The Crown Prince?
Other than the emperor, the only one Chen Sanshi could think of as the Cao family's true backing was the Crown Prince.
When Emperor Longqing was young, he had many sons. The Prince of Zhen'nan was a Martial Saint, but he was obsessed with martial cultivation and had voluntarily gone to guard the frontier to stay out of the power struggles.
The other princes—like the Fourth Prince and the Eighth Prince—each held power within the court as well.
But since the Fragrant Fire God Sect had come looking for Cao Fan, their intentions were already clear.
Not to mention Pei Tiannan, who also seemed to belong to the Crown Prince's faction.
The Crown Prince had served as regent for forty years.
During those forty years, Emperor Longqing often secluded himself for cultivation—sometimes for half a year at a time. The Crown Prince's influence had already spread throughout the entire empire. In terms of military power, nearly half of the Great Sheng Dynasty's forces were under his control.
It was said that ever since the incident in Yunzhou ten days ago, the old emperor rarely entered seclusion anymore. He seemed intent on reforming the court and rebuilding the empire, and many officials had already been reassigned.
What was strange, however, was that Pei Tiannan, despite never receiving a transfer order, had secretly followed along on this journey. For a Martial Saint to leave his post without permission—it was impossible not to draw suspicion.
But according to the Seeking Immortals Tower's intelligence, the Fragrant Fire God Sect had been making moves in the capital. So what were they doing traveling east?
Chen Sanshi stopped overthinking. After practicing with his spear for a while, he returned to his cabin, shut the door, and took out the Mystic Pearl.
He quietly sensed its contents. This time, he had gathered quite a bit of incense power—but still not enough to reach Minor Achievement. At best, it could push his proficiency to about half. The faith energy of mortals was simply too weak. And the Fragrant Fire God Sect treated incense like crops—constantly harvesting instead of storing it.
Still, it wasn't a wasted effort.
The Dragon King Temple had been burned down. The sacrificial rituals were suspended. And under the name of Zhang Laizitou, the Fragrant Fire God Sect's corruption had been exposed. From now on, they wouldn't dare to conduct human sacrifices openly in Linjiang Prefecture.
Thinking about it again, the art of disguise truly had its uses.
As long as he could ensure his safe retreat, even using spellwork wouldn't be a problem. After all, if anyone came looking, they'd be searching for Zhang Laizitou—not Chen Sanshi.
Aside from that, he noticed that the amount of white mysterious qi inside the pearl had also increased along with the incense energy, though he still didn't understand why.
"What exactly is this qi? How do I collect it?"
"If I could harness it for this eastern campaign, that would be perfect."
In another cabin—
Cao Fan stared in shock at the two men who had suddenly entered. They wore coarse hemp robes and looked like wandering priests. "You two… aren't you the new Daoists from Ciyun Temple?"
"Please, Your Highness, don't be alarmed," Pei Tiannan said kindly. "We're all on the same side."
"On the same side?"
Cao Fan frowned. "Nonsense! Ciyun Temple was suspected of colluding with the Witch God Sect! Yin Hanwen may have died by their hands!"
"Your Highness, that's a misunderstanding," Yunxiaozi explained calmly. "Qiu Mingzi and the others were traitors among us. They did have connections with the Witch God Sect, and they got what they deserved. But our Fragrant Fire God Sect has always been an ally of your family."
"An ally?"
Cao Fan was confused at first, but soon realization dawned on him. "You mean… my father? Eunuch Feng, did you know about this too?"
Eunuch Feng and the others said nothing—but their silence was confirmation enough.
"Fragrant Fire God Sect… Father…"
Cao Fan's thoughts churned. He had suspicions but didn't dare to voice them. His face darkened as he finally muttered, "I understand."
Time passed in the blink of an eye.
It was now the twelfth lunar month, another year gone by.
The southeastern region of the Great Sheng Dynasty was relatively warm. Even in winter, the chill was mild.
Chen Sanshi stood on the deck, gazing eastward at the rising red sun. He exhaled a long breath.
[Skill: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression – Meridian-Connecting (Beginner)]
Progress: 418/500
He was close to mastering the Meridian-Connecting stage.
Time really did fly.
He still remembered back in Poyang County, when he had struggled just to enter the Tempering Bone stage. Now, he had already reached Meridian-Connecting. Once he advanced into the Profound Manifestation Realm, he would stand among the true elites of the martial world—capable of commanding battles alone.
And it wasn't just him.
Over the past two months, five men under his command had broken through to the Tempering Organ Realm—three of them new talents: Wu Da, Zhuang Yi, and Wang Li. On the battlefield, they finally had the strength to survive on their own.
