With wives as numerous as clouds and soldiers as numerous as a million, you say he's a useless

Upon returning to the eldest son's residence, Ye Cheng'an locked himself in his study.

He stared at the map of the border between Liuzhou and the Northern Barbarians, lost in thought.

Why is the Kowloon Alliance associated with the Northern Barbarians?

Is the relationship between the two merely a trade transaction, or has the Kowloon Alliance committed treason for some personal gain?

Even more so, could the Pei family be a secret agent planted by the Northern Barbarians in the Great Qian Dynasty?

After all, when two countries are at war, all sorts of dirty and underhanded methods will be used, which was very common in Ye Cheng'an's time, so he couldn't help but think about it more.

Just as he was deep in thought, Mu Yanqi walked in, carrying a soup bowl.

"The warhorses and weapons you traded with from the Western Regions have all arrived. They were dispatched to the Tiger Roar Camp today, and I will be leaving tomorrow."

Ye Cheng'an frowned. "So fast?"

Mu Yanqi laughed and hugged his neck. "What? Young Master, are you reluctant to part with me?"

Ye Cheng'an gazed intently at Mu Yanqi's stunningly beautiful face, thinking of their intimate moments day and night these past few days, and nodded solemnly, "A little."

Hearing this answer, Mu Yanqi smiled even more brightly, "Young Master is a man destined for great things, and should not be troubled by momentary romantic feelings."

"Moreover, this separation is for a better reunion. I look forward to the day when we meet at the top."

"So, you came here tonight specifically to say goodbye?" Ye Chengan asked.

Mu Yanqi nodded. "If I weren't leaving tomorrow, why would that girl beside you have let me in so easily?"

"Since that's the case, the night is too short to waste." Ye Cheng'an picked up Mu Yanqi's legs and placed her on the table in front of him.

Just then, it started raining outside the window.

The shadows of the trees swayed in the gale, just like delicate flowers trembling under the baptism of wind and rain.

The delicate flowers were battered and bruised by the torrential rain, yet they yearned for its nourishment, giving their all to meet its almost frantic cleansing.

After an unknown amount of time, all the dark clouds in the sky gathered and poured all the raindrops onto the flowers.

After the rain stopped, the flowers became even more beautiful.

Outside the door, in the distance, Zhuyu stood under the eaves, gazing at the study through the rain.

The two figures were inseparable.

The rain didn't wet her body or hair, but it did wet her soul.

It seems that the eldest son really likes Prime Minister Mu.

It's a pity that she couldn't truly take advantage of her proximity to the source.

The eldest son has already been outmaneuvered by Prime Minister Mu, and she absolutely cannot let the princess get there first. After Prime Minister Mu leaves, she must do everything she can to become the eldest son's woman and truly become the master!

...

Inside the study, everything finally returned to calm as dawn broke.

Mu Yanqi hugged Ye Cheng'an tightly around the waist, nestling against him like a little bird. "After I leave, what do you plan to do with the Nine Dragons Alliance?"

Mentioning this, Ye Cheng'an suddenly thought, "By the way, have any of the Western Regions merchant caravans ever traveled to the Northern Barbarians? How much do they know about the Northern Barbarians?"

Mu Yanqi frowned slightly. "Are you worried about the Northern Barbarians invading our borders?"

Ye Cheng'an nodded, "I purchased so many armors, weapons and warhorses from you as a precaution. After all, Liuzhou has a special geographical location, and there will eventually be a war with the Northern Barbarians."

He did not tell Mu Yanqi about the assassination attempt that night.

Mu Yanqi was about to leave, and he didn't want her to leave while still worrying about him.

Mu Yanqi thought for a moment and said, "I have indeed been to the Northern Barbarians. The general in charge of guarding the border of the Northern Barbarians was a woman, and I even had contact with her."

"Her name is He Qinghan. She is an extremely calm, wise, and decisive person. I have never seen a female commander with such authority."

"As you know, the Northern Barbarians have always been a place where the strong prey on the weak and only the fittest survive. The fact that a woman can become a border general is enough to prove that she has fought her way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and it is enough to show her extraordinary nature. So, if one day the Northern Barbarians really want to send troops to Liuzhou, you must not underestimate her just because she is a woman."

