At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

At the Zhenbei Duke's Mansion, on the training ground.

The autumn sun shone directly down from above, warming the entire training ground.

Su Mu rode on his Akhal-Teke horse, his body hunched over, his white hair fluttering slightly in the wind.

He held a bow in his hand.

Before him stood Su Qingxue, Xiao Yunchuan, Xiao Zhixia, and Xiao Zhiqi, each riding a horse and holding a bow, intently watching him.

"The art of mounted archery is not about accuracy, but about rhythm."

"The horse is running, the people are moving, and the target is moving too."

"If you're impatient, the arrow will go astray; if you hesitate, the opportunity will pass."

He slowly raised his bow, drew an arrow from his quiver, and nocked it.

The Akhal-Teke horse was trotting, its back rising and falling, but Su Mu's body seemed to be one with the horse, remaining completely still.

He opened his eyes and aimed at a straw man target a hundred paces away.

"Whoosh!"

The arrow pierced the air with lightning speed, precisely striking the straw man's forehead.

The feathers at the fletching of the arrow were still trembling slightly, gleaming white in the sunlight.

Su Qingxue clapped her hands while sitting on horseback: "Grandpa is amazing! He hit the bullseye!"

Xiao Yunchuan exclaimed sincerely, "Master's archery skills are truly unparalleled! To be able to shoot so accurately from a hundred paces away on horseback!"

Xiao Zhi Qiu chuckled and turned to look at Xiao Yun Chuan.

"Sixth Prince, your flattery skills have certainly improved; they far surpass your archery skills!"

Xiao Yunchuan was taken aback, but he wasn't annoyed. He just laughed and said, "Sister Zhi Qiu, your mouth is much more powerful than your swordsmanship! Another day, I'll have Master teach you how to speak first, and then teach you how to shoot arrows."

The two started bickering back and forth, while Xiao Zhixia smiled silently, her gaze fixed intently on Su Mu, memorizing every detail of the arrow she had just fired.

Su Mu sheathed his bow and smiled, "Alright, stop joking around."

"Qingxue, you go first."

Su Qingxue nodded, took a deep breath, and, imitating her grandfather, nocked her own bow and arrow.

She sat on the horse's back, her legs gripping the horse's belly, her body leaning slightly forward, her eyes fixed on the target a hundred paces away.

Although her movements were still a bit clumsy, she had a serious attitude.

"Whoosh!"

The arrow flew out, and although it did not hit the bullseye, it landed steadily on the target, only three inches away from the bullseye.

Xiao Yunchuan's eyes lit up: "Qingxue, you've improved so fast! You missed the target just two days ago, and today you hit it! In a few more days, I'm afraid you won't even be able to beat me!"

Su Mu's eyes were filled with satisfaction.

Qingxue is also quite talented in archery and horsemanship.

"Not bad, the power is sufficient, but the accuracy is much better than yesterday. Keep practicing."

Su Qingxue's face flushed with excitement after receiving her grandfather's praise. She then drew another arrow and began practicing earnestly.

Seeing this, Xiao Yunchuan was not to be outdone, so he spurred his horse forward and drew his bow.

His archery skills were quite good; he shot an arrow that hit the bullseye just an inch below.

He grinned and turned to look at Xiao Zhi Qiu: "How was it?"

Xiao Zhi Qiu snorted: "Not bad, watch me show you something!"

She spurred her horse forward, drew her bow, and shot an arrow with swift and precise movements, hitting the bullseye.

"How about it? I can do it too."

The group of people practiced, each taking turns talking and competing with the others.

Su Mu sat on his horse, looking at the group of young people with high spirits, his eyes full of affection.

These young people are all kind-hearted, talented, and enthusiastic.

In his spare time, he was able to teach them some skills, which was a reward in itself.

"Old Su!"

Liu Yuzhou's voice came from the entrance of the training ground, sounding extremely urgent.

"His Majesty has arrived! He's already outside the gate!"

Su Mu was quite surprised.

The emperor has arrived?

Coming at this time, I'm afraid it's not just a casual visit.

Before he could even dismount, a bright figure had already appeared hurriedly at the entrance of the training ground.

Xiao Jinghuan looked anxious and walked hurriedly, completely lacking his usual imperial composure.

Behind him followed Wang Ben, the Minister of War, and several personal guards, all of whom looked travel-worn.

"Minister Su! Minister Su!"

Xiao Jinghuan walked a few steps to the edge of the training ground, disregarding any imperial dignity, and spoke urgently.

"I have a favor to ask!"

Su Mu dismounted, walked to the emperor, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, what is this...?"

His gaze fell on Wang Ben, and seeing the Minister of War's solemn face, he already had a vague guess in his mind.

The emperor took a deep breath and recounted in detail the news of the defeat in the East China Sea, the fall of Ninghai City, the discord between the Crown Prince and Xu Cheng and other generals, and the fact that the Third Prince Xiao Jingyu had gone deep behind enemy lines alone and had not yet returned.

