A Request to Head North

Chen Cheng rose and bowed to Prince Pingbei. "You've taught me a lesson today. I must not only ask you to match your words with your deeds; I must do the same myself.

"And since you've recognized your mistake, great-uncle, I hope you'll hold fast to that resolve in the work ahead. I'll have to trouble you with both the base and the First Army from now on."

"What do you mean? Your Majesty, are you planning to leave again?"

Prince Pingbei caught the implication at once and immediately asked.

Chen Cheng let out a heavy sigh. "Restoring our nation will be no easy feat. If we stay huddled in this little North City, no matter how well we develop it, we'll have no hope.

"So I have no choice but to entrust the base to you and the others, great-uncle. I need to use my identity to seek out and persuade the factions that were loyal to the Empire.

"Only by bringing their strength together can we keep the restoration from being empty talk."

Prince Pingbei understood Chen Cheng's predicament. Compared with the enemies he faced, the forces he now commanded were separated by more than heaven and earth.

They were a grain of rice trying to rival the bright moon. There was not the slightest hope.

Chen Cheng's plan to unite the other factions was the fastest way to build strength.

The Empire had collapsed at the height of its power, so remnants of that power still remained among its peoples and factions. They gave Chen Cheng's mission something solid to build on.

At the very least, the current leaders of those great clans still retained some affection for the Empire. They would not greet Chen Cheng with threats and violence, then try to hand him over.

Yet