“What?” Si Lanfeng was obviously stunned, his expression unusually shocked.

Li Zhaoting smiled: “The battle only just ended recently. Watch – tomorrow the news will flow into the capital. Lian Yu will certainly want to reassure the people, letting the common folk know the fighting is over.”

“But I truly didn’t expect Quan Feitong would be defeated.” Si Lanfeng shook his head, his eyes still showing aftershock.

“It’s somewhat beyond my expectations too. Your master Lian Yu reveals too little on the surface – he’s a formidable enemy. Well, this settles the grievances between us and the imperial family nicely. Fighting this battle with them might just be heaven’s will!”

“But this makes things troublesome. Young Master, how should we arrange things now?” Si Lanfeng’s brow furrowed with worry.

Li Zhaoting’s expression was very calm: “Lanfeng, listen. Our original plan was to act based on one side winning. At that time, we bet on Quan Feitong. Though the result is different now, there’s still ultimately one victor. This determines that our overall plan remains unchanged. As long as we stay steady, we can certainly achieve final victory.”

Seeing the firm light in the other’s eyes, Si Lanfeng felt greatly encouraged and nodded in agreement. Then Li Zhaoting asked: “Have you met with Teacher Wei?”

He nodded: “Already met. These days the imperial city has strict entrance and exit inspections. Teacher Wei barely managed to get in and doesn’t dare leave the palace easily. Fortunately, Teacher Wei has connections in the palace – the eunuch responsible for palace procurement can still come and go freely, able to come out every day or two to bring news here. According to the original plan, I coordinate with you, and any news can be passed in through the eunuch. Now we just await your command.”

“Very good.” Li Zhaoting praised. His peripheral vision swept over, then he walked over to get the map from the desk. Si Lanfeng knew tonight’s deployment was crucial. He was the liaison, so he focused intently, staring closely at the map.

Li Zhaoting took up the writing brush from the table and pointed to a location on the map: “The troops you and Teacher Wei secretly brought back to the capital – they weren’t discovered by Lian Yu’s spies en route?”

“Young Master, rest assured. Following your earlier instructions, Teacher Wei was very careful. The foreign enemies only came symbolically to harass a few times. After Teacher Wei responded, he stationed troops at the drilling ground for daily practice, deliberately letting spies observe. Only after several days did he and I quietly withdraw one hundred fifty thousand soldiers, while Young Master Wuya had the remaining troops continue drilling and made the empty barracks appear occupied. Spies need time to report back. Having seen nothing unusual the first time, when they return later, they’ll surely lower their guard and won’t examine every barrack to avoid exposing their identity.”

“Good. After the army returned to the capital, are they still stationed at the previous Wei army capital garrison location [Xinshui]?”

“Correct, the most dangerous place is safest – still the original location. Teacher Wei is now in the imperial city, with the army temporarily under Lanfeng and two deputy generals’ command.”

Li Zhaoting said “good” again, then continued: “Now, Lian Yu has two hundred fifty thousand troops north of the mausoleum. Both sides are destined to be similar distances from the imperial city. We must seize the initiative and attack the city before Quan Feitong surrenders. Once the remaining Chao soldiers surrender, Lian Yu will return to court.”

“Two hundred fifty thousand troops?” Si Lanfeng was shocked again. Li Zhaoting explained Liu Shouping’s situation to him.

“Young Master, how should we respond now?” He asked with furrowed brow.

“The same method as our previous plan to deal with Quan Feitong’s army, except originally I was to find a way to notify Quan Feitong about Wei army changes at the border. Now it’s changed to you! When Lian Yu originally sent you to serve as Assistant Minister of War beside Teacher Wei, it was to watch him closely. Today you’ll be put to great use. You notify Lian Yu that Wei’s army is acting strangely – over one hundred thousand troops are heading toward Wei’s territory, unknown intentions. I’m certain that Lian Yu already fears Teacher Wei. Once Quan Feitong surrenders, he’ll definitely send Liu Shouping back to the border. Thus, Lian Yu will immediately dispatch people.”

“Exactly! Once his main army leaves, the capital will be easy to capture.”

“Mm, he’ll certainly send over one hundred fifty thousand troops to intercept our border Wei army. Thus he’ll only have one hundred thousand troops left, and these hundred thousand soldiers have been through successive fierce battles, unlike our one hundred fifty thousand fresh troops. You can then immediately organize the city attack, coordinate inside and outside with Teacher Wei, use lightning speed to first capture the imperial palace, then have all troops station in the capital, dampening Lian Yu’s spirit. When Lian Yu leads troops back to the capital, you two can use the capital as your stronghold for direct confrontation.”

“Excellent!” After hearing him finish, Si Lanfeng felt tremendously inspired and responded loudly, as if seeing future fierce battles through his blood-stained armor.

“Young Master, we await your command to begin the first battle.” he said.

