You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Upon hearing Zhang Zhongjian's words, Yue Qing suddenly realized, "So, that's why the Commander-in-Chief didn't order the Five Battalions to be stationed on the Southern Chen defense line?"

"That's exactly right."

Zhang Zhongjian nodded slightly, his gaze serious: "My original plan was to have the five battalions stationed on the flank and rear of Nanxu, supporting each other."

"But after discovering this situation, we changed our strategy and decided to observe the situation of the Southern Xu Army after the start of the great battle."

"Oh....."

"As a result, before the Sui army had even arrived, there was already a great deal of unrest within Nanxu. Many signs indicated that some people had already become restless."

"Rather than waiting for them to defect on the battlefield, leaving the five major camps in a dead end with enemies on both sides, it is better to cut our losses and withdraw as soon as possible, so as to preserve this force that truly belongs to the imperial court."

Having said that, he stood up and looked up at the deep night: "Nanxu is already a dead end; there's no point in trying to keep it."

"Only by decisively abandoning them and preserving the backbone of the five major battalions can we retreat to the next line of defense, reorganize our resistance, and even... seek an opportunity to counterattack."

"If you lose even this small amount of capital, then you'll truly be doomed!"

Yue Qing nodded and asked, "So, what are the Commander's plans next?"

There are five plans.

Zhang Zhongjian's gaze was sharp as a knife, and his voice was deep: "First, immediately send people to gather up the scattered soldiers and vagrants who have been defeated in Nanxu."

"The fact that these people were able to escape from the chaos of war shows that they are not core members of the six major families."

"Carefully vet them and organize them into the five major camps. This will not only replenish our troops but also allow us to select capable individuals from among them."

"Secondly, lure the enemy deep into our territory."

"Yang Su will surely become arrogant and overconfident after capturing Nanxu in ten days!"

"Our army feigned defeat and retreated step by step, making them think that our army had lost its courage."

"His eagerness to win will surely lead to an extremely rapid advance, inevitably stretching his supply lines. This is a golden opportunity for our army!"

"Thirdly, the Shenwu Battalion was ordered to immediately break into smaller units and secretly advance in batches to outflank the main force of the Sui army."

"When the vanguard of the Sui army has advanced to within about 300 li of Jiankang, and the main force is separated from its main force, at its most vulnerable point in terms of logistics, we will launch a sudden attack, harass them with all our might, burn their grain and supplies, and cut off their lifeline!"

"Fourth, before the Sui army arrives, at all costs, all the people in towns and villages along the route from Nanxu to Jiankang should be relocated to Dongyang, Nantong or further south."

"This matter concerns the very foundation of public sentiment and must be handled properly!"

At this point, Zhang Zhongjian's eyes flashed with a cold light, his killing intent palpable: "The fifth, and most crucial step..."

"Bloodbath!"

"Issue my secret order: along the route from Nanxu to Jiankang, exterminate all local powerful families and fortified clans, regardless of size, who are closely associated with the six great clans, leaving no one alive!"

"These local bullies, who usually occupy their territories, are the Sui army's spies and informants during wartime, and are a major threat to our army!"

"There must be absolutely no mercy at this moment!"

"We must eradicate these malignant tumors and thoroughly purge the rear before the Sui army arrives!"

"Better to kill the innocent than leave a future threat!"

Yue Qing was shocked and felt a chill run down his spine.

But he also knew that this was the most ruthless and effective strategy under the current circumstances, so he immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said in a deep voice, "This subordinate understands!"

Zhang Zhongjian nodded, then looked up at the southern night sky, sighed softly, and a deep worry shrouded his brows.

Yue Qing keenly sensed the change and asked in a low voice, "General... is there something you're worried about?"

"No matter how meticulous the plan, it is ultimately a matter of the battlefield."

"Whether we win or lose on the battlefield, I can still give it my all."

Zhang Zhongjian sighed, "But what truly worries me... is the palace, and His Majesty's thoughts."

"Nanxu collapsed in ten days. What will His Majesty think when this news reaches Jiankang?"

"No matter how you explain it, this result is a complete defeat."

"His Majesty entrusted me with half the country and granted me absolute power, yet I have returned this answer..."

"He can use me, or he can discard me."

"If he no longer trusts me at this moment."

"All our plans have been in vain..."

Ugh.....

What did I say to His Majesty back then in the Hall of Mental Cultivation?

We must strengthen our defenses and secure Nanxu. Even if we cannot win, we must at least break a few teeth of the Sui army...

Now, in just ten days, the important town has changed hands.

Failed!

How could Your Majesty possibly trust me again?

For a ruler, results are of utmost importance.

No matter how reasonable or well-founded the process may be, or how many unavoidable difficulties there may be, a defeat is a defeat.

In particular, such a crushing defeat, which concerns the very survival of the nation, is enough to erase all previous promises.

Once suspicion arises, everything falls apart.

The subsequent tactics included luring the enemy, cutting off their supplies, relocation, and cleansing...

These plans, which require strong support from the rear to be implemented, will all become castles in the air.

Nothing more...

