One day later, the Emperor of the Dasheng Dynasty personally arrived at Tongguan.

Whether it was when he was young, traversing battlefields, or following Chu Yang east to Luoyang, or entering the Central Pass to seize Chang An City, Yu Wenquan had passed Tongguan countless times. But this time, the pass no longer seemed narrow and winding to him; the mountain ridges were no longer perilous and towering. When he reached Tongguan City, he saw that the city was decorated with lanterns and colored flags, appearing quite lively.

It was arranged by the defender after receiving the directive to welcome the Imperial Carriage.

However, such festivity amidst the towering mountains seemed inexplicably comical.

In the past, Yu Wenquan might have scolded Chu Zhengfei for wasting time on these useless things, but this time he was genuinely happy, merely saying, "Too wasteful," and letting it go, while the Tongguan Defender received rewards that day.

The Imperial Carriage rested in Tongguan for a night and then exited Tongguan the next day, reaching Longmen Crossing.

But due to being near the Yellow River, with treacherous shoals and obstacles, the Emperor’s carriage eventually stopped on a flat grassy area with a view of mountains and water, some distance away from the ferry. After setting up camp, Yu Wenquan sat in the King’s Tent, spreading a piece of soft silk on a wide desk, which was the map attached to the confidential report he received during the Mid-Autumn banquet.

Half a map.

On it, every mountain road outside Luoyang City, every river, every checkpoint, and even several heavily guarded locations were clearly drawn and marked.

Yu Wenquan looked at the checkpoints one by one, the paths one by one, as if his army had already traversed these difficult roads with his gaze, step by step approaching Luoyang. He knew well that Taiyuan was already a stable Dragon Raising Land in his hands, the Song and Xu States were already in Shen Tu Tai’s control, and the backup support of Liang Shide, Xiao Yuansui’s Wanggang Village, had long been shattered under his second son’s, Yu Wenye’s, solo intimidation.

In other words, if he received the complete map, the soldiers of Dasheng could smoothly advance eastward, the army could collectively capture the Eastern Capital, and he would fully conquer the North!

"Good, good!"

Yu Wenquan stroked his beard and laughed.

At this moment, footsteps sounded outside, and the guard hurriedly asked, and Yu Wenquan instinctively picked up a document at hand, ready to cover the map, when suddenly he heard the gentle and deep voice of the Crown Prince, and immediately said, "Is it Qian’er? Come in."

Upon hearing this, the guard outside hurriedly lifted the tent flap, and the Crown Prince Yu Wenqian walked in from outside.

He was dressed in a deep-night purple robe, his hair bound with a jade crown, and his waist adorned with a jade belt, not exceedingly athletic or robust, yet still graceful and elegant, more handsome and reliable than when he previously wore a white monk’s robe, moving like the wind, as ethereal as clouds.

He bowed deeply and said, "Greetings, Father Emperor."

Upon seeing him, Yu Wenquan’s smile deepened, placing the document intended to cover the map down, saying with a smile, "What brings you here, is there anything you need?"

Yu Wenqian hesitated for a moment and said, "I am just worried about Father Emperor."

"Oh?"

Yu Wenquan slightly raised his eyebrows but was not too surprised, only looking up at his legitimate eldest son, now the fundamental pillar of the Dasheng Dynasty, and with a knowing smile, said, "What are you worried about?"

Yu Wenqian said, "Father Emperor’s departure from Tongguan with only ten thousand accompanying soldiers, this is already against protocol; moreover, I saw preparations for boats at the ferry, is Father Emperor planning to cross the river by boat?"

Yu Wenquan said calmly, "If necessary, I might."

Yu Wenqian’s expression changed: "Father Emperor!"

Before he finished speaking, Yu Wenquan already waved his hand with a smile and said, "It seems you’ve been worrying about this along the way, haven’t you?"

Yu Wenqian said, "Father Emperor’s safety weighs constantly on my mind."

Upon hearing this, a gentle smile appeared on Yu Wenquan’s typically fierce and stern face, though he seemed unaccustomed to showing such an attitude too obviously, so he merely sighed with a smile and said, "You, your mind is too burdened, too cautious in your actions. It’s both your strength and your weakness."

"..."

"However, in this matter, I cannot blame you for being worried."

"..."

"I suppose not only you but also your subordinates and court ministers find it strange that I personally came to the Yellow River Ferry for a minor matter related to Fan Cheng’en, which seems too grand, right?"

"So,"

Yu Wenqian looked up at him, his gaze slightly flickering: "Aside from Fan Cheng’en, is there another reason for Father Emperor?"

"Of course."

"What is it—"

"Because aside from this ’En’, there is another ’En’."

Saying this, Yu Wenquan smiled, moved aside the half-covered document on the map, and beckoned smilingly to Yu Wenqian: "Come and look."

