Years ago, Yan Sikong received a New Year gift from Yunnan - a very valuable landscape painting by Wu Daozi. When Yan Sikong was teaching Chen Yi in the past, he had expressed his admiration for this master painter many times. Unexpectedly, Chen Yi still remembers it now.

The value of this painting is immeasurable. Yan Sikong can't let it go and takes it out to appreciate it carefully whenever he has free time.

After watching for two days, Feng Ye became unhappy and mocked, "Chen Yi really understands your preferences and knows how to please you."

Upon hearing this, Yan Sikong put the painting away without leaving a trace, and said evasively: "Any scholar would love calligraphy and painting. He doesn't need to understand me, and he wouldn't make a mistake in sending it."

"The imperial court is eyeing Yunnan with eager eyes, and he is still in the mood to send you calligraphy and paintings. I don't think he will be able to have a peaceful year."

"Is there any new news?"

"Since the beginning of winter, Yunnan has been experiencing continuous rain and snow, and the roads are muddy and difficult to pass, so the food supply route must be blocked. If I were the commander-in-chief, I would take this opportunity to besiege the city and cut off Zhongqing's food supply."

"Zhongqing has plenty of food in stock, enough for a year."

"But if we don't besiege now, when the weather improves, it will be easier to travel between cities, and it will be much easier to transport food and rescue. Then it will be even more disadvantageous to besiege again."

"Before I left, I asked Chen Yi to divide the troops. We can't leave all the troops in Zhongqing. He has already arranged the surrounding cities so that we can form a pincer attack and help each other."

"But the imperial court's troops are far superior to Chen Mi's."

Yan Sikong sighed: "We can only focus on defense in this battle. I hope he can hold on."

"One more thing."

"Um?"

Feng Ye raised his eyebrows: "Why, didn't Chen Yu tell you?"

"What's the matter?" Yan Sikong asked puzzledly.

"The spies said that he secretly proposed to the daughter of King Wu."

Yan Sikong didn't care much: "I picked this marriage for him, but it's hard to say whether King Wu will marry his daughter to him, especially since the news that the court is going to suppress the rebellion is spreading everywhere. King Wu has to wait and see at this time."

"If he really joins forces with King Wu, at least Shu will fall under his control, and Guizhou will probably be just around the corner. By then, he will be too powerful, how can we control him?"

"Shu and Guizhou have been plagued by natural disasters in recent years. Those who were capable of rebellion followed you at the beginning. Now most of those left are old, weak, sick and disabled. These two places will not be able to provide him with many troops, so there is no need to worry."

Feng Ye snorted coldly: "When it comes to your mouth, it seems that everything is under your control, so why did you let our prisoner escape like that?"

Yan Sikong knew who Feng Ye was talking about, and he also felt very defeated in this matter.

"I have sent assassins to chase Shen Hexuan." Feng Ye glanced at Yan Sikong, "Once found, kill him without mercy."

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye in a daze.

"Why, you still care about our friendship? He can stop my army of tens of thousands with just a few thousand remnants. Keeping such a person will bring endless troubles!" Feng Ye narrowed his eyes, "When have you ever been so soft-hearted?"

Yan Sikong sighed: "I really value his talent too much and have never been willing to kill him... Never mind, let's do as you say." Feng Ye was right. If Shen Hexuan could not be used by them, the only way to get rid of the trouble was to kill him.

"You cherish his talent, but he doesn't appreciate your kindness." Feng Ye said unhappily, "What's more, you gave him to Chen Yi and asked Chen Yi to let him go. This is really the stupidest thing you have ever done."

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly: "You are right, I did do something stupid."

Feng Ye saw Yan Sikong's disappointed look and pinched his chin: "Forget it, just get rid of this person."

Yan Sikong hummed softly.

"Since you like calligraphy and painting, I will ask someone to collect some for you."

"No need to. I admire the calligraphy of famous artists, but I don't necessarily want to own it. Don't waste people's time and money on it."

"It's okay, this is all I can give you." Feng Ye looked at Yan Sikong steadily.

Yan Sikong heard the deep meaning behind Feng Ye. Feng Ye invited him to be the first counselor, but he would not give him the real power of a soldier, but he was not stingy with glory and wealth. The two seemed to be inseparable, but in fact Feng Ye was always on guard against him. What he wanted was certainly not some calligraphy and treasures. One day, he would help Chen Yu to the throne of the emperor, and he would still have to rely on Feng Ye to control the power of civil officials. By then, Feng Ye would have to trust him and give it to him, and he was not in a hurry now.

