"Military means, then?"
Chen Chuan fully agreed with this; it was indeed the most effective way to break the current deadlock.
One of the main reasons the situation in Jibei Dao had been reversed so quickly back then was that the former imperial household's garrisoned military force had been wiped out. He looked at the three men and asked, "The state is still negotiating with the former imperial household right now. How do you plan to handle that aspect?"
Opting directly for military action was not an issue in itself. The problem was that the conservative faction would certainly use disobedience to the government and waging war without authorization as pretexts to drag their feet.
Qi Weizhao said, "If we act quickly enough and the military results are significant enough to establish a fait accompli, there won't be an issue."
Xue Shou smiled faintly. "It's really not an issue. If they attack us first, we naturally have to counterattack. If they claim that wasn't the case, they're welcome to send someone to investigate."
Sun Yangde picked up his teacup from the table, blew across it twice, and said, "Once fighting begins, it won't be so easy to stop."
Chen Chuan nodded slightly. This was the right approach. If they wanted the former imperial household to make the first move, there were definitely ways—plenty of them, in fact.
After all, the two sides had been locked in a standoff along the front line for a long time, so friction was inevitable.
Perhaps the Defense Department had planted moles there long ago to coordinate the incident. Even if they hadn't, they could easily engineer one. In any case, a small clash could always be escalated into a full-blown conflict.
Qi Weizhao said, "Anbei Dao offers the most convenient route to the former imperial household's capital. Because it was developed early on, the terrain is exceptionally well-suited for a massive army to march through, making it a critical focus of their defenses. If we break through here, the northern gate of Youdu will be laid bare before the vanguard of our forces.
"For that very reason, one of the former imperial household's elite units, the Dinghai Army, is stationed there. It is normally commanded by General Conquering the North Zong Chi.
"However, according to our intelligence, they may have reinforced their defenses there during the negotiations to guard against a sudden strike from us."
Sun Yangde said, "Through long-term arrangements, we had originally planned to quickly invite two powerful martial artists from the Ring of the World to the scene once the fighting started, ensuring our chances of victory in this battle.
"Yet according to freshly received intelligence, General of Chariots and Cavalry Fang Ke might inspect the northern garrison while the former imperial household is negotiating.
"That introduces far too many variables.
"It's not that we cannot deploy more people, but that takes time. If things drag out, we might miss our window of opportunity, and the conservatives might agree to some compromise beforehand. There are simply too many uncertainties."
He looked at Chen Chuan. "Secretary Chen, that is why we may need your support this time."
He said solemnly, "Secretary Chen, your abilities are beyond doubt. If you can back us in this battle, I believe securing victory will not be a problem."
All three men turned to Chen Chuan, awaiting his response.
Although Chen Chuan had not yet entered the highest decision-making circle, he was undeniably one of the world's foremost Dongxuan View martial artists. His battle before Tianji Peak had shaken the leadership of nations worldwide, and the various old factions within the convergence zone had heard of it as well.
Even if he didn't strike a blow, merely appearing on the field would exert immense psychological and mental pressure on the enemy.
Chen Chuan looked at them and asked, "When do we move?"
At this question, Sun Yangde's expression relaxed. Qi Weizhao's face remained unchanged, as though he had known this answer all along, while Xue Shou smiled faintly.
Sun Yangde spoke a little faster: "We will launch the offensive before the end of the year. The exact date hasn't been set yet, but it will be roughly sometime in December."
Chen Chuan replied, "Let me know when the time comes. I will be there." When the time arrived, dispatching an avatar would be more than enough. Right now, he was bound by no restrictive agreements, so there were no constraints on his avatar's power.
A smile broke across Sun Yangde's face. "Splendid! With Secretary Chen joining us, our chances of winning this battle will increase dramatically!"
Chen Chuan considered the situation. From the look of things, the progressive faction was clearly making its move.
At present, Sun Yangde represented the Defense Department, while Teacher Xue undoubtedly represented the authority of the Main Academy. Qi Weizhao, needless to say, was one of the progressives' key figures in the political arena.
Now, with the mobilization of troops, the military's strength was visibly involved as well. Chen Chuan knew that Fan Zhentong came from a military background. When Fan Zhentong had sought him out that day and mentioned that certain actions were underway, it had clearly been related to this.
These organizations wielding state force obviously intended to settle the matter through military means rather than make political concessions.
This was understandable. Both the progressives and the conservatives were likely aware that in roughly another year, the Great Impact could occur.
The conservatives undoubtedly wanted to maintain the status quo and stall until then, whereas the progressives urgently sought to alter the current situation and consolidate the nation's strength.
If there were no hope for Skyline, the progressives would have had no choice but to settle for the past state of affairs. But now that this opportunity had presented itself, how could they possibly let it pass by?
After turning these thoughts over in his mind, he asked, "What is the current situation inside Anbei Dao?"
Sun Yangde said, "Secretary Chen, there is no need to worry. The reason we dare to make our move this time is that we have cultivated two local martial artists in Anbei Dao, granting us an absolute advantage over the central city's local council."
