Chapter 1: Openly Speaking of Secret Plots

  Luò Tiān. Chéng jiāo wài.

  Translation:

  Luo Tian. Suburbs.

  Inside the camp, there was a joyful scene. Outside the camp, a long dragon-shaped queue had formed. The soldiers were escorting grain and fodder into the Grain Depot of the camp.

  The soldiers' admiration for Huangfu Ling was already unspeakable. The grain and grass were looted, the rear road was cut off, and they encountered an unprecedented predicament. However, Ling Wang's expression remained calm and gentle, and with just a few words, he resolved the issue of the grain and grass. Not only did he resolve it, but he also obtained more grain and grass than before.

  The atmosphere in the camp also eased a lot. With these grains and fodder, they no longer had to worry about anything. Even if they stayed here for a year or two, it wouldn't be a problem.

  At this time, a general spoke up: "Your Highness, now that the problem of our grain and fodder has been solved, I think we should make early preparations to attack them when they are not prepared."

  The other generals echoed in agreement and concurred with his statement.

  Another general echoed: "Now the two generals, Hong and Hei, have led their troops to station at Jiangshui Pass, a hundred miles away, ready to respond at any time. I also think that we should take advantage of their complacency to launch an attack."

  Huang Pu Ling poured himself a drink and said calmly: "No rush."

  The generals looked at each other in dismay. One of them hastily said, "Your Highness, we can't hesitate! If we give them time to prepare, we'll miss our chance to attack. It won't be so easy to launch another attack later!"

  Yes.

  "Your Majesty, think thrice." The officials all urged him repeatedly.

  "No need to think thrice." Huangfu Ling drained the wine in his cup, put down the wine cup and calmly said: "All generals listen to orders."

  "Finally in."

  "Gather 400,000 troops. Divide into three routes. One route is in the surrounding mountains and forests, divided into two shifts day and night to cut wood for supplies. Another route goes to the border bridge, working day and night to rebuild. The last route stays with me to guard the main camp, listening for deployment."

  The generals looked at each other in dismay. Knowing that further persuasion was useless, they bowed their heads and said in unison: "Your subordinate obeys the order."

  Lapis lazuli palace. Several silver armor knights walked out from inside.

  Outside, Zhou Ge and the seven generals of Guandong were waiting at the palace gate. The white silver armor soldiers left. Quan Long, He Xian, Yin Long, and Zhui Ming walked towards this side. At this time, a small eunuch came out from the palace.

  "Gentlemen, please follow me."

  The crowd followed the eunuch into the Liuli Palace, all the way to the study. The little eunuch walked up to the desk and turned the inkstone on it. The bookshelf behind the desk suddenly rotated with the inkstone, opening a secret passage.

  Everyone looked at each other and followed the little eunuch into the secret passage.

  In the room, there is only one hall. The hall is bright. In the center of the hall, a large table is placed. The middle of the table is empty. And in the empty space, many sand dunes are piled up with ups and downs.

  On the wall beside the table hung a large white cloth. Everyone was puzzled. At this time, Nalan Xianyu walked in.

  "Met the master."

  "Have seen the queen."

  Everyone bowed. Nalan Xianuo raised his hand to signal that they could dispense with the formalities. Immediately, a small eunuch walked out and closed the door of the secret chamber.

  "Master... This is..." He Xian carefully examined the sand dunes on the table, unable to make out any pattern.

  "This is called a sandbox." Narlan Xino chuckled and explained to him.

  "Ah... This... Isn't this the terrain of Luotian Continent?" At this time, Quan Long exclaimed in surprise.

  Nalan Xixi nodded in agreement, and the crowd looked over, astonished. The sand pile on top had accurately laid out all the terrain of Luotian, clear at a glance.

  "What's going on with Huangfu Ling?" Nalan Xianyu gestured for everyone to take their seats.

  Everyone took their seats. Zhou Ge furrowed his brow. "According to the alliance of the eight nations of Jiangnan, he should have taken the opportunity to launch the first attack. However, it's strange that they've been holding back for days and don't seem to want to make any moves."

  Nalan Xixiao's expression gradually turned serious. At this time, Zhui Ming spoke up: "Moreover, our people can't even get close to Huangfu Ling's camp. Huangfu Ling has set up secret crossbowmen within a hundred meters of the camp. Several of our brothers were injured, and Huangfu Ling is really sinister. He applied poison to the arrows. They are still unconscious until now."

  This is indeed expected. Huangfu Ling doesn't even have the consciousness of counter-surveillance, so it's no wonder she can't keep up with me for so long.

  And what's even more frightening is when he becomes quiet. When there's no movement, it means his target has shifted.

  "However, I did manage to get a bit of information. He's secretly repairing the Boundary Bridge."

  Upon hearing this, Nalan Xixi's expression solidified. She stood up and walked towards the sand table.

  Zhou Gei seemed to be thinking deeply. "Now they have an army of 700,000. Although we should trust Du Guhan, if there's even a slight variable in this, we'll be in danger. What if Du Guhan retreats and they launch a surprise attack on us...?"

  "It won't do." Nalan Xiong stared at the crucial and fatal pass of Jiangnan, bordering Lianxiang State. Now, all eight countries' allied forces were guarding the River Pass, which bordered Shengjin.

  "For Huangfu Ling, if he wasn't fully confident, he wouldn't risk his life to fight. Even in a desperate situation, he would think of a way to find an escape route."

  Zhou Gai was shocked. "Your meaning is..."