His proficiency in medicine had also improved considerably.
[Skill: Medicine (Mortal) – Minor Achievement]
Progress: 782/2000
Even at Minor Achievement, he had already reached the level of an alchemy grandmaster. Once he reached Major Achievement, the results would surely be extraordinary.
"We're almost there!"
The ship's helmsman called out, "Another two hours at most, and we'll arrive at Tongnan Prefecture's dock. Gentlemen, you may wish to prepare."
Tongnan Prefecture lay on the eastern border, though it wasn't part of the front lines anymore—the battlefield had already moved to Laizhou.
Tongnan now served as a supply base and training ground. It was also where Chen Sanshi was scheduled to take command of 3,000 Black-Armored Troops.
"Xu Wencai, the map!"
Chen called out instinctively, but no one answered. He paused, realizing belatedly that the old scholar was no longer by his side.
"Sir! The map!"
Bai Tingzhi rushed over. "Sir, let me help you plan the route!"
"You?"
Chen chuckled and waved him off. "No need. We're almost there. Go pack up and get ready to disembark."
Throughout the journey, he hadn't found another chance to steal incense.
Every time Yunxiaozi and the others went ashore, Pei Tiannan accompanied them. That all but confirmed it—the Fragrant Fire God Sect's true backer was the Crown Prince himself.
He hadn't expected it. Emperor Longqing practiced the immortal arts, and his son was secretly dabbling in the incense path of the gods. There was a nine-in-ten chance the Crown Prince was cultivating as well—though to what extent, Chen couldn't tell.
A father colluding with immortals.
A son colluding with gods.
The world was growing stranger by the day.
A family that used the Fragrant Fire God Sect for live human sacrifices—was this what the Cao family had become?
What a "glorious" Great Sheng Dynasty indeed.
Before now, most of what Chen Sanshi had heard about the Crown Prince was positive. The man had ruled as regent for forty years, known as a diligent statesman who patched up the empire's wounds like a humble mender. Yet in the end, his actions were no different from his father's.
This time, the Fragrant Fire God Sect's frantic collection of incense along the way made it clear—they were desperate, as if something urgent and monumental had forced them to harvest everything down to the root.
The Cao family's power struggles had nothing to do with Chen Sanshi. He only hoped they wouldn't interfere with the war he was about to fight.
The ship began to slow and finally docked at a crowded harbor.
Amid the bustle, one figure stood out—a man in a wheelchair, dressed in a simple blue robe.
No Xu Wencai, but the Fourth Senior Brother, Fang Qingyun, was there.
"Senior Brother!"
Chen Sanshi stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, then naturally took hold of the wheelchair to push it forward.
"Junior Brother," Fang Qingyun said with a smile, "I haven't seen you in over a year. You've gotten sturdier again."
Chen chuckled. "And I hear you've kept busy yourself."
"I've heard about you too," Fang Qingyun said casually. "You even had a daughter during the Mingzhou campaign?"
"That's right," Chen replied with a grin. "Born right after the battle." Then his tone turned serious. "Where's Master? I haven't heard any word from him."
"He's making preparations for the Twelve Great Garrisons—well, they used to be eight." Fang Qingyun leaned forward slightly, his eyes alight with excitement. "So, how about it? I've got the map ready. Let's discuss the current situation. I want to see how the man who crossed the Hongze River four times plans his battles."
"Senior Brother, you flatter me. That was just luck," Chen said modestly.
Under Fang Qingyun's guidance, the two entered a large mansion within the city.
Inside the hall, a sand table and detailed maps were already laid out.
They wasted no time on pleasantries.
"The Eastern Qing Kingdom," Fang began. "Without the four great tribes uniting on the plains, it's the strongest nation after Great Sheng. They have six Martial Saints on record, and a total army of around 600,000."
He tapped the map with his wooden pointer. "But seven years ago, they suffered a palace coup. Three of those Martial Saints were killed in a single night. Their number of high-level martial experts dropped drastically. Originally, they wanted to take advantage of the chaos in Mingzhou to strike—but they ended up shooting themselves in the foot."
He gestured to the eastern border. "Two months ago, the Eastern Qing Prince Tang led 180,000 troops into Laizhou, but was routed by Meng Quji, who killed 70,000 and captured 20,000.
"Now, the remaining 90,000 Qing soldiers are scattered across a 1,000-li stretch of the Laizhou front. Their formations are completely fragmented, unable to regroup.
"Of those, 50,000 elite troops are trapped inside Yongle Prefecture.
"So the battle has reached a temporary stalemate."
