Deep in the night, dark clouds obscured the moonlight, and a long-awaited heavy rain was about to arrive.

Outside Xihua City, the exhausted Great Yan soldiers had all fallen asleep, with only a few patrol teams moving around the camp perimeter.

Suddenly, several whooshing sounds of arrows cutting through the air came. Before the patrolling soldiers could react, arrows had struck their necks, and they collapsed without a chance to cry out.

In the darkness, hundreds of burly men wielding steel blades rushed into the Great Yan camp like black panthers, taking advantage of everyone being asleep to strike with their sabers raised.

The prolonged fighting had left the soldiers utterly exhausted. Having finally repelled the enemy forces, they could at last sleep peacefully—who could have expected this was deliberately orchestrated by the Huben Army?

Many had their heads severed while still in their dreams. Only after the Huben Army had killed nearly a hundred men did someone with lighter sleep sense something was wrong. Opening his eyes, he saw those enemy soldiers wielding gleaming bloody blades.

“Ahh—”

“We’re under attack!”

“Dear heavens! General Wang has been killed!”

…

The Great Yan military camp descended into chaos, with sounds of slaughter continuing as flames erupted everywhere and screams echoed endlessly…

The battle continued until dawn. In the drizzling rain, Pang Xiao led one hundred thousand Huben Army troops into Xihua City, swiftly occupying the government offices and granaries, taking over city defenses, imprisoning all surviving important officials and their families in jail under heavy guard, and uniformly placing prisoners in a prisoner-of-war camp.

At the same time, Pang Xiao issued several military orders.

“While the Huben Army is in Xihua City, no one is permitted to plunder civilian property, rape women, or trample farmland. If daily necessities are needed, trade may be conducted, but no credit or default on debts is allowed. Anyone found violating military orders will receive one hundred military rod beatings.” Pointing to two ashen-faced men kneeling in the tent, he continued, “These two men raped women. Drag them out and execute them according to military law as a warning to others!”

“Yes!”

Someone immediately obeyed the command, dragging away the two disheveled men. Soon, the sound of rods striking flesh could be heard from outside the tent.

Zheng Pei frowned disapprovingly. “Your Highness, punishing soldiers so severely might dishearten the brothers. They’ve fought bloody battles following you—over such minor matters, is this really necessary? One hundred rod beatings could be fatal!”

Pang Xiao’s black armor was stained with blood, and his handsome face still bore brown blood spatters. His long eyebrows slanted upward, phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. At this moment, the fierce killing aura surrounding him hit people head-on, like a demon god emerging from hell, carrying even more威严 and imposing presence than usual.

Zheng Pei lowered his head, and the other Huben Army generals and captains in the tent all became solemn.

“So, does Advisor Zheng have a secret imperial edict?” Pang Xiao’s voice carried amusement.

But these words sounded to Zheng Pei like several slaps across his face.

He was Pang Zhongzheng’s advisor and Pang Xiao’s confidant, which was why he could establish a foothold in the Huben Army as a strategist.

Zheng Pei knew well the worship and trust the Huben Army soldiers had for Pang Xiao. It could be said that to mobilize one hundred thousand Huben Army troops, even without an imperial military tally from His Majesty, Pang Xiao standing among the army was himself a living military tally—his single word was more effective than an actual military tally.

If these people knew what he had done, it would ultimately diminish his prestige. Even if getting close to His Majesty wasn’t wrong in principle, emotionally he would still be a traitor.

The Emperor was suspicious by nature—even if he told the truth, the Emperor might not fully trust him.

Although Pang Xiao was also cunning and crafty, he had a righteous heart. As long as he performed well, he would certainly receive protection.

Therefore, Zheng Pei’s attitude was now completely different from before. He quickly cupped his hands in salute. “Your Highness jests. How could His Majesty have any secret edicts? This old minister was only worried about Your Highness and spoke out of concern for you. After all, the Huben Army are all Your Highness’s direct troops.”

Pang Xiao paced in the tent, his horsewhip creating loud snapping sounds in the air.

