With Murong Xuan's defeat, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's camp enjoyed a brief moment of tranquility, but beneath this tranquility lay a tense yet orderly process of healing and rest.

Inside the medical tent, the place was overflowing with wounded soldiers, their groans of pain mingling with the sounds of their labored state. The medics bustled about, beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads, but they had no time to wipe them away. They meticulously cleaned, applied medicine, and bandaged the wounds, each movement precise and gentle, careful not to inflict further suffering on the wounded.

A young military medic was intently tending to a soldier with a severe abdominal wound. The wound was deep and long, blood still seeping out. The medic's hands trembled slightly, but his eyes were filled with unwavering determination. He first disinfected the wound with strong liquor. The soldier tensed up from the excruciating pain, letting out a muffled groan. The medic quickly comforted him softly, "Brother, bear with it, it'll be over soon." Then, he skillfully stitched up the wound, the needle weaving through the flesh, each stitch imbued with his heart and hope. After stitching, he carefully applied a special herbal ointment and then bandaged it layer by layer with clean gauze.

Lin Wan'er was also helping out in the military medical tent, her figure like a warm ray of light. She personally brewed nourishing medicinal soups for the seriously wounded, the rising aroma filling the entire tent. She carefully fed the soups to the wounded, her eyes full of concern and pity. "Drinking this medicine will help you recover faster," she whispered. One wounded soldier was dejected due to the severity of his injuries; Lin Wan'er held his hand and gently encouraged him, "Don't give up. You are a brave warrior; you will definitely overcome your pain."

On the other side of the camp, soldiers were resting and preparing their equipment. Some were polishing their weapons, gleaming their longswords and spears until they shone, the blades flashing coldly as if expressing their eagerness for the next battle; others were repairing their armor, carefully inspecting every tear and reinforcing it with tough leather and metal plates to ensure reliable protection in future battles.

An experienced veteran was instructing young soldiers on the proper maintenance of their weapons. He picked up a spear and demonstrated, saying, "First, wipe the spearhead with an oilcloth to remove the rust and bloodstains, then polish it with fine sandpaper to make it sharper." The young soldiers listened attentively and meticulously followed the veteran's instructions.

Xiao Yichen toured the camp, checking the progress of various tasks. He came to the soldiers' tents to see if their resting conditions were comfortable. He instructed the logistics personnel to ensure the soldiers had sufficient food and clean water, saying solemnly, "The soldiers are fighting on the battlefield; we must provide them with adequate logistical support so they have no worries."

At the same time, Xiao Yichen realized that the soldiers' mental state needed guidance and adjustment after this great battle. He gathered the soldiers for a group talk, and standing on the high platform, he said loudly, "Brothers, we have just experienced a brutal battle, and everyone has paid a heavy price. But we have won, and this is our shared glory. The heroic deeds of those brothers who sacrificed their lives will forever be engraved in our hearts. We must turn our grief into strength and become even stronger." His words were like a warm current flowing into the hearts of the soldiers, comforting and encouraging their exhausted and wounded souls.

During their recovery and rest, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er did not forget to strengthen the camp's defenses. They organized the soldiers to dig deeper and wider trenches around the camp, set up sharp wooden stake traps, built watchtowers at key locations, and arranged for soldiers to stand guard day and night.

The soldiers on the watchtower kept a vigilant watch over their surroundings, not missing a single movement. If anything suspicious was detected, they would immediately sound the alarm. "Stay alert, it's our duty," one soldier on the watchtower said to his comrade.

As time went on, the wounded soldiers' injuries gradually improved, and their physical strength and morale also recovered. The atmosphere in the camp gradually shifted from the initial tension and oppression to a relaxed and energetic one. The soldiers began some simple military training to loosen their muscles and improve their combat skills.

During a training exercise, the soldiers conducted a simulated combat drill. Divided into two teams, they engaged in offensive and defensive maneuvers, constantly summarizing lessons learned and improving teamwork and combat responsiveness. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er watched from the sidelines, offering guidance and commentary from time to time. "That defensive move was good, but you could be more decisive when attacking," Xiao Yichen shouted.

