At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

noon.

Dust billowed and war drums beat low over the vast training ground of the Yan Kingdom's main camp.

Thousands of Yan soldiers lined up for drills, their armor clanging, their spears rising and falling in perfect unison, their shouts shaking the heavens.

For days, the troops have been stationed outside the pass, holding back their troops. The soldiers have been practicing formations and sharpening their weapons every day, and they can no longer suppress their fighting spirit. They are just waiting for the order to attack so that they can rush to the battlefield and crush the Daqian Pass.

A biting autumn wind swept across the drill ground, stirring up a cloud of yellow sand. Accompanied by the orderly marching of soldiers and the clanging of weapons, the sounds of a solemn military camp filled the air.

Just as the entire army was conducting orderly drills, a rapid and loud command suddenly rang out from the direction of the camp gate, penetrating all other sounds and resounding throughout the entire drill ground!

"Sound the bugle and assemble! All troops, assemble immediately! No mistakes allowed!"

Two military orders were issued in quick succession, followed by the sharp sound of bugles...

The mournful bugle call, deep and resonant, pierced through the clouds, signaling the highest order for the entire army to assemble urgently!

The soldiers from all units who were training stopped in unison, and without hesitation, immediately returned to their ranks.

The soldiers, who had been scattered and training, ran quickly, kicking up clouds of dust, and swiftly assembled in formation according to the military order.

In a short while, on the vast training ground, countless Yan soldiers stood in neat rows, layer upon layer, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Swords and spears stood like a forest, and the imposing military might was overwhelming, making the surrounding air feel stagnant.

Within the ranks, countless soldiers whispered amongst themselves, their faces filled with a mixture of surprise and excitement.

"What's going on? Why the sudden emergency assembly during a normal training session?"

"I don't know! We've been holding back for days, and there's never been such an urgent mobilization order before. Could something serious have happened?"

"Judging from this situation, war is most likely about to break out!"

These words instantly ignited the pent-up restlessness of all the soldiers.

A young soldier's eyes gleamed with excitement. He gripped his spear tightly, his face filled with eager anticipation. He chuckled softly, "Finally, the war is about to begin! Being stuck in camp every day, training the same monotonous moves, my bones are practically stiff! I've been itching to go!"

"In my opinion, it must be that the higher-ups have finally given the order to launch a full-scale attack on Duanyun Pass!"

"This Duanyun Pass has blocked the path of our Great Yan army for too long; it should have been breached long ago, allowing us to penetrate deep into the heart of the Great Qian!"

The people around him echoed his sentiments, their fighting spirit surging.

"We've long heard that the Central Plains of the Great Qian Dynasty are rich and prosperous, overflowing with gold, silver, and grain, far surpassing our southern borderlands! If we break through and invade the Great Qian this time, we brothers will surely reap abundant benefits!"

A man nearby immediately started teasing, his eyes gleaming suggestively: "Hahaha! I think you're not after the money and supplies, you're eyeing the beauties of the Great Qian Dynasty!"

These words instantly drew laughter from those around them, and the atmosphere in the military camp, which had been oppressive for many days, suddenly became lively.

"Who doesn't yearn for it! Everyone in the world knows that the land and water of the Great Qian nurture its people; the women of the Central Plains are all delicate-skinned, gentle, and beautiful, so tender and radiant, completely different from the spirited women of ours beyond the Great Wall!"

"That's right! The Great Qian Dynasty is prosperous. The women of noble families live in luxury and are stunningly beautiful, while ordinary women are also gentle and charming! This time, our army broke through the pass and won the battle. We can take some money and grain and bring back a few beauties. That will make our hard work on the battlefield worthwhile!"

The young soldiers laughed and joked freely, their words blunt and rough, full of the arrogance and bravery of the iron cavalry from beyond the Great Wall.

The boredom of days spent on guard duty and waiting for orders dissipated, replaced by fervor and anticipation for the upcoming battlefield and the plunder of the Central Plains.

