"My brother... how is my brother now?"
"Boss Zhuo Tian specifically sent someone to investigate this matter. Liu Guang didn't harm your brother; he merely imprisoned him in the Cold Palace, indulging in debauchery day after day. It seems he intends to slowly torture your brother to death with wine and women, so as to avoid being branded as a regicide." Yu Sheng glanced at her sympathetically. Zhuo Tian, the former owner of the "Dang Lu" restaurant, now held a key position in the Peace Army, in charge of intelligence. Zhao Xian and Wang Erlei, who originally held that position, had been sent to the Imperial Academy by Li Jun. The two had once stormed into Li Jun's tent, claiming that he was sending them to "prison." Li Jun laughed heartily, drank with them, and then sent them back. Every so often, the two would come to see Li Jun, who would always get them drunk before sending them back to the Imperial Academy. After getting used to it, the two were happy with their leisure. In any case, everyone in the Imperial Academy knew that the two were sworn brothers with Li Jun and treated him with respect, so they let them be.
Yu Sheng had just received news of the coup in Chen State. After Zhuo Tian took control of intelligence, unless it was top-secret information reported only to Li Jun and Feng Jiutian, he had all other intelligence copied into dozens of copies and distributed to important civil and military officials in the Peace Army. Yu Sheng judged that Li Jun and Feng Jiutian would immediately convene a military meeting to discuss this matter.
However, the anticipated military conference was repeatedly postponed. After receiving Zhuo Tian's report, Li Jun only glanced at it before shelving it, and Feng Jiutian did the same. While Yu Sheng and the others were puzzled, Li Jun, along with Ji Su and Mo Rong, invited Feng Jiutian and Wei Zhan to go fishing at sea.
"Wow, what a big fish!" Ji Su exclaimed with delight. Li Jun gently swung his fishing rod, and a long eel was leaping in mid-air.
"Shut up, my fish is on the hook too!" Mo Rong shushed her, then tugged at the fishing rod, but pulled nothing up.
"If you raise the fishing rod too early, you'll end up with nothing," Feng Jiutian chuckled, speaking with a deeper meaning.
“That’s true. Autumn is the season for plump fish. It wouldn’t be fun if you let the fish you’ve hooked get away because you’re too hasty,” Li Jun said, his words carrying a double meaning.
Ji Su and Mo Rong couldn't understand the deeper meaning in the two people's words, but Wei Zhan, who was fishing with them, did. He said meaningfully, "But if you sit still when you see a fish taking the bait, it will swallow the bait and escape."
“The bait is big, and the fish are greedy; they won’t escape so easily.” Li Jun rebaited the fish and cast the fishing rod into the water. The fishing industry in Kuanglan City has developed rapidly in recent years. The barbarian’s large ships often carry huge nets into the deep sea to catch big fish, while those who fish in the near sea are like them, people whose ambitions are not in catching fish.
It was autumn, and Kuanglan City, located in the north-central part of Shenzhou, had a mild climate with warm winters and hot summers. Although it wasn't extremely hot due to the sea breeze, the scorching sun was still palpable in the open air during October. Therefore, everyone had installed canopies on the sides of the ship's deck, especially Ji Su and Mo Rong, who, although not sheltered young ladies, didn't want to get tanned under the sun.
Wei Zhan took a deep breath of the slightly salty sea air, stretching his limbs, which had become numb from sitting for so long, and felt a sense of peace fill his heart. It was precisely because he had grown accustomed to a peaceful life over the past two years that he, who always advocated caution in military affairs, had reminded Li Jun to seize the opportunity presented by Liu Guang's tyranny to launch another attack on Chen. Prolonged peace leads to complacency, and besides the few battles fought at sea between Tu Longziyun and the Japanese pirates in the past two years, the elite and valiant Peace Army had only been able to deal with petty thieves and bandits. If this continued, their fighting capacity would likely decline significantly.
