Zhao Sheng also understood that Bai Qingyan was placing him and Bai Jinzhi in Great Liang because Bai Qingyan had given him, a surrendered general, the greatest trust, and he would certainly not disappoint her.

Seeing that everyone present had their thoughts, Bai Qingyan continued: “Perhaps we were once opponents, but now we are all Jin generals, all of the same Kingdom. Therefore, I won’t hide this matter from you. The common people have already suffered through one round of warfare. As long as we pacify Prince Liang’s rebellion in the capital, at least the people within Jin territory can rest and recuperate. So I ask you all to endure this hardship with me once more.”

“We respectfully await Princess Zhenguo’s orders!” Yang Wuce straightened his back and cupped his fists first.

Yang Wuce had already heard from Zhao Sheng that Princess Zhenguo intended to replace the Jin Emperor. Having fought alongside Princess Zhenguo for so long, how could he not see her ambitions and resolve?

For surrendered generals like Yang Wuce and Zhao Sheng, they had surrendered to Princess Zhenguo. As for who ruled Jin, they didn’t care.

And this time, Bai Qingyan intended to bring back so many surrendered Liang soldiers and generals to rescue His Majesty, precisely to prevent Liu Hong from being able to control these surrendered generals and soldiers.

Bai Qingyan turned to look at Liu Hong and said: “General Liu… there’s no time to lose. Let’s assemble the troops and depart!”

Liu Hong, having heard of Prince Liang’s rebellion, was also anxious and nodded.

Taking advantage of the interval while assembling troops, Bai Qingyan gathered the Bai family guards.

She first sent Bai family guards to deliver a message to Bai Qingyu, telling him that she intended to recall the Bai family army back to the capital to rescue His Majesty, and asking Bai Qingyu to guard against any movements from Xiliang.

She then handed a personal letter to another Bai family guard: “You must immediately take three men and go to Dengzhou, personally delivering this letter to Prefect Dong!”

In the letter, Bai Qingyan informed Dong Qingyue that Prince Liang was burning his bridges in an attempt to usurp the throne, and that she and Liu Hong would bring Liang’s surrendered generals and soldiers back to the capital to rescue His Majesty. She asked her uncle Dong Qingyue to pay attention to movements in various prefectures…

Her words weren’t too explicit, but she believed that with her uncle Dong Qingyue’s wisdom, he would understand clearly that this time she wasn’t bringing veteran Jin soldiers but surrendered soldiers back to the capital because she harbored intentions of replacement.

She then instructed Shen Qingzhu: “Qingzhu, depart immediately for Nan Jiang. Relay orders to Bai Qingjue and the three generals Shen Kunyang, Wei Zhaonian, and Gu Wenchang: after leaving behind forces to garrison the frontier, immediately use rescuing His Majesty as a pretext to bring troops back to the capital! Divide into two routes—one heading to Pingyang to request the Pingyang Prefect to lead Pingyang forces to the capital to rescue His Majesty, the other proceeding directly to the capital.”

“Yes!” Shen Qingzhu responded without delay and immediately departed.

When Bai Jinzhi, Zhao Sheng, and Cai Ziyuan came to inquire about the specific situation in the capital, Bai Qingyan instructed the three: “Regardless of what news comes from the direction of the capital, you must watch over Great Liang well and not allow Great Liang to take advantage of the chaos to create disorder. Do you understand?”

“Ziyuan also has something to say to Princess Zhenguo…” After giving Bai Qingyan a deep bow, Cai Ziyuan stepped closer and said in a low voice, “Princess, replacement is a gradual process. If it truly cannot be accomplished in one stroke, Princess Zhenguo might consider… following the ancients’ example and controlling the emperor to command the realm!”

Cai Ziyuan feared that if Jin fell into chaos, and Jin became disordered, those ambitious people in Great Liang who had just been incorporated into Jin territory might take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble.

Although the soldiers they had left after fighting until now were all elite troops who weren’t afraid of battle, they worried about the endless fighting.