Lin Wan'er focused on observing the soldiers' tactical coordination in battle. She said to a group of soldiers, "When you are flanking, you must pay attention to maintaining close contact with your teammates who are attacking from the front, so as to form an effective pincer attack."

Through this series of treatments, rest, training, and fortification construction, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's army not only recovered and strengthened physically, but also significantly improved their mental and tactical skills. They knew that the threat posed by Murong Xuan had not been completely eliminated, and more challenges awaited them in the future. Only by remaining vigilant at all times and continuously improving their own strength could they gain a foothold in this turbulent land and protect everything they cherished.

In this turbulent and ever-changing land, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er deeply understood the importance of intelligence, which was like eyes and ears to a person—a key factor in determining life and death, victory and defeat. Therefore, after a brief rest and initial reorganization, the two quickly focused their attention on intelligence gathering, meticulously planning and comprehensively deploying resources to seize the initiative in this war without gunfire.

Xiao Yichen personally selected a group of shrewd, capable, resourceful, brave soldiers skilled in concealing their whereabouts to form an elite intelligence squad. These soldiers had all undergone rigorous special training; they not only possessed superb martial arts skills, enabling them to protect themselves and gather intelligence in times of crisis, but also mastered various intelligence-gathering techniques, such as disguise, tracking and surveillance, and secret communication.

Before the intelligence team set off, Xiao Yichen gave them a heartfelt admonition: "Brothers, you are embarking on an incredibly important mission. Although Murong Xuan has suffered heavy losses, he still has the potential to make a comeback. He is meticulous and ruthless, so we must not let our guard down. You must go deep into various places to investigate Murong Xuan's every move, including his troop recruitment, food and supplies preparation, military deployment adjustments, and his secret collusion with other forces. Every piece of intelligence could determine our future, so you must ensure it is detailed, accurate, and promptly relayed back to camp."

The soldiers answered in unison, their eyes revealing unwavering determination and fearless courage. They disguised themselves as all sorts of people: some pretended to be traveling merchants, driving carts laden with goods between towns; others pretended to be down-on-their-luck performers, carrying simple instruments and busking in the streets and alleys, taking the opportunity to chat with passersby and gather information; still others disguised themselves as ordinary farmers, carrying farm tools and working in the fields, while actually keeping a close eye on the surroundings.

One of the soldiers, Zhao Feng, was agile and quick-witted. He was ordered to conduct reconnaissance near the core area of ​​Murong Xuan's territory. Dressed in tattered clothes and carrying a bag full of dry rations, he embarked on a long and dangerous journey on foot. Along the way, he endured wind and rain, carefully avoiding Murong Xuan's patrols, and gradually approached his target.

In a place called Qingyan Town, Zhao Feng noticed an unusually tense atmosphere. The townspeople were all hurrying about, their faces filled with fear, and Murong Xuan's soldiers were frequently patrolling the streets, checking passersby. Zhao Feng realized something was amiss, so he found a secluded inn to stay in and began to gather information from the innkeeper and other guests.

After some skillful maneuvering and patient questioning, Zhao Feng finally learned that Murong Xuan was conducting a large-scale conscription in the area and that the training of the new recruits was extremely rigorous. He also learned that Murong Xuan, in order to solve the food shortage problem, was planning to forcibly requisition grain from the surrounding villages, a move that aroused strong dissatisfaction and resistance among the local people.

Zhao Feng carefully recorded this intelligence and then looked for an opportunity to pass it on. He found the pre-arranged intelligence exchange point—a loose rock—under a large tree outside town. He hid the note with the intelligence written on it under the rock and, following the specific markings, notified the person responsible for receiving the intelligence.

Meanwhile, Lin Wan'er wasn't idle either. She used her connections in the martial arts world to contact some mysterious intelligence organizations. These organizations were widespread, well-informed, and able to penetrate into various hidden corners to obtain information unknown to ordinary people.

Lin Wan'er reached an agreement with these intelligence organizations, exchanging a large sum of money for detailed intelligence on Murong Xuan and other potential enemies. These organizations lived up to expectations, quickly delivering a series of valuable intelligence reports. One report revealed that Murong Xuan was secretly contacting forces that had previously clashed with him but were now worried about Xiao Yichen's rise to power, attempting to form an alliance against Xiao Yichen.

