brings you here to see me today?"

Luo Li is straightforward; she doesn't hide anything.

Not only did they reveal her purpose, but they even revealed her father's words that if they couldn't win Shen An over, he would kill her.

She then grabbed Shen An's hand anxiously and said, "My dear sister, I don't want to lose you. Why don't you go with my father? With him around, he'll definitely be able to help you become the Great General of our Great Liang Kingdom."

Shen An sneered inwardly; Luo Tian really thought too highly of himself.

A prime minister may seem to have great power, but in reality, unless the imperial army comes, what can an official do to kill a warlord like him?

You want to threaten him?

"Luo Li, thank you for coming to tell me all this. However, I do not want to get involved in the factional struggles within the court, so I cannot serve your father," Shen An said.

"I knew you'd say that."

Luo Li wasn't surprised at all: "However, I still advise you to cooperate with my father."

My father said that after news of your affair reached the capital, many of the assassins under Princess Gaoping's command headed towards Yangnan Prefecture.

This means Princess Gaoping's people want to kill you!

If you cooperate with my father, he will protect you.

Shen An knew that Luo Li would never lie to him.

This means that Princess Gaoping really did send someone to kill him.

There has been no movement so far, not only because he has experts by his side, but also because the city is under lockdown due to the war, preventing Princess Gaoping's people from entering.

Shen An had thought Princess Gaoping was no good before, and now it seems she really is!

She's still a ruthless and decisive person, which is completely different from the kind aunt Dugu Meng remembers.

"The assassins that Princess Gaoping kept were mostly famous figures in the martial arts world, and they never failed."

"Without my father's protection, you would hardly have survived!"

Luo Li was so anxious she cried. She really didn't want Shen An to be killed. With tears welling up in her eyes, she pleaded, "Waaah, my dear sister, please promise me! I really don't want to lose you!"