Chapter 751

First Volume, Chapter 751: The Chaos of Sangzhou

Chen Si stared at the map, and combining it with the intelligence just delivered by the Night Owl, he suddenly realized: Qin Feng's disruption of Sangzhou was far more complex than merely creating a buffer between the two nations!

If Sangzhou became a buffer zone, it would mean Qin Feng's stance was "peace first, war secondary," since this buffer, in essence, was meant to deter Di and make it difficult for Di to launch attacks against Liang, thus establishing a standoff to facilitate peace between the two kingdoms.

But now, Chen Si realized he had underestimated Qin Feng's malicious intent.

Beside him, Li Yu frowned deeply and asked in a low voice: "General Chen, what did you just say? Sangzhou is about to descend into chaos? But isn't Sangzhou already lost? What does chaos even mean here?"

Chen Si's face was grim beyond measure; he paced back and forth behind the table, visibly agitated: "Your Night Owl reported that the Garrison Commander of Xiongying Ridge, Ma Tingyun, was killed by Qin Feng."

"At first, I couldn't understand it."

"After all, the entire city surrendered, and Ma Tingyun was a capable officer—given Qin Feng's usual conduct, he would have treated him well. Why kill him outright? Now I finally understand!"

"Ma Tingyun once served under me as a Mobile Captain; further back, he had followed Zhong Ling and launched several surprise raids within Liang territory. Not only was his military skill exceptional, but he was also a man of unyielding resolve, utterly loyal to Di. Based on my knowledge of Ma Tingyun, if he knew the city was doomed, he would have led his entire army out to fight Qin Feng to the death."

"Qin Feng killed Ma Tingyun because he feared Ma's high prestige—among the surrendered troops, many would still be loyal to him, merely bowing under pressure. If Ma Tingyun raised his arm and called out, countless would answer! At that point, Qin Feng's scheme could collapse entirely."

Li Yu's frown deepened further; though he was Di's foremost intelligence chief, his strategic foresight in military matters fell far short of Chen Si's.

Li Yu forced himself to ask humbly: "What exactly is Qin Feng's scheme? What does the chaos of Sangzhou signify?"

Chen Si pointed at the map: "Lord Li, look here—this is the Xiongying Ridge Fortress. I'm certain Qin Feng will station troops there, using it as a stronghold to guard the front and prevent our army from advancing even a step. And here—this is where Lü Ci and the Rebel Army are stationed."

"This rebel force flies the banner of restoring Imperial Orthodoxy and is nestled between Xiongying Ridge and the Liang Kingdom North Border—perfectly secure."

"Although Sangzhou's military forces have been nearly wiped out, the civilians remain. The Wild Emperor Party will use Sangzhou as a starting point to recruit soldiers, gather supplies, grow stronger, and eventually march north!"

If it were merely Lü Ci—even with Li Chou, that useless military advisor—Chen Si wouldn't have cared much.

After all, those two bunglers, even bound together, could never amount to anything.

But the problem lies in Qin Feng lurking in the shadows, stoking the flames—this Wild Emperor Party force will grow at an astonishing rate.

Li Yu finally grasped the stakes, his eyes widening in astonishment: "This Qin Feng is truly Di's harbinger of doom!"

"Could even the earlier peace talks have been part of his plan? Is there such a genius—almost demonic—in this world?!"

Though Chen Si refused to admit it, facts spoke louder than arguments: Qin Feng took one step and planned ten ahead. As soon as the National War ended, he had already mapped out the entire course of the peace talks; and halfway through the talks, he had already sketched out the subsequent "Chaos of Sangzhou"!

Even if Lü Ci and Li Chou had not surrendered, Qin Feng would have recruited men from elsewhere!

The "buffer zone" plan appeared to be a brazen invasion, provoking Di's fury—but that very fury blinded everyone, creating an illusion… and that was Qin Feng's killing move. No one realized the buffer zone was merely an appetizer; the real killing blow was still coming!

Chen Si slammed his palm on the table, his face ashen: "Now that peace talks have begun, Qin Feng still seeks to destroy Di—how outrageous!"

Beside him, Li Yu remained strangely silent. As both intelligence chief and court official, he knew well: if roles were reversed, he too would have no hesitation in annihilating Liang. After all, a dead nation is a good nation!

"General Chen, do you see any way to unravel Qin Feng's scheme?" Li Yu asked urgently.

Chen Si took a deep breath, his gaze resolute: "Difficult. But even if it's impossible, we cannot stand idly by to be slaughtered. If the Chaos of Sangzhou spreads unchecked, the consequences will be catastrophic. Even halting the growth of the Wild Emperor Party will benefit us immensely in dealing with Sangzhou later."

Li Yu nodded: "I understand! General Chen, I'll go to the palace immediately and beg His Majesty to issue an Imperial Decree summoning the Snow Wolf Brigade to exterminate Lü Ci and the Rebel Party!"

Chen Si gestured for him to go, having no other option, but added: "Lord Li, speed is paramount—do not let the Snow Wolf Brigade get bogged down. Once Qin Feng's troops entangle them, even the most elite force, isolated and unsupported, will likely be doomed."

Li Yu understood perfectly: though Sangzhou was nominally still Di territory, its true master was Qin Feng.

A lone force must strike like lightning!

Less than one Envoy later, the Di Emperor had learned of the matter. Without hesitation, he issued the decree to deploy the Snow Wolf Brigade.

Before Li Yu departed, the Di Emperor said gravely: "One more thing! Appoint Chen Si as Right Vanguard Commander-in-Chief—both the Xiongying and Snow Wolf Brigades are now under his full command!"

Watching Li Yu's retreating back, the Di Emperor drew a deep breath. At that moment, he finally understood why the brilliant Liang Emperor had always yielded to Qin Feng. To deal with a man of such demonic intellect, one must be utterly vigilant—any lapse could mean death without burial.

Two days later, Chen Mou, Main General of the Snow Wolf Brigade, received an urgent dispatch from the Ministry of War.

Upon reading the letter, Chen Mou remained calm, set it down, picked up his helmet, and walked out, issuing a low command: "Order the Third Battalion to prepare for battle—exterminate the rebels, quell the chaotic faction!"

"I will lead the army personally—we must decide victory or defeat within one night!"

The Snow Wolf Brigade was a true Expeditionary Brigade, vastly different from conventional "Brigade" units—its strength alone reached six thousand!

One brigade, five battalions; even the Third Battalion alone numbered a thousand cavalry—more than most "Brigade" units.

The messenger rode ahead; Chen Mou, followed by over twenty personal guards, galloped out of the Camp.

The Third Battalion had already advanced and established a garrison half a month ago—less than a hundred Li from Yan'nan Pass, where Lü Ci was stationed.