At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

Dawn breaks.

In the courtyard, Su Mu sat cross-legged on a blue stone futon, his eyes gently closed, his back straight as a pine tree, his aura calm and restrained.

He took a deep breath and ended his practice for the day.

During his cultivation today, he wasn't really in the right state of mind; his thoughts were constantly preoccupied with the war in Yan.

Since the news of the great victory in the Dongyi naval battle and the crushing of the main force of the Dongyi by 300,000 elite troops of the Great Qian spread throughout the world, the prestige of the Great Qian has shaken the four seas, and all the surrounding countries have restrained their sharpness and held their breath to watch.

Logically speaking, at this time, the Great Qian army was at its peak, with high morale, and no one dared to easily challenge its might.

However, the border state of Yan went against the tide, openly provoking the majesty of the Great Qian Dynasty, and even risking everything to plot against the emperor's safety. This abnormality has been lingering in Su Mu's mind since last night.

After a full hour of meditation, Su Mu's mind became completely clear, and all his chaotic thoughts settled down.

He slowly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them, his deep eyes filled with caution and solemnity.

I stood up and stretched my muscles and bones, my joints making a series of crisp, light cracks, and my tense body and mind suddenly relaxed.

Su Mu stepped out of the training ground and strolled into the carved pavilion by the water in the courtyard.

The stone table was spotless. The morning breeze caressed his face, carrying the fresh, damp scent of the grass and trees, but it couldn't dispel the faint melancholy between his brows.

Today, the Third Prince Xiao Jingyu will issue an order to mobilize troops and prepare for a major campaign to conquer Yan and quell the border unrest.

With nothing else to do and awaiting the imperial decree, Su Mu's doubts resurfaced, so he decided to speak up and give instructions to the attendant on duty nearby:

"Go and invite General You Zhongyi here. Bring a complete map of the southwestern border."

The attendant bowed and accepted the order without delay, then turned and quickly left.

Before long, You Zhongyi, still fully clad in his armor and with a strong, upright posture, hurried over, carefully holding a thick cowhide map in his hands.

"Elder Su." You Zhongyi bowed respectfully.

"Let's unfold it." Su Mu raised his hand in a gesture of approval.

Yu Zhongyi followed the instructions and laid the large map of the southwestern border flat on the bluestone table, pressing down each corner firmly.

The entire map is meticulously drawn, clearly marking the terrain, passes, borders, and cities of various countries. The southern border of the Great Qian Dynasty, as well as the territories of the neighboring Yan, Hanmo, and Nanzhao countries, are all clearly visible.

Su Mu leaned over the table, his gaze fixed on the map, carefully observing and repeatedly analyzing it.

His gaze first settled on the border defense line where Daqian and Yan Kingdom met, a place where war had recently been brewing and provocations were frequent, and which was the source of all the current turmoil.

The longer he stared, the stronger his doubts became, and a deep sense of unease took hold of him.

Fifteen years ago, the powerful Yan state was no match for the Daqian state, suffering a crushing defeat, retreating, ceding territory to sue for peace, and suffering a great loss of vitality.

After fifteen years of recuperation, the Yan Kingdom has recovered somewhat, but its strength is still vastly different from that of the increasingly powerful, well-armed, and valiant Daqian Kingdom.

Knowing full well that it was like throwing an egg against a rock, and knowing that the morale of the Great Qian Dynasty was at its peak and its strength unmatched, why did the Yan Kingdom suddenly launch an attack at this time?

They were even audacious and far-sighted, daring to secretly plot against the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, clearly preparing for a full-scale war to the death.

This courage was something that the weak state of Yan could not possess on its own.

Something unusual must be going on; there must be some hidden conspiracy and scheme involved.

Su Mu gently traced the outline of the Yan Kingdom's territory on the map with his fingertips, his brows furrowing slightly. His mind raced through the situations of various countries, the conflicts over the years, and the border movements, trying to cut through the layers of fog and find the hidden truth.

Just as he was deep in thought, a series of steady, rhythmic footsteps came from outside the courtyard, accompanied by a low-voiced announcement from his entourage.

