Although the Canglang Plains were crisscrossed with waterways, the caverns at the bottom of Moon Goddess Lake connected to an entirely different water system. It intersected with three surface rivers and countless underground streams, ultimately leading to the Forbidden Sea at the southernmost tip of the Yao region.

This route was also a migration path for many fish species and water monsters. These large fish matured in the sea and eventually returned to their birthplaces—the freshwater rivers and streams—to spawn and reproduce.

But for the Wei army, there were too many interception points along this water route. Where did the Yan forces enter the water? More importantly, the Yan army hadn’t even attacked the Yao region yet, so how could they move through it so freely, as if entering unoccupied territory?

This mystery was not one Yun Ya and the Wei people would expend great effort to solve, especially since the Yan forces had already seized the Canglang Plains. Wei needed to focus all its energy on preparing for battle after spring arrived.

However, Feng Miaojun soon found the answer in another personal letter.

It came from Xu Linghai.

He was currently at the Yan army’s headquarters in Xi territory. Due to his outstanding talents and years of diligent service, he had been promoted to Deputy Secret Chancellor, managing numerous military secrets.

According to Xu Linghai’s confidential letter, the Yan army had not directly set foot on Yao territory but had instead entered through Eagle’s Beak Bay to the south.

Reading this, Feng Miaojun’s phoenix eyes narrowed, flashing with anger.

Eagle’s Beak Bay and the series of islands south of it had never belonged to the former Yao Kingdom or the current New Xia but were territories of a small country called Zou. This country was small, but its territory was half on land and half at sea. The islands provided a good strategic buffer, making it difficult for large countries like Yao to annex them without significant effort.

Yet it held no particular value worth conquering by major powers, except for abundant fishing resources. Additionally, such small countries and powers were scattered throughout the coastal regions of the Forbidden Sea, with major powers allowing them to fend for themselves.

Zou’s territory wasn’t large, so it couldn’t possibly have been unaware of the arrival of tens of thousands of Yan troops. The two sides had colluded.

Xu Linghai’s letter also mentioned that the underwater secret passage from the seaside to Moon Goddess Lake was information provided by Zou. Yan had gifted Zou a thousand taels of gold, two million taels of silver, and numerous magical artifacts in exchange for a one-time privilege to operate in Eagle’s Beak Bay.

Combined with the water-dividing effect of the Dividing Waters Halberd, tens of thousands of troops could bypass the Wei army’s rear through water routes, quietly appearing as if divine soldiers descending from heaven.

When two armies reached a stalemate, either side needed extraordinary strategies to gain victory. Feng Miaojun admired the brilliance of the King of Yan and his advisors. To execute such a plan required not only exceptional wealth to dazzle others but also tremendous imagination.

However, what angered her was that Zou was clearly a vassal state of New Xia. Shortly after she became Queen, this small country had pledged allegiance and paid tribute to her.

Zou was fully aware of the grievances between Yan and New Xia, as well as New Xia’s attitude toward Yan.

As a vassal state, they were expected to deploy troops in coordination with their suzerain during wartime. Now, by showing goodwill to Yan, they had not only interfered in the Yan-Wei conflict but also entangled New Xia in trouble it desperately wanted to avoid.

What position did this put their suzerain in? Moreover, if Yan could buy them once, they could naturally buy them twice.

The next time Yan wanted to deal with New Xia, whose side would Zou stand on?

There was another major problem: Zou’s territory was very close to New Xia. If Yan used it as a stepping stone in the future, couldn’t they also penetrate deep into New Xia’s interior? This was the scenario Feng Miaojun least wanted to see.

After hearing the whole story, Fu Lingchuan frowned. “Zou should be taught a lesson. New Xia’s army hasn’t fought for a long time and needs a warm-up.”

The King of Yan had found a loophole in the Wei-Xia agreement. Zou was only a vassal state of New Xia with complete sovereignty; the agreement couldn’t constrain it.

Feng Miaojun waved her hand. “Too few people know about the collusion between Zou and Yan. If we deal with Zou now, the King of Yan will certainly discover that we have a spy planted in his high command.” Xu Linghai was too important to expose. “Find all the information about Zou and see what we can use. We need a pretext.”

“This approach will take considerable time.”

“It doesn’t matter; we have plenty of time.” Feng Miaojun was unhurried. “Wei and Yan are still maneuvering methodically; both sides still have room to maneuver.” How long had these two great powers been preparing for the ultimate battle? With such abundant resources, how could they be stretched thin after just a year of fighting?

Fu Lingchuan gazed at her retreating figure with a strange look in his eyes.

He not only knew about Feng Miaojun’s relationship with Yun Ya but also knew the Queen had promised the Wei State Preceptor that New Xia would aid Wei against Yan. Now that the two countries had been at war for nearly a year, and Yan had seized an opportunity to turn the tide, shouldn’t she be eager to join the fight? Why did she still appear so composed?

It seemed her ruthlessness extended not only to him, her cousin, but also to her lover.

However, he understood that the current situation was best for New Xia if the Queen could maintain her rationality.

Another month passed quickly.

The Canglang Plains were still frozen, but as it was approaching the Spring Waters season, the snow and wind had noticeably weakened. The frontlines, where the two armies faced each other, had been quiet for two months, but everyone knew this was merely the calm before the storm.

At this time, a major incident occurred.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, while all of New Xia was celebrating the Lantern Festival, the Sixth Prince of Zou arrived in Ursul, seeking an audience with the Queen of New Xia. Before all the officials, he exposed Zou’s treacherous actions.

It should be noted that when the Wei-Yan war began, New Xia had notified all its vassal states to remain still and not get involved in the conflict between the two countries. Zou’s actions were a case of outward compliance but secret defiance.

Therefore, the Queen was furious and ordered Hu Yanlong to lead forty thousand troops, determined to teach Zou a lesson.

By this time, New Xia had become a behemoth. Deploying troops from Yao territory to the southern coast was convenient, taking only ten days to arrive.

When news of New Xia’s attack reached Zou, the entire country was alarmed. The king wrote to Ursul, arguing that Zou had never allowed Yan passage and that the Sixth Prince was slandering them out of personal vengeance.

New Xia, of course, ignored this and marched swiftly.

The power disparity between the two sides was enormous. Zou, at its wits’ end, had no choice but to turn to Yan for rescue. Since Yan had caused this trouble, shouldn’t they be responsible for resolving it?

Upon receiving the plea for help, the King of Yan also found himself in a difficult position.

He was currently focused on attacking Wei, having just achieved a minor breakthrough on the battlefield. He was planning to press his advantage after spring arrived and had no desire to provoke New Xia at this juncture.

As long as New Xia didn’t deploy troops, he could maintain the initiative on the Wei battlefield.

Zou was a vassal of New Xia. If he intervened to rescue them, he would be directly confronting New Xia. Was the Queen of New Xia waiting for precisely this opportunity to legitimately send troops to the western battlefield?