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However, Yan Xiang was secretly puzzled. The Emperor was able to clearly part the clouds to see the blue sky and anticipate everyone's next move, yet could it be that no one in Liu Xun's camp could see through the situation?

"Your Majesty, what should I bring for Huang Zu?" Yan Xiang certainly did not want to carry any more gold, silk, or other valuables. The scene of being scammed last time was still vividly etched in his mind, and Yan Xiang believed that if he were to rely on such material temptations once again, he would never be able to clear his own conscience. Serving merely as an envoy would make things much easier for him.

"Master Registrar Yan, you only need to bring a message to Huang Zu," Li Miao said, snapping his fingers.

"Jiangxia and Jiangdong harbor deep, irreconcilable hatred. Sun Ce possesses immense ambition and extreme arrogance; he will never allow his enemies to live in peace. You do not need to tell Huang Zu what to do; you simply need to ask him this: If Jiangdong were to occupy Lujiang and subsequently capture Yuzhang, standing in distant confrontation with his Jingzhou, what would become of Jiangxia? After capturing Lujiang with tens of thousands of victorious troops, Sun Ce commands morale that can be readily deployed. Taking it a step further, he could march directly upon Jiangxia to avenge his blood feud. What then would he, Huang Zu, do?"

Li Miao laughed heartily. "Between Jiangxia and Jiangdong, casualties are inevitable, and one side must eventually fall. Since we have already witnessed signs of Jiangxia's potential victory, you can ask old man Huang Zu: compared to Sun Ce of Jiangdong, which of the two of them is truly more capable of inspiring awe?"

Yan Xiang nodded, and said happily, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Li Miao continued, speaking to Yan Xiang, "Master Registrar Yan, whether it is your mission, the missions of Prince Fu, General Wu, and General Huang, or the missions of myself, Minister Yang, and the others, every single one is an extremely vital link. Your link, however, is the most fragile, which is why you are not the only envoy I have arranged; an envoy from Jiangting has already set off for Jiangxia."

Li Miao patted Yan Xiang on the shoulder and said sincerely, "It is not that I do not trust you, but the opportunity is too rare. I must ensure there is not the slightest mishap. Do not overthink it."

Li Miao looked like a benevolent elder; how could Yan Xiang possibly harbor any other thoughts? Moreover, for Li Miao to speak to him with such heartfelt sincerity left Yan Xiang deeply moved and shedding tears of gratitude.

"Your Majesty, I understand. The weight of this mission is clear to me, Yan Xiang. I will definitely persuade Huang Zu of Jiangxia to dispatch troops, allowing our Jiangting to reap the fisherman's profit!" Yan Xiang was completely won over by Li Miao's personal charisma and was ready to issue a solemn military pledge based on just a few words.

Li Miao chuckled and patted Yan Xiang's shoulder once more. "Master Registrar Yan, as for the heights Jiangting will stand at in the future, a heavy responsibility rests upon your shoulders as well!"

At the prefectural office in Wancheng, Lujiang, Liu Xun had already summoned his generals to discuss matters. Originally, he had intended to summon Li Miao and the others as well, but under the promptings of Liu Xie, young Liu Xun decided to first deliberate with his trusted civil and military officials before informing Li Miao.

Having received the news, Liu Ye galloped back without stopping from the night banquet at the Qiao estate, because the messenger sent by Liu Xun informed him that Sun Ce had sent another letter.

Liu Ye was completely overwhelmed. Sun Ce's moves were simply too fast, and along the way, Liu Ye had heard that Sun Ce had already mobilized his entire army to attack Huang Zu of Jiangxia, prompting him to let out a long sigh of despair.

"Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?" Liu Xun had someone read out the letter sent by Sun Ce.

"Lord Liu's reputation spreads far and wide, and this subordinate's admiration for Lord Liu is as endless as the rolling waters of the Yangtze River. Now that you and I face each other across the river, we can truly be called close neighbors. As the saying goes, when the lips are gone, the teeth feel cold, meaning that close neighbors should watch over and help one another."

"During our alliance last time, Lord Liu helped me retrieve the Imperial Jade Seal from the treacherous Li family, and I truly have no way to repay this. Therefore, I have decided to conquer Shangliao on your behalf."

