I, the villainous eldest prince, will suppress everything!

Something's not right.

"What's wrong?"

"How could he not know the true strength of Jiangnan? He visited Jiangnan before ascending the throne and personally appointed its ruler. After ascending the throne, he visited Jiangnan several times. He knows the true strength of Jiangnan perfectly well. Jiangnan alone can deal with the allied forces of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions who are heading south. So why is he now not only leading troops to chase after them himself, but also making us chase after them?"

The further south they pursued, the more the Empress couldn't help but ask this question.

The more the Empress chased after them, the more uneasy she felt. Her willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed tightly. It seemed that they had been used by Qin Li.

News has arrived that Jiangnan has set up defenses north of the Huai River, forming an impregnable defensive line.

Let alone the allied forces of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, they themselves were not entirely confident of breaking through.

That's the situation. Qin Li had absolutely no need to lead his troops away from Xuanque Pass, nor did he need to order them to detour around the capital and head south.

Jiangnan alone can resolve the coalition of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions.

Bringing troops here would not only be time-consuming and laborious, but they would also gain nothing.

By the time they arrived, the allied forces of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions had probably been almost completely wiped out by Jiangnan, and they would only be able to get a little soup.

Upon hearing the Empress's words, Qin Feng realized what she meant.

Yes, what the Empress said makes sense.

But military orders are absolute, and they dared not stop halfway.

"I understand now. He's trying to lure the Liangzhou cavalry from the capital south and then devour them all," the Empress suddenly said.

"Are you crazy?"

Qin Feng couldn't help but express his opinion.

Tell me, who in the world could swallow 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry in one fell swoop? Absolutely no such army exists.

Otherwise, upon receiving news that 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry were coming to the capital, they wouldn't have rushed north to create a safe distance from the Liangzhou cavalry, preparing to flee at any moment.

"He's not crazy."

The Empress said, "The Liangzhou Iron Cavalry is indeed formidable, but it has only one weakness: it is not good at naval warfare. The further south we go, especially along the Huai River, the dense network of waterways will prevent the Liangzhou Iron Cavalry from exerting even half of its strength."

"With his forces, our forces, and the forces from Jiangnan, even if all 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry came, we could wipe them out in one bite."

With this explanation, Qin Feng suddenly understood; so that's how it is.

This is a grand game of chess, a grand game played by Qin Li.

Two hundred thousand Liangzhou cavalrymen were entrenched in the capital, and there was simply no way to deal with them.

A head-on confrontation in the capital would only result in a lose-lose situation.

To deal with the 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry, we must lure them here and deal with them on the banks of the Huai River.

But Qin Feng had a question he couldn't help but ask: "How can you be so sure that Wang Long will definitely order 200 million Liangzhou cavalry to march south?"

The current situation is that more than half of the Great Zhou's forces are moving south, preparing to encircle and defeat the invading coalition of thirty-six kingdoms in the Western Regions.

Qin Li's forces in the capital were very weak, and even his forces at Xuanque Pass were very weak, because Wang Hu had already led his army into the grasslands and could no longer make contact.

If Wang Long were a smart man, he would have seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use his 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry to consolidate his power in the capital and make the area around the capital as solid as an iron barrel.

If you're even bolder, you could try to take Xuanque Pass as well.

This would create a situation of confrontation between Qin Li and the north.

"Because Wang Long doesn't understand Jiangnan, and he's not one to back down, under Qin Li's deliberate manipulation, he'll see us locked in a fierce battle with the allied forces of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, with no clear victor for the time being. He'll definitely want to stab us in the back. From his perspective, this is a case of the snipe and the clam fighting, while the fisherman benefits. He wants to be the fisherman who benefits."

"So, you foresaw this too, brother?"

Qin Feng asked incredulously.

If Qin Li could even foresee this, then he's incredibly capable.

The Empress said, "If we hadn't anticipated this, why go to all this trouble? Of course, there is another possibility: that Wang Long won't fall for it and will choose to remain still, thus thwarting Qin Li's plan and making us waste our efforts. However, this possibility is very small."

Qin Feng nodded in agreement.

If he were Wang Long, he definitely wouldn't be able to resist.

And so, the Empress and Qin Feng led their troops south in pursuit, eventually meeting up with Qin Li's army at a place called Liujiawan.