Li Zhaoting smiled and shook his head: “No, I’ll immediately leave the capital. Our false information can’t delay Liu Shouping long. When Liu Shouping goes to intercept our fake army, I must bring out the one hundred thousand troops still at Jicheng under Wei Wuya’s command and attack Liu Shouping from behind. Otherwise, once Liu Shouping discovers the deception, he’ll know without Lian Yu’s notification that something’s wrong in the capital and immediately return. This task cannot be left to Young Master Wei. Wei Wuya reads well but has a benevolent nature – absolutely not cut out for warfare. Against Liu Shouping he’d certainly be defeated. I cannot give him the chance to return and support Lian Yu again!”

“Moreover, the allied troops I previously borrowed from others – without my personal mediation, problems might arise at crucial moments. Only by personally going there to annihilate Liu’s army can I completely defeat Lian Yu.”

Si Lanfeng’s heart tightened. He understood what Li Zhaoting meant by “allied troops.” Whether fighting Liu Shouping or borrowing troops, Li Zhaoting indeed needed to go personally.

But he also knew Li Zhaoting never fought battles he wasn’t confident of winning. His departure must involve comprehensive calculations. He immediately said: “Lanfeng understands. Wishing Young Master victory from the start.”

Li Zhaoting smiled slightly, unlike before when he emphasized certain victory to boost the other’s morale. He was very clear – only truly winning counted as winning.

The two discussed timing for the capital battle, specific siege details, and communication methods. Finally, without changing clothes, he left, but soon hurried back.

Si Lanfeng was organizing the map when he saw this and was surprised: “Young Master?”

Li Zhaoting’s brow furrowed slightly: “Quan Feitong still has fifty thousand remnants. I expect they’ll surrender sooner or later. Lian Yu won’t dare easily use these fifty thousand troops since they’re not his trusted subordinates. But they’re still a significant threat to us. Once they join battle – one hundred fifty thousand against one hundred fifty thousand – even if I can eventually return to aid you, it will take considerable time. Thus Teacher Wei’s battle with Lian Yu will be much harder. If you can’t hold out before my return, this battle becomes very uncertain.”

Si Lanfeng nodded: “Yes, after Young Master leaves, Lanfeng was also considering this matter, planning to pass the message through the eunuch tomorrow to discuss countermeasures with Teacher Wei.”

“I have a method.” Li Zhaoting looked at him and spoke slowly.

Si Lanfeng was both surprised and delighted: “Really? Young Master, please tell me!”

Li Zhaoting’s brow remained deeply furrowed: “It’s just that this strategy is too sinister. I’m still considering it. I’ll tell you the method first – you and Teacher Wei must await my message before acting. If I find a better way, abandon this plan.”

He leaned to whisper in Si Lanfeng’s ear.

After listening, Si Lanfeng’s expression indeed changed, while Li Zhaoting unhesitatingly disappeared into the vast night.

The next day, Si Lanfeng had the eunuch who came to collect messages write Li Zhaoting’s words into a secret letter to take into the palace. That evening, another eunuch left the city, bringing back Wei Chenghui’s message, instructing him to deliver a secret letter to several people in the capital.

Si Lanfeng was greatly puzzled. These people had brought a group to secretly lurk in the capital – they were masters Li Zhaoting had arranged to assist Wei Chenghui’s siege. Since battle hadn’t begun, why did Wei Chenghui already have tasks to assign?

But since Li Zhaoting had let Wei Chenghui command everything in the capital, he didn’t question it and immediately delivered the letters.

Under moonlight, in front of another residence in the capital, the occupant heard movement outside and opened the door. Three men dressed like martial artists entered – inside were over ten more similarly dressed men!

These three included two who had been defeated by Huo Chang’an in the great battle at Minzhou – one called Mao Hui, one named Yu Jinglun. The third was their master, Wuliang Shangren.

This master was incomparable to his two disciples – he had extraordinary martial arts and was famous among unorthodox martial artists. He had secretly fought with Court of Judicial Review people – that was over half a year ago when Li Zhaoting had secretly lent him to Feng Shaoying for a performance.

At that time, he led many martial artists to rescue the Court of Judicial Review members who were saving Judicial Official Li, single-handedly injuring many people. Even the highly skilled Wuqing was no “match” for him.

He had sharp eagle-like eyes. After reading the letter, he immediately said: “Please report back to Lord Wei that this old Taoist will certainly find a way to accomplish his task. I’ll take people to begin preparations immediately.”

“Good, then we trouble the master and his two skilled disciples.”

Si Lanfeng took his leave and returned to his temporary residence. Following Li Zhaoting’s instructions, he called a trusted subordinate, had him change into dirty Wei army armor, then gave him a pre-written letter and seal: “Take this letter to Lian Yu, saying I was discovered by the Wei traitor who is now pursuing me – I may have met with misfortune.”