Chapter 792 Beauty fades and love fades!
Although Xu Huhui, who was kneeling on the ground, had been severely injured, his eyes were still full of resentment. He stared at Ma Zhongjun and said viciously:
“You bastard, is this all you’re capable of? The Marquis will kill your entire family… Haha… ah!”

At the end of the laughter, Xu Huhui suddenly let out a miserable cry. It turned out that Ma Zhongjun quickly took out a knife and cut off one of his ears.

Although his ear was cut off and the blood gushing out of the wound made Xu Huhui's face bloody and look very miserable, the guy's eyes were still full of mockery.

"Do you have the guts to kill me? The Marquis will avenge me, and none of you bastards of the Fengwu Army will be able to escape!"

Looking at the extremely rampant Xu Huhui, the young and energetic Ma Zhongjun could no longer bear it and immediately stabbed Xu Huhui in the heart.

After this fatal blow, Xu Huhui's face did not show any pain, but a look of relief emerged. He used up the last of his strength and said to Ma Zhongjun:
"Remember what I said! None of you can escape!"

After saying this, Xu Huhui tilted his head and stopped breathing completely. Looking at Xu Huhui lying in the blood amber, Ma Zhongjun gradually regained his senses. He was a little annoyed that he had fallen into Xu Huhui's provocation and gave him a quick death!
Thinking of this, Ma Zhongjun angrily ordered the guards:
"Drag him out, whip his corpse, and feed it to the dogs!"

"Yes!"

After receiving Ma Zhongjun's order, two guards immediately came over and were about to drag Xu Huhui's body out··························
After calming down a little, Ma Zhongjun ordered his men to bring up the other captured senior generals of the Zhennan Army in the city. Naturally, the others were not as tough as Xu Huhui. At first, they wanted to pretend to be loyal and unyielding, but as soon as Ma Zhongjun used some tricks on them, they immediately surrendered and said whatever was asked.

About half an incense stick later, Ma Zhongjun got what he wanted - the situation in Kangyin City!

As the general of the First Division, he was naturally very clear that the primary combat target of the Fengwu Army this time was the second largest city in Huainan. If Kangyin was not captured, then even if the Fengwu Army had captured the three cities of Bozhou, Zhucheng and Shunde, it would still be difficult to say that it was a success!

Therefore, in order to give a satisfactory answer to Ye Mingsheng and the General Staff, Ma Zhongjun was also very concerned about the situation in Kangyin City.

According to the intelligence just obtained, there are about 10,000 Zhennan Army soldiers in Kangyin City. The defending general is named Zhao Jiye, who is also a brave general who has followed Xu Zhaojie for many years and is also trusted by Xu Zhaojie!

It is said that Xu Zhaojie seemed to have known that the logistical situation of the Fengwu Army was not ideal, so he ordered Zhao Jiye to defend Kangyin City for ten days. Ten days later, Xu Zhaojie would personally lead tens of thousands of reinforcements from Shouchun across the Nanjiang River to provide support!
Ma Zhongjun also has his own judgment on the authenticity of this news. According to the intelligence sent by the General Coordination Office, the total strength of the Zhennan Army is currently around 60,000. However, a considerable number of them are newly recruited soldiers. This is also an important reason why the Fengwu Army has been so successful all the way...
This is the case for a siege operation. If they go out of the city for a field battle, the new recruits recruited by the Zhennan Army will certainly be unable to withstand the battle-hardened Fengwu Army. So logically speaking, what Xu Zhaojie said was just an excuse. If this was promised by someone else, Ma Zhongjun would definitely think so!
But the person who made this promise was called Xu Zhaojie, which made Ma Zhongjun wonder whether Xu Zhaojie would actually do this!

Although the Fengwu Army had won a great victory against Xu Zhaojie in the previous Battle of Hebei and Henan, and annihilated the elite main force of the Zhennan Army, Ma Zhongjun, who participated in this battle, knew that the reason why the Fengwu Army was able to win was entirely due to the advantage of accumulated manpower and artillery.

