Hearing Zhao Zheng's urging words, Old Chen didn't even blink, but calmly replied.
"This old man is incompetent, and I only have three strategies in mind: the best, the middle, and the worst. The best strategy is to hand over General Li Ge. In that case, Your Highness's strength will not be affected in any way. And I also believe that with General Li Ge's loyalty to Your Highness, he will never reveal what Your Highness has done."
Upon hearing this, everyone present wore a strange expression, especially the generals under Zhao Zheng, who glared angrily at Old Chen.
At the same time, she looked at Zhao Zheng with great tension, as if she was afraid that Zhao Zheng would give such an order.
Zhao Zheng's face darkened at this moment, clearly displeased with Elder Chen's words.
"Please, Elder Chen, explain your two worst strategies."
Although Zhao Zheng was furious inside, he still forced himself to speak, clearly indicating that he still needed Elder Chen's help.
However, this also made Zhao Zheng even more inclined to introduce another group of scholars.
"Alright, then the middle strategy is for us to rebel directly. Our army now controls a million miles of Central Plains and has countless elite troops under our command. We can put up a fight against the Northern You Empire."
Old Chen's face remained expressionless, as if he were simply stating a fact.
Zhao Zheng's expression immediately turned even colder, because Old Chen's words seemed to be mocking him.
However, upon looking at the generals beside him, Zhao Zheng could read the immense desire in their eyes. Clearly, they all wanted Zhao Zheng to rebel immediately.
"Old Chen, that's a bad idea."
Zhao Zheng couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
"Ah, Your Highness, do you still need to ask about a bad idea? In my opinion, this is a terrible idea."
Old Chen pretended to be very shocked and said.
"explain."
Zhao Zheng coldly uttered a single word.
"In my opinion, the original commander of Nanyaguan has been sidelined by us. How many people in Nanyaguan have actually seen him? So why not just find someone to pretend to be the commander of Nanyaguan? However, if the Empress of Beiyou summons the commander back to the capital, then everything will be exposed."
"Alright, find someone who looks similar and have them impersonate the commander-in-chief."
Zhao Zheng immediately approved the so-called plan.
However, Zhao Zheng's expression was still very unpleasant.
Because he suspected that Old Chen was deliberately messing with him, he actually rearranged the order of all the schemes.
However, since it had already been decided, Zhao Zheng couldn't say anything more.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Zhao Zheng spoke again.
"Our next goal is to conquer the Xia Kingdom, then the entire Central Plains will become our backyard, and we will be able to raise an army."
Upon hearing this, the previously disappointed generals instantly perked up, as if they had seen hope at this moment.
And a clever general immediately knelt down and said.
"Your Highness, this humble general is willing to serve as the vanguard and do my utmost to help Your Highness conquer the Xia Kingdom."
The other generals, upon seeing this, all knelt down, hoping to be allowed to join the battle.
Seeing the excited expressions of these generals, Zhao Zheng couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.
"I understand the feelings of you soldiers, but my approach this time is still small-scale. So you should focus on training and preparing for our northern expedition against Beiyou."
Upon hearing this, all the generals present were filled with great hope, but he did not say anything more.
However, Old Chen frowned deeply and couldn't help but ask.
"Your Highness, do you know that the Xia Kingdom is not a small country? Even the Empress of Beiyou was once hindered by the Xia Kingdom. It will be difficult to take down the Xia Kingdom with petty tricks."
Old Chen's words were full of seriousness. Clearly, in his understanding, taking over the Xia Kingdom would require a huge undertaking, and might even require mobilizing the elite cavalry currently stationed in the Western Desert.
Zhao Zheng waved his hand and said in a very domineering manner.
"Elder Chen, there's no need to say more. I've already arranged for someone else to take care of things in Xia, so Elder Chen need not worry. You'll soon hear the news of Xia's submission."
"Yes, I understand."
Old Chen answered respectfully, but his eyes were full of thought, and even a hint of dissatisfaction, as if Zhao Zheng's actions had displeased him.
However, Zhao Zheng did not understand any of this.
After all, he had no idea of Old Chen's true identity.
Elder Chen had previously supported the Xia Kingdom with Daoist Cangyan, so he was quite clear about some things happening in the Xia Kingdom and was therefore very wary of certain people within the Xia Kingdom.
For example, Li Yuanhuai was an ordinary person whom Elder Chen was very wary of. Although Li Yuanhuai did not have much cultivation, as one of the famous Five Elements on the continent, his achievements were indeed unimaginable to everyone.
