August 5th.

Chen Mo officially issued a manifesto against the traitors at Longmen County.

"Born amidst the decline of the Great Song, the world is filled with treacherous factions. It's us or the Song traitors; the royal enterprise cannot remain complacent. We must support the Great Song, eliminating all evil traitors.

Traitors are profit-seekers, existing since ancient times, eradicated by all. Yet their existence endures, rooted in insatiable greed. Great greed births great traitors; small greed births small traitors. Great traitors steal nations; small traitors steal goods, causing harm beyond law, enriching themselves, unforgiven by the world.

The Lord of Longyou, eternally graced by the Emperor, protected by the Great Song for generations, yet betrays rather than repays. When Huai and Chong threatened the Court, not only watching idly but conspiring to dethrone the Song... I have decided to lead the three armies, from this day forth, to deploy from Yu State against the traitors of Longyou, to traverse Longyou, station troops at Qin Pass, to attack West River, battle Hedong, launching a thousand-mile surprise assault. The world shudders, with our modest strength, amassing this grand momentum. Our achievements can indeed be glorious."

This manifesto against the traitors was naturally not penned by Chen Mo himself, but was the work of Huang Xiu, the County Magistrate of Longmen County.

Huang Xiu, the eldest legitimate son of the Huang family, a noble clan of Longmen County, proactively allied with Chen Mo after Chen was enfeoffed as marquis. Upon testing his abilities and due to the lack of talents available in Yu State, Chen appointed him as County Magistrate.

Chen Mo initially disliked utilizing members of the noble clan, as this would only deepen their local influence. However, anyone with a modicum of talent often has a good background, as commoners barely have the chance for education, let alone finding managerial talent.

Common folks are at most clerks in government offices.

Once the manifesto against the traitors was released, it quickly spread around Yu State, resonating with its audience, its blame clear, awakening understanding from high officials and nobility to the common people, all discussing it.

Chen Mo had already sent people to disseminate it in Longyou, to ensure everyone there was aware of the manifesto against the traitors.

To let the world know who truly were the traitors.

Though the Court's moral righteousness may sometimes seem useless, like a mere piece of scrap paper, this paper indeed reduces much trouble, restrains many opportunists; the concept of human hearts is truly profound.

Various forces saw Chen Mo not only garrisoned troops at Shuofei County but also released the manifesto against the traitors, clearly stating the time for troop deployment in the manifesto. With such formality, it appeared the attack on Longyou was a certainty.

The Yuezhi Clan, realizing this, became anxious, hastily deploying newly recruited, poorly trained troops with distributed weapons to Long Mountain to resist Chen Mo's army.

Seeking assistance from King Chong of West River.

With his daughter-in-law taken by Chen Mo, King Chong's heart already simmered with rage. Now with the Yuezhi seeking aid, considering the proverb that the lips die when the teeth are cold, whether for strategic purposes or personal vengeance, King Chong decided to dispatch troops.

After discussing with his staff officers, King Chong decided to send eight thousand troops.

The suggestion from the staff was for the Yuezhi to provide all the food supplies needed for the eight-thousand-strong expedition.

The Crown Prince Chong volunteered, wishing to lead the troops to Longyou, personally redeeming his honor, but was refused by King Chong.

The Crown Prince, his future successor, as King Chong was already old and began paving the path for the prince, could not afford any risk at this point.

It's crucial to know that grooming a successor takes significant effort; should anything unfortunate happen to the prince, to put it bluntly, Prince Chong's Mansion would fall apart.

King Chong, after all, had more than one son.

With King Chong dispatching reinforcements to the Longyou region, all eyes across the world focused on Longyou, where a great battle was anticipated.

Scouts from various forces were dispatched from all directions, seeking to gather details.

Major families in towns near Long Mountain began relocating to avoid the ravages of war.

To insiders, it seemed this great battle would erupt by early September at the latest.

Scouts discovered large quantities of provisions being transported from Longmen County to Shuofei County, one cart after another, along with catapults and siege vehicles.

Even the most inexperienced recruit knows that troops move only after provisions arrive.

...

While everyone held these assumptions.

At the end of August, news spread from Linzhou.

On August 15th, Chen Mo led an army of ten thousand in a surprise attack on Nanzhao County at the border of Linzhou, killing hundreds of enemies, and then advanced irresistibly, with no organized military resistance, many counties abandoned their cities and surrendered.

On August 20th, the prefect of Linzhou contacted several county magistrates, urgently mobilizing troops, but lacking command over military forces, and confronting the overwhelming might of Chen's army, resistance proved difficult. Many counties feigned compliance, and by the time Chen's army reached Xiangfen City, where the prefect resided, only a few local troops arrived to support, leaving less than five thousand defenders in the city.

Chen's army besieged but did not assault the city.

Just two days later, the prefect opened the gates to surrender.

In reality, the prefect wouldn't classify it as surrender; at the time, he used the term "welcoming Grand General of Pingxi to take over Linzhou."

By the time various forces learned of this, most of Linzhou had fallen into Chen's army's hands.

These forces' spies were completely astounded by this news.

It was utterly unexpected.

After all, prior to this, everyone believed Chen Mo would lead troops against Longyou, with the army and supplies sent to Shuofei County. But now you tell me, you've attacked Linzhou.

And captured most of Linzhou's territory with unparalleled speed, even the Linzhou Prefect surrendered.

