Imperial Cultivation

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Meng Canglan was deducing Chu Zhiyuan's actions.

To inquire about the Great Li Dynasty's marching route meant he planned to set an ambush along the way.

Clearly, he intended to hide troops on a small island and, when the Great Li Dynasty's army landed for supplies, launch a sudden attack, severely damaging them.

This method was risky, but if successful, the gains would far outweigh a defensive retreat.

Moreover, the resistance in the court would certainly be smaller.

Planning with preparation against the unprepared did indeed offer a greater chance of success.

Chu Zhiyuan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Does your esteemed sect possess any armor and weaponry from the Great Li Dynasty?"

"The Great Li Dynasty?"

"The Great Guang Dynasty will also do; they are all about the same. The key is to have a sufficient quantity of armor and weaponry," Chu Zhiyuan said.

Stealing a small amount of armor and weaponry was not too difficult for the Worry-Free Sect, but the quantity could not be large.

Unless the imperial court was rotten to the core, control over military equipment was extremely strict.

A small amount of weaponry could be exchanged through reported losses, but a large quantity was impossible.

Meng Canglan pondered.

Chu Zhiyuan's spirits lifted, realizing there was a possibility!

He stared intently at Meng Canglan, slowly saying, "If we could get five thousand sets, that would be almost enough."

Meng Canglan's beautiful face remained calm, revealing no joy, anger, or other emotions.

Chu Zhiyuan couldn't help but sigh, this Holy Maiden Meng was truly extraordinary; no wonder they sent her.

If it were Song Yichun, she would have already revealed everything, explaining everything clearly.

Meng Canglan, however, had her own unique rhythm.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "If that's really not possible, a smaller quantity will also do; three thousand sets will suffice."

"Three thousand sets..." Meng Canglan looked troubled.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "What about two thousand sets?"

"...To be honest, Your Highness, our sect can barely manage to scrape together one thousand sets of armor and weapons, and they are from the Great Li Dynasty."

"One thousand sets is one thousand sets; it's better than nothing!" Chu Zhiyuan slowly said, "Rest assured, these one thousand sets of armor and weapons are only borrowed, and will be returned in kind."

"Is Your Highness planning to impersonate the Great Li army and ambush Great Guang?"

"At the moment Great Guang withdraws its troops, we'll take the opportunity to ambush them. Could that restart the war between the two dynasties?"

"...Wonderful!" Meng Canglan clapped her hands in praise, "Your Highness's move is extremely clever."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "No matter how well the plan is laid, it still depends on how it's executed. There are too many variables, and it's extremely dangerous."

Meng Canglan slowly said, "Indeed, it is dangerous."

The dangers involved were numerous; any mishap could lead to no return.

But if successful, the benefits would be immense.

Reigniting the war between the two dynasties at the smallest cost, thereby avoiding involving Great Jing, and buying Great Jing enough time.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "The success of this plan still depends on the assistance of your esteemed sect."

"Our sect will spare no effort to cooperate with Your Highness!" Meng Canglan solemnly clasped her fist.

Chu Zhiyuan returned the gesture.

Meng Canglan did not stay any longer and directly bid farewell and left.

Chu Zhiyuan was quite surprised, not expecting her to mention any reward or the Martial Arts Hall.

Was the Worry-Free Sect investing first and then asking for returns, or was it actively showing goodwill to the imperial court?

Or perhaps both?

But regardless, it was important to prevent them from helping Great Li and Great Guang harm Great Jing.

And this was something that had to be guarded against.

Chu Zhiyuan rode the Heavenly Dragon Divine Steed, transforming into two golden lights, and left Inviting Moon Palace.

As he rode, the reluctant and beautiful face of Xiao Ruoling flashed through his mind.

His heart was filled with melancholy.

At this moment, his heart was filled with reluctance and melancholy, wishing he could turn around and go back immediately.

Wishing he could continue to stay at Guest Peak, with Xiao Ruoling by his side every day, practicing his skills, and entering the secret realm.

