Tianfeng Kingdom was extremely devout in its worship of the gods, even more fanatical than Western Liang.

This point had already been learned by Zeng Shanru from the earliest Tianfeng Kingdom person sent back to Shouyang by Bai Jintong—the one who could make and use ink powder.

Having learned the Tianfeng Kingdom language, Zeng Shanru had known even before Tianfeng Kingdom entered Western Liang that… Tianfeng Kingdom’s lands were being devoured by the desert year by year because they had received divine punishment.

Therefore, Bai Qingyan dared to believe the contents of the secret letter.

During the Four Nations Alliance, Bai Qingyan had brought so many soldiers precisely to guard against Sa’er Khan making a move.

Afterwards, when the Four Nations Alliance had meeting but no alliance, Sa’er Khan had not taken action, yet his attitude toward Great Zhou became increasingly conciliatory. She understood in her heart… Sa’er Khan had not found the master chosen by the gods for this land, so he still feared divine wrath and could only use the method of leasing land to first establish a foothold, then slowly search.

After hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, Shen Kunyang was extremely surprised that Bai Qingyan had planted spies in Tianfeng Kingdom so early, and even more incredulous about Tianfeng Kingdom’s fanatical faith: “But… based solely on a prophecy from their Grand Shaman, will Tianfeng Kingdom truly not turn to attack Pingyang City?”

“Uncle Shen, there are never foolproof strategies on the battlefield. The battlefield is no different from a gambling den! We can only use the information we possess to plan and scheme.” Bai Qingyan gazed at that massive map. “Tianfeng Kingdom’s faith, Tianfeng Kingdom’s food shortage, and fear that Great Zhou or Yan Kingdom will cut off their supply routes, the undercurrent of Western Liang people’s resistance to Tianfeng Kingdom, the missing yet influential Western Liang Empress Li Tianjiao, and the jade cicada that Tianfeng Kingdom wants is in Great Zhou—once they go to war with Great Zhou, Tianfeng Kingdom’s merchant caravans will be unable to enter Great Zhou to search… All these factors combined! I bet Tianfeng Kingdom doesn’t dare to attack Pingyang City!”

Having stated so many reasons in one breath, Shen Kunyang finally understood. With the Huying Camp and Shen Liangyu present, he didn’t need to worry too much about Bai Qingyan’s safety. Against a mere copycat Huoyun Army imitating the Huying Camp, the Huying Camp could handle these impostors with ease!

He clasped his hands and bowed to Bai Qingyan, laughing: “When Duke Zhenguo was alive, he once said… Little Commander Bai could examine people’s hearts and observe minute details, being comprehensive and able to grasp the overall situation. Shen Kunyang believes in Little Commander Bai’s judgment and admires it with deep respect.”

Bai Qingyu’s lips curved into a smile, feeling proud: “I didn’t expect Uncle Shen would also learn to flatter.”

Shen Kunyang and Bai Qingyan were amused by Bai Qingyu. Feeling fetal movement, she gently caressed her abdomen and said, “Naturally, I will also inform Yan Kingdom of our battle deployment. With the combined forces of both nations, if we cannot inflict heavy losses on Tianfeng Kingdom’s elephant army at Han Wenshan, not only will Yan Kingdom and Great Zhou become laughingstocks, but it will also plant seeds of fear in the hearts of both nations’ soldiers, making them believe that elephant armies are indeed invincible. Therefore, this battle absolutely cannot be lost!”

Shen Kunyang responded: “Little Commander Bai, rest assured!”

Soon, Wei Zhong brought in Feng Yao. Feng Yao had met Bai Qingyan before, so they were acquaintances. He knew that Bai Qingyan’s status was different now, being the young master’s wife, so he properly performed a grand salute to Bai Qingyan: “This old slave greets Your Majesty!”

“Eunuch Feng, please rise!” Bai Qingyan looked at Feng Yao and said, “I have already read the letter sent by the Ninth Prince. I need Eunuch Feng to immediately send someone back to deliver a message to Prince Yan Jiu.”

“Your Majesty, please speak…” Feng Yao said.