Su Mu looked up at the sound and followed the direction of the voice.

Three figures walked steadily through the corridor toward the pavilion.

The leader, dressed in brocade robes and jade belt, possessed an elegant demeanor. His brows and eyes showed the weariness of days of contemplation, yet he still exuded a profound and dignified presence. He was none other than the Third Prince, Xiao Jingyu.

The three men walked with steady steps and solemn expressions, clearly having come for the border war.

Once the group reached the outside of the pavilion, Wang Ben stepped forward first, his posture upright, and bowed respectfully, his voice loud and clear: "Wang Ben greets Elder Su!"

Changfeng followed closely behind, bowing with his hands clasped in a proper manner.

"Prime Minister, there's no need for such formalities." Su Mu raised his hand slightly, his expression calm, then stepped forward and greeted Xiao Jingyu with a cupped-hand salute. "Your Highness's visit this early in the morning suggests that you already have a plan in mind."

Xiao Jingyu stepped into the pavilion, his gaze falling on the border map spread out on the table. He sighed softly, his expression extremely solemn.

"Elder Su, I didn't sleep a wink last night, tossing and turning, repeatedly analyzing the unusual events in Yan."

"This matter concerns the stability of the Great Qian border and the dignity of the nation. It is of great importance and must not be decided hastily."

"After much thought, we still need to discuss this thoroughly with Elder Su in person before deciding on a solution."

He paused, his tone firm.

"The Yan Kingdom's provocation this time reveals their wolfish ambitions. Our Great Qian will not yield an inch of territory. This battle is inevitable, and our troops will be dispatched!"

"However, the advantages, disadvantages, and dangers of how to deploy troops, how to set up defenses, and how to wage war must be carefully considered, and there must be no slightest mistake."

"Your Highness is absolutely right." Su Mu nodded slowly, deeply agreeing. "Military and national affairs are fraught with danger at every step. Only by planning carefully before acting can we be victorious in every battle. Such prudent actions can ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Having said that, he turned and raised his hand, guiding Xiao Jingyu closer to the map on the stone table. His gaze swept over the group, and he asked in a deep voice:

"Your Highness... considering the current situation and border defenses, do you have any preliminary strategies for defeating the enemy?"

Xiao Jingyu lowered his head and stared at the map, his gaze wandering back and forth between the southern border of Daqian and the border of Yan. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his expression was full of depression and confusion.

He remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, his tone filled with barely concealed repression:

"Old Su, to be honest, I have been looking at the map day and night for days, but I still feel a lot of frustration in my heart. I can't figure it out no matter what I do. Everything seems strange, but I can't put my finger on the problem. It's like a fishbone stuck in my throat, and I can't express my feelings."

Seeing Xiao Jingyu's confused expression, Su Mu's eyes flashed with understanding. He spoke calmly, revealing the crux of the matter.

"What puzzles Your Highness is why the Yan Kingdom chooses to openly provoke war and challenge the might of Great Qian at this crucial juncture when the Great Qian has achieved a great victory over the Eastern Yi, is at the height of its power, and its military might is unmatched?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Xiao Jingyu shuddered, suddenly looked up, and his eyes lit up with a sense of clarity, as if all his pent-up frustrations had found an outlet.

"That's right! That's it!" He nodded repeatedly, his tone full of solemnity and confusion. "Elder Su hit the nail on the head! This is precisely the biggest question in my mind!"

"Fifteen years ago, when the Yan Kingdom was at its peak, it was still defeated and severely weakened by our Great Qian Kingdom."

"Now, the strength of our Great Qian is growing day by day, and our elite troops are far superior to those of the past. On the other hand, the Yan Kingdom, after years of dormancy, is still weak and its military is weak."

Xiao Jingyu pointed to the territory of the Yan Kingdom on the map, his tone growing increasingly solemn: "Where does this mere Yan Kingdom get its confidence? Not only does it dare to frequently cause trouble on the border and provoke our Great Qian's garrison, but it even dares to secretly frame and plot against the Emperor, clearly preparing for a full-scale war with our Great Qian! Such abnormal behavior is truly too bizarre!"