Chen Sanshi nodded thoughtfully. "If I remember correctly, Yongle Prefecture was once the capital of the old Yan Kingdom. When Great Sheng was founded, they nearly made it the capital instead of Chang'an, but changed their minds for some reason.
"Yongle is known as one of the Five Great Strongholds of the world.
"With 50,000 veteran soldiers inside—and possibly a Martial Saint—storming it head-on would be too costly. The best move would be to maintain the siege and starve them out. How long until their supplies run dry?"
"Six months," Fang replied, pointing to the map. "Yongle itself was Qing's first granary along the eastern border. It can sustain 50,000 men for half a year. I agree with you—the best plan is to continue the siege.
"Once Laizhou falls, we can move into Lingzhou and reclaim Mount Ziwei.
"But manpower at the front is tight. The enemy started with 180,000, and even after their losses, they still have nearly 100,000 scattered about. They're just split into pieces for now."
"Six months is too long," Chen said, eyes narrowing as he looked toward the southern region of the map. "If we drag this out, the situation could turn against us. We need a quick victory. If the enemy receives reinforcements, we could lose everything we've gained. Senior Brother, do you know what kind of soldiers they're fielding?"
"Of course," Fang Qingyun answered. "The 50,000 trapped in Yongle are veterans. The rest are mainly garrison troops drafted from all over Qing—ordinary city guards and border soldiers. I've seen them myself. They have a few capable commanders, but their common troops are barely on par with Great Sheng's second-rate garrisons."
The Eastern Qing Kingdom had stood for over 250 years. Corruption was inevitable.
Their soldiers' morale and combat strength were likely weak. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been crushed so easily.
"In that case…" Chen Sanshi thought aloud. "They might be close to surrendering already. There must be a reason they've held out this long."
Fang Qingyun smiled. "So my Junior Brother already has a plan in mind, doesn't he?"
"You'll have one month," he continued. "Use it to train with the 3,000 Black-Armored Troops His Majesty assigned you. After that, we'll march to Laizhou and take orders at Yongle's front line."
With the initial briefing done, they went together to the Tongnan Prefecture Command Garrison.
Chen's subordinates were already gathered there.
On the drill field, rows of fully armored troops stood packed together, their formation dense and imposing.
When they saw Chen Sanshi, they dropped to one knee in unison.
"Greetings, General Chen!"
Chen accepted the roster scroll and gave it a brief look.
There were three Thousand-Commanders, all at Transforming Strength Perfection, their power nearing the Meridian-Connecting Realm.
As expected of the Black-Armored Army—the most elite force under Great Sheng's banner.
Meanwhile, Cao Fan and his men trained at a separate drill ground.
That force numbered 5,000 Tiger Guards, the Crown Prince's personal troops—loyal beyond question. Two Profound Manifestation Realm cultivators led them: Cui Congyi and Sha Wenlong.
Another 20,000 Tiger Guards were already on the front lines, led by Martial Saint Fan Tianfa and fighting alongside Meng Quji in the siege of Yongle. Added to that was Pei Tiannan, who was secretly accompanying them.
That meant, within the eastern front, the Crown Prince controlled over 20,000 elite soldiers, two Martial Saints, several Profound Manifestation cultivators, and likely even more hidden agents among the other divisions—though their numbers and identities were unknown.
The 5,000 Tiger Guards completed assembly and, by afternoon, departed for the front under Cui Congyi's command. The two Fragrant Fire Sect envoys disappeared along with them.
According to reports, they were heading to attack Zhaotong Prefecture, the second largest city in Laizhou.
As for Chen Sanshi and his 3,000 Black-Armored Troops, they were to remain in Tongnan Prefecture for further training and coordination drills.
"Junior Brother," Fang Qingyun said with a grin, "since I arrived earlier than you, I took the liberty of preparing something. To save you time, I've already begun drilling your men in several formations from the Heavenly Book of Divine Military Arts."
"The Heavenly Book?" Chen Sanshi asked in surprise. "Could it be that His Majesty…"
"Mm."
Fang Qingyun took out a prepared booklet. "His Majesty ordered me to translate the Heavenly Book and apply its contents to battlefield formations. I've already practiced some of them myself. The formations inside are truly profound—they seem to borrow power directly from Heaven and Earth. But something still feels missing. Maybe only those chosen by the so-called immortals can reproduce the overwhelming might of the Red-Brow Army's great victory."
"Senior Brother, actually—"
Before Chen could finish, Fang Qingyun interrupted, smiling. "Junior Brother, there's no need to tell me everything. Everyone has their own secrets—it's normal. Since His Majesty confirmed that the Heavenly Book is genuine, that's all that matters."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Both men understood each other without more words. "Then I'll begin the drills."
