Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Soon, the pot began to boil.

The soldiers held bowls of hot porridge, diluted countless times, in their hands.

Just one bite and tears streamed down my face.

"It's so delicious!"

"It really is so delicious it makes you cry."

The soldiers began to loot, and in no time, they had even licked the bottom of the pot clean.

"General, please have a sip. Food is essential for survival..."

The lieutenant brought Wang Yuanji a bowl and said cautiously.

Wang Yuanji shook his head.

He was filled with extreme sorrow. Just a few days ago, he was full of vigor and ambition, with the spirit to conquer the world.

But now, it has fallen to the point where it is being given charity by its enemies.

In stark contrast to the somber mood on this side, the Great Yan army was in high spirits, drinking hot porridge and waiting for the enemy to surrender.

The campfire roared.

Chen Shao was holding a bowl of steaming hot meat porridge.

He blew on it and just brought it to his lips.

A scout rode out of the darkness and came galloping in.

The scout dismounted and knelt on one knee.

"Your Majesty! Urgent report from Jiangnan!"

"Chen Yue has mobilized the entire Jingzhou and Xiangyang naval forces; over a thousand warships have already entered the sea lanes, preparing for a secret surprise attack on the capital!"

Chen Shao put down his bowl, showing no sign of panic, but instead smiled:

"Good, I haven't even had a chance to deal with him yet, but he can't wait any longer."

Chen Yue didn't care at all.

Chen Shao was concerned about the north.

"What's going on up north?"

"Your Majesty, there is also military news from the north. Empress Helian Yunni of Northern Mang is personally leading an army of 200,000 and is attacking Lulong day and night. General Wu Song has adopted a scorched-earth policy and is keeping the city closed. The situation is critical."

Two hundred thousand?

Chen Shao was startled.

The Northern Barbarians were actually able to assemble such a large army!

He stood up and paced back and forth.

The Northern Barbarians' attack on Lulong was expected. Lulong was isolated and under the very nose of the Northern Barbarians, so this day was bound to come sooner or later. It was just unexpected that they would have such audacity.

"Send an urgent message to Lulong, telling Wu Song that Lulong is indefensible and to retreat immediately. Do not engage Helian Yunni in a direct confrontation."

"Where there's life, there's hope."

"Let him lead his troops, break them up into smaller units, and wage guerrilla warfare in the north, targeting enemy scouts and burning their supplies."

"Then send another order to Zhao Yun, instructing him to rush north and launch a surprise attack on the grasslands, thus giving Wu Song an opportunity to retreat."

Liao Hua strode forward, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and requested permission to serve:

"Your Majesty, this humble general is willing to lead an army north to resist the Northern Barbarians!"

Chen Shao glanced at him and shook his head:

"The Northern Barbarians won't really march south. Helian Yunni is still preparing for a southward advance, and Lulong is a thorn in her side that she must remove no matter what."

"Now, she only wants to sit back and watch the Central Plains rise, and then reap the benefits."

Chen Shao gave a cold laugh.

"She had a good idea, but she never imagined that a fight between two tigers doesn't necessarily mean both will be defeated."

"With each battle our Great Yan army fights, we grow stronger. By the time they realize what's happening, Northern Mang will be nothing but a pathetic rabble!"

"If Wu Song can withdraw, with his and Zhao Yun's harassment, it will take Helian Yunni a long time to ensure that her rear is secure."

"The most urgent task is to deal with Hedong and first subdue Chen Yue..."

As Chen Shao spoke, he looked towards the opposite bank.

There were only a few scattered campfires, making the place look lifeless, like a giant python coiled on your hand.

"They're probably on the verge of collapse; we need to add fuel to the fire!"

Chen Shao called out to a few soldiers and whispered a few words to them.

Soon, they brought over a pile of tree bark.

Chen Shao personally rolled it into a cone-shaped tube, one end smaller than the other.

Simple loudspeaker.

I tried it on my lips, and the sound was indeed several times louder.

Chen Shao nodded in satisfaction and then said:

Does anyone know any folk songs from Hedong? Preferably the kind that express longing for one's hometown?

The situation is currently turbulent, people are displaced, and the army is composed of a very diverse group of people.

Immediately, several veterans from Hedong cautiously stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I...I know a little..."

Chen Shao was overjoyed.

They immediately asked him to sing it for them.

Although the crowd did not understand, they all firmly remembered one thing: His Majesty was right.

The veteran sang several songs, and Chen Shao finally chose one: "Wei Feng · Zhi Hu".

Climbing that hill, I gaze upon my father.

The father said, "Alas! My son is on a long journey, working day and night without rest."

Be careful, for the attacks will never cease!

The general meaning is:

The traveler climbed the barren mountain and gazed towards his hometown.

Imagine your father, mother, and brother at home worrying about you and hoping you will come back soon.

The lyrics are simple, and the melody is desolate.

Chen Shao asked him to sing it a few times, and with his foreign language talent as an international student, he quickly mastered the accent.

Listening to the music, someone finally understood Chen Shao's intention.

This is an attempt to destroy the last psychological defense line on the other side.

"Your Majesty, should I...?"

Chen Shao waved his hand, indicating that he would do it himself.

When it comes to singing, who can compare to me, who has the title of "King of Singing and Dancing"?

He walked to the riverbank and put the bark trumpet to his mouth.

"I climb that hill, gazing towards my father..."

Lower-level singing relies on technique.

High-level singing relies on emotion.

With the support of the "King of Singing and Dancing," Chen Shao's voice evokes an indescribable sense of nostalgia and longing for his hometown.

The soldiers from Hedong were already starving and tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, a buzzing sound came from the opposite bank.

One sound after another.

In this silent wilderness, it became even clearer.

The sound penetrated their ears and landed on their already exhausted hearts.

No one spoke in the Hedong military camp.

The barely extinguished campfire illuminated the gaunt faces.

Feeling lost and confused.

A boy, barely a teenager, was the first to give in. He sat there hugging his knees, his lips trembling.

"Father, Mother..."

This tune is all too familiar; it's what people from Hedong often hum when they finish their night watch at the threshing ground.

At first listen, one doesn't understand the meaning of the song; upon second listen, one becomes a character within the song.

At this moment, they are even worse off than the people in the song; they are trapped here, not even knowing which way is their hometown.

Hunger had already crumpled their stomachs, and the songs had made their hearts swell.

The songs from the other side of the river rang out again and again, like a mother calling her child's childhood name, like a wife asking when she would return.

The soldiers looked up one by one, gazing towards the opposite bank of the river.

Gradually, some people started humming along...

"I climb that hill, gazing towards my father..."

Upon hearing the music, Wang Yuanji got goosebumps all over his body.

He suddenly stood up, swaying a few times before he could barely stand.

Then they charged into the midst of the soldiers.

The whip lashed out again.

"No one is allowed to listen!"

"Plug your ears! Plug them!"

One lash after another, like a torrential downpour.

"That's Chen Shao's conspiracy! Plug your ears, all of you!"