After the initial structure and officers of the Zhao family army were finalized, everyone was excited, and the gloom of the Zhao family's previous escape was swept away. In particular, the core members all had a light in their eyes.

Although Zhao Huan still maintained his lazy demeanor most of the time, there was a new determination in his eyes.

Besides holding the title of commander of the Dragon Spear Guard, Lian Zhongyi was also Zhao Huan's advisor, making him the highest-ranking chief of staff in the Zhao family army.

It was clear that he was satisfied with Zhao Cheng's recruitment efforts. He said, "Now that the Zhao family army has a solid foundation, we need to determine how to fight this battle. Before the court took action against us, many of you asked me this question. I didn't answer then because it was pointless to discuss it before we decided to take action ourselves. Now, I can tell you my thoughts."

“We have five thousand Dragon Spear Guards, eighty thousand new recruits, excellent equipment, and ample food, but it’s still not enough.”

"Since we're going to fight, we should use every available force to finish the job in one fell swoop!"

Lian Zhongyi stroked his beard, looked at Zhao Cheng, and said, "Young Marshal, you've built up a wide network of connections; now it's time to put them to use."

Zhao Cheng pondered for a moment and asked, "Mr. Lian, do you mean Deng Fugui and the others?"

Lian Zhongyi said, "Deng Fugui is your father-in-law, needless to say. There are also troops stationed in Yanchuan City, Jingdong County, Shangyang County, and even Yunjing County. Although they are not many, they are a force to be reckoned with when they are put together."

Zhao Cheng said, “Li Dai of Yanchuan City, Huang Zhen of Jingdong County, Li Lu of Shangyang County, and Cai Qiong of Yunjing County… I am confident in Li Dai and Li Lu, but Huang Zhen and Cai Qiong… especially Cai Qiong, he has already lost Yunjing County and hates the Southern Zhou army to the bone. How could he be willing to rebel with us at this time?”

Lian Zhongyi smiled and said, "Young Marshal, your thinking is wrong from the start. How could we be rebelling? If you use the name of rebellion, not only Huang Zhen and Cai Qiong, but even Deng Fugui might not follow you."

"I see!"

Zhao Cheng understood immediately and said, "Purge the court of corrupt officials!"

Lian Zhongyi nodded and smiled, "That's right. The once mighty Great Jing has fallen into its current state of internal and external troubles, not because of the emperor. The main reason is because of the treacherous minister Wen Hu! Wen Hu first betrayed his uncle for personal gain, then deceived the emperor, seized control of the central government, and caused the emperor's power to slip away. Our uprising this time is to eliminate Wen Hu, return power to the emperor, and restore peace and order to Great Jing!"

"Whether it's Huang Zhen or Cai Qiong, they are both loyal subjects of Da Jing. Given their trust in the young marshal, I believe they will not let us down."

Zhao Cheng's eyes lit up, and he said, "I'll give it a try and send the Eloquent Flying Team to deliver my letter to them!"

Lian Zhongyi's strategy was a crucial step, and Yan Zheng, not to be outdone, said, "If all these people can join us, our strength will increase greatly, and we may be able to muster an army of 150,000, which will indeed give us the capital to confront the imperial court. But before that, we have something more important to decide: where should we meet up if they are willing to join us?"

Everyone held their breath, understanding Yan Zheng's meaning.

The location of the meeting is crucial, as it will determine the army's attack route and rear area.

Mr. Lian countered, "What does Mr. Yan mean?"

Yan Zheng said, "Judging from the distance of each place, Shangyang County is naturally the best."

Mr. Lian nodded and said, "From south to north, meeting up in Shangyang County, south of Changsui City, is indeed the shortest distance, and it's also convenient to resupply from Lingshan to Shangyang County. What do you think, old marshal and young marshal?"

Zhao Huan did not respond immediately, but looked at Zhao Cheng. He noticed that Zhao Cheng had frowned ever since Yan Zheng mentioned Shangyang County.

“Zhao Cheng, you are the commander-in-chief at the front line. Your ideas are crucial. Tell me about them,” Zhao Huan said.

Zhao Cheng thought for a moment and said seriously, "I do have a different opinion."

Lian Zhongyi and Yan Zheng exchanged a glance, waiting for Zhao Cheng to continue.

Zhao Cheng said, "I'm not saying that Shangyang County is bad, but we shouldn't abandon Yanchuan City. Shangyang County is closer to Lingshan, and our grain supplies are all in Lingshan, but Yanchuan City is our base and the most suitable place for our rear."

Yan Zheng said, "Young Marshal, I know your feelings for Yanchuan City, but..."

Zhao Cheng interrupted, "All my money is in Yanchuan City."

Yan Zheng was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what Zhao Cheng meant.

Zhao Cheng continued, "On the way to Yanchuan City, we can also recruit soldiers and horses. With the current trade channels of the Eastern Chamber of Commerce, as long as the money in Yanchuan City is in my hands, it will be more useful than anything else. I can buy whatever I want."

"The grain in Lingshan is important, but my money is more important!"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, carefully analyzing Zhao Cheng's words.

Actually, there was another crucial reason that Zhao Cheng didn't mention: based on his experience from his previous life, he believed that the success rate of attacking from south to north was too low.

In the history of his previous life, there were too few examples of successful Northern Expeditions. Zhao Cheng preferred to place the rear base in the east and then advance from east to west into Changsui.

You could say Zhao Cheng is superstitious, but when making such a crucial and important decision, he wouldn't overlook any detail or possibility.

"Don't forget, Yang Qingzhi and Zhou Jinghuan's Southern Zhou army is still in Yun Jing. If they make any moves, we'll be caught in the middle."

Upon hearing Zhao Cheng's words, Yan Zheng felt a chill run down his spine, and Lian Zhongyi's eyes also became clear.

"The young marshal is right."

"If that's the case, then it's settled." Zhao Huan concluded, then turned and walked back to the lobby.

Several days later, the letters Zhao Cheng sent out were all brought back by the flight team members with replies.

Huang Zhen led 20,000 troops stationed in Jingdong County!

Deng Fugui led 20,000 troops stationed in Jiangyang County!

Li Lu led 20,000 troops stationed in Shangyang County!

Cai Qiong led 10,000 remnants of the Yunjing County garrison!

Four local armies responded to Zhao Huan's call to purge the court of corrupt officials and headed to Yanchuan City to join forces!

With the addition of Li Dai's 10,000 troops remaining in Yanchuan City, a total of 80,000 people joined the Zhao family army, bringing the Zhao family army's strength to over 160,000!

Upon receiving the reply, Zhao Huan and his son immediately dispatched troops down the mountain to Yanchuan City, and decided to recruit soldiers along the way to expand their army to 200,000 men.

This result was certainly satisfactory to Zhao Cheng. It was Zhao Huan who facilitated Deng Fugui becoming his father-in-law, and perhaps Zhao Huan also orchestrated Li Lu's appointment as the governor of Shangyang County. However, the friendship between Huang Zhen and Cai Qiong was indeed one that he had cultivated.

The seeds sown in the past will bear fruit at this moment. Zhao Cheng agrees with Lian Zhongyi's words and will no longer hold back. He will use all the power at his disposal to embark on the path of rebellion... to purge the court of corrupt officials!

He knew perfectly well that all this talk about the common people was just for his own benefit.

Keep trying!

Reach the pinnacle of power, no longer a lamb to the slaughter!