Chen dispersed the twenty brothers who had followed him, assigning them to various companies within the 3,000 Black-Armored Troops, and began drilling the formations recorded in the Heavenly Book.
Because time was short and the numbers not too large, they focused on two main formations—the Ninefold Celestial Soldiers Formation and the Rotating Ghost-Mist Formation.
Of the two, the Ninefold Celestial Soldiers Formation was the most powerful. It was the very formation used during the Great Red-Brow Victory, and thus became their primary focus.
With the combined support of the Drilling Troops and Commanding Troops effects—and the blessings of his White Swan horse, Qianxun—the results were remarkable. Within just ten days, the formation was perfectly synchronized and tightly disciplined. Under a sky filled with colorful banners, pounding war drums, and blaring horns, their Black Armored armor and fine steeds made them look from afar like three thousand celestial soldiers descending upon the mortal realm.
For Chen Sanshi, this was an unexpected delight.
Since the emperor had revealed the Heavenly Book's military techniques, his Mystic Pearl could finally come into play.
"Junior Brother, you…"
Fang Qingyun, seated atop a viewing platform, leaned forward unconsciously as he watched the troops maneuver below. "Your ability to train soldiers is no less than mine. With that White Swan horse of yours, you might even surpass me. This formation is so intricate, yet you managed to grasp it completely in such a short time… that's truly something."
"Senior Brother flatters me. It's mostly thanks to Qianxun's help."
Chen looked at the galloping white horse weaving through the ranks. Everything was efficient and effortless. If Xu Wencai were still around, Chen could have left the management to him and devoted all his time to cultivation.
[Skill: Commanding Troops (Minor Achievement)]
Progress: 1,825/2,000
He was close to another breakthrough.
Though they had been given a month to train, after just twenty days, Chen Sanshi had completely mastered command of the 3,000 Black-Armored Troops.
When you're an unknown rookie, training elite soldiers takes half a year or more. But once you've made a name for yourself, it's an entirely different story.
After crossing the Hongze River four times, the name "Chen Sanshi" was known throughout the realm.
The three Thousand-Commanders under him—Xia Cong, Xiao Zheng, and You Jike—were all at Transforming Strength Perfection, their internal force nearly at the Meridian-Connecting Realm.
Xia Cong, in particular, possessed an Innate Martial Saint Body. He had been training for just four years, yet was already about to step into Meridian-Connecting—a future general in the making.
When they first met Chen Sanshi, the three commanders were skeptical. The youth before them seemed far too young to be the same man who had led the legendary Four Crossings of the Hongze River. But after only a few days together, their doubts disappeared completely.
After all, in all the thousands of years of recorded history, there had never been a general so young. Even Sun Xiangzong, famous in his youth for his martial prowess, hadn't taken to the battlefield until age twenty-five.
Once their drills were complete, a force of over ten thousand marched toward the front lines.
Yongle Prefecture.
War was not only cruel—but also dull.
When a siege dragged on for too long, the besieging soldiers had to endure wind, rain, and scorching heat, or the freezing cold. Maintaining morale and discipline was harder than fighting itself. That was why surprise tactics often worked—men were not machines; they grew weary, careless, and slow.
Facing one of the Five Great Strongholds of the realm, Yongle Prefecture, the 80,000 Great Sheng troops had already felled trees and dug trenches forty li outside the city.
Their camps—organized, fortified, and sprawling—looked like a second ring of fortresses surrounding Yongle. The soldiers drilled daily, their routines precise and orderly. From a distance, it looked less like a siege camp and more like a proper city.
Such discipline spoke volumes of Meng Quji's command.
"Junior Brother," Fang Qingyun asked, "how much do you know about Lord Meng?"
"Since I was coming here, I made sure to study him," Chen said. "Grand Commander Meng is one of the most famous generals in the Great Sheng Dynasty. He started as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, then joined the army. In just twenty years, he fought his way up to the rank of Marquis.
"His greatest strength lies in one word—'stability.' Throughout his career, there's not a single record of him winning with small numbers or relying on surprise tactics. His every campaign ends cleanly, decisively, and without chaos.
"But as they say, 'Those truly skilled in war earn no flashy victories.' The steadier the general, the higher his skill—because such men never suffer total defeat. And as long as one never breaks, there's always a chance to turn the tide.
"For example, in this campaign against Qing, he steadily pushed the front to Laizhou, cut off the enemy's supply lines, and trapped 100,000 Qing soldiers. His tactics might not seem dazzling, and the reports only summarized them with two words—'Great Victory.' But men like him are far more terrifying than flashy ones like Dong An."
