The empire, secure within its walls and under Zhou Chen's subtle command, was not the only stage upon which power played. Beyond the northern mountains, across rivers and deserts, neighboring states stirred with curiosity, envy, and ambition. Jeng Minh, guided by the chain, understood that influence could not be contained—power gained at home must be reinforced abroad, or it could crumble like sand under pressure.
Bai Ye unrolled maps of the border regions, dotted with envoys, trade routes, and military outposts. "Foreign lords test strength subtly. They probe, negotiate, or threaten—rarely with outright war. But each gesture can reveal vulnerabilities."
Jeng Minh traced the chain's pulse along the borders. It illuminated subtle tensions: rival states were distracted by internal disputes, others were overconfident, and some were quietly forming alliances. Each weakness, each misstep, was a thread he could manipulate.
"We do not send armies," he said. "We extend influence, not conquest. Diplomacy guided by subtle pressure, trade agreements, and carefully crafted intelligence. Let them believe they act independently while the empire directs the currents beneath their feet."
Envoys were dispatched carrying gifts, carefully worded correspondence, and intelligence that highlighted both opportunities and risks. Jeng Minh used the chain to anticipate every reaction, nudging decisions toward alliances beneficial to the empire, while fostering mistrust between potential enemies.
In one neighboring state, a powerful duke began consolidating forces near the border. Jeng Minh subtly leaked intelligence suggesting another duke within that state sought the throne. Rival ambitions distracted the foreign lord, forcing him to focus inward rather than provoke the empire.
In another region, a trade envoy carrying rare silks and spices was guided by the chain to arrive just when tensions between two border provinces reached a boiling point. The timing, down to the hour, ensured that the provinces resolved their disputes peacefully, crediting the empire for its influence.
Bai Ye watched in awe. "You turn diplomacy into warfare without a single clash of swords. Every ally, every rival, every neutral state becomes part of your network of influence."
Jeng Minh allowed himself a small, rare smile. Zhou Chen's body, honed for battle, had found a new kind of weapon: the invisible hand that controlled not only armies, but minds, borders, and allegiances.
The chain pulsed with approval, but it also carried a warning: even abroad, the seeds of challenge existed. Ambition is universal, and foreign lords could conspire together against the empire if provoked. Yet now, for the first time, Jeng Minh saw the possibility of an empire whose influence radiated far beyond its borders, bending neighboring powers to his subtle will.
As night fell and lanterns flickered along the city walls, the empire was no longer simply a land of provinces, lords, and courtiers—it was a nexus of power reaching into the hearts of foreign states. The hidden faction, the internal rivals, and even distant enemies could see the warlord's reach—but only dimly, like shadows dancing in the corner of their vision.
And Jeng Minh, guided by the chain, was already planning the next threads of influence, weaving an empire whose power would be unmatched in history.