"Hmph, the Stitched Cloth Guard is even more formidable than I expected!"
"But they really don't take my Ming Dynasty seriously, do they?!"
"From now on, keep a close watch on them for me!"
"Once the Yuan Dynasty is destroyed, I will personally uncover the mastermind behind them!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhu Houzhao looked up toward the ranking high in the sky.
Tan Zong!
He didn't expect that after all these years, he was already on the verge of advancing to the God Demon Realm.
A chess piece he had casually placed long ago was now finally proving useful.
What a pity.
The Nine Provinces Golden Ranking had been exposed too early.
With Li Shimin and Yuan Tiangang's personalities, there was no way they would continue to trust him.
The arrangements against the Tang Dynasty had now lost a key hidden card.
Had he known, he wouldn't have let him join the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land back then!
Still, even so.
Zhu Houzhao didn't regret it too much.
It was just a bit of a pity.
His plans against the Tang Dynasty were not dependent on just one move.
Without him, there were still more tricks waiting for Li Shimin.
As for the Bad Marshal Yuan Tiangang...
The plan targeting him, it was time to set that into motion too.
After waving Dark One away, not long after.
Three men clad in general's armor slowly stepped into the main hall.
"Minister Wu Qi (Gai Nie, Wei Zhuang), pay respects to Your Majesty!"
"Rise. Ministers, how are the preparations for the army?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, once Your Majesty gives the order, my army will immediately launch an attack on the Yuan Dynasty!"
"I've already completed the full deployment targeting the Yuan Dynasty."
"Let alone that the Yuan Dynasty is now in a state of internal chaos and disintegration, even if it were still in its prime, I would still be able to crush them with unstoppable momentum!"
"Very well. With your words, I am reassured."
"Wu Qi, Gai Nie, Wei Zhuang, hear my command."
"From this moment forward, Wu Qi is appointed as main marshal of the 300,000-strong central army, while Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang will serve as left and right vanguards. Your target, Yuan Emperor Temujin!"
"This battle must succeed. Failure is not an option!"
"At the same time, I will deploy the Dark Guard, Embroidered Cloth Guard, the East and West Factories, as well as the Azure Dragon Association to secretly assist you!"
Upon hearing Zhu Houzhao's command, Wu Qi, Gai Nie, and Wei Zhuang couldn't help but show joy.
Serving under Zhu Houzhao was simply too satisfying.
They only needed to focus on winning battles.
They didn't have to worry about all the messy political issues.
Of course.
All of this was based on one premise, victory.
If they lost, all the benefits would be severely reduced.
But this campaign against the Yuan Dynasty was also a golden opportunity to earn military merit.
More importantly, they were assigned to face Temujin himself.
If they could kill or capture Temujin, then they would firmly establish themselves in the Ming Dynasty forever.
They would fear no one from that point on.
Seeing the excitement on the three men's faces, Zhu Houzhao nodded secretly.
When it came to warfare, Wu Qi was just a bit stronger than Qi Jiguang.
To be safe, the toughest target, Temujin, was best left to Wu Qi.
As for Qi Jiguang, being a trusted general of Zhu Houzhao, he would not be neglected.
One of the other Yuan Dynasty leaders, either Ogedei or Tolui, would be his target.
The final force would be handled by Hua Mulan and the empress of the Qi Army, who had recently pledged loyalty.
In short, this campaign to destroy the Yuan Dynasty must end in one decisive strike.
Only then could the Ming Dynasty begin to truly plan for the unification of Nine Provinces!
==========
Ming Imperial Harem.
Empress Wu Zhao Chambers.
"Wan'er, are you sure you've verified this?"
"Yes, Empress. His Majesty summoned Marshal Wu Qi, and Generals Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang today. He ordered them to lead a 300,000-strong central army to attack the Yuan Dynasty."
"Even the Embroidered Cloth Guard, the East and West Factories, and others will send forces to assist."
"As for when they'll depart, they're just waiting for His Majesty's command."
"But based on this servant's judgment, it shouldn't be long."
Shangguan Wan'er relayed the information she had obtained in detail to Wu Zhao.
"Good. This is a great opportunity for us!"
"Immediately send word to Netherworld City and have them prepare to assist the main army at any time."
"If they can achieve enough military merit, I will personally request rewards for them from His Majesty!"
"The more credit Netherworld City earns, the more seriously His Majesty will regard them."
"In the future, when important missions arise, Netherworld City will be considered first."
"This time, they must seize this chance."
"Yes, Empress. Several Grand Elders will also act personally. We will definitely not let the other consorts' forces steal all the spotlight!"
"Hmph, His Majesty's beloved ladies are all formidable. If we think of this, they surely have too."
"Keep a close eye on the forces under the other consorts!"
==========
Imperial Harem.
Murong Qiudi Palace.
Murong Qiudi, Lin Shiyin, You Ruo, and Song Yuhua sat around a table.
