Ning Chen walked into the private room with one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

To hide who he was, he hadn't brought the Broken Dream Sword. He wore an army-issue service sword instead.

The room wasn't large. Wine had been set out on the table by the window.

Ning Chen glanced at Qu Shao, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Master Qu, the whole southern frontier is our territory now. What are you sneaking around like a thief for?"

Qu Shao gave an awkward smile and gestured. "General Long, please sit!"

Ning Chen went over and took a seat.

Qu Shao poured two cups of wine.

"Come, General Long, a toast to you!"

Ning Chen waved it off. "Master Qu, you must have some business with me. Business first, then wine."

Qu Shao set down his cup and looked at Ning Chen. "General Long, then I'll be blunt... My master would like to ask a favor of you."

The corner of Ning Chen's mouth lifted slightly. "What favor?"

Qu Shao said, "My master very much wants to work with you, but he can't get free just now... He hopes you'll work on things from the inside, General Long, and keep General Yuan from going over to Kang Feng of Nanyue or Jin Tiancheng of the Gaoli Kingdom.

In two months at most, my master will have his hands free, and then he'll come to the frontier himself to negotiate with you."

Ning Chen's eyes glinted. It was just as he'd expected. In that case, he thought, don't blame me for fleecing you.

"I can hold General Yuan off for two months, and I can work on him from the inside so he doesn't team up with Kang Feng or Jin Tiancheng... But the Great Xuan's court won't give us two months.

The Great Xuan is moving troops and massing them at Yangzhou City right now. War is about to break out."

Qu Shao laughed. "You worry too much, General Long. Only a few tens of thousands of troops have reached Yangzhou City so far. Prince Wu…