  Nalan Xixi sneered coldly. She picked up two chess pieces, one yellow and one blue, from beside the table and inserted them into the distribution points of the Jiangnan Eight Kingdoms Allied Army and the Huangfu Ling army.

  "This move of his is extremely clever. Firstly, by allying with Jiangnan, the issue of food and grass for his army will be resolved. Jiangnan is a rich and populous land, often without war, and the military strength of various countries is at most 100,000. With abundant food and grass, it would be more than enough to support his 400,000-strong army. Secondly, he wants to use the eight countries of Jiangnan as a shield to gain time to retreat completely. Thirdly, he wants to borrow our hands to eliminate the last military strength of the eight countries of Jiangnan. The eight countries of Jiangnan border with Lian Xiang and have no defensive power left. For Lian Xiang to take them down would be effortless. With the eight countries of Jiangnan, Lian Xiang will be different from what it was in the past."

  Everyone looked at the flags inserted on the sand table and was shocked by what they heard. This is a case of one arrow hitting three birds. This Huangfu Ling is indeed very cunning.

  "What should we do then?" Zhou Gai asked.

  "In my opinion, don't hesitate. Take advantage of the fact that he hasn't finished repairing the bridge and has no way to retreat. Get rid of him immediately and see how arrogant he can be." He Xian said angrily.

  "It won't do. Our situation is not optimistic now. I agree with Niang's meaning. Whether it's Shengjin or Lenovo, we must keep them. Only by presenting a three-country standoff can we gain time. What's most important for us now is self-preservation. After all, the initiative is no longer in our hands." Zhou Gai's expression was solemn.

  Nalan Xixi smiled slightly and nodded: "General Zhou's analysis is very accurate."

  Zhou covered his forehead. He was just borrowing flowers to offer Buddha. These were all said by Nalan Xinnuo afterwards. Only then did he see clearly the current situation. They are in a dilemma of advancing and retreating.

  "What should we do then..." He Xian asked.

  "Retreat." Nalan Xingyue smiled faintly. "Withdraw three steps."

  "Retreat three houses." What a ridiculous thing to say. "This... isn't it making a laughing stock of the whole world?"

  Zhou Gai and the other generals nodded in agreement. He Xian looked at everyone with a knowing expression. Anxiously, he said: "Why are you all nodding? What does it mean? Why do we need to retreat?"

  Zhou Gai smiled lightly and shook his head. "General He, think about it. If you were Huangfu Ling, how would you persuade the eight nations of Jiangnan to form an alliance with you and jointly oppose us?"

  He raised his eyes and thought for a moment before saying: "I told you, if you don't help me, I'll die and none of you will have a good life either."

  Everyone burst out laughing upon hearing this. Quan Long laughed and said: "It seems you're not stupid after all."

  He Xian discontentedly said: "Aye old Quan, you say this and I'm no longer happy. Your meaning is that I was foolish before."

  Everyone laughed. Guan Long hurriedly waved his hand. "Don't be silly, didn't the king give you the title of General Zhì Duō Xīng?"

  He looked at him with a hint of doubt, but couldn't tell if he was joking. Nalan Xianuo smiled slightly. "The eight countries in Jiangnan are all small countries and don't have much military power. Moreover, from the last time they withdrew from Huangfu Ling's rebellion plan, it can be seen that they don't have any wild ambitions. They just want to guard their own territory, even if they have to pay a few more stones of grain every year and humble themselves. They can't afford to lose."

  "So, seeing that we are not as ferocious as Huangfu Ling said, they will certainly put us to death. They will soon hesitate and according to their principle of doing less rather than more, they will quickly retreat." Yin Long continued to explain.

  "What's wrong with that? But isn't it said to leave some room for imagination? This way, aren't they at a loss again? They're being forced into a corner and still want to fight back."

  Zhou Gai smiled lightly. "Then tell me, which would cause us greater losses: letting the Allied Forces swallow up Jiangnan and the eight provinces, or having them fight their way here?"

  It's better to understand now that it's okay to have a casual fight when no one can beat anyone else. It's better than letting them get too strong and being unable to win later on. Even if we don't win now, at least we won't lose too badly. If we let them succeed, in the future, we won't even have time to react before being trampled to death.

  "General Zhou."

  "Finally in."

  "Pass down the order at once. Move all camps rearward. Show a retiring attitude."

  "Roger."

  Zhou Guai received the order and led the seven generals of Kwantung out of the secret chamber.

  The door of the secret chamber closed again. Chui Mingzi finally spoke up, "Master, it's been quiet on Dugu Han's side too. Those generals go to report trivial matters to him every day, but he doesn't ask much. Every day, he plays the zither and paints in the post house."

  Nalan Xixi's expression turned serious. The current situation seemed clear at a glance, but it was actually full of hidden dangers. On one side was the cunning and treacherous Huangfu Ling, while on the other side was the unpredictable Dugu Han.

  Especially Dugu Han, he is like a time bomb, constantly counting down, but you still don't know where the direction of his buried treasure is, what exactly he wants to destroy.

  Now Sheng Jin and Lenovo are both powerful countries with millions of troops. Luo Tian also has a million brave soldiers, but to the south is Lenovo's tiger-like gaze, to the east is Sheng Jin, such a strong former enemy, to the north is the vast northern wilderness, where the Qiang people often invade, and the army is scattered in all directions. Once they encounter real war, it will be difficult to resist.

  This time Luo Tian was completely passive. The only thing she could do was to quickly stop the war and ensure her safety from being invaded. That's all that mattered.