Chapter 252: Formulating Strategy Before the Emperor

Under the night curtain, the imperial palace blazed with lights, like an impregnable fortress in a dark tide.

Inside the imperial study beside the Purple Hall, the atmosphere was even more biting than the austere autumn wind outside.

Chen Wen sat behind the writing desk, not wearing the elaborate dragon robe, still in a plain dark outfit conducive to movement, but the lingering fatigue in his brows and the cold, starlike light deep in his eyes revealed the pressure he bore and the resolve he had gathered.

Zhang Cheng, Wang Pu, Qian Gui, Wang Ru, and even the urgently summoned Minister of Works Zhao Lao Nian had all arrived.

Every face bore solemnity, and the air was thick with the oppression of an impending battle.

"All are here."

Chen Wen's gaze swept over each senior official present; his voice was calm and waveless, yet it carried an inherent authority.

"What the current situation is, you all know clearly."

"I don't want empty talk; I want the truth and countermeasures."

He first looked toward Qian Gui.

"Qian Gui, twelve shichen have passed, and two shichen have already gone."

Qian Gui drew a deep breath, stepped forward, the bloodshot in his eyes grew heavier, yet his gaze sharpened like a blade.

"Qian Gui, I have locked onto three persons and am conducting a final sweep."

"They are… the former Later Zhou Privy Council Commissioner, now Vice Minister of War Sun Jing; the former Kaifeng Prefectural Judge, now Section Chief of Ministry of Punishment Li Congshan; and… the Director of the Wardrobe Bureau, the eunuch Fu An."

Upon hearing these three names, Zhang Cheng, Wang Pu, and the others furrowed their brows slightly.

Sun Jing oversaw the transmission of part of the military orders;

Li Congshan was responsible for prison records and had the authority to examine many files;

while Fu An could frequently access the inner palace, making message transmission extremely convenient.

Whoever among them is the "Cold Crow" could cause massive destruction.

"Evidence?"

Chen Wen spoke concisely.

"Sun Jing and Li Congshan, before and after the assassination of Minister Zhang and Mr. Wang, their movements had unexplained gaps, and their residences or offices had recently shown weak energy fluctuations resembling residual Nether Energy Crystal Ore; although deliberately concealed, a trace was still caught by the 'Crystal-sniffing Hound.'"

Qian Gui spoke extremely quickly.

"As for Fu An… the Wardrobe Bureau under his charge, when clearing out old items the day before yesterday, discovered a set of low-ranking eunuch's clothing missing. Moreover, last night outside Wang Mr.'s official residence, a hidden guard vaguely saw a slender figure of an 'eunuch' fleeing swiftly, whose build resembled Fu An by seventy percent."

"For now, all three are under strict surveillance, yet they show no movement, apparently also waiting for news."

"I need an opportunity, or… Your Majesty's authorization, permitting me to carry out some more direct 'probing.'"

What Qian Gui meant by 'probing' was understood by everyone present.

In extraordinary times, one must employ extraordinary measures.

Chen Wen pondered briefly, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"Approved."

"I only want results."

"Yes!"

Qian Gui received the order, stepped aside, and already had made his decision in his heart.

Chen Wen then turned his gaze to Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru.

"How is the populace's sentiment and livelihood recovery within the city?"

Zhang Cheng clasped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, Minister Wang has handled affairs properly; the people's sentiment is gradually stabilizing, the main streets have been cleared, relief efforts are orderly, and although prices fluctuate, they remain within controllable limits."

"However… grain transport, due to damaged ships and panicked hearts, operates at only sixty percent of normal efficiency, placing immense pressure on provisions for the front lines in North River and Jin Prefecture."

Wang Ru added:

"Although the populace is temporarily calm, panic still lingers; if external warfare continues to go poorly, or if another disturbance arises within the city, further turmoil may ensue."

Chen Wen nodded, then looked toward Wang Pu.

"What is your view on the external situation, Mr. Wang?"

Wang Pu stroked his beard, pondered, and slowly said:

"Your Majesty, the enemies from all directions appear tumultuous, but each has its own calculations."

"Southern Tang's Li Jing is indecisive; within his court, the war and peace factions are deadlocked, and his troop deployments at the border are mostly bluster, intended to probe. As long as our court remains orderly and we display sufficient strength and resolve, he will not dare to launch a northern invasion first."

"Northern Han's Liu Jun is brave but lacks strategy; his all‑out assault on Jin Prefecture, incited and supported by the Iron Crow Army, aims to pin down our main forces; if Jin Prefecture holds or we deal him a heavy blow, his arrogance will surely be quelled."

"The greatest danger lies in the alliance of North River's Liu Yanzuo and the Iron Crow Army."

"The Iron Crow Army's strange death warriors have already given our forces a bitter taste; if we cannot find a way to counter them, the North River campaign may stall long‑term or even worsen. Should the Khitan then seize the opportunity to advance south, or the Southern Tang perceive an opening, the overall situation would be lost."

He paused, then concluded:

"Therefore, the crux at present lies in three points."

"First, swiftly stabilize the interior, ferret out the 'Cold Crow,' and thoroughly eliminate hidden dangers in Bian Liang."

"Second, break a stalemate on one external front, reverse the battlefield situation, and boost military and civilian morale."

"Third, find an effective means to counter the Iron Crow Army's death warriors."

Wang Pu's analysis was clear‑cut and got straight to the heart of the matter.

