Since the grand plan was set and the marriage was announced publicly, Wu Ming and Wu Qing had nothing left to hide and moved directly into the Governor’s Mansion.
Throughout the entire mansion, everyone addressed him as “Master-in-law” with flattery and obsequiousness, making Wu Ming feel quite comfortable.
Especially the female royal guards under Wu Zhi’s command, who looked at Wu Ming with a mixture of boldness and subtle expectation, leaving him initially puzzled, then suddenly enlightened.
“After Wu Zhi marries me, these female guards will inevitably become maidservants in her dowry, meaning they will all become my concubines? Then won’t my inner quarters turn into a military camp? That absolutely won’t do…”
Feeling somewhat awkward, Wu Ming made his way to Wu Zhi’s study.
At this moment, the study was piled high with various documents, and in the middle hung a map of the two prefectures, meticulously marked with every small path and mountain trail—something Wu Ming had never seen before in Zhou dynasty’s records.
Wu Zhi had changed into military attire, appearing even more heroic and spirited. She pointed at the map and said, “This map was drawn after I traveled through both prefectures years ago. I never expected it would finally prove useful!”
She then waved her hand. “Everyone else may leave, except for Chen Weizheng, Chen Yingzheng, and Zeng Wenshu!”
Immediately, the other officials and officers withdrew. Envious glances were cast toward the three who remained, as they were obviously Wu Zhi’s most trusted subordinates.
Of course, the looks directed at Wu Ming were filled with the kind of disdain reserved for opportunistic sycophants, laced with intense jealousy.
“Come, let me introduce them to you!” Wu Zhi stepped forward, her manner affectionate.
“You’ve already met these two Chen relatives, and this one here is Zeng Wenshu. Though newly joined, he possesses remarkable insight and extensive knowledge. He will surely rise to great heights in the future!”
“I am Zeng Yu, at your service, Master Wu!” The young scribe bowed respectfully, his demeanor exuding the refined air of a learned scholar.
“Hmm… It seems that after my dragon fortune was activated, talents are indeed flocking to me quickly!”
With a flicker of his Divine Eye, Wu Ming instantly recognized that Zeng Yu carried great destiny and possessed brilliant literary talent, marking him as a rare genius destined to shape the world.
“I’ve heard his background is quite mysterious. Originally under Shi Yue, he was hunted down until Wu Zhi saved his life. Out of gratitude, he pledged his loyalty to her.”
Chen Jingzong and Chen Shuncheng also stepped forward to greet Wu Ming with deep bows, showing utmost humility, for he was now their superior’s superior.
“Alright, Chen Jingzong, please continue!”
Wu Zhi rubbed her temples. “Everyone here is among my most trusted advisors and pillars. There’s no need to hold anything back.”
“Understood!”
Chen Jingzong bowed and reported, “After reorganization, our Nanfeng Army has seven thousand regular troops, integrated from county and prefectural forces. They are still somewhat usable.”
“However, after the upheaval in Chufeng Prefecture, both Xing Ju and Li Yu seized military authority, expanding their forces to ten thousand troops. Though the quality varies, they can still defend cities, which poses a problem.”
“Nanfeng has seven counties, while Chufeng has eight—roughly similar. But in terms of population and agricultural output, we are slightly inferior.”
Wu Zhi sighed.
Wu Ming’s eyes lit up, understanding this was a common issue among small warlords.
Take Dinzhou, for example, where four regional powers now exist, each controlling one prefecture with roughly equal strength, leading to a stalemate and mutual depletion.
Only when a true genius emerges, capturing another prefecture and using two against one to gain a decisive advantage, can a sweeping victory be achieved.
“Yet this first step is precisely what has stymied countless heroes. That’s why the initial capital is so crucial. Daoist sects often identify hidden dragons to accelerate their rise through fortune. Once this threshold is crossed, conquering prefectures becomes a smooth path.”
Among Dinzhou’s seven prefectures, the largest power still remains the Zhou imperial court.
Even now, it controls three prefectures and holds the moral high ground. However, this advantage is also its weakness.
If the court appoints a capable governor with full military and financial authority, he could unify Dinzhou under imperial rule. But if that governor harbors ambition, he will inevitably break away and seek the throne.
Thus, the court dares not confer such authority, opting instead to appoint mediocre governors and disperse their powers. Currently, the combined strength of the three prefectures scarcely surpasses that of a single warlord faction, barely upholding the court’s moral supremacy.
“What a pity… If the current governor were a man of ambition, he could eliminate the imperial supervisors, privatize the three prefectures’ resources, and unify Dinzhou, even aspiring to the imperial throne!”
In this age of chaos, as warlords rise repeatedly, the imperial court continues to weaken. Dinzhou is no exception to this trend. At its core, it’s all about public versus private interests.
“Therefore, the court’s decline is inevitable, beyond human intervention. The rise of warlords is now the will of heaven. This is also Wu Zhi’s destiny. Otherwise, in times of peace, her actions would immediately provoke universal condemnation. In this era of chaos, with collapsing rites and music, her situation is much better…”
As Wu Ming listened to their strategic discussions, he gained new insights.
