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

"Your Highness, what do you think we should do?" Su Mu asked with a smile. "I'd like to hear Your Highness's opinion first."

Xiao Jingyu's expression turned serious, and he answered earnestly, "Since ancient times, when faced with this situation, all the major dynasties have sent envoys to mediate and try to persuade them not to participate in this war."

Su Mu countered, "What do you think are the chances that our Great Qian Dynasty has a good chance of successfully persuading the Liuyu Kingdom?"

Xiao Jingyu shook his head, his expression grave.

"As I just said, the Dongyi Kingdom and the Liuyu Kingdom have had trade relations for many years and have a close relationship."

"As for my great Qian, we have very little contact."

"Therefore, the chances of our Great Qian succeeding in persuading you are very low."

At this moment, Su Mu walked to the sand table in the center of the camp, smiled confidently, and pointed to the location of Liuyu Kingdom on the sand table, saying:

"We can hold a military exercise."

Military exercises?

Xiao Jingyu was stunned; it was the first time he had ever heard this word.

"Elder Su, please forgive my ignorance."

What is a military exercise?

"Simply put, it means sailing our warships to the border between Liuyu Kingdom and the Daqian Sea for a display."

"Let them see for themselves the power of the Great Qian Dragon Warship."

After listening to Su Mu's words, Xiao Jingyu suddenly realized and quickly blurted out, "To subdue the enemy without fighting."

"Is Elder Su trying to intimidate the Liuyu Kingdom, make them fearful and hesitant to form an alliance with the Dongyi Kingdom?"

Su Mu nodded and replied, "Your Highness is indeed exceptionally intelligent; you understand immediately."

"That is precisely the purpose of military exercises."

"To intimidate the Liuyu Kingdom, to make them see the strength of our Great Qian Navy, and to make the King of Liuyu Kingdom think carefully about how capable he is of winning this war."

"If, after the military exercises are over, the Kingdom of Liuyu is still determined to ally with the Kingdom of Dongyi to fight against the Great Qian, then we will divide the Youlong warships into two groups and attack Dongyi and Liuyu at the same time, and flatten both countries."

"Let them know the strength of my Great Qian Navy."

"It also lets the neighboring countries around Daqian understand that Daqian's military strength is something that these tiny countries cannot compare to."

"This time, I'm going to make an example of someone."

Seeing Su Mu's determined gaze, Xiao Jingyu's previously worried heart finally settled down.

He thought to himself, "Yeah, why panic?"

"Even if the sky falls, we still have a centenarian war god to hold it up. Who dares to come?"

Then, Xiao Jingyu looked at Su Mu and nodded: "Elder Su's plan is brilliant."

"This military operation can both train our army's combat capabilities and deter the Ryukyu Kingdom."

"If we succeed tonight, then we will truly subdue the enemy without fighting."

"When do we set off?"

Su Mu stared at the sand table, a smile playing on his lips, and replied, "The sooner the better. Let the brothers prepare, and we'll launch the operation in two days."

"Someone come here!"

Su Mu shouted towards the outside of the tent, and a soldier walked in, cupped his hands, and asked, "Elder Su, what can I do for you?"

"Issue the order that all officers of the rank of captain and above assemble at the drill ground. I have something important to announce."

Upon hearing this, the soldier immediately went to carry out the task.

Xiao Jingyu looked at the place where Liuyu Kingdom and Daqian Sea meet on the sand table, his heart filled with anticipation.

He wanted to see what kind of military exercise Su Mu was referring to.

……

"My lord, we are almost there."

On the sea, a captain dressed in Dongyi armor stood on the deck, looking at the city that was gradually approaching ahead, and shouted loudly.

"Qingyu City is just ahead."

Qingyu City is the capital of Liuyu Kingdom.

Located on the east coast of Liuyu Kingdom, the city walls are built of blue granite, and are high and thick, making them easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Looking out from the sea, the city unfolds along the curve of the coastline, with rooftops layered upon each other, like a piece of jade embedded in the earth.

