When helping other countries, one acts within one’s capabilities—who would commit their entire nation’s strength?

Fortunately, on the return journey, Xiao Ruohai had already seen the First Miss mobilizing troops to prepare for resisting foreign enemies, which truly put his mind at ease.

“Following First Miss’s orders, I went to Nan Jiang and also took a look by infiltrating Xiliang. The Xiliang people treat the soldiers from Tianfeng Kingdom as honored guests, but… the Xiliang Empress seems to already understand she has invited the wolf into the house. Yet it’s easy to invite gods but hard to send them away—the Xiliang Empress now lacks the power to drive the Tianfeng people out of Xiliang, and cannot tell the people the truth. She’s truly caught between a rock and a hard place.” Shen Qingzhu also said.

There was another matter that Bai Qingyan had privately asked Shen Qingzhu to investigate, but with everyone present, Shen Qingzhu couldn’t speak directly about it.

“First Miss, now that Tianfeng Kingdom has entered Xiliang and repeatedly probed our Great Zhou’s borders without actually invading, they must be unclear about our Great Zhou’s strength, so they’re still hesitating. I think… they won’t be able to restrain themselves much longer and will try testing either Rongdi or Great Yan.” Xiao Ruohai said.

“Does A’Qiong know all the information you’ve gathered?” Bai Qingyan asked.

“We told Third Young Master before returning…” Xiao Ruohai nodded.

From outside the hall, Wei Zhong’s voice came: “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has sent someone to invite you for dinner!”

Today was Bai Qingyan’s birthday. Originally, the Ministry of Rites wanted a grand celebration, but Bai Qingyan said to save all the silver for military funds instead—having the family eat together for her birthday was sufficient.

So this year, Dong Shi was arranging Bai Qingyan’s birthday.

“Milk brother, Qingzhu, and Qingsheng have just returned—go wash up and rest first! Come directly to the Empress Dowager’s palace later… today is a family banquet, all our people, let’s have a good meal together…” Bai Qingyan looked at Chun Tao again. “While Qingsheng is back this time, let’s settle matters between you and Chun Tao!”

Chun Tao immediately blushed deeply, kneeling there without saying a word.

Chen Qingsheng immediately stepped forward and performed a kowtow to Bai Qingyan: “Thank you, First Miss!”

*

Just as Xiao Ruohai had said, at this time Tianfeng Kingdom’s elephant army bypassed the border between Great Zhou and Xiliang, leading elephants clad in fur and heavy armor around Chuan Ridge, approaching the border between Xiliang and Rongdi.

Dong Changlan, who had been stationed at the border between Rongdi, Great Zhou, and Xiliang, immediately sent word back to Dengzhou upon receiving the news.

When Dong Changlan’s message arrived, Lu Ping had also just reached Dengzhou. Lu Ping had led men on fast horses day and night without rest to reach Dengzhou, originally planning to change horses and clothes before rushing to Rongdi, but unexpectedly heard news of Tianfeng Kingdom’s elephant army approaching Rongdi.

Why had First Miss said it was time for Fifth Young Master Bai Qingyu to come home? It was precisely to have Rongdi submit to the Great Zhou, deterring Xiliang and Tianfeng from daring to invade.

Rongdi was the Great Zhou’s horse ranch—no one should think of laying a finger on it!

Moreover, if Rongdi were truly lost, then… Great Zhou would face enemies on two fronts, so Rongdi absolutely could not be lost!

Lu Ping no longer concealed anything, clasping his hands to Dong Qingyue: “I won’t hide it from Prefect, this time… Lu Ping comes on First Miss’s orders to find Fifth Young Master in Rongdi, to tell Fifth Young Master… It’s time to come home!”

Hearing these words, Dong Qingyue’s palms tightened. Having campaigned for years, Dong Qingyue naturally understood Bai Qingyan’s purpose.

Dong Qingyue didn’t delay, immediately saying: “I’ll send people to escort you. Depart immediately to find A’Yu and give him the message! Tell him… with me here, I absolutely won’t let the elephant army step one foot into Rongdi. He must take Rongdi!”

