Chapter 1022: Chapter 1022: Mountain River Great Array (Part 1) Chapter 1022: Chapter 1022: Mountain River Great Array (Part 1) A bone-chilling coldness arose in Murong Huaide’s eyes.

The temperature in the surrounding space dropped instantly.

This envoy of the Pingtian Army, a peerless talent of his time, had already stepped into the fifth tier at a young age. In many people’s eyes, he represented the future of the Pingtian Army, a heavy bet placed by the Murong Family on Zhang Anliang.

Ever since he joined the Pingtian Army, Murong Huaide had received personal instruction from Zhang Anliang and developed great reverence for the leader, naturally unable to tolerate slander from others.

Most importantly, Murong Huaide did not truly take Wang Chen and Princess Qingyun into his eyes.

Even though the battle at Hanhai Pass had already spread throughout the world!

However, just as the member of the Murong Family attempted to display his might, an even more powerful force suddenly enveloped him, plunging him into an abyssal depth.

His Qi and Blood Freezing Gang Force solidified, losing control over his own body.

Intense fear surged into Murong Huaide’s heart, draining all color from his face instantly.

It was at this moment that Murong Huaide realized he had made a grave mistake.

With all his strength, he barely managed to lower his head.

Instinct told this envoy of the Pingtian Army that if he continued to be obstinate, he would surely face dire consequences.

Even if he did not die, he would suffer insufferable losses!

As the saying goes, a wise man submits to the times. Despite feeling humiliated, Murong Huaide chose to bow his head.

And just as Murong Huaide conceded, the oppressive force applied on him vanished abruptly, as if it had never existed.

Murong Huaide subconsciously exhaled a sigh of relief, his face immediately flushing red.

Then he heard Wang Chen speak indifferently: “Speak, what do you want?”

Murong Huaide couldn’t help but swallow, no longer daring to be reckless: “Your Highness, Grand Tutor…”

As an envoy of the Pingtian Army, he represented the Holy Heavenly King Zhang Anliang’s intentions, which was for the Pingtian Army to form an alliance with the New Hanhai Army, jointly opposing Emperor Yuanjing and the Vassals’ forces.

After winning over the realm of Great Liang, they would then divide their respective territories.

Furthermore, if the New Hanhai Army had intentions to conquer Great Yan in the future, the Pingtian Army was willing to provide military support!

It could be said that the Pingtian Army’s sincerity in this alliance was considerable. In addition to signing a mutual defense pact, they were also willing to engage in trade, exchanging the Pingtian Army’s grain, silk, salt, and other goods for the horses from West Sea Prefecture and the ore from Hanhai Prefecture.

“No need for an alliance.”

After listening, Wang Chen immediately declared without hesitation: “Non-aggression is acceptable, and trade is also fine.”

Form an alliance with the Rebel Faction?

As if he were a fool!

If Princess Qingyun reached an alliance with Zhang Anliang, she would immediately become a thorn in Emperor Yuanjing’s side.

The primary target for subjugation!

It should be noted that Jichuan Prefecture, which bordered the West Sea Prefecture, was loyal to Emperor Yuanjing, and with no defensible terrain between the two prefectures, the latter’s army could march straight in, or send small troops to frequently harass.

This would inevitably pose a significant obstacle and trouble to Wang Chen’s plans.

Moreover, the Rebel Faction was unpopular in many places, while Princess Qingyun was to represent the legitimate authority of Great Liang!

Wang Chen’s resolute response left Murong Huaide somewhat disappointed, and he couldn’t help but glance at Princess Qingyun.

Hoping she might have a different idea.

That would be wonderful.

However, Princess Qingyun stayed detached from the matter, presenting an air of indifference, adding to Murong Huaide’s disheartenment.

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There was no other way; he could only continue to negotiate with the unyielding Wang Chen.

After all, reaching an agreement of mutual non-aggression and trade was far better than returning empty-handed.

Following some negotiations, both sides reached a related oral understanding.

Murong Huaide wanted to establish a mutual recognition and exchange documents to put the agreement into writing, but Wang Chen flatly refused.

He could do nothing about it.

However, the envoy had come all the way to West Sea Prefecture and had presented Princess Qingyun with a generous gift from Zhang Anliang, so Wang Chen reciprocated by giving the delegation five hundred war horses.

The war horses from the West Sea grasslands were strategic materials that were normally strictly prohibited from trade.

But Wang Chen had extorted thirty thousand good horses from Great Yan, and together with West Sea Prefecture’s own, the number far exceeded the current needs of the New Hanhai Army, so it made sense to exchange some for grain, silk, and other supplies.

After all, the prices of grain were soaring.

After dispatching the delegation, Wang Chen said to Princess Qingyun, “The Pingtian Army should be preparing to attack Huai Mountain Prefecture.”

The Pingtian Army currently occupied the Three Southern Prefectures, which were just across from West Sea Prefecture, separated by Huai Mountain Prefecture. The sudden visit from their envoy, attempting to form an alliance, couldn’t be clearer in its intentions.

It is worth mentioning that Jingnan Prefecture, where Wang Chen’s original body came from, was one of the Three Southern Prefectures controlled by the Pingtian Army!

Princess Qingyun asked, “Master, will their taking Huai Mountain Prefecture be a good thing or a bad thing for us?”

This Royal Family young lady was earnestly learning to become an excellent ruler, never hesitating to seek advice from Wang Chen.

Although, to outsiders, she appeared to be a puppet controlled by Wang Chen, a figurehead for independence.

But Princess Qingyun herself was very clear that Wang Chen was sincerely intending for her to become the first Empress of Great Liang!

Wang Chen had once told Princess Qingyun that once she ascended the throne, he would retreat behind the scenes and no longer show his face, leaving her the task of conquering the whole world.

Princess Qingyun’s trust in Wang Chen was unshakable!

“There are pros and cons.”

After thinking for a moment, Wang Chen said, “For now, let them jump around for a few years. If they don’t provoke us, we’ll just act as if they don’t exist.”

If the Pingtian Army took Huai Mountain Prefecture and got a large number of war horses and ores from both West Sea and Hanhai Prefectures, their ambitions and power would surely swell enormously.

It’s a commonplace that one cannot tolerate others snoring by the side of one’s own bed, and it’s only natural for them to set their sights on West Sea Prefecture.

But as long as the Pingtian Army sticks to the agreement, Wang Chen won’t make any move.

However, if the Pingtian Army turns their spearhead towards West Sea Prefecture, then Wang Chen will certainly let them taste the flavor of gunpowder and bullets!

Princess Qingyun nodded her head.

She gazed at Wang Chen, her eyes filled with unconcealable admiration and reverence.

Over the following months, the total number of northern refugees who had migrated to West Sea Prefecture had surpassed the one million mark.

Because the New Hanhai Army had effective countermeasures, and with the trade of grain and supplies purchased through the Fuqing Chamber of Commerce and the Pingtian Army, the impact of these refugees was mitigated.

And nearly four months of construction, with a massive investment of manpower and resources, the seventy-two Mountain River Pillars were successively built throughout Hanhai Prefecture.

Additionally, Wang Chen mobilized a large number of civilian workers to construct a large palace near the outskirts of West Sea Prefectural City.

During this time, he tirelessly traveled, engraving Array inscriptions on all the Mountain River Pillars.

At this point, the Mountain River Great Array was completed, awaiting the ceremonial activation.

Wang Chen set this day on the third day of the third month.

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The second update is here.

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