The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

"If he dares not come, or if he comes with a large army..."

Yun Jin's gaze turned cold. "That means he's determined to break off all pretense of civility. We need to prepare for the worst."

Han, the military advisor, distributed the "Underwater Dragon King Cannon" and the "River-Blocking Net" to the brothers who were good swimmers, teaching them how to use them.

The "water listening tube" was handed over to the lookout. In addition, tonight, one hundred of the most elite soldiers who are good at swimming will be selected and personally led by Commander Zhao. Under the cover of night, they will carry the "underwater dragon king cannon" and the "river blocking net" to secretly search downstream along the riverbank for possible enemy ships or water fortresses, and to survey suitable alternative landing points.

If things don't go smoothly tomorrow, we can either force our way across the river or take a detour elsewhere.

"Your Highness, taking the detour will add at least three days to the journey, and the roads will be much more difficult to travel," Zhou Bo warned.

"It's better than being used as a target in the middle of the river," Yun Jin said resolutely.

"Remember, our primary objective is to safely reach Anqing, uncover the truth, and quell the rebellion, not to engage in a decisive battle with Feng Kun at Baimadu."

If we can outsmart him or force him to retreat, that would be ideal. If not, then preserving our strength and making a swift escape is the best course of action. Everything will depend on the circumstances.

"Understood, sir!"

"And another thing," Yun Jin said, looking towards a spot downstream on the map.

The message from "Di Ting" mentioned that in the "Reed Marsh" area fifty miles downstream, there are several groups of fishermen and local militia who are oppressed by the Prince of Jingjiang but still loyal to the court. Their leader is called "Hunjianglong" Jiang Ba.

Pang Xiaopan has already sent someone to make secret contacts.

If a real battle breaks out tomorrow, we might be able to find a way to get them to provide support, or at least let them create some chaos on the river to distract Feng Kun's forces.

This matter will be handled by the liaison officer left behind by Mr. Yin.

The assignments were made, and everyone accepted their orders and went to prepare.

Inside the tent, only Yun Jin and Qing Dai remained.

"Your Highness, you should rest early. Tomorrow... I'm afraid there will be another tough battle." Qingdai made up a bed for Yun Jin, looking worried.

Yun Jin walked to the tent entrance, lifted the heavy curtain, and looked out into the deep night.

A cold wind swept across my face, carrying the dampness of the river.

In the distance, the deep, relentless roar of the Yangtze River can be faintly heard, like the breath of some enormous beast.

"Qingdai, do you think that the Third Prince and Feng Kun would really dare to defy the world and openly intercept and kill the imperial envoy when he crosses the river?" she asked in a low voice, as if she were asking Qingdai, but also as if she were asking herself.

Qingdai was silent for a moment, then whispered, "They... they dare to use the avalanches and assassins from Falling Eagle Gorge, what wouldn't they dare to do?"

Yun Jin remained silent.

Yes, from the assassination attempt in Willow Shade Lane to the destruction of the umbrella outside Yongding Gate, and the ambush at Falling Eagle Gorge, every single one of them was aimed at taking her life.

Now that she is far from the capital and deep in the south, it is the perfect time for them to strike.

If Feng Kun is truly the Third Prince's man, he could easily blame the assassination of the imperial envoy on "rebel spies" or "bandits" afterward, or even falsely accuse her of "underestimating the enemy and being ambushed and killed."

Royal infighting and power struggles are always a matter of life and death, with no room for sentimentality.

"Yes, they dare."

Yun Jin lowered the curtain, turned around and walked back to the bedside, her tone returning to calm.

"Therefore, we must survive, go to Anqing, stand in front of them, expose everything they have done, and make them pay the price."

She took off her outer cloak, lay down fully clothed, and closed her eyes, but her mind was still rapidly processing all the possible scenarios that might occur tomorrow.

The sound of the Yangtze River could be faintly heard, continuing throughout the night.

The next day, just after dawn, before daybreak.

