Xiao Rongyan sat in his study with the window lattice open, frowning as he carefully read the secret letter sent by his imperial brother. He had just lit the letter paper when he heard two birds chirping as they flew in and perched on the window sill, pecking at each other and fluttering their wings playfully.

Xiao Rongyan lifted his hand to take one of them into his palm, gently stroking the bird’s feathers. His eyes were deep as he said to Zhang Yan, “The State of Wei joining with Great Liang, intending to attack our State of Yan from both north and south, is actually… to intimidate the State of Jin.”

Previously, when Bai Qingyan led troops, the State of Jin had beaten Great Liang soundly. When the State of Wei and Western Liang intended to unite their armies to attack Great Yan, it was the State of Jin that sent troops to the border between Western Liang and Jin, intimidating Western Liang. The State of Wei was constantly constrained by the State of Jin, naturally breeding resentment.

Great Liang, having suffered defeat, also harbored resentment.

Therefore, they dared not directly move against the State of Jin and instead wanted to use what they thought was the weak State of Great Yan… to make an example and intimidate the State of Jin.

Not to mention, the State of Wei had long coveted the fertile lands of southern Yan.

Great Yan had been secretly building strength for so many years and was no longer the Great Yan that Wei and Great Liang thought it was—a nation with weak Kingdom and poor people that anyone could come and bully.

The current situation forced their hand. Great Yan… should also unsheathe its blade.

Great Yan needed to let all nations know that, after more than ten years, Great Yan was no longer yesterday’s Great Yan. Anyone who dared to provoke them should first consider whether their neck was hard enough.

Xiao Rongyan made up his mind and looked up to ask Zhang Yan, “Where is the Yan envoy now?”

“Estimated to arrive at the capital within two days!” Zhang Yan respectfully reported.

“Go tell the Yan envoy that this time there’s no need to request aid from the State of Jin. Tell Jin’s Crown Prince directly… that Great Liang and Great Wei want to unite to attack Great Yan, and the Emperor of Yan, upon hearing this news, flew into such a rage that he’s in critical condition. You’ve come to request Prince Li’s return to the Kingdom… perhaps to see His Majesty one last time!” Xiao Rongyan’s voice was steady.

“Master, this…” Zhang Yan looked up, his gaze startled.

“Since Great Yan wants to unsheathe its blade, our prince… cannot remain in the State of Jin, lest people use little A’Li to strangle our necks in the future!” Xiao Rongyan spoke word by word.

Hearing Xiao Rongyan speak thus, Zhang Yan understood his meaning. Great Yan probably couldn’t continue secretly building strength gradually. If they continued hiding their capabilities this way, the various nations would think Great Yan was weak and easy to bully. Anyone wanting to establish their authority would come step on Great Yan a few times and seize a few of Great Yan’s cities.

Especially after Great Yan sent troops to aid the Rong people, other strong nations couldn’t stand seeing what they considered a weak, small nation… having the surplus strength to aid the Rong people. They wanted to come and trample Great Yan’s momentum, establish their authority, and suppress Great Yan to only occupy a corner, cowering in self-preservation.

Therefore, Great Yan had to make them understand that today’s Great Yan was no longer the Great Yan of the past.

The former strong nation Great Yan, had returned.

“This subordinate understands! I’ll immediately rendezvous with the envoy and convey Master’s intentions!” Zhang Yan clasped his fists and withdrew from the inner room, then exited through the side door and left on horseback.

Xiao Rongyan gently stroked the feathers of the bird in his hand, lowering his eyes to gaze at the bird’s legs, but saw no message brought by Bai Qingyan. He lifted his hand and released the bird.

Though it brought him no message, since the silk strip he had tied to the bird’s leg was gone, Bai Qingyan had certainly received his letter.

Yesterday, he had suddenly heard that when the Crown Princess’s nanny visited Princess Zhenguo, the Princess had suddenly coughed up blood. Everyone outside was saying that Princess Zhenguo probably truly didn’t have long to live this time. In the wine shops, many people discussed this matter, all worrying that if Princess Zhenguo truly couldn’t hold on this time, which general would be capable if the State of Jin faced war again in the future.

