Zhang Sheng still appeared as a green-robed cultivator, sitting inside a war chariot. The chariot moved forward at an unhurried pace; though the terrain rose and fell, scarcely a jolt was felt.
This time, Zhang Sheng had picked exclusively young men and women from the Xu family. She had merely adjusted their equipment and trained them for half a month before deeming them ready. Among the ten thousand Xu family youths, a thousand served as Dao Base squad captains, while the weakest among the rest were at the peak of Body Casting. All the soldiers were heavy mounted infantry. They were accompanied by a hundred war chariots, with cannons mounted directly upon them.
In total, the force numbered twelve thousand. Moving out in grand array, they marched out of the azure qi of Qingming. Their martial qi was condensed to the utmost, perfectly square and rigid like a cubic box as it slowly advanced.
Inside the chariot, Feng Chutang was accompanying the army as well. He glanced at the red-faced Daoist sitting beside him, bowed to him first, and only then asked Zhang Sheng, "Why aren't we heading west? Why go toward Zhao instead?"
Zhang Sheng set down the book in her hand and said, "Of the threats facing Qingming, Western Jin ranks first, followed by Zhao. Western Jin is entangled in far too much karma; we must wait for Yuan'er to return and resolve it himself. Zhao is not so complicated, but a battle with them is bound to come sooner or later. After Yuan'er took office as Minister of Southern Military Affairs, both sides tested each other, but neither fought to their heart's content. Therefore, this time, I intend to have a proper bout with Zhao and see what they are made of."
Feng Chutang said, "Though our armaments hold the advantage, to fight Zhao... setting aside the lack of a proper pretext, this handful of troops alone won't be enough, will it?"
Zhang Sheng replied, "This battle is merely about feeling out each other's depths, so Zhao won't commit too many troops either. Otherwise, it would lose all meaning."
A look of worry crossed Feng Chutang's face. "If war breaks out, should things get out of hand, it could lead to relentless disaster and ceaseless strife. Zhao possesses formidable national might, and with an immortal overseeing it, they are not an easy opponent."
Though Feng Chutang spoke diplomatically, he clearly disapproved of fighting Zhao right now. Qingming had already sent out multiple armies earlier, but most marched toward the Shamans, while a few had forged new paths to strike far-flung mountain tribes—Xiaoyu, for example. Only Zhang Sheng had marched straight for the State of Zhao.
Feng Chutang had tried to dissuade her several times, yet Zhang Sheng remained unmoved. Helpless, Feng Chutang looked toward the red-faced Daoist once more. "Uncle-Master Fenhai, you possess great virtue and prestige. How do you view this matter?"
Perfected Fenhai's old face instantly flushed crimson. In his heart, he cursed Feng Chutang with exceedingly foul language.
The old Daoist's cultivation was currently hovering in late Dharma Idol, still a fair distance from perfection. If it came to an actual fight, he could probably only reliably overpower Old Daoist Chuhe—and that was assuming Chuhe didn't summon his adoptive father or call upon his sworn brothers.
Moreover, having spent the past decade boiling lakes and heating water day and night, Fenhai had grown thoroughly accustomed to his comfortable leisure. Where would he find the time to care about such utterly boring state and military affairs? What did an army marching off to war matter compared to bathwater going cold?
Had Wei Yuan not vanished out of nowhere, leaving Qingming without a master, and had Perfected Xuanyue not ordered him to Qingming to protect Zhang Sheng, Fenhai would likely still be living carefree days deep in the mountains, heedless of the passage of time.
Feng Chutang's question put Fenhai in an awkward spot. Feng Chutang repeatedly shot him meaningful looks, but how could Fenhai possibly know what those winks and glances meant?
Listening to Feng Chutang and Zhang Sheng just now, he gathered they were going to fight Zhao. But if they wanted to fight, then fight; how was Fenhai supposed to know why they were fighting, let alone whether they should? After pondering back and forth for half an eternity, Fenhai squeezed out a single sentence: "If you want to fight, then fight."
Feng Chutang stamped his foot in anxiety, realizing Fenhai could not be counted on at all. Given that both Zhang Sheng and Wei Yuan were vastly learned across past and present, with scheming minds and methods each more formidable and profound than the other, Feng Chutang had assumed Fenhai wouldn't fall short. Out of respect for Fenhai being Wei Yuan's grandmaster and Zhang Sheng's teacher, Feng Chutang had hoped to invoke Fenhai's authority to say a few words and persuade Zhang Sheng to withdraw.
