Previously in Jiangnan, Nangong Xian had already met Yue Ruyan. He bowed respectfully to Yue Ruyan and said, "We will rely heavily on General Yue for this journey."

Yue Ruyan politely returned the gesture, "You are the senior, and I should listen to you more during this journey."

Nangong Xian was Nangong Ru's biological father, and while Chen Mo could order him around without any issues, she could not treat Nangong Xian as a subordinate.

After the two exchanged polite words, Chen Mo said, "I will allocate five Red Coat Cannons from the Vermilion Bird Guard to you, along with a hundred cannonballs. Take them with you when you depart later."

Hearing this, Nangong Xian's eyes lit up. He had learned from the government gazette that Duke An succeeded in crushing Jin Xia's Eastern Army, largely thanks to the Red Coat Cannons.

Now, with the help of the Fish Scale Guard and General Yue's assistance, he was confident in defeating Prince Huai.

"In addition, I have another task for you." Chen Mo walked to the side.

Nangong Xian understood that this was a private matter, so he quickly followed.

In the deserted corridor at the back hall of the government office.

"I've already sent Zuo Lianglun to Yu State to mobilize troops, so I command you to draw a battalion from the Fish Scale Guard and use their warships to head to the southern shore of Qingzhou and escort the troops coming from Yu State," Chen Mo said solemnly.

Nangong Xian shivered all over, realizing there would be additional troops assisting.

The troops coming from Yu State, boarding from Qingzhou, would land on the north bank of Fengzhou.

In this way, the Fish Scale Guard would confront the Huai Army head-on at Yi County, while the troops from Yu State could execute a surprise attack from the rear.

This was truly bringing Prince Huai down.

Nangong Xian furrowed his brows, realizing that this was likely the true reason Chen Mo called him aside...

Suddenly, Nangong Xian felt this matter might be difficult. Although Prince Huai was Chen Mo's enemy, their relationship was somewhat complex.

"What's the matter?" Chen Mo asked.

"It's nothing." Nangong Xian solemnly bowed, "I understand."

"What's the situation in Jiangnan?" Having given his instructions, Chen Mo began inquiring about Jiangnan.

Nangong Xian recounted Jiangnan's affairs, then suddenly remembered something and said, "Duke An, when I interrogated those in spy clothes, I learned something: the assassin who tried to kill you, Zhihua, her real name is Flower Shadow.

She had a younger brother. According to those spies, Prince Huai used her brother as leverage to control Flower Shadow. Whether the assassination succeeded or failed, they promised to release Flower Shadow's brother.

But actually, Flower Shadow's brother had long since died, by suicide. He understood that as long as he lived, his sister could never escape being a pawn. To avoid being a burden to Flower Shadow, he chose to end his own life."

After speaking, Nangong Xian added regretfully, "If Flower Shadow in the afterlife sees her brother, I wonder what she would think. She might regret her past decisions."

Hearing this, Chen Mo opened his mouth but remained silent for a long time before simply saying, "Mm."

With the urgent situation in He County, Chen Mo didn't chat much with Nangong Xian, and after finishing his instructions, he and Xia Zhining parted ways with Nangong Xian and Yue Ruyan, with one group heading to He County and the other to Yi County.

…

He County.

Beacon fires blazed, while He County's city walls showed signs of devastation. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

The Chen Army stationed in He County withdrew to Xiongmen County on the second day. Then, King Chong and Lu Sheng's alliance army captured He County.

They knew Xiongmen County was different from He County, being a key stronghold, so they were careful not to launch a hasty attack for three days, instead discussing strategies.

For this attack on Huai State, they claimed legitimacy by flying the court's flag and posing as the righteous side.

Thus, after capturing He County, they did not loot or oppress the civilians; instead, they spent three days educating the populace on their ideology, claiming to come as liberators.

In the main hall of the government office in He County.

Gongsun Yan sat at the head, with the various generals of the allied army on the left, and a group of staff officers like Diwu Fusheng on the right.

Gongsun Yan did not wear armor at the moment, dressed in ordinary clothes, tapping his fingers lightly on the table before him. Diwu Fusheng rose and bowed, "The Prince's spies in Huainan report that Chen Mo has arrived in Huai State, bringing less than three thousand troops and meeting with Nangong Xian's Fish Scale Guard…"

Prince Huai, having established influence in Huai State over many years, still retained some loyal informants.

Diwu Fusheng took another breath and continued, "According to the spies in Huainan, Nangong Xian split from Chen Mo in Huainan, headed towards Yi County, while Chen Mo brought several thousand troops from Linzhou to confront us.

Additionally, the spy said that after Nangong Xian parted with Chen Mo, a woman who originally accompanied Chen Mo followed Nangong Xian towards Yi County. Based on the description, I suspect this woman is likely Yue Ruyan."

"It seems the information is accurate. The troops Chen Mo sent north are stationed at Youzhou border pass, and with Jin Xia Barbarians still lingering in Longyou, Chen Mo wouldn't dare move the troops stationed in Yu State. Therefore, his remaining mobilizable troops are limited, or else he wouldn't send the Fish Scale Guard returning from Jiangnan to defend Prince Huai at Yi County..."

Liang Mu stroked the beard on his chin and said, "If I am right, the several thousand troops Chen Mo led must be his Personal Guard Battalion."

Gongsun Yan nodded, "Duke Liang is correct; Chen Mo's available troops are few, and this is precisely our chance to defeat him.