The new regulations immediately sparked discussions throughout the streets and alleys.

These measures had been proposed by Fu Lingchuan when the military reduction order was first issued, but Feng Miaojun had kept them in reserve to avoid unsettling the populace. Only after the Hou, Li, and Shi families had all submitted, and the local nobility had completely abandoned their ambitions, did she finally release them all at once.

Sure enough, although there was widespread discussion throughout Wuseier and some dissatisfaction among the nobility, it was far from reaching the level of public outrage.

Feng Miaojun maintained an outwardly calm demeanor, as if her authority were heaven-bestowed, but privately she breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that this hurdle had finally been crossed and the danger of internal rebellion had ended.

In truth, New Xia’s establishment as a nation was indebted to the powerful support of local magnates, and now with New Xia flourishing, she couldn’t dishearten these veterans. Yet if everyone were to rest on their laurels and regions only superficially complied with royal edicts while acting like local emperors, what authority would the Queen have left?

Power had to be reclaimed, but people needed to be pacified as well.

Ultimately, it was the replenished treasury and the strengthened royal court that made the regions submit to central authority.

At this point, she understood perfectly.

While all these changes were quietly taking place within New Xia, the outside world was also producing explosive news daily.

In the Southern Continent, the Yan army had advanced another hundred li westward and would soon reach the Niumu River. After the Qinglan River, this was the second natural barrier facing the Yan army. Once they successfully crossed it, they would face an endless plain ahead, with no more towering mountains to impede the Yan army’s march toward Xi Kingdom’s capital.

Xi Kingdom’s blockade and resistance had become unprecedentedly intense. According to reports reaching Feng Miaojun, besides several great generals, even Xi Kingdom’s State Preceptor Yu Haizhen had personally taken to the battlefield, exercising her power to command wind and rain, causing significant losses to the Yan army.

Among the world’s few State Preceptors, Yu Haizhen was the only woman, with astounding talent and profound cultivation. Feng Miaojun had heard that she had once dueled with Jin Kingdom’s State Preceptor Mo Tizhun, with neither gaining the upper hand.

Feng Miaojun knew Mo Tizhun’s abilities. If the rumors were true, Yu Haizhen was also one of the rare great powers of the era—unfortunately, the King of Xi was incompetent and couldn’t properly utilize such talent.

While battles raged in the Southern Continent, the Northern Continent was no less intense—perhaps even more so.

In the war between Wei and Yao, the situation suddenly took a sharp turn:

Initially, the Wei army had again taken the route through Tianshui Village to enter the Yao Kingdom’s territory—the “classic route” from their invasion two years ago. Indeed, this path avoided high mountains and great marshes, offering the shortest distance to Yao’s capital. However, the people of Yao were well-prepared this time, no longer caught off guard as before. Thus, the Wei army faced difficult battles all along this route, advancing step by step from the very beginning.

After more than half a month of war, Yao Kingdom methodically mobilized troops from various regions, sending them to encircle and block the southwestern area.

For the Wei army, this was a hard battle. To reach the royal capital, they would have to remove countless obstacles along the way. Given Feng Miaojun’s understanding of Xiao Yan, he didn’t seem like someone who would engage in brute-force tactics—why would he choose such a laborious and thankless approach?

Various countries also widely debated this question.

Sure enough, half a month later, the latest news arrived, leaving people astounded:

The Miansha Ridge in the northwest of Yao’s capital was suddenly invaded by Wei troops!

This force numbered a full seventy thousand, personally led by King Xiao Yan of Wei. In just three days, they had crossed the Miansha Ridge, forded the Baisha River, and directly rushed into the central plains!

The world was shocked.

The Wei monarch seemed to have an extreme penchant for risking his life, personally leading an expedition yet again—except now the Wei King had changed from Xiao Pingzhang to his son, Xiao Yan.

Two years ago, Xiao Pingzhang had perished at Wufu Snow Mountain, his grand ambitions of eastern conquest against Yao turning to bubbles. This time, would Xiao Yan repeat his father’s mistakes?

Countless people watched with bated breath.

When the news reached Wuseier, the entire royal court was just as surprised as the people of Yao. Even the always steady and composed Prime Minister Wang Yuan exclaimed in shock: “How could they cross the Miansha Ridge!”

Anyone with a basic understanding of the geography between the two countries knew that the northwestern part of the Yao Kingdom was a three-hundred-li region of deadly quicksand. The terrain there was extremely complex, with swamps and loose sand forming countless quicksand traps. From the surface, they looked no different from ordinary grasslands or sandy areas, but once stepped upon, a person would sink.

Every year, countless lives were lost to quicksand traps. Locals called this type of sand “miansha” (sleeping sand), meaning sand that temporarily slumbered but would devour lives once awakened.

Miansha Ridge was not far from Yao Kingdom’s border, forming a natural barrier. This was not the first choice for any army invading the Yao Kingdom because, after each rainfall, the position of the quicksand might change, making it impossible for humans to draw fixed routes of advance. Moreover, armies also had logistics and heavy equipment—once caught in a trap, the consequences would be unimaginable.

No leader of sound mind would lead an army down this path.

Fu Lingchuan solemnly said: “For this very reason, Yao Kingdom never imagined an enemy army could break through here, and the border towns were completely unprepared. The Wei army easily crossed the Baisha River.” He pointed at the sand table: “Traveling another nine hundred li southeast by east, they’ll reach Yao Kingdom’s capital, Yinzi City. This time, the Wei army has taken a shortcut. The Yao Kingdom hasn’t yet organized any significant interception, and they’re moving very quickly.” In warfare, speed is precious—having won such an advantage, the Wei army would certainly make the most of it.

“Which means the Wei army’s crossing of Miansha Ridge seemed divinely aided,” Feng Miaojun said slowly. “Xiao Yan’s willingness to personally take the field shows his great confidence in traversing the quicksand formation.”

The ministers nodded. Of course, deities hardly had time to concern themselves with such mundane human affairs. The so-called “divine aid” most likely meant they had inside help, someone intimately familiar with Miansha Ridge, enabling them to safely lead a large army through a three-hundred-li death zone.

After speaking, Feng Miaojun’s mind also conjured a certain name. Yun Ya had mentioned before—could it be that this person’s assistance had given the Wei army its overwhelming force?

At this point, the Wei Kingdom’s intentions were also crystal clear: Their fifty thousand troops in the open followed the old route to draw Yao’s military firepower. After the opponent had moved their troops south to encircle and block them, they then dispatched their main force across Miansha Ridge, cutting into Yao’s heartland and heading straight for the capital!

Experienced strategists could, of course, see through this ruse—for instance, the Wei army invading the southern route moved slowly, with fewer elite troops. But no one had anticipated that the Wei Kingdom could open a path through Miansha Ridge!

No wonder they had the confidence to boldly invade Yao Kingdom while Yan was attacking Xi—they had this ace up their sleeve. Great generals like Zhao Hongyin could even estimate that if the Wei army could race against time and enter within three hundred li west of Yao’s capital before the Yao people organized strong resistance, seizing the most important passes and cities, then the subsequent battles would be much easier to fight.

Imperceptibly, a strange power struggle had formed between the Southern and Northern Continents. Invasive wars were happening on both continents, with the two great powers of Yan and Wei competing to see who could defeat their opponent and end their war first, thus seizing the final initiative.