Chapter 380: All Sides' Strategic Contention

And in the Cloud Prince's Mansion, Su Kai also did not fall asleep.

He sat in the study, turning a chess piece in his hand, as if contemplating how the next move should be made.

His own son, Su Ye, had already received his letter and must therefore have learned of the entire plan.

He looked forward to Su Ye's response, and also to the final outcome of this game.

At the same time, Da Qian's capital.

The night was as dark as ink; within the Da Qian Imperial Palace, lights flickered sparsely, layer upon layer of palaces looming faintly in the darkness, as if narrating the splendor and weight of the royal house.

The Da Qian Emperor, Si Xiaofei, stood alone in the Imperial Study; beside him, his attendant, the personal eunuch who had accompanied him since childhood, lowered his eyelids and stood silently in attendance.

The atmosphere between them was silent and solemn, as if even the air had frozen.

"The Yellow Turban Army should be about to enter Qianzhou, right?"

Finally, the emperor broke this long silence; his voice was somewhat bewildered, yet also resolute.

Behind the brilliance of imperial power, the great clans were like ancient trees with tangled roots, deeply rooted in this land, their lush foliage already shading the radiance of the imperial house.

After generations of accumulation, these clans' influence in the court grew day by day, becoming a force that could not be ignored.

Yet, how could the imperial authority tolerate challenge?

The previous emperor of Si Xiaofei had long sensed the threat posed by the great clans.

Under this immense pressure, the former and current emperors of the Da Qian dynasty began to lay careful plans, aiming to weaken the clans' strength in order to consolidate imperial rule.

The aforementioned top war god of the Da Qian dynasty, who had been taken away by the previous emperor and once stood alongside Nan Gong Tianxia as a pillar of the state, was precisely the illustrious representative put forward by the clans.

His death not only caused the clans to lose a great general, but also revealed the covert struggle between the imperial house and the clans.

Under the imperial house's clever scheming, this war god ultimately embarked on a path of no return.

His downfall, like a brilliant star falling from the heavens, shook the entire Da Qian dynasty.

In addition to their grief, the clans also sensed the imperial house's determination and power to weaken them.

In these earlier schemes, the imperial house displayed superb political skill.

By exploiting the clans' internal contradictions, dividing and weakening them, they gradually devoured the clans' strength.

And the death of this top war god was precisely a key link in the imperial house's layout.

His departure not only weakened the clans' military strength, but also dealt them a heavy psychological blow.

Within the imperial house, the two emperors plotted together, step by step.

They fully understood that the clans' strength must not be underestimated, so each step was taken with extreme caution, lest they alert the enemy.

In this silent contest, the relationship between the imperial house and the clans became ever more subtle and tense.

And as the layout deepened, the clans began to feel the immense pressure emanating from the imperial house.

They realized that they were gradually falling into a trap set by the imperial house.

However, the clans were not the sort to sit and await destruction.

They began to actively seek countermeasures, attempting to break the imperial house's layout and revive the clans' prestige.

The Taiping Sect, and even the Yellow Turban Rebellion, was merely a beginning!

Likewise, while the clans used the Yellow Turban Army, how could the Da Qian imperial house not be doing the same?

Otherwise, given Da Qian's centuries-old foundation in the Five Provinces of the Central Region, how could the Yellow Turban Army have stirred up such a great turmoil?

It had long been crushed in the cradle by Da Qian's Surveillance Bureau.

Where did all this come from!

The Yellow Turban Army was nothing more than a knife forged jointly by the Da Qian imperial house and the many clans of Da Qian.

As for whom this knife will ultimately slash—

—it will depend on each one's abilities.

Upon hearing Si Xiaofei's words, the attendant slightly lifted his head, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He deeply understood the emperor's resolve, and also grasped the heaviness and helplessness behind this decision.

"Your Majesty, this move carries enormous risk; should the Yellow Turban Army lose control, it would likely endanger the safety of the entire Da Qian."

The attendant pondered, then spoke softly.

"Risk? In this world, is there any danger greater than the clans? They are like a bone-deep carbuncle—if not removed, there will be no peace!"

"I would rather endure the pain of scraping bone to heal the wound, than fail to inflict a heavy blow upon these clans."

Si Xiaofei gave a cold chuckle, his fingers rubbing the imperial seal in his hand.

The attendant remained silent, knowing the emperor's resolve was set; any persuasion would be futile.

He could only silently support the emperor, accompanying him through these difficult years.

"Qianzhou, as the location of Da Qian's capital, is the Qianzhou of the Da Qian imperial house, and also the Qianzhou of the numerous clans."

"As the Qianzhou where Da Qian's capital resides, the clans' power is actually the strongest! How absurd!"

"This time, the Yellow Turban Army's assault on Qianzhou is meant to deal the clans a heavy blow."

"I want them to know that this world ultimately belongs to me!"

Si Xiaofei walked to the window, gazing at the night outside, and spoke with sorrow.

"Your Majesty, although this move can inflict a heavy blow on the clans, in the end it is the countless subjects of Da Qian in the Five Provinces of the Central Region who will suffer."

The attendant let out a soft sigh.

"I know, but prolonged pain is worse than short pain."

"For the future of Da Qian, for the stability of the imperial house, I must do this."

The emperor turned around, his gaze fixed firmly on the attendant.

The attendant lowered his head and said nothing more.

He understood the emperor's anguish and resolve, and also knew that he could not change anything.

I can only silently pray, praying that this bone-scraping healing will succeed, praying that Great Qian will usher in a new dawn.

Soon, soon.

The night breeze blew gently, carrying away the day's clamor and heat, yet it could not dispel the tension and excitement of this power struggle.

All factions secretly schemed and plotted against each other, all for that final victory.

And in this game, who will become the true winner—only time can give the answer.

In the days that followed, Su Ye and Meng Zhang's secret letters flowed like a steady stream, continually discussing the details of the impending operation.

The two were like masters playing chess, carefully laying out their plans, step by step, to ensure the plan was flawless.

And under Su Ye's strict training, the Cangzhou Army also began to show its edge, morale high among the soldiers, awaiting the moment they would break free of their cocoons and become butterflies.

That morning, the sunlight arrived as promised, golden light spilling over the mighty pass; the ancient city walls looked even more solemn and dignified in the dawn.

Su Ye stood upon the city wall, his armor gleaming with a cold light in the sun, his longsword seeming to thirst for blood.

As the sun rose slowly, the Yellow Turban camp also grew lively.

Soldiers bustled back and forth between the tents, some preparing breakfast, others sharpening weapons—a tense yet orderly atmosphere of preparation.

Yet beneath this calm surface, turbulent currents lurked.

As the Yellow Turban Commander, Meng Zhang held a pivotal position in the Yellow Turban Army; the false information he deliberately leaked quickly spread throughout the army.

He claimed that several Great Qian generals behind the Cangzhou Army were poised to launch a fierce assault on its rear at any moment, aiming to create a pincer with the Yellow Turban Army.

This news hit like a heavyweight bomb, causing an uproar in the Yellow Turban Army.

This news will not expose his identity as a snitch, after all this time the information is true!

It's just aimed at people.

It's a bit uncertain.

(End of chapter)