Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Liu Lan Cheng's cavalry stealthily crossed the Yangtze River to avoid detection by Tang army spies. They set up a command post in