Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

The silver moon resembles a hook.

In the Central Army Commander’s Tent, Chen Mo stood beside a sand table, holding a wine cup filled with liquor. He was discussing the current situation with Li Yang, Dai Xishan, and the military officers, deliberating on matters such as how the troops should be deployed.

To be honest, Chen Mo didn’t really understand military affairs. He only relied on predicted simulations to grasp the general situation, allowing him to execute killing arrays and slay the enemy with absolute bravery, but when it came to discussing military strategy, he wasn’t up to the task. Thus, he had to listen to the advice of subordinate generals and advisors.

Among the three people sent by Xiao Yunqi, Li Yang was purely a First Grade Martial Artist, not involved in officialdom nor born from military ranks. One could even say he was a martial lunatic, such was his formidable strength.

Attracted to a direct descendant of the Xiao Family, he was roped in by Xiao Yunqi and became part of the Xiao Family. By utilizing the resources of the Xiao Family, he successfully broke through to a First Grade Martial Artist.

Thus, he couldn’t provide Chen Mo with any military advice. His purpose in following the army here was partly to fend off enemy First Grade Martial Artists and protect Chen Mo, but the main objective was to monitor Chen Mo. Should Chen Mo have any treacherous thoughts, Li Yang could act first and report later.

Feng Ji and Feng Jing’s ancestors had been retainers to the Xiao Family during the founding of the dynasty. The Xiao Family shared prosperity with them, hence the Feng Family’s unwavering loyalty to the Xiao Family.

During the time of the Late Emperor, Feng Ji and Feng Jing followed Xiao Yunqi, who was then the Grand General, in campaigning across the land. Their rich combat experience and mastery of military strategy and personal bravery made them among the top ranks of all the generals.

Out of the two hundred thousand troops, nearly fifty thousand were personally dispatched by Xiao Yunqi, essentially Xiao Yunqi’s own army. Although Chen Mo was the commander, responsible for directing the two hundred thousand troops, should he develop any disloyal intentions, these fifty thousand men could instantly be commandeered by Feng Ji and Feng Jing.

Chen Mo was wary of these three people, but in terms of marching and warfare, he still had to rely on Feng Ji and Feng Jing.

It seemed Xiao Yunqi already knew this well, which was the cleverness in sending these three.

Li Yang was from the Xiao’s own family; Feng Ji and Feng Jing were the veteran generals by his side, whose families were nurtured by the Xiao Family, leaving no concern for their betrayal.

Feng Ji was actually older than Xiao Yunqi. His skin was dark from many years in the military, giving him an imposing presence. He pointed at the sand table and said:

”With the speed of the rebel army’s advance, it’s likely they’ve already reached Nanyang by now. The military defenses of Nanyang were already riddled with holes from previous rebellions and are incapable of resisting Zhao Jiang’s allied forces.

By the time we arrive, Zhao Jiang’s troops may have already occupied Nanyang. General, in my humble opinion, Nanyang is indefensible. We should select a major town outside of Nanyang County to hold our ground, construct our defense works...”

Saying this, Feng Ji pointed at a spot on the sand table.

This position was precisely Qinyang County.

Qinyang was an ancient city with a towering cliff to its left side and a wide moat outside its walls, possessing both natural and geographical advantages, easy to defend, difficult to attack.

Chen Mo’s eyes flickered; in the simulation, the army was indeed stationed at Qinyang County.

It seemed Feng Ji had some real skills after all.

”Let’s follow Old General Feng Ji’s advice,” Chen Mo nodded, then asked, ”In Old General Feng Ji’s opinion, among the eighteen rebel routes, which is the most difficult to deal with?”

Precautionary measures must prevail, yet for now, they were still on the same side. As long as it didn’t harm his own interests, Chen Mo didn’t plan on opposing Xiao Yunqi upfront, so it was still necessary to seek advice where needed.

”It has to be King Yan, Zhao Jiang.” Mentioning Zhao Jiang, Feng Ji’s expression grew grave.

Zhao Jiang was once a formidable contender for the throne. If Zhao Ji hadn’t married Xiao Yunxi and gained the support of the Xiao Family, it’s likely Zhao Jiang would have ascended the throne back then.

Yet, even after losing the throne and being sent to govern Youzhou, a barren place, he managed to take control in just a few short years, showcasing his ability.

Youzhou, in icy climes, with its harsh conditions and constant conflicts with foreign tribes forging its people strong and fierce, produced military forces far superior in combat compared to the Imperial Guard raised in comfort.

Moreover, Zhao Jiang daring to start this rebellion, unafraid of foreign powers attacking his base, showed long-standing preparation and significant readiness, making him exceptionally difficult to contend with.

Chen Mo nodded, Zhao Jiang’s own strength was perhaps already at the First Grade level.

Besides Zhao Jiang, next was Zhao Lu.

He governed a domain unscathed by war or disaster. The forces he brought were undoubtedly sturdy and powerful.

Then there was Zhao He.

As for Zhao Bo, who Xiao Yunqi hadn’t intercepted, there was no real concern.

He had only just taken office; how many troops could he rally? And how many were regular forces, truly capable in battle?

After nearly half an hour of discussion, the assembly dispersed, and everyone returned to their tents to rest. Tomorrow, they would hastily march towards Qinyang County.

To stall Zhao Jiang and others, Chen Mo’s army had been handpicked from elite units, with strict discipline enforced, making for a quiet camp, the only sounds being the occasional patrol and the clinking of armor.

Outside the Commander’s Tent where fires blazed, a personal guard dressed in light armor stood, holding their sword. Tall and upright, the guard appeared brave and handsome, their beauty carrying a somewhat feminine grace. Moreover, their chest muscles were much more developed than that of an ordinary man.

The guard’s expression was very serious, surveying every inch outside the tent.

Once the various generals had left the tent, making their way out, the guard sighed as if having just completed a major task.

Jiang Ruoqing had chosen to follow Chen Mo into battle, but not wanting too many to discover her identity, she watched over the Commander’s Tent under the guise of one of Chen Mo’s personal guards.

Given Jiang Ruoqing’s nature, since she took the role, she would perform it earnestly.

She couldn’t bring herself to desert her post when Chen Mo had business to attend to, as one of his personal guards.

Just then, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning her head, she saw Chen Mo smiling at her.

”Alright, come inside and rest. I’ve informed Gao Zheng to take over the post,” Chen Mo grinned.

Jiang Ruoqing, fearful of being teased by Chen Mo and considering they were still in the barracks, hesitated to enter the tent and immediately attempted to leave, ”No need, I can rest somewhere else.”

”Where exactly will you rest?” Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, ”You’re now one of my personal soldiers, so you’ll stay with me. If you really plan to rest below, you’ll bunk with my other personal soldiers. You thought you’d have a tent to yourself?”

”You... didn’t have a tent set up for me?” Jiang Ruoqing immediately flushed with embarrassment.

”Why build a tent for you? I have plenty of space in my tent, enough for two to sleep.” Saying that, Chen Mo knocked twice on Jiang Ruoqing’s chest, resulting in crisp sounds, feeling nothing, he continued:

”You haven’t worn this before, have you? You’ve had it on all day; it must be uncomfortable, right? Come in, I’ll help you take it off.”

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