Mo Lingxi and several generals discussed in detail how to trap the enemy.
After about two hours, the plan was finally finalized.
Mo Lingxi left General Fu behind and waved the other generals away to attend to their duties.
"Commander, it was my oversight that I made such a grave mistake," General Fu bowed, feeling deeply guilty and self-reproachful.
If the commander had not discovered this in time, a major incident might have occurred.
Mo Lingxi invited him to sit and talk, showing no intention of blaming him. "This cannot be blamed on you, Old General. You are not a god and cannot consider every possibility. I only discovered the problem because I was focused on this particular aspect."
"I am keeping you here not to blame you, but to ask you to secretly investigate within the city and the army during this period."
General Fu understood. "Does the Commander suspect that there are also spies from the Southern Jin Dynasty within the army?"
A cold glint appeared in Mo Lingxi's dark eyes. "I fear it's not just spies from the Southern Jin Dynasty. With such a good opportunity, can the other two nations truly resist? However, without absolute certainty, these two nations will not make a move."
General Fu clasped his fists and bowed. "Please rest assured, Commander. I will secretly investigate these matters."
Mo Lingxi's handsome face softened. "His Majesty trusts you implicitly, Old General. If he were not concerned about the other nations causing trouble, he would not have sent me."
General Fu bowed deeply towards the heavens. "It is my greatest honor that His Majesty trusts me."
"It is also my own inadequacy that I have not been able to defeat the Southern Jin Dynasty's army."
Mo Lingxi feigned anger. "Old General, you must not speak like that. It is precisely because you are guarding Chengmen Pass that His Majesty can be so at ease."
However, General Fu was indeed aging. It was likely that after this, General Fu would retire.
Who would take over Chengmen Pass afterwards was a difficult question.
General Fu sighed. "I am old, and I fear I cannot guard Chengmen Pass for many more years. If possible, I wish to guard Chengmen Pass for my entire life and serve His Majesty."
He had experienced the previous emperor's incompetence. During that time, the border had lacked provisions and military supplies, and the Southern Jin Dynasty had been covetous. It was only with the support of his family and the border populace that they managed until His Majesty ascended the throne.
After His Majesty's accession, the situation at the border gradually improved, and there was no longer a need to worry about military supplies and provisions.
Mo Lingxi: "Old General, His Majesty wishes for you to continue guarding Chengmen Pass for a few more years. Once a successor is found, you may retire. Chengmen Pass is of great importance."
General Fu readily agreed. "It is my lifelong honor to continue guarding Chengmen Pass for His Majesty."
He had guarded Chengmen Pass for decades and witnessed countless storms. Naturally, he hoped to remain in this beloved land during the twilight of his life.
Mo Lingxi chatted with General Fu for a while longer and personally escorted him to the door.
He looked at the sky, his brow furrowed slightly. He wondered how long this war would last and hoped that his wife and Xiao Feng were safe.
"Your Highness!" a hidden guard appeared before him, handing him a secret letter with both hands. "A secret letter just arrived from the Eastern Capital."
Mo Lingxi took the letter, waved the hidden guard away, and returned to his room to read it.
After reading the letter, he became even more worried about Sheng Lengshuang and Xiao Feng. Although Sima Min and A Wu had been dealt with, their future would be even more dangerous because there was no longer anyone in the open to pursue.
"I must resolve the war here quickly."
The letter did not mention Sheng Lengshuang's injury, as she had instructed not to, fearing that Mo Lingxi would worry and be unable to focus on handling the war at the border.
Attached to this secret letter were various medicinal prescriptions and a method for refining salt. Mo Lingxi immediately handed the prescriptions to the military doctor and instructed him to study them carefully.
As for the method for refining salt, he kept it for himself for the time being, planning to use it when necessary.
...
Eastern Capital.
After several days of recuperation, Sheng Lengshuang's condition improved considerably, though she was still unable to make any major movements.
She held Xiao Feng's hand and walked slowly in the small garden outside the palace. Familiar palace servants and imperial guards attended her. Any unfamiliar palace servants were strictly forbidden from approaching, to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
"Little Aunt, Xiao Feng!" Zi Cheng walked over and stopped them before they could bow to Sheng Lengshuang. "Little Aunt, we have dealt with many strongholds and members of the Black Hand, but not the Tao family."
"Speaking of which, the Tao family's living dead have not appeared for a long time. Is it possible that the Black Hand is planning some grand conspiracy?"
Sheng Lengshuang was also considering this. "I suspect even more that the Black Hand is refining more powerful living dead."
"His Majesty has not seen Tao Li, the living dead. Tao Li retained a certain level of consciousness but was controlled by others. If, during this time, the Black Hand refines more powerful living dead, it will be very disadvantageous for us."
Zi Cheng was not as worried. Cold light flashed in his eyes. "Little Aunt, no matter how powerful the living dead are, can they be more powerful than an army? Can they withstand so many weapons?"
"If more powerful living dead truly appear, I will arrange for the army to suppress them."
Upon hearing this, Sheng Lengshuang's shoulders relaxed, and a smile appeared on her face. "His Majesty is absolutely right. No matter how powerful those living dead are, they can do nothing against a large army and these weapons."
Zi Cheng understood her concerns and advised, "Little Aunt, in my opinion, the Black Hand will not dare to play dirty tricks again in a short period. Otherwise, he would not have abandoned A Wu and Sima Min."
"By abandoning such good pawns, it means he will not make any moves for the time being. No matter how capable he is, he cannot contend with imperial power. It is possible that he is doing this because he is worried about being investigated himself."
Sheng Lengshuang had also considered this and nodded. "What His Majesty says makes sense. I am overthinking and worrying too much."
Zi Cheng waved his hand. "I understand how you feel, Little Aunt. If it were me, after encountering so many incidents, I would also overthink and worry a lot."
"By the way, Little Aunt, I am still thinking about one thing. Since the Black Hand enjoys playing games, why don't we investigate from that angle? Generally, people who play games without any bottom line are easy to investigate."
Sheng Lengshuang: "Does His Majesty mean that you have already found some clues?"
Zi Cheng dismissed the palace servants, covered his mouth with his hand, and whispered, "We have already found some clues, and this is thanks to the people left behind by Little Uncle."
"There are very few people in this world who play games without a bottom line and dare to oppose imperial power repeatedly. However, I do not have conclusive evidence yet. I must wait until conclusive evidence is found before making a move to arrest them."
Sheng Lengshuang understood this. Making a move to arrest someone without a clear investigation could allow the real Black Hand to escape.
Even if they arrested a few suspicious individuals now, the Black Hand might still find a way to escape. More importantly, they needed to identify all of the Black Hand's connections.