Wang Yue had no intention of letting Gu Jiantang off the hook. Seeing Cao Changqing and Chen Zhibao growing impatient, he raised a hand to calm them and said with a smile, "I doubt Gu Jiantang sent such an arrogant subordinate because he means to join us. He just wants to keep our Xia Kingdom at bay so he has time to consolidate his hold over Two Liao.
"But we aren't ready either. Are we certain we want to take Tai'an City by storm now?"
Chen Zhibao furrowed his brow and said gravely, "Your Majesty, we aren't ready, but neither is Tai'an City. Gu Jiantang is even less prepared.
"If we wait until we are ready, Liyang's defenses will be fully in place, and Gu Jiantang will be the one to profit. So I believe we should strike at once and give him no time to consolidate Two Liao."
Cao Changqing was also in a difficult position. Ever since Empress Chu had come back to life, he hadn't been in such a hurry. He now prioritized stability. Xia Kingdom had seized a great deal of territory, and it had yet to settle down. Attacking Tai'an City now would likely come at a heavy cost.
But he also supported attacking at this time, so he urged, "Your Majesty, the stalemate along the Guangling front with Liyang cannot be broken in the short term. If Your Majesty takes the field personally, you can surely turn the tide. Then we can encircle Tai'an City."
Wang Yue hesitated, then looked at Chen Zhibao. "If I remember correctly, Northern Liang rose from Two Liao."
Chen Zhibao had no idea what Wang Yue was planning, but he nodded. "Yes."
Hearing that, Wang Yue smiled. "In that case, General Chen, go to Qingliang Mountain and have the