"Capture Qingshan County?" Niu You Dao raised his brows. Although he wasn't versed in offensive tactics, Shang Chao Zong had decisively seized control of Cang Wu County. Now he wanted to capture Qingshan County. His ambition was not small. However, ambition must align with one's capabilities, or one risks paying the ultimate price. He smiled, "Even Feng Lin Bo didn't dare to act this way. Yet, the Prince wants to occupy troops and seize the county. Isn't that a bit much?"
Lan Ruo Ting smiled and, taking a few steps back, pointed at the Zhao Kingdom: "The Zhao Kingdom! Dowager Empress Shang Yao Lang, Ning Wang's own aunt!"
"Oh! Is that so?" Niu You Dao murmured, clicking his tongue:
"The imperial clan, wherever you look, it's the imperial clan. Could it be that the imperial clan had long planned this to make her Empress?"
Shang Chao Zong sighed and replied:
"It was simply a disgraceful period. Back when my great-grandfather ascended the throne, the kingdom was in a precarious state, so he married off his sister. Who could have known she would later become the Emperor's mother, and now the Dowager Empress! In truth, after the collapse of the Wu Kingdom, the Shang clan married off their daughters to various princes to stabilize the situation. That's why, to a greater or lesser extent, there are now people of Shang blood in every kingdom. Only Shang Yao Lang managed to become Empress."
In his previous life, Niu You Dao had, by profession, read many historical books and heard many such stories. Therefore, he added:
"If we speak of the time when Shang Yao Lang married the Emperor of the Zhao Kingdom, then I understand that. But now, with the Dowager Empress having been in the Zhao Kingdom for so many years, with her own son and grandson there, she will most likely be more concerned about the Zhao Kingdom than the Yan Kingdom. Her family is there now. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to become the Dowager Empress of the Zhao Kingdom. It's unlikely she would mobilize the Zhao Kingdom's troops for the Prince's sake. Even if she misses the Yan Kingdom, there's still no need for her to fight against the Yan Kingdom now, is there?"
Lan Ruo Ting waved his hand: "Lord Dao speaks truly. Shang Yao Lang is currently at the pinnacle of power in the Zhao Kingdom. And of course, she cannot disregard the interests of the Zhao Kingdom. However, every kingdom has had its times of weakness and strength. Later, when the Zhao Kingdom weakened, the Emperor of the Zhao Kingdom, namely Shang Yao Lang's husband, sent his daughter and son as hostages to the Yan Kingdom. These were precisely Shang Yao Lang's children. Her son is the current Emperor of the Zhao Kingdom, Emperor Hai Wu Ji. And her daughter is named Hai Ru Yue. At that time, Hai Ru Yue was young, and Ning Wang took good care of her in the capital. They had a good relationship. When Hai Ru Yue returned to the Zhao Kingdom, she continued to communicate well with Ning Wang. However, every kingdom has rebels. In the Zhao Kingdom, a local prince of Qingzhou province, Xiao Huang, caused quite a bit of trouble. Therefore, to appease Xiao Huang, the Emperor married Hai Ru Yue to his weak son, Xiao Be Shang. When Xiao Huang died, Xiao Be Shang inherited power from his father. And when Hai Wu Ji ascended the throne of the Zhao Kingdom, he wished to suppress and subdue all the princes. At that time, Xiao Be Shang found himself in danger. Hai Ru Yue was then forced to contact Ning Wang, hoping that Ning Wang would help due to their past friendship. It was precisely then that Ning Wang was at his peak, a fearsome presence throughout the entire kingdom. Furthermore, the Yan Kingdom did not want to see a strong and centralized Zhao Kingdom as a neighbor, so Ning Wang agreed to help Hai Ru Yue. Thus, Hai Wu Ji had to withdraw his forces from Xiao Be Shang." Lan Ruo Ting pointed to the Qingzhou province on the map, which was opposite Qingshan County.
Niu You Dao pondered and said:
"The Prince wants to take the people of Qingzhou province and seize Qingshan County?"
Shang Chao Zong nodded:
"At that time, Hai Ru Yue swore an oath that when needed, she would assist her father. In any case, if it was within her power. I possess an oath written in Hai Ru Yue's blood. If she refuses, I can make this oath public. Such a reputation would not be beneficial for her. I hope she will agree. It's not difficult for her, and the Zhao Kingdom should not obstruct it. After all, they also don't want to see a strong Yan Kingdom. They would only need to halt the troops of the Southern Domain. Because when I capture Qingshan County, the governor of the Southern Domain will definitely react. When I capture Qingshan County, and Hai Ru Yue provides me with support, the imperial court will understand that it's best not to provoke me. The imperial court will not dare to attack me with Hai Ru Yue's support. And the Heavenly Jade Sect, knowing that I have influence over Hai Ru Yue, will support me!"
Niu You Dao asked doubtfully: "Does Hai Ru Yue wield great influence in Qingzhou province?"