With obstacles in front and pursuers behind, the allied forces of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions were thus blocked in the middle by them and Huangfu Song.

"What a huge reed bed!"

After arriving at the destination, Qin Feng couldn't help but sigh.

Further south from Liujiawan, there is an endless expanse of reeds.

The allied forces of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions were chased into hiding in the reed marshes.

"Brother, you should have told us about your plan in advance."

Upon seeing Qin Li, Qin Feng couldn't help but complain a little.

At first, he led his troops in a desperate pursuit, fearing that they would not be able to catch up with the allied forces of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions. His horses were almost exhausted from running.

Qin Li smiled slightly and said, "The reason I didn't tell you in advance was to create a realistic chase scene."

"If our acting isn't convincing, how can we fool Wang Long?"

"According to the latest news, Wang Long has not given any orders. The 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry are still entrenched in the capital and have not sent out a single soldier."

"That's what the Empress said."

If they go through all that trouble and fail to lure Wang Long over, then all their efforts will have been in vain.

"It's alright."

Qin Li waved his hand and said, "Wang Long is an extremely cautious person, but even the most cautious person can't resist the temptation to stab someone in the back."

"Men! Send two battalions of cavalry into the reed marshes and stir up the water."

"yes!"

If you're going to act, you have to go all the way; Wang Long won't be fooled.

If Wang Long still doesn't fall for it, Qin Li has other methods.

Being so far away, Wang Long didn't know the situation here and could only make judgments based on the information sent back.

Qin Li had plenty of ways to show Wang Long the situation he wanted Wang Long to see.

After setting up camp at Liujiawan, the group sent someone to contact Huangfu Song's army on the other side of the reed marshes.

Two nights later, Huangfu Song arrived at Liujiawan with a small group of people.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The moment I saw Qin Li inside the central command tent.

Huangfu Song and his men quickly knelt on one knee and clasped their hands in greeting.

Qin Li emerged from behind the large desk, stepped forward, reached out and took Huangfu Song's arm, and said:

"It's been a long time. Your Excellency, the Minister, still retains your former charm."

These words made Huangfu Song a little embarrassed, just as he had said before at the Yellow Crane Tower that he had not been a minister for a long time.

After standing up, Huangfu Song went straight to the point and asked:

"The messenger said that His Majesty ordered my Jiangnan army to hold the defensive line and not engage in battle. Why is that?"

They had already surrounded the allied forces of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions in the reed marshes, leaving them with no chance of escape.

What we need to do next is not to wait, for delay will only lead to unforeseen changes. We must take the initiative and gradually erode the allied forces, completely annihilating these traitors on the land of Great Zhou, and deterring other disloyal foreign tribes.

Qin Li had nothing to hide from Huangfu Song, so he told him his true purpose.

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Song suddenly understood and repeatedly said, "So that's how it is! So that's how it is! Your Majesty's plan is truly brilliant! I admire you greatly."

"If that's the case, I will certainly cooperate."

In the following period, the two made detailed military arrangements.

While claiming to be holding the line and not venturing out, they also sent troops into the reed marshes to create the illusion that the two armies were engaged in battle and neither side could gain the upper hand.

That's how Wang Long fell for it.

However, this balance must be carefully managed. If Wang Long really sends 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry, they will be facing a combined attack from 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry and 150,000 Western Region allied troops.

A force of 350,000 is no joke.

Of course, Qin Li's plan was to let the 200,000 Liangzhou cavalry and the 150,000 Western Region allied troops fight like dogs, and then they would jump out and reap the benefits.

To complete this plan, all aspects need to be considered.

It took the two of them two full hours to finish their military arrangements.

"This matter is of great importance, so I will not stay any longer."

Huangfu Song clasped his hands in a fist salute to Qin Li, then prepared to take his leave.

He wanted to return to the north of the Huai River to command the army and carry out the plan.

"Your Excellency, please be careful on the road."

Qin Li sent an extra detachment to escort him. Although Huangfu Song took a detour, it was always better to be cautious.

Just as Huangfu Song was about to leave, one of the men he had brought with him suddenly coughed twice.

"Ahem!"

Upon hearing the cough, Huangfu Song suddenly realized what was happening.

He reached out and pulled the coughing person out.

