Summoning from Another World: A Grand Ambition

Mu Yunlingyuan straightened up, his chest rising and falling slightly, his gaze burning brightly as he stared intently at Wang Meng's thin yet angular face.

The somber look between his brows, born of the gloomy situation, was now replaced by an almost sincere thirst for talent, his voice filled with undisguised earnestness and reliance:

"Sir, the road ahead is long and fraught with peril, shrouded in mist. The path beneath my feet is not smooth, but rather a precipice of thin ice and abyss. Ling Yuan is venturing alone into this perilous place, like a blind man walking in the night. Without a guiding light, I fear I will find it impossible to move an inch, let alone break through this predicament! I implore you, sir, to spare no effort in offering me a viable path!"

After speaking, he bowed slightly again, his posture humble and sincere.

Wang Meng accepted the bow calmly, his expression serene. He picked up the bowl of warm mare's milk tea from the table and took a slow, deliberate sip.

The warm, slightly salty milk slid down his throat, seemingly dispelling some of the lingering chill in the tent, making his gaunt face appear even more serene under the flickering lamplight.

The rough earthenware teacup was set down with a soft clinking sound.

His fingertips unconsciously traced the rough edge of the desk, as if sorting through the myriad thoughts in his mind, but his gaze remained deep and unwavering, fixed on Mu Yun Ling Yuan. His tone was calm and resolute, carrying a reassuring and steady strength:

"The prince possessed lofty ambitions, harbored treacherous schemes, and had the patience to hone his sword for twelve years."

"Since the prince has not abandoned me and has treated me as a national hero, I will do my utmost, even unto death, to help the prince clear away the thorns and bring peace to the land!"

He paused briefly, then his words, like a stream turning into a deep pool, suddenly became profound and sharp:

"But if you wish to plan your future, you must first know yourself. Prince, calmly reflect on yourself. On this grand chessboard of the grasslands, what pieces do you hold in your hand? And what crucial element are you lacking?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunlingyuan slowly lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath them.

He fell silent. His fingertips unconsciously caressed the old iron sword that had been with him for many years at his waist. The cold scabbard felt familiar and real, as if it were a reflection of his situation over the past twelve years, sharp yet plain and even dull on the outside.

After a long pause, a faint, bittersweet smile appeared at the corner of his lips. The smile never reached his eyes, and his voice was filled with a self-aware helplessness and heaviness.

"To be honest, sir, upon careful consideration, aside from the empty titles of the eldest son of the Muyun tribe and the grandson of the king, Ling Yuan has nothing that can be considered an advantage."

He raised his head, his gaze open and honest, yet also filled with deep resentment.

"On the other hand, my second brother, Mu Yunzhao, has been favored by our father since childhood. By the time he came of age, he had already taken command of the elite Azure Eagle Cavalry of his tribe, and was also fully supported by his mother tribe, the Xiutu tribe."

The Xiutu tribe had tens of thousands of archers, and their cattle and sheep roamed the fields, making them the most powerful of the six Xiongnu tribes.

With the connection of his second brother, the Xiutu tribe's influence within the Muyun headquarters has been growing daily, and many of its members hold important positions.

"And I..." His throat bobbed slightly, and his voice trailed off.

"For twelve years, I fled to the land of the barbarians, cut off from all communication with my homeland, my old troops scattered, and new people became strangers."

Returning now, he is all alone, without a weapon, without a shred of land; he is nothing more than a lonely man with a heart full of passion and empty dreams. How easy is the path to seizing the throne?

After speaking, he looked up at Wang Meng, and his usually calm eyes revealed a rare hint of confusion and struggle.

My lofty ambitions burn like a raging fire in my heart, yet I cannot find the spark to start a prairie fire; my ambitions resonate like a sharp blade in its sheath, yet I have no battlefield to wield it and vanquish the enemy.

This predicament of having ambitions but nowhere to put them into practice was colder to him than the wind and snow of the Hu region.

Wang Meng listened quietly, his face expressionless, but a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. To maintain a clear self-awareness in adversity, without deceiving oneself or being arrogant, is an essential quality for those who achieve success.

