Niu Youdao did not stand on ceremony with him. He took down the hanging map and casually rolled it into a scroll in his hand. As he passed Shang Chaozong, he raised a hand and patted him on the shoulder. "Prince, what has happened has happened. Anxiety is useless. Keep steady."
Shang Chaozong's face was bleak. "I cannot remain unmoved."
"I understand! But the army cannot lose control." Niu Youdao turned to Meng Shanming again. "The Prince is unsettled. Marshal Meng, please take more care of military matters on the Prince's behalf."
Meng Shanming nodded. "It is my duty."
"Good. I'm leaving. Inform me the moment news arrives." Niu Youdao tossed out those words, threw the scroll to Guan Fangyi, and left leaning on his sword like a cane, with the latter following behind him.
The moment he returned to his own tent, Niu Youdao signaled for Guan Fangyi to spread out and hang up the map.
Once the map was hung, Guan Fangyi asked, "Daoist Master, have you found a way?"
Niu Youdao sighed. "In circumstances like these, how can a solution simply appear because we want one? But at least we have confirmed the whereabouts of the County Princess and the Young Prince. We have a direction now and no longer need to grope blindly." He said no more, merely standing before the map and studying the terrain.
Guan Fangyi paced slowly around the tent without disturbing him further. She knew he was thinking of a way.
About half an hour later, the familiar sound of a wheelchair rolling came from outside. Meng Shanming had arrived. Entering the tent, he said, "Daoist Master, news from Lan Ruoting has arrived." He presented a translated secret letter with both hands.
Niu Youdao gave an oh and swiftly took it, opening