Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Amidst the turmoil within the capital of Shu Commandery, Jiang Chong's Shu army remained trapped on the 300-mile-long Qidao Road, unable to advance an inch.

The torrential rain that fell over Qidao lasted for half a month, making the already narrow road even more muddy and difficult to navigate, making it a luxury to march ten miles a day.

In addition, two flash floods caused by severe weather washed away the army's route, making it impossible to transport much of the marching supplies.

Thus, Jiang Chong's army was trapped at Qidao, where they had to repair the road while searching for a new route to reach Liangzhou and join up with Guo Huaizhi's army.

Thus, the army of over 100,000 was trapped in Qidao for a full month.

The long march, coupled with the harsh weather and various annoyances such as mosquito bites after the rain, has caused the army to go from being full of high spirits at the start to being demoralized and war-weariness to spread throughout the troops.

Looking at the rugged cliff ahead, Jiang Chong ordered his troops to cut down trees on the spot to build a road, while waiting for the scouts to report back.

"Your Highness, the journey is so difficult. Why not withdraw our troops here? These past few days, the soldiers have been braving the rain to repair roads and build bridges, and thirty percent of them have already fallen ill."

If this continues, I fear that before we even engage the enemy after leaving this fork in the road, our morale will have already collapsed.

Deputy General Lei Bu tried to persuade Jiang Chong to abandon the westward expedition.

But Jiang Chong insisted, "No, we've finally managed to establish a connection with Guanzhong and Guo Huaizhi. If we miss this opportunity, I will completely lose any chance of forming an alliance with Guanzhong."

This time, Guo Huaizhi took the initiative to invite me to annihilate the remaining Qiang tribes. No matter how difficult the road ahead, we must continue.

Lei Bu: "However, it's been over a month since we set out in early June until July 27th."

We haven't even left this three-hundred-mile-long fork in the road yet, and we know nothing about the war in Xiliang.

But I foresee that we have already missed our chance. Whether we go or not is irrelevant now, so why insist on continuing?

The current concern is that something might happen in Sichuan. It would be better to send the army back along the original route and rest with the nearby military towns for the time being.

"How about Your Highness, taking only a small entourage and rushing back to the capital to oversee the overall situation?"

"With Li Ye as a civil official and Cao Meng as a military leader, the capital is absolutely safe and sound."

Jiang Chong replied confidently.

"I know that even if we take this detour now, we will definitely miss the opportunity to fight, but even so..."

I, the King, will lead a large army to the battlefield in Xiliang. At the very least, I will ensure that the powerful clans of Guanzhong see the banners of the Shu army atop the fortresses of Liangzhou.

Only in this way can Guo Huaizhi see my determination and perhaps choose to support me, do you understand?

I have few allies left. If I could gain Guo Huaizhi's favor, it would be equivalent to gaining the support of half of the Chu generals.

"By then, this lazy bum like me might just be able to compete with my sister for the throne."

Lei Bu: "Your Highness's wisdom surpasses mine. I am merely stating the facts based on the current situation. We are still halfway to Liangzhou."

Many sections of the mountain path ahead have been washed away by flash floods, making it difficult for both men and horses to proceed. If Your Highness insists on going your own way, it is feared that many soldiers will perish on this fork in the road.

Doesn't Your Highness feel pain at such a loss?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chong's face darkened: "A merciful general cannot command an army! Soldiers should obey orders and fight on all sides without fear of any hardship."

A general should prioritize victory; unnecessary emotions are unnecessary to consider!

If we retreat at the first sign of a minor setback, how can we expect to fight a decisive battle a thousand miles away?

Lei Bu stopped trying to persuade him. He knew that once this prince made up his mind, he would go through fire and water, even if it meant certain death.

"Report!"

A report came urgently, and scouts arrived at full speed.

"Your Highness, General Cao Meng has personally transported the grain and is already waiting for Your Highness to count it at the Qidao camp."

Jiang Chong was taken aback: "Cao Meng? Why is he personally escorting the grain supplies?"

Thinking of this, he immediately said to Lei Bu, "I will return to the main camp first to take a look. You will be in charge of this place for the time being. Make sure to restore the passage of the missing road before dark."

"The last general takes orders."

Upon receiving the order, Lei Bu immediately sent Jiang Chong back to Qidao Great Camp to see Cao Meng.

……

"This humble general, Cao Meng, greets Your Highness!"

Inside the Qidao stronghold, as soon as Jiang Chong entered the main tent, Cao Meng immediately bowed deeply in respect.

"Cao Meng, why are you personally escorting the grain supplies? Didn't I order you to guard the Eastern Continent camp?"

Jiang Chong hurriedly pulled Cao Meng up and asked.

Cao Meng looked up and replied, "Your Highness, I have urgent military information that I must personally explain to you."

"What military intelligence?"

Cao Meng's face darkened: "Your Highness, Li Ye has colluded with Shen Lang and intends to seize Shu. I hope Your Highness will make plans as soon as possible."

"impossible!"

Without a second thought, Jiang Chong immediately denied Cao Meng's words.

"Li Ye is utterly loyal to me. When I entered Shu, he advised me and quickly stabilized my foundation in Shu."

Furthermore, he is a man of great loyalty and integrity, and would never do such a treacherous thing. Cao Meng, you must not slander him because of your prejudice against him.”

Cao Meng and Li Ye had always been at odds because when Jiang Chong first entered Shu, Li Ye sold all his family property in Jiangnan and followed Jiang Chong.

Jiang Chong also highly valued Li Ye, and they ate from the same bowl and slept in the same bed, often discussing the state of the world together.

This greatly displeased Cao Meng, who had followed Jiang Chong earlier. Cao Meng often spoke ill of Li Ye in private and repeatedly humiliated Li Ye in public, calling him a weak scholar.

Jiang Chong tried several times to persuade Cao Meng not to make things difficult for Li Ye, but to little avail. In the end, he could only try to avoid the two of them being together at the same time.

It was only because he personally led the troops this time, and with Shen Lang, an uncertain factor, by his side, that Li Ye and Cao Meng appeared in the capital at the same time, respectively in charge of military and political affairs.

“Your Highness, it is not that I, Cao, am maliciously spreading rumors about Li Ye; I have evidence in hand.”

After saying that, Cao Meng took out the jade tablet that recorded the scene of Li Ye expressing his loyalty to the court when he met Shen Lang.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Chong's face turned green.

Upon seeing this, Cao Meng added fuel to the fire.

"Your Highness, you saw it, didn't you? Li Ye is so obsequious to Shen Lang, and he's even secretly plotting to harm you in Shu."

He has clearly betrayed the Prince! If it weren't for the Prince's future wrath, this humble general would have loved to chop him to pieces with one stroke!

Jiang Chong took a deep breath: "I still don't believe that Li Ye would do such a treacherous thing."

"Your Highness! The evidence is irrefutable, don't you still trust me?" Cao Meng said anxiously. "You and Li Ye have a very good personal relationship, I know that."

But his purpose in siding with the prince was actually to betray him one day, so as to serve as a testament to the Li family's return to the court.

Cao Meng's words made Jiang Chong waver.

Trust is built on a mutual basis. Once one party harbors even the slightest doubt about the other, a rift has already formed.

"Cao Meng, you must return to the Dongzhou camp immediately to stabilize the morale of the troops and do not allow anyone to enter the camp even a step."

"Yes! And what about you, Your Highness?"

"Once I've settled things here, I'll immediately return to my residence and personally question him to find out if he has betrayed me!"

Jiang Chong's face was so gloomy it looked like it was about to drip water.