After the Second Prince, Qin Jingyuan, threw open the border gates, the Jin Kingdom's million-strong army swiftly seized several cities.
Not a single commander resisted along the way.
Any commander who might have harbored even the slightest inclination to resist had been removed by Qin Jingyuan and placed under house arrest.
In less than a month, the Jin army had reached the prefectural capital of Luzhou.
Qin Jingyuan led his wife out of the city to welcome the Jin army.
"Yan Liuyun of the Jin Kingdom pays his respects to Prince Jing."
Yan Liuyun, the Jin Kingdom's commanding general, swung down from his horse and bowed to Qin Jingyuan.
Yet both his tone and his manner betrayed his disdain for Qin Jingyuan, bordering on contempt.
But Qin Jingyuan acted as though he noticed nothing. He cupped his hands in return and said, "I have long heard of the Tiger Marquis's great renown. Now that we meet, you are indeed a man of extraordinary bearing, General. A mere glimpse of the Jin army is enough to strike awe into anyone's heart."
"You flatter me, Prince Jing. On this campaign in the Qin Kingdom, we shall have to rely on you a great deal."
As he spoke, Yan Liuyun cast a glance at Ji Yue, the Jin Kingdom's Grand Princess.
There was a trace of complicated emotion in his gaze, but Ji Yue acted as though she had not seen it. She simply lowered her head and stood beside her husband.
Qin Jingyuan noticed Yan Liuyun's gaze, but continued to pretend he knew nothing.
"This way, Tiger Marquis. I have had the servants prepare a feast to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey!" Qin Jingyuan stepped aside and invited him into the city.
"Sorry for the trouble, Prince."