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

Outside the capital of the Eastern Yi, the long street was deserted, and a cold wind was blowing.

Ryosuke Takenaka reined in his horse and subconsciously turned back to gaze at the majestic and solemn imperial palace gates, at the capital of the Eastern Barbarians to which he had devoted his talents and wisdom and wanted to wholeheartedly assist.

The wind rustled my clothes, and all I saw was desolation.

He was filled with mixed feelings and a strong premonition.

This departure may be a permanent separation, with no chance of ever returning in this lifetime.

The road ahead is a formidable enemy camp, a perilous situation where life and death are uncertain.

Success or failure is unknown, life or death is uncertain.

After a long while, Takenaka Ryosuke slowly withdrew his gaze, took a deep breath of the chilly autumn wind, suppressed the myriad emotions in his heart, and slowly raised a faint smile on his face, murmuring softly to himself.

"Fine."

"Born here, raised here..."

As soon as he finished speaking, he was about to whip his whip and set off.

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly came from behind, accompanied by familiar shouts that pierced the autumn wind.

"Brother Ryosuke, please wait!"

Ryosuke Takenaka reined in his horse upon hearing the sound and suddenly turned around.

A figure in black riding a horse came galloping towards them; it was his friend, Gennosuke Shimazu!

Since his disastrous defeat in the East Sea and his return to Kyoto, Shimazu Gennosuke has never stopped. He immediately returned to the East Shu Prefecture and secretly summoned all his hidden assassins and intelligence agents. He issued a secret order overnight, wanting to assassinate Su Mu at all costs to avenge his brother and stop the Daqian army from invading the East Yi.

He had just learned that his close friend Takenaka Ryosuke had volunteered to go alone to the enemy camp of Daqian to seek peace. He was immediately anxious and rode his horse at full speed to stop him.

As soon as the warhorse came to a stop, Shimazu Gennosuke dismounted, slightly out of breath, and rushed to Takenaka Ryosuke. His expression was anxious and urgent, and his tone was filled with undisguised questioning and resentment.

"Ryosuke-kun! You're so foolish!"

"You are a commoner strategist, without official rank, title, or responsibility, and you receive no salary from the court. Why would you willingly wade into this deadly mess?"

"All the civil and military officials, high-ranking ministers, are paid by the emperor and bear his burdens, yet in times of crisis they all cower and flee, choosing to live in disgrace. Why should you be the one to risk your life?"

"Do you know that this trip to the Great Qian army camp is fraught with peril, with a nine-out-of-ten chance of death!"

"Our 150,000-strong Eastern Barbarian navy has been completely annihilated, and our 300,000-strong Great Qian Iron Army has crossed the sea to press upon our borders. Our military might is at its peak, and our momentum is unstoppable. We are already poised for annihilation!"

"Now that things have come to this, Su Mu possesses overwhelming military strength. How could he easily agree to peace and surrender? How could he give the Eastern Barbarians a chance to live in ignominy?"

Despite his friend's urgent dissuasion, Takenaka Ryosuke still wore a gentle and calm smile, his eyes clear and firm, without a trace of regret.

"Brother Shimazu, I know your worries, and I am also aware that the road ahead is fraught with danger, with a slim chance of survival."

"However, my mind is made up, and I will never turn back."

"To have such a dear friend see me off before my departure, I have no regrets in this life. Brother, there is no need to persuade me any further."

Every word was sincere, and hearing it, Gennosuke Shimazu felt a pang of sorrow in his heart, his anxiety turning into helplessness and admiration.

He knew Takenaka Ryosuke's personality all too well. Beneath his gentle exterior lay an unyielding pride; once he made up his mind, he would never give up.

After a long silence, Shimazu Gennosuke clenched his fists tightly, his eyes surging with resentment and unwillingness, and asked one last question in a deep voice: "Ryosuke-nii, I'll ask you one more time."

"If Su Mu refuses to surrender, refuses to negotiate, and gives the Eastern Yi no chance of survival, what will you do?"

Upon hearing this question, the gentle smile in Takenaka Ryosuke's eyes slowly faded, and his eyes suddenly became extremely sharp, revealing their fierceness and resolute indignation.

He looked up and gazed ahead, paused for a moment, then answered in a firm and resounding tone:

"If peace talks are hopeless, our only way out is dead!"

"I will perish with my brother to avenge him!"

These four short words are resolute and tragic, concealing a death wish!

Upon hearing this, Gennosuke Shimazu was not surprised at all, but felt a deep sense of heaviness in his heart.

He already knew the answer.

In dire straits, it is better to be a broken jade than a whole tile!

Just as the atmosphere was heavy and tragic, Takenaka Ryosuke suddenly turned to look at his solemn friend, raised a carefree smile again, and spoke in a light tone, sweeping away the tragedy.

"However, Brother Shimazu, there's no need to be too pessimistic."

"What if I successfully negotiate peace this time, fulfill my mission, and bring about a new lease on life for the Eastern Barbarians?"