Fang Qingyun chuckled. "You've studied him thoroughly, I see."
He had raised the topic to test whether Chen had grown arrogant after his recent achievements—but clearly, his worries were unfounded.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of armor clashing echoed.
Inside the central command tent, several generals entered with their attendants, their heavy steps slow and deliberate.
At the head of the group was none other than the Supreme Commander of the Three Armies, Meng Quji himself.
"General Fang," Meng greeted warmly. "It's been a long time."
"It has indeed," Fang replied.
Chen Sanshi stepped forward, clasped his hands. "Subordinate Chen Sanshi, reporting with my unit. I greet the Grand Commander!"
Meng Quji's eyes turned toward him. "So you're Chen Sanshi?"
Meng Quji studied the young man before him with open admiration. He reached out and patted Chen Sanshi's shoulder. "So this is the one—eighteen years old, his name written into the Military Canon for all future generations to study. You've come at just the right time. I'll have word of your arrival spread across the eastern front at once. Let the Qing army trapped in Yongle Prefecture feel the pressure rise even higher."
Vice Commander Zhan Taiming smiled. "Now that General Chen has arrived, we can get his counsel on the current situation too."
"You flatter me, Commanders," Chen replied humbly. "I'm merely a Lieutenant General, here to receive orders, not to command."
"No need for false modesty. General Fang, General Chen, this way."
Meng Quji was in high spirits. "With both Fengchu and Chen Sanshi here, our odds of victory have just risen another 20%!"
Inside the central command tent, a gathering of high-ranking officers discussed the latest developments across the front.
Among them, Chen Sanshi was the only lieutenant general present.
"General Chen," said Meng Quji, "a message has arrived from Zhaotong Prefecture. They're short on manpower. I'm thinking of sending you to assist Cui Congyi, Sha Wenlong, and the others in pressing the siege. What do you say?"
Sha Wenlong?
Chen Sanshi's lips curled faintly in a cold smile.
'So this one-eyed dog still won't give up, eh? Trying to use me as cannon fodder again.'
If not for Pei Tiannan's protection in secret, he would've long since sent these schemers to their graves.
Besides, setting personal grudges aside, a direct assault on Zhaotong Prefecture was doomed to fail.
"Speak freely," Meng Quji said. "His Majesty himself gave me a verbal decree—'In all major campaigns, Chen Sanshi's opinions must be heard.' That is your privilege. So whatever's on your mind, say it boldly."
At those words, the tent fell silent.
Two Martial Saints and several Profound Manifestation Realm experts turned their eyes toward the young lieutenant general—merely Meridian-Connecting Realm in cultivation.
Everyone wanted to see for themselves whether this was truly the man who had, at Poyang County, led barely 1,000 survivors to rout 20,000 barbarian troops, and who later crossed the Hongze River four times with the common people. Was he truly that remarkable—or just an overblown legend?
"Then this humble officer will speak plainly."
Chen clasped his hands and declared, "It's not appropriate."
"Oh?" Meng Quji raised an eyebrow. "And what makes it inappropriate?"
Chen gestured toward the sand table as he spoke steadily. "According to the current plan, we're besieging Yongle Prefecture. Even if we maintain the siege, it'll take at least six months to starve them out. That's far too long. In that time, the Eastern Qing Kingdom could redeploy its forces from other provinces, and the Southern Xu Kingdom may also move. Six months gives rise to too many variables.
"To speed things up, there's only one logical choice—to shorten the front line and concentrate as much strength as possible on Yongle itself, seizing it in one decisive strike.
"But that's where the problem lies.
"Our army of over 100,000 is stretched thin across a 900-li front to prevent the Qing forces from linking up. We're besieging multiple cities at once, locking ourselves into a deadlock.
"Zhaotong Prefecture is Qing's second largest granary in Laizhou, and it lies dangerously close to Yongle. We can't afford to release it, so we've been forced to station large numbers of troops there.
"At present, Cui Congyi and Sha Wenlong, both Profound Manifestation Realm, command about 30,000 soldiers at Zhaotong.
"Inside the city, the defenders number only 9,000, but their commander, Deng Feng, is a fierce and unmatched warrior. Supported by more than 100,000 civilians, he's held the walls for over 40 days without faltering.
"The issue is—if we can't take Zhaotong, we can't free up those 30,000 elite troops to join the siege of Yongle. Drag this out too long, and the balance of war will tip against us.
"That's why I wanted to send you, General Chen, to Zhaotong—to take the city as soon as possible. The sooner Zhaotong falls, the stronger our position at Yongle becomes."