“Master Wu seems to have thoughts of his own. Please share them freely!”
Zeng Yu bowed respectfully, his tone sincere.
“Hem-hem…” Wu Ming coughed lightly. Seeing Wu Zhi also looking at him with anticipation, he continued, “In warfare, the highest form is to defeat the enemy’s strategy. In my opinion, our campaign against Chufeng should proceed from two fronts.”
“First, the Nulong River! This river irrigates both prefectures, with an extensive network of waterways. For rapid troop movement, nothing surpasses water transport. If we control it, we gain geographical advantage.”
Wu Zhi said, “The river god Ao Nu was in contact with my family before. He only requires official recognition and temple construction along the riverbank. Not too demanding. But originally, it was only through the combined efforts of my Wu family and the Ding Marquis that he made this choice. I wonder if he still remembers us now?”
“He will definitely remember. Otherwise, once we unify both prefectures, he will fall entirely under our jurisdiction. Although this deity doesn’t rely on human fortune like city gods or land spirits, he will still have concerns.”
In reality, even if Ao Nu were the most unwise, he would at least remain neutral, never aiding Li Yu’s faction.
“What about the second front?”
Chen Shuncheng couldn’t help but ask.
“Second, we must exploit the conflict between Li Yu, the Prefect of Chufeng, and Xing Ju!”
Currently, Li Yu is only the Deputy Prefect, but his father was severely injured during the previous Longmen Gathering and now needs rest, effectively making Li Yu the acting Prefect.
“If it weren’t for this, we wouldn’t have launched this campaign yet!”
Chen Shuncheng muttered discontentedly in a low voice, immediately silenced by a stern glare from Chen Jingzong.
“Oh?”
However, everyone present had keen hearing. Wu Ming merely smiled slightly, not holding it against Chen Shuncheng, but instead saying, “What if I could convince Li Yu to surrender?”
“What?!”
Chen Jingzong was visibly shaken. Zeng Yu exclaimed, “If that’s true, then we would have both the moral high ground and the advantage, bringing countless benefits!”
Even Wu Zhi’s expression changed. “Really?”
“If I went empty-handed, of course there would be no chance. But if we march our army to the border, creating a situation of internal and external pressure, then we would have a fifty percent chance!”
After previously aiding Li Yu with the dragon fortune, Wu Ming had yet to collect any repayment.
Of course, dragons are naturally headstrong and hate being restrained. If Wu Ming had revealed himself earlier, Li Yu might have tried to manipulate him instead, and upon failing, might have even plotted his assassination.
Still, even heroes have their moments of vulnerability. Timing was everything.
…
“What exactly was the meaning behind your words just now?”
After Chen Shuncheng, his uncle, and Zeng Yu left, Wu Zhi specially asked.
She shared the secret of awakening the dragon vein with Wu Ming and was now his fiancée, so their relationship was especially close. At this moment, she had fewer reservations and asked directly.
“Although the Long River dragon god is mysterious, I have no problem subduing him!”
Wu Ming said confidently, “As for Li Yu, I had some connection with him before, and gave him a little help…”
“A little help!?”
Wu Zhi looked at Wu Ming suspiciously, then suddenly widened her eyes. “The Longmen Gathering! It was you!!!”
She got up and paced back and forth, walking faster and faster, as if a major mystery in her heart had finally been resolved. “I always wondered why Li Yu, who was previously mediocre, suddenly rose to prominence, even causing the Wang family great losses and eventual annihilation. It was all your doing behind the scenes!”
“Calling it my doing is going too far!”
Wu Ming sweated slightly. “I merely saw that Li Yu wasn’t meant to perish, and his fortune seemed promising, so I gave him a slight nudge!”
“A slight nudge?”
Wu Zhi’s phoenix eyes shone with light, almost staring directly into Wu Ming’s face. “I’ve been puzzling over who the mastermind was that made all my careful plans fail repeatedly. I never expected it to be my husband!”
“Hehe… After all, we’re family now. Why dwell on this anymore?”
Wu Ming stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her soft, fragrant body. Especially since this was a military command center, thinking about how Wu Zhi had just been issuing orders, it was quite thrilling.
“Alright… I originally wanted to compete with that person, never expecting it to be you, my husband!”
A beautiful blush appeared on Wu Zhi’s face. “I willingly admit defeat to my husband, no need to compete further…”
This rare display of feminine tenderness was quite unusual for her. After some playful affection between the two, they returned to serious matters.
Wu Ming took the tea Wu Zhi offered, took a sip, and continued, “Originally, my support for the Li family was only to disrupt the Wang family’s plans. Of course, afterward, I also hoped to gain some fortune to aid my cultivation. Even with the chaos in the world and dragons rising everywhere, it was also for self-preservation…”
“I originally launched this campaign against Chufeng partly to rescue my sister-in-law from Wu family!”
Wu Zhi added pitifully.
Wu Ming smirked. “However, I later found Li Yu uncontrollable, so I kept that dragon fortune for later use. Now it seems perfectly aligned with your military campaign. The unification of the two phoenixes is truly the will of heaven.”
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