Surging undercurrents

After the court assembly, Liu Bei swiftly restored order to the capital and its surrounding areas through his outstanding administrative ability and benevolent conduct. Presiding over the government offices, he heard backlogged cases, opened the granaries to distribute grain, brought corrupt gentry to account, and settled displaced people. This series of measures gradually won over the people of the capital. Chen Yu also made several public appearances. His composure, dignity, and all-embracing bearing left the people of the new capital with an impression of unfathomable depth. Word of the new dynasty's "benevolent rule" quietly began to spread.

Yet beneath the surface calm, dangers lurked everywhere. The nobles and officials of the former Flower Country had deeply entangled networks. Though outwardly submissive, many were secretly watching and waiting, while others even harbored resentment. Guo Jia's intelligence network operated efficiently, with secret reports arriving constantly: one noble was secretly contacting regional warlords; a former official was concealing weapons; rumors even circulated among the people that "His Majesty the King will soon lead a loyalist army to restore his rule."

"My lord, though Chang'an is peaceful, we stand on the rim of a volcano." Inside the Strategist's Residence, Guo Jia spoke gravely to Chen Yu. "The upheaval in Yujing happened too quickly. Flower Country is a great tree whose roots spread throughout the nation. By severing only its trunk, we may instead cause its branches and even the roots buried deep underground to grow wildly-and even turn against us."

Chen Yu nodded, his gaze sweeping across the enormous map of the West Blue hanging before him. It was densely marked with Flower Country's towns, fortresses, and the territories of its various factions. "You are absolutely right, Fengxiao. We have not yet brought Flower Country fully under our rule. We have merely driven a wedge into a den of deadly enemies. Whether we now find ourselves beset on all sides or use this foothold to swallow vast territories depends entirely on our next move."

News of Yujing's fall swept through the West Blue like a hurricane, provoking sharply different reactions.

In major cities far from Chang'an, factions led by members of Flower Country's royal family or powerful governors declared that they would not recognize Peach Blossom Spring's rule. Some enthroned one of Luo Shunzhi's nephews or sons, while others proclaimed themselves kings. Under banners of "quelling the rebellion" and "defending the king," they gathered armies and attempted to strike back. These factions controlled most of Flower Country's resources, troops, and population, making them Hua Country's most immediate and dangerous enemies.

More local officials and commanders remained on the fence. They neither openly resisted nor immediately submitted, instead shutting their city gates and strengthening their defenses while sending envoys both to Chang'an and to the various "loyalist" factions, holding out for the best offer. Their allegiance would greatly influence the course of the coming war.

Other West Blue nations that bordered Flower Country or lay across the sea from it-including World Government Member States such as the Ilisia Kingdom-were deeply unsettled by the sudden rise of such a powerful neighbor with unknown intentions. They strengthened their border defenses and sent reports to the World Government expressing their concerns.

Numerous powerful pirate crews saw Flower Country's internal strife as a heaven-sent opportunity and flocked there. Some plundered the coast, while others colluded with local separatist factions, hoping to profit from the chaos.

Underworld giants such as the King of Shipping and the King of Loan Sharks also stepped up their infiltration of the West Blue, seeking gains within the new balance of power.

The Marine Branches across the West Blue went on high alert and closely monitored the situation. Although the World Government's senior leadership made no immediate statement, the Cipher Pol Agency's espionage activities had undoubtedly risen to the highest level. Such a drastic change of power within a World Government member state, especially one involving a group of Mythical Zoan ability users, was certain to draw serious attention from the Five Elders.

Faced with such a complex and treacherous situation, Peach Blossom Spring's core leadership held a heated discussion inside the palace in Chang'an to determine their future strategic direction.

Impatient by nature, Zhang Fei stepped forward first. "Elder brother! Why sit here waiting? Let me, second brother, Zhao Yun, and the others each lead a force out in different directions and crush those defiant bastards one by one!"

Guan Yu stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Your courage is commendable, third brother. But our enemies are numerous, and the territory is vast. If we divide our forces and advance rashly, we risk being defeated one at a time. Besides, we have only just occupied Chang'an, and our foothold is not yet secure. Someone must remain to defend it. If our main forces all march out, our rear will be left exposed, and great disorder will surely follow."

