Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 314: Chapter 311: Concepts

```html

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Meng Canglan was speculating on Chu Zhiyuan’s actions.

Inquiring thoroughly about Da Lie’s marching route suggests planning an ambush midway.

Evidently, troops would be hidden on a certain small island, ready to strike suddenly while Da Lie’s forces were resupplying on the island, dealing a severe blow to the Da Lie army.

This plan is quite risky, but if successful, the rewards outweigh those of a defensive retreat.

Moreover, there would undoubtedly be less resistance within the Court.

Planning against the unplanned indeed holds a greater chance of success.

Chu Zhiyuan pondered for a moment and slowly asked, ”Does your sect have Da Lie’s armor and weapons?”

”Da Lie’s?”

”Da Guang’s will do too; either dynasty is roughly the same. The key is to have enough armor and weapons,” said Chu Zhiyuan.

For the Wuyou Sect, stealing a small quantity of armor and weapons isn’t that difficult, but obtaining a large amount is impossible.

As long as the Court isn’t utterly corrupt, the control over military arms is stringent.

A small quantity can be replaced by reporting losses, but a large quantity wouldn’t work.

Meng Canglan mused.

Chu Zhiyuan’s spirit lifted; there might be a way!

He stared intently at Meng Canglan and said slowly, ”Five thousand pieces should be about right.”

Meng Canglan’s beautiful face remained serene, showing no trace of emotion.

Chu Zhiyuan couldn’t help but admire her, thinking that this Lady Meng is truly extraordinary. No wonder she was sent here.

If it were Song Yichun, he would have spilled everything by now, laying everything out clearly.

Meng Canglan, however, has her unique rhythm.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”If it’s really not possible, fewer pieces will do, three thousand perhaps.”

”Three thousand pieces...” Meng Canglan revealed a troubled look.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, ”How about two thousand pieces?”

”...To not hide from the princely heir, our sect can barely gather a thousand pieces of Da Lie’s armor and weapons,” Meng Canglan said.

”A thousand it is then; it’s better than none!” Chu Zhiyuan said slowly, ”Rest assured, this thousand pieces of armor and weapons are just borrowed; there’ll be a return.”

”The princely heir plans to impersonate Da Lie’s army to launch a surprise attack on Da Guang?”

”When Da Guang dispatches their forces, a surprise attack might lead the two kingdoms to war again?”

”...Brilliant!” Meng Canglan clapped her hands in admiration, ”The princely heir’s move is exceptionally clever.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Regardless of how brilliant the plan is, it depends on the execution; there are too many variables and great risks involved.”

Meng Canglan said slowly, ”Indeed, it is risky.”

The dangers are numerous, and any unforeseen event could lead to a point of no return.

But if successful, the benefits are substantial.

At the smallest cost, it would reignite war between the two kingdoms, thus avoiding involving Da Jing.

Buy enough time for Da Jing.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”The success of this plan still relies heavily on your sect’s support.”

”Our sect will do its utmost to cooperate with the princely heir!” Meng Canglan respectfully clasped her hands.

Chu Zhiyuan clasped his hands in return.

Meng Canglan did not linger any longer and departed directly.

Chu Zhiyuan was rather surprised; she didn’t mention rewards or the matter of the Martial Arts Hall at all.

Is the Wuyou Sect investing first and then discussing benefits, or is it proactively favoring the Court?

Or is it perhaps both?

But in any case, as long as it doesn’t help Da Lie and Da Guang against Da Jing, it’s good.

And this is something that must be guarded against.

——

Chu Zhiyuan, riding on the Heavenly Dragon Divine Horse, transformed into two rays of golden light, left the Yao Yue Palace.

Riding on horseback, his mind still flashed with Xiao Ruoling’s breathtakingly beautiful face full of reluctance.

His heart was filled with melancholy.

The land of beauty is indeed a hero’s grave.

This saying is undeniably true.

He only stayed on the Guest Peak for five or six days, and yet, entwined with Xiao Ruoling, he was already steeped in tenderness, unwilling to leave even for a moment.