Lan Ruo Ting replied with a smile:
"Lord Dao probably doesn't know. Xiao Be Shang was weak since childhood, so he died about 7-8 years ago. And his son, Xiao Tian Cheng, has not yet reached adulthood. All power there is in Hai Ru Yue's hands. The Prince has already secretly sent someone there. An answer should arrive soon."
Niu You Dao said with doubt:
"Do you truly believe Hai Ru Yue will agree to help? I think we need to persuade her with more realistic incentives. For example, by offering a portion of the tax revenue, rather than mere oaths."
Niu You Dao simply doubted that in a period of warring states, everyone would fight to the death. Kingdoms could exchange oaths, then forget them when necessary. Not to mention oaths written in blood.
Lan Ruo Ting: "There's no harm in trying. If she truly refuses, then we'll have to abandon the idea of capturing Qingshan County and try more realistic methods."
Niu You Dao and Yuan Gang exchanged glances. It seemed that since Shang Chao Zong was laying out his plans to them, it meant they already trusted them.
Since Shang Chao Zong and the others had already considered this for a long time, that was good. Niu You Dao rejoiced. Not everything was doomed.
Niu You Dao sighed to himself. No matter what, Shang Chao Zong needed resources.
"Feng Lin Bo and the Heavenly Jade Sect will soon be pressing you about that matter. You need to figure out how to stall them," Niu You Dao reminded them.
Lan Ruo Ting: "The Heavenly Jade Sect gave their tacit consent for us to occupy Cang Wu County. We will need to put everything in order, and that will take three months. That amount of time should be enough to resolve the issue with Qingzhou province."
That was well-thought-out. Niu You Dao realized he had worried unnecessarily. After a moment of silence, he spoke uncertainly, "Prince, Monkey and I might be leaving for a while."
As soon as he said this, all three looked at each other in shock. They had laid out their secrets before them, and these two were about to leave?
Shang Chao Zong asked uneasily:
"Where did I misstep?"
Niu You Dao waved his hand, realizing he had been misunderstood:
"Prince, you misunderstood me. I need to find a safe place for secluded cultivation. After all, people are constantly moving around here, and it's a bit dangerous. I told you so you could find a suitable time for me to discreetly enter secluded cultivation."
In truth, he wasn't lying. He had long since reached the peak of the Lian Qi level. And along the way, he felt that he would soon break through to the Zhu Ji level. The further he went, the stronger this feeling became. He no longer processed the Doctrine-Transmitting Amulets because he feared he wouldn't be able to control them. Therefore, he needed to find a place for cultivation, and also to instruct Yuan Gang.
Yuan Gang knew that this particular matter was important to Niu You Dao. Therefore, he would go with him to guard him.
They talked, and still, they were a little worried. As Yuan Gang had said, Niu You Dao was a very intelligent man. And they themselves had realized it.
Afterward, several people emerged from the basement. However, not long after, Shu Qing came to Niu You Dao's courtyard with a teapot and began pouring tea onto a small table.
Shu Qing poured the tea and, in passing, asked:
"Lord Dao, we've selected a few people. Will you be able to teach them the technique that speeds up wound healing tomorrow?"
Niu You Dao immediately pointed at Yuan Gang and said:
"That's for him. No need to ask me."
Shu Qing asked again:
"My sister-in-law was also interested in that technique. I wonder if it would be convenient if she sent her people. Perhaps she might even come herself. What do you think about that?"
Niu You Dao pointed at Yuan Gang again:
"That's not for me. It's for him." After that, he raised his cup and began to enjoy his tea.
Shu Qing looked at Yuan Gang. He nodded at her, indicating that he would teach them. Then he did not drink the tea and left. Yuan Gang had a habit: when someone personally brought food, he wouldn't eat it but would leave. The same applied to tea. Perhaps he would drink it himself after some time.
It wasn't that he wanted to test Niu You Dao for poison, nor that he distrusted Shu Qing. It was simply for a worst-case scenario: if someone decided to poison or drug them, one of them would be able to care for the other. If both collapsed, they wouldn't even be able to look after each other.
Two people sat under the moon. Shu Qing wanted to say something several times but remained silent. In truth, she wanted to ask where Niu You Dao would go to cultivate. But she still didn't ask. When she saw Niu You Dao tying his hair into a ponytail, she asked:
"Lord Dao, why don't you tie your hair in a topknot?"
Niu You Dao replied with a smile:
"I never did before, and I'm too lazy to learn now."
Shu Qing hummed and left without another word.
That evening, Yuan Gang came to Niu You Dao's room. Niu You Dao was sitting in meditation.
"Feng Ru Nan has come to Shang Chao Zong's chambers. She's also moved her belongings there. It seems she truly intends to live with him."
Niu You Dao opened his eyes and burst into laughter:
"That Lan Ruo Ting... truly shameless, to have actually made it happen." He said, shaking his head, and added, "Tomorrow, we need to get up early!"