"In terms of leadership, when would be the best time?" Wei Zhan stopped using coded language to ask.
Feng Jiutian also turned his head and stared at Li Jun with great interest. Li Jun smiled slightly and said, "We came here to fish, and although our aim is not the fish, Mr. Wei brought up matters of war, which is rather unromantic. When we go back today, I will punish you with three cups of wine."
Wei Zhan raised an eyebrow and smiled. There was no real blame in Li Jun's words. Compared to his former master Xue Qian, who pretended to be magnanimous, he could speak his mind freely under Li Jun. Therefore, he added, "After I go back tonight, I will punish myself with six cups of wine and ask the commander when he thinks we can send out troops?"
Li Jun stared at the buoy in the sea, paused for a moment, and then suddenly asked, "Mr. Wei, why do you think Liu Guang doesn't just usurp the throne?"
"Liu Guang is no ordinary ambitious but incompetent schemer. Although he desires to seize the Chen Kingdom, I believe he may never actually claim the throne," Wei Zhan said without hesitation. "The reasons are twofold, both internal and external. Externally, Hong and Chen are sworn enemies, and Su also harbors no goodwill towards Chen. Although Heng in the south has already lost most of its territory to the restored Huai Kingdom and is preoccupied with its own affairs, it will not allow its former minister, Liu Guang, to ascend the throne. Furthermore, Zhongxing and Bai, among others, have long harbored grudges against Chen. If Liu Guang were to declare himself king, they would surely unite to attack, repeating the scene of the siege of Su twenty years ago. Internally, although the Lianfa Sect..." Despite repeated defeats, he still holds a third of Chen's territory, a major concern for Liu Guang. While the people of Chen have little affection for Pei Ju, everyone possesses a sense of loyalty and treachery, and the deposition of Pei Ju has already shaken their hearts. If he were to ascend the throne again, most would likely abandon Liu Guang and join the Lianfa Sect. Furthermore, Yu Prefecture is nominally still a vassal state of Chen, and the Peace Army's reputation is widespread. Commander Li's fame resounds throughout the land; as long as the commander lives, Liu Guang will not dare to seize the throne. Most likely, Liu Guang intends to dedicate the rest of his life to laying a foundation for his descendants; seizing the throne and becoming emperor is pointless given his current power in Chen.
“That’s right. As long as Liu Guang doesn’t destroy the Lianfa Sect, he won’t launch a major attack on Yuzhou. Besides, he’s using the emperor to command the world, so we’re not in a superior position in terms of legitimacy. Sending troops to Chen State too easily might just trigger a war with Liu Guang prematurely. I don’t think we have the strength to fight Liu Guang to the death right now.” Li Jun nodded repeatedly, as Wei Zhan’s analysis largely coincided with his own.
"Moreover, our army's ambitions extend far beyond Chen!" Li Jun's next words made Ji Su and Mo Rong prick up their ears to listen. "Throughout the world, everyone believes that my battle with Liu Guang is imminent, but I refuse to fight him. I will send troops, but military strategy dictates 'attack where the enemy is unprepared.' Liu Guang has accomplished such a great feat; how could he not be wary of me? The reason he abandoned the eleven eastern cities of Chen and handed them over to the Lianfa Sect was simply to create a buffer zone between him and me. He is also wary of me, so attacking him with a surprise attack would only lead to his own destruction."
"Where are the troops being sent, Commander?" Wei Zhan asked, his eyes gleaming and a bright smile spreading across his face. The man, who was nearly forty, laughed like a child.
"Su Guo." Li Jun waved his hand, and another big fish was pulled up by him. Apart from a slight smile, there was no other expression on his face, as if he was just saying, "I caught another one."
