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The crackling of charcoal fires in the hall, the aroma of wine and meat mixed with an invisible tension, permeated the air.

Dou Jiande put down the jade pendant, picked up the wine cup in front of him, and said in a loud but slightly hoarse voice: "Gentlemen, we are gathered here tonight not for a banquet. I believe you all know what is happening in the south. The Heavenly Alliance has already crossed the river, and the Li Tang's defense line north of the river is about to collapse. Song Que's army is heading straight for Nanyang, and Li Jing has already led his army to reinforce the east. The chessboard of the world has changed dramatically."

Looking around at everyone, his gaze lingered particularly on Liu Heita, Xu Kaishan, and Dun Yugu: "The defeat at Zhangshui is a painful loss for our Great Xia. But every cloud has a silver lining. The Li Tang dynasty is currently preoccupied with its own troubles, which is precisely the opportunity for our Great Xia to recuperate and observe the changing landscape. However, how should we observe? How should we anticipate? Where should our Great Xia place its next move? I would like to hear your insightful opinions."

Liu Heita downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, slamming the cup down with a loud thud. His remaining right eye was bloodshot as he hissed, "Your Majesty! The Li Tang have wronged me too much! That scoundrel Li Shimin is cunning; he ambushed and killed thousands of my brothers! I swear I will not rest until I avenge this! Now that the Li Tang have been utterly thrashed by the southern barbarians, this is the perfect opportunity for us to take revenge and reclaim our lost territory! This humble general requests permission to lead another elite force across the Yellow River to the west, seize Hedong, and strike right at the heart of the Li Tang! We will strike while they are weak and take their lives!"

His booming voice was filled with long-suppressed resentment and murderous intent, which moved many of the generals in the hall, especially his subordinates who had fought alongside him in the bloody battle of Zhangshui. The flames of revenge were also ignited in their eyes.

Zhuge Dewei coughed lightly and calmly said, "General Liu's eagerness for revenge is understandable. However, although the Li Tang dynasty suffered setbacks in the south, its foundation in Guanzhong remains intact, and its fighting strength is still present. Our army has just suffered a defeat and has not yet recovered its strength. If we rashly advance westward, we may fall into Li Shimin's treacherous trap again. Moreover,"

He glanced at the strangely aura-filled "guest advisors" opposite him: "We seem to have quite a few 'friends' now, but how many are truly sincere is still unknown. Being attacked from both sides is a major taboo in warfare."

Gao Kaidao stroked his beard and said sarcastically, "General Zhuge is absolutely right. Revenge is important, but we must also consider our own strength. We don't want to lose all our hard-earned resources in Hebei before we even get our revenge. If you ask me, the Li Tang and that damned Heavenly Alliance are both tigers. Let them fight each other to the death first, and we can sit back and watch them fight. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Xu Yuanlang echoed, "Brother Gao is right. Hebei has finally become more stable, why should we wade into those muddy waters again? We should strengthen our troops and fortify the Yellow River defense line. Who cares who wins or loses in the south, we are enough to protect ourselves."

"fart!"

Cao Zhan, known for his fiery temper, slammed his fist on the table and stood up upon hearing this: "Gao Kaidao and Xu Yuanlang! When you two were driven to flee in terror by the Tang army and came to the King, why didn't you talk about protecting yourselves? Now that the King is dissatisfied with you, why do you want to cower in the face of a tough battle? Sit back and watch the tigers fight? Once the tigers have finished eating their opponents, you, the spectators, will be next!"

"Cao Zhan! What do you mean?!"

Gao Kaidao and Xu Yuanlang's expressions changed, and they also stood up, their hands on the hilts of their swords.

Seeing that a quarrel was about to break out among the generals, Dou Jiande frowned and shouted, "Enough! Sit down! What kind of behavior is this!"

He held considerable power, and with a single word from him, Cao Zhan, Gao Kaidao, and the others, though resentful, could only sit down reluctantly.

At this moment, Xu Kaishan smiled slightly: "King Xia, please calm down, and all generals, please be patient. In my humble opinion, General Liu is eager for revenge, and Generals Gao and Xu are seeking stability and self-preservation, which are both reasonable. However, the current situation is like a tangled mess, where pulling one thread can affect the whole situation."

