End of November.

Fengzhou.

Since the Loyalist Army's expedition against Xu Guozhong failed, the Loyalist Army disintegrated and retreated. The Celestial Master Army, realizing they couldn't directly oppose the Prince Huai's army, also retreated from Jing County back to Fengzhou.

Within the Three Armies Commander's Tent in Fengzhou State City.

Celestial Master Luo Guang sat at the top seat, with nearly all thirty-six Commanders gathered there.

Although there were fatalities among Commanders during the previous campaign in Fengzhou and the five-thousand-troop raid on Huai State, Luo Guang quickly filled the vacant Commander positions.

Initially, Luo Guang demonstrated wisdom, establishing rules, rewarding and punishing clearly, and living alongside the soldiers of the Celestial Master Army, humbly accepting suggestions from below. However, after sweeping across the Northern Land, he revealed his true nature, acting recklessly and indulging his subordinates, leading to the massacre of prominent families, causing panic among the populace.

Even within the Celestial Master Army, there was dissension.

This resulted in the declining quality of the Celestial Master Army's troops, and such a bad reputation spreading prevented talents and capable individuals from joining.

This led to those assuming the Commander positions later having capabilities mostly at the Fifth and Sixth Grade, with varying qualities.

Moreover, these new Commanders didn't focus on training troops or caring for the people. When not engaged in battle, they were engrossed in indulgence, living in a perpetual state of drunkenness and dreams.

This led to several civilian rebellions against the Celestial Master Army in Fengzhou.

Of course, they all ended in failure.

Luo Guang gathered his Commanders because news of the Huai River Oath had reached his ears.

Upon learning that Chen Mo disobeyed his command, not advancing to Longyou but raiding Linzhou instead, Luo Guang was infuriated.

Because this indicated that Chen Mo no longer recognized his authority, hinting at a desire to separate from the Celestial Master Army.

However, at the time, his confidant General Wan Zhen advised him that commanders in the field sometimes disobey orders, suggesting Chen Mo found Longyou hard to attack, which is why he raided Linzhou.

He also mentioned it was favorable news for the Celestial Master Army since Linzhou and Huai State were separated by the Huai River. With Chen Mo's forces threatening Huai State, the Prince Huai would find it difficult to lead troops against the Celestial Master Army, constantly worrying about his rear, thus reducing pressure on the Celestial Master Army.

Furthermore, Chen Mo's battle report had not yet arrived, so Luo Guang was advised to wait for it to see what Chen Mo had to say.

Instead of awaiting the battle report, Luo Guang received news of Chen Mo being granted the title of Marquis of Pingting County and appointed as General of the Western Expedition.

In a leap, Chen Mo, his subordinate, held a higher official rank and title than him.

This indicated that Chen Mo submitted his victory report to the Luonan Court to claim credit instead of presenting it to him.

The implication was clear enough.

It was almost as if Chen Mo was declaring independence right to his face.

At the time, Luo Guang was furious.

The Celestial Master Army had grown so large; although internally factionalized, no one dared defy his orders, let alone separate and establish their own faction, which was a direct slap in his face.

Angrily, Luo Guang considered sending troops to attack Chen Mo.

But after warnings from others and personal contemplation, Luo Guang dismissed the idea.

Currently, the primary adversary of the Celestial Master Army is Prince Huai's Dragon Strategy Army, alongside some allied forces with Prince Huai, making it unwise to create another enemy.

Now, Chen Mo's forces spanned across three states, numbering over a hundred thousand troops (exaggerated by Chen Mo to better attract talents, as many ancient armies did with their troop numbers), a force not easily extinguished like a candle.

If all these could be tolerated, the Huai River Oath was something Luo Guang could not endure.

Although the treaty at the Huai River promised non-aggression.

Due to the undisclosed content of the treaty, Luo Guang, who had limited information, presumed an alliance between the two sides had already been formed.

Luo Guang surveyed the Commanders below and said, "What do you all think of this Huai River Oath?"

Most Commanders, except a few impulsive ones, had some military acumen.

Wan Zhen was the first to speak, "Master Celestial, although we are unaware of the treaty's content, from its name, non-aggression, we can deduce it's an amicable agreement ensuring neither side engages in conflict.

If I have not guessed incorrectly, Prince Huai plans to free his hands to wholly confront us."

Wan Zhen was once Luo Guang's Daoist Child, and he was a disciple of Luo Guang.

"Marshal Wan makes a valid point. What we need to concern ourselves with is if Chen Mo has allied with Prince Huai, he might coordinate with Prince Huai to deploy troops. Qingzhou lies at our rear, also separated by a single river." A Commander remarked:

"Therefore, I suggest establishing a defensive line north of Fengzhou to prevent Chen's army from attacking our rear while we face the main forces of Prince Huai."

Wan Zhen exchanged a glance with the Commander and nodded as they shared the same thought.

