Wei Country's Countermeasures

Wei Country's Countermeasures

The Jian'an Emperor had learned of the alliance between Chu, Zhao, and Han well in advance.

The envoys he had sent out had failed to interrupt Han and Zhao's process of forming an alliance with Chu, but they had gained something nonetheless.

Zhao bordered the sea and was wealthy, its people inclined toward trade. Moreover, Zhao's Vast Righteous Sect emphasized winning others over through virtue and was not fond of slaughter and warfare, so martial customs were not prevalent in the country.

Though neighboring Wei Country was less prosperous than Zhao, it was rich in martial spirit, and the Zhao King had always regarded Wei Country with vigilance.

This time, Chu had promised Zhao one-third of the Wei Country cities they conquered, and this was what moved the Zhao King.

They had also agreed to let Zhao's Vast Righteous Sect establish a branch sect in Chu, and had persuaded Zhao's largest Martial Arts Forces to support this campaign.

Chu had truly staked a tremendous price this time.

But unlike their natural antagonism with Han, Zhao had merely been swayed by profit; money and silk moved men's hearts.

The Zhao King had no lofty ambition to expand his territory, so there was still room to maneuver in Chu-Zhao relations.

Yan Country in the far north had always guarded against the northern barbarians and found it difficult to spare any energy.

But Qi Country in the center had no wars within its borders at present. Since its founding, it had boiled salt and reclaimed farmland, growing wealthier than all around it. With tens of thousands of armored troops, it shared Chu's ambition to expand its territory.

Both Qi and Zhao bordered the sea, and the two countries competed in trade.

Among their Martial Arts Forces, Qi's Xuantian Manor was also slightly weaker than Zhao's Vast Righteous Sect.

That was why Qi had remained still, quietly amassing strength.

Now was precisely the right time.

By calculation, the envoy the Jian'an Emperor had sent to Qi should have results by now.

As the Jian'an Emperor pondered this matter, the guard stationed at the palace gate said, "Your Majesty, Vice Minister of the Department of State Affairs Prime Minister Xiao requests an audience on urgent business."

Seated before his desk in Qianqing Palace, the Jian'an Emperor said calmly, "Admit him."

Having received permission, Vice Minister of the Department of State Affairs Xiao Boling strode into Qianqing Palace and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, the envoy sent to Qi has returned with the latest news."

The moment he heard it concerned the mission to Qi, the Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu sprang to his feet, set down the memorial in his hand, and asked, "What is the result?"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Envoy Chen and the others have not failed their mission. Qi is willing to send troops against Zhao."

"Excellent." The Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu slammed his palm against the long table and said joyfully, "With this, the Chu-Zhao-Han alliance need only focus on dealing with Chu and Han. The eastern front will no longer face great pressure."

The reasoning was simple.

As soon as Zhao sent out troops, its interior would inevitably be left hollow.

Qi could then seize the opening, slipping in through the gap and striking at the vital point.

At that time, Zhao's army attacking Wei would have no choice but to return to reinforce their homeland, and the war on Wei Country's eastern front would naturally be resolved.

And for such an Overt Stratagem, Wei Country did not even need to pay much of a price.

Vice Minister of the Department of State Affairs Xiao Boling said, "Your Majesty, Zhao no longer requires too much concern, but Chu is powerful. We still cannot let down our guard. In particular, the Red River Palace Master has already advanced to the Creation Realm. He may personally make a move, so we must take precautions."

The Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu sighed. "I understand the crux of the matter. Another day, I will personally visit the Zhengyi Sect and discuss this with Daoist Bi, to seek a way of responding."

Then he recalled something. "General Cen, General Huo, and General Feng are already prepared and will soon depart for the three locations. As the saying goes, before the troops move, provisions must go first. Prime Minister Xiao, you must pay closer attention to this matter."

"Over these past days, this humble subject has already begun handling this matter with the other ministers. It involves conscripting civilian laborers, so it must still be discussed with Your Majesty at tomorrow's morning court."

