Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 453: Guan Mountain Plain

June 20th.

The imperial decree issued by the Emperor spread across the land, commanding all the dukes to send troops to resist Jin Xia.

However, the response was sparse.

Although Xiliang, the Shu Residence, and King Anping did respond, they only sent a few hundred troops, clearly just putting on a show for the public.

At this time, a news spread in Xiangyang.

Chen Mo, the Marquis of Pingting County and the current Grand Commandant, announced to the world, issuing a military order to expel the Jin Xia Barbarians, recover the Northern Land and the former territories of Youzhou, and offer victory to the Emperor, swearing never to return unless they were recovered.

This news shocked the realm.

It seemed as if saying, is there really a need to go so all out?

Qingzhou is your domain. Resisting Jin Xia and defending Qingzhou is what you should do.

But just defending Qingzhou should be enough, yet you intend to recover the Northern Land and Youzhou and drive Jin Xia out of the territory.

Such ambition is... too great.

What are you aiming for?

But those with discernment and the righteous men of the world greatly admired Chen Mo’s actions, seeing him as a pillar of the Great Song from a patriotic standpoint.

Initially, those who looked down on Chen Mo for his lowly background, lecherous and crude nature, began to change their views of him.

Who would have thought that a lascivious and crude fellow of humble origin would now have the courage to call for the country’s duty?

June 22nd.

The people of Xiangyang naturally formed a procession to respectfully send off Chen Mo and his army as they set out on the expedition.

Countless gazes fixed upon the tall figure riding a white horse, eyes filled with admiration.

At a pavilion outside the city.

Wu Yanqing had not yet set off for Huai State when he waved a hand, signaling a servant outside the pavilion to come in, carrying a fine wine vessel.

"This was a Peach Blossom Brew I buried underground when I first stepped into the Divine Power Realm, and I haven’t had the heart to bring it out all these years. Today, as you set out for the country, Marquis, I part with it in your honor."

Wu Yanqing was not short-sighted by any means; he understood that Chen Mo’s campaign against Jin Xia was not merely a matter of Chen Mo’s personal interests but concerning the future fate of Great Song.

If Chen Mo were defeated, there would be no one left in the North to stop the advance of Jin Xia’s army, allowing Jin Xia to sweep southward with no resistance.

Chen Mo had just dismounted, still wearing his armor, as Sun Meng poured a drink for the two of them. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Chen Mo laughed and said, "Then I’ll borrow my father-in-law’s wine to preemptively celebrate the army’s triumphant return."

"May victory be ours." Wu Yanqing clinked cups with Chen Mo before drinking it all in one go, savoring the fine wine as he remembered those days.

In those days, esteemed ministers gathered, and as a young man, he too thought of serving the country, seeking to be ennobled and appointed as prime minister.

At that time, he ranked in the top five in the imperial examinations—both civil and military—what a joy it was, and now it’s been over forty years.

Fine wine grows finer with age, but humans grow lazier; witnessing the decline of the land, yet lacking the zeal and vigor of the young ones now.

At least, his original intentions remained.

After the farewell drink was finished, Chen Mo led nearly ten thousand Jiangdong soldiers and the Personal Guard Battalion and departed from Xiangyang.

Watching Chen Mo on the white horse disappear, Wu Yanqing’s eyes flashed with a youthful vigor, as if he had grown younger: "As long as I am here, Huai State will remain secure."

...

The vanguard of forty thousand soldiers had already arrived at Zhuima City in Yu State.

Upon entering Qingzhou, the movements of these forty thousand troops were also detected by Jin Xia’s spies.

Even though Tie Muer indeed underestimated Chen Mo, he was not careless; while attacking Gaozhou, he dispatched scouts to Qingzhou to learn about Chen Mo’s movements in advance.

Late July.

When Chen Mo arrived in Qingzhou.

Gaozhou had been completely annexed by Jin Xia’s army.

Jin Xia’s army gathered at the border of Qingzhou, ready to invade at any time.

Qingzhou, Nanyang.

In the military tent.

"Utter shamelessness, utter shamelessness." Upon hearing the news from the front, Cui Shuang couldn’t help but curse.

Jin Xia completely denied that they were invading the Great Song.

Instead, they claimed to be avenging the Emperor of Great Song, raising troops to support the King.

To make this claim more convincing, they even asserted that the Song border general Hu Shu was the commander of their army and that the Jin Xia soldiers were merely borrowed by Hu Shu from Jin Xia.

Upon hearing this, Sun Meng also couldn’t help but curse: "What vengeance does a foreign Jin Xia seek for our Great Song Emperor? What right do they have to raise troops to support the King? Isn’t this a case of a dog catching mice, meddling in other’s affairs?"

He had never encountered such tactics before.

Chen Mo’s lips twitched slightly. If he remembered correctly, it seemed that there was a "divine person" who had employed similar tactics in history.

"Regardless of what banner Jin Xia raises, I have already declared that we must drive Jin Xia out. Now countless eyes across the world are watching us, and our pressure is immense," Chen Mo said.

Standing up, Chen Mo pointed at a map before him, saying, "According to our scouts, Jin Xia’s army and the puppet army have assembled at the border of Qingzhou. If they are to invade Qingzhou, there are only two routes: Chishi Ridge and the Guan Mountain Plain."

Saying this, Chen Mo gave Sun Meng a glance.

Sun Meng brought over another map, spreading it over the one in front of Chen Mo.

Pointing to the map of "Chishi County," Chen Mo said, "This is the map of Chishi County, and Chishi Ridge is under its jurisdiction. The terrain of Chishi Ridge is complex, with narrow roads highly suitable for ambushes. When the Celestial Master Army tried to attack Impatiens, they advanced through Chishi Ridge, resulting in the deaths of two Grand Commanders and heavy losses.

The Jin Xia army is not a mob; on the contrary, they are a formidable enemy and would definitely recognize that Chishi Ridge is not a suitable path for advancing. Therefore..."

Before Chen Mo could prompt him, Sun Meng brought over the map of the Guan Mountain Plain. Chen Mo pointed to the vast Guan Mountain Plain on the map, saying, "The Guan Mountain Plain is open and is most suitable for the Jin Xia cavalry. Therefore, I suspect that there’s a ninety percent chance Jin Xia’s army will advance from the Guan Mountain Plain."

Cui Shuang nodded in strong agreement.

Chang En stood by, knowing nothing; whatever Chen Mo instructed him to do, he would follow.

"Although Jin Xia is very likely to advance from the Guan Mountain Plain, Chishi Ridge cannot be left undefended because of this." Chen Mo turned his gaze to another general, Song Shiming.

At this time, he had appointed the Minister of the Divine Martial Guard at Wuguan.

Then, looking at Cui Shuang, Chen Mo said, "Cui Shuang, Song Shiming."

"At your command, my lord,"

Cui Shuang and Song Shiming replied in unison, then stepped forward one after the other.

"I order you both to lead five thousand troops each from your respective units to guard Chishi Ridge. If there is any sign of movement, report to me immediately. Do not engage the enemy recklessly," Chen Mo commanded.

"Yes, my lord."

Cui Shuang and Song Shiming bowed and withdrew.

...

On the other side, in Jin Xia’s Central Army Tent, based on reports from their spies, Tie Muer was also aware that a large force had assembled in Qingzhou to confront their royal army.

Without knowing the opposing side’s details yet.

Tie Muer intended to have someone test the waters first, to gauge the opponent’s strength and assess their capability.