However, when it comes to commanding combat troop deployment, Xu Zhaojie, the Marquis of Zhenyuan in the Great Zhou Dynasty, is much stronger than them. Therefore, Ma Zhongjun is also very wary of Xu Zhaojie.

Therefore, after hearing Xu Zhaojie's ten-day promise to Zhao Jiye, Ma Zhongjun had to become cautious. After thinking carefully for a while, Ma Zhongjun instructed his men:
"Send a few messengers to contact the Fourth Army colleagues and tell them that my First Division will arrive at Shangjing Township to meet them the day after tomorrow morning as planned!"

"Also, get in touch with the Coordination Office and ask them to ensure that the plan goes smoothly! Xu Zhaojie is likely to play some tricks!"

"Yes! Sir, I will contact them right away!"

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“Those who seek friendship based on beauty, love will slacken when beauty fades; those who seek friendship based on profit, friendship will fade when the profit is gone; those who seek friendship based on power, friendship will end when the power is gone; those who seek friendship based on virtue, friendship will last as long as the earth and the sky…”

Looking at the Warring States Policy in her hand, An Miaoyi silently recited it. For some reason, her eyes gradually turned red.
Qiqige also felt distressed and whispered to comfort him:
"Ma'am, don't think too much. Maybe one day he will change his mind and see through the true colors of that bitch's family. He will know who is the one who really treats him well. Don't cry and hurt yourself."

After listening to Qiqige's words, An Miaoyi wiped away her tears, sorted out her emotions, and said with a smile:

"I didn't cry. I just felt that what he said was so true. Do you think the relationship between him and me is like the first three: love fades when beauty fades, friendship fades when benefits are gone, and friendship ends when power declines?"

Feeling the resentment in An Miaoyi's heart, Qi Qige felt very uncomfortable, but still comforted An Miaoyi:

"Madam, things are far from the worst. The Lord has appointed Mr. Cui as the Central Envoy. This Central Envoy is the top civilian official in our Fengwu Army. He is second only to the Lord!"

“When you become emperor in the future, Mr. Cui will be the prime minister. This is enough to show that you still trust Mr. Cui, the Cui family, and you, madam…”

Although the news of the establishment of the Central Council and the Personnel Bureau, the Political Affairs Bureau and other departments has not been officially announced, a lot of news about this round of reorganization of the power structure has been leaked from the Imperial Guards in the past few days, and everyone who should know the news has already known it.

Compared with the establishment of these new departments, what is more noteworthy is who will be the leaders of these new departments, who will be promoted in this round of power structure adjustment, and who will lose power, be marginalized or even fall from power in the adjustment! According to the latest leaked news, it can be confirmed that the Central Council will become a power department similar to the Great Zhou Cabinet. The Central Envoy in charge of the Central Council is equivalent to the Prime Minister of the Cabinet. He will be succeeded by Cui Shaolai, the current Governor of Hebei and Henan, who has the longest experience and the deepest background.

Honestly speaking, no one was surprised by the news. After all, in everyone's eyes, Cui Shao had already been a leading figure among the civil officials of the Fengwu Army. This time, letting him serve as the central envoy was just a recognition of his status by Ye Mingsheng!

What was truly surprising was that Gu Sansi was the director of the newly established Personnel Bureau. Although the name of the Personnel Bureau was very novel, after learning about the functions of this department, everyone cast their fiery eyes on the throne of the director of the Personnel Bureau!

Many people speculated that the director of the Personnel Bureau, who was equivalent to the Minister of Personnel, had too much power in his hands. Therefore, it was most likely that Cui Shao, who was the Central Envoy, would take the position himself, or Cui Shao would recommend a confidant to take the position...

However, no one expected that Ye Mingsheng would let Gu Sansi, who was originally scheduled to be the director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, serve as the director of the Personnel Bureau. Just when everyone was talking about it, news came out that Cui Shao, the central envoy, would also serve as the director of the Political Affairs Bureau. This calmed down the voices.
Although the Director of the Political Affairs Bureau, who is equivalent to the Minister of Revenue, is also very important, he is obviously inferior to the Director of the Personnel Bureau who is in charge of personnel matters.