Upon learning this news, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er immediately realized the gravity of the situation. They knew that if Murong Xuan successfully formed such an alliance, they would face immense pressure and challenges. Therefore, they decided to take the initiative. On one hand, they sent envoys to the forces that Murong Xuan had courted, explaining the stakes and exposing Murong Xuan's ambitions and conspiracies to persuade them to change their stance. On the other hand, they strengthened their own military defenses and strategic preparations to guard against a possible joint attack.

During their intelligence gathering, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er also discovered other potential threats. For example, a mysterious bandit group was gradually growing in strength in the border region. This bandit group was well-equipped, operated clandestinely, and frequently harassed passing caravans and surrounding villages, robbing them of their valuables and committing all sorts of atrocities. Although they had not yet colluded with Murong Xuan, if allowed to grow stronger, they could very well become an ally of Murong Xuan or bring new trouble to Xiao Yichen's forces in the future.

In response to this situation, Xiao Yichen decided to send an army to the border region to wipe out this bandit force. Before the expedition, he told his generals, "Although this bandit group may seem like just a rabble, we must not underestimate them. They are familiar with the terrain of the border region and are skilled in guerrilla tactics. We must formulate a meticulous battle plan to both completely eliminate them and minimize our own casualties."

The generals nodded in agreement. The army then marched in a grand procession towards the border region. In the battle against the bandits, Xiao Yichen's army fully utilized its advantages, employing coordinated tactics and overwhelming firepower to gradually corner the bandits. After a fierce battle, they successfully wiped out the bandit force, eliminating this potential threat.

Through this comprehensive and in-depth intelligence gathering and corresponding countermeasures, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er gradually gained the upper hand in the complex and ever-changing situation. They were able to keep abreast of the enemy's movements, prepare in advance, and deal with various possible crises, thus winning valuable time and strategic space for their forces to develop. This also allowed them to take another solid step towards achieving peace, stability, and prosperity in this land full of strife and intrigue.

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er knew that in this complex situation, they could not cope with the many challenges on their own, and an alliance was imperative. Therefore, they summoned their wisest strategists and loyal generals to a meeting in their camp to discuss the alliance that would determine their future.

The atmosphere inside the tent was heavy, everyone fully aware of the importance of this meeting. Xiao Yichen broke the silence first, his gaze sweeping firmly across the room, and slowly began to speak: "Gentlemen, although Murong Xuan has been defeated, his ambition remains, and he is undoubtedly plotting revenge in secret. Moreover, the surrounding forces are eyeing us covetously. If we wish to establish a long-term foothold, forming an alliance is of paramount importance. The reason I have gathered you all today is to discuss strategies for forming an alliance. I hope you will all speak freely."

An experienced, white-haired strategist stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, “General, in my humble opinion, we should prioritize forming alliances with those forces that were oppressed by Murong Xuan. These forces harbor resentment towards Murong Xuan and share a common enemy with us, so their desire for an alliance is likely to be strong. Moreover, they are familiar with the local customs and can provide us with assistance in intelligence gathering and logistical support.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Lin Wan'er continued, "That's right, but we can't ignore the neutral forces either. If we can win them over, it will not only strengthen our alliance but also create a balance among the various parties, preventing other forces from uniting against us. We can demonstrate our strength and sincerity to them and offer them a mutually beneficial agreement."

A young general stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, “General, Miss Lin, I believe that after the alliance is formed, an effective command and coordination mechanism should be established. Otherwise, if each faction acts independently, it will be difficult to form a united force when facing the enemy, and it will only lead to major setbacks.”

Xiao Yichen nodded slightly, praising, "This point is very important. An alliance is not simply a patchwork, but rather a way to unite the forces of all parties into a cohesive whole. We need to formulate common strategic goals, clarify the responsibilities and division of labor of each party, and conduct regular military exercises and intelligence sharing."

At this point, another strategist suggested: "General, when choosing allies, we must also consider their internal stability and loyalty. Some forces are riddled with internal conflicts or are wavering. If we form an alliance with them, things may change at a crucial moment, and they will become a burden to us."