Zhao Yun added, "Brother Guan Yu is absolutely right. Our first priority must be to consolidate our foundation. Chang'an was Flower Country's former capital, where its wealth, talent, and books are concentrated. If we can fully absorb all of this, our army will have a firm foundation, able to advance on the offensive or fall back on the defensive. Recovering the other regions comes second."

Huang Zhong said steadily, "We must also guard against intervention by outside forces. The Marines, neighboring countries, and powerful pirates are all watching hungrily. We need a strong army stationed at strategic points to deter opportunists."

Gan Ning rubbed his hands together. "The navy must also step up patrols and blockade key shipping lanes. We cannot let those pirates and outside forces interfere so easily in Flower Country's civil war!"

Liu Bei summed up their points. "Our most urgent task is to implement the new policies throughout Chang'an and its surroundings: distribute farmland equitably, develop industry and commerce, and recruit worthy talent. We must make the Capital Region an unbreakable whole and win the people's allegiance. Only then will we have the provisions and recruits to sustain our campaigns."

Guo Jia spoke last, settling the matter. "The generals and Lord Liu Bei have all struck at the heart of the issue. In my view, our current strategy should be to 'strengthen our foundation and build our strength, then expand our territory gradually.'"

He walked to the map and pointed at Chang'an. "Step one: consolidate our core. Establish a secure base centered on Chang'an, while our lord governs benevolently and wins the people's hearts."

His finger moved to several strategic locations around Chang'an. "Step two: remove the thorns in our side. Unless we eliminate the surrounding loyalist forces, Chang'an will never know peace. We can dispatch elite troops led by generals such as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun to swiftly and precisely eliminate hostile forces around the Capital Region, opening links with forces that have provisionally submitted, such as the Two Treasures Navy and the Happo Navy, and joining our scattered footholds into a continuous territory."

Finally, his finger swept across Flower Country's vast territory. "Step three: wait for the right moment to act. Once our foundation is secure and our rear is free of worries, we can gradually take over all of Flower Country through recruitment, military action, or negotiation, according to changes in the situation. As for the other powers in the West Blue, our current focus should be defense, deterrence, and diplomatic mediation. We must avoid making enemies on every side."

After hearing him out, Chen Yu's eyes showed approval. "Fengxiao's plan is a seasoned strategy for governing a nation. We will follow it! All three steps will proceed in parallel. Liu Bei will oversee internal affairs and consolidate our foundation; Fengxiao will coordinate intelligence and diplomacy; Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Xingba will organize and train the troops, preparing for fighting around the Capital Region! Also, send people with gifts to Qi Ming of the Two Treasures Navy and Chinjao of the Happo Navy, requesting that they guard the outer shipping lanes and prevent invasions by other nations!"

"We obey!" the assembled officials answered thunderously.

With its strategy settled, Hua Country's war machine began operating efficiently once more, but its focus shifted to strengthening its foundation internally and preventing intervention from outside.

Within Chang'an, Chen Yu's new policies were implemented more thoroughly, with efforts made to turn the Capital Region into a solid bastion of war. In the major military camps outside the city, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others intensified troop training, drilling tactics for attacking and defending cities and clearing enemies from mountainous terrain. Guo Jia's intelligence network spread like a spider's web throughout Flower Country and even across the West Blue, closely tracking the movements of every faction.

Chen Yu, meanwhile, spent more time deep within Dragon Might Hall, working through various complex scenarios with Guo Jia and Liu Bei, particularly how to respond to possible challenges and interference from the World Government.

The capture of Yujing (Chang'an) was far from the end. Instead, it meant that Peach Blossom Spring had truly entered the deep waters of the West Blue's struggle for power. The road ahead was no longer one of simple military conquest, but a complex chessboard filled with political maneuvering, diplomatic contests, and shifting popular allegiances. The true test had only just begun. Dark clouds crowded the skies over the West Blue, and a storm of even wider reach and greater brutality was brewing.