Everyone's emotions were rising rapidly, and the fighting spirit and noise in the entire training ground became increasingly intense.

Just as the three armies were discussing the matter and their morale was high, a tall and imposing figure stepped slowly onto the central command platform, his feet brushing against the dust.

The black iron heavy armor gleamed, the shoulder armor was ferocious and domineering, and the sword at his waist was menacing and intimidating. He was none other than Murong Di, the commander-in-chief of the Yan Kingdom's front line!

He stood tall and imposing on the high platform, looking down with a cold gaze sweeping over the thousands of soldiers densely packed below.

With just a glance, the noisy and chaotic training ground instantly fell silent, all the discussions abruptly ceasing, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The overwhelming military might was fully unleashed!

Murong Di raised his hand, his voice booming like a great bell, carrying a chilling military might, and resounding throughout the heavens and earth: "Guards! Bring the dog emperor of the Great Qian to the stage!"

These few words resounded like thunder in the ears of all the soldiers!

In an instant, the entire training ground fell into a deathly silence, followed by a deafening roar!

Everyone's pupils contracted sharply, their faces filled with disbelief, and their excitement instantly turned into extreme shock!

"What? The Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty?"

"Is that the supreme ruler who possesses the vast empire of the Great Qian Dynasty?"

"It's really true? That dignified Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty actually ended up in my Yan army camp?"

Exclamations of surprise rose and fell in the ranks of the soldiers, who were all greatly shocked and filled with disbelief.

For many years, the Great Qian and the Yan Kingdom have been locked in a standoff. The emperor of the Great Qian has always been high in the palace, unreachable and a symbol of the orthodoxy of the Central Plains. No one ever imagined that he would now become a prisoner of the Yan Kingdom!

Under the shocked gazes of the entire audience, two Yan army guards, each wielding a long sword and with a cold expression, escorted two disheveled figures step by step onto the command platform.

The leader was none other than Xiao Jinghuan of the Great Qian Dynasty.

In the past, he wore a golden dragon imperial robe, splendid and magnificent, with unparalleled majesty, and held the fate of the world in his hands.

But now, the bright yellow dragon robe is covered in dust and bloodstains, wrinkled and tattered, and the originally exquisite dragon patterns are covered by mud, making it look utterly wretched.

His hands were tightly bound by heavy black iron chains, the ropes digging deep into his flesh, making it impossible for him to move an inch.

Although his mouth was not stuffed with cloth, he remained silent, his back still habitually straight. However, the days of running around and the prisoner-like situation had left him pale and haggard, with bloodshot eyes, showing his exhaustion and vicissitudes.

Following closely behind was his personal eunuch, Li Fuquan.

Li Fuquan was also in a similar state, his clothes were tattered and disheveled, he was trembling all over, and his face was as pale as paper. He had lost all the dignity he used to have when serving the emperor.

An emperor and an eunuch stood disheveled in the center of the high platform, a sight to behold for thousands of Yan soldiers.

However, despite their disheveled appearance, the two men stood tall with sharp eyes, staring intently at the soldiers in front of them.

When that iconic bright yellow dragon robe came into full view of everyone, none of the soldiers had any doubts anymore!

He really is the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty!

It really was Xiao Jinghuan, the emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty who unified the Central Plains and was awe-inspiring in all directions!

The moment the truth was confirmed, the entire training ground erupted in chaos!

The pent-up morale, the long-accumulated fighting spirit, and the ecstasy of defeating a powerful enemy all erupted at this moment!

Countless soldiers, their eyes bloodshot and faces filled with fanatical excitement, raised their arms and shouted, their voices rising in waves, sweeping across the fields and shaking the heavens and earth!

"Great Yan is mighty!"

"Long live the State of Yan!"

"Our army will surely win! We will crush the Great Qian!"

The deafening shouts rose and fell incessantly, and every soldier's face was filled with pride and fervor.

