The success of their series of plans had been predicated on having the fifty thousand private soldiers of Murong Jing at their disposal. However, Pei Xiao, a man of benevolence and righteousness, had allowed the veterans—who had not been home in over two years—to return to their families first. It was meant to be a gesture of goodwill and compassion for his subordinates. Yet, with uprisings erupting all across the country, it was questionable how many of those fifty thousand men would ever return.
"The most pressing matter now is to use the five thousand men we have to seize Jizhou quickly. With the city walls and the troops of Jizhou, it will be much easier to advance our future plans."
Pei Xiao had woken up at some point and pushed the door open, his face still etched with exhaustion. Luo Xueyao and Luo Qingyu, who had been keeping watch outside, hurried forward to meet him. Luo Xueyao’s face was filled with worry; her beautiful eyes were fixed intently on Pei Xiao, her deep concern evident to anyone who looked at her.
Chapter 63