"However, as the proverb goes, while one must harbor no intention to harm others, one must always maintain precautions against them. Fearing that Lujiang might misinterpret our intentions, I have decided to take this opportunity to avenge my father, which coincidentally will also dispel any apprehensions Lord Liu might harbor."

"This subordinate shares an irreconcilable feud with Huang Zu of Jiangxia. Huang Zu once led his subordinates to murder my father. Now I have already led a force of over thirty thousand men from Jiangdong, dispatching my vanguard with five thousand troops to raid Jiangxia. Furthermore, my younger brother, Sun Quan, has also taken up my commission, leading over five thousand men from Jiangdong to assist you in attacking Haihun and Shangliao."

"It must be said that the forces of Shangliao frequently raid our Jiangdong. With my meager forces and few men, I am unable to launch a distant expedition against Shangliao, yet I find them utterly vexing. If Lord Liu were to dispatch troops to conquer Shangliao now, this subordinate would be endlessly grateful."

"The territory of Shangliao is fertile, abundant in products, and entangled with complex local clan influences. Although it belongs to Yuzhang, it exists independently from the world. If we successfully capture Haihun and Shangliao together with Lord Liu this time, my Jiangdong forces will certainly not contend with Lord Liu's army for merit. We only hope that Lord Liu will reserve one-tenth of the countless treasures in Shangliao for our army when the time comes."

"In short, I earnestly hope Lord Liu will grant this. After all, once our main army embarks on a distant expedition, Jiangdong will be in a weakened state, and we hope Lord Liu will offer much assistance. Such is the way of close neighbors. If I return in triumph, I shall surely express my gratitude. Words cannot fully convey my appreciation."

Not only had Sun Ce sent this second letter to Liu Xun, but he had also delivered generous gifts. Liu Xun stroked his beard, smiling benignly as he looked at the crowd, feeling utterly ecstatic within his heart.

"Gentlemen, what is your ultimate view on this?" Seeing that everyone remained deep in thought and silent after listening, Liu Xun could not help asking again.

"My Lord, back then when Sun Jian, the Pacifier of the South, campaigned against Jingzhou, he was ambushed by Huang Zu at Xianshan and tragically lost his life. Moreover, when Sun Ce attacked Kuaiji and other places, he had long since declared that he would surely kill Huang Zu. Judging by the present situation, Jiangdong's forces and provisions are now fully prepared; this is clearly him setting out to avenge his father. Therefore, I believe this is likely true," Liu Xie thought for a moment and said.

"Mm." Liu Xun nodded, for this was precisely what he thought as well. Sun Ce had done more than enough to demonstrate his sincerity, leaving Liu Xun with no reason not to dispatch troops.

Particularly, the lands of Shangliao possessed gold, silver, jewelry, grain, rice, and rare treasures numbering in the tens of millions. Consequently, neither Jiangdong, Yuzhang, nor Lujiang had ever dared to engage Shangliao in a direct confrontation. Shangliao was easy to defend and difficult to attack, boasting perilous terrain—a natural location for an independent kingdom.

Liu Xun had already formed his intentions upon receiving Sun Ce's letter. Although he had outwardly disregarded Liu Ye's words, he had nevertheless pondered them in secret: what if Jiangdong turned on him and attacked after he committed his troops? Should his base camp be plundered in his absence, he would have nowhere to cry.

Yet what of the present situation? Jiangdong was extending an olive branch, while Jiangxia and Jiangdong had gone to war. Since the two sides had ignited hostilities, it was a life-or-death struggle that could not be halted anytime soon. As for the troops in Shouchun, Liu Xun chuckled inwardly.

That fellow Li Miao had been tied up as a hostage right here in Lujiang; where would any Shouchun troops come from?

Viewed in this light, how could Liu Xun possibly fail in a military campaign now?

Liu Xun could not help clapping his hands and laughing aloud, thinking this was truly heaven assisting him.

Just as stated in the letter, Sun Ce had now provided Liu Xun with sufficient justification to dispatch his forces.

