The silver moon hung like a hook, the cold wind pierced to the bone, and the bright moonlight sprinkled over the vast snowy mountain forest.

Tens of thousands of Black Armor soldiers encamped at the foot of the mountain, their campfires stretching to the horizon, and from afar, the flags fluttered in front of the commander’s tent.

In Li Weiqiu’s tent, Chen Mo, dressed in a white robe, was discussing the post-battle arrangements against the Desolate Kingdom’s army with the generals. Based on the simulation results of the enemy’s movements, Chen Mo formulated a strategy that seemed flawless with no apparent errors.

The generals were unaware of Chen Mo’s advantage, and out of caution, Chu Ang felt that Chen Mo’s arrangement was somewhat risky, as it involved the Song Army mobilizing every troop from Anchang City to circle behind the Desolate Kingdom’s forces, preventing their retreat across the Yao River.

This meant that Chen Mo intended to trap the entire army of the Desolate Kingdom south of the Yao River and annihilate them.

Such confidence suggested a belief in assured victory in a frontal confrontation.

If they were defeated, lacking reinforcements as the logistical troops took a detour, they would face a total collapse.

Moreover, if the enemy noticed someone circumventing them, Chen Mo’s plan would become difficult to execute.

"My lord, but your wound?" Chu Ang still hoped Chen Mo would reconsider, so he purposely mentioned his injury to advise caution.

"It’s just a minor injury, not a big deal." Chen Mo straightened his back and declared firmly, "I will take full responsibility for this battle. I hope all generals will act according to my orders. Should anyone act on their own accord and miss the opportunity, regardless of who they are, I won’t show mercy."

"Understood..."

Hearing Chen Mo’s stern tone, the generals nodded solemnly and left to make arrangements after the meeting dispersed.

Returning to the commander’s tent, Chen Mo called Gao Zheng and instructed him not to hold back the next day, to use up all the shells, and to do the same with the fire bottle bombs and high-explosive bombs.

Since Yue Yuxi wanted an all-out battle, Chen Mo wouldn’t hold back, putting everything on the line.

...

It’s the 204th day of the great turmoil.

A month had passed since Chen Mo marched north, and Bianliang City was unusually quiet, with everyone awaiting reports from the front lines.

The forty thousand soldiers led by Chen Mo were the last remaining force of the Great Song Imperial Court, so this northern campaign was considered a national effort of the Great Song. Aside from a few exceptions, most people, even the commoners at the lowest levels, hoped for news of victory.

Because they knew that if Chen Mo were to be defeated, there would be a risk of national destruction.

Xiao Yunxi visited the Central Secretariat once again; any battle reports would first be reviewed there before being presented upwards.

However, she was informed by Wu Lu that there were no battle reports, and she returned disappointed.

She had her own sources, knowing that the Mo Bing Platform established by Quan Qiyang received information faster than the Central Secretariat, but Xiao Yunxi was still unwilling to give up hope.

The greater the hope, the more intense the anxiety, a feeling of unease that is incomprehensible to those who don’t experience it.

Especially after having no news for more than a month.

She went to Shenxiao Temple and knelt in front of the Celestial Venerable Divine Statue, clasping her hands in prayer.

Perhaps heaven heard her prayers, for less than a quarter of an hour later, Xiao Qing’Er came rushing over, somewhat excited, "Empress Dowager, the battle report! The battle report from the front has arrived.

The report says that General Chen Mo severely damaged the Dragon Oath Guard of the enemy forces on the Anchang Plain.

The next day, General Chen Mo personally led the army and, in a thunderous and swift move, captured Anchang City within an hour, annihilating nearly ten thousand enemies, with the Desolate Kingdom’s General Ling Zhi severely wounded and fleeing."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunxi was momentarily stunned, and then her face turned slightly red with excitement. She bowed her head to the Celestial Venerable, "Thank you, Celestial Venerable, for your blessing..."

Not only Xiao Yunxi and her followers were thrilled, but as the news spread, all of Bianliang City was abuzz with cheers.

No one knew how many years it had been since a major victory was reported from the frontier. The Great Song’s decline had led to frequent foreign invasions in recent years. The inherent pride of the Great Song people was still there. After all, before this, they had always been the ones to crush these foreign invaders, even if unspoken, the deep sense of loss was undeniable.

Especially after the fall of Tiger Pass, with the Desolate Kingdom advancing south, reports reaching the Capital were all about one city after another being captured by the Desolate Kingdom’s army, and the Song Army being utterly routed.

Now, with the Desolate Kingdom’s army severely damaged by Chen Mo, finally, the people of Bianliang had a moment to hold their heads high.

The streets and alleys of Bianliang City were abuzz with talk of Chen Mo, raising his authority in Bianliang to an all-time high.

Some even joked that people knew only of the War God Chen Mo, not the emperor in the Tai Chi Hall.

...

Yong’an Palace.

Hu Mei’Er, who had been praising the palace maid for making delicious plum cakes, felt that the cakes lost their flavor upon hearing the news, her mouth turning tasteless instantly.

If Chen Mo truly defeated Loulan and resolved the external threats, once he was free, he would undoubtedly intensively reform the court order.

Judging by his handling of the Personal Guard Department, they would be the first to be targeted.

Unlike the total defeat of Zhao Jiang’s million-strong coalition, Loulan was an outside force, and when Chen Mo returned, his authority would peak, and the people would worship him without fault, believing that whatever he did or decided would have its reasons and could be forgiven.

By then, her status as the Empress Dowager of the Western Palace would be useless.

With a single word, she could be thrown into the Imperial Prison.

By then, even if he wished to be emperor, countless would support him.

"I can’t sit idly by any longer... It seems we must act in advance." Hu Mei’Er dismissed the palace maid and ordered Die Wu to summon Shi Si.

"Your Highness." Shi Si bowed to Hu Mei’Er, "Is it related to today’s battle report?"

"Indeed," Hu Mei’Er nodded, ensuring no eavesdroppers, then said, "We must implement our plan ahead of schedule."

"So soon." Shi Si’s pupils contracted, then he said, "Chen Mo left Wu Lu to oversee the court, and Huangfu Hao commands a hundred thousand troops in the Capital Camp. We currently have no way to act."

But Hu Mei’Er shook her head, took out a few black pieces from a jar, and placed them on the chessboard, "I have been operating in the court for many years, and naturally, I have planted many covert pieces in the military. These pieces were originally my trump cards, not to be used until the critical moment..."

Shi Si listened silently, waiting for her to continue.

"Although Chen Mo took the Personal Guard Department’s personnel to the front line and replaced all the generals with his own people, among the generals Huangfu Hao took to Western Shu, Chen Mo did not make replacements, and these generals are responsible for the defense of the Capital." Hu Mei’Er said slowly.

Shi Si raised an eyebrow, "Who are these people?"

Hu Mei’Er smiled, not divulging directly, "You’ll know when the time comes. Master Shi, apart from Nanyang, have Black Shadow gradually transfer the remaining people to the Capital during this period."