Peace Order-Chapter 1648 - 42: Heavenly Strategy’s Foundation, Prince Qin Enters the Game

Most who are privy to this strategic decision do not quite understand why Prince Qin chose Guan Yi City, a stronghold of Jiangzhou Guard City, as the first target for attack, but Yue Pengwu is among the few who can speculate on the reason.

Li Guanyi leaned against the pavilion, his ink-colored robe sleeves fluttering, and said: "Indeed."

Yue Pengwu said: "Is it for Miss Xue?"

Li Guanyi fell silent for a long time and then said, "In my life so far, she is the one I owe the most."

"A real man’s word, once given, is as unchangeable as a team of galloping horses."

"Yet, a promise made at thirteen takes until twenty to fulfill."

"It seems it’s still too late. Once we are engrossed in worldly affairs, time swiftly passes, and seven years have nearly gone by. Truly, it’s fast—so fast, like a fleeting glimpse of a white steed."

Yue Pengwu looked at the young man, thought of the girl who had gone beyond the northern borders several times, and finally sighed, choosing to give up pursuing the matter, and said: "In that case, it shouldn’t be my responsibility to lead that path, so I wish the King well in still achieving his desires."

He raised his cup and said: "Youthful pledges fulfilled at the age of majority, even in historical records, will be chronicled in full, allowing one to look back centuries later."

Prince Qin merely smiled and nodded.

As the wine glass was lifted, the wind rustled, fresh blossoms on the trees fell into the cup, and thus in this chaotic world, amidst the sharp blades and bloodshed of the war outside Xiyi City, everything filled the glass.

"When I was young, I once secretly skipped classes with Miss and other noble young ladies. I was more spirited than now, dragging her running amok in the city."

"We went to the market in the neighborhood, and it rained, so we hid from the rain in a teahouse."

"I remember playing the zither back then, singing about raging waves sweeping snow, and I still remember the Miss slipping from the tree and carrying her back. The scenery of South Chen was excellent, the trees on both sides ancient, and when they bloomed, the breeze that brushed against pedestrians’ sleeves was fragrant."

"I don’t know if it was the fragrance of her robe or the scent of South Chen’s flowers."

"Now when I think about it."

"At this time of year."

"Flowers have bloomed on both sides of the avenues in South Chen."

Li Guanyi tipped back his neck to drink the wine in the cup, got up to discuss strategy with Yue Pengwu, bade farewell, and left, his robe sleeves gracefully sweeping like floating clouds, preserved in the annals of history with every succinctly written word, recording this event.

The saying goes, in South Chen the roadside flowers bloom.

Return gently.

The statement is simple and matter-of-fact, seemingly ordinary.

But when combined with the annals of the following year, it can be seen this year’s so-called gentle return signifies the thunderous march of thousands of troops, with just the phrase "gentle return" unveiling the great stage of the youthful promise.

Historians of later generations debated whether this move was for strategic purposes or the promise of youth, but despite their disputes, they never reached a definitive conclusion.

All they knew was that, no matter what.

The king’s grandeur, the youth’s fervor, ended at this point.

All the summoned scholars busied themselves for Prince Qin’s coming-of-age ceremony; this place, unlike Xiyi City, still drew everyone’s gaze, becoming the epicenter of this era.

Yet, precisely when everyone’s attention converged here,

Precisely at this time when problems were least expected,

No one noticed,

Prince Qin Li Guanyi disappeared from Jiangnan.

Entered the game with his life.

To fulfill a promise, to honor his word.