After Mu Yunlingyuan finished speaking, he slowly shook his head, his tone no longer flat, but imbued with an uplifting power:

"The prince's words only scratch the surface, failing to grasp the essence. A hero rises from humble beginnings; how can it be determined by the strength or weakness of his initial position?"

What's crucial is willpower, resilience, and opportunity! A temporary predicament is like a precious blade covered in dust; it's not that the blade is dull, but rather that it needs a whetstone to sharpen it!

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing, as if trying to penetrate Mu Yun Ling Yuan's skin and reach the depths of his soul:

"I have observed the prince for several years and have seen that even though he was imprisoned, his will remained unyielding. He never slacked off in learning the Hu language, riding and archery, and he never neglected his study of classic texts and military strategy."

Seeing that the prince could endure what ordinary people could not, and yet remained steadfast in his principles at crucial moments, he did not lose his integrity.

Such unwavering determination, the ability to endure hardship, and the patience to wait for the right opportunity are the hallmarks of a true king, far beyond the reach of ordinary privileged youths! This is your greatest weapon, surpassing even a thousand armies!

He emphasized his words, making each one clear:

"Furthermore, the title of the eldest son of the prince and the grandson of the king is by no means empty! This is a legitimate and just title, an ancestral rule, and a legal tradition!"

In the grassland tribes that value bloodline inheritance and hierarchical order, especially in the hearts of those former officials who were dissatisfied with Mu Yunzhao's tyranny or the Xiutu tribe's autocracy, once this banner is raised, it will naturally attract followers from all directions!

The key is that the prince must color this flag with the colors of strength and hope.

Therefore, these two aspects, one being the foundation of one's will and the other the great principle of status and righteousness, are the basis upon which the prince stands and the beginning of breaking the deadlock. How can one underestimate them?

The hazy mist in Mu Yun Ling Yuan's eyes seemed to be abruptly dispelled by these powerful words, replaced by a flame that had been rekindled.

His spirits lifted, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Sir, your insight is truly remarkable! Your words have awakened me from my dream! I humbly request your guidance: how should Ling Yuan utilize his willpower and status to break this deadlock?"

Wang Meng raised his hand and gently stroked his neatly combed short beard. His gaze fell on a point of emptiness at the top of the tent, as if he were looking through the felt tent and surveying the entire map of the northern frontier.

After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, his tone slow and forceful, each word like a hammer blow:

"Your subject presents the prince with a sixteen-character strategy: 'Hidden dragon, do not act; conceal your sharpness and guard your simplicity; unite with the weak to subdue the strong; leverage existing forces to gain momentum!'"

Seeing that Mu Yunlingyuan was listening intently, he continued his in-depth analysis:

"Since the Second Prince is relying on the powerful Xiutu tribe, we cannot confront them directly. We should adopt a roundabout strategy, unite with their enemies, and divide their forces."

The six tribes of the Xiongnu were not a monolithic entity.

As far as I know, the Baiyang tribe and the Xiutu tribe are sworn enemies. Over the past century, the two tribes have clashed dozens of times, large and small, over the fertile grasslands and salt lakes on the western slopes, resulting in deep-seated resentment that has almost become an intractable feud.

In the past, the Xiongnu attempted to invade the Central Plains several times, but all their efforts failed due to the mutual obstruction and even armed conflict between these two tribes in the rear, resulting in heavy losses of soldiers and generals. This was common knowledge among the Xiongnu.

His fingertips traced patterns on the table, as if outlining the interlocking teeth of different tribes:

"After the prince returns to his tribe, there is no need to rush into a direct confrontation with Mu Yunzhao. Instead, he should secretly send a trusted confidant to meet with the leader of the Baiyang tribe and explain the advantages and disadvantages without further explanation."

If Mu Yunzhao succeeds to the throne, the power of the Xiutu tribe will surely expand uncontrollably. At that time, the Baiyang tribe will not only be unable to compete for grasslands, but may also face the disaster of extermination, with its people becoming slaves and all grasslands being swallowed up.

Conversely, if the prince is established, he will rely heavily on the Aries tribe to counterbalance the Xiutu. This will not only ensure the survival of his tribe but also grant him real benefits and allow him to share power.

An Aries leader, unless incompetent, will weigh the pros and cons.

The tone shifted, becoming more realistic and stern: