Thirteenth Master immediately went to the large table, spread out the map, and everyone gathered around.

Thirteenth Master decisively pointed to several locations and said, "Here, here, and here... these are their only routes to the sea. As long as we can secure these three locations, we can definitely stop them on the island and prevent them from moving!"

Seventeenth Master examined the area carefully, then pointed to a spot and frowned, saying, "Thirteenth Brother, the sea is not as easy to defend as the land. Since the White Lotus Sect has established its stronghold on an island, they must be very familiar with the surrounding waters. Everything at sea is closely related to the weather. If something unexpected happens, our people may not be able to hold it..."

The Thirteenth Prince nodded, pointed to several other locations on the map, and said, "In that case, we must make thorough preparations. This area is easy to defend; we should send naval troops as backup..."

Thirteenth Prince drew another area on the map, his expression grave. "This area also needs to be closely monitored..." Seventeenth Prince nodded, discussed a few words with his subordinates, and then looked at Thirteenth Prince uneasily, saying, "Thirteenth Brother, now that we're almost at the location and have planned the attack route, what we lack most right now is a navy..."

Thirteenth Master straightened up, clasped his hands, and stared at each mark drawn on the map. He said, "This is the best opportunity to encircle and annihilate the White Lotus Sect. I can write to Fourth Brother about the navy and ask him to send reinforcements..." After saying that, he looked at Seventeenth Master and said, "You should go to Songjiang Prefecture to find Lord Yin Zhu and ask him to gather all the navy in Songjiang Prefecture."

"Yes! I'll go right now..." Seventeenth Prince turned to leave, but Thirteenth Prince called out again: "Wait... Songjiang Prefecture alone might not be enough. It will take some time for Fourth Brother's men to arrive, and we also need to borrow troops from the neighboring county..."

The commander behind the Thirteenth Prince immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and replied, "Thirteenth Prince, let me go to the neighboring counties. There are three or four other counties around Songjiang Prefecture. Although each county doesn't have many troops, they should have several thousand men gathered together..."

Thirteenth Master thought for a moment, nodded, took out his waist token and handed it to the commander, saying, "Very well! Take my token and a few men and set off now. Gather all the sailors from the neighboring county..."

After saying this, the group nodded to each other and dispersed. The great battle was about to begin, and everyone was both nervous and excited. After more than two months of hard work, they had finally reaped the rewards. Thirteenth Master breathed a sigh of relief, but his heart was unusually calm. He walked to his desk, wrote a letter to Fourth Master, and sent it by carrier pigeon.

Beijing

Fourth Master quickly received Thirteenth Master's letter, and excitedly slammed his fist on the table, shouting repeatedly, "Good! Good! Good!"

Li Wei and Seventh Master were discussing matters with Fourth Master in the Hall of Mental Cultivation when they heard Thirteenth Master's good news, and they were also very excited. Seventh Master, seeing Fourth Master's joyful face, clasped his hands and said, "Fourth Brother, it was truly not easy for Thirteenth Brother to find the White Lotus Sect's stronghold this time. We have also made great progress in encircling and suppressing the remnants of the White Lotus Sect around the capital. As long as Thirteenth Brother can wipe out the stronghold in one fell swoop this time, the rest are just insignificant small fry. Fourth Brother's biggest worry will finally be gone..."

The Fourth Prince took the letter and nodded slowly. After thinking for a moment, he said, "The Thirteenth Prince said that the navy is insufficient and we cannot cut off our forces at this time. Lord Li, which navy do you think I should send to provide support?"

Li Wei stood up and asked without hesitation, "Does Your Majesty still remember Shi Lang in Fujian?"

The Fourth Prince's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed with delight, "That's right, and there's also Shi Lang!" Li Wei continued, "Shi Cong has already trained a large number of elite sailors in Fujian, preparing to resist foreign enemies... Now that the country is at peace, the sailors in Fujian and other places are resting and recuperating. Your Majesty can take this opportunity to transfer these sailors to Songjiang Prefecture, so that they can join forces with the Thirteenth Prince to launch a pincer attack on the White Lotus Sect..."

Seventh Master nodded in agreement, saying, "Fourth Brother, Lord Li is right! Shi Cong is Shi Lang's son. He not only has a navy, but also newly built large ships and firepower..."

Fourth Master immediately wrote an order for Shi Cong in Fujian to go north to support Thirteen. After receiving Fourth Master's secret letter, Shi Cong immediately mobilized five large ships, each equipped with a thousand men, and set sail for the Wusong Wharf in Songjiang Prefecture with five thousand men.