At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

Noon, Haizhou City.

In a secluded courtyard, Xiao Jingyu was sitting by the bed changing Xiao Yichun's dressing.

"Dad, I should be able to get out of bed and walk around again after a few more days of rest."

Xiao Yichun moved his arm; although it still hurt a little, it was much better than before.

"I can go up to the city wall and help out then."

Xiao Jingyu put down the medicine bowl and glanced at him: "Take care of your injuries first. Your mother used to say that if you don't take care of your injuries properly, you'll suffer when you're old."

Xiao Yichun smiled and didn't argue further.

Just then, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open.

Han Shixun strode in, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement, his steps light and quick.

He strode into the room, barely catching his breath, and exclaimed, "Your Highness! Great news! Incredibly good news!"

Xiao Jingyu paused for a moment, then looked up at him.

"What good news? What good news could there be at this critical juncture?"

Han Shixun took a deep breath and replied, "Last night, following Your Highness's orders, I sent a brother to the Nanpanjiang Wharf to investigate the situation."

"When the brother arrived at the dock, he found it in complete disarray, several small boats smashed, and all the brothers guarding the dock had been killed!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingyu gasped, utterly astonished. His brows furrowed, and he asked in surprise:

"What kind of good news is this?"

"The incident at the Nanpanjiang Wharf proves that the Dongyi people really did take a detour by waterway to launch a surprise attack."

"Once the South Gate River Estuary falls, Haizhou City will be an isolated city..."

"Your Highness, I haven't finished speaking yet!" Han Shixun interrupted Xiao Jingyu, his eyes filled with unfinished excitement. "Then the brothers continued to investigate southward along the waterway and discovered that the Dongyi people's fleet was indeed heading towards the South Pass River Estuary in a grand manner."

"But they failed! They were blocked at the gate and forced to retreat! The Dongyi fleet has slunk back to Ninghai City!"

Xiao Jingyu suddenly stood up, almost dropping the medicine bowl in his hand.

He stared at Han Shixun and exclaimed, "What did you say? Thirty thousand troops failed to capture Nanguan River Estuary?"

Han Shixun nodded vigorously.

"According to inquiries, some people witnessed the large ships heading to the Nanjiang Pass rushing back to Ninghai City in a panic."

"Some of the boats were even damaged and leaning precariously."

Xiao Jingyu gasped, a chill running down his spine.

He knew all too well what this meant.

He finally understood why the Eastern Yi army had withdrawn.

Ryunosuke Shimazu retreated not because he couldn't capture Haizhou Castle, but because his 30,000-strong army, which had circled around to the mouth of the Nankan River, was routed.

The frontal assault was a feint; the real killing move was at the mouth of the Nanguan River.

If Nanguanjiangkou is lost, Haizhou City will be attacked from both sides, its food supplies will be cut off, and tens of thousands of troops will only have death to await.

"Several hundred men...held off an attack of thirty thousand..." Xiao Jingyu murmured. "The general guarding the South Pass River Estuary is Zhou Shouyi? From what I know, Zhou Shouyi doesn't have the ability, and his troops aren't capable enough to fight..."

Han Shixun shook his head: "This humble general doesn't know either. There wasn't enough time, and the brother didn't have time to find out."

"I have already sent him to inquire again, and I expect to have news before tonight."

Xiao Jingyu walked back to the table and slowly sat down.

His mind was working very fast.

He thought that the troops that could hold off 30,000 men at the mouth of the Nanguan River were definitely not ordinary garrison troops.

who can that be?

at this time

A loud "bang!" rang out.

The courtyard gate was kicked open, and the door panel slammed against the wall with a loud bang.

Xiao Jingyu looked up abruptly, and Han Shixun had already turned around, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his face darkening.

Crown Prince Xiao Yunfeng strode into the courtyard, followed by more than a dozen personal guards, fully armed and with their swords drawn.

The crown prince's face was extremely gloomy.

His gaze swept over Xiao Jingyu and landed on Han Shixun, a cold smile appearing on his lips.

"I thought it was someone hiding here, but it turns out it's my third uncle."

"Third Uncle, now that you've returned to Haizhou City, why haven't you reported this to me?"

"You and your two sons are hiding in such a remote place, not even taking the proper route to see the army doctor. Is there something you're hiding that you're not telling anyone?"

Xiao Jingyu stood up, his expression calm, his gaze unwavering: "Crown Prince, what do you mean by that?"

The crown prince didn't look at him, but instead looked at Han Shixun, his voice suddenly rising as he began to question him.

"Han Shixun, how dare you!"

"As a centurion, you knew that the Third Prince and his son had returned to the city, yet you not only failed to report it, but also secretly hid them in the wounded soldiers' camp, concealing the truth and deceiving your commander-in-chief. According to military law, what is your punishment?"

Han Shixun gritted his teeth: "Your Highness, this humble general merely..."

"Just what?" the Crown Prince interrupted him. "Just that you think I'm not trustworthy? Or that you think the Third Prince's orders are more important than my military law?"

Xiao Jingyu stepped forward, blocking Han Shixun's path, and stared directly at the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, if you have any anger, take it out on me. Don't drag innocent soldiers into this."

"Han Shixun concealed my whereabouts at my behest. If you want to punish someone, punish me instead."

The Crown Prince sneered, "Third Uncle, you are my third uncle. I cannot easily punish you."

"But Han Shixun is only a centurion. He concealed the fact that the commander-in-chief was hiding his generals. According to military law, he should be executed."

"You!" Xiao Jingyu's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, his chest heaving violently. "Xiao Yunfeng, are you using this to settle a personal score!"

"You know better than anyone why I don't want you to know my whereabouts! You refused to send troops to help me back then, weren't you hoping I would die at the hands of the Eastern Yi people?"

The crown prince's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "Third Uncle, you're exaggerating."

"As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, I must prioritize the overall situation in every decision I make."

"You have ventured deep behind enemy lines without permission. I will not send troops to meet you because I cannot fall into the trap of the Eastern Barbarians who besiege the enemy and then attack their reinforcements."

Whether you believe it or not is your business.

He waved his hand: "Men, seize Han Shixun!"

Several guards were about to step forward...

"Report!"

A messenger rushed into the courtyard, knelt on one knee, and bowed, saying:

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince! General Su Mu, Duke of Zhenbei, has arrived at the Haizhou City government office with an imperial edict, requesting Your Highness to receive it!"

The courtyard fell silent instantly.

The prince's hand froze in mid-air, and the expression on his face changed from cold and stern to astonished.

Xiao Jingyu's brows relaxed slightly, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up slightly.

He was incredibly happy.

Thinking to himself: Old Su, he has finally come to the East China Sea.

Taking advantage of the Crown Prince's momentary daze, Han Shixun subtly took a half-step back, widening the distance between himself and the guards.

The crown prince remained silent for a few moments, then straightened his armor and his voice regained its composure:

"Since it is His Majesty's imperial decree, I, the Crown Prince, will naturally go to receive it. Han Shixun, I will settle your score with you later."

He turned and walked toward the courtyard gate, his personal guards sheathing their swords and following closely behind.

Xiao Jingyu stood in the courtyard, watching the Crown Prince's departing figure, then turned to look at the increasingly bright sky to the south, murmuring to himself, "Elder Su... you've finally arrived."

"Let's go and take a look at the government office."

"What exactly is the imperial decree brought by Elder Su?"

Han Shixun nodded, then followed Xiao Jingyu's steps and quickly walked out of the courtyard gate.

They headed straight for the government office!