Dream of the Red Chamber: After being exiled, I went on a killing spree in Liaodong.

Unfortunately, nobody paid them any attention.

The next instant, the rioters surged forward like a tidal wave, raining down punches, kicks, and sticks.

The ending is self-evident.

Tragic! Absolutely tragic!

Is dying a quick death with a single blow the same as being beaten to death?!

—The former can be done with eyes closed, while the latter can make a sound even when bones are breaking!

In Shenjing City.

A member of the Imperial Guard rushed in and went straight to Jia Yi's side.

Seeing this, Xue Baochai gently tugged at Qin Keqing's sleeve: "Third Master has important business to attend to, let's go for a stroll elsewhere."

The two walked away gracefully, their skirts fluttering, leaving no trace.

"Your Highness," the Imperial Guard lowered his voice, "something terrible has happened in the south."

"The people of Guangdong and Guangxi have been incited by the White Lotus sect and have launched a large-scale riot."

"The surrounding small countries also took advantage of the situation and mobilized their entire military forces to besiege the Prince of Nan'an."

"The situation... is extremely critical."

Jia Yi stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing slightly.

"What exactly are the White Lotus Sect's abilities?"

"How could it repeatedly unleash bloodshed?"

He muttered to himself, his tone revealing a hint of amusement and inquiry.

What kind of magic do these people possess?

They could inspire law-abiding citizens to rise up in rebellion.

The White Lotus Sect is serious this time.

"They used gunpowder."

"They even told the people that they had invited the Thunder God down to the mortal realm."

"In addition, the officials in Guangdong and Guangxi were too oppressive, which caused widespread public resentment."

The Imperial Guard reported in a low voice.

"Ha, a bunch of corrupt officials."

Jia Yi shook his head with a cold smile.

"Send a message to Zhao Shizhen, ordering the urgent manufacture of flintlock muskets."

Once the battle reports from the south arrive,

He was about to personally lead his troops south.

This time, he intends to uproot the White Lotus Sect completely.

Cut the weeds and eliminate the roots, leaving no future troubles.

Otherwise, sooner or later another "white lotus" or "red lotus" will emerge from some corner to wreak havoc on the world.

These cults have really been causing a lot of harm lately.

"yes!"

The Imperial Guards received their orders and withdrew.

"I have 100,000 White-Spear Soldiers and 10,000 Musketeers here."

"Take these 110,000 elite troops and charge in."

Jia Yi gave the order in a deep voice.

The mountains of Guangdong and Guangxi make it difficult for cavalry to travel.

The White-Spear Soldiers, who specialize in mountain warfare, are still the most effective infantry.

The Imperial Guards, who had just left, suddenly turned back.

"Your Highness, I forgot to report something."

"A few days ago, the emperor secretly executed Prince Yizhong."

"The corpses were hastily buried next to the imperial tomb."

Jia Yi's eyes darkened slightly, and he nodded.

The person is dead... Should we tell Qin Keqing about it?

After a moment of silence, he stood up.

"Let's tell her anyway."

When he pushed open the door, Qin Keqing was sitting by the window. When she saw him come in, her eyes softened.

"Third Master, are you done with your work?"

"Qing, I just received a message."

He took her hand, his voice lowering slightly.

"Prince Yizhong... is gone."

Xue Baochai watched silently from the side, her expression worried.

She only recently learned Qin Keqing's true identity.

"Oh, he's dead."

Qin Keqing nodded gently, her tone as calm as if she were talking about something insignificant.

She knew how it would end the day her brother's uprising failed.

"Qing, you still have me."

Jia Yi stared into her calm eyes, and his heart clenched.

This girl, though her heart is in turmoil, insists on pretending to be calm and collected.

"Yes, sister, you still have us."

Xue Baochai stepped forward and embraced her, her voice soft yet firm.

"Um."

Qin Keqing finally smiled slightly, but a thin mist rose in the corner of her eyes.

—And at this moment, in the South.

"Holy Maiden, we now have two hundred thousand followers!"

"Enough to take straight to the stronghold of the Prince of Nan'an!"