"With a pillar minister such as Prime Minister Xiao, Great Wei has nothing to fear," the Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu said with a smile.

"Your Majesty overpraises me." Xiao Boling said, overwhelmed by the favor. "It is the honor of this humble subject and the others to share Your Majesty's burdens. This humble subject still has governmental affairs to attend to, so I shall take my leave."

Watching Xiao Boling depart, his temples now streaked with gray, he could not help but sigh. "Prime Minister Xiao was born from humble beginnings and never cultivated the Martial Dao. Now, like Us, he has begun to show the signs of age. Alas..."

"Feng Daban."

"This servant is here."

"Have Generals Cen, Huo, and Feng made any unusual moves?"

Feng Dabao cupped his hands and bowed humbly. "In reply to Your Majesty, General Cen and General Feng have been acting as usual. General Huo, however, has shown some Unexpected Changes."

"Speak."

"According to the reports from below, General Huo has often Planted Spy his own confidants throughout the army. By now, the Eastern Army has practically become General Huo's one-man domain. Even Your Majesty's... Your Majesty's edicts are less effective than a single word from General Huo."

Zhao Yongxu's face showed neither joy nor sorrow as he continued, "What else?"

"General Huo has also been colluding secretly with people from Sword Casting Villa and embezzling military funds."

"So Sword Casting Villa's rise over these years has all been connected to General Huo?"

Sword Casting Villa had originally been a rather ordinary Martial Arts Force in the martial world. But within the past twenty years, an Innate Realm Martial Master had suddenly emerged from it. Afterward, talented disciples sprang up like bamboo shoots after rain, and the sect rapidly rose to prominence.

It had secured a place among Great Wei's many Martial Arts Forces.

Though it still lagged far behind established first-rate forces such as the Zhengyi Sect, it could not be ignored.

After all, more than a decade ago, a Martial Arts Force had risen in rebellion, intending to raise up a new dragon, bringing disaster to several cities.

In the end, he had only managed to suppress it after exerting every ounce of effort.

Now it seemed that Huo Yu, Great General Huo, had already developed disloyal intentions.

"This matter is still under investigation."

"Find out the truth as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"We recall that General Huo has a daughter who is currently in Daliang, does he not?"

"He has one daughter, named Huo Xianshui. She is fifteen this year."

The Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu said, "Tell the Empress about this and have her choose a suitable prince. The Huo Family must be steadied for now."

Feng Dabao froze for a moment. Was this an attempt to bind them through marriage?

He said no more and nodded respectfully. "Yes."

Within Kunning Palace.

Great Wei Empress Tu Lihua wore simple clothes, both hands gripping two stone locks weighing a hundred jin each. Her arms continuously lifted and held them level.

"Nine hundred and ninety-one, nine hundred and ninety-two... one thousand."

She let out a light breath, her arms aching and swelling slightly.

After setting down the stone locks, she clenched her fists, her face filled with unwillingness.

If she had been in the Innate Realm, with flesh and blood and Divine Soul growing stronger together and merging as one, she would never have ended up in such a state.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs.

Having chosen this path, becoming like this had only been a matter of time.

Tu Lihua walked to the side, where a full-length dressing mirror stood as tall as a person.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she saw a trace of age in what had once been a jade-like face. Though it was not obvious, she had still caught it.

She knew that she was a sacrifice of the Tu Clan and the Zhao Clan.

As an Innate Realm Martial Warrior married into the imperial family, the benefits she had gained for the Tu Clan were impossible to measure. They were more than enough to cultivate another two Innate Realm Martial Warriors.

As for regret, she did not regret it.

Given another chance, she would still make the same choice.

An Innate Realm Martial Warrior could only live to around one hundred and twenty. She had traded several decades of her lifespan for her family's prosperity, enough to make a name for herself.

In her eyes, that was worth far more than living several extra decades in vain.

As for cultivating martial arts to become immortal, she had always treated it as nothing more than a legend, never taking it seriously.

"Empress, Eunuch Feng has arrived. His Majesty has matters to convey to Your Majesty."

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