"A brilliant plan!" Wei Zhan almost shouted. For the Peace Army, Liu Guang was a formidable enemy, and for Liu Guang, the same was true. Therefore, both sides intentionally or unintentionally placed the Lotus Dharma Sect between them, creating a buffer. Now, Liu Guang is plotting his grand scheme, facing enemies on all sides. If Li Jun cannot seize this opportunity to break through Yuzhou, this small corner, and wait for Liu Guang to pacify the surrounding areas before turning east, Yuzhou, lacking strategic depth, will be in grave danger. Of the attackable land areas from Yuzhou, only Chen and Su are viable. The difference lies in the fact that Su is separated from Yuzhou by the Rong people's yurt grasslands. While Su is prepared for Rong raids, it lacks preparation for large-scale invasions by ordinary armies. Moreover, the Peace Army's navy can also participate in the battle. If they can capture Su, or even just the rich plains in southern Su, the Peace Army will not only have a second important base, but in future battles with Liu Guang, they can form a semi-encirclement of Chen from the northeast and east.
“However, firstly, the State of Su is currently trying to make things difficult for Liu Guang. If we attack the State of Su, we might only be helping Liu Guang. Secondly, Liu Guang will not sit idly by and watch us grow stronger. Thirdly, if we attack the State of Su, it will be illegitimate and the people will not be convinced, making it difficult to establish ourselves.” Wei Zhan praised Li Jun’s plan and then immediately pointed out the flaws in it.
Li Jun slowly said, "Please rest assured about the third point, sir. We are not acting out of line. I, Li Jun, was originally a general under the command of the Lu general of the Su Kingdom. When I issue a proclamation to avenge the Lu general and eliminate the treacherous officials of the Su Kingdom, even if the people of the Su Kingdom do not rise up in response, they will certainly not make things difficult for me. The first point is related to the second point. If Liu Guang is trapped in the siege of the surrounding countries, he will be happy to share the burden of the powerful enemy, the Su Kingdom, with me. Moreover, he will not have time to go beyond the Lianfa Sect to look after me."
"What do you mean?" Wei Zhan asked curiously.
“We have long known that Liu Guang harbors rebellious intentions, and you, sir, have warned me about this before. Therefore, I have long ago sent Lu Yuan to travel to various countries, just waiting for Liu Guang to carry out the deposed emperor's act so that we can organize a coalition to attack him. All countries have the ambition to annex, and with Lu Yuan's eloquence instigating the flames, how can we worry that Liu Guang will not be besieged on all sides?” At this point, Li Jun sneered and said, “This is exactly the same plan that Liu Guang used against me. I will use it against him and see how he can cope.”
"After talking for so long, all your fish have escaped." Feng Jiutian, who had been silent until now, slowly said, his words carrying a hint of schadenfreude, followed by Ji Su and Mo Rong's exclamations of "Ah!"
Section 02
The three commanderies of Yunyang, Mengze, and Danyuan in the State of Su were strategically important locations bordering the State of Chen and the Rong people in the south. Yunyang, in particular, bordered the Qionglu Grassland. Although it was a warm southern region, it was not without its brave and fierce heroes, and its people were extremely warlike, fond of private duels and averse to idle talk. Those who were brave and fierce were often the ruthless heroes of their villages, while the cowardly were looked down upon by their neighbors. This area had always served as a barrier for the State of Su against Rong incursions, or as a springboard for ambitious Su generals to attack the Rong. Whenever war broke out between the Rong and the State of Su, this area was plagued by war and rampant banditry. The Rong cavalry that Lu Xiang defeated years ago had broken through this defensive line and advanced deep into the heart of the State of Su.