There was no drawbridge at the city gate, only a long stone staircase leading to the sea.

At the highest point of the city wall stands a stone watchtower, with a flag embroidered with blue sea patterns hanging on the flagpole. It is blown straight by the fierce sea wind, fluttering as if it will never fall.

The name "Qingyu" comes from the Qingyu ore that is abundant in the country of Liuyu.

In the Kingdom of Liuyu, jade is regarded as the "stone of national protection," symbolizing the stability and peace of royal power.

At this moment, Takenaka Ryosuke, who was studying the sea map in the cabin, slowly put the map away, then got up and walked to the deck, looking ahead.

His expression was calm and composed, revealing no emotion or turmoil within him.

"Get ashore as quickly as possible."

The captain immediately waved to the soldiers rowing the boat and shouted, "Speed ​​up!"

Ryosuke Takenaka stared intently at the Jade City ahead, thinking to himself, "If I can successfully persuade the Kingdom of Ryu to form an alliance with the Eastern Barbarians, it will change the entire landscape of the Eastern Barbarians."

"At that time, the Great Qian Dynasty will undoubtedly be defeated."

"Brother, just you wait and see. I will surpass you and become the most accomplished person in the Takenaka family."

……

In the Jade City, at the Royal Palace of the Jade King.

Inside the Linlan Hall, the lights were on.

The sea breeze of the night rushed in through the open palace doors, stirring the gauze curtains hanging under the eaves. The edges of the curtains were adorned with tiny seashells, which made a soft rustling sound as they collided with each other.

King Yu Linyuan leaned back in a luxurious chair, half-sitting and half-lying, one hand supporting his forehead and the other holding a golden cup.

He wasn't very old, around thirty-five or thirty-six, with a handsome face, but his eyes always carried a hint of weariness.

He was staring intently at the dancer in front of him.

The dancers wore dresses made of sheer fabric, with silver chains around their waists, and danced barefoot on the ground.

The lead dancer was slender, her arms moving gracefully in the air, the silver chain around her waist making a continuous, soft tinkling sound as she turned.

Yu Linyuan's gaze lingered on her, moving from the way she raised her wrist to her slightly turned chin, and then along the arc of her turn to the chain at her waist and the swaying of the hem of her skirt.

He watched for a while, without saying a word, but brought the rim of the cup to his lips, took a sip, and said in a tempting tone:

"A little further ahead."

"Let me have a good look at your dance."

Upon hearing this, the lead dancer slightly adjusted her steps and took half a step forward.

Yu Linyuan's gaze followed her movements...

The maid behind him stepped forward and poured him more wine.

He didn't drink that glass of wine until the dance ended, keeping his eyes fixed on the graceful lead dancer the entire time.

After the dance ended, Yu Linyuan quickly put down his wine glass, clapped his hands happily, and praised the dancers repeatedly.

"good!"

"You danced beautifully."

"reward!"

At this moment, the ministers also clapped and cheered.

Seeing the king so happy, the prime minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty's benevolence and power have brought good weather and peace to the Kingdom of Liuyu for many years, which has enabled the country to produce such exquisite Liuyu beauties."

"Long live the King!"

Upon seeing this, the other ministers immediately rose, clasped their hands in greeting, and shouted, "Long live the King!"

Seeing the officials bowing in worship, Yu Linyuan was overjoyed and waved his hand, saying, "All of you, rise."

"Today, you may eat and drink well and celebrate the good weather and abundant harvests of my Liuyu Kingdom."

"Come on, let's raise a glass."

All the ministers raised their cups together and drank them down in one gulp.

Just then, a guard walked in from outside and whispered a few words to the prime minister.

The prime minister waved his hand and said, "Don't let them disturb His Majesty's enjoyment today."

"Arrange for them to stay in the city, and I will inform the King at court tomorrow."

The man accepted the order, bowed, and withdrew.