The person was dressed in ordinary soldier's armor, but was thin and small, clearly a woman in disguise.

Pulling her close, Huangfu Song said, "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. My granddaughter is eager to see Your Majesty, and I had no choice but to bring her here. Let her stay and serve Your Majesty."

After saying that, Huangfu Song pushed Lu Shushu to Qin Li's side.

Lu Shushu was extremely embarrassed, but she was determined to stay by Qin Li's side and would never go back. She just didn't dare to look up at Qin Li.

Qin Li looked at Lu Shushu, somewhat surprised.

However, he said nothing and personally came out to see Huangfu Song off.

Qin Li only returned after the person had gone far away.

The moment Qin Li lifted the tent flap, he saw the Empress looking Lu Shushu up and down and circling around her.

Of all Qin Li's women, the one who is most jealous and hostile towards other women is the Empress.

Lu Shushu was thin and small, and the Empress looked her up and down, making her look like a little lamb that could be eaten at any moment.

Upon seeing Qin Li return, the Empress stopped scrutinizing Lu Shushu and said:

"Your Majesty is truly blessed. You are away fighting a war and have gained a concubine for free. I admire you the most, the most!"

The empress cupped her hands in greeting and then left.

She simply bumped into Qin Li hard with her shoulder as she passed by, to express her dissatisfaction.

Qin Li didn't chase after him; he simply closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

He was just wondering when the Empress would become like other women and stop being jealous.

Not long after the Empress left, Lu Shushu spoke weakly:

"Isn't Your Majesty going to pursue them?"

Taking a deep breath, Qin Li opened his eyes. Lu Shushu saw him and quickly lowered her head and stood properly.

Qin Li walked straight over and sat down in the chair behind the desk.

Lu Shushu slowly turned around and stood still with her head down.

Picking up a military report from the table, Qin Li looked at Lu Shushu and said:

"What's the point of catching up?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. It's all Shushu's fault."

Lu Shushu quickly admitted her mistake.

If it weren't for her, the Empress wouldn't have been jealous of Qin Li, nor would she have left in anger.

"It's good that you know it's your fault, but do you know how to make amends?"

Lu Shushu shook her head blankly; she didn't know.

"Come here and massage my shoulders first."

Qin Li gave Lu Shushu a wink, signaling her to come over quickly.

"oh."

Lu Shushu responded and quickly ran over, standing behind Qin Li. She reached out her small hand and gently massaged his shoulders.

Qin Li closed his eyes comfortably and said, "It's been so many years, but you haven't changed a bit, Teacher."

Upon hearing the title "teacher," Lu Shushu paused, feeling quite embarrassed.

Back when she was at the Imperial Academy, she didn't know Qin Li's true identity.

If she had known Qin Li's true identity earlier, she would never have dared to call herself Qin Li's teacher.

Even if she had a hundred times the courage, she wouldn't dare.

There is only one person in the world who can be Teacher Qin Li.

That was the foremost master of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Elder Snake.

Why aren't you saying anything?

After waiting for a long time without hearing Lu Shushu's reply, Qin Li asked again.

Lu Shushu quickly came to her senses and said, "Shushu doesn't know what to say."

"Say anything, like, why did you have to come see me?" Qin Li's eyes were still closed.

Because I can't forget you, I'm going crazy thinking about you...

Of course, Lu Shushu wouldn't say these words aloud, because they were too embarrassing to bring up.

After thinking for a moment, she simply said, "I heard that His Majesty was coming, so I asked my grandfather to bring me along. I just wanted to ask His Majesty, how is Cao Quan?"

"Cao Quan?"

Qin Li was stunned.

"Strictly speaking, His Majesty is not my student, but Cao Quan is. He was the top scholar in the imperial examination, and I taught him."

Lu Shushu spoke with great pride, his tail practically wagging in the air.

When she was in Jiangnan, she often boasted to others that her student Cao Quan was the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Qin Li saw through it but didn't say anything, saying, "Cao Quan is in the capital now, and could die at any time."

Why?

"fool!"

Qin Li turned around and tapped her head with his hand.

Lu Shushu winced in pain and quickly covered her head with her hands.

Qin Li said irritably, "Now that the capital is under Wang Long's rule, Cao Quan will lose his head if he says the wrong thing."