Although Xiao Rongyan knew that Bai Qingyan’s blood-spitting was mostly performed for the Crown Prince’s residence to see, he was still extremely worried. He had originally planned to secretly visit Bai Qingyan’s chambers again, but who knew the Bai residence now had many additional hidden guards from the Crown Prince’s residence, apparently sent by the Crown Prince to protect Bai Qingyan. Xiao Rongyan could only retreat.

Early this morning, Xiao Rongyan had personally visited, and although he was stopped in the front courtyard by the Bai family’s Second Madam Liu, fortunately the birds he sent were taken to Qinghui Courtyard by Bai Jinzhi.

He rubbed the bird’s head with his fingertip, his gaze falling on the ashes in the jade brush washer.

The united attack by Great Liang and Great Wei on Yan was not without solution. Xiao Rongyan already had a plan in mind, so he wasn’t particularly anxious.

Last time when Great Yan united with Northern Rong to attack Nanrong, due to pressure from the State of Jin… Great Yan told Northern Rong that, because they had a prince as hostage in the State of Jin, it was inappropriate to continue uniting with Northern Rong to attack Nanrong, so they had to abandon the plan!

This time, Great Yan could use the Emperor of Yan as an excuse to bring little A’Li back to the State of Yan. On Northern Rong’s side, they could use the excuse of Great Liang and the State of Wei uniting to attack Yan to recall Xie Xun.

After the State of Shu was destroyed by the State of Jin, for Great Liang to attack Yan, they would either have to borrow passage through the State of Jin, or… take the water route.

Since Great Liang’s attack on Yan was to intimidate the State of Jin, they couldn’t possibly borrow passage through Jin, so they could only take the water route… using naval forces.

Great Liang’s northern coast faced the sea, and its navy had always been formidable. But if they truly wanted to compete in elite soldiers’ prowess and national unity, Great Liang couldn’t match Great Yan!

As long as Great Liang’s navy dared set foot on Great Yan’s territory, Great Yan… would ensure Great Liang’s navy had no return journey.

As for Northern Rong, having previously entangled with Nanrong, they had consumed considerable provisions. Now that winter was approaching, Northern Rong bordered both the State of Jin and Great Liang. In past years, Rong raids on the borders of Great Liang and Jin for burning, killing, and plundering were common occurrences.

This year, due to Great Yan’s stationed troops, they had delayed action…

As long as Great Yan withdrew half its stationed troops, Northern Rong would certainly be unable to restrain themselves and either raid the State of Jin or plunder Great Liang.

Now there were two strategies against Great Liang. First… let Northern Rong plunder Great Liang, forcing Great Liang to divide their forces, but… this method still couldn’t avoid war between Great Liang and Great Yan.

Or let Northern Rong, using the excuse that the State of Jin was meddling too much… managing too broadly in blocking Northern Rong’s revenge against Nanrong, unite with Great Liang to attack Jin. Compared to intimidating the State of Jin… what could be more direct than directly attacking Jin?!

Moreover, only by dragging Great Liang into a war situation with the State of Jin could Great Liang be unable to spare energy elsewhere, after all… Great Liang would be fighting the State of Jin, which was still a strong nation.

The current Rong people… especially Northern Rong, with Great Yan’s help, had also established heavy armored cavalry like Nanrong. The Rong people’s horses were fierce beyond what other nations could match. If Northern Rong was willing to join hands with Great Liang, as long as someone properly persuaded Great Liang and Great Yan offered treasures, Great Liang would inevitably be tempted.

When that time came, with Great Yan’s rear secure, Xiao Rongyan… would send troops and, before the various nations could react, destroy Wei!

Xiao Rongyan lifted his hand and released the bird out of the window. The two birds flew together intimately, tenderly flying into the tall tree in the courtyard.

Xiao Rongyan squinted, gazing at the dappled light spots cast through the high tree’s branches and vines. The generations when Great Yan endured being bullied by various nations had passed. After decades of hardship and struggle, with the whole nation united in purpose, having walked with such difficulty to today’s step, there was no need to endure anymore.

However, over these years, the various nations’ powers intertwined, and no single nation dared to be the first to destroy another…