Dong Cheng, the then-prefect of Yunyang, was a renowned general who emerged from the Su Kingdom after Lu Xiang's death. Three years prior, after arriving in Yunyang, he trained troops and emphasized martial arts, strictly prohibiting private fights among the common people. Those with disputes were required to have their bravest warriors fight in official arenas. The winner, provided no one was killed, often held a favorable position in the judgment. This transformed what was originally illegal private fights into legal competitions. Under official supervision, casualties decreased significantly, and the martial spirit of the local people was not violated. For a time, practicing martial arts became a necessity for the common people, greatly enhancing their fighting strength. Although the Rong people, due to their peace with Yuzhou, had shifted their main forces to Yunyang, under Dong Cheng's command, they did not gain much advantage. After two battles, the situation stabilized. Since the Rong people could trade fairly with Yuzhou, they had no intention of further plundering. Dong Cheng's dream, like Lu Xiang's, was to recover the northern territories seized by the Lan Kingdom, and he had no interest in seeking glory among these valiant nomadic peoples.
With 100,000 troops assembled in Mengze and Danyuan prefectures, most of Yunyang's soldiers, except for those left behind, were also transferred to these two prefectures. Dong Cheng submitted three memorials opposing the court's decision to abandon the occupied northern territories and instead seek revenge against Liu Guang, a powerful minister of the Chen state who was on par with Lu Xiang. However, Chancellor Wu Shu, who had accepted a large bribe from Lu Yuan, withheld these three memorials. It seemed that merely demoting Dong Cheng to a remote prefecture was insufficient to address the ungrateful behavior that persisted even after Lu Xiang's death.
"General, why trouble yourself? Could it be that the Rong people are making any unusual moves?" Madam Sun, born into a prominent family, was only twenty years old when she married Dong Cheng, who was over thirty, five years ago, when Lu Xiang died. Whenever Dong Cheng asked why she had married a man more than ten years her senior who might die on the battlefield at any moment, Madam Sun would solemnly reply, "I married you hoping to marry a hero who might die like Lu Xiang, so that you would live on in the afterlife, and I and my descendants could enjoy lasting honor." Dong Cheng would laugh heartily upon hearing this, and after her words were relayed by her staff and family, Madam Sun's magnanimity became a widely praised story.
Dong Cheng patted his wife's soft, red hand and sighed softly, "Although the Rong people have not made any unusual moves, Your Majesty intends to attack the State of Chen. To abandon our enemy, the State of Lan, and instead attack our friendly state, I fear that our country will suffer internal strife."
Lady Sun pondered for a long time, a look of worry appearing between her brows. She slowly said, "Though I am a woman, I know the importance of national affairs. The Rong people only need a prefect to appease them; there was no need for you, General, to be the prefect of Yunyang. Liu Guang's usurpation of power in Chen is a matter of internal affairs for Chen. Although Liu Guang will inevitably be detrimental to our Great Su in the long run, it is ultimately a distant worry. Only Lan Kingdom, with its ambition to gradually devour and swallow us whole, is a real threat to our heart. Before, Lu Xiang resisted it, but after Lu Xiang, Su Kingdom broke through Wuyin and advanced straight in. If it weren't for the generals' valiant fighting, I'm afraid our Great Su would have perished. Are the senior officials in the court, sitting idly by while treacherous ministers seize power and ruin the country, less insightful than a woman like me?"
Dong Cheng smiled bitterly as he pulled his young wife into his arms. From her delicate body, he could feel the burning anger within her. He said, "If the high-ranking officials in the court had your foresight, how could they have allowed Lu Xiang to die unjustly? The people of the world, when they talk about this matter, all gnashed their teeth in hatred for Wu Shu and his wife, and are ashamed that no one in the court dared to seek justice for Lu Xiang. What these high-ranking officials worry about every day is not like my beloved wife's concern for national affairs, but rather when they will be promoted, when their salaries will increase, and where to find cheap land and rare treasures."
Madam Sun closed her eyes. In her husband's arms, she could feel his unwavering steadfastness and reliability, and she felt that her husband could surely solve all her troubles. She sighed contentedly, "With such a husband, what more could I ask for?"
Dong Cheng suddenly gave her a gentle push. She reluctantly got up from Dong Cheng's embrace, tidied her slightly disheveled hair, and just then heard a guard outside the study whisper, "Reporting to the prefect, a scout has come to report."
