The eunuchs and palace maidservants quickly stepped aside to let him pass, while one of the imperial guards rushed to inform the chief eunuch.

By the time the messenger reached the imperial study, Wen Kang was already waiting.

Kneeling before Wen Kang, the messenger clasped his fists and reported breathlessly, "Report! The Feng Army has arrived and established camp ten li outside the imperial capital city. General Fang is monitoring them and awaits further instructions from Your Majesty."

The moment Wen Kang heard this, his fists tightened, crumpling the memorial in his hand.

Taking a deep breath, he ordered, "Summon the Minister of War and the generals."

The chief eunuch bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will go at once."

After he left, Wen Kang looked at the messenger and said, "Tell General Fang to hold the city and wait for reinforcements."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The messenger accepted the order and hurried out.

While Wen Kang, the Minister of War, and the generals convened in an emergency meeting, Fang Shou stood on top of the city wall, watching the Feng Army busily setting up camp in the distance.

As Fang Shou watched them, a man’s cold voice suddenly came from behind him. "General Fang, our master said that it’s time."

As soon as the words fell, the presence behind him vanished.

Fang Shou tightened his grip on his sword, then let out a slow breath.

’General Feng... please don’t disappoint us.’

Unaware that Fang Shou was observing them, Feng Xiyan and his soldiers were enjoying a hearty meal together.

Raising a bowl of water, Feng Xiyan said, "Eat and drink your fill. Rest for two shichen, then prepare to attack the city."

As his voice carried across the camp, the elite soldiers raised their bowls and responded in unison, "Yes, Great General!"

They gulped down the water, then began eating.

Seeing that the soldiers were still able to laugh and joke, Feng Xiyan turned his gaze toward Fan Wanming and the other generals and vice-generals.

"We will attack the city at midnight. General Fan, you will lead twenty thousand soldiers to break the city walls."

Fan Wanming clasped his fists and responded, "This subordinate accepts the order."

Turning to a young general, Feng Xiyan continued, "General Li, you will lead two hundred elite soldiers to infiltrate the city. Your objective is to open the city gates as quickly as possible."

Li Zhusheng nodded. "This subordinate accepts the order."

Looking at the rest, Feng Xiyan added, "The remaining forces will await further instructions."

The generals and vice-generals clasped their fists. "Yes, Great General."

After assigning the tasks, Feng Xiyan picked up his chopsticks. "Eat."

Seeing him begin to eat, the others followed his lead and ate in silence.

Four hours later, the Feng Army had already packed up their camp and formed ranks behind Feng Xiyan.

Seeing their high morale, Feng Xiyan gave a single command. "Move out."

With him leading at the front, the Feng Army advanced toward the imperial capital city.

On the city wall, a soldier spotted the approaching army and instantly turned pale. Snapping back to his senses, he grabbed the drumsticks and struck the war drum with all his strength.

Dum! Dum! Dum! Dum!

The urgent drumbeats shattered the silence of the night, summoning the soldiers to the walls.

Awakened by the urgent sounds of war drums, Fang Shou calmly put on his armor and went toward the city wall.

Throughout the city, the citizens were also woken up from their sleep. Fearful and anxious, they gathered their belongings and huddled inside their homes, not daring to make a sound.

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, a soldier rushed into the imperial study.

Kneeling before Wen Kang, he reported in a trembling voice, "R–report! The Feng Army has reached the city walls and is preparing to attack!"

As his fearful voice echoed through the spacious imperial study, Wen Kang’s face turned ashen.

Clenching his fists, he ordered, "General Lu, immediately gather the troops and support General Fang!"

A middle-aged general stepped forward and clasped his fists. "This subordinate accepts the order."

With that, General Lu hurried out of the imperial study.

After he left, the Minister of War turned to Wen Kang and said, "Your Majesty, we only have fifty thousand soldiers defending the city. It will not be enough to withstand one hundred thousand elite soldiers of the Feng Army."

Wen Kang looked at him coldly. After a brief moment of silence, he asked, "Then what do you suggest, Minister of War?"

Caught off guard by his question, the Minister of War fell silent. He racked his brain, cold sweat forming on his back, yet no solution came to mind. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Seeing his hesitation, Wen Kang’s expression darkened. He grabbed a memorial and threw it at him.

"Useless!"

The memorial struck the Minister of War’s forehead, leaving it red instantly. Yet, he did not dare protest and immediately dropped to his knees.

Bowing until his head nearly touched the ground, he pleaded, "Your Majesty, please forgive this subject’s incompetence!"

Ignoring him, Wen Kang turned to the other generals. "Does anyone have a plan to defeat Feng Xiyan?" he asked through gritted teeth.

The generals exchanged glances before one of them stepped forward.

Clasping his fists, the general said, "Your Majesty, since we cannot confront Feng Xiyan head-on, we should target their supplies."

It was common knowledge that supplies were the lifeline of an army.

Wen Kang considered his suggestion, then gestured for him to continue. "Explain."

Encouraged by his words, the general said, "According to reports, the Feng Army has been marching nonstop for over half a month. After such a long and exhausting journey, their supplies must be running low, and their troops will be fatigued."

"If we burn their supplies and launch a surprise attack before they recover, we may be able to defeat them in a single strike."

The general paused for a moment, then added with a malicious tone, "Besides, our granaries are full. Even if we fail to defeat the Feng Army in one strike, we can simply defend the city until they run out of supplies. By then, they will be nothing more than lambs waiting for slaughter."