"My Lord, who would have thought that Sun Ce of Jiangdong truly admires your great name? My Lord is truly blessed by the heavens this time," another sycophant chimed in. In any case, since it was a good thing, offering flattery carried no risk.

Taishi Ci narrowed his eyes from the side. A couple of days earlier, he had dispatched men to send Wu Anguo's wife and children to Jiangting. Although he did not know what Li Miao was ultimately plotting, Taishi Ci could distinctly sense that Li Miao seemed to have laid a massive trap for Lujiang.

Watching Liu Xun and the others bathing in mutual flattery made Taishi Ci feel a surge of irritation. Yet, unable to pinpoint the core of the issue, he cast a look of perplexity toward Liu Ye standing nearby.

Although Liu Ye had obtained a reply from Li Miao during their conversation that day, he knew it was utterly useless. Unless Li Miao confessed it to Liu Xun in person, Liu Xun would never blindly trust Liu Ye's sole testimony. Compared to others, Liu Ye's words always grated harshly against the ears.

While good medicine tastes bitter to the tongue yet cures disease, and loyal advice jars the ears yet serves a noble purpose, what could be done if the lord could not even distinguish whether your words were loyal or slanderous? Certainly, no lord would ever label advice with a tag reading—"Whatever jars the ears is loyal!" After all, words that jarred the ears might simply mean someone was cursing you.

"My Lord, have you ever considered what we should do if Sun Ce suddenly turns back halfway through his attack on Huang Zu and assaults Lujiang instead? Although Shangliao is small, its walls are stout and its moats deep, making it hard to conquer. We will inevitably fail to take it within ten days, and by then you will have nowhere to advance and nowhere to retreat, and everything will be finished," Liu Ye deliberated, yet finally spoke up regardless. Liu Xun had past ties with Cao Cao, and given Liu Xun's capabilities, Lujiang would sooner or later change hands, but Lujiang in Cao Cao's hands would surely bring immense benefits to Cao Cao.

However, Cao Cao was currently far removed from Lujiang, and Liu Ye still wished to preserve the prefecture as a stepping stone for his own future advancement.

"Humph! Sun Ce is already engaged with Huang Zu. If Sun Ce withdraws his troops, how could Huang Zu stand idly by?" Liu Xun snorted coldly, thoroughly displeased with Liu Ye's behavior. Last time, this fellow had warned him about what Sun Ce might do, and look at the outcome now? Sun Ce had sent gifts once again.

"Brother Liu, I think you are worrying excessively. Look at how earnest Sun Ce's wording is in the letter, and how he even expressed the wish that a portion of Shangliao's wealth be reserved for him. If he truly intended to trick the Lord into dispatching troops, he could easily have asked to take nothing at all!" One of Liu Xun's subordinates argued against Liu Ye.

"Indeed! If he wanted to lure us with profit, he could have been far more straightforward about it," Liu Xun coughed twice and said. Moreover, anyone with discerning eyes could naturally see that the "one-tenth" mentioned by Sun Ce was merely a polite expression, serving to remind Liu Xun not to be overly greedy. Someone capable of uttering such words certainly need not fear that Liu Xun would refuse to dispatch troops, right?

Furthermore, Sun Ce concluded by mentioning that Jiangdong was currently in a weakened state. Given that they needed to attack Huang Zu and pacify Shangliao, Sun Ce's request for him to dispatch troops was entirely reasonable, was it not?

"Alas," Liu Ye sighed. Precisely because of these details, Liu Xun was all the more convinced of the matter's authenticity; otherwise, given Liu Xun's suspicious and erratic personality, he likely would not have dispatched his forces at all.

"My Lord, if that is the case, we must gather intelligence diligently along the way to guard against Sun Ce feinting a strike," Liu Ye said, having no other choice.

Hearing Liu Ye yield, Liu Xun's mood finally improved, and he complacently accepted the kowtows and flattery of the assembly.

"In that case, someone come here!" Liu Xun shouted. "Go to the Li estate and invite General Li and the other generals to come here, saying I have important matters to discuss."

"Yes, My Lord!" The subordinate hastily departed to relay the order, summoning Li Miao and the others to the prefectural office in Wancheng.