"Big Sister Qiudi, you plan to send your Heavenly Venerable Organization to the Yuan Dynasty?"
"Isn't this a war between nations? What can a martial force even do?"
"One charge from a powerful army could leave them all dead."
"Aren't you worried that years of effort will be wasted?"
Lin Shiyin was a bit confused.
Although Murong Qiudi now focused more on her own cultivation.
It didn't mean she had truly given up on the Heavenly Venerable Organization.
"Shiyin, fortune favors the bold. If the Heavenly Venerable Organization can earn enough merit in the Yuan Dynasty, it will greatly benefit their growth."
"And it will help us, too."
"In the future, our status within the Imperial Harem will be elevated."
"His Majesty doesn't care about these things, but the other consorts do. Our influence will also increase."
"I see. If I had known earlier, I would've developed my own force too. In times of need, it could prove useful."
"Big Sister Qiudi, my Song Clan has an elite force under my command. How about we join forces?"
At this moment, Song Yuhua, who had remained silent, suddenly spoke.
Not long ago, her father Song Que sent a considerable force of the Song Clan under her command.
Even her Little Brother Song Shidao and Little Sister Song Yuzhi had come.
Song Yuhua believed that this Ming-Yuan War was an opportunity.
If the Song Clan could earn great merit, perhaps His Majesty would start to favor them more.
Likewise, her Song Clan troops could use this as a chance to integrate into the Ming Dynasty.
After this war, at least they would no longer be treated as outsiders.
"Since Little Sister Yuhua feels that way, then of course!"
"More strength means more safety!"
"I'll give the order shortly. As for how much merit they earn, it'll depend on their own fate!"
Lin Shiyin and You Ruo's eyes sparkled with thought.
They too began forming plans in their hearts.
It seemed they also needed to establish their own forces.
That way, when important things happened in the Ming Dynasty, they could lend a helping hand.
At the very least, it would catch His Majesty's attention.
Otherwise, if the other consorts had forces and they did not, wouldn't that be embarrassing?
==========
Imperial Harem.
Xue Yuan Palace.
Xue Yuan, Wan Wan, Shi Feixuan, and Huang Rong had gathered.
"Big Sister Xue Yuan, you called us here, what's going on?"
"My three Little Sisters, I've heard that His Majesty is preparing to wage war against the Yuan Dynasty."
"I plan to send one of my loyal forces to join this war and try to earn as much merit as possible."
"Why don't you join as well? We can support each other!"
"Sounds good. Not long ago, my master sent me a loyal force from the Yingui Sect. Perfect for this battle, and it'll help them integrate into the Ming Dynasty."
"With merit under their belt, they won't be bullied by native Ming Dynasty forces!"
"What Big Sister Xue Yuan says makes sense. My master also sent a small force. While they won't play a major role in the war, they can still contribute."
Beside them, Huang Rong pouted slightly.
Xue Yuan, Wan Wan, and Shi Feixuan all had their own forces.
She was the only one who forgot.
She couldn't help but feel a little sulky.
She decided she must contact her father, Huang Yaoshi, and ask him to help her build a loyal force outside the palace.
Otherwise, in the future, would she lose all say in the Imperial Harem?
She didn't care that much, but it was still humiliating!
Forget it. She missed this Ming-Yuan War, but with His Majesty and the Ming Dynasty's power, future wars would be plenty.
There would be more chances!
Huang Rong had made up her mind. Once she left, she would immediately contact her father, Huang Yaoshi.
With his help, she would catch up in no time.
==========
Imperial Harem, Hong Lian Palace.
Hong Lian and Nong Yu were together.
"Big Sister Nong Yu, let's contact Big Sister Zi Nu immediately. We must have her send the elite forces of Hundred Yue City to join this Ming-Yuan War banquet."
"The more merit they gain, the more benefits they'll receive afterward."
"We can't let others hog all the credit!"
"Hong Lian, don't you think you're exaggerating a little?"
"The Ming-Yuan War is ultimately a battle of national strength."
"Even if Hundred Yue City is strong, what role can they really play?"
"You don't understand, Nong Yu. Armies have their use, but the battles outside the battlefield are just as fierce."
"Some of those hidden fights are even more brutal."
"They must not be underestimated. If Hundred Yue City seizes this chance, they can reclaim their former glory from the Qin Dynasty!"
"The stronger Hundred Yue City becomes, the more it benefits the two of us in the Imperial Harem!"
"Fine then, I'll go with your plan."
"Don't worry, Nong Yu. From what I know of Zi Nu and Yan Lingji, they're probably eager to get involved."
"Don't be fooled by their complaints, Zi Nu, Yan Lingji, even Fei Yan. Deep down, they're head over heels for that scoundrel!"
"They will act!"
"Hong Lian, how can you talk about our own sisters like that? If Zi Nu and Yan Lingji hear this, they'll definitely scold you again!"
Nong Yu rolled her eyes at Hong Lian.
But Hong Lian just giggled, completely unconcerned.