Capturing the emperor of an enemy state is the highest honor on the battlefield, which is enough to prove that the military strength of the Great Yan far exceeds that of the Great Qian. This battle is bound to be won, and the trend is in Yan's favor!

On the high platform, Murong Di looked down at the jubilant army below, their fighting spirit soaring. A proud smile appeared on his young face, and his eyes were full of high spirits.

This is exactly the effect he wanted!

Capturing the enemy emperor and displaying him publicly would be enough to crush the prestige of the Great Qian Dynasty and boost the morale of our own army!

With Xiao Jinghuan as their best bargaining chip and the strongest morale booster, the soldiers under their command are in high spirits. Their next attack on Duanyun Pass will surely be unstoppable and invincible!

He was filled with pride, feeling that his achievements in this battle would surely make him famous throughout the Great Yan and be recorded in history!

……

In the shadows to the side of the command platform, Fang Xingye stood quietly, taking in the breathtaking scene before him.

Looking at the soldiers of the three armies roaring wildly and full of fighting spirit below the stage, and at the Emperor of Daqian who was being publicly displayed and looked utterly disheveled, Fang Xingye slowly raised a deep and smug smile on his lips, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

He was secretly pleased with himself, thinking to himself that he had just expected it.

Capturing Xiao Jinghuan is far more than simply capturing a prisoner; its greatest use is to intimidate the enemy, boost morale, and influence the entire battle!

The effects are now evident, the morale of the three armies has soared, and the capture of Duanyun Pass is just around the corner.

The capture of the Great Qian Emperor and the breaking of the stalemate in the campaign against Qian were largely due to Fang Xingye's strategic planning, and he deserves great credit.

Once we achieve a great victory in this battle, conquer Duanyun Pass, and penetrate into the heart of the Central Plains, he will undoubtedly be one of the top contributors when it comes to rewarding our merits!

When that time comes, the King of Yan will be overjoyed, and high-ranking official positions, generous salaries, and unparalleled rewards will surely fall upon him!

Upon realizing this, Fang Xingye's joy intensified, and his demeanor became even more composed and confident.

On the side of the training ground, Gongsun Yu and Tian Cheng stood side by side, looking at the dignified and imposing Murong Di on the high platform, and then at the thousands of soldiers below who were full of passion and fighting spirit. Both of them had burning eyes and could not hide their excitement.

Tian Cheng clenched his fists tightly, his body tense slightly, his breath hot, his face full of excitement. He turned to look at Gongsun Yu beside him and said in a deep, excited voice, "Strategist! That's wonderful! That's wonderful!"

"No one could have imagined that capturing the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty would cause the morale of our entire army to soar to such a degree. Now, the entire army is filled with fighting spirit, everyone is eager to fight, and everyone longs to fight a bloody battle on the battlefield!"

His gaze drifted towards the towering and precipitous Duanyun Pass in the distance, his tone utterly resolute: "In my humble opinion, now is the perfect opportunity!"

"Our army is at its peak of morale and unparalleled in its momentum. With just one order, we will launch an immediate attack and break through the formidable defenses of Duanyun Pass in one fell swoop, utterly defeating the Daqian defenders!"

Gongsun Yu nodded slowly. His usually calm and composed face was now filled with excitement, and his eyes shone with anticipation.

He was well-versed in military strategy and had a deep understanding of warfare. He knew better than anyone that morale was more important than timing and location.

In military campaigns, the first burst of energy is crucial, followed by a decline, and then exhaustion. Now, the morale of the entire army is at its peak, representing the best opportunity for battle in months. If we miss this chance, we will never again experience such high morale!

"You're right," Gongsun Yu said in a deep voice. "The army's morale is high, and their fighting spirit is soaring. This is the perfect opportunity for a decisive battle."

"Unfortunately, our army only has generals ready for battle, but no authority to start a war without authorization. Everything depends on the decree of the Prince of Yan."

"We only hope that the imperial court's military orders will arrive quickly, so as not to disappoint the army's high morale and miss this god-given opportunity!"