Who would have thought that the moment Fenhai opened his mouth, Feng Chutang realized he was an oddity within Tianqing Hall. From top to bottom, who in Tianqing Hall didn't know how to wage war?
Seeing through Feng Chutang's worries, Zhang Sheng said, "Senior Brother Feng, there is no need to worry. From what I see, the King of Zhao wants this battle very much as well. Surely there is a tacit understanding between us."
"What if the one they send lacks that tacit understanding?"
Zhang Sheng smiled faintly. "If they lack even that much understanding, coming here would merely be courting death."
On closer reflection, Feng Chutang thought that made sense. Anyone unable to see through even this wouldn't be much of a military commander—at best, just a fierce warrior. Feng Chutang currently possessed the Nether Dragon Dharma Idol and feared magical combat least of all, so he figured that no matter what fierce warrior Zhao fielded, he would be able to handle them.
Noticing the strange look on Fenhai's face, how he opened his mouth several times only to close it again, Zhang Sheng assumed Perfected Fenhai was still worried. Thus, she decided to reveal a bit more to set her teacher's mind at ease.
Zhang Sheng said, "In Zhao, the immortal and the king are unified as one, and the King of Zhao rules diligently and enjoys great popularity. Trying to subjugate Zhao on the battlefield would be exceedingly difficult, and it would only unite Zhao from top to bottom, which would be more trouble than it's worth. Thus, if we wish to dismantle Zhao, we must start from within."
When Zhang Sheng finished speaking, her words produced entirely the opposite effect: both Fenhai and Feng Chutang looked even more distressed. Exchanging a glance, each saw the other's dread—Zhang Sheng truly did intend to destroy the State of Zhao!
Not only did Zhao command millions of troops, but it was also overseen by an immortal; it was no ordinary noble clan. A mere Dao Base cultivator seeking to destroy a kingdom backed by an immortal? It was sheer fantasy.
Zhang Sheng said no more. The army advanced swiftly and soon reached the Bishui domain.
By now, the Bishui domain was nearly bordering Qingming. Its expansion had been heavily suppressed, making northward growth virtually impossible. Li Chengfeng had received word early on and personally led an army of a hundred thousand to deploy in formation at the domain's edge.
Li Chengfeng had deployed his troops very early, yet after waiting for half the day, Zhang Sheng's forces had still not arrived. A burly vice-general beside him spoke up: "Your Highness, word has it that person brought only around ten thousand men. Our firearms aren't weak either. Why don't we strike hard while they haven't secured their footing and crush Qingming's arrogance?"
Li Chengfeng's expression darkened. "Without my order, no one is permitted to make an unauthorized move, under penalty of disobedience! Even if the enemy's spearhead presses against your chest, so long as it hasn't pierced you, you are not to lift a finger!"
The fierce general muttered sullenly, "Wei Yuan is gone and most likely won't be returning. What are we still afraid of them for?"
"What do you know? Shut your mouth!" Li Chengfeng rebuked sharply, and only then did the general fall silent.
This fierce general was a recent recruit and naturally did not know that the sole reason Li Chengfeng could grow more powerful by the day and maintain an elite force second to none among the imperial princes was his monopoly on trade with Qingming. The brocade, cloth, grain, steel, and armaments produced by Qingming were vital necessities for Zhao. Meanwhile, Qingming took in all the spiritual wood, medicinal herbs, raw silk, refined ores, and spiritual materials Zhao could provide, purchasing as much as was offered.
Just then, several scouts galloped back from the distance, blowing their horns as they rode at full tilt. Li Chengfeng perked up, knowing the Qingming army had arrived. Clouds surged across the distant horizon as billowing dust rolled forward, heralding the emergence of a grand force.
The generals of Zhao focused their vision, gazing into the distance at the martial qi to assess the prowess of the renowned Qingming army.
Soon, amidst the dust and smoke, the martial qi manifested.
Seeing it, the generals' expressions changed drastically, leaving them momentarily at a loss.