“This battle makes us and Great Yan mortal enemies. His Majesty is determined to conquer Great Yan. When we capture Great Yan in the future, would he want dead cities and barren wasteland?”

Zheng Pei, Huzi, and the other soldiers in the tent all looked toward Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao stood at the head position, gripping his sword hilt. “This king’s decision is to prepare for His Majesty’s future rule over Great Yan. The Yan Emperor is incompetent, and the people have lived under oppression and hunger for years. With continuous warfare causing unbearable suffering, they need someone to end this chaotic era. If our people are even worse than their Great Yan people, what do you think the common folk will think?”

“Your Highness is wise.”

Everyone understood and respectfully cupped their hands in admiration.

Seeing this, Pang Xiao nodded. “Today has been hard on everyone. Go rest.”

“Yes.”

The generals bowed and withdrew. Soon only Pang Xiao and Huzi remained in the tent.

Huzi approached with a grin to help Pang Xiao remove his armor. “Your Highness, I just ordered hot water to be prepared. Please bathe quickly.”

“Mm. Any news from the capital?” Pang Xiao asked while efficiently removing his blood-stained battle robe, revealing his muscular upper body and wearing black silk trousers as he walked behind the screen. Soon the sound of water could be heard.

Huzi rolled up his sleeves to help Pang Xiao wash his hair and scrub his back.

“Ji Yun hasn’t sent news for quite some time. But our scouts just delivered a message. Since Your Highness was busy fighting, I didn’t mention it.”

Pang Xiao stretched his arms along the wooden tub’s edge and closed his eyes. “No news from Ji Yun means the Qin family’s situation is very tense. Given old dog Yuchi’s temperament, he might take his anger out on the Qin family as soon as he learns of our battle here. Grand Tutor Qin probably can’t keep his position now and might even be in mortal danger. As for the Cao family…”

Pang Xiao paused slightly before continuing, “Old dog Yuchi probably has no other options, even trying to use a place as remotely connected as the Tatars. The Cao family will certainly be reinstated.”

While wrapping his hand in a towel to scrub Pang Xiao’s back, Huzi said admiringly, “Master truly has divine foresight. The scout’s report was exactly as you analyzed. Imperial Uncle Cao has been reinstated and re-appointed as Crown Prince’s Grand Tutor. Lord Qin has been stripped of all official positions, retaining only his noble title, and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. When we attacked their Right Scout Camp of the Five Military Camps, the common people were so frightened they all fled into the city, but the dog emperor still won’t allocate silver to feed them.”

At this point, Huzi said somewhat anxiously, “And Fourth Miss, that, that…”

“Say whatever you have to say. Why are you acting like a woman?”

Huzi secretly rolled his eyes, thinking: Don’t get angry when I tell you.

He then told Pang Xiao everything about how Qin Yining had sold the treasures in Ning Garden and arranged for the refugees.

Upon hearing this, Pang Xiao fell silent.

Huzi quietly continued helping Pang Xiao scrub his back, not daring to say another word, secretly guessing whether His Highness was about to explode with anger.

Who would have known that after just a moment, Pang Xiao suddenly chuckled.

Oh my, has His Highness been driven mad with anger?

Pang Xiao said, “Yining is so good at spending money. It seems this king must also find ways to save more dowry money, otherwise when she marries in the future, what if there isn’t enough silver to spend?”

Huzi…

“Tomorrow you’ll give orders to arrest all those corrupt officials in Xihua City, along with those heartless wealthy landlords whom the common people have dubbed with names like ‘Skinner,’ ‘King of Hell,’ ‘Full Granary,’ and such, as well as those particularly dangerous individuals who resisted fiercely. Execute them all publicly as an example, and confiscate all their wealth as military provisions. Then find ways to exaggerate the news somewhat and spread it into Great Yan’s capital.”

Upon hearing this, Huzi was stunned. “Your Highness, didn’t you just say we should make the Yan Dynasty people think we Great Zhou are benevolent?”

“This king has his reasons. Just follow orders.”

Though Huzi didn’t understand, he still nodded seriously. “Yes.”