Yu Wenqian hurriedly stepped forward, looked down, and his expression changed instantly: "This is—"

Although seeing this half map for the first time, he had traveled in the Central Plains before, right around Luoyang and Yanyue City, and was very familiar with the geography there, he immediately recognized it was the terrain map near Luoyang.

"Luoyang terrain map?"

"Correct,"

Seeing him immediately recognize it, Yu Wenquan nodded with a satisfied smile: "And not just an ordinary terrain map; it’s the current deployment map of Liang Shide’s divided forces around Luoyang."

"What!?"

"Unfortunately, only half of it."

"..."

A look of disbelief appeared on Yu Wenqian’s face. After a moment’s thought, his brow gradually furrowed, and he said, "Then what father just said, the other ’En’ refers to—"

"Jiang Chong’en. Empress Dowager Jiang—her cousin, who was also the Eastern Capital’s governor when Chu Yang went south to Jiangdu Palace back then."

"Him?"

Yu Wenqian immediately understood: "The secret report sent from Tongguan earlier, was it from him? Did he offer this half map of the Luoyang garrison’s deployment to father? Does he want to pledge allegiance to father, to our Dasheng?"

"Correct,"

Yu Wenquan said: "However, this man is timid. After I took the throne, he also feared that I might be unfavorable to him, so he only offered half of the map, wanting to gauge my attitude."

"..."

"Since that’s the case, I shall reveal my stance."

Yu Wenqian thought for a moment and said: "Then, after the Mid-Autumn feast, father hasn’t brought this matter to the forefront because—"

Yu Wenquan said: "He wants to test me, but I don’t completely trust him either."

"..."

"After all, half a map does not represent everything. So during these days, I’ve continuously sent secret agents to the Central Plains to gather news about the vicinity of Luoyang. Although betraying one’s master for theft is not a matter of regularity, if he makes no move, I would also question his intentions."

"..."

"But this time, until he led his troops here, I did not believe him."

Saying this, Yu Wenquan smiled and said: "Now do you think my Imperial Carriage personally coming to Longmen Crossing is worth it?"

"..."

"If I can acquire the other half of the map from Jiang Chong’en, then I could completely grasp Liang Shide’s troop deployments around Luoyang. Knowing oneself and the enemy, one can win a hundred battles without peril. By that time, when we march east to Luoyang, not only will our chances of victory be much greater, but more importantly, we can preserve our soldiers."

At this point, he sighed softly: "Born into chaotic times, soldiers have been waging war for years on my behalf to build this empire, but their lives are not insignificant."

"..."

"On this land, every single person is worth more than gold."

"..."

"I want to cherish their lives!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenqian, who had been frowning and lost in thought, was slightly shocked. When he looked up again at Yu Wenquan, he showed a hint of surprise. Yu Wenquan smiled and said: "What, did you think your father was just a warlike fool who treats lives like grass without any regard?"

Yu Wenqian quickly knelt and said: "I dare not!"

Yu Wenquan smiled and said: "Stand up, I was just joking with you."

With that, he looked down again at the map on the table, showing troop deployments from Longmen Crossing in the east to Hulao Pass. Though not entirely detailed, for those commanding the army—especially for his capable and battle-hardened second son—this half map was assistance enough!

However—

As he pondered, slowly standing up, Yu Wenqian, whose gaze remained fixed on that half map, also fell into deep thought.

He thought of Yu Mingyue’s unusual silence these days and how, despite his questioning, she kept silent in the face of Yu Wenquan’s seemingly "absurd" actions this time, causing unease among those around. He couldn’t help but murmur: "Why would she—"

Yu Wenquan said: "What are you saying?"

"No, it’s nothing."

Yu Wenqian shook his head, concealing his thoughts, then looked up: "I wonder when father plans to set off for the ferry."

Yu Wenquan thought for a moment and said: "Let’s wait a bit longer, wait until the troops of those two ’En’ people reach the opposite bank and see their flags before we depart."

Yu Wenqian said: "Yes. Then I shall take my leave."

After speaking, he was about to leave. But as he turned around, he heard Yu Wenquan ask: "By the way, has King Qin arrived?"

At the mention of Yu Wenye, Yu Wenqian’s steps suddenly halted, and when he turned back, his expression was heavy and complex. He gently shook his head: "There is still no news of my second brother."

"Still not here?"

Yu Wenquan slightly frowned, stood up, walked to the entrance, and lifted the tent flap. Immediately, a gust of wind with moisture surged in, filling the entire King’s Tent, making the garments of both him and Yu Wenqian billow.

Yu Wenquan squinted, seeing soldiers and attendants busily setting up camp outside, hectic yet orderly. Beyond the tent lay the long road leading to the distant destination they came from. At this moment, the road lay empty, with only the shadows cast by trees swaying in the breeze.

Yu Wenquan couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh: "It’s been three days. Why hasn’t he caught up yet?"

"..."

"Could it be that something has happened in Chang An?"