Listening to Qiqige's consolation, An Miaoyi smiled bitterly, shook her head and said:

"Qiqige, you don't understand. He seems to be demoting my uncle in name only. He used a nominal title of Central Envoy to take away my uncle's power. He doesn't even want my uncle to recommend a successor to the post of Governor of Hebei and Henan. This is enough to show what he is thinking!"

"He let Gu Sansi be the director of the Personnel Bureau to take charge of personnel power. It is very likely that he is preparing for the future!"

After she finished speaking, An Miaoyi felt even more sad. Recently, people who were on good terms with her, such as Huo San, Zhang Dehui, Ye Hongsheng, etc., were suppressed one after another. Huo San, who was in a slightly better situation, was also demoted from the director of the Coordination Office to the deputy director.

As for Ye Hongsheng and Zhang Dehui, they were directly dismissed from their posts and exiled for life. Although these three were dealt with by Ye Mingsheng due to corruption, as Ye Mingsheng’s bedside companion, An Miaoyi knew very well that things would not be so coincidental. This was most likely Ye Mingsheng taking the opportunity to hit her...
And now her greatest reliance, Cui Shao, has lost his power in personnel and has become a central envoy in name only. An Miaoyi feels sad and confused. She doesn't know whether Ye Mingsheng will deal with her next. Thinking of this, An Miaoyi looks at a small porcelain vase on her dressing table.

That was the last resort she prepared for herself. She was the mistress of the Fengwu Army, and she had to protect her dignity even at the last moment!
Just as An Miaoyi was daydreaming, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside the house, and then a little maid walked into the house. Seeing the little maid's flustered look, Qiqige, who was in a bad mood, immediately scolded:
"Do you have any rules? Don't you know how to report?"

The little maid was also shocked when these words came out, and the young man said hesitantly:
"Ma'am, I was wrong, but the Lord seems to be coming this way!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a hint of surprise appeared in Qiqige's eyes, while a hint of complexity appeared in An Miaoyi's eyes.

After seeing An Miaoyi, Qiqige hesitated for a moment, but still said carefully:

"Madam, do you want to give you..."

Although Qiqige didn't finish her words, An Miaoyi understood what her good sister meant. She had been in a very low mood these days and felt confused about the future, so she had no mood to put on makeup and always went out with a bare face.

Although An Miaoyi is naturally beautiful and is prettier than most women even without makeup, it is obvious that she looks better with makeup now that Ye Mingsheng is here.

Listening to Qiqige's suggestion, An Miaoyi was somewhat tempted, but at this time she was also a little angry, and even felt that Ye Mingsheng might come to kill her at this time, so she gritted her teeth and decided:

"that's all!"

After a cup of tea, Ye Mingsheng arrived in the yard. Looking at An Miaoyi without makeup, he was a little surprised. Born in a marquis's mansion, An Miaoyi usually paid the most attention to her appearance. She would put on makeup at dawn and take it off before going to bed at night. Now that she saw him like this, it was enough to show that she was resentful towards him in her heart...

Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng couldn't help but look at his wife with interest. Although she didn't put on any makeup, he had to say that An Miaoyi had a very good foundation. It's just that her complexion looked a little bad, as if she hadn't had a good rest recently. But this made her even more lovable.

After looking at An Miaoyi, Ye Mingsheng waved his hand to signal everyone else to go out, and then he walked to the dressing table and started searching. Seeing Ye Mingsheng's actions, An Miaoyi was a little confused, and after hesitating for a while, she asked Ye Mingsheng:
"What are you looking for?"

Hearing An Miaoyi's question, Ye Mingsheng said without turning his head:
"I heard that you asked someone to make you a red-crowned crane. I want to see if you are hiding it here!"

An Miaoyi's face froze immediately after hearing this. She didn't understand how Ye Mingsheng knew this. At this moment, Ye Mingsheng found the small porcelain bottle on the dressing table. He came to An Miaoyi with the small porcelain bottle, looked at An Miaoyi and then at the small porcelain bottle, and then said with a smile:
“Miaoyi, are you really going to use it…”

(Please rest assured! I won’t write any poisonous plots. There will be a reversal in the next chapter, so please stay tuned!)
(End of this chapter)