Inside the main hall of the Prefecture Lord, three middle-aged men stood with a pensive expression on their faces.


    Patriarch Yu, Patriarch Xu, and Patriarch Fang, leaders of influential factions within the city, exchanged worried nces.


    Previously, they had thought the lockdown would be a temporary inconvenience,sting perhaps only a day or two.


    However, as the days stretched into three, then four, it became increasingly evident that the lockdown would not end easily.


    The situation was dire, not just for their city, but for every city within the prefecture.


    Withmerce halted, travel restricted, and uncertainty looming over thend, their carefullyid ns had crumbled to dust.


    Topound their troubles, the recent mandate for thepulsory registration of all merchants in the Celestial Heavenly Store had dealt them a heavy blow.


    It seemed as though every pir of their influence was being shaken to its core.


    As they deliberated their next course of action, a deep voice shattered the silence, causing them to startle.


    Turning as one, they beheld the Prefecture Lord striding confidently towards them from the entrance, his presencemanding the room.


    "Why have youe?" His voice carried authority, leaving no room for hesitation.


    Caught off guard, the three patriarchs quicklyposed themselves and bowed respectfully. "Your Honor," they intoned in unison.


    The Prefecture Lord''s expression remained inscrutable as he scrutinized them.


    "Quickly now, tell me why you three havee," he demanded, his tone betraying none of his thoughts.


    "Your honor…" Patriarch Yu began, only to be abruptly cut off by the Prefecture Lord, who seemed to anticipate their concerns.


    "If you wanted to talk about the lockdown, don''t bother yourself. Until the war is over, the prefecture would be in lockdown," he dered, his tone final as he waved his hand dismissively.


    The shock rippled through the trio like a sudden gust of wind.


    "What!" they gasped in unison, their eyes widening in disbelief.


    Patriarch Fang, ever theposed one, quickly regained control of his expression, preparing to voice their collective concerns.


    But before he could utter a single word, the Prefecture Lord interrupted once more, his words slicing through the air like a de.


    "I know what you wanted to say. You can also forget about it. If you want to keep operating in the Zizhu Prefecture, you better get going and register yourpany at the Celestial Heavenly Store."


    The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, each sybleden with consequence.


    The trio exchanged nces, a silent conversation passing between them as they grappled with the implications of the Prefecture Lord''s decree.


    "Moreover, you only have a week to do so," the Prefecture Lord continued, his voice stern.


    "Anything after that, and I will ban you from opening your stores anywhere in the prefecture."


    Speechless, the three patriarchs could only stare at the Prefecture Lord, their minds racing with the sudden turn of events.


    The gravity of the situation was palpable, and they knew they had little time to spare if they were to salvage what remained of their influence in the Zizhu Prefecture.


    They came to the main hall of the Prefecture Lord with hopes of bargaining, of salvaging what they could from the wreckage of their ns.


    But before they could even utter a word, their aspirations were dashed against the rocks of reality.


    "You can leave. The war has already started. What should be your priorities is how to support our soldiers in winning this war," the Prefecture Lord dered, his voice unwavering in its resolve.


    "Yes, Your Honor," they responded mechanically, their minds still reeling from the abrupt dismissal.


    At the border of the prefecture, a scene of determination and preparation unfolded.


    Hundreds of thousands of soldiers marched forward with a sense of purpose, their spirits buoyed by the call of duty and the promise of victory.


    At the forefront marched the Cold Steel Pass army, their steps resounding with a steely resolve as they pressed onward, ready to face whatever challengesy ahead.


    Behind them, the Celestial Forte Army followed, their demeanor calm andposed, their movements synchronized in perfect harmony.


    This gathering of forces marked a historic moment, the first Prefecture battle in thousands of years, a testament to the gravity of the situation at hand.


    The fate of the prefecture hung in the bnce, and these brave soldiers stood ready to defend it with their lives if necessary.


    Riding at the middle of the two forces, General Shi, Zimo, and Biyu maintained a steady pace, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of their adversaries.


    "In the following days, we should encounter our enemies," General Shi said in a low voice, his toneced with both courage and anticipation. Born on the battlefield, he found excitement in the prospect of conflict, a chance to finally break free from the shackles of oppression that had gued their prefecture for far too long.


    Theirnd had suffered under the yoke of tyranny, their people oppressed and their spirit crushed. But with the arrival of Su Yen, a glimmer of hope had ignited within their hearts, a belief that they could defy fate and reim their destiny.


    In the distance, a high in emerged, stretching out before them like a vast expanse of possibility. Sparse grasnds swayed in the breeze, a testament to the untamed beauty of thend.


    Suddenly, three horses thundered towards them from the high in, their riders bearing urgent expressions.


    "Halt!"


    General Shi''smand cut through the air like a rion call.


    Instantly, the hundreds of thousands of soldiers came to an abrupt stop, their movements synchronized with practiced precision.


    The air was charged with anticipation as they awaited further orders.


    Watching the three soldiers riding their horses with urgency, a hush fell over the assembled ranks of soldiers.


    They knew these were the reconnaissance team sent ahead, and the sight of them rushing back stirred a sense of apprehension among the troops.


    The three leaders of the army, General Shi, Zimo, and Biyu, stood with a look of expectation etched upon their faces, awaiting the report that would determine their next course of action.


    "General!" The three men leaped down from their horses and executed a precise military bow before theirmanders.


    "The enemy is over the high grasnd in. In two hours, we should encounter them," the leader of the reconnaissance team reported swiftly.


    His words cutting through the tension like a knife.


    Upon hearing the news, Zimo and Biyu exchanged a subtle nce, their expressions unreadable.


    The moment they had been preparing for, the moment their fate would be decided, had finally arrived.


    With a decisive nod, Zimo turned to the Celestial Forte army, his voice ringing out with authority.


    "Dispatch the First to Fifth divisions of the Cavalry unit!"


    Instantly, the quiet field erupted into action as thousands of soldiers mounted their horses, their movements swift and purposeful.


    The thunderous roar of hooves echoed across thendscape as the cavalry units galloped towards the looming confrontation with their adversaries, their hearts filled with determination and resolve.


    The war had begun, and they were ready to face whatever challengesy ahead in defense of their prefecture and their people.


    Looking at the cavalry unit rushing toward the high grasnd in, all the soldiers were filled with anticipation.


    "Get your elite division ready," Biyu said to General Shi.


    ****


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