Feng Ye grabbed Yan Sikong's hand, pulled him closer, and stroked his cheek carefully: "When the grass grows in the ground for horses to eat, that's when I'll send troops to the Central Plains. This trip is extremely dangerous. Will I do as you said and take over the capital?"

"Yes." Yan Sikong raised his head and looked at Feng Ye firmly.

Feng Ye nodded with satisfaction.

"What about you? Will you do as I said, help Chen Yi ascend the throne, and work with me to support the country?"

Feng Ye also said, "Yes."

Yan Sikong buried his face in Feng Ye's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, with a myriad of thoughts in his mind.

After this year, they will really raise an army to fight. No one can predict whether they will win or lose, live or die. It has taken him twenty years to get to this point today.

He will move forward.

——

As expected, the imperial court sent 120,000 troops to Yunnan, vowing to quell the rebellion of the King of Chu. When they received the news, it was already a year later.

Datong was making preparations for war every day, and did not even stop on New Year's Eve.

Before the troops moved, the food and fodder had to be sent ahead. As soon as the snow melted, Yuan Shaoxu escorted the food transport troops out. General Feng Ye asked Feng Changyue to stay in Datong, with 40,000 troops to stay in the rear. The remaining 160,000 troops would be divided into two routes, one to take Qingyang and the other to take Taiyuan. As long as one of these two cities was taken, the door to the Central Plains would be opened.

Datong was not actually far from the capital. If they marched fast, they could reach it in ten days. They also considered leading a large army to attack the Forbidden City directly and catch the capital by surprise. However, after repeated consideration, they found that this plan was not feasible. Unless they could break through the Forbidden City bravely and quickly, otherwise, they would definitely be attacked from the rear by the Central Plains army. In addition, Jiangnan and Huguang were also coming to support. By then, if the capital could not be captured for a long time, they would be like a turtle in a jar, attacked from both sides and would surely be defeated.

Therefore, in order to capture the capital, one must first capture the heartland of the Central Plains and open up the food supply routes in preparation for a protracted war.

Feng Ye gave Yuan Nanyu the military command and ordered him to lead 60,000 troops to capture Qingyang, while he himself would lead 100,000 troops to capture Taiyuan. After careful consideration, Yan Sikong decided to follow Feng Ye because Taiyuan was the key to this battle and was much more difficult to attack than Qingyang.

On the day when spring returned to the earth, an army of 200,000 people swore an oath in Datong, with weapons and armor like clouds and spears like a forest.

Yan Sikong looked at the endless dark army, then looked at the Wolf King in heavy armor and red robe beside him. He was reading a passionate manifesto aloud, with a legitimate reason for his cause. His young and handsome face was filled with lofty ambitions and the arrogance of looking down on the world.

Feng Ye, he finally got his wish to lead an army and had the power to conquer the Central Plains!

Feng Ye drank a bowl of strong liquor, then threw the bowl heavily on the ground. He then stabbed the spear in his hand with a dull bang.

Two hundred thousand soldiers shouted in unison: "Wolf King! Wolf King! Wolf King!"

The sound shakes the world!

Feng Ye raised his hand, and the army fell silent instantly.

"I was given the mandate by my ancestors and established by the people. I swear to quell the national crisis, clean up the emperor's entourage, and support the country of Dasheng. With this, what enemy can't be defeated? With this, what achievement can't be accomplished?!"

"Wolf King! Wolf King! Wolf King!"

Feng Ye listened to the shouts that shook the heavens and the earth, his face full of heroism. He clenched his fists again, and the army fell silent again.

"Although a man must die, he must die for a good cause. Promotion to a higher position and a name in history are all due to the sword in your hand!" Feng Ye turned over, mounted his horse, and shouted, "Let's go—"

The gongs and drums sounded in unison. This day will be recorded in the history of Datong forever.

Feng Ye looked down at Feng Hun, who was standing at his feet in light armor and looked majestic. Then he looked up at Yan Sikong beside him, his eyes flashing with the burning will to hunt.

Yan Sikong nodded at him, his eyes firm and unwavering.

Set out to compete for the world.