After a short while, Li Miao arrived at the office accompanied by Yang Hong, Li Yin, Zhang Xun, and others. The moment he stepped through the door, he heard Liu Xun's hearty laughter.

"General Li, I am truly grateful for the assistance you rendered in helping me procure provisions the other day!" Liu Xun expressed his thanks sincerely, though his gaze remained sharp as a falcon's, as if he hoped to pierce through Li Miao's facade and discover the hidden origin of those provisions.

It was simply too baffling. At the time, Liu Xun had dispatched men to keep a tight watch on Li Miao, hoping to unearth the location of the treasure trove. Yet, despite this unblinking surveillance, Li Miao had merely slipped out once to go hunting, and twenty thousand shi of fine provisions had materialized out of thin air before his very eyes.

Moreover, they were superior provisions of a quality Liu Xun had never witnessed before.

"Think nothing of it, this was merely my duty," Li Miao smiled and returned the courtesy, catching sight of Liu Ye's murderous glare nearby. Li Miao twitched his eyebrows in a silent provocation.

Liu Ye's breath caught in his throat, and he nearly vomited a mouthful of ancient blood.

"However, I wonder where General Li managed to acquire those provisions?" Liu Xun probed with a smile.

"Prefect, do you truly wish to know?" Li Miao took a sip of tea and replied with an equally smiling expression.

"Naturally. The fine provisions General Li procured are the absolute best I, Liu Xun, have ever laid eyes upon; they are fragrant, sweet, and melt the moment they touch the tongue," Liu Xun praised without reservation.

"However, I am terribly sorry, I truly cannot tell you," Li Miao replied with an innocent air.

Liu Xun's smile instantly froze on his face as he heard Li Miao continue, "To be honest, it is not that I am unwilling to speak, but when I was six years old, I encountered an old sage who bestowed upon me a volume of heavenly scripture. It contained incomprehensible entries about summoning rain and peerless martial arts, and it also pointed out a Noah's Ark filled to the brim with grain. It was precisely there that I discovered the provisions."

"A No... Noah what?" Liu Xun asked with rising interest.

"Noah's Ark!" Li Miao took another sip of tea, speaking with utter nonchalance.

"Noah's Ark," Liu Xun furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "And where might this Noah's Ark be located?"

Li Miao instantly clamped a hand over his mouth.

Liu Xun awkwardly chuckled and said, "Actually, it doesn't matter. Since the General is unwilling to elaborate, I shall not ask further. Haha."

Li Miao stammered, "It's not that I refuse to speak, but that old sage warned me that if I were to leak any information regarding this matter, I would become plagued by misfortune. Furthermore, whoever inquired about it would suffer the exact same fate."

Liu Xun rolled his eyes. Although blinded by ambition at times, Liu Xun was not a fool; watching Li Miao talk nonsense, he thought to himself, "This fellow is spinning taller tales by the minute, even pulling out curses of misfortune."

"You do not believe me?" Li Miao asked in feigned surprise.

"Heh." Liu Xun managed an insincere, mocking smile.

"If you do not believe me, consider where those provisions came from in the first place! They quite literally fell from the skies!" Li Miao coaxed persuasively.

"Oh, come to think of it, that is true. How did those provisions arrive?" Liu Xun was startled, thinking inwardly, "Could it be that this fellow Li Miao is actually telling the truth?"

"Do you still wish to know?" Li Miao assumed a righteous expression. "Since General Li is currently residing in Lujiang, it is my duty to resolve your worries, My Lord. If you truly wish to know, I ask that you reward me with a beautiful concubine tonight, and tomorrow I shall reveal the secret to you."

"Ah?" Liu Xun was taken aback, asking with nervous apprehension, "A... a beautiful concubine? General Li, what sort of misfortune are we talking about?"

Li Miao's face dropped into a mournful frown as he wailed, "My Lord, it is... it is the exact same affliction suffered by the Ten Eunuchs."

Liu Xun recoiled in terror, breaking out in a cold sweat as he wiped his brow and stammered, "No need to know, no need to know. Being able to secure the provisions is quite enough... quite enough."