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Xiong Yuan, upon hearing of Cao Xun's defeat, did not hesitate for a moment and immediately chose to surrender.

When the North Country's vanguard Heavy Cavalry arrived at Wanchang City, they found several fluttering white flags on the city tower, and Xiong Yuan, along with the soldiers of Wanchang City, stood respectfully outside the city awaiting their arrival.

Xiong Yuan did not harbor the slightest intention of resistance; he had already grasped the situation through those soldiers who had escaped back and knew about the power of the North Country's weapons.

He did not believe that the city walls of Wanchang City could withstand the mysterious weapons of the North Country.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Seeing how quickly Xiong Yuan kneeled, the vanguard soldiers of the North Country were stunned; they had originally planned to call out under the city gate of Wanchang City, only to find that the gates were already open, simply waiting for their arrival.

When Xuanyuan Chen arrived with the main army, Xiong Yuan glanced at the distant North Country troops and felt a shock in his heart. Cao Xun, after all, had taken the initiative to ambush the North Country soldiers, but now it seemed that the North Country's one hundred and fifty thousand troops appeared to have suffered no losses at all.

Not only had they suffered no losses, but their numbers seemed to have increased. Of course, where those extra troops came from, Xiong Yuan was very clear.

Seeing the captured soldiers, Xiong Yuan sighed. This was all Cao Xun's fault; if it weren't for Cao Xun's impatience for quick success, they might not have been defeated so swiftly.

But now none of that mattered anymore, for he had already surrendered.

At this moment, Xuanyuan Chen rode up to Xiong Yuan and asked, "Are you the defending general of Wanchang City?"

Xiong Yuan immediately bowed and said, "Yes, General."

Feeling the aura emanating from Xuanyuan Chen, Xiong Yuan was somewhat frightened inside. This person's presence was so terrifying, obviously a Grandmaster.

Had the North Country become so luxurious as to let a Grandmaster lead the army? With a Grandmaster present, even without those so-called weapons capable of summoning Heavenly Thunder, they still wouldn't stand a chance.

Xiong Yuan was somewhat worried, uncertain whether Xuanyuan Chen would choose to execute him on the spot.

It was then that Xuanyuan Chen said, "Our king is merciful. As long as you cooperate with us in attacking Qi Country, our king will spare you. After the war ends, you may choose whether to return to your homeland."

At that moment, Xuanyuan Chen's gaze fell on Xiong Yuan, "Seeing that you're also a Grandmaster, you must have a not insignificant status and know quite a bit. Tell me everything you know about the affairs of Qi Prince."

Xiong Yuan respectfully said, "Yes, General."

Then Xiong Yuan led Xuanyuan Chen and the one hundred and fifty thousand troops of the North Country into Wanchang City.

When the North Country troops entered Wanchang City, there was not a single civilian on the streets; the civilians were afraid that when the North Country troops invaded, they would plunder and loot, so they simply hid in their homes, with their doors and windows tightly shut.

However, the civilians soon discovered that the soldiers of the North Country were just marching in orderly rows, quietly passing through the streets without harassing the city's civilians.

Witnessing this scene, even Xiong Yuan himself was astonished. Had the military discipline of the North Country reached such a level?

Apparently, the strong combat power of the North Country's army was not just due to the fierce power of their weapons but also had a lot to do with their army's strict discipline.

With such powerful weapons and firm military discipline, could Qi Country really withstand them? Xiong Yuan harbored deep doubts about this.

In his view, the Qi Prince probably had only one path left now, which was to surrender quickly. Perhaps the North Prince would then show leniency, considering their familial ties, and allow him a worry-free existence for the rest of his life.

If they continued to resist, he estimated that there would only be one path left: death.

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In the following days, the civilians of Wanchang City remained highly cautious of the North Country soldiers, but the soldiers only encamped in specific areas. They didn't harass the civilians; in fact, they hardly left their temporary encampments at all.

Just when people were starting to lower their guard, the civilians inside the city became anxious once again. Xuanyuan Chen had the temporarily appointed Prefecture Governor assess the land and property of each household.

The first thought that came to the people's minds was that the North Country army was planning to confiscate the land. After all, that was exactly what the North Prince had done in the North Country.

Although worried, given the deterrence of the North Country's military, the common people of Wanchang City and those Aristocratic Families could only cooperate.

Of course, among them, there were some who harbored ulterior motives, such as those who underreported a lot of land, wishing to hide their assets. As a result, those families who were sly quickly disappeared from Wanchang City.

A few days later, Wanchang City regained some of its vitality, and the townspeople were willing to go out again.

The common people also noticed that the North Country soldiers really did not loot, kill, or plunder. At least they had never troubled ordinary people. Those who suffered were the landowners or Aristocratic Families who hoarded land and did not cooperate with the land statistics.

People were soon surprised to find that the number one Aristocratic Family in Wanchang City, the Qi Family, was still doing well. The Head of Qi Family was seen running around as if nothing had happened in the following days.

Everyone had thought that the Qi Family would certainly be purged, but unexpectedly, the Qi Family was left unscathed.

Some people who were on good terms with the Head of the Qi Family asked why their family had not been eradicated, and the Head of the Qi Family replied that they had cooperated with the North Country's military in reporting the land, completed the transfer of land ownership, and submitted some uncultivated land to the Prefectural Government.

After releasing the surplus family retainers, they encountered no trouble at all.

Soon, people understood that the North Prince had only legally confirmed the ownership of the land to belong to the North Prince, but he had no intention of taking back the land, for the North Prince lacked the capability to cultivate such vast fields.

With the Qi Family as an example, the common people in Wanchang City and nearby were even more proactive in cooperating with the Prefectural Government in reporting their land and completed the transfer of land ownership in a short period.

Of course, this was not the most important. What mattered most was the sudden announcement by the Prefectural Government that henceforth, under the rule of the North Prince, the agricultural tax would be collected at a rate of one percent and that no other taxes related to agriculture would be additionally levied.

Upon the release of this policy, the common people of Wanchang City and the nearby towns embraced the rule of the North Prince, praising the North Prince as a merciful Seignior and believing that if the North Prince could become the Sum Emperor, he would surely be a merciful Emperor as well.

The news of the collapse of Wanchang City and the actions taken by the North Country's military there quickly reached the ears of the Qi Prince.

When the Qi Prince learned that Wanchang City had been captured, he literally became sick with anger.

Qi Country, Royal Capital.

Qi Prince Mansion.

Qi Prince lay on his bed, his face haggard. At this time, his wives and children had come into the room.

With a face full of sorrow, the Qi Prince said, "The hundred thousand-strong army in Wanchang City was equipped with Piercing Cloud Bows and Piercing Cloud Arrows. How could it have been defeated so quickly? Is the North Country's strength truly that formidable!"

The charming Qi Queen sat by the bed, looking worriedly at Qi Prince and said, "Your Majesty, your health is what's important!"

"We still have another hundred thousand-strong army in East Sun City. We still have hope."

However, just at that moment, a panicked voice of a soldier came from outside the room, "Your Majesty, urgent report from East Sun City!"

Hearing these words, Qi Prince's heart skipped a beat.

Qi Prince coughed violently several times, then said, "Come in."

The next moment, a soldier entered the room and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, dire news. East Sun City has been taken by an invading North Country fleet!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Prince's eyes went dark, and he collapsed.

"Your Majesty..."

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you..."

"Quick... call the physician..."

...

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