As Ye Cheng'an listened to Mu Yanqi's evaluation of He Qinghan, he frowned. "Is there really anyone in this world who can receive such high praise from Prime Minister Mu? I am truly curious about what kind of person He Qinghan is."

Mu Yanqi said, "She not only has outstanding talent in military campaigns, but is also exceptionally brave. It is said that she is a martial arts master who has already reached the first rank at a young age."

Ye Cheng'an had not properly learned about the martial arts ranking system here since he arrived, so he did not know how valuable the first rank was.

"First-class, is that so impressive?"

Mu Yanqi nodded, "Martial arts ranks gradually increase from low to high, namely the ninth rank, the eighth rank, the seventh rank... and finally the first rank."

"Within these nine ranks, each rank is further divided into ten levels, with one being the lowest and ten being the highest. Above the first level is the Grandmaster."

"But there are only eight Grandmasters in the world, so you should understand the value of a First-Rank Master. If you encounter her, in a one-on-one situation, you will have no chance to fight back. She can kill you with just a flick of her finger."

After listening to Mu Yanqi's analysis, Ye Chengan's expression became even more serious. "It seems that I should also learn martial arts properly."

Mu Yanqi disagreed, "Martial arts training should start from a young age. It's probably too late for the eldest young master to have only just entered the martial realm."

"So, if the Northern Barbarians send troops, I am doomed to defeat?" Ye Cheng'an asked.

Mu Yanqi shook her head. "That's not necessarily true. Didn't I say that the eldest young master is the first man in this world to make me look at him differently, and He Qinghan is the first woman to make me look at her differently? She is good at martial arts, but the eldest young master is good at thinking. If the eldest young master can outsmart her and surpass her in military strategy, he may not be unable to protect the peace of Liuzhou."

"Understood. I will remember your assessment of her, and when I encounter her, I will definitely outsmart her," Ye Chengan said.

"Alright, it's getting late, I should leave." Mu Yanqi decisively withdrew, put on her clothes, and walked away. "Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, He Qinghan commands an army of 100,000."

Ye Cheng'an's voice sounded from behind, "Do you want me to give you a ride?"

Mu Yanqi turned around, smiled, and said, "Parting is inevitable after a thousand miles of farewell. I am not the kind of woman who cries and whines after leaving her lover. I hate the sight of life and death separations the most."

"Besides, this isn't a final farewell, why must you see me off, young master?"

"The mountains are high and the waters are far, the paths twist and turn, but we will meet again."

After saying that, Mu Yanqi left gracefully.

Watching her retreating figure without a backward glance, Ye Cheng'an looked at his naked body and suddenly felt that his and Mu Yanqi's roles seemed to have been reversed.

Damn it, what happened? He's the one who got used up and then dumped.

However, the information Mu Yanqi provided today was quite useful to him.

He Qinghan, a first-rank master, commands 100,000 troops, while his Tiger Roar Camp only has 12,000 soldiers. No matter how well equipped they are, the enemy will still win an overwhelming victory.

So, if his concerns were correct, if the relationship between the Pei family and the Northern Barbarians was more than just trade...

They would inevitably coordinate with him from within and without while he was holding a grand banquet to make a spectacle of flowers bloom, allowing the Northern Barbarian army to take advantage of the situation and invade!

He will inevitably be caught off guard and will surely be defeated if he is completely unprepared.

No, I have to think of a way to secretly add some troops to my service!

And Xiao Heming's side is another bombshell.

Xiao Heming was originally Su Wanrou's lackey. He attacked Su Wanrou as soon as he arrived in Liuzhou, even risking the lives of the people of Liuzhou. Now, he has also wiped out Su Wanrou's savings of many years and forced him to sign a confession. Su Wanrou has no choice but to tuck his tail between his legs and become a coward. The position of Grand Governor of Liuzhou is now just a name.

The other party must hate him to the core!

If the Northern Barbarians attack, Xiao Heming's 50,000 troops will not only fail to be of help to him, but may even betray him.

Once he's dead, the confession will naturally no longer be a means of threatening Xiao Heming.

If this matter is not handled properly, he and the Tiger Roar Battalion will inevitably be attacked from both sides and wiped out!