The two looked at each other and saw eagerness and anticipation in each other's eyes.

The morale of the entire army has reached its peak, and everyone is ready to go, waiting only for the imperial decree to start the war!

Just as the two were filled with anticipation and eagerly waiting, a series of hurried footsteps came rapidly from outside the training ground!

A messenger captain, dressed in swift armor and covered in dust, galloped to the edge of the training ground, dismounted, and quickly strode through the array of troops, heading straight for Gongsun Yu with a respectful yet urgent expression.

"military adviser!"

The captain knelt on one knee, holding a gilded, sealed imperial edict aloft with both hands, and loudly reported, "Urgent report from the capital! His Majesty the Prince of Yan has personally issued an edict, ordering me to deliver it immediately to the front lines and hand it over to the military advisor!"

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yu's body trembled violently, and his heart began to pound wildly!

coming!

finally come!

The order from the Prince of Yan, which he had been eagerly awaiting and which the entire army had been looking forward to, finally arrived at the front line!

Gongsun Yu could no longer maintain his usual composure. He quickly stepped forward, solemnly accepted the gold-embossed imperial edict, his fingertips even trembling slightly.

He quickly broke the seal, unfolded the imperial edict, and his eyes swept across the vermilion annotations on it.

These few lines of text are clear, concise, and powerful!

The Prince of Yan issued an edict: The morale of the troops at the front is high and the opportunity for battle is ripe. Murong Di is hereby ordered to lead the entire army to launch a strong attack on Duanyun Pass, march out to conquer Qian, and start the war immediately!

Each word fell to my eyes like sweet rain, instantly soothing all the anxiety of waiting!

After reading it, Gongsun Yu's eyes lit up, his face filled with ecstatic joy, and he could hardly contain his excitement, so he whispered and raised his arms:

"Good! Excellent! It's finally here! The order to attack! His Majesty the Prince of Yan has issued the order to attack!"

Seeing this, Tian Cheng, who was standing to the side, could no longer contain his anxiety and hurriedly stepped forward to ask, "Strategist! Is this the imperial court's decree to start a war? Are we going to attack Duanyun Pass?"

Gongsun Yu nodded emphatically and, without hesitation, immediately handed the imperial edict to Tian Cheng, his tone excited.

"That's right! The Prince of Yan has decreed that the battle at the front lines begin immediately, with a full-scale assault on Duanyun Pass! You must quickly take this decree to the platform and inform General Murong!"

"Yes, sir!"

Overjoyed, Tian Cheng took the imperial edict, clutched it tightly in his hand, turned around, and strode quickly up the towering command platform!

The rapid, loud footsteps instantly drew everyone's attention on the stage.

Tian Cheng strode to Murong Di, raised the imperial edict high, and shouted in a passionate voice, "General! His Majesty the Prince of Yan has personally issued an imperial edict! Troops shall immediately advance from the front lines to attack Duanyun Pass! The order to attack has been given!"

Murong Di's gaze suddenly sharpened, and his eyes burst forth with extreme light. All the waiting, forbearance, and planning of the past few days came to fruition at this moment!

He snatched the imperial edict, which symbolized the highest military command, and held it tightly in his hand. His body stood tall and straight, and his fighting spirit exploded out!

Murong Di stepped forward and stood in the very center of the high platform, looking down at the densely packed, eagerly watched, and battle-ready soldiers of the three armies below.

The fierce wind whipped his armor and cloak, making a loud, rustling sound. He held the imperial edict high, and with all his might, he roared, his voice piercing the wind and echoing across the vast wilderness, resounding throughout the entire military camp!

"Brothers!"

"The imperial edict from the capital has arrived! His Majesty the Prince of Yan has personally issued the military order..."

"Full advance! War at once!"

"This general orders! The entire army to prepare for battle! The three armies shall march forth and launch a fierce attack on Duanyun Pass! Crush the Qian army's defenses and march into the Central Plains!"

A single command signals the start of war!

Shocking!

This has sounded the battle horn!