He paused, and after drawing everyone's attention, continued, "The Heavenly Alliance is powerful, and its ambitions are not limited to Jiangbei. If it were to defeat the Li Tang dynasty and unify the Central Plains, given its control over the Demonic Sect and its methods of eliminating dissidents, my Great Ming Zunjiao would likely have no place to stand. At that time... I'm afraid that none of you here, whether you are heroes from humble backgrounds or members of prestigious sects, will be spared."

Dunyugu snorted coldly and replied in slightly broken Chinese, "What Master Xu said is true. That nameless man who killed my senior brother is a mortal enemy of our Turks. This man is ambitious and possesses superhuman martial arts skills. If he gains power, he will surely become a major threat to the grasslands. I have come here on the orders of the Great Khan to discuss with the Xia King how to jointly resist this barbarian! Although the Li Tang has had occasional friction with our Turks, compared to the Heavenly Dao Alliance, which has an unknown origin and ruthless methods, perhaps... they are easier to deal with."

Li Xingyuan opened his eyes and said slowly, "Lord Dou, I am but a martial artist from Longxi, and I should not presume to discuss matters of state. However, the martial world also has its own rules. That 'Nameless One' is condoning the demonic sects, suppressing Buddhism and Taoism, and acting tyrannically, which is not the way of the righteous path. Although the Longxi Sword Sect is small, it does not wish to see the demonic flames spread. If King Xia intends to uphold righteousness, I am willing to do my part."

Qiu Tianjue, young and impetuous, chimed in, "Sect Leader Li is right! Our Guanzhong Sword Sect also can't stand those cowardly southern barbarians! Your Majesty, why don't we join forces with the Li Tang and take down the fiercest tiger first!"

Opinions within the hall were clearly divided into several factions: the pro-war faction, including Liu Heita, was eager for revenge and advocated attacking the Tang Dynasty; the conservative faction, including Gao Kaidao, advocated self-preservation and waiting and seeing; Xu Kaishan and Dunyugu, based on their own interests, hinted or explicitly suggested uniting with the Li Tang Dynasty to fight against the Heavenly Alliance; and representatives of the Central Plains martial arts world, including Li Xingyuan, tended to resist the "demons" based on their positions of good and evil.

All eyes eventually turned to Dou Jiande.

Dou Jiande remained silent for a long time, his fingers stroking the jade pendant again, his eyes deep, as if weighing the pros and cons. He came from humble beginnings, and his ability to build such a foundation was not solely due to benevolent governance and bravery; his political acumen and decisiveness were equally crucial.

After a moment, he slowly spoke:
"The grudge against Heita must be avenged. But not now, nor in a way that is like throwing an egg against a rock."

"General Gao and General Xu's desire for stability is understandable. But in chaotic times, seeking stability at all costs is tantamount to waiting for death. Once the Li Tang and the Heavenly Alliance have decided their victors, whoever wins, the next target will inevitably be Hebei! At that time, will we still have the opportunity to discuss things so calmly as we do today?"

His gaze swept over Gao Kaidao and Xu Yuanlang, who both lowered their heads and remained silent.

"I wholeheartedly agree with the concerns and suggestions of Master Xu, National Preceptor of Dunyu Valley, Sect Leader Li, and Young Hero Qiu. The Heavenly Alliance is indeed our common enemy."

Dou Jiande stood up and walked to the huge map hanging in the hall, pointing his finger between the Yellow River and the Huai River: "However, forming an alliance with the Tang Dynasty is a matter of great importance. Li Shimin is cunning, and the Buddhist sect is different from us. If we rashly form an alliance, we may be taken advantage of. But... the current situation does not allow us to completely stay out of it."

"I have decided: First, to strengthen the army and reinforce the Yellow River defense line, especially to guard against a surprise attack from the east of the Yellow River by the Li Tang, and also to be wary of possible infiltration by the Heavenly Alliance from the Xuzhou area. Second, to dispatch capable envoys to Li Shimin in Luoyang, and... to Li Jing's army in Zhixian!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback. Send an envoy to Li Jing's army?

Dou Jiande explained, “Li Jing is the current commander-in-chief of the Li Tang against Song Que. Sending an envoy to him serves three purposes: First, to show goodwill and express that our Great Xia has no intention of stabbing them in the back during their decisive battle with Song Que, and we might even provide some supplies to keep them calm and focused on dealing with Song Que. Second, to personally investigate the situation at the front and assess who is superior in the battle between Li Jing and Song Que! Third, it also shows Li Shimin that I, Dou Jiande, am not limited to allying with him; if the conditions are not right, I may also have a 'tacit understanding' with Song Que!” A shrewd glint flashed in his eyes.

