"Very good, very good," Zhao Douan smiled, reached into his arms, and took out a mobilization order issued by the Empress through Xiuwen Pavilion last night, then tossed it to Shi Meng.

The military order clearly appointed Zhao Douan as the interim Military Governor, responsible for quelling the rebellion.

In the dispatch of troops and warfare, the necessary procedures and formalities must be followed; otherwise, as a third-rank Junior Guardian, he couldn't mobilize a single soldier.

Shi Meng hurriedly took it, unfolded it for a glance, confirmed it was correct, and smiled: "In that case, we will all take our lead from you, sir."

"Huh, what is this…" Suddenly, Tang Ping noticed the half-rolled imperial decree in Lu Chu's hand as Zhao Douan retrieved the mobilization order.

"Oh, this? Just received it this morning." Zhao Douan appeared indifferent, smiled, and casually tossed the imperial decree to Tang Ping: "The Young Master is curious, feel free to have a look."

Saying this, he turned his horse around and headed towards the front of the army.

Tang Ping took it hesitantly, unfolded the crumpled silk imperial decree, and then his eyes widened, his expression froze.

Raising his head, he saw Shi Meng and other officers looking at him suspiciously, Tang Ping silently handed the decree to the nearby general.

This military officer, after reading it, also reacted with shock, then silently passed it to the next person.

Soon, everyone had taken turns reading this "proposal" imperial decree, and couldn't help but gasp lightly. Chen Gui envied, saying: "Sir, you have good fortune."

Shi Meng respectfully folded the decree and said: "From now on, Junior Guardian Zhao's orders are equivalent to Your Majesty's orders."

If the mobilization order merely gave Zhao Douan the title of Commander, with Shi Meng nominally still the true leader, then this imperial decree truly made the entire Divine Mechanism Camp understand who was in charge.

At this moment, Zhao Douan's voice came from afar: "Act swiftly, let's set off."

Not long after, the large army departed with grandeur towards the east, considering the Qingzhou Army was not far from the Capital, the Divine Mechanism Camp hastened their march, and at most by tomorrow, they could arrive.

...

Imperial Palace.

Inside the Imperial Study Room, Xu Zhenguan stood in white attire, her long black hair hanging like a waterfall.

She quietly stood at the door of the study, gazing towards the suburban direction.

"Your Majesty, the proposal gifts have been delivered to Zhao Mansion. All ministers have also entered the palace and are waiting in the side hall."

The Chief Eunuch came walking in small steps, stopped in the corridor, and respectfully reported.

Today marked the first official Court Meeting since the Empress returned to the palace, delayed due to the government offices busy with the Li Party coup late into the night.

Therefore, the Empress postponed the court meeting until much later today.

This Court Meeting undoubtedly had many matters to handle; the Qingzhou border was a battlefield, and today's court meeting was no less a battlefield without the sight of gunpowder.

"Do you think, with the Divine Mechanism Camp and the Five Army Camp combined, they can quickly quell the rebellion without giving the Qingzhou Army the chance to retreat back to Qingzhou Rode?"

Xu Zhenguan suddenly asked.

The Chief Eunuch was momentarily stunned, not expecting Her Majesty to ask him, but answered without hesitation: "The Qingzhou Army is small, Prince Heng is ambitious yet lacking talent; just the Five Army Camp alone can undoubtedly defeat them. Adding the Divine Mechanism Camp, victory is certain."

This was not flattery; it was the common view in the court.

No one believed the Qingzhou Army could truly threaten the Capital, the ministers were only worried that Prince Heng, seeing things go awry, would flee too fast. Once he retreated to Qingzhou Rode, it would take too long to wage another attack.

And now, the court lacked time.

"Yes," Xu Zhenguan nodded slightly, "Prepare to attend court."

She turned, leading a large group of Palace Attendants towards the Golden Throne Hall.

However, halfway there, nearing Meridian Gate Square, suddenly, a "messenger" with a crimson marker on his back, frantically sprinted over the empty, blood-stained square!

From afar, upon spotting the Empress nearing the Golden Throne Hall, the messenger frantically sprinted forward, nearly stumbling as he kneeled, shouting: "Furious report from Five Army Camp Flying Eagle!!! Yesterday, the Qingzhou Rebel Army initiated an attack, both armies clashed, the Five Army Camp... suffered a great defeat!! Now the defense line is extremely precarious, requesting urgent reinforcement from the court!!"

The Empress was left in shock.

...

...

Qingzhou Rode border.

Within the court's Five Army Camp, gloom hung heavily.

Inside the Central Army Camp, the Five Army Camp Commander Yuan Feng, around forty years old with a square face, sat with a somber, unpleasant expression, looking around at the assembly of generals.