The Imperial Palace, during the reign of Emperor Li.

Emperor Chengde paced back and forth, looking at the ministers and his sons below. He was anxious and knew what was going on but didn't dare speak out, after all, he had promised Fu Jiujiu.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave." Zou Guangquan knelt on the ground and requested an imperial decree.

The Emperor of Chengde looked at him, "Then who will do your business?"

"This... Your Majesty, one could find someone to replace me. But... Prince Jin awaits."

The Emperor of Chengde was about to roll his eyes, "Just say you're worried about your daughter getting sick. Why bring my son into this?"

But on second thought, they're family. I guess it's okay then.

"Father, it's better if I go. Master Zou cannot leave, and as a commoner, my presence would be more helpful. I can escort the grain."

"Father, I'll go with my elder brother," Tang Yi also said.

Tang Jie was now just waiting to see the commotion, anyway he didn't get involved, just waiting to see who between the fourth and seventh brother could laugh last, but regardless of who it was, it wouldn't be him.

Once he understood this, everything else became clear.

"Father, I should go. Big brother and third brother haven't left the capital much," Tang Xiu bowed, saying, "Besides, I know a little about Nan Yu. After all, I travelled there when I was young."

Tang Juan was not afraid of big things, "Father…"

"Are you going too?" the Emperor of Chengde asked.

"No, Your son will pass. Your son isn't very capable. He can't compare to his older brothers' steadiness and wide experience. I won't go and stir up trouble. However, I think the fourth brother is suitable."

Tang Juan looked at Tang Xiu, raising an eyebrow. Since it was a play, let's make this one a real spectacle.

The Emperor of Chengde looked at everyone, wondering what all the fuss was about. He thought Lao Qi and Jiu Jiu were doing pretty well, but now he was worried because their army was besieged by Nan Yu's forces in Huacheng.

He thought this might be Lao Qi's scheme.

After all, he felt that the seventh brother wouldn't make such a low-level mistake.

But there are still some concerns.

"Since the grain hasn't been gathered yet, we should wait a few more days. Otherwise, even if it arrives, it won't be enough." The Emperor Chengde looked at everyone.

Even as Emperor, lying still makes one feel uneasy.

Everyone can wait, but Tang Xiu can't afford to.

He lost contact with Nanyu because of Huacheng. Huacheng is the only way for Nanyu to reach Li Chao.

Now Tang Xian stationed his troops in Huacheng, and news from Nan Yu couldn't get through. His messages also couldn't be sent in. If they went the roundabout way, it would take them all the way to Bei Mo.

If you come back to the North Desert, it'll be too long.

His last message was from Nan Yu, the queen, who told him to lay siege to Hua City and wipe out Tang Xian in one fell swoop.

At that time, he still felt it was possible, but now, every time he tried to send grain and grass, his father emperor refused him.

And, he could tell, the Emperor was not worried at all.

This shows that there is definitely no shortage of food inside the city walls.

No matter what method Fu Jiu Jiu used, she eventually brought the food to Tang Xian.

Then, how could Li Chao's army, well-fed and rested, be easily wiped out? Yet, Queen Nan Yu brought all her troops with her.

Fu JiuJiu and Tang Xian, when they got together, were a formidable pair. Fu JiuJiu was full of creative ideas, while Tang Xian possessed a sharp intellect. Together, they made a powerful team.

Tang Xiu worried about Nan Yu's annihilation.

And this was his biggest secret. If Nan Yu were to be defeated by Tang Xian, his secret would be revealed to the world. Not only that, but he would lose the support behind him.

This is what he's most worried about.

After retreating, Tang Xiu returned to the Prince's Mansion with a heavy heart. Ji Rong still came over to wait on him. Tang Xiu glanced at her, "Prepare things for me."

"Your Highness, where are you going?"

Tang Xiu frowned, "Is that what you should be asking?"

"Yes, my lady will prepare right away. But I'm not sure how many days the Prince is going for, so I don't know how much to pack."

"Whatever." Tang Xiu didn't have the heart to care about this right now.

Ji Rong went downstairs to prepare, while Tang Xiu took a bag from the secret compartment in his study. He thought of someone's face, then packed up the things that Ji Rong had brought and put them together.

"How much food did your stepfather manage to collect?"

"There must be twenty thousand jin, Your Highness. How could I be so foolish? Isn't King Jin your greatest enemy? Why would you help him?"

Tang Xiu glanced at her, "King Jin is my brother, watch your tongue."

Ji Rong was frightened by his icy gaze and trembled, "Yes, this servant has spoken out of turn."

"If anyone asks, tell them that I'm worried about King Jin and have gone to Nanyu."

"Yes." Ji Rong still didn't understand.

Moreover, she knew that Tang Xiu not only brought food but also intended to take away the 30,000 people under her godfather's command.

I don't know what he wants to do.

Tang Xiu hurried to Huacheng just like that.

Afterward, Ji Rong also said this to others, and it reached the ears of Emperor Chengde.

Emperor Chengde was very angry, which was why he didn't want his sons to marry women from prominent families.

Now the Ji's army can be at the Prince's beck and call. Where does that leave me, the Emperor?

Given that Tang Xiu risked so much to save his younger brother, it wouldn't be right to punish him harshly.

Emperor Chengde sighed, what a good old fourth he was.

Now everything has come to his head.

Three days later, as Tang Xian had predicted, Queen Nan Yu couldn't wait any longer and launched a surprise attack with her army at night.

However, the truth left her filled with regret.

Tang Xian's soldiers not only weren't too hungry to move, nor were they poisoned. Each one was full of life, their eyes wide open like copper bells.

Nan Yu's army was defeated in a night raid and fled in disarray. Queen Nan Yu retreated to the capital under protection.

Tang Xian and Fu Jiujiu decided to strike while the iron was hot. The soldiers had won a decisive battle, their morale high, and they continued to pursue the enemy.

On the run.

"Your Majesty, perhaps... we should surrender." The Grand Tutor suggested with a heavy heart.

"I will never surrender." Queen Nan Yu said coldly, her alluring face full of determination.

But if this continues, our Nan Yu... will truly be trampled by the iron hooves of the Li Dynasty.

Queen Nan Yu remained silent, her gaze fixed on her son.

"Ashu will definitely find a way, I can't hold him back."

"Right now, who cares about anything else? If they reach the capital, it's all over." The State Master said worriedly.

I didn't expect the people of Li Chao to be so capable, those poisons couldn't kill them.

And what's most infuriating is that no matter what, they can always cope.

This is the most hateful.

"Uncle, Ah Xiu definitely wouldn't just watch us mother and daughter die. He must have a way to save us."

The Imperial Advisor sighed, truly not understanding women.

She wants to die, but he doesn't want to die.

not as good as...

Surrender?

Tang Xian's gaze shifted from the letter back to the Nan Yu soldier kneeling on the ground, "Was this written by your national teacher?"

"Your Highness, yes, truly. He said everything he wanted to tell you was in the letter."

Tang Xian glanced at Fu Jiujiu and General Cheng Lao, then handed them the letter.

The sudden announcement of Nan Yu Guoshi's intention to surrender is intriguing!

First published on the Traditional Chinese Novel Network

(Editor in charge：solo leveling novel)