"Then... what's the grudge against Li Tang?" Liu Heita couldn't help but ask.

“Avenging is a must.”

Dou Jiande looked at him, his tone softening: "Hei Ta, I understand your feelings. When Li Jing and Song Que are both severely injured, or when one of them shows obvious signs of defeat, that will be the opportunity for our Great Xia to make a move! At that time, whether we attack Tang's weakness or strike hard while the Heavenly Alliance is still recovering from its victory, the initiative will be in our hands! What we need now is patience, to recover our strength, and to see clearly how many true dragons are hidden beneath this murky water!"

His plan was mature and prudent, avoiding premature involvement in a war of attrition, laying the groundwork for potential future opportunities, and attempting to maneuver between the two major powers to gain benefits.

Xu Kaishan clapped his hands and smiled: "King Xia is far-sighted and I admire him. Our Great Ming Sect is willing to fully assist King Xia. Intelligence, secret techniques, and experts are all at our disposal."

Dunyugu nodded, "The Khan also has this intention. Our national military commander's experts and elite scouts from the grasslands can help the Xia King stabilize the border defenses and gather intelligence on the enemy." Li Xingyuan and Qiu Tianjue also cupped their hands to indicate their willingness to be at his command.

Although Liu Heita was still unwilling, he knew that this was the safest strategy at present, and said in a low voice, "This subordinate obeys! I am willing to follow Your Majesty's arrangements and intensify the training of troops!"

Dou Jiande felt somewhat relieved looking at the people in the hall who had temporarily reached a consensus, but the heavy feeling did not dissipate when he looked at the south on the map.

"nameless……"

Dou Jiande silently recited the name that had now shaken the world: "What exactly do you want by stirring up this storm? Can I, Dou Jiande, win a glimmer of hope for the people of Hebei in this chaos, or even... a chance to go further?"

Shaking his head, Dou Jiande raised his wine cup and said in a deep voice, "Then let it be decided! Gentlemen, let us drink this cup to the brim, may Heaven bless Great Xia, and may we find the other shore in this chaotic world!"

"May Heaven bless the Great Xia!" Everyone in the hall raised their cups in unison.

………………

Xiangyang, Zhennan Governor's Office, Tiangong Pavilion.

This pavilion is no ordinary building; it is the core of the military and political center, built by Lu Miaozi according to Yi Huawei's wishes, combining the mechanical arts of the Mohists with the principles of feng shui.

The pavilion has nine stories, symbolizing the number "nine" and the number five. It is constructed entirely of dark hardwood and bluestone, with a simple and dignified exterior, but the interior is full of ingenious design. Tonight, the "Star Gazing Hall" on the ninth floor is brightly lit, yet there is not a trace of smoke.

The hall was extremely spacious, with a dome inlaid with glazed tiles, allowing one to observe the stars. Huge maps of the world, mountain and river maps, and maritime routes hung on the four walls, as well as several giant sand tables controlled by pulleys and ropes, which could be changed at any time. On the sand tables, mountains, rivers, cities, passes, and the positions of enemies and allies were marked with miniature flags and models of different colors, with a level of detail far exceeding that of any commander in the world at that time.

Yi Huawei stood with his hands behind his back before the largest map of the world. He wore a simple moon-white robe, his long hair was casually tied up with an ebony hairpin, and his eyes were as deep as the night sky.

Five years had passed, yet he seemed to have left no trace on him. On the contrary, his restrained aura, as if in harmony with heaven and earth, had become even more unfathomable. He simply stood there quietly, becoming the undisputed center of the entire hall.

The hall was filled with people, yet they were all in good order, arranged in several rows.

At the very front, right next to Yi Huawei, were the core high-ranking members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance.

Song Que, dressed in a dark blue casual robe with a "Heavenly Blade" hanging at his waist, stood tall and straight like a pine tree. His face was cold and stern, and his sharp gaze scrutinized the enemy and friendly forces around Luoyang on the sand table. His aura was deep and concentrated, and although he did not deliberately exude it, the unparalleled sharpness of the world's number one swordsman still made those who approached him feel a subtle pressure.