In ordinary forces, if their martial qi could condense without scattering, assisting the army's experts in resisting mighty foes and repelling the power of heaven and earth, they could be deemed elites. In a select few armies, the martial qi was so substantial that it could manifest divine artifacts, sacred beasts, or even mountains and seas; such forces could be called the mightiest armies in the realm. The Nine Armies of Great Tang, for example, each manifested martial qi with distinct, majestic vistas.
The universally acknowledged pinnacle of martial qi was such magnificent landscapes as soaring peaks and vast marshlands.
Yet the martial qi of the Qingming army before them was condensed to an extraordinary degree, virtually unmatched under heaven. Even that alone would not have sufficed to turn the faces of Zhao's veteran commanders and fierce generals pale. However, the shape of the martial qi emerging from the dust was perfectly square—gliding forward like a giant cubic box!
How in the world could martial qi look like that?!
Li Chengfeng was astonished as well, followed by deep bewilderment. Yet years of experience had taught him that whenever something bizarre emerged from Qingming, it was best to wait and observe; on no account should one rashly test the waters, lest one meet an abrupt demise.
Li Chengfeng certainly didn't want posterity to record him like this: "...Li Chengfeng, fought Qingming at Bishui in such-and-such year and month; died at the age of fifty-seven."
The Qingming troops advanced rapidly. Only when they drew near did the infantry dismount, arranging themselves into orderly hollow square formations led by several war chariots as they rolled before the Bishui army's battle line.
A green-robed cultivator stepped forth from the army, flying over alone. Li Chengfeng hurried out to meet her, taking only two aides along.
Li Chengfeng cupped his hands in greeting. "I am Li Chengfeng, Regional Military Governor of Bishui for Great Zhao. Might I ask how to address you, Senior Brother?"
The green-robed cultivator returned the bow. "So it is Governor Li. I am Zhang Sheng; Wei Yuan is my disciple."
Li Chengfeng's demeanor shifted to profound reverence. "So it is Master Zhang!"
Zhang Sheng said, "I have come to discuss trade matters between our sides with Your Fourth Highness. Looking at our past trade, there are still many areas that could be improved, which is why I came specially to discuss the details with Your Fourth Highness."
Li Chengfeng's expression changed. "This is a momentous matter! May I invite Master Zhang to grace our city and discuss in detail, allowing me to fulfill my duties as host?"
"That would naturally be best." Zhang Sheng did not decline.
Li Chengfeng walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Zhang Sheng, allowing the Qingming army to advance right up to the walls of Bishui City. Zhang Sheng then entered the city with only a few dozen attendants, showing no fear of an ambush.
A few newly recruited fierce generals, eager to render merit, felt this was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity and wanted to set up axemen in ambush to stage a banquet of death. However, Li Chengfeng sternly reprimanded them, even unleashing a blistering tirade on two generals dispatched by the King of Zhao. He didn't even spare the King of Zhao face.
Suffering this unwarranted tongue-lashing, the two generals had no idea what they had done wrong.
Little did they know that in Li Chengfeng's mind, so long as he could secure trade with Qingming, he could sit firmly in the angler's seat. His influence had already caught up to the Crown Prince's. From now on, so long as Li Chengfeng made no mistakes, with one side waning as the other waxed, he would only grow stronger and stronger.
Following the banquet, both parties retired to a secret chamber. The servants were dismissed; Li Chengfeng retained only a few trusted confidants by his side, while Feng Chutang sat beside Zhang Sheng.
Li Chengfeng first introduced the current status of trade between the two sides, then said, "...Now that the gallop roads are complete, cargo volume traveling back and forth is more than three times what it used to be, with room for further growth. What is lacking now is a type of freight carriage capable of long-distance transit and carrying immense loads."
Li Chengfeng's underlying meaning was that he had set his sights on Qingming's war chariots once again.
Zhang Sheng merely smiled faintly and said, "The current bottleneck in our trade does not lie in freight transport, but in the means of transaction. Every settlement is exceedingly cumbersome, and on a large scale, chaos is inevitable. As cargo volume grows in the future, the amount of immortal silver or Qingyuan required will only escalate, bound to cause inconvenience. Therefore, I wonder if Your Fourth Highness has ever considered issuing Bishuiyuan?"
Li Chengfeng was taken aback at first. Then, as the thought churned in his mind, his expression shifted—his heart pounding with excitement!
Chapter 903