The weather has been gloomy for days, with dark clouds hanging low over the city, making people feel stifled and unable to breathe.

  In the distance, a grayish-white patch on the mountain slope, a large banner flapping loudly in the wind, with the powerful and majestic "Wei" clearly visible, like a tiger lurking and watching its prey, ready to pounce at any moment and swallow up the city in front of it, which is thousands of times larger than itself. Under the big banner, smoke was rising, the Wei army was setting up camp and cooking, with thick wheat fragrance and meat fragrance wafting everywhere.

  The city wall of Yangcheng was faintly stained with blood, not far from where the Wei army camped, and the main battlefield below the city was littered with corpses, broken limbs, and filled with a bloody and putrid smell.

  The soldiers on the city wall were already at their last gasp, their armor battered and broken, their lips cracked and bleeding in the howling wind. The sight of the Wei army feasting in the distance, as well as the aroma of food in the air, mercilessly crushed their willpower, and people continued to abandon their armor and surrender to the enemy.

  The city was desolate, with no pedestrians on the streets. The cold wind howled through the alleys, bringing snow and ice, leaving the ground spotless.

  In the empty and desolate prison cell.

  The forest was cold and damp, filled with the smell of mold and decay. The torches on either side of the road flickered weakly in this environment, casting only a faint glow. The entire prison cell had only one small ventilation window about the size of a palm, located at a height of one zhang (about 3 meters). A beam of white light shone through it, illuminating the vague outlines of human figures inside the cell.

  "Mr. Huai Jin! Mr. Huai Jin save me!"

  The empty room had a faint echo, the repeated reverberations of the tail tone trembling, exposing the speakers fear and cowardice without a doubt.

  A person wearing a hemp robe leaned against the thatched wall in the corner, with a loose bun on top of their head and disheveled hair scattered down, half covering their face. The clothes on their body were black with white specks, making it unclear what color they were.

  In front of this prisoner, a middle-aged man in Chinese clothes knelt down, who was the master of Yangcheng - Duan Yang Hou.

  The sunlight that came in through the window fell on Duan Yang Hou, and one could clearly see that his pale face was covered with sweat. Seeing that the man did not move, Duan Yang Hou hastily took two steps forward on his knees, "Sir, save me!"

  The dust raised by his movements danced wildly in that beam of white light, and it was unclear whether it eventually fell or flew out the window.

  The person leaning against the wall finally moved slightly, a pair of clear black and white eyes looked at Lord Duanyang through disheveled hair.

  They were not particularly beautiful eyes, but the clarity and wisdom that shone from them delighted Lord Duan Yang - it was an gaze that seemed careless yet transparent as ice and snow, and whenever he felt flustered, catching sight of it would inexplicably calm him down.

  The man known as Mr. Huaijin stared at him for a long time, suddenly let out a snort of laughter and said in a dry, hoarse voice, "Damn it, youre really cowardly."

  Although the voice was hoarse, it could still be heard that it was a woman.

  Not to mention Song Huaijin was just scolding people, even if he was slapped a few times, Duan Yang Hou would not have any dissatisfaction. At this moment, the army is besieging the city, and the first wave of attacks by the Wei army lasted for a day and night before retreating like a tide to regroup. Only then did he have the opportunity to run here to seek help.

  Duan Yang Hou gazed at her tensely, the woman in front of him had wisdom that was not inferior to a first-rate strategist, unfortunately he had never looked up to her from the start, so even though she helped Yan Cheng pass through several difficulties, when the so-called "treason" evidence was presented before his eyes, he still didnt hesitate to throw her into prison.

  "My lord! The citys water and grain supplies have been cut off!" A blood-soaked man burst in, his voice filled with shock, anger, and despair.

  Song Huaijin looked up at the newcomer with difficulty, and in the dim light, he couldnt tell whether the armor on his body belonged to a soldier or a general. His face was covered with a messy beard like straw, and his sturdy physique made him look like a black bear. But Song Huaijin still recognized him at a glance - he was Qi Wu, the most skilled warrior under the command of Duan Yanghou.

  Duan Yanghou stiffened on the spot, his face deathly pale.

  "Mr. Huaijin..." Qi Wu looked at Song Huaijin, his voice weakened, he had believed in that traitorous evidence back then, so when Song Huaijin was detained, he didnt even plead for her, how could he have the face to ask her now.

  But his words clearly reminded Duan Yang Hou, Duan Yang Hou reacted and gave Song Huaijin a deep bow to the bottom, and once again pleaded, "Master, save me!"

  Song Huaijin leaned against the mottled wall, slowly letting out a sigh. "Forget it, you have saved my life once before, today Ill spare your life one last time, and consider the debt repaid."

  Although Duanyang Hou is weak and incompetent, he is also suspicious by nature. However, he did save her that year, and when no one else was willing to use her, he gave her the opportunity to showcase her talents. If she wants to hate someone, she can only hate herself for not knowing people well and trying to prop up a useless person! If she wants to hate, she can only hate herself for mistakenly believing in love and entrusting her true heart to that man, only to be utterly defeated by him.

  Even if it werent for saving Duan Yang Hou, she would still go to meet Min Chi who had used her emotions to put her in this situation.

  "Does Mr. Huaijin have a plan to keep the city safe?" asked Qi Wu, unable to help himself.

  Song Huaijin was choked by his words, and he punched the dry grass on the ground fiercely. He was so angry that he actually laughed, "General Qi can be so naive for so many years, its really enviable."