It could be said to be carefree and infinitely joyful.

Unfortunately, the matter at hand was of great importance, and he couldn't indulge in personal feelings or enjoy himself.

He needed to settle the matter on the other side first, explain it clearly to the imperial court, and then return to this gentle paradise.

He arrived in Yujing in half a day and first returned to the Qing Prince's Mansion.

The Qing Prince's Mansion was still lively, and he deliberately took the back door to avoid being recognized.

After returning the Heavenly Dragon Divine Steed to the back garden of the mansion and changing his clothes, he went directly to the Surveillance Department.

Ma Tianhe hurriedly greeted him with a flattering smile, "Your Highness!"

Chu Zhiyuan nodded and stepped inside, "Show me the latest news about the Great Li Dynasty and the Great Guang Dynasty."

"Yes," Ma Tianhe readily agreed.

A moment later, several boxes of files were brought into the room, stacked high.

Chu Zhiyuan sat behind the desk and flipped through them one by one, his brow furrowing more and more tightly.

Seeing his expression, Ma Tianhe felt uneasy.

After Chu Zhiyuan finished reading all the files, he looked up at Ma Tianhe.

Ma Tianhe immediately showed a flattering smile, "Your Highness..."

"What do you think?"

"This..."

"Are they about to make a move?"

"In my opinion, there are no signs of action yet; it may still be a while."

"What about the Eastern Border?" Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Has the Eastern Border Army begun to reorganize?"

"It has already begun to reorganize, but..." Ma Tianhe hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Who did the imperial court send over there?"

"Duke Kang," Ma Tianhe replied.

Chu Zhiyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Sending a Duke over there was about right. The Eight Great Dukes were families of military merit, the foundation of the Great Jing army.

The current Duke Kang was valiant and promising, with illustrious military achievements, making him the best candidate to reorganize the Eastern Border.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, "Didn't Duke Kang reorganize?"

Ma Tianhe hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Don't worry, we're just talking privately; it will never be leaked out."

Ma Tianhe gritted his teeth, feeling that he couldn't hide it from Chu Zhiyuan.

After all, he wanted to latch onto Chu Zhiyuan's coattails and be promoted by Chu Zhiyuan, so he had to be sincere.

He looked left and right, peeked outside, and then closed the door.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

Ma Tianhe was indeed cautious enough. This wasn't a bad thing.

Ma Tianhe came closer, took a deep breath, and whispered, "Your Highness, in my opinion, Duke Kang hasn't really valued the Surveillance Department's intelligence.

The reorganization of the Eastern Border is very weak and hasn't reversed the weakness of the Eastern Border."

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Ma Tianhe said, "Duke Kang's impression of the Great Li Dynasty and the Great Guang Dynasty is still from the past, thinking they wouldn't dare to act rashly, and that the Surveillance Department is just exaggerating and amplifying anxieties."

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Prevention is better than cure; it's better to believe it than not. Duke Kang wouldn't not understand this principle."

"In my opinion, Duke Kang feels that he shouldn't waste the imperial court's money like this, and doesn't want to offend everyone."

Chu Zhiyuan suddenly sneered, glancing at Ma Tianhe with disdain, "You guys at the Surveillance Department know jack shit, jack shit about war!"

"Exactly!" Ma Tianhe nodded vigorously, "Duke Kang is just like that!"

Chu Zhiyuan's expression turned grave.

It's easy to shake a mountain, but difficult to shake a deeply held belief.

Duke Kang, a great general with such illustrious achievements, extremely believed in his own judgment.

He felt that the Great Li Dynasty and the Great Guang Dynasty wouldn't dare to act rashly, and no matter how much the Surveillance Department said, he would think that the Surveillance Department was exaggerating to seek credit.

Once this thought arose, he would no longer listen to the Surveillance Department's intelligence, feeling that the Surveillance Department's ass was crooked and all the news was crooked.

In this case, the Eastern Border was still not ready for battle.