The imperial court is ceding territory from our northern border? Then we'll rebel!

"Your Highness is wise; it was this old minister who was confused," Zhou Wenyuan said, bowing.

"However, arresting them now is too early." Xiao Jingchen changed the subject, a sly glint in his eyes. "Aren't they trying to put on an act? If we don't cooperate, wouldn't we be letting their 'efforts' go to waste?"

"Does Your Highness mean... to turn the tables on us?" Chen Jing's eyes lit up.

"That's right." Xiao Jingchen stood up and walked to the map. "Huyan Bao's plan is nothing more than to make us and Ashina Sun fight to the death so that he can reap the benefits. At the same time, he wants to use his inside man in the capital to undermine our strength and prevent us from supporting each other."

"In that case, let's grant his request."

Xiao Jingchen tapped his finger on the map.

"Starting tomorrow, I hereby formally agree to form an alliance with the Yuezhi."

"Chen Jing, you must immediately draft a plan in the name of the Ministry of War outlining the marching route and logistical supply for the Northern Expeditionary Army. This plan must be incredibly detailed, so that no one can find fault with it. However, it must be a fake."

"Yes, ma'am!" Chen Jing understood immediately.

"Zhao Kuo".

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You are responsible for cooperating with Minister Chen to put on a good show. Starting tomorrow, mobilize the troops in the capital region camp and make it look like a large army is about to set off. Transport the provisions and weapons to me in a grand and spectacular manner. The bigger the commotion, the better. Let everyone in the capital know that we are about to have a decisive battle with Ashina Sun."

"Understood, Your subordinate!" Zhao Kuo's face broke into an excited smile. He loved doing this kind of thing.

"Zhou Wenyuan".

"Your old minister is here."

"You are responsible for finding a suitable 'insider' for me." Xiao Jingchen's gaze turned deep. "From among the merchants involved in the conspiracy, find the one who is the most greedy and the most cowardly. I want to meet him personally."

Zhou Wenyuan was taken aback for a moment, then understood Xiao Jingchen's intention. This was to... plant a double agent inside.

"This old minister knows who to approach," Zhou Wenyuan nodded.

A massive trap targeting Huyan Bao and the traitor within the capital was thus set up.

The next day, Xiao Jingchen officially announced that, after careful consideration, the Great Yan Dynasty had agreed to form an alliance with the Great Yuezhi Kingdom to jointly punish the traitor Ashina Sun!

Upon hearing the news, Hu Yanbao was overjoyed.

That very night, in a very secluded place, Xiao Jingchen "accidentally" revealed the forged marching plan to his "insider" planted next to Huyan Bao—the silk merchant named Liu Fu, who had been chosen by Zhou Wenyuan.

Liu Fu, nearly bankrupted by the impact of the Commerce Bureau, harbored deep hatred for Xiao Jingchen and thus readily defected to Huyan Bao. However, he was also extremely afraid of death and, after being slightly intimidated by the Imperial City Guard, confessed everything. He was currently working as a double agent for Xiao Jingchen.

Hu Yanbao was overjoyed to receive this "top secret" marching plan.

The map clearly shows the marching route of the 200,000-strong army of the Great Yan Dynasty, the location of each camp, and the direction of each supply line.

"Excellent! This is truly a stroke of luck!" Hu Yanbao looked at the map, rubbing his hands excitedly. "With this map, we can accurately avoid the main force of the Great Yan. When they and Ashina Sun's main force clash in 'Eagle's Sorrow Valley,' our iron cavalry can be like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into their heart—Shuobei City!"

He had no doubt about the authenticity of the map. Because in the past few days, Zhao Kuo's troop movements and deployments were completely consistent with the initial deployment marked on the map.

He immediately dispatched his most trusted messenger, carrying the map, to travel day and night back to the Western Regions and deliver it to the King of the Yuezhi. He instructed him to immediately mobilize the entire nation's troops and prepare to "reap the rewards."

At the same time, he also notified his spies in the capital to prepare. Once the Northern Expeditionary Army left the capital, they were to immediately spread rumors, incite the people, and even set fires to create chaos, completely paralyzing the rear of the Great Yan.

Everything seemed to be proceeding smoothly according to Hu Yanbao's perfect plan.

Every day, he would stay in the inn, drinking fine wine, embracing beautiful women, and dreaming of conquering the Central Plains.

Unbeknownst to him, a net woven by Xiao Jingchen himself had already been quietly tightened.

Time passed, day by day.

The troops in the capital region were being mobilized more and more frequently. Supply wagons heading north were arriving in an endless stream. The entire capital was shrouded in a tense atmosphere of impending war.

Finally, one morning.

The first heavy snow of winter fell from the sky in a flurry.

Overnight, the entire capital city was transformed into a silvery-white world.

Xiao Jingchen stood alone on the highest pavilion of the Prince's Mansion, wearing a black cloak, letting snowflakes fall on his shoulders.

He looked into the distance at the majestic palace, and down at the city that was operating according to his will.

He reached out and caught a glistening snowflake. The snowflake melted instantly in his palm, turning into a drop of icy water.

"The snow has finally fallen."

He muttered to himself, his eyes filled with an unfathomable chill.

"The wolves on the grassland must be hungry."

"It's time for the rats in the capital to come out of their holes."

"Huyan Bao, Ashina Sun... your death is imminent."

He clenched his fist tightly, as if he were holding the entire world's wind and snow in his palm.

"Pass on my orders!"

His voice pierced through the wind and snow, echoing in the silent palace.

"Close the net!"