A thick, milky-white fog rose from the wide river surface, spreading silently and engulfing the ferry crossing, docks, boats, and even the distant riverbank.

Ten steps away, one could not discern human form. A cold wind swept through the fog, carrying a biting, damp chill.

The Baima Ferry Wharf was shrouded in deathly silence.

The only sounds were the rushing of the river and the occasional short, suppressed cough coming from the thick fog.

Hundreds of soldiers stationed at the ferry crossing stood indistinctly in the thick fog, silent except for the occasional soft clanging of armor.

The captain in charge, surnamed Wang, was a middle-aged man with dark skin and shifty eyes. He was nervously rubbing his hands together, his gaze frequently drifting into the depths of the thick fog, as if waiting for something.

At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the fog thinned slightly.

The rapid sounds of horses' hooves and wheels grew louder as they approached.

Yun Jin's carriage, escorted by over a thousand cavalrymen, broke through the fog and slowly arrived at the open space at the ferry crossing.

Clad in black armor and cloaks, with banners fluttering, the troops, despite their long journey, remained impeccably disciplined, exuding a chilling aura honed on the battlefield that instantly dispelled the somber atmosphere of the ferry crossing.

Captain Wang hurriedly led his men forward and knelt on one knee: "This humble general, Wang Zhen, the garrison commander of Baima Ferry, pays his respects to Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy!"

The carriage curtain was lifted, but Yun Jin did not get out of the carriage, only revealing half of her face. Her voice came through the mist, clear and indifferent.

"Captain Wang, I have been ordered to travel south on an inspection tour and must cross the river immediately. Why are there so few boats at the ferry crossing? How will my entourage, guards, and supplies manage to cross?"

Sweat beaded on Wang Zhen's forehead as he hurriedly replied, "My lord, the river has been quite unsettled lately, with frequent appearances of river bandits robbing merchants and travelers. To ensure the safety of the river defenses, Governor Feng has ordered the requisition of ferries and their concentration at the river fortress. Currently, the ferry crossing only has these five old boats, capable of ferrying a maximum of a hundred or so people at a time, and even then, it requires multiple trips..."

He secretly raised his eyes, trying to see the expressions of the people inside the car, but all he could see was a blur.

"Governor Feng is certainly fulfilling his duties." Yun Jin's tone was unreadable.

"In that case, please have Commander Wang arrange for my carriage and personal guards to cross the river first. The rest of the ceremonial guards will follow in batches. Vice Envoy Zhou has already taken my imperial token to the water fortress to summon Commander Feng to come and meet me to discuss river defense and crossing matters. The crossing must not be delayed before Commander Feng arrives."

"This..." Wang Zhen looked hesitant. "My lord, the river fog hasn't lifted yet. Crossing the river now might be risky. Perhaps we should wait until the fog clears, or have Commander Feng come to make arrangements..."

"The military situation is urgent, how can we afford to delay?" Yun Jin's voice turned sharp. "Does Commander Wang intend to disobey orders? Or is there something on this river that I cannot see?"

"This humble general wouldn't dare!" Wang Zhen hurriedly lowered his head. "This humble general will arrange it immediately! Arrange it immediately!"

He stood up and shouted to his men, "Quickly! Prepare the boats, and get the Imperial Envoy's carriage onto the first one! Be swift!"

In the thick fog, five dilapidated flat-bottomed ferries were pushed to the dock.

The hull shows signs of repair, and the oars are old.

With Qingdai's help, Yun Jin got off the car and boarded the largest ship.

Zhao Jianing led fifty of his most elite personal guards, traveling in two separate boats, one in front and one behind, to protect him.

Before leaving, Zhou Bo specially selected thirty skilled swimmers from his personal guard battalion. They also boarded the main ship where Yun Jin was, carrying the "Underwater Dragon King Cannon" and "River-Blocking Net" distributed by Han Lie.

Wang Zhen watched Yun Jin board the ship, a strange look flashing in his eyes. He stepped aside and whispered a few words to one of his trusted confidants.

The trusted aide nodded and quietly disappeared into the thick fog.