This result, doesn't it equate to the entire Linzhou falling into Chen's army's hands?

...

September 1st.

In the morning, the scorching sun hung high, enveloping the entire land in a layer of golden light.

Chen Mo donned the Purple Sun Armor, draped with a red cape, with over a thousand cavalry led by Xu Mu and Shao Jinneng behind him, and nearly a thousand personal soldiers commanded by Sun Meng.

The personal soldiers all wore Bright Armor, so to make himself distinguishable, Chen Mo added a purple sun to his armor. At the time, Sun Meng casually mentioned that adding a dragon pattern would look more impressive, but Chen Mo rejected this idea.

Incorporating a dragon pattern would be presumptuous. Although Chen Mo personally didn't care, given the current situation, it was best not to attract attention, hence the purple sun.

To make it even more distinct, Chen Mo also donned a red cape.

The Brave Cavalry Guard and the personal soldiers were all top-notch elite, exuding a fierce aura that gave a powerful sense of oppression.

The east gate of Xiangfen City was wide open, with two rows of Divine Brave Guards neatly lined up on either side of the gate, looking energetic and spirited.

"Marquis!"

"Marquis!"

"Marquis!"

Riding his warhorse, Chen Mo led the Brave Cavalry Guard and the Personal Guard Battalion through the center of the two rows of Divine Brave Guards into the city. The guards respectfully greeted.

Chen Mo nodded slightly, riding his horse through the city gate.

As the state city of Linzhou, Xiangfen City was notably desolate at this moment. Despite the Linzhou Prefect Zuo Lianglun's efforts to reassure each household after taking over Xiangfen City, the people's innate fear of rebels was palpable.

It was unavoidable; the Celestial Master Army's reputation was already infamously notorious. Even though Xu Guozhong had used the Emperor to justify the Celestial Master Army, the people of Linzhou still did not acknowledge them.

Linzhou was neither near nor far from Qingzhou. Refugees from Qingzhou had crossed Yu State to seek shelter in Linzhou, and naturally, the tales of the Celestial Master Army's atrocities had spread.

People only dared to hide in their homes, secretly observing Chen Mo's army through cracks in their doors and windows.

Seeing this, Chen Mo frowned slightly but said nothing.

As they say, one must admit faults and stand straight to take the blow.

Having aligned with the Celestial Master Army for development, it was natural to now endure its repercussions.

There's no gain without bearing the consequences.

However, from the moment he ordered the surprise attack on Linzhou, it marked his official separation from the Celestial Master Army. From now on, he could rally his flag in the Three States.

Having made up his mind, Chen Mo felt more invigorated.

On the street outside the Government Office, Zuo Lianglun had almost stayed up all night, finalizing a series of arrangements and began implementing them in the morning.

Zuo Lianglun, along with over a thousand clerks, waited nervously and anxiously under the scorching sun.

Tap tap tap...

The crisp sound of horse hooves approached.

"They're coming," someone said.

Everyone perked up, nervously turning towards the direction of the approaching hoofbeats.

At the end of the street, a mighty, imposing force of iron cavalry approached.

Leading them was a tall figure riding a white horse in golden armor, with eyes sharp as swords. Zuo Lianglun and others couldn't help but avert their gaze, not daring to make eye contact.

Especially Zuo Lianglun, whose heart was in turmoil.

During the initial siege, this cavalry had not appeared, leading him to believe that the besieging forces were already sharp enough and certainly outclassing Linzhou's local troops. He hadn't expected this cavalry to be so extraordinary.

The strength of an army can often be judged by internal indicators, but for experts, even the military's outward appearance can indicate its prowess. Such Essence, Qi, and Spirit cannot manifest without rigorous training.

As he rode to the forefront, scanning around, Chen Mo spoke looking downwards, "Where is Zuo Lianglun?"

Seeing Sun Meng, whom he had interacted with, standing behind Chen Mo, Zuo Lianglun realized who this was. "I am Zuo Lianglun, greeting the Marquis," he said.

Though he was the Prefect of Linzhou, Zuo Lianglun was only a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist, without Liang Songqiang's prowess. Through the system, Chen Mo saw the number "557" on his forehead, indicating he was stronger than Song Niu at the time.

Chen Mo assessed him and said loudly, "Being able to enter the city without bloodshed this time, you must be credited. I will definitely petition His Majesty for your commendation."

"I have always been a loyal subject of the Great Song, and as the Marquis personally appointed General Anxi by His Majesty, it is only right to assist and work for the Marquis. How dare I claim credit?" Zuo Lianglun said quickly.

Chen Mo did not expose him, glanced at the people behind Zuo Lianglun, and said in a deep voice, "Zuo Lianglun, do not speak nonsense. We are all serving His Majesty."

Continuing, Chen Mo said, "But His Majesty has allowed me to act at my discretion. Lord Zuo, since you are the Prefect of Linzhou, unless the Court has other arrangements for you, continue your position as before."

Zuo Lianglun initially thought Chen Mo would remove him after entering Linzhou, but unexpectedly, he was allowed to remain. Overjoyed, he thanked loudly, "Thank you, Marquis. I will serve the Marquis to the best of my ability, without hesitation."

As for the Court and the Emperor, they were put out of his mind.

He understood the current situation in Luonan very well.

PS: There are no strong enemies in Linzhou, so there's no need to detail the overwhelming victory in this war plot.

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