A family of loyal martyrs, starting with nine wives to continue the family line.

When the military report landed on the imperial desk, Wei Zhao did not read it first.

He first looked at the faces in the hall.

Each one was taut.

Some wanted to laugh, some wanted to curse, and some had fire in their eyes, as if they could chop up all those people outside Yangguan with just a nod.

Wei Zhao knew in his heart that these people weren't fearless, but rather too afraid of losing face.

News of the great victory at Yangguan had just arrived when the Western Regions allied forces pressed forward again, and everyone felt that they could not swallow this insult.

But he knew even better that war wasn't about who could shout the loudest.

"Everyone says so."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The first one to jump out was a military officer with a very loud voice.

"Your Majesty, the White Wolf tribe has been defeated! The Golden Crown warriors have all perished outside Yangguan Pass, and the remaining so-called allied forces are nothing but a rabble. We must attack them directly while they are still establishing their foothold! If our army lingers any longer, and they close the pass, there will be another layer of trouble at Yangguan!"

"right!"

"Pursue them while they're ahead!"

"That land in the Western Regions was originally where our cavalry relied on for sustenance; we can't afford to delay!"

Wei Zhao did not speak immediately.

He knew what these people were thinking.

The fighting at Yangguan was excellent; now is the perfect time to press our advantage.

If we can conquer the Western Regions in one fell swoop, who in the court would dare to say that the Wei family only knows how to defend cities?

But he also knew that the Western Regions were not as simple as just a Black Flag Army.

Three banners, three forces—no one knows whether they are temporarily allied or have always been wary of each other.

What he wants is to win, not to throw Xinwu's last reserves into the sand.

"Guard."

As soon as that word was uttered, the expressions of the people in the hall changed.

Someone opened their mouth to argue again, but Li Huai stepped forward first.

"Your Majesty, I also feel that we should not rush into battle."

Upon hearing this, one of the military officers immediately frowned.

"Li Huai, what do you mean?"

Li Huai didn't look at them, but bowed to the imperial desk.

"We must fight, but we need to figure out how to fight. The Western Regions coalition has three banners and at least three forces. The White Wolf tribe has lost its Khan, and the remaining members may not be willing to fight to the death for his brother. More importantly, they may not be a united front now."

He paused for a moment, his voice not loud, but it silenced everyone.

"My suggestion is to hold Yangguan and not venture out. Send messengers to the leaders of the most powerful tribes in the allied forces. Make it clear that the Golden Crown Man is dead and Xinwu is willing to let the White Wolf tribe go home. Let them think clearly about who they are fighting for in this war."

The hall was very quiet.

Wei Zhao tapped his knuckles on the table.

He understood.

The reason why those people in the Western Regions dared to unite their forces was because they shared a common idea: the "Map of Mountains and Rivers".

But as soon as this thought is abandoned, the White Wolf tribe itself, the White Wolf tribe and its branches, and the branches among themselves will start settling scores.

What Xinwu needs to do is not rush out and confront them head-on, but cut that rope one by one.

This method isn't quick enough.

It can save you a lot of time.

Wei Zhao looked at Li Huai.

"You're quite willing to save me soldiers."

Li Huai's hands hung down.

"It's not that I'm willing to give it up, it's that I dare not gamble with Yangguan Pass."

These honest words actually put Wei Zhao at ease.

What he feared most was that the people in the hall would only shout for war and killing.

If things really went that way, Huo Qingluan on the other side of Yangguan would have to defend the city while cleaning up the messes left by these people in the capital.

She was already exhausted.

Wei Zhao raised his eyes and swept them over the assembled officials.

"Huo Qingluan will guard Yangguan Pass and will not engage in battle."

Some of the generals were unwilling and were about to speak up, but Wei Zhao had already silenced them.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard will send someone out of the pass to bring a copy of the Landscape Map. Contact the non-White Wolf tribe forces within the allied forces and tell them that I am willing to give the White Wolf tribe a way home. Anyone who wants to follow Bai Tu Kui to their death can go ahead. Anyone who wants to live should put their sword away for me."

Hua Jieyu, who was standing to the side and behind, moved her eyes slightly upon hearing this.

She understood what Wei Zhao meant.

This is not a sign of weakness.

It's like handing the knife to the other person and then seeing who blinks first.

Wei Zhao continued, "Send another 30,000 troops from the capital to Yangguan. Not to send them to their deaths, but to bolster Huo Qingluan's defenses. She can't be left to carry the burden of defending the city alone."

His tone turned cold at this point.

"Anyone who tells me 'attack' again, go stand on the Yangguan city wall for three days, and then come back and say the same thing to me."

No one in the hall spoke.

Some people still looked resentful, but they suppressed it.

Wei Zhao knew that they were not convinced by him, but by the situation on the other side of Yangguan.

Huo Qingluan sent back urgent reports one after another, with the Black Flag Army, the Allied Forces, the Ancient City, the Map, and the Road emerging layer by layer.

Trying to act impulsively now is simply gambling with the lives of soldiers.

He doesn't lack courage; what he lacks is the patience to decide where to place the knife.

"Dismiss the court."

When the officials withdrew, the hall suddenly became much emptier.

Wei Zhao did not get up immediately.

He opened the scroll of the landscape painting, his fingertip hovering over a thin line.

It wasn't a military treatise, nor a map of the Central Plains; it was more like a series of paths to survival.

Wells, mountain passes, oases, and windy seasons are all clearly marked.

As he looked at it, a sudden heaviness settled in his heart.

If this thing is just a road map, then the White Wolf Clan's pursuit for three hundred years is simply too obstinate.

But if it could truly help a tribe find its way home, then the game in the Western Regions would be more than just warfare. It would be about the hearts of the people. It would be about their ancestral homeland. It would be about the longing that had refused to yield for three hundred years.

trouble.

This is such a hassle.

He hates these kinds of situations where the game isn't decisive.

That's precisely why Huo Qingluan can't be left to shoulder the burden alone.

"Flowers can speak."

"Your subject is here."

"The people from the Embroidered Uniform Guard should leave seclusion tonight. Tell Nie Yinniang to take a copy of the Mountain and River Map and find a tribal leader she can talk to. Don't mess with someone like Bai Tu Kui who only cares about swords; find someone willing to sit down and talk first."

Hua Jieyu responded and turned to leave.

Wei Zhao then looked towards the palace gate.

He knew very well that if this trip went smoothly, Xinwu could also figure out the trade routes in the Western Regions.

If things don't go smoothly, it's like stabbing a knife into a pack of wolves.

But someone has to go through the journey.

Otherwise, you'll never know whether what lies ahead is water or a pit.

After the court session ended, Li Huai did not leave.

He stood outside the hall waiting, and only came in after most of the people had left.

"His Majesty."

"explain."

Li Huai glanced at the copy of the landscape painting on the table and spoke quickly.

"I would like to borrow that copy to examine it closely."

Wei Zhao looked up.

Li Huai did not dodge the question and continued, "The trade routes to the Western Regions have been cut off for three years. If we really want to reopen them, we can't rely solely on military reports. I need to figure out which passes are on the road, which sections are passable by horse, and which sections require detouring around sand dunes. Otherwise, if the supplies and water don't keep up once the people have crossed, all the good work done ahead will be in vain."

He spoke calmly, as if he were asking for an account book.

Wei Zhao looked at him for a while.

This man was neither a military general nor a pure subject, but his heart was sincere.

"After you finish reading, write a route guide for me."

Li Huai was startled, then lowered his head.

"I'll hand it to you first after I finish writing it."

Wei Zhao pushed the dungeon forward.

"Take it."

Li Huai caught it with both hands, turned around and stepped back.