Soon on the sea surface, the Great Zhou warships turned around one after another, giving the impression that after killing the Dongyi naval commander and humiliating the Dongyi navy, they were now fleeing.

The Dongyi naval forces bit down hard and pursued from behind. Both sides moved at great speed, but the Dongyi seemed to be slightly faster than the Great Zhou. Each time the two fleets reached the point where they were within touching distance—even when the Dongyi navy and Great Zhou navy were already exchanging fire—the Great Zhou warships would immediately seem to burst forth with unprecedented strength born of desperation, shaking off the Dongyi navy.

The Dongyi naval deputy commander was even more furious, slamming his hand against the warship’s railing and shouting hoarsely for the ships to increase speed!

·

The Bai family army fleet, led by Bai Qingyan, had already reached Guan Island.

She decided to split the forces into two routes from Guan Island: one route would be led by Bai Qingyan, departing from Guan Island and proceeding according to the previously established plan along the original route to Guadu to rendezvous with Chen Qingsheng; the other route would have Bai Qingjue and Bai Jinzhi proceed directly from Guan Island to land on Dongyi territory through Liu Pass, and then attack the Dongyi capital from two directions.

This way, Dongyi, which already had limited military strength, would be unable to divide their forces or send reinforcements. For the Great Zhou Bai family army, which had abundant forces and extremely high combat standards, fighting would become very easy, with almost no difficulty.

“Dongyi’s greatest weakness is its small territory and sparse population,” Bai Qingyan stood before a massive map of Dongyi, raising her hand to point at the map. “Therefore, as long as we advance in two routes, Dongyi will be unable to attend to both fronts and will be unable to divide their forces for reinforcement…”

For the Great Zhou, dividing into two routes was equivalent to naturally dividing and devouring the Dongyi army.

“Elder Sister makes sense. This way, Elder Sister and Little Four can take half the forces to Guadu City, where Chen Qingsheng is waiting. I’ll lead one group to land on Dongyi territory through Liu Pass—this would be more secure!” Bai Qingjue paced to Bai Qingyan’s side, speaking earnestly. “After all, Elder Sister is the Emperor and cannot afford any mistakes. From Guan Island to Liu Pass is faster than from Guan Island to Guadu, so Guan Island will see fighting first! If reinforcements come from elsewhere, it would be very dangerous.”

“Yes, Elder Sister!” Bai Jinzhi also felt that Bai Qingjue made sense. Any of them could face danger, but Elder Sister alone could not.

“Don’t worry, I will follow the agreed schedule with Chen Qingsheng and begin the battle at the same time as you…” Bai Qingyan said.

Bai Qingjue still wanted to argue: “But Elder Sister…”

“Military orders are like mountains!” Bai Qingyan turned to look at Bai Qingjue. These words left no room for discussion.

Since Chen Qingsheng was providing support in Guadu City, Bai Qingyan would take fewer troops. Despite Bai Qingjue and Bai Jinzhi’s persistent arguments, they still couldn’t overcome the four words “military orders are like mountains.”

Bai Qingjue and Bai Jinzhi would take the majority of the Bai family army to Guadu City, while Bai Qingyan would take Cheng Yuanzhi and a smaller portion of the Bai family army to Liu Pass.

“Then let both Cheng Yuanzhi and Shen Liangyu accompany Elder Sister!” Bai Qingjue thought for a moment and added, “Otherwise, Little Four and I won’t be at ease no matter what!”

Before departure, Cheng Yuanzhi was worried and called Sima Ping and Lu Yuanpeng over to give instructions: “You two, I’m more at ease with Sima Ping, but Lu Yuanpeng, remember this—your abilities are lacking, so don’t always think you’re the best in the world. Every time you need Sima Ping to clean up after you, you drag Sima Ping into getting injured! Even General Shen said that Sima Ping has the makings of a general, while you’re at most a brave vanguard. Don’t drag down someone that General Shen Kunyang thinks highly of!”

Lu Yuanpeng: “…”

Sima Ping’s eyebrows carried a smile: “General Shen does have good judgment!”

“And you too!” Cheng Yuanzhi looked at Sima Ping again. “This habit of Lu Yuanpeng’s of not thinking things through—isn’t it spoiled by you always covering for him? Originally, I wanted to separate you two, but His Majesty didn’t agree; otherwise, I would separate you!”

Bai Qingyan had her considerations. Now that Bai Jinzhi already knew that both Lu Yuanpeng and Sima Ping had feelings for her, Bai Qingyan thought she should let the three spend more time together, so Little Four could see her own heart clearly—whether she liked Sima Ping or Lu Yuanpeng. Once Little Four’s lifelong happiness was settled, Third Aunt could also rest easy.

“General Cheng, it’s time to depart!”

In the distance on the ship, Shen Liangyu called out loudly to Cheng Yuanzhi. Cheng Yuanzhi responded and gave final instructions: “Protect Prince Zhongguo and Prince Gaoyi well!”

“General Cheng, rest assured!” Sima Ping replied.

“I’m very much at ease with you! It’s him…” Cheng Yuanzhi pointed at Lu Yuanpeng, sighed, and turned to walk toward the ship.

·

Yan capital had just experienced a heavy rain. The dark clouds hadn’t completely dispersed yet, and brilliant golden light pierced through the rolling black clouds, shining on the multi-tiered azure tiles of the Yan imperial palace. The lifelike auspicious beasts carved on the flying eaves and ridges had been washed clean, as if they had come alive in the golden light, gleaming brilliantly.

Xiao Rongyan and his uncle, and his nephew Murong Li sat in the rain-viewing pavilion with a chessboard between them and a teapot hanging on a small red clay stove beside them. Outside the rain-viewing pavilion with its eight red-lacquered pillars and half-drawn bamboo curtains, only Yue Shi and Wang Jiuzhou stood guard.

Rain accumulated on the azure tiles was dripping steadily from the octagonal flying eaves, and the tea water on the small stove had already boiled. Murong Li held in his hand a secret report that Xiao Rongyan had brought him, looking at his uncle with disbelief and widened eyes: “Great Zhou government bonds!”

This was truly beyond Murong Li’s expectations. The two countries were currently engaged in a national wager… He had sent people to Dongyi to collude with Dongyi’s Second Prince, even willing to provide Dongyi with grain and weapons, encouraging Dongyi to fight with the Great Zhou, all for the sake of winning this national wager.

Although the methods were somewhat underhanded, since it concerned Yan’s survival, Murong Li had convinced himself not to care about the means. He thought that as long as Great Zhou and Dongyi fought, once they needed to mobilize grain and supplies, the people in Yan’s territories under Great Zhou control would inevitably become dissatisfied and would no longer cooperate with Great Zhou officials.

But unexpectedly, the Bai family elder sister had created Great Zhou government bonds, and according to reports from Ninth Uncle’s people, some people in Yan’s territories had already bought Great Zhou government bonds, waiting to see if Great Zhou would pay interest after one month. If Great Zhou truly paid the people interest, then the word “trust” from Great Zhou officials would take root in the people’s hearts!

Subsequently, when Shen Tianzhi promoted new policies, it would undoubtedly be much easier than it is now.

“I originally thought that since Great Zhou and Yan are engaged in a national wager, even if Dongyi kept provoking trouble, even if the Bai family elder sister was furious about Prince Han’s matter, she still wouldn’t fight with Dongyi!” Murong Li set aside the secret report in his hand. “At most, she would temporarily give Dongyi benefits to appease them…”