Zhao Sheng glanced at Cai Ziyuan and also felt his words made sense, but he trusted Bai Qingyan’s judgment more. He cupped his fists toward Bai Qingyan and said, “Whatever decision Princess Zhenguo makes, Zhao Sheng and the Zhao family army will follow to the death! Princess Zhenguo can also rest assured—with Princess Gaoyi and Zhao Sheng in Han City, Liang will certainly not fall into chaos!”

“Then I entrust everything to you three!” Bai Qingyan cupped her fists.

“Eldest sister…” Bai Jinzhi had captured Great Liang’s capital, and this intense joy hadn’t yet been shared with her eldest sister, but unexpectedly, her eldest sister was leaving without even entering Han City.

Seeing that Bai Jinzhi and Bai Qingyan had things to discuss, Cai Ziyuan quietly gestured to Zhao Sheng, and the two departed first, leaving time for the sisters to talk.

“Xiao Si did very well this time—no rash advances, steady and methodical, becoming our Jin’s surprise force!” Bai Qingyan’s eyes were full of comfort and pride.

“If I hadn’t encountered the Rong and Di forces and fought a battle, I should have arrived much earlier. At that time, I noticed that the Rong and Di army’s formation seemed to have shadows of the Bai family army’s style. I even suspected someone had betrayed the Kingdom. If Sister Qingzhu hadn’t arrived in time, I would have had to annihilate those Rong and Di forces!” Speaking of this, Bai Jinzhi looked at Bai Qingyan. “Eldest sister, you said that Ghost-Faced General is one of our own? I didn’t see the Ghost-Faced General this time. Who is this Ghost-Faced General?”

Bai Jinzhi looked at Bai Qingyan. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t imagine that the Rong and Di’s Ghost-Faced General was her fifth brother, Bai Qingyu.

The night wind ruffled the fine strands of hair by Bai Qingyan’s temples. Her features carried a gentle, shallow smile as she leaned close to Bai Jinzhi’s ear and whispered to her.

Upon hearing this, Bai Jinzhi was shocked, her eyes widening. She covered her mouth with both hands, tears immediately streaming down, nearly crying out in surprise.

Bai Qingyan’s eyes also grew moist and red. She firmly squeezed Bai Jinzhi’s shoulders: “Just knowing it in your heart is enough! His identity cannot be exposed now, but… as long as we’re all still alive, there will be a day when we reunite!”

Bai Jinzhi nodded vigorously and wiped away her tears: “Eldest sister, Xiao Si understands the gravity of the situation! I will keep this secret!”

“I trust our Xiao Si! Our Xiao Si… after this battle at Great Liang’s Han City, will surely be renowned throughout the realm!” Bai Qingyan’s lips curved in a gentle smile. “Xiao Si… has finally grown into what grandfather and uncles expected!”

Bai Jinzhi wiped away her tears and cupped her hands toward Bai Qingyan: “Eldest sister, please be extremely careful on this return to the capital. Even if Bai Jinzhi dies, she will guard Great Liang against disorder!”

The current Jin, after two years of the Bai family’s exhaustive planning and arrangements, would allow the Bai family to naturally take over once the Lin imperial power fell. Then, whether it was fifth brother Bai Qingyu, seventh brother Bai Qingjue, or ninth brother Bai Qingyun, all could return, and they could have a complete family reunion!

The eldest sister had both the heart to unify the realm and the ability to govern it!

Bai Jinzhi even had a feeling that her eldest sister wouldn’t follow Master Cai’s earlier suggestion to control the emperor and command through him. The eldest sister would replace the Lin imperial power! Because… as soon as news spread that the Bai family had replaced the Lin imperial power, any Bai family or Bai family army members still alive in the world would surely return!

Bai Jinzhi eagerly anticipated the arrival of this day.

On the thirteenth day of the fourth month in the eighteenth year of Xuanjia, Princess Gaoyi led heavy troops to garrison Han City, while Princess Zhenguo and Jin’s Grand General Liu Hong, leading fierce generals like Yang Wuce, returned to the capital to rescue His Majesty.