  "She said with a scowl, Youre leaving me this mess of a chessboard, how am I supposed to clean it up? Im Song Chuyi, not some goddess! The city walls around Yangcheng are strong and tall, yet the Wei state still chose to attack, clearly trying to create a diversion to cut off our supply lines! Even if I were to stay here, Id know that outside, there must be people constantly surrendering to the Wei army. Min Chis connections in this place far surpass yours, who knows, maybe someone will open the city gates for them soon! When the enemy breaks into the city, can you all give me wings to fly away with? Will that do, General Qi?"

  Song Huaijins body was weak, and he said so much in one breath, panting heavily without stopping.

  The sharp sarcasm made Qi Wus face flush with anger, fortunately he was in a dark place and his face was all bearded, so no one could see the color.

  Duan Yang Hou felt not shame, but a chill starting from the soles of his feet. He was just a small vassal struggling to survive between Qin and Wei, with few advisors in his tent. Only Song Huaijin and Min Chi had some real talent and learning, while the others were all incompetent military strategists who only knew how to eat their fill.

  Min Chi abandoned his lord and defected to the State of Wei. This time, he served as a military strategist to attack Yangcheng, also using his tactics to alienate Duan Yanghou and Song Huaijin. As the former chief strategist under Duan Yanghou, Min Chi was familiar with the distribution of troops in Yangcheng and its terrain, and with the help of Weis strong army, attacking Yangcheng was as easy as turning over ones hand.

  Other third-rate strategists who were making a living under the Duke of Endymion, seeing that the situation was already gone, immediately packed up and left. Those people were not good at anything else, but they were exceptionally skilled at "running away", and it can be said that they came and went without a trace.

  "Im done for!" Duke Duan Yangs face turned deathly pale as he collapsed onto the withered grass.

  "I wont die." Song Huaijin struggled to get up against the wall and stared at Qi Wu, "Help me up."

  Duan Yang Hou heard this and hastily stood up, not minding the dirt on her body, and reached out to support her. Qi Wu also quickly walked over and supported the other side. The two of them helped Song Huaijin walk out.

  Song Huaijin asked for a bath and change of clothes. Although Tuan Yanghou was anxious to get the fire burning, he still ordered someone to prepare it.

  ……

  In the empty and spacious main hall, the dark green stone floor tiles, on both sides were black pillars that two people could encircle with their arms. At the top of the main seat, Yang Hous face was pale, but he was much calmer than before.

  After a while, the hand that Lord Duanyang had placed on his knee was already soaked with sweat through the thick satin clothes. Only then did he see someone walking slowly into the great hall from the entrance.

  She wore a crimson robe with wide sleeves, her black hair was styled like a mans, tied up in a knot on top of her head, secured with a simple and elegant jade pin. Her slender figure was like bamboo, the loose robe fluttering in the wind like a banner. The half-month of imprisonment had left her cheeks sunken and her complexion sallow.

  Her five senses are not particularly beautiful, and when combined, they can barely catch the eye. She is ordinary to the point where she wouldnt have much presence even standing among a group of strategists in the past. However, if you were to make eye contact with her, you would discover that behind those clear eyes as cold as ice and snow lies hidden wisdom.

  Duan Yang Hou hastily stepped down from the main seat, "Mr. Huai Jin, its almost nightfall... The soldiers are hungry and exhausted, Weis army will definitely not let go of this great opportunity to attack the city."

  "Why dont you all just starve to death and then enter the city calmly?" Song Huaijin knelt down on a nearby seat, the cold wind in the grand hall making her feel somewhat unbearable while she was still running a high fever. "I deeply understand Min Chis temperament, he advocates for not fighting but forcing others to surrender, if there is a way to starve you to death, he will not attack the city."

  To subdue the enemy without fighting is the greatest victory; this is also the greatest use that can be made of the keenest intelligence, and to win the war by strategy is the best way to overcome the enemy.

  "If the King of Wei wanted to take over Yangcheng at a great cost, he would have succeeded long ago. Why wait for Min Chi to make his move? So I guess he doesnt have many usable troops. Ive already prepared an escape route from the city. Bring your trusted followers and sneak out tonight to flee to Qin State. Tell them that the Wei army is attacking the city, Yangcheng has few soldiers and cant resist, and were willing to surrender the city to Qin State, just asking King Qin to take us in." Song Huaijin said slowly with his eyes downcast, pulling out a sheepskin map from his sleeve and handing it to Lord Duan Yang.

  Fortunately, she still had a trick up her sleeve for Min Chi, otherwise at this moment it would have been a desperate situation.

  "You cant bring too many people, it will attract the attention of the Wei army. If you cant bear to part with those beauties, then stay here and live or die with them!" Song Huaijin said word by word, staring at him. She knew Duan Yang Hou too well, he was suspicious but also kind-hearted, yet kindness in this world is a fatal weakness.

  It is precisely because of this weakness that she has been able to survive until now.

  Duan Yang Hou pursed his lips tightly, as if he had made a very big decision, before nodding and saying, "Alright!"

  Song Huaijin coughed for a while and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Lets go."

  "Isnt Mr. Huaijin coming with us?" Duke Duan Yang asked hesitantly.

  To this day, Song Huaijin still doubted her, and he sneered, "When the birds are gone, the bow is hidden, when the rabbit dies, the dog is cooked. Intelligent people will always prepare a way out for themselves. If you dont want to leave, no one will force you!"

  Song Huaijin had always wanted to leave, but she was already on her last breath. She had been ill in prison for seven days and had exhausted her vitality. They were fleeing for their lives and couldnt afford to sit comfortably in a carriage; the long journey, with its constant jolts, would only end in death.

  Compared with such a desperate escape and death, she would rather be more calm and free.

  Footsteps echoed in the hall, Song Huaijin thought that Lord Duan Yang had left, but her shoulders sank instead, as it turned out that Lord Duan Yang had draped the white wolf fur cloak over her.