The discussion grew increasingly heated, with everyone expressing their opinions, filling the tent with sparks of intellectual exchange. After in-depth discussions, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er synthesized the opinions from all sides and drafted a preliminary alliance plan.

First, they decided to send capable envoys to those forces that had been oppressed by Murong Xuan, such as the Zhao family in the south and the Qian tribe in the west. The envoys would carry handwritten letters from Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, detailing Murong Xuan's tyranny and ambition, as well as the necessity and benefits of an alliance between the two sides. They also prepared generous gifts to show their sincerity.

For neutral forces, such as the Sun family's business guild in the east and the Li family's sect in the north, a more flexible strategy is adopted. On the one hand, they demonstrate their own advantages and potential in military and economic fields, showing them the bright prospects of an alliance; on the other hand, they understand their needs and concerns, seek common ground for mutual interests, and reach a cooperation agreement through negotiation.

Regarding the alliance's structure, an Alliance Council will be established. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er will serve as the Alliance Leader and Deputy Leader, respectively, with representatives from each alliance force electing to participate in the Council. The Council will be responsible for formulating the alliance's strategic policies, coordinating the actions of all parties, and resolving internal disputes. Militarily, an Alliance Army will be formed, rationally organized according to the strengths and strengths of each party, with a unified command system, and regular joint military training and exercises will be conducted.

With the plan set, the envoys immediately set off, embarking on their journey with the heavy responsibility of the alliance on their shoulders.

The envoy sent to the Zhao family was named Wang Yuan. He traveled day and night, arriving at the Zhao family's territory several days later. The Zhao family had suffered heavy losses during Murong Xuan's expansion; most of their territory had been seized, and their members had been subjected to constant bullying. Wang Yuan met with Zhao Qi, the Zhao family patriarch, and presented him with a letter and gifts. He earnestly said, "Patriarch Zhao, General Xiao and Miss Lin are deeply indignant at Murong Xuan's evil deeds and are determined to fight him to the end. They are aware of the Zhao family's plight and have specially dispatched me to seek an alliance with your family to jointly punish Murong Xuan and reclaim everything we have lost."

Zhao Qi took the letter, read it carefully, and a resolute glint flashed in his eyes: "I, Zhao Qi, am mortal enemies with Murong Xuan. I am deeply grateful for General Xiao and Miss Lin's righteous act. My Zhao family is willing to join the alliance, obey commands, and fight alongside you all."

In the Qian clan of the west, the envoy received a positive response. Although the Qian clan was known for its fierce and warlike people, they were no match for Murong Xuan's army. After hearing the envoy's account, the tribal chief, Qian Meng, laughed heartily and said, "Excellent! Our Qian clan deeply respects heroes and valiant warriors. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's ability to defeat Murong Xuan with fewer troops must be extraordinary. We will join the alliance and fight alongside them, letting Murong Xuan know that we are not to be trifled with!"

The situation was more complex when dealing with neutral forces. The Sun Clan Chamber of Commerce, focused on its commercial interests, worried that the alliance would disrupt its trade in various regions. The envoy patiently explained the alliance's strategic layout and its role in promoting commercial development: "Chairman Sun, Murong Xuan's expansion has severely disrupted trade order in various regions. If we can successfully defeat him and restore peace and stability, it will undoubtedly create a more favorable environment for commercial development. Furthermore, after the alliance is established, we can jointly open new trade routes and protect caravans; your chamber of commerce's interests will only increase."

After a series of difficult negotiations, the Sun Clan Chamber of Commerce was finally persuaded to support the alliance under certain conditions.

The Northern Li Clan had reservations about the alliance's military actions, fearing that involvement in the war would deplete their strength. Upon learning this, Xiao Yichen personally visited the Li Clan and met with their leader, Li Xuan. He presented his military deployments and strategic plans, promising to minimize the Li Clan's risks in the war and guaranteeing them appropriate rewards and status afterward. Li Xuan was moved by Xiao Yichen's sincerity and decided to join the alliance.

As the envoys brought back good news one after another, the alliance gradually took shape. All factions began to integrate and prepare according to plan, and a grander war against Murong Xuan and for maintaining regional peace and stability was about to begin.