Everyone's gaze finally settled on the perpetually silent Zhao Lao Nian.

This Minister of Works now held a metal disc that was far more refined than before, yet still appeared coarse, its surface covered with more intricate patterns, with a small piece of processed Nether Energy Crystal Ore set in its center.

"Minister Zhao, this falls squarely on your shoulders."

Chen Wen's voice carried a hint of anticipation.

Zhao Lao Nian lifted his head, his eyes bloodshot yet flashing with excitement.

"Your Majesty, ladies and gentlemen, the 'Disturbing Crystal' device has made a breakthrough!"

He raised the metal disc in his hand.

"According to feedback from the previous actual combat, I, the old minister, have improved the energy circuit; although it still cannot be sustained for a long time, its power intensity has increased by about thirty percent, and its duration has been extended by five breaths!"

"More importantly, I have discovered that if multiple improved 'Jamming Crystal' devices are arranged in specific formations, the interference fields they generate can resonate and stack, producing an effect far greater than a simple sum of one plus one equals two!"

"However… this device consumes a significant amount of Yuen-energy crystal ore, its manufacturing process is complex, and current production capacity is limited."

Chen Wen's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"How many can be made?"

"By expending all the Ministry of Works' inventory and manpower, we can produce fifty improved 'Jamming Crystal' devices, along with three sets of matching simple formation plates, within five days."

Zhao Lao Nian answered affirmatively.

"Good!"

Chen Wen rose abruptly, walked to the large hanging map.

Everyone's gaze followed him there.

He knew he had to make a decision.

"Beset by internal and external troubles, we cannot launch attacks on all fronts; we must concentrate our forces, strike at a single point, and break the stalemate!"

His finger first pointed to Bian Liang.

"If the interior is not stable, then everything is for naught."

"Qian Gui, I give you another six hours! Spare no expense to root out the 'Cold Crows' and purge internal threats!"

"Your servant obeys!" Qian Gui responded resolutely.

His finger then moved toward Hebei.

"Liu Yanzuo's collusion with the Iron Crow army poses the greatest threat, although Han Tong and Zhang Yongde have recently suffered defeats, their morale is low, and the Iron Crow's elite warriors are tenacious, making a quick victory unlikely in the short term."

"Issue my command: order Han Tong and Zhang Yongde to switch from offense to defense, rely on their fortifications, hold the line, and not advance recklessly."

"Once I have resolved the dangers elsewhere, I will personally lead the great army to plow their courtyards and sweep their nests!"

His finger finally came down heavily on Jinzhou!

"This is where the breakthrough lies!"

"Northern Han's Liu Jun has come with all his strength; he appears fierce, but his reserves are insufficient, and his domestic front is not monolithic."

"If Jinzhou falls, the gateway to Hedong will be flung open, allowing the Northern Han forces to point directly at Lu and Ze, threatening Luoyang's flank and shaking the foundations of the state!"

"Conversely, if we can deliver a heavy blow to Liu Jun beneath the walls of Jinzhou, the northern threat will be instantly removed, greatly deterring the Southern Tang and boosting the morale of the entire nation's military and populace!"

He turned his body, his piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"My intention is decided!"

"I will personally lead twenty thousand elite palace guards northward, taking with me all the 'Jamming Crystal' devices produced by the Ministry of Works, to rush to Jinzhou's aid!"

"We will unite with the forces of Shi Dun, coordinate with Li Hongli inside and out, and crush Liu Jun!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.

"His Majesty intends to personally lead the campaign!"

"Your Majesty!"

Zhang Cheng hastily spoke.

"The capital is of great importance; Your Majesty's person is worth a myriad of gold—how can you act lightly? If anything were to happen…"

"My intention is decided!"

Chen Wen cut him off decisively.

"In Bian Liang we have Chancellor Zhang, Mister Wang, and Minister Wang holding the fort, and Qian Gui will purge internal threats; I am at ease!"

"At this moment, if I do not personally go to the front lines, it will not be enough to turn the tide!"

He looked toward Zhao Lao Nian.

"Minister Zhao, you shall accompany me; the deployment of the 'Jamming Crystal' devices requires your personal guidance."

Zhao Lao Nian, his face flushed with excitement, bowed and said:

"The old minister receives your command! I will surely not disappoint Your Majesty's trust!"

Chen Wen finally gazed at the map, his eyes seeming to pierce thousands of mountains and rivers, landing upon the blood-soaked, struggling city of Jinzhou.

"Internal affairs pacified, entrusted to Qian Gui."

"State affairs and the people's livelihood, entrusted to Chancellor Zhang, Mister Wang, and Minister Wang."

"For breaking the external deadlock, I will go myself!"

"This battle concerns the fate of the nation!"

"I hope that all of you will unite your efforts, work together, and overcome this crisis!"

"The vast vortex of fortune and energy within him, upon this firm and resolute strategy being set, seemed to break free from some restraint, suddenly accelerating its spin, becoming more substantial and lively!"

"The growth progress bar, at the 70% mark, imperceptibly moved forward a small but determined step, reaching 71%."

"An intangible belief and power filled the hearts of everyone in the imperial study."

"Your servants shall faithfully obey your edict!"

"May Your Majesty's banner bring victory and a triumphant return to court!"

"All responded in unison, their voices carrying the resolute determination to break the cauldrons and sink the boats, coupled with soaring fighting spirit."

The storm has already arrived, and they will advance into the wind!