At this time, his heart was full of reluctance and melancholy, wishing he could immediately turn back.

Wishing he could continue to stay on the Guest Peak, having Xiao Ruoling for company every day, practicing martial arts, entering the Secret Land.

One could describe it as carefree and full of joy.

But unfortunately, the matter is of great importance, leaving no room for personal affections, no room for enjoyment.

First, he must settle the matters over there, clear things with the Court, and then return to this land of tenderness without delay.

It took half a day to arrive at Yujing, stopping by the Prince Qing Mansion first.

The Prince Mansion was still bustling, and he intentionally went through the back door to avoid disturbance.

After returning the Heavenly Dragon Divine Horse to the Prince Mansion’s backyard, he changed his attire and headed straight for the Inspection Department.

Ma Tianhe hurriedly came out to greet him with a fawning smile, ”Princely Heir!”

Chu Zhiyuan nodded and walked inside, ”Show me the latest information on Da Lie and Da Guang.”

”Yes.” Ma Tianhe agreed readily.

A moment later, several files were brought into the room, stacked high.

Chu Zhiyuan sat behind the desk, flipping through them one by one, his frown deepening.

Seeing his expression, Ma Tianhe felt increasingly uneasy.

After reading all the files, Chu Zhiyuan looked up at Ma Tianhe.

Ma Tianhe immediately displayed a fawning smile, ”Princely Heir...”

”What do you think?”

”This...”

”Are they starting to move?”

”I think there’s no sign of action yet; it might take some time,” Ma Tianhe replied.

”What about the Eastern Territory?” Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Has the Eastern Territory army begun to regroup?”

”They have started regrouping, but...” Ma Tianhe hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan asked, ”Who did the Court send over there?”

”Duke Kang,” Ma Tianhe replied.

Chu Zhiyuan sighed in relief.

Sending a Duke over is about right; the eight great Dukes are families with military accomplishments, the foundation of Da Jing’s army.

This generation’s Duke Kang is valiantly capable, with significant military accomplishments, making him the best choice for reorganizing the Eastern Territory.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Is it that Duke Kang hasn’t restructured it?”

Ma Tianhe hesitated.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Rest assured, we’re just talking privately; it won’t leak out.”

Ma Tianhe gritted his teeth, feeling he couldn’t hide it from Chu Zhiyuan; after all, he needed to get close to Chu Zhiyuan, and only by showing sincerity would he gain his favor.

He looked around, peered outside, then closed the door.

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled.

Ma Tianhe truly acted cautiously.

But that wasn’t a bad thing.

Coming closer, Ma Tianhe took a deep breath and whispered, ”Princely Heir, from what I see, Duke Kang didn’t truly heed the Inspection Department’s intelligence, and the restructuring of the Eastern Territory is minimal, not reversing its weakness.”

Chu Zhiyuan frowned.

Ma Tianhe added, ”Duke Kang’s impression of Da Lie and Da Guang remains from the past; he thinks they wouldn’t dare act rashly, believing that the Inspection Department is exaggerating and amplifying anxiety.”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Preventing problems before they happen, better to believe it and be prepared; Duke Kang surely understands this principle.”

”I reckon Duke Kang thinks it unwise to waste the Court’s silver like this and doesn’t want to offend everyone,” said Ma Tianhe.

Chu Zhiyuan sneered suddenly, disdainfully glancing at Ma Tianhe, ”You people at the Inspection Department know nothing of warfare!”

”Exactly!” Ma Tianhe promptly nodded vigorously, ”That’s what Duke Kang believes!”

Chu Zhiyuan’s expression turned grave.

It’s easy to shake a mountain but hard to shake a man’s consciousness.

A general like Duke Kang, with such remarkable military merit, deeply trusts his own judgment.

He thinks Da Lie and Da Guang wouldn’t dare act rashly, and no matter how much the Inspection Department warns, he believes they’re exaggerating for merit.

With this mindset, he wouldn’t heed the Inspection Department’s intelligence, thinking their stance is biased and hence all their messages are slanted.

Consequently, the Eastern Territory remains unprepared for war.

```