Commander Fan Tianfa of the Tiger Guards, his armor gleaming, spoke up in a deep tone. "General Chen, you should depart immediately. This is no small matter. If you capture Zhaotong, the credit will be yours."
"No."
Chen Sanshi's voice cut through the air, sharp and firm. "Even if we send another 10,000 troops, Zhaotong Prefecture cannot be taken in the short term."
He paused for a breath, then his tone suddenly lifted. "But—I have a plan. One that can subdue the enemy without fighting. Without losing a single soldier, we can make all the Qing forces outside Yongle Prefecture surrender without resistance!"
Without losing a single soldier? All surrender?
Even the battle-hardened generals stirred at that.
Meng Quji's brows lifted slightly. "Speak. Let's hear it."
Chen asked calmly, "Grand Commander, may I ask—have we, at any point, slaughtered a city?"
Meng Quji didn't hesitate. "Yes. Around seven or eight cities, I'd say. At the start of the campaign, near Leishan Prefecture, we won a costly battle. The men needed reward and release, so I didn't stop them."
Massacres of cities were common throughout history. During rebellions, when subduing one's own citizens, restraint was possible. But against enemy nations, mass slaughter served as both punishment and deterrence.
For most soldiers, war was about reward, rank, and spoils. To fight to the death and gain nothing in return would breed resentment—and a lack of purpose.
"That's exactly the problem," Chen said. "By slaughtering cities, we've provoked desperate resistance from the people. They fight to the last because they know once the city falls, it's not just the garrison who die—it's their families too."
He continued, "So, with all due respect, I ask the Grand Commander to issue a new order: no more massacres. Let the court provide the soldiers' rewards instead. Would that be feasible?"
Meng Quji nodded decisively. "No problem. We only targeted a few cities that resisted stubbornly, as an example. If we reclaim these three provinces, their people will be subjects of Great Sheng. Killing them all would leave us ruling over a graveyard. I'll issue the order immediately—no more city slaughters."
He looked curiously at Chen. "You made this suggestion to… persuade Zhaotong's defenders to surrender, didn't you?"
"Exactly."
Chen didn't deny it. "The Art of War says: 'The highest form of warfare is to defeat the enemy through strategy; next, through diplomacy; next, through battle; the lowest, through siege.' If we can persuade the defenders to surrender, we save both lives and time—and gain precious momentum for the next move."
Fan Tianfa frowned. "General Chen, you think we haven't tried that already? Before the campaign even began, we sent multiple offers of surrender. We even promised Deng Feng a noble title of earl. But that man's as stubborn as an ox. After the defeat at Mount Wutian, when Qing's army of 30,000 was crushed to 1,000 survivors, he still fought his way out alive. Since entering Zhaotong Prefecture, he's defended it ever since, refusing to yield."
"You could say this Deng Feng is utterly loyal to the Eastern Qing Kingdom. Even if he dies on the city wall, he'd never surrender. Otherwise, he wouldn't have held out this long."
"General Fan, that's not entirely true."
Chen Sanshi spoke calmly, his tone steady and unhurried. "Sometimes whether a city falls or not doesn't depend on the general alone."
He paused before continuing, "As long as the civilians inside lose the will to resist, even 8,000 defenders will find it hard to keep their faith to the end."
Among those civilians were the families of the local garrison troops—wives, children, parents.
It was just like what had happened back in Poyang.
Back then, his brothers had risked their lives to escort refugees across the river—not out of selfless heroism, but because their own families were among them.
Conversely, if their families could be guaranteed safety, their will to resist would crumble. Especially now, with the city surrounded and no hope in sight.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple," Deputy General Zhan Taiming objected. "You think you can convince them just with words? To make them believe us—and open the gates?"
"Of course not," Chen said evenly. "That's why we have to show them."
"Show them?"
Chen's voice was calm but firm. "For example—by releasing our captured prisoners."
"Releasing prisoners?" Fan Tianfa's brows furrowed tightly. "That's unwise. Qing's civilians can be spared, yes—but releasing prisoners of war? That's like letting tigers back into the mountains!"
Meng Quji raised a hand, signaling Fan to stop. He didn't argue right away. Instead, he asked with interest, "How many are you planning to release?"
Chen answered without hesitation, "All of them."
That single phrase silenced the tent.
Meng Quji frowned slightly. "That's too reckless. Those 20,000 captives could eventually be absorbed into our ranks. We paid dearly to take them alive. If we release them so easily, wouldn't that make the previous battles meaningless?"