The atmosphere in the pavilion instantly became heavy. The morning breeze was cool, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in Xiao Jingyu's heart.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ben and Chang Feng, who were standing to the side, also lowered their expressions and silently waited for Su Mu to explain.

Su Mu's gaze was distant, his fingertips slowly moving from the territory of Yan to the vast borders on the left and right sides of Yan. His eyes were deep, and his words were firm and resounding: "Your Highness, based on my analysis and careful consideration over the past few days, Yan's confidence may never have come from itself."

"It dares to take risks with limited resources and go against the tide, relying most likely on the vast desert to the west of Yan or the Nanzhao Kingdom to the south."

He paused, then uttered the most shocking guess: "It's even highly possible that both the Hanmo and Nanzhao kingdoms are secretly colluding with them!"

boom!

The short sentence resounded like a thunderclap in the pavilion.

Xiao Jingyu's body suddenly stiffened, his pupils contracted sharply, he gasped for breath, and his face was instantly filled with disbelief and shock.

He stared intently at the borders of the three kingdoms on the map, his voice trembling slightly.

"Elder Su... do you mean that the Yan Kingdom, Nanzhao, and Hanmo, these three major vassal states of the southern frontier, are secretly conspiring to join forces and encircle and oppose our Great Qian?"

"Very likely."

Su Mu nodded solemnly, his tone resolute and without the slightest hesitation.

"The three kingdoms of Hanmo, Nanzhao, and Yan are adjacent to the southern border of our Great Qian. For many years, they have been suppressed by our Great Qian and have long harbored deep resentment."

"These three kingdoms, fighting independently, are powerless to contend with the Great Qian. However, if they secretly form an alliance, join forces, and combine their military strengths to complement each other's weaknesses, they can instantly assemble a formidable force capable of rivaling our Great Qian! The Yan Kingdom's rash attack this time is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a long-planned scheme to join forces!"

This deduction sent a profound shock through everyone in the pavilion.

Yu Zhongyi, who was standing to the side, suddenly narrowed his eyes, his face full of horror, and he stood there stunned, his mind in turmoil.

They all knew the true strength of these three countries and never imagined that these three vassal states would dare to secretly collude and plot a rebellion!

Wang Ben's expression was also solemn, his brows furrowed tightly, and his usually composed eyes were filled with deep worry.

If only one country attacks, the Great Qian can deal with it calmly. But if three countries join forces and put pressure on three sides, the southern border defense line will be under full pressure, the situation will be reversed instantly, and it will be extremely dangerous!

After a brief silence, Xiao Jingyu slowly calmed his mind, and all the confusion and mystery in his heart were resolved. All the details that he couldn't understand in the past were now connected, and everything became clear.

"So that's how it is... so that's how it is!" he murmured to himself, his tone heavy. "No wonder the Yan Kingdom launched a war without any reason, no wonder they acted so arrogantly and fearlessly. It turns out there was such a shocking conspiracy hidden behind it all!"

"The Nanzhao Kingdom and the vast desert are its greatest source of confidence!"

All the previous inconsistencies and strange occurrences have now been answered.

Su Mu added in a deep voice, "I have been puzzled for a long time and have never been able to figure out what Yan State is relying on."

"It wasn't until I was looking at the map just now that I suddenly remembered these two southern border vassal states that we had overlooked."

"The Yan Kingdom alone cannot withstand the challenge and would never dare to provoke the Great Qian. However, if the three kingdoms join forces, their combined strength and complementary offense and defense will give them the ability to confront the Great Qian head-on! This situation is extremely perilous!"

"This subordinate understands!"

Wang Ben, who was standing to the side, suddenly stepped forward, his expression solemn and his tone urgent:

"Your Highness, Elder Su, Hanmo possesses the world's finest cavalry, brave and skilled in battle, capable of raiding thousands of miles at a time as swift as the wind. They excel at open field ambushes and flanking maneuvers, making them extremely powerful!"