Upon hearing this, the White Lotus Sect's Holy Maiden's eyes lit up.

After waiting for so long, this day has finally come.

"Set off!"

Without hesitation, she uttered a single word, as swift as a drawn sword.

The army set off immediately, vast and imposing, exuding a murderous aura.

On the other side, Sun Qing risked his life to escape back to the Prince's Palace.

"Your Highness, the Chief Secretary has returned!"

The servant announced this loudly.

The Prince of Nan'an was taken aback: "Didn't I send him to pacify the rioters? He's back so soon?"

"Could it be... that the situation has been quelled?"

He felt a sense of relief and a smile appeared on his lips.

Sure enough, these lowly people can be easily appeased with a little kindness.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Sun Qing stumbled in, his face covered in dust and his clothes torn, clearly having risked his life to escape.

"Well done!" The Prince of Nan'an laughed, patting him heavily on the shoulder. "This is a great achievement; I will certainly petition His Majesty for a reward on your behalf!"

Master Qian stood aside, his eyes filled with envy: This Sun Qing is probably about to rise to the top!

But Sun Qing knelt down on the ground, her head bowed deeply.

"What? Something happened?"

The Prince of Nan'an's smile faltered, and his heart sank.

"Your Highness...this subordinate...has failed in his duty."

Sun Qing's voice was hoarse, and his face was full of shame.

"What?!"

Prince Nan'an and Master Qian spoke almost simultaneously.

"You didn't get the job done, so what are you doing back here?"

"How did I instruct you?!"

The Prince of Nan'an stared intently at Sun Qing with eyes as sharp as knives.

Outrageous! How dare a mere chief clerk feign compliance while secretly defying orders? Do you think my sword can't cut anyone down?

"Your Highness, things are completely chaotic outside," Sun Qing said, panting.

"Those 'ordinary people' are no longer considered ordinary people."

"They are wolves, tigers, man-eating beasts."

"Once they've tasted bloodshed, why would they listen to reason? You think you can get them to lay down their weapons with just a few words? Dream on!"

He gave a bitter smile, his eyes filled with helplessness.

"If it really comes to that, then we're in big trouble!" Master Qian's pupils contracted.

If the lowly people of Guangdong and Guangxi continue their burning, killing, and looting spree...

They will be torn to pieces before reinforcements arrive.

"We must send troops to suppress this!" Sun Qing gritted his teeth. "If we don't act now, it will be too late!"

Those men had blood on their hands; the combined strength of the constables and garrison in the county town wouldn't be enough to fill a gap in their teeth.

"Mobilize troops? Where am I supposed to mobilize them?" The Prince of Nan'an rubbed his temples. "In the entire southern territory, the only troops I have left are my two thousand guards."

"Then withdraw the troops from the front lines!" Master Qian said resolutely.

"Withdraw from the front lines?" The Prince of Nan'an turned abruptly, his eyes icy. "Then who will guard the border? You're going to hold off the Yue cavalry?"

"Your Highness, we can't possibly defeat the southern kingdoms in the short term," Master Qian said, his voice strained. "But a hundred thousand troops would be more than enough to crush a mob!"

"It's better to eliminate internal threats first than to be attacked from both sides!"

After a moment of silence, the Prince of Nan'an finally nodded.

"Order—All troops to retreat!"

Upon receiving the order, the border troops immediately regrouped and withdrew from the defense zone in an orderly manner.

The Yue spies noticed the unusual activity immediately and rushed back to the capital.

"Your Majesty! The Great Qian army has retreated!"

"All outposts, retreat across the board!"

Upon hearing this, the King of Yue looked up to the sky and laughed wildly.

"Hahaha! Good! Our ally has made his move!"

"Order the entire army—advance immediately! Target: Guangdong and Guangxi!"

Upon hearing the news, the other countries immediately mobilized their main forces and rushed to the heartland of Guangdong and Guangxi.

Everyone understands that opportunity knocks but once.

Inside the Prince of Nan'an's residence.

"It's terrible, Your Highness! The rebels are only twenty li from the city!"

A guard scrambled in, his face filled with terror.