"By then, I will be a national hero, renowned throughout the court and the country. Wouldn't that surpass my brother, who has fought countless battles and possesses only bravery?"

"Goodbye!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Takenaka Ryosuke stopped and suddenly swung his whip up!

Snapped!

The crisp sound of the whip pierced the sky!

The blue-maned warhorse raised its head and neighed, its four hooves flying, carrying the strategist who was going into danger alone. Its back was resolute as it drove away into the distance.

……

Along the coast of the East China Sea, outside the port city of Tianjin.

On the boundless coastal plain, military camps stretching for dozens of miles rise from the ground, with tents standing tall, armor gleaming, and flags like clouds.

The 300,000 elite troops of the Great Qian Dynasty crossed the sea and landed, all of them lined up and stationed, their armor clanging and their momentum overwhelming.

Despite having completely crushed the Eastern Yi navy, seized absolute control of the battle, and held an overwhelming advantage, Su Mu ordered the entire army to halt, set up camp, and rest, instead of pursuing the victory and immediately attacking the city.

Inside the main tent of the central army, the lights were on, and all the generals gathered together to discuss important military matters.

Su Mu sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a simple and calm blue robe, listening attentively to his generals' reports on the army's encampment, food supplies, and weapon preparation.

After the report was finished, the tent remained silent for a long time.

Qin Hao finally couldn't hold back any longer, stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and asked the question that had been on the minds of all the soldiers.

"Elder Su! There is something I don't understand, and I hope you can enlighten me!"

Su Mu smiled calmly and said, "Go ahead!"

After receiving instructions, Qin Hao asked:

"Our army has just won a victory, its morale is high, and the Eastern Barbarian navy has been completely annihilated. Their morale is low, and this is the perfect opportunity to seize the moment and crush the enemy!"

"Why did our troops, after landing, remain stationed in place and refrain from advancing, instead of immediately launching an attack on the city and striking at its heart?"

Upon hearing this question, all the generals in the tent raised their eyes, their gazes all focused on Su Mu, and everyone shared the same doubt.

With a force of 300,000 men poised for battle and the prospect of overwhelming victory, it is truly perplexing that they squandered their opportunity.

Upon hearing this, Su Mu smiled faintly, his expression calm and composed. He spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice steady and powerful.

"My lords, there is no need to be impatient."

"The Eastern Barbarians are already at their last gasp, trapped like turtles in a jar. They have no natural defenses to defend themselves, no elite troops to fight with, and their remaining soldiers are in a state of panic. They have completely lost the ability to resist."

"The reason our army held back and postponed the attack on the city was to wait for news from one person."

"Once the news reaches back to the camp, our army will then dispatch troops."

"By then, knowing ourselves and our enemy, we will be able to make no mistakes and crush the Eastern Yi Kingdom at the lowest possible cost."

"Therefore, tonight, let all soldiers rest and recuperate in peace."

Upon hearing this, the generals became even more curious. Who was Old Master Su, who was so skilled in planning and strategizing, waiting for?

The group looked at each other, filled with doubt.

At this moment, Xiao Jingyu, who was sitting upright to the side, slightly raised his lips and smiled as he revealed the secret.

"Brothers, have you all forgotten?"

"Before our Great Qian army set out across the sea, a brother had already infiltrated the heart of the Eastern Barbarian lands, lurking in the court and among the common people, to gather intelligence, investigate enemy positions, and uncover the enemy's strengths and weaknesses for our army!"

A word to wake up the dreamer!

Qin Hao instantly realized, all doubt vanishing from his eyes, and exclaimed in surprise, "It's Brother Yu Zhou!"

"I had almost completely forgotten about this! What Elder Su was waiting for was a secret report from Liu Yuzhou, the Pavilion Master of Lingfeng Pavilion!"

Xiao Jingyu nodded slightly, his eyes full of approval and certainty, and slowly said:

"When Su Lao was in charge of military affairs, he always planned carefully before he acted, and he never fought a battle he was unprepared for or had no chance of winning."

"Liu Yuzhou is intelligent, brave, and meticulous. He has been lying in wait in Dongyi for many days and probably already knows the enemy's deployment and the court's movements."

"With his accurate intelligence reports, our army can thoroughly understand ourselves and our enemy, ensuring victory in every battle and preventing the needless loss of even a single life of our soldiers!"

His words completely dispelled everyone's doubts.

The generals inside the tent suddenly realized what was happening, their faces filled with admiration, and their impatience vanished.

"I see! Elder Su's planning is profound; I can't wait to see it!"

"With Brother Yu Zhou inside to provide support and scout the enemy's strength, this battle will surely be twice as effective and a complete victory!"

"We will immediately return to reassure our troops, ensure they rest well tonight, conserve their energy, await intelligence, and prepare for battle!"

Everyone responded in unison, then stood up and walked out of the tent with smiles on their faces.