Fan Tianfa shook his head, clearly disappointed. "General Chen, your Four Crossings of the Hongze River was indeed a stunning feat—but not every battle allows for clever tricks. Sometimes you have to fight hard and face the cost head-on. I say we stop wasting time on this and send you immediately to Zhaotong Prefecture to relieve Cui Congyi and the others. Even if we suffer losses, taking that city would still be worth it."
Several other generals murmured in agreement.
They had expected a grand, heaven-defying plan, not this—what sounded to them like a mad idea.
After all, Chen was only a staff officer, not the one with final authority.
Releasing 20,000 prisoners was indeed unthinkable.
But Chen believed—it would work.
"I support General Chen's proposal."
A clear, steady voice broke the silence. Fang Qingyun had stepped in.
"From what I know," Fang said, "these 20,000 captives aren't elite soldiers. They're just local garrison troops, the so-called Guard Units. Their morale was never high. After being captured, the only thing left in their minds is the desire to survive. To truly convert them into loyal Great Sheng troops would take at least two years. At this stage, they're useless to us—only more mouths to feed."
He continued, "And what Chen Sanshi means isn't truly setting tigers free.
"To the north, there's a place called Ghost Gate Gorge. The terrain there is so treacherous that only two people can walk side by side. It's narrow, dark, and once you enter, there's no turning back.
"Beyond the gorge, it's thousands of li away from any Qing stronghold. Even half a year wouldn't be enough for those released soldiers to regroup or return. For us, that's no different from them being dead. But for the other Qing defenders still holding out in their cities, it gives them a glimmer of hope. And when men have hope, they stop fighting like cornered beasts."
He looked around the room. "Gentlemen, every campaign must begin with a clear understanding of its true goal.
"And in this campaign, we have only one objective—
"To annihilate the 50,000 elite troops and the Prince Tang trapped inside Yongle Prefecture.
"The rest don't matter. As long as they're gone, Eastern Qing's power in this border region collapses. They'll have no choice but to abandon the three provinces."
He turned to Chen Sanshi. "Am I right, Junior Brother?"
"Exactly," Chen said with a nod. "General Fang's words match my thoughts word for word."
War wasn't about slaughter—it was about achieving strategic goals.
Mercy or ruthlessness were both tools; the right choice depended on what would lead to victory.
"Even you think this could work?" Meng Quji said, hesitating.
Clearly, rank and seniority still carried the most weight in an army.
He frowned deeply. "But still, releasing that many captives… it's a huge loss, no matter how you see it."
"Grand Commander," Fang Qingyun said firmly, "I advise you to proceed exactly as Chen proposes. If the plan fails, it'll still not be too late to send the Black-Armored Army to Zhaotong afterward. As for the loss of the 20,000 captives, I'll take full responsibility. I'll personally submit a memorial to His Majesty."
Meng Quji finally nodded after a long silence. "Good! Since General Fang is willing to vouch for it, it would be cowardly of me not to try. We'll do as General Chen says!"
He straightened and gave his command in a deep voice. "Transmit my order—keep all captured officers at Organ tempering Realm and above. The rest of the captives will be released in batches through Ghost Gate Gorge, no more than 500 at a time. Post guards at both entrances to the gorge.
"General Chen, do you have any further requests?"
"Yes," Chen said solemnly, clasping his hands. "I need temporary command authority over all troops outside Yongle Prefecture."
That was necessary.
Otherwise, while he was negotiating surrender in one area, another commander might launch an assault or massacre somewhere else, ruining everything.
"Granted," Meng Quji said decisively. Then he added in a heavier tone, "But remember—'there are no jokes in the army.' You understand the meaning of those five words?"
"I do," Chen replied seriously. "This subordinate accepts the order."
He paused, then added, "But the prisoner release must begin immediately. If my guess is right, Southern Xu Kingdom's reinforcements are already on their way."
Meng Quji sighed. "That's exactly what worries me. For now, the Great Sheng Dynasty holds the upper hand. But once Southern Xu Kingdom's reinforcements arrive, the situation will turn grave in an instant."
Everyone in the command tent knew this was inevitable. Southern Xu sending troops was something they had all silently accepted as a matter of time.
Yongle Prefecture.
"Report!"
"Your Highness, Great Sheng has sent more reinforcements!"
Prince Li Gong of Tang sliced into a steaming roasted leg of lamb with his dagger, his movements calm and unhurried. "What's the number?"
"Eight thousand Tiger Guards, plus three thousand Black-Armored Troops," the deputy general reported grimly. "And the Black-Armored Troops are led by that man who crossed the Hongze River four times—Chen Sanshi."