Since things have come to this, there's no point in thinking about it anymore. All I can do is follow the established strategy and move forward step by step.

Whether Your Majesty believes it or not is beyond my control. I only ask that I have a clear conscience and do my best to salvage this predicament.

Just then, two white figures drifted in from afar.

Zhang Zhongjian looked up and immediately cupped his hands in a respectful greeting: "Madam Cai, Grand Preceptor Zhu, how is the situation?"

Zhu Yuyan spoke first: "After the Yang Sui army took control of Nanxu, they immediately used the pretext of raising military supplies to allow their troops to plunder on a large scale."

"The people's stored grain was almost completely confiscated, and if they hesitated even slightly, they would be attacked with swords."

She then told Zhang Zhongjian about the various actions of the Sui army, including the forced labor and other misconduct.

Upon hearing this, the latter's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his face showed joy!

"Forcibly requisitioning grain and fodder, and indiscriminately arresting laborers."

"Oh......"

"These nobles really don't care about the people's hearts."

……

At this moment, on the official road thirty miles outside Jiankang City.

A dozen or so ornately decorated carriages, along with supply wagons laden with boxes, moved slowly in a long line.

Leading the procession was a four-horse carriage with red wheels and an ornate canopy. The curtains were tightly closed, but the exquisite carvings on the carriage and the magnificent horses pulling it all spoke of the owner's extraordinary status.

The carriages that followed also had their curtains drawn, and many more were flatbed carts covered with oilcloth.

Occasionally, through the gaps in the oilcloth, one can glimpse the corner of a sandalwood box or a half-length of shimmering brocade that has slipped out due to the bumpy ride.

Around the convoy, dozens of burly servants dressed in uniform, with swords at their waists, looked on alert.

"Kill them!"

Suddenly! A loud shout rang out, and dozens of dark figures shot out like ghosts from the dense forest on both sides of the official road!

These men were all dressed in tight-fitting clothes, their faces covered with black cloths, and the steel knives in their hands gleamed coldly in the dim light. Their movements were swift as the wind, and their teamwork was impeccable, clearly indicating that they were no ordinary bandits.

Although the servants and guards around the caravan were quite capable, the incident happened suddenly, and the black-clad warriors were far more skilled than the caravan itself. As soon as they made contact, the caravan was routed!

"Protect our master!" The head guard shouted hoarsely, his eyes bloodshot, and charged forward with his sword.

However, before he could finish speaking, a blade flashed across his neck like a venomous snake!

Blood splattered, the leader's eyes widened, and he collapsed to the ground.

Book lovers are all in the discussion area, chatting about the charm of the novel "Infinite Heavens".

The black-clad warrior's swordsmanship was ruthless and cunning; in a single exchange, a guard fell to the ground with a scream.

The dull thud of a blade piercing flesh, the dying screams, and the terrified screams erupting from the women's carriage instantly blended together.

The resistance crumbled like ice and snow meeting the sun. In just a few moments, dozens of guards lay dead in pools of blood, none alive.

The battle began suddenly and ended even faster.

In less than a dozen breaths, a thick stench of blood filled the official road.

A black-clad warrior, seemingly the leader, sheathed his sword and coldly swept his gaze over the chaotic scene and the trembling coachmen and servants who dared not utter a sound.

He strode over to the carts laden with boxes and crates, used his knife to lift the tarpaulin, and after a brief inspection, ordered, "Take inventory of the valuables. Take all the carts and horses, along with these boxes and crates, away."

"Transport it directly to Nantong, where it will be inspected, stored, and registered by Prefect Shen Luoyan!"

"Be quick, there can be no mistakes!"

"yes!"

The black-clad warriors responded in unison, their movements swift and silent, like efficient machines, as they began to drive the drivers and organize the convoy.

Soon, the convoy, laden with wealth, disappeared into the vast wilderness.

……

On the official road in another direction.

Compared to the convoy that had just been hijacked, the convoy currently traveling on the official road was much larger and more orderly.

The caravan stretched for nearly a hundred feet, with more than ten more luxuriously decorated carriages at its core.

The family crest representing the Lu family of Wu County can even be faintly seen on the carriage shaft.

Inside a large, heavily guarded carriage, Lu Wenyuan closed his eyes to rest, twirling a string of warm, smooth jade beads in his hand, inwardly scoffing.

A tyrannical ruler!

Today's defeat is entirely your doing!

Boom!

A deafening roar suddenly erupted, and an incomparably violent force blasted through the carriage, causing it to tremble violently!

Lu Wenyuan suddenly opened his eyes, his fingers, which were fiddling with the jade beads, froze abruptly, and then he quickly lifted the carriage curtain to look ahead.

At the very front of the convoy, the most luxurious four-horse carriage, representing the prestige of the Lu family, had been reduced to a pile of broken pieces and wood chips. The famous horse pulling the carriage lay sprawled on the ground, its flesh mangled and bloody.

Amidst the billowing smoke and dust, a figure dressed in black casual clothes, as upright as a sword, stood before the ruins, his robes fluttering in the swirling air.