Secondly, there is Li Wenshu, the deceased Li Wenshu from Nanding, whose iron spear was also a renowned and formidable weapon.
He already possessed the strength of a half-step supreme being, and even the former Cangyan Daoist commented on Li Wenshu.
It is said that when he picked up the iron spear, he was even able to fight a supreme being for several rounds.
This gives an idea of just how terrifying this ghost of Nan Ding, Li Wenshu, must have been.
Besides these two characters, the royal family of Xia Kingdom and the Ma family are also quite formidable.
There is also a Ma Ruofei in the Ma family of Xia State, but he is very different from Ma Ruofei of Beiyou.
Ma Ruofei of Beiyou was only famous within the Beiyou Empire.
However, Ma Ruofei of the Xia Kingdom was a cavalry general with considerable resources throughout the Central Plains.
Even the now formidable Li Ge and his cavalry are, in Old Chen's eyes, at most, on par with Ma Ruofei's troops.
Besides, the strength of the Xia Kingdom's royal family is also very well hidden.
The mere fact that his royal ancestors were enough to make Elder Chen extremely wary. Back then, the Northern You Empire was so powerful that it even threatened to conquer the entire capital of the Xia Kingdom, yet their ancestors did not choose to take action, which was truly unexpected for Elder Chen.
Therefore, Old Chen was still quite wary of such a cunning old fox.
Now Zhao Zheng is so confident that he can conquer the Xia Kingdom.
In Chen Lao's eyes, Zhao Zheng was completely ignorant and fearless.
However, Zhao Zheng's choice to engage in minor skirmishes suggests that his current forces should not suffer too much damage.
So let Zhao Zheng do as he pleases.
However, Zhao Zheng's words implied the introduction of another group of scholars, which displeased Elder Chen, since Elder Chen had put in a great deal of effort for everything Zhao Zheng had done.
…………
While the Xia Kingdom was being discussed at Nanya Pass.
Three people appeared on the official road of the Xia Kingdom.
Two of them had the appearance of refined gentlemen, like scholars.
As for the last person, he had a very fierce appearance, and the scars on his face told a story of life-and-death battles.
"Brother, you didn't actually need to come. With Uncle Chen and me here, we're sure we can persuade Li Yuanhuai."
Li Yiqiu looked at Li Baiqiu and Chen Zhiyuan beside her and spoke.
"This is the first task assigned by the lord, so it must be completed perfectly. Therefore, I will do it myself."
Li Baiqiu said with a light laugh.
"Um, why did you specifically ask me to accompany you, brother? Why don't I just go to Nanya Pass to find Zhao Zheng?"
Li Yiqiu was clearly dissatisfied with Li Baiqiu's words, because it was obvious that Li Baiqiu did not trust him.
"Call us 'Lord'? We have no merits to speak of yet, how can we possibly meet with you?"
Li Baiqiu sensed the dissatisfaction in Li Yiqiu's words.
"Okay, I understand."
Li Yiqiu shook his head helplessly. After all, his elder brother was like a father to him, so he could only obediently comply with Li Baiqiu's scolding.
"Young masters, we've arrived. I'll go knock on the door first."
The three of them dismounted outside a farmhouse.
Chen Zhiyuan, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up.
"Okay, Uncle Chen, you must find out whether Li Yuanhuai is inside."
Li Baiqiu gave the instructions.
"clear."
Chen Zhiyuan went over and knocked on the door of the farmhouse.
A short while later, someone opened the door and began negotiating with Chen Zhiyuan.
Li Yiqiu looked around and then asked in surprise.
"Brother, does Li Yuanhuai really live here? This place is so desolate. Li Yuanhuai was once the prime minister of Xia Kingdom. Can he withstand the desolation here? Have we come to the wrong place?"
Li Baiqiu felt the same way about Li Yiqiu's disbelief, but he was much more composed than Li Yiqiu. He gently shook his head and said...
"Li Yuanhuai is no longer the prime minister, so he might actually live here. As for whether he can withstand the desolation here, let's not say more. Those who achieve great things cannot do without a resilient heart."
When Li Baiqiu turned the topic back to lecturing her, a hint of helplessness flashed in Li Yiqiu's eyes.
He was good in every way to his older brother, very smart and well-behaved, but he loved to lecture, especially his brothers and sisters. He would start lecturing them at the slightest disagreement.