Zhu Yuyan wore a long, dark palace-style dress that trailed on the ground, her hair styled in a high bun adorned with simple pearls and jade. Her beauty remained undiminished; time seemed to have spared her from leaving its mark. Only her once captivating eyes, now matured, held a deeper, more dignified air. Having perfected the eighteenth level of the Heavenly Demon Great Art, her aura had become increasingly harmonious and flawless. With the wisdom born of demonic power, she was nearing the "Realm of the Heavenly Demon." Only occasionally, when she glanced at Yi Huawei's retreating figure, would a complex and enigmatic expression flicker across her face.

Wen Caiting, Danmei, and Bai Qing'er, the three elders of the Yin Kui Sect, stood quietly behind them, each with a different aura, but all were restrained.

Lu Miaozi sat on a large, wheeled chair, with blueprints and counting rods spread out on a small table in front of him. His hair and beard were all white, but he was vigorous and had bright eyes. He would occasionally sketch on the blueprints or exchange a few words in hushed tones with Shang Xiuxun, who stood beside him. Shang Xiuxun was dressed in a smart riding outfit and looked very dashing.

After three years, Pegasus Ranch has become one of the largest warhorse breeding and cavalry training bases in the Heavenly Alliance. This time, Shang Xiuxun is responsible for coordinating the supply of warhorses to Pegasus Ranch and ranches across various regions.

Later came the commanders-in-chief and important generals of the various armies.

Su Dingfang's eyes were bright, his young face radiating fighting spirit. He was still in his military uniform, travel-worn, clearly having just returned from the front lines. Standing beside him were Xu Shiji and Cheng Yaojin, representatives of the old Wagang generals.

Xu Shiji's gaze was steady, already displaying the bearing of a great general. Cheng Yaojin's rugged face was also serious at this moment, as he stroked his short beard. Li Mi's expression was slightly complicated, but his posture was respectful. Wang Bodang, Zu Junyan, Guo Zihe, Dong Jingzhen, Lei Shimeng, and other generals were all in high spirits.

Behind Song Que stood his younger brother, "Earth Sword" Song Zhi, his cousin Song Lu, and his son, Song Shidao. Song Shidao now commanded the Heavenly Dao Alliance's Imperial Guard, possessing a refined and scholarly demeanor that also revealed his competence. Song Yuzhi also stood quietly beside her brother, her eyes almost glued to Yi Huawei, filled with admiration.

Both Shan Meixian and her daughter Shan Wanjing were dressed in the distinctive, form-fitting attire of the Dongming School, covered with light armor, exuding a heroic and spirited air. Shan Meixian possessed a graceful demeanor tempered with the fierceness of the sea breeze, while Shan Wanjing was youthful and radiant, her brows displaying both the charm of a newlywed and the resilience forged through the trials of war.

Among them were guest advisors and veterans such as Ouyang Xiyi and Wang Tong, as well as many other key figures such as deputy generals of various armies, logistics officers, and master craftsmen of workshops.

Wanwan was ordered to oversee the defense of Western Shu against Tuyuhun, but she did not attend the meeting; her deputy, Sina, represented her.

The entire hall was filled with almost all the military and political elites of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. They were all gathered together, yet it was completely silent. All eyes were focused on that moon-white figure.

Yi Huawei slowly turned around, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd. His voice clearly reached everyone's ears.

"Jiangbei is now pacified, the Tang dynasty is in a panic, Dou Jiande is observing the situation, and the Turks are hesitant. The time has come; we cannot give the enemy another chance to catch their breath."

Yi Huawei got straight to the point, without any preamble. He pointed his finger at the map behind him, and the disciple standing beside the sand table immediately activated the mechanism, switching the largest sand table to "Central Plains and the entire Hebei region".

"To be confined to a corner is not the way to contend for the world. To passively respond to battle is the cause of defeat. Does the Tang dynasty think that by relying on Tongguan and the Yellow River and joining forces with Dou Jiande, they can stop our military advance? Does the Buddhist sect think that by gathering masters, they can protect their country's fate?"

A very faint smile appeared at the corner of Yi Huawei's mouth:

"The reason I have summoned you all here today is to change the situation, break the deadlock, and settle the matter!" (End of Chapter)