The man slowly raised his head, his gaze shooting straight at him like cold lightning. Who else could it be but the emperor?

Dozens of figures stood silently to the left and right of the emperor, forming an encirclement around the convoy.

Lu Wenyuan's pupils contracted sharply, the color drained from his face instantly, and an absurdly furious expression appeared on his face!

He never imagined that this dignified ruler of a nation would actually...

He would personally commit such acts of highway robbery and murder, which are akin to banditry!

This completely exceeded Lu Wenyuan's bottom line regarding the behavior of a monarch!

Even though the two sides are already bitter enemies, to disregard their status and decorum by personally engaging in looting is simply...

Unbelievable!

In fact, Lu Zuo didn't want to come either.

However, the representatives of the six great families were all at the peak of the Innate Realm, and had vaguely touched the threshold of the Three Elements Unification. All the experts around him had been transferred to Zhang Zhongjian, so there was no one left to use!

The plundering of the representatives of the six great families was also one of the plans discussed by Zhang Zhongjian and Lu Zuo.

Releasing these people back to their homeland is tantamount to releasing tigers back into the mountains!

Moreover, the families in Jiankang are still very wealthy. Although a batch of their wealth was taken away before, it is still enough for Lu Zuo to use now!

He glanced at the Lu family's convoy, ignoring Lu Wenyuan's absurdly furious gaze. Then, with a slight movement, he swiftly cut into the Lu family's guards, and casually pointed with his fingers like a sword.

As the wind passed, the air emitted a sharp crackling sound, and the Lu family masters were thrown to the ground, their bones broken and tendons snapped.

Those Lu family guards who were considered experts in the ordinary martial arts world were like paper figures in front of him, utterly vulnerable.

In the blink of an eye, the resistance at the heart of the convoy had been wiped out, leaving corpses strewn everywhere.

Lu Wenyuan watched helplessly as the expert his family relied on was utterly defeated, and the last trace of color drained from his face.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty. You cannot..."

Before he could finish speaking, Lu Zuo had already lunged forward and slapped Lu Wenyuan on the forehead!

Bang!

With a muffled thud, Lu Wenyuan's body exploded!

The head of the Lu family of Wu County was unable to utter a complete sentence before he was reduced to a shower of broken wood and blood, leaving no trace of his body.

"Take inventory of all vehicles, vehicles, and valuables, and register them."

"The convoy has been redirected, and the entire convoy is being transported to Nantong, to be handled by Prefect Shen Luoyan."

After dealing with the Lu family of Wu County, Lu Zuo hurriedly left this place and headed towards the Yu family's caravan in the East Sea!

.......

For the next ten days or so, Lu Zuo focused on carrying out the original plan, looting the noble families who were evacuating from Jiankang.

The result surprised him slightly; even without looting everything, he still obtained more than a million taels of gold!

Silver, jewelry, jade, antiques, and famous paintings are countless!

With this money, it is enough to make up for the current financial shortage.

After all, settling the people who have moved to Dongyang and Nantong is also a huge expense!

……

On the fifteenth day, Lu Zuo's looting plan ended, and he returned to the palace.

Upon his return, he received a secret letter from Zhang Zhongjian, which explained in detail the reasons for the defeat in Nanxu and his subsequent plans.

"call……"

Lu Zuo let out a long sigh of relief, thinking to himself, "Thank goodness, thank goodness I chose to believe him."

Thinking of this, he turned to look at the messenger, who stood solemnly below the steps, looking travel-worn.

"Go back and tell Zhang Zhongjian that I have read his report in detail."

"I am well aware of the situation in Nanxu. He need not worry about the consequences and can proceed with the established plan without hesitation!"

"Tell him that I am his strongest support!"

"This humble general obeys the order!"

The messenger knelt on one knee, kowtowed heavily, then stood up and quickly left, his figure disappearing swiftly outside the hall.

After he left, Lu Zuo took out the mother-child teleportation pendant and went to Dongyang.

He still has a lot to do...

The primary objective was to seize Jurong County during the period of internal strife following the deaths of the representatives of the six great families, thereby expanding their base and consolidating their rear.

……

Dongyang, the Prefect's Residence.

Lu Zuo looked at Wei Hanjiang inside the room and asked, "How is the bandit suppression operation of the nine thousand new troops going?"

Wei Hanjiang cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "Reporting to Your Excellency, the new army's results far exceeded expectations; they were utterly crushing!"

"To date, forty-seven strongholds of various sizes have been destroyed, and more than 30,000 bandits have been defeated. Among them, about 8,000 stubborn resistance fighters were killed in battle, and the rest either scattered or surrendered."

"The seized grain, armor, gold, silver, and valuables, valued at no less than 100,000 taels of silver, are estimated at a preliminary level!"

"Most importantly..."

"The number of dead in the new army was less than 100, and the number of wounded was more than 300, most of whom were slightly wounded."

"Having undergone this experience, the new army has seen blood and its morale is high."

Lu Zuo nodded and ordered, "Transfer the new army to Nantong and place them under Shen Luoyan's command."