After Bai Qingyan explained Great Zhou’s deployment to Feng Yao, she said: “Please trouble Eunuch to tell the Ninth Prince that Yan Kingdom needs to do everything possible to block and kill Tianfeng Kingdom without affecting Great Zhou’s deployment. If the combined forces of both nations still cannot take down Tianfeng Kingdom, then we would become a laughingstock.”

“This old slave will certainly deliver the message!” Feng Yao straightened up, remembering that his young master had told him to inform Bai Qingyan about the jade cicada matter, and asked again, “The Ninth Prince asked this old slave to tell Your Majesty about the jade cicada matter. I wonder…”

“Eunuch, first go back and convey this matter, then after the war ends, we can discuss it slowly and in detail…” Bai Qingyan smiled at Feng Yao. “Now that a great battle is imminent, with Eunuch Feng’s exceptional skills, you should naturally be protecting the Yan Emperor and the Ninth Prince.”

In his letter, Murong Yan had said to have Bai Qingyan keep Feng Yao by her side. Feng Yao’s martial arts were extraordinarily high, and if anything unexpected happened, Feng Yao would fight to the death to protect Bai Qingyan. He also instructed Bai Qingyan not to worry about him… he had Yue Shi by his side.

But didn’t Bai Qingyan know Murong Yan? He would have Yue Shi protect Murong Li. Now… Great Yan’s available generals were just Xie Xun. Today, Murong Yan might personally lead troops into battle.

And she was in the city, not facing giant elephants directly. Having Wei Zhong by her side… having Shen Liangyu was enough.

Bai Qingyan planned to have Shen Qingzhu follow Xiao Si. After her milk brother Xiao Ruohai returned from delivering orders, she would have him pursue A’Yu. Only then could she feel at ease.

Feng Yao suddenly understood. He suddenly realized that at this time… the young master had sent him to Bai Qingyan’s side to protect her. But similarly… Bai Qingyan was also worried about their young master’s safety, so he quickly accepted the order and withdrew.

After all, Bai Qingyan was relatively safe within Pingyang City, but their young master was going to the battlefield.

Watching Feng Yao leave, Bai Qingyan said to Shen Kunyang and Bai Qingyu: “You go prepare the troop inspection first. I’ll come after meeting with Li Zhijie…”

“Yes!” Shen Kunyang and Bai Qingyu responded and left.

Bai Qingyan met Li Zhijie in the study. She didn’t put away the massive map hanging in the study, but simply held her teacup and looked at Li Zhijie, who had been carried in. She informed Li Zhijie of Great Zhou’s detailed arrangements for this war against Tianfeng Kingdom, but concealed the Huying Army led by Shen Liangyu and the ambush of fifteen thousand soldiers led by Shen Kunyang.

Li Zhijie nodded repeatedly. After looking at the map and thinking briefly, he gazed at the valley position north of Han Wenshan and south of the Dan River, saying: “Tianfeng Kingdom’s elephant army is not so easily dealt with. To annihilate the elephant army and leave Tianfeng Kingdom without any ability to fight back, troops should be deployed in ambush north of Han Wenshan and south of the Dan River to ensure complete extermination.”

Bai Qingyan glanced at the position Li Zhijie mentioned, pretended to ponder for a moment, then said: “That would indeed be best, but Great Zhou cannot spare any more troops…”

“Now that Great Yan and Great Zhou have allied, we can ask Great Yan to deploy people in ambush there!” Li Zhijie’s eyes lit up, almost seeing the tragic sight of Tianfeng Kingdom’s elephant army being annihilated.

Bai Qingyan smiled as she placed her tea cup on the small table beside her, looking at Li Zhijie with a half-smile: “Setting aside the fact that Yan Kingdom only brought one capable general, Xie Xun, this time, our Great Zhou and Yan Kingdom are fighting Tianfeng Kingdom for you, Western Liang. How is it that… you Western Liang want to preserve your strength and watch the show?”

Li Zhijie was slightly stunned, pursed his lips, and said: “Western Liang’s forces are almost entirely under Li Tianjiao’s control. We truly have no military strength left!”