Lu Shushu nodded, indicating that she understood.

"Alright, from now on you'll serve me. You'll know how to serve tea and water, right?"

Lu Shushu nodded vigorously.

Although she came from a good family, with her maternal grandfather being Huangfu Song, she had been serving tea and water since she was a child, and she was also adept at chopping wood and cooking. She was a master at serving people.

……

"Report!"

"Your Highness, on the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the traitor Li fought against the allied forces of thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions at the Great Reed Sea, and the battle ended in a draw."

"Report!"

"On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, the rebel leader Li and the allied forces of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions fought again at the Great Reed Sea. Li killed five thousand enemies, and the King of Loulan died in battle."

"Report!"

"On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the allied forces of thirty-six kingdoms in the Western Regions launched a surprise attack under cover of night, catching the treacherous rebel off guard. He abandoned his camp and fled!"

"..."

After winter set in, battle reports arrived at the palace like snowflakes.

Overall, the outcome at Daweihai is very close, with both sides having their share of victories and defeats. The earliest the final winner will be determined is next spring.

"Your Highness, Heaven is truly blessing you. No matter what the battle situation is like over the Great Reed Sea, it will only bring you benefits and no harm."

"Indeed, indeed. During this time, Your Highness should take advantage of the opportunity to thoroughly eliminate dissidents and completely control the capital."

"I second that proposal!"

"I second that opinion!"

Inside the hall, the ministers who had already switched sides expressed their opinions one after another.

But Wang Long didn't want to hear any of this, so he waved his hand and sent them away.

The ministers dared not linger, and after exchanging glances, they bowed and withdrew from the hall.

After they left, the ministers kept whispering among themselves:

"Tell me, what exactly does this master want to hear? His thoughts are truly unfathomable."

"Exactly, he's definitely the most difficult master to please."

"Shh! Keep your voices down, don't you guys want your heads?"

"Yes, yes, let's talk about it after we leave the palace, let's talk about it after we leave the palace."

Several ministers left the palace together very quickly.

Inside the main hall, Wang Long summoned his true confidants.

After reading through all the military reports, Judge Wu pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said:

"Your Highness, something is really strange. Even Murong Qingcang of the Northern Barbarians was no match for Li Ze, yet those fools from the Western Regions were able to fight Li Ze to a standstill? This is quite unusual."

Wang Long nodded slightly in agreement.

"Brother, I disagree with what you're saying. How can the Western Regions be a bunch of idiots? If it weren't for the 200,000 cavalrymen suppressing them, there's no doubt that no one could defeat them."

"They've been suppressed for so long, they're seething with anger, and their fighting strength is formidable," Night Owl said.

Wang Long asked, "Shadow Serpent, what do you think?"

Shadow Serpent cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, this humble general believes the judge is right."

Upon hearing this, the night owl couldn't help but roll its eyes.

Ever since learning that the two were husband and wife, Night Owl felt increasingly like an outsider.

Sure enough, the couple always sideped with each other, not with him, an outsider.

However, he still believed that the coalition of thirty-six kingdoms in the Western Regions was not so easy to deal with.

"Your Highness, what should we do now?" Judge Wu asked, bowing respectfully.

Now, they have two paths before them.

One plan was to have Cen Feng lead troops to attack Qin Li from behind.

The second plan is to take advantage of Qin Li's preoccupation with other matters to thoroughly eliminate dissidents in the capital and gain complete control of the city.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Long said, "No rush. Send out more scouts to find out more before making a decision."

"Yes."

"What kind of trouble has the Empress been causing lately?"

Wang Long asked again.

Of all the people in the palace, the one he was most wary of was Empress Pei Qingluan.

Pei Qingluan is no pushover.

"without."

The night owl is the most qualified to speak on this matter, because he was in charge of keeping an eye on Pei Qingluan and watching her every move.

During this period, Pei Qingluan did not do anything, but only took care of the seriously injured Qin Han with Xiao Xue'er.

"What about outside the palace? How is Xiao Yuanlu's situation?" Wang Long asked again.

"Xiao Yuanlu is still in the same situation, there's nothing unusual about him."

"What about the Marquis of Guanwai?"

Wang Long's last question was to Wang Bao.

Just as someone was about to answer, a burst of extremely hearty laughter suddenly came from outside the hall...