Zhang's Campaign Eradicates the Northern Threat Forever

Bai Hu cried out with a heart-wrenching, earth-shattering intensity.

Yet before him, Bai Li's expression remained completely unchanged.

Only after Bai Hu finished shouting did Bai Li shake her head.

Then, she let out a faint sigh.

The sigh was not loud, but it fell precisely on the ears of Bai Hu and Li Shuhan, who was not far away, making both of their hearts tremble once more.

Bai Li spoke, "I am no longer in control of my own fate."

"Ren Tianye..."

"Never mind, I will bear this suffering alone."

"However, Ren Tianye said that if you are willing to reveal the information about Yunjing, every last detail, it would make things a bit easier for me..."

Pausing, Bai Li sighed again, looking as if she were being forced against her will, and said, "Never mind. My own karma, my own grudges, I will repay them myself."

"You need not trouble yourselves..."

Before Bai Li could finish, Bai Hu had already shouted, "Sister Bai Li, I will speak, I will tell you everything..."

But Bai Li simply walked away, not lingering in front of Bai Hu for even a moment. She went straight to Li Shuhan. At this moment, Li Shuhan was like a drowning man clutching at a straw, frantically saying, "Sister Bai Li, I will speak, I will speak, I will tell you everything."

"Even if you ask about the mistress my father is keeping, I will tell you!"

Immediately, like beans pouring from a sack, Li Shuhan spilled everything he knew and answered the questions Ren Tianye had entrusted to Bai Li one by one.

Bai Li memorized them, and once she was certain she had it all, she returned to report to Ren Tianye.

"What?"

"The Prince of Yunjing is dead?"

"Xiao Mingzhao's biological father is gone?"

Ren Tianye was surprised, then said, "No, it might not be Xiao Mingzhao's biological father. After all, there are too many people."

"It is just that, with the Prince of Yunjing dead, Yunjing actually did not report it to the imperial court, and simply let his son inherit the position to become the new Prince of Yunjing..."

"This is..."

Ren Tianye instantly understood.

Yunjing was deeply tied to the Tongxin Alliance. They must have a considerable understanding of the affairs within the capital and should have long known that the capital was now his, Ren Tianye's, domain.

Given the natural incompatibility between Yunjing and him like fire and water.

Yunjing was not even pretending to submit to the imperial court in name anymore; they directly chose to become an independent kingdom!

However...

Ren Tianye's eyes flickered.

For him, this was actually a good opportunity!

With the Prince of Yunjing newly dead and his son succeeding him, their internal affairs must be in disarray. It was a prime opportunity to conquer them.

And heaven would not grant such an opportunity a second time.

Therefore, almost instantly, Ren Tianye made a decision.

Deploy the troops!

Conquer Yunjing!

After setting the plan, Ren Tianye began his preparations.

He quickly finalized the details and immediately summoned his various generals.

The first person he needed to see was Wei Shuo.

"I intend to personally lead the army to Yunjing City. I will need you to take charge of the affairs in the capital."

Hearing this, Wei Shuo was immediately somewhat disappointed.

It should be known that although he was no longer young, his ambitions still boiled. He had long known that the world, while seemingly peaceful, was actually in chaos. There would definitely be an opportunity to quell rebellions, and he had been waiting for it.

He did not expect that for such a great merit as reclaiming Yunjing, the Duke would actually deny him the chance to march south.

But Wei Shuo also understood Ren Tianye's intentions.

The affairs of the capital required someone familiar with the various situations there to handle them, and he, Wei Shuo, was undoubtedly the best choice.

He could only accept the order, saying, "Yes, Your Grace."

"I will certainly guard the capital well for Your Grace."

Ren Tianye nodded and said, "The Imperial Guards have been mostly subdued, but the newly surrendered Lin Family Army is still somewhat disorganized. This time, I will take sixty thousand of the Lin Family Army with me. The remaining number is still significant, so you must use some methods."

Hearing the hidden meaning in Ren Tianye's words, Wei Shuo quickly said, "Please instruct me, Your Grace."

"The Seven Righteous of Chifeng slaughtered each other, and now only Zhao Cheng remains intact. As long as you can control and utilize Zhao Cheng well, there will be no problems with the Lin Family Army. Afterward, slowly assimilate them so that the Lin Family Army completely becomes our people."

Having been tormented by the Eldest Princess Xiao Ruyi for so many years and having seen enough of those enchanting seductresses in the capital, Wei Shuo was all too clear about the tricks involved.

As soon as Ren Tianye mentioned it, he understood immediately.

He said, "Your Grace, I feel we must firmly tie that Zhao Cheng and Bai Zixuan together, but we cannot allow Zhao Cheng to see her all the time. We must keep him hanging. When the Lin Family Army has an issue that requires Zhao Cheng to step forward, and he obediently resolves it, only then will we give him a chance to see Bai Zixuan..."

Wei Shuo detailed his plan step by step.

Ren Tianye nodded.

Look, this was what it meant to have experience, and profoundly deep experience at that. He knew exactly what to do to achieve the best results. If it were anyone else, they might not have done it so well.

"Do exactly as you have proposed."

"Yes, Your Grace, I understand." Saying this, Wei Shuo could not help but sigh, "With Your Grace going on this southern expedition, I feel an immense pressure. Without you as our backbone, I am quite apprehensive."

"Do not panic," Ren Tianye smiled. "I was also worried that you would not be able to handle it alone, so I specifically found someone to help you."

"In the future, just listen to his orders more often."

"Of course, he is not familiar with the affairs of the capital and will still need your assistance."

Wei Shuo was somewhat surprised but immediately understood Ren Tianye's meaning.

Leaving a stronghold like the capital entirely to him, Wei Shuo, Ren Tianye was not at ease.

Although he knew of his own loyalty, this kind of thing was not a matter of loyalty or disloyalty. Therefore, the Duke would definitely have someone to keep him in check. And from the Duke's tone, he, Wei Shuo, would be the assistant, while that person would be the main authority...

A person instantly popped into Wei Shuo's mind.

"I have already sent an expedited courier to deliver a letter. Soon, Sun Xiang will come from the northern border, and..." Ren Tianye smiled, "The general you are most interested in will also arrive."

Wei Shuo was pleasantly surprised: "Your Grace, will General Zhang Shi come too?"

"Yes." Ren Tianye sighed with emotion. This Zhang Shi, whose luck was notoriously bad, had actually managed to lead five thousand troops to break through the grasslands without any supplies whatsoever.

With this campaign of his, the grasslands would not be able to recover their vitality for at least twenty years. Zhang Shi's achievement could completely be considered as expanding the territory.

And this was something that even Wei Shuo had never managed to do in the past.

While Ren Tianye was still marveling at Zhang Shi's situation, it was not long before Zhang Shi took the lead and arrived in the capital with his men. However, the moment Ren Tianye saw him, he was stunned.

No, brother, who are you?

How... did you get so scruffy?

He even had a few more scars on his face, making him look incredibly fierce!

"Great General..."

Thud! Zhang Shi immediately fell to his knees: "I have not failed your trust. I have cleared out those barbarians. I... did it!"

The words "did it" were shouted by Zhang Shi with heart-wrenching intensity, as if those words carried too much of his grievances and resentment.