“Yes!” Lu Ping also stopped resting, following the escorts Dong Qingyue assigned, heading straight for Rongdi.

“Dong Changmao! Go to the military camp immediately! Beat the drums! Assemble all troops! March out!” Dong Qingyue shouted.

“Yes!” Dong Changmao responded and rushed out hurriedly.

As Dong Qingyue was about to change into battle armor, thinking of something, he chased out two steps and shouted: “Bring all the Dengzhou army and Great Zhou banners!”

For a moment, horn and drum sounds from Dengzhou military camp shook people’s hearts.

Following Dong Qingyue’s instructions, Dong Changmao ordered people to bring all the Dengzhou army’s military flags and all Great Zhou banners.

The people of Dengzhou City all gathered outside the city to watch, asking everyone whether Rongdi was invading again. It was the first time they had seen Dengzhou’s army depart so magnificently, with Dengzhou Prefect Dong Qingyue personally armored and armed, leading troops out.

Some citizens were already hurrying home to pack valuables—if fighting truly broke out, being prepared would keep them from being too passive.

*

It was already dusk.

In the distance, among rolling clouds, the magnificent towering mountain range revealed thousand-year snow peaks, reflected by the setting sun into dazzling golden-purple, sacred and majestic.

The boundless wilderness seemed endless, stretching hundreds of li to the base of snow mountains… to the horizon’s edge where vision reached.

As the dark gold sun sank west, black clouds slowly moved westward, bringing darkness and stars to gradually devour and shroud the entire grassland…

Beneath the wind-tossed sea of clouds, Dengzhou army and Great Zhou banners were arranged in a line, fluttering loudly in the wind like the grassland itself, seemingly endless.

Dong Qingyue, fully armored, held a long spear while mounted at the front. Behind him, beneath the rolling banners of Dengzhou army and Great Zhou, heavy shield soldiers all maintained calm expressions, archers were prepared, and further back was a mass of black Dengzhou cavalry, their momentum magnificent.

Half a li away, the terrifying elephant army was also ready for battle, giant beasts roaring, the scene intimidating.

The Dengzhou cavalry, having never seen such giant beasts participate in warfare, all gripped their sword hilts tightly, feeling heavy-hearted with cold sweat dripping from their temples.

Above the grassland where strong winds suddenly rose, vultures symbolizing death circled and screamed harshly.

Tianfeng Kingdom’s General Akxie sat atop the largest giant beast, leaning against a backrest, looking toward the distant fluttering Dengzhou army flags and Great Zhou banners. He remembered seeing those flags at the border between Xiliang and Great Zhou.

A scout returned on horseback, reining in and shouting to Akxie: “General! It’s Great Zhou’s army!”

How did the Great Zhou get to Rongdi…

Dong Qingyue’s red cloak flew in the wind. He raised his arm, pointing his long spear at Tianfeng Kingdom’s elephant army, his resonant voice shouting: “Listen, people of Xiliang and Tianfeng Kingdom—this Rongdi… now belongs to our Great Zhou! If you dare invade, you declare war on our Great Zhou!”

As Dong Qingyue’s resonant, rough voice fell, the Dengzhou cavalry all drew their swords in unison. Crossbow archers stepped forward together, drawing their bows with fire-tipped arrows aimed at Tianfeng Kingdom’s elephant army, waiting only for Dong Qingyue’s command to release ten thousand arrows!

Akxie clenched his fists. Hearing Dong Qingyue’s voice and seeing the chaotic firelight in the distance, he almost lost his composure, but thinking of his master’s arrangements and instructions, he forcibly loosened his clenched fists.

“Go send word to that Great Zhou general, tell him… our Tianfeng Kingdom has no intention of being enemies with Great Zhou. It’s just that Rongdi wants to attack Xiliang, and the Xiliang Empress has allied with Tianfeng Kingdom, requesting our Tianfeng Kingdom to subdue the provocative Rongdi…”