The Empress's No.1 Lackey

In other words, it has no attack power, but you just can't kill it, right? Zhao Douan suddenly remembered that when Master Gu Huo was resurrected and entered the capital, the court had speculated that his resurrection was related to the Netherworld Sect. However, Master Gu Huo was a member of the Five Demons Sect... And the Five Demons Sect is very loose, the members hardly know each other, making it a rather unconventional Evil God sect.

"Sir, are you alright?" At this moment, the other light cavalry and tributors finally arrived.

Zhao Douan shook his head, indicating that he was fine, inquired about the situation, and learned that the entire rebel army entrenched in the Song Family Manor had been defeated.

Ji Yue also drifted back softly, reporting that the flames inside the manor had been extinguished. Unfortunately, after this extermination, only about a dozen people were still alive in the Song Family Manor. Most were those who survived by hiding in various places, not counting the group of young boys and girls who fled earlier.

"Clan Leader!"

The young Little Wu, who did not know when, had actually run back, throwing himself beside a corpse in the ruins of the ancestral hall, crying bitterly.

Zhao Douan remained silent, walked over, ruffled the boy's head, and said to him, "Take the others and go to the prefecture."

The boy nodded, choked with sobs.

Zhao Douan exhaled deeply, gazing at the ruins of the manor: "Clear the surroundings, and then... return to the city!"

He needed to meet Xue Shence.

...

...

Taicang Prefecture City.

"Woo woo——"

Behind the attacking rebel army, the sound of the bugle for retreat suddenly rang out, and all the rebel troops began to withdraw in an orderly manner like worker ants returning to their nest.

On the city walls, the exhausted court soldiers felt a surge of joy at having survived a catastrophe, many of them collapsing to the ground, fatigue washing over their bodies like a tide.

"They're retreating now?" Governor Sun Xiaozhun was stunned for a moment, "Why did they suddenly withdraw?"

Xue Shence stood on the city wall, his brows furrowed into a knot.

At this moment, a scout quickly ran up the wall: "Report! The reinforcements led by Commander Zhao from the Capital Camp have arrived ten miles north of the prefecture city!"

What? Reinforcements have arrived?!

Everyone on the city wall was stunned, then a strong sense of joy welled up in their hearts.

"I see, the rebel army must have scouted the arrival of our reinforcements, which is why they retreated in such a hurry!" Sun Xiaozhun suddenly realized.

An officer said excitedly, "Your Excellency Secretariat Envoy, should we open the city gates and counterattack to pursue?"

Xue Shence was the only one not overwhelmed by the good news. He calmly observed the formation of the retreating rebel army below the city, shaking his head and sighing: "No need to pursue. The enemy is not retreating hastily, but has obviously prepared well in advance. Their withdrawal is orderly. Given our exhausted forces in the city, chasing them now would only lead to being devoured. As for the reinforcements, although strong, they are still ten miles away. By the time they arrive, the rebel army will have ample time to withdraw... This 'Scholar General' Su Dan is truly an opponent to be reckoned with, a tough adversary."

Suppressing the thought of pursuit, Xue Shence turned around and looked at the crowd: "Pass the order, keep the East, West, and South City Gates in lockdown to guard against any surprises. Governor Sun, please instruct your people to reassure the citizens, informing them of the enemy's retreat and the arrival of reinforcements. The rest will go with me to North City to welcome Commander Zhao."

"Yes!"

...

Shortly after, at the North Gate of Taicang Prefecture City.

Led by Xue Shence and Sun Xiaozhun, a group of local officials and generals arrived to meet the approaching reinforcements.

"Haha, Your Excellency Secretariat Envoy, hearing about the prefecture city's attack, we hurried here with all speed. Are we in time?"

With a build as robust as a battlefield general yet a meticulous mind, Commander of the Divine Machine Camp Shi Meng laughed heartily as he approached, accompanied by the serious Five Army Camp Commander Yuan Feng.

Seeing the two of them, Xue Shence finally showed a relieved smile on his face: "You are right on time. A moment later, and the enemy army would already be wiped out by me."

The two were momentarily stunned.

Sun Xiaozhun laughed: "The Secretariat Envoy is joking with you."

Shi Meng and Yuan Feng could not help but laugh, yet felt a sense of relief: If the Secretariat Envoy is still in the mood to joke, it means the situation is still under control.

Xue Shence glanced at the two with curiosity: "Where is Commander Zhao?"

The two were about to respond when suddenly a figure approached behind them. Mo Chou walked over elegantly, nodding solemnly to everyone: "Mr. Xue, Governor Sun, I heard there was an attack on the city. How are the losses?"

"Greetings, Mo Zhaorong." The two quickly paid their respects, not to Mo Chou herself, but to the Empress she represented.

Zhao Douan and Mo Chou were the two commanders, one overt and one covert, as mentioned in the intelligence.

Speaking of losses, the smile on Governor Sun Xiaozhun's face gradually disappeared, a layer of gloom reappearing on his brow. He opened his mouth, suddenly took off his official hat, bowed deeply, raising the hat with both hands to Mo Chou, and in a lamenting voice amid the stunned gazes of everyone, said: "This attack by the rebel army on the city trapped us within, diverted our forces, and destroyed the Taicang Silver Mine. The court has suffered significant losses, and the fault lies with me for failing to protect the territory and its people. Xiaozhun... is willing to accept all punishment!"

Hearing this, Xue Shence also fell silent, the joy of the reinforcements' arrival utterly vanished!

Indeed, although the rebel army retreated, if calculated by time, the Taicang Silver Mine was likely already destroyed.

Such a huge loss is irretrievable, and this battle, in the end, was one they lost.

Xue Shence suddenly stepped forward, saying in a deep voice: "I am the chief commander here. The destruction of the Taicang Silver Mine is unrelated to Governor Sun. I will bear this alone. After the battle, I will report to Her Majesty, pleading for punishment."

With his voice landing, one by one, the leaders and officials on the Taicang side voiced in unison.

Xue Shence suddenly stepped forward, saying in a deep voice: "I am the chief commander here. The destruction of the Taicang Silver Mine is unrelated to Governor Sun. I will bear this alone. After the battle, I will report to Her Majesty, pleading for punishment."

With his voice landing, one by one, the leaders and officials on the Taicang side voiced in unison.