At that name, Li Gong's knife paused slightly. He then spoke with indifference. "Don't panic. He's likely just here to ride the wave and earn merit for a title promotion. In the current situation at Laizhou, one more or less like him makes no difference."
"But Your Highness," the deputy sighed, "His Majesty was already displeased with our decision to send troops. He forbade it from the start."
"That's because His Majesty is too cautious," Li Gong replied, chewing on the lamb slowly. "There's no need to panic. As long as we hold for three more months, Qing's reinforcements will arrive one after another, and Southern Xu's armies will march straight toward Hulao Pass.
"When that happens, Meng Quji and the others will have no choice but to retreat to the border. Only then will this war truly begin.
"Send word to every defending general in the other cities—hold your ground, don't engage. Wait for Heaven's timing!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Zhaotong Prefecture.
"Brothers!"
"Fathers and villagers!"
"The Great Sheng soldiers—once they break through the walls, they'll slaughter everyone! Men, women, and children alike! Just look at Guihai, Lianshui, and Jinggu—not one person left alive! They're no better than the barbarians from the plains! If you want to live, get up there and fight with me!"
"Clang—!"
General Deng Feng's Azure Dragon Crescent Blade came down with a thunderous crash, cleaving a Great Sheng officer in half at the waist. Another brutal round of fighting ended. Outside the walls, Great Sheng's troops retreated ten li, unwilling to attack again for now.
Outside the city, Cui Congyi, Sha Wenlong, and their Tiger Guards regrouped at their camp twenty li away.
"This Deng Feng is no ordinary man," Sha Wenlong growled, stabbing his broad saber into the ground. "Even with the two of us working together, we can't take him down!"
"After all, he's at Profound Manifestation Realm perfection," Cui Congyi said calmly. "We'll rest half a day, then resume the assault."
"Generals," Cao Fan spoke up with worry, "if we keep attacking like this, I fear we won't take the city."
"We have no choice," Cui replied. "This is His Highness the Crown Prince's direct command—an order with a time limit."
"Then let's wait for reinforcements," Sha Wenlong suggested. "Chen Sanshi still has three thousand Black-Armored Troops. When he gets here, we'll put his men in front to take the brunt, then charge behind them. There's no way we won't break through."
"Caw—!"
The cry of a gyrfalcon cut through the sky, bringing news.
"How long till they arrive?" Sha asked.
"No need to wait," Cui said after reading the letter. His tone was heavy. "He's not coming."
"He dares to defy orders?!" Sha Wenlong roared. "Last time Yu Song took the blame for him. Who'll cover for him now? Fang Qingyun?!"
"No. He didn't disobey—quite the opposite. He sent an order."
"An order?" Sha barked a laugh. "What order could he possibly give us? He's just a lieutenant general! How could he give me orders?"
"See for yourself."
Cui Congyi's patience snapped. "The command came straight from Grand Commander Meng Quji himself. Chen Sanshi now has command over all forces outside Yongle Prefecture."
"What?!"
Sha snatched the letter, read it—and sneered. "So that's it. He signed a military order, claiming he'll make Zhaotong Prefecture surrender within two months. What arrogance!"
Cao Fan took the letter next, scanning it carefully. "If he made such a claim, he must have some plan in mind. He's not one to boast without certainty."
"I don't believe it," Cui Congyi said coldly, pointing his bloodstained sword toward the city wall. "Deng Feng is a man of fierce loyalty and iron courage. You think he'll come out and surrender?"
"Honestly," Cao Fan sighed, "neither do I. But… he's Chen Sanshi."
That name hung in the air.
Even Sha Wenlong didn't dare laugh anymore. The memory of their last humiliating encounter still burned fresh.
"Don't worry so much," Cui Congyi said with a cold smile. "He signed an order binding him to make Deng Feng surrender in two months. I'd love to see what he does when that deadline comes and Deng Feng still won't yield."
Back at the Great Sheng camp, Fang Qingyun held the latest intelligence report. "Zhaotong's commander Deng Feng—Profound Manifestation Realm perfection," he read aloud. "Originally the governor of Laizhou, well-loved by the people. They call him 'Deng the Blue Sky.' But his loyalty to Qing is unwavering. Getting him to open the gates will be no small feat. Still, since you, Junior Brother, have said it yourself, I trust you have a plan. Do as you see fit. I'll stay here. My condition makes traveling a burden."
"Understood, Senior Brother."
Chen Sanshi didn't waste a moment. He mounted his horse, leading three thousand Black-Armored Troops toward the distant horizon.
The map for this operation hadn't even been drawn yet—but he was already in motion.