In particular, his teachings were quite reasonable, and his brothers and sisters, though they wanted to argue with him, were no match for him, so they could only silently accept his lectures.
Li Yiqiu thought to herself with a sense of helplessness.
Just as Li Yiqiu was lost in thought, Chen Zhiyuan returned to the two of them and said respectfully.
“Young masters, I have found out that Li Yuanhuai is in this courtyard, but Li Wenshu is also in here.”
"The soul of Li Wenshu, the deceased from Nanding?"
Upon hearing the name, Li Baiqiu's expression flashed with a thoughtful look.
Upon hearing Li Wenshu's name, Li Yiqiu's eyes lit up with excitement. In the eyes of some young people, Li Wenshu was truly a legendary hero.
Whether it was sitting alone in the East Sea for three hundred years, suppressing the sea tribes and preventing them from invading the Xia Kingdom, or killing his way into the southern tribes with just a spear and striking fear into the southern barbarians, who from then on revered the Xia Kingdom, these were all legendary figures.
Led by a servant, we entered the farmhouse courtyard.
This farmhouse courtyard is very small. After entering the gate, you will soon arrive at the hall.
As the servant brought tea to the three of them, Li Yuanhuai and Li Wenshu slowly appeared before them.
"Ahem, I wonder what business the three distinguished guests have with this old man?"
Li Yuanhuai asked, somewhat puzzled.
In the two years since Li Yuanhuai stepped down, the area outside his small courtyard has gone from bustling with activity to desolate and deserted, because no matter what political matters others tried to discuss with him, he would always send them away.
So no one came looking for Li Yuanhuai anymore.
As for those who wanted to use force against Li Yuanhuai, they instantly lost all interest after seeing Li Wenshu.
Even when the secret realm appeared before, Li Wenshu never left Li Yuanhuai, but stayed by his side to protect him.
Therefore, it is conceivable that this place is now quiet.
"I am Li Baiqiu, a member of the Li family of Beiyou."
Li Baiqiu was the first to stand up and bow.
After Li Baiqiu finished his introduction, Li Yiqiu and Chen Zhiyuan also stood up and introduced themselves.
After listening to the three people's self-introductions, Li Yuanhuai seemed to recall the past.
"What brings you Northern You people to this old man? To be honest, I have quite a conflict with you Northern You people."
Although Li Yuanhuai said it was contradictory, he didn't actually mean to blame anyone.
"We've come to ask you, Elder Li, to come out of retirement and lend us a hand."
Li Baiqiu stated his purpose directly.
The entire scene fell silent instantly.
Li Wenshu took a step forward, unleashing his full aura as he pressed down on Li Baiqiu and the other two.
"Kid, do you know what will happen after you say that?"
Seeing the pressure from Li Wenshu, Chen Zhiyuan also took a step forward, unleashing the aura of a Venerable One to contend with Li Wenshu.
However, everyone noticed that there was a significant difference between Chen Zhiyuan's aura and Li Wenshu's aura.
Because Chen Zhiyuan was completely at a disadvantage.
"Alright, clerk, stop fooling around. I'm very curious, who are you acting as intermediaries for, trying to persuade me to come out of seclusion?"
Li Yuanhuai said quietly.
Li Wenshu obeyed obediently, instantly dispelling his aura and silently returning to Li Yuanhuai's back, though his eyes remained sharp as he stared at the three of them.
Such a gaze caused the three of them a dull ache.
As for Chen Zhiyuan, although he is also a master at the Venerable level, it is clear from the cold sweat on his forehead that his strength is definitely inferior to Li Wenshu's.
"Elder Li, it's not easy to reveal who our master is. However, I can still reveal a little bit: they have some connection with the Northern You royal family."
"Hmph, you want to act as a lobbyist, but you don't even show any sincerity. Is this a complete disrespect for Elder Li?"
Li Wenshu looked at the three of them with sharp eyes.
Despite Li Wenshu's persistent questioning, Li Baiqiu remained smiling, as if he hadn't heard her at all.
Seeing this, Li Wenshu became even more dissatisfied.
Li Yuanhuai waved his hand lightly and then said with a smile.
"Then let this old man guess. Since it is related to the Northern You royal family and its identity cannot be revealed, it must be a member of the royal family who wants to rebel."
Upon hearing this, Li Yiqiu's expression changed slightly, but Li Baiqiu's expression remained unchanged.
"There are only a handful of royal family members who have this qualification, so should I continue guessing?"
Li Yuanhuai asked with a smile.
"Old Li is wise indeed."
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