The following day, there was no banquet to celebrate.

The weather was unkind, with torrential rain, truly not a day for celebration.

The border had been dry for a long time, and this rain was the best celebration.

Staying inside the tent, listening to the rain outside, the wind blowing in, the agitated mood calmed down.

However—

A sudden urgent horn shattered the tranquility.

Nanliang braved the rain to launch a siege, determined to recapture the lost city.

Nanliang Court’s situation, the open and covert struggles in the camp, Daqi might not understand thoroughly, but is at least seventy to eighty percent knowledgeable.

Especially the conflict between Duke Huguo and General Shi.

General Shi angered the Emperor of Nanliang by losing the city, which led Duke Nanliang to come to the border.

Now, he has not been at the border for long, unable to regain the city taken from General Shi, and his defense was inadequate, letting Daqi capture another city.

Duke Huguo is disgraced and certainly cannot swallow this affront; to preserve his prestige in the military, he must regain the city.

Rainy days are not suitable for attacking or defending the city.

Moreover, since Daqi just won a battle, it is a time of high spirits; it’s easy to become complacent, and just having taken over Nanliang’s city, defense might not be too solid. There’s a high possibility to take back the city.

Nanliang certainly will not miss this opportunity.

Standing on the city wall, watching those Nanliang soldiers sieging in the rain, Marquis Dongxiang’s face was somber, more oppressive than the sky above.

For a general’s success, countless bones lay wasted.

Duke Huguo, for his own dignity, recklessly launched a siege without regard for the soldiers’ lives.

He assumes Daqi’s defense is slack but fails to consider that Nanliang soldiers, having just been defeated, also need rest and adjustment.

Such a siege is merely sacrificing the soldiers’ lives in vain.

To face an opponent like this, Marquis Dongxiang feels ashamed.

Not only does Marquis Dongxiang feel ashamed, but General Shi feels the same.

He disapproves of the siege, yet Duke Huguo is stubborn and does not listen to advice, coupled with many soldiers thinking this is a good opportunity.

He alone cannot fight against so many, especially since he is already Marquis Dongxiang’s defeated general.

This time the city was breached because Daqi used Crossbow Cars; they were unprepared, allowing Daqi to seize the advantage.

If careful precautions had been taken, Daqi might not have been able to capture the city.

This battle raged from the heavy rain until it stopped.

Outside the city, blood flowed like rivers, a horrifying sight to behold.

Though Nanliang retreated in defeat, Daqi soldiers standing on the city wall looking at the fallen Nanliang soldiers felt no joy within.

War is inherently brutal, but encountering someone like Duke Huguo, who is eager for quick success, prioritizing his own goals, makes the battlefield a hundred times more cruel.

He damages not only Nanliang soldiers but also forces Daqi soldiers to respond.

A Nanliang soldier rose from the ground; his leg was pierced by an arrow, but it did not hit a vital point.

A Daqi soldier raised his bow, and Marquis Dongxiang lowered the bow with a hand, turning away.

The Nanliang soldier watched him, his eyes moist—

He turned.

Walking with unsteady steps.

Step by step, heading back.

Descending from the city gate, those once belonging to Nanliang, now Daqi citizens, shivered upon seeing Marquis Dongxiang and the Prince.

A child’s toy rolled onto the road; the child ran to pick it up but was swiftly taken away by someone, fearing blocking the path and angering Marquis Dongxiang.

Marquis Dongxiang glanced at the crowd and rode away.

The gloom from the city gates dissipated mostly upon reaching the camp.

Most soldiers were still happy about the victory.

Previously, when a banquet to celebrate the victory was mentioned, it was delayed due to rain, but the Fire Head Camp had already bought the ingredients, and once the news of Nanliang’s retreat came in, they hurriedly started cooking.

Though initially captured the city for celebration, if Nanliang had recaptured it, the banquet would certainly not happen.

Now, it’s two celebrations consolidated into one.

The aroma of braised pork drifted to Su Jin’s tent from the Fire Head Camp.

Xingxing stood outside the tent, sniffing, "Smells so good."

The soldiers guarding the camp watched her, "Miss Xingxing, have you finished writing the family letter?"

Xingxing’s face fell.

This person doesn’t know how to speak.

Bringing up something that shouldn’t be mentioned!

Giving the soldier a glare, Xingxing turned back inside the tent.

Su Jin wanted to go out, but Xingxing blocked her.

It just rained, the ground is still wet. Yesterday Xueling rushed out, slipped, and fell hard.

If these maids fell, it’s one thing, but her lady, the Heir’s wife, is pregnant; she cannot afford to fall.

Su Jin felt frustrated.

This is just like avoiding food for fear of choking.

The tent is so small; staying for two days could drive someone insane.

Xingxing poured her tea, "In half a day, it should be dry enough; once the ground is dry, we can go out."

Su Jin held her teacup and looked at her, "Later at the victory feast, do you also not plan to let me attend?"

Xingxing, "..."

Xingxing was troubled.

This really is an issue.

This victory feast, Su Jin must attend.

She might not have been on the battlefield, but her contribution is significant.

Su Jin just looked at Xingxing, and Xingxing quietly changed her mind, "I’ll help the lady take a brief stroll outside."

Su Jin couldn’t help but laugh.

Nanliang, in the camp.

After leading troops to a disastrous defeat, Duke Huguo’s face was furiously red from a distance.

Xie Jingchen and Dong Chenglang returned to the camp and went back to the tent to rest.

Post-battle assessments were not a concern for them.

Xie Jingchen and Dong Chenglang walked forward, and Xie Jingchen suddenly asked, "If it were Brother Dong, how would you plan to retake the lost city?"

Dong Chenglang was dumbfounded by the question.

If he knew how to take it back, it would be great.

"Hard," Dong Chenglang replied.

"Does Brother Li have any clever strategy?"

Xie Jingchen said, "I’m particularly interested in Daqi’s Crossbow Cars. If Nanliang had such Crossbow Cars, it would add at least three points to our chances of victory."

Dong Chenglang looked at Xie Jingchen, "Brother Li means you want to go to Daqi to steal Crossbow Cars?"

Xie Jingchen, "..."

He raised his hand to touch his forehead.

Dong Chenglang’s face reddened, "I meant stealing the schematics."

Stealing cars is certainly impossible.

Unless all Daqi soldiers were blind, otherwise carrying Crossbow Cars would hardly allow them to escape.

Xie Jingchen nodded, "I do have this thought, but the opportunity comes only once; it must be successful and cannot fail."

"Going to Daqi to steal schematics, this matter must be meticulously planned," Dong Chenglang agreed.

"If we can truly get the schematics and retake the city, my father could restore his prestige," Young Master Shi added.

The three chatted as they walked forward.

Behind them, a general glanced in their direction and quickly went to the central tent.

Whispering a few words to Duke Huguo, Duke Huguo’s brows slightly relaxed, "This is indeed a good idea."

However, General Shi wanting to use this to restore his prestige is impossible.

To prevent Xie Jingchen and Dong Chenglang from going to Daqi’s camp to steal schematics, Duke Huguo gave them a task—

Monitor the soldiers as they build defense walls.

Standing there watching the soldiers busy, Dong Chenglang’s brows furrowed.

For such a trivial matter, do they need the three of them to oversee it?

Xie Jingchen grinned slightly, remaining silent.