His tone was hurried, carrying an unprecedented panic, and every word was filled with anxiety and earnestness.

"...Minister Su, I know you have finished fighting in the northern border and finally reunited with your granddaughter."

"But the situation in the East China Sea has truly reached a critical juncture of life and death."

"Xu Cheng and other generals jointly submitted a memorial, stating bluntly that if the Crown Prince were to be allowed to command the troops again, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"In the present Great Qian Dynasty, only General Su can suppress the Eastern Yi bandits."

After the emperor finished speaking...

Su Mu remained silent for a moment.

He recalled the entrustment made by the Third Prince Xiao Jingyu before his departure, the lack of news from Qin Hao, You Zhongyi and others, and the innocent people being slaughtered by the Eastern Yi bandits along the East China Sea coast.

He agreed to the emperor's request.

"Your Majesty, this old minister is leaving."

Su Mu's words made the emperor extremely happy.

"Very well! Very well! I will issue the decree immediately!"

"The Crown Prince is relieved of his post as Grand Marshal of the Eastern Expedition; Minister Su shall assume full authority in this position! All troops in the East Sea shall be under Minister Su's command!"

And at that very moment!

[Ding! Main quest has been issued. Please check it promptly!]

The long-lost system voice rang in Su Mu's mind.

[Main Quest: Lead the Eastern Expedition, Reclaim the Eastern Sea, and Drive Out the Eastern Barbarian Bandits!]

[Mission Objective: Within three months, reclaim the entire East China Sea region, eliminate the main bandit leader of the Eastern Barbarians, and stabilize the southeastern coastal defenses.]

[Mission Rewards: 5 years of reverse aging, 300 days of lifespan, max-level Golden Bell Shield, and one Dragon Battleship forging blueprint!]

Max level Golden Bell Shield?

Dragon-shaped warship?

He hadn't looked at it closely yet, but just from the name, he knew it was no ordinary item.

Especially that warship blueprint.

In the battle of the East China Sea, the navy is the key.

If a super-powerful warship could be built, the Dongyi people's advantage at sea would cease to exist.

Su Mu regained consciousness.

"Master! If you're going to fight in the East Sea, please take your disciple with you!"

Xiao Yunchuan was the first to rush forward, clasping his hands in a fist salute, his voice urgent.

"I've studied under you for so long, it's time for me to go to the battlefield and see the world!"

Xiao Zhi Qiu wasn't about to be outdone: "Grandpa Su, I'm going too! I've been wanting to kill a few Eastern Yi bandits for ages!"

Finally, Su Qingxue ran over, grabbed her grandfather's clothes, and looked up at him with her little face.

"Grandpa, Qingxue wants to go too! Qingxue has learned the Dugu Nine Swords and archery, now she can protect you!"

Su Mu looked at the group of young people; he had originally intended to refuse.

After all, the battlefield is not child's play; swords and spears have no eyes, and he didn't want these children to take risks.

But then he thought about it again, and realized that his strength was no longer what it was when he first joined the army.

Besides, didn't he also fight his way up from the cooks' ranks in the North?

No rainbow without rain.

These children need to be toughened up!

"it is good."

Su Mu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the four people.

"Let's go together, and I'll show you what a real battlefield is like."

"I also want you to know that martial arts are not for showing off, but for killing enemies, serving the country, and protecting the people."

The four cheered in unison.

The emperor watched from the side, feeling both gratified and worried.

He looked at Su Mu: "Minister Su, I intend to mobilize 30,000 troops from the northern border. What do you think?"

Su Mu shook his head: "Your Majesty, there is no need to mobilize troops from the northern border."

"Most of the soldiers in the North are not used to water, and they will suffer when they arrive in the water towns of Jiangnan."

"There are still nearly 30,000 troops in the East China Sea, which is enough."

"This old minister only needs an imperial edict to take over the military power held by the Crown Prince."

The emperor immediately nodded and ordered Wang Ben to draft an edict.

"Immediately draft an imperial edict to remove Crown Prince Xiao Yunfeng from his position as Grand Marshal of the Eastern Expedition, and replace him with Duke Zhenbei, Su Mu, who will have full command of the troops in the East Sea. All military operations will be at Su Mu's disposal!"

Wang Ben knelt down to accept the order, then turned and quickly left.

Su Mu turned around, looked at the four of them, and seriously instructed, "Go pack your things. We'll depart in an hour."

"yes!"

The four responded in unison, then turned and ran towards their respective residences.

Su Qingxue took a couple of steps, then turned back and waved to her grandfather: "Grandpa, Qingxue will be ready soon! Wait for me!"

Su Mu smiled and nodded.

He walked over to the Akhal-Teke horse, patted its back, and said, "Old buddy, it'll be hard for you to come to the battlefield with me again."

The Akhal-Teke horse seemed to understand Su Mu's words, neighing and excitedly stamping its hooves.

It seems eager to rush to the battlefield!