However, there was a dissenting opinion, from a Grand Commander with Fourth Grade strength, who said:

```

"Currently, the morale within the army is unstable, and such an incident with Chen Mo has tarnished the reputation of our Celestial Master Army. If news spreads, it would cause panic within the army. In addition, the peace treaty between Prince Huai and Chen Mo was merely to avoid being attacked from both sides. Now, our army is in a similar situation..."

As he spoke, his expression grew solemn: "Therefore, whether it's to save face and intimidate the world or to stabilize the rear and ensure that our army has no worries, we should seize the opportunity to dispatch troops to take back Qingzhou before the Chen Army establishes a navy, and station troops there."

"Inadvisable."

This statement immediately met with Wan Zhen's opposition: "Winter has already arrived, and December is just around the corner. The cold weather in the north will significantly diminish our army's combat effectiveness. If we do not capture Qingzhou in a short time, when the heavy snow arrives, our army will be in a dire predicament.

If Prince Huai launches an attack against us at this time, it would surely be hard to withstand. If we wait until spring to take back Qingzhou, Prince Huai, having resolved his own issues, will certainly attack us at that time. Therefore, it is unsuitable to move troops to Qingzhou, whether now or after spring."

"If we don't move troops, are we just going to sit and wait for death?" The commander who proposed taking back Qingzhou retorted.

"Certainly not." Wan Zhen shook his head, then cupped his hands to Luo Guang, saying: "Celestial Master, sending troops to Qingzhou is the worst option. The best option is to send an envoy to contact Chen Mo, inquire about the contents of the Huai River oath, and ensure that when Huai River mobilizes against our army, he won't come to cause trouble.

The best choice is for our army to also sign a non-aggression treaty with him."

This statement caused a stir in the command tent.

Even Luo Guang's expression was somewhat gloomy.

The current situation was entirely instigated by Chen Mo.

If the other side had followed his plan and attacked Longyou, today's situation wouldn't have happened.

Now, not only has the incident occurred, but the other side hasn't explained, apologized, or even lowered their head to ask for forgiveness. Instead, they're actively seeking peace by making the first move.

Such a humiliating situation - who wouldn't find it nauseating?

"Our army has been bullied to this extent by this little thief, and now we're supposed to swallow our pride and show goodwill. Isn't that disgraceful?" said a Small Commander.

"Do you have a better solution?" the commander shared Wan Zhen's viewpoint, asked the Small Commander.

The latter fell silent, muttering after a moment, "Such humiliating matters..."

As words were exchanged,

it finally fell to Luo Guang to make a decision, with all the commanders turning their gaze towards him.

Luo Guang's face flickered with indecision, changing rapidly. After careful consideration, he said, "As the saying goes, enduring the unbearable, bearing the intolerable is considered great wisdom, is for true men.

Therefore, I have decided to send an envoy to Yu State to negotiate with Chen Mo."

With the decision made, Luo Guang immediately dispatched followers of the Celestial Master Sect to cross the river and head to Yu State.

...

Northern Land, River Sea, Nangong Family.

The events that transpired during this period were reported in detail to Nangong Jin.

As Nangong Jin predicted back then.

The Loyalist Army, made up of multiple forces and factions, appeared united but was actually divided, brewing with undercurrents. This precisely proved to be true.

Madam Zhang, Nangong Jin's wise helper, reading the news from the front, said: "It was unimaginable. Back when Chen Mo first appeared in the Celestial Master Army's Government Gazette, he was merely a subordinate under Yang Minggui. Now, he has grown to govern the Three States, promoted to General of the Western Expedition, and awarded the title of Marquis of Pingting County. His rank surpasses the leader of the Celestial Master Army, commanding over a hundred thousand troops..."

Even Madam Zhang, who had seen many great events, couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement.

How much time has passed?

Just one year...

Nangong Jin sighed, furrowing his brows: "The Loyalist movement has come to an end, and now the signing of the non-aggression pact signifies that Prince Huai intends to free his hands to deal with the Celestial Master Army.

Even Xu Guozhong was forced to move his capital by Prince Huai; how can the Celestial Master Army be a match for Prince Huai? The situation is not optimistic..."

He deliberated, then looked softly at his wife: "My lady, as you mentioned before, it's time for us to find an escape route."

Madam Zhang nodded: "Back then, you refused, my lord."

"I refused because the Celestial Master Army still held much hope. But now, I see none, and they have pulled out of Qingzhou, too far to help us." Nangong Jin stood up, turning his back to both sides: "My lady, the time to find an escape route is now."

"Prince Huai?" Madam Zhang asked.

Nangong Jin shook his head: "Our ties with the Celestial Master Army are deep. If we join Prince Huai now, even if not punished, we won't be taken seriously. Prince Huai is surrounded by talent, leaving little room for us.

"What does my lord suggest?"

"Ally with Chen Mo." Nangong Jin's eyes were resolute: "He parted ways with the Celestial Master Army, making him our best choice. He is likely lacking followers to establish his power, and unlike Luo Guang, he understands governance, making his journey potentially longer than the Celestial Master Army's."

"Then I shall write to Brother Feng."

"No need for Zhang Feng to act; we'll send someone else." Nangong Jin raised his hand, wanting to hedge his bets.

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