A trace of chilling resolve crept into his voice. "Once the military operation in Anbei Dao is concluded, the next step will be purging the local council."
Chen Chuan was slightly surprised. He knew very well how difficult achieving this was.
The power of local councils was deeply entrenched. Any martial artist the upper echelons managed to assign downward was always the product of compromise with the locality; it was virtually impossible to insert formidable figures, and at most, only active conscious entities responsible for instruction and central city security were permitted.
Therefore, to break the stalemate, one had to cultivate capable martial artists from the local populace, tearing open a breach in the rigid system of the regional central city.
Currently, the primary avenue of upward mobility for commoners was Wuyi Academy. However, the vast majority of admission slots for outer cities were monopolized by local families and corporations. A great number of gifted, capable students were shut out from the academies.
Even if one or two managed to enter a central city, growing to that advanced stage was extraordinarily difficult.
The conservative leadership of local councils and governments hoarded resources, which both ensured the stable functioning of the political apparatus and firmly barred the path for those at the bottom to break through.
Even if someone of transcendent talent did manage to break through, they would likely be forced to compromise in the face of the grueling difficulties that followed, and the path they ultimately walked might not be what the progressives wished to see.
Having walked this path himself, Chen Chuan understood this profoundly.
Yet in the end, there were always those who feared no danger and were willing to sacrifice themselves to tear open an opening at the top, striving to win a chance for everyone.
He asked Sun Yangde when the two had broken through to become martial artists. Unsurprisingly, both had done so within the past two years.
This had taken place precisely after Chen Bitong's heroic feat.
The first to benefit were the martial artists on the East Continent. With pure substance available, they could break through that barrier without having to rely on local councils or corporations.
Of course, these individuals might also have received backing from the military, the Defense Department, or even the Purist Faction, but those who received such support were ultimately very few. Furthermore, when it came to pure substance, the more one had, the better.
Sun Yangde tapped his boundary credential several times, bringing up a map Chen Chuan had never seen before.
He said, "This is an approximate map of the territories currently held by the former imperial household, synthesized from old atlases and verified reconnaissance."
At that moment, the northern portion of the map lit up.
"Here is the front line of our standoff in Anbei Dao. If we move quickly enough in this battle, and if we can force the former imperial household to contract inward, the strategic posture in other directions will improve dramatically.
"When we launch the attack, we will 'notify' the other central cities that have joined Skyline to conduct military operations in tandem, pinning down a portion of the former imperial household's peripheral forces.
"However, those regional central cities may not cooperate; they might simply watch idly as the former imperial household mobilizes its forces. If so, it could subsequently lead to a major pitched battle between our main forces.
"That isn't entirely a bad thing. If we can completely wipe out the Dinghai Army in a single engagement, it will be even more advantageous for eventually overthrowing the former imperial household down the line."
Chen Chuan looked at the display. Beside the screen, there were even more detailed operational plans. Evidently, the progressives had been preparing for this for a long time—likely through years or even longer periods of planning.
He couldn't help recalling that someone had backed Chen Bitong at the time, and now he seemed to have found his answer.
Once progress was made on the military front, the political winds would shift accordingly.
With the gateway to Youdu forced open, setting aside whether they could seize the opportunity to strike directly at the former imperial household's capital, the previously proposed terms would certainly have to change. After all, Great Shun had no reason to spit back out what it had already swallowed.
In particular, seizing the convergence zone of Anbei Dao would yield substantial, tangible benefits.
Qi Weizhao said at this point, "The two articles Secretary Chen published earlier carried great weight, and those two debates extensively championed the benefits of Skyline. They have already been embraced by many who support us across various regional cities."
Sun Yangde added, "Indeed, Secretary Chen, your two articles generated tremendous resonance, especially within Wuyi Academy."
He glanced at Xue Shou and smiled. "Many students agree with your perspective. If we achieve victory this time, it will further prove that everything you argued is the correct choice for the present."
Chen Chuan gave an affirmative sound. The victors would not face censure, especially after a military victory.
The benefits that followed would also be tangible, so this battle was an absolute necessity.
After a moment's thought, he said, "Not long ago, I obtained a map related to the former imperial household. I haven't had the time to verify it yet, but perhaps you gentlemen could take a look."
With that, he tapped his boundary credential and transmitted the data separately to Teacher Xue and Qi Weizhao.
Through them, Sun Yangde quickly received it as well. When his eyes fell upon the display, his gaze sharpened, and he sat straight up.
"This is..."
Chen Chuan said, "This is allegedly a secret path leading to Youdu—the route once used by the former imperial household when fleeing to the Western Continent."
Sun Yangde studied it back and forth several times. Even with his measured composure, a trace of excitement crept into his voice as he turned around and said, "Secretary Chen, this clue is far too vital! If this map can be verified as authentic, it will give us another option in our military plans to dismantle the former imperial household!"
Chapter 1379