"What is it?" Dong Cheng arrived at the courtroom, his tiger-like eyes fixed intently on the scout.
"The Rong people on the grasslands seem to be making unusual movements, and their troops are all gathering in Yunyang. I dare not delay, so I am here to report."
"Is that so? Could it be that Hulei Khan knows that our country is about to launch a military campaign, and therefore wants to take the opportunity to attack and plunder?" Dong Cheng muttered to himself, but said aloud, "You've worked hard. Go and collect your reward first, then continue your investigation!"
"What is Hulei Khan planning now?" Dong Cheng frowned, casting his gaze into the deep, unseen distance. On the vast grasslands where the autumn sky was high, the horses were fat, and the wind blew the grass low, was Hulei Khan, the leader of the Rong people, about to make a move again? It had been almost two years since the last war.
"The Rong cavalry are skilled in mobile warfare. Over the past few years, I have ordered all counties to build high walls and fortified fortifications. Although our forces are somewhat insufficient now, we can still use a scorched-earth policy to make him retreat without achieving his goal. When he is unable to plunder and has nowhere to advance, I will seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack. Hulei Khan's wishful thinking of taking advantage of the situation this time will probably backfire." Dong Cheng smiled coldly to himself, and then ordered all counties to rush to harvest grain and move the people outside the city into the city.
It wasn't that Dong Cheng lacked vigilance; rather, he genuinely hadn't anticipated that the one truly intent on attacking Yunyang County was Li Jun, located across the Qionglu Grassland. Dong Cheng was an excellent military strategist, but not a brilliant one. All he could see was the long-standing grudge between the Peace Army and Liu Guang, but he hadn't expected Li Jun to take advantage of Liu Guang's distraction to launch an attack on a weaker enemy.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Mo Rong shook her head with some dissatisfaction. Her long, black hair flew as she shook her head. The divine weapon Gongshu Hammer behind her seemed extremely heavy compared to her petite body, but she still stood lightly and calmly in front of Li Jun.
"No need, you can rest assured about this battle." Li Jun suppressed the urge to stroke her hair, glanced at the dashing Ji Su, and clearly knew that Mo Rong's words were also what she wanted to ask.
If Ji Su were to accompany him on a campaign, with her exceptional military skills and strategies, she could easily become a commander capable of leading independently. But if he were to take her on a distant expedition, what would Mo Rong think? Li Jun smiled bitterly to himself. He was wavering between these two women, and further delay was not an option. Moreover, the long talk Yu Sheng had with him that night hadn't moved him in any other way, but that one sentence, "Do you really want two pitiful and respectable women to ruin their lives for you?" had struck him hard. He was twenty-five, and always thought he wasn't too old, but he hadn't considered that Mo Rong and Ji Su were about his age, and among women, they were no longer considered young.
"You two should get along well." For some reason, Li Jun instructed the two of them as if possessed. "While I am fighting on the front lines, the military and political affairs in the rear will depend entirely on you and Mr. Feng."
Mo Rong and Ji Su exchanged a glance. Li Jun's words about getting along well held a deeper meaning for them, who both had something to hide. Little did they know that Yu Sheng had not mentioned their conversation with Zi Yu to Li Jun at all, only assuming that Li Jun already knew about that day's discussion, which made them both feel somewhat embarrassed.
Li Jun scratched his head, momentarily at a loss for words. His eyes darted around, and he dared not look directly at the two of them, his face filled with unprecedented confusion and embarrassment. At this moment, he desperately wanted to say a few tender and considerate words, but his mind was a jumble of thoughts, and he didn't know where to begin. So he scratched his head for a long time, while Mo Rong and Ji Su waited for his hesitant words for just as long. Finally, Wei Zhan dispatched the troops to urge him to get up, and Li Jun managed to squeeze out a sentence: "You two must take care."