"The Nanzhao Kingdom possessed tens of thousands of elephant soldiers. These giant elephants, clad in armor, were invincible in their charges, crushing infantry formations and conquering fortified cities with unstoppable force!"

"Both of these armies are top-tier forces, dominating their respective regions and invincible!"

"If we truly join forces with the Yan Kingdom's infantry, the combined strength of the three kingdoms will be complementary, and our Great Qian's southern border will face an unprecedented deadly battle. This is a huge problem!"

The situation escalated instantly from local border skirmishes to a massive rebellion by a multinational coalition, creating an overwhelming sense of oppression.

Just as everyone's expressions turned solemn, You Zhongyi suddenly spoke, voicing the last question in his mind:

"Elder Su, there is something I don't understand."

"If the three kingdoms were truly working together to achieve a greater good, why has only the Yan Kingdom's border remained turbulent with undercurrents of conflict until now?"

"Both the borders of the Hanmo and Nanzhao regions are calm and peaceful, without any unusual activity or signs of military action?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's attention once again focused on Su Mu, which remained the biggest question in everyone's mind.

Upon hearing this, Su Mu did not become serious. Instead, he slowly curled up a cold smile, his eyes revealing a profound and awe-inspiring understanding of everything.

"This is the most cunning and vicious scheme of the Three Kingdoms Allied Forces, a long-planned and insidious plot!"

He pointed his finger heavily at the heart of the southern border of the Great Qian Dynasty in the center of the map, his tone firm and each word piercing.

"They used the weakest state, Yan, as a pawn and bait, deliberately creating conflict and provoking war on the border to attract all of Daqian's attention and tie down all of Daqian's southern border forces!"

"Our army will definitely deploy all its troops to Yan territory to defend and prepare for battle. All our energy, supplies, and manpower will be firmly tied down by Yan."

"When our Great Qian forces are concentrated in the northeastern Yan territory, leaving our heartland vulnerable and our defenses in disarray, the Hanmo Iron Cavalry and the Nanzhao Elephant Army will launch a simultaneous two-pronged attack!"

"A swift attack from the west and a strong assault from the south—a two-pronged offensive—aims to strike directly at the vulnerable heartland of our Great Qian's southern border!"

"By then, our army will be bogged down by the Yan Kingdom, unable to spare any resources or send reinforcements in time. The Han and Nanzhao Kingdoms will then be able to advance unimpeded, conquering cities and territories along the way, and march straight into the Central Plains!"

Through meticulous analysis and progressive exploration, the monstrous conspiracy hidden within the Three Kingdoms period is thoroughly revealed.

Killing three birds with one stone: luring the enemy into a trap, launching a two-pronged attack, and striking from both sides—it's extremely vicious and ruthless!

The people in the pavilion felt their scalps tingle and their bodies grow cold; a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out from their backs.

If this plan is not anticipated in advance, and the Great Qian army rashly assembles in Yan territory, what awaits them will be a complete defeat and the annihilation of their territory!

Xiao Jingyu's face darkened completely, his brows furrowing with murderous intent. His tone was urgent: "Elder Su, the situation is critical, and there is no time to lose! Now that we have uncovered the enemy's plot, how should we respond? How should we deploy our defenses to break this deadlock? I implore Elder Su for your decision!"

The military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed!

Su Mu's expression was stern, his gaze sharp as a knife. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately issued the order in a deep voice, his tone resounding and carrying an unquestionable determination: "You Zhongyi, Changfeng!"

"Your subordinates are here!" The two bowed instantly and responded in unison.

"Immediately issue the order to summon all generals and officers of command to the main hall of the Prince's Palace for an emergency military meeting!"

Su Mu's gaze swept over the two of them, his tone extremely solemn.

"The situation has drastically changed, and chaos stemming from the alliance of the three kingdoms is imminent. We must immediately adjust our defenses, redeploy troops, divide our forces to defend the three fronts, and discuss a grand strategy to defeat the enemy! There is no time to lose!"

"yes!"

Yu Zhongyi and Changfeng knew the situation was dangerous, so they dared not delay for a moment. After responding, they immediately turned around and left quickly, passing on their orders.