"Everyone, the opportunity has come!"
Feiyun Prefecture, the Prefectural Office.
Dongfang Da Qian was unyielding through every twist and turn, growing braver with every setback. Now that the Blood Locust disaster had erupted, he had seized another opportunity.
He summoned his strategists and generals overnight, deciding to launch a counteroffensive while the chance lasted. He did not expect to seize the capital; taking several of the Eight Direct Prefectures would be enough.
In high spirits, he gestured across the realm as he analyzed the situation. "Lian Feihong is running himself ragged. He must deploy troops to suppress the Blood Locusts, requisition grain and supplies from other regions, and prepare for reconstruction after the disaster."
"This catastrophe has dealt a grievous blow to his vitality and shaken his lie that he is Heaven's chosen!"
"As the saying goes, fierce winds reveal the strength of grass. Those who still follow him now are all fiercely loyal core supporters."
"I told you so. How could he possibly govern the whole realm properly when he places such importance on a petty man like Zhou You?"
For a time, his many supporters spoke up in agreement, as though Lian Feihong were a boat tossed by wind and rain, ready to step down at any moment.
Suddenly, Dongfang Da Qian stopped and asked, "Does anyone know what that petty man Zhou You has been busy with lately?"
Only after a long while did someone speak. "We don't know. Reports from our spies in the capital say that no one has seen him these past few days. They say he has gone into seclusion for something?"
"Gone into seclusion? Why would he go into seclusion now?"
Dongfang Da Qian found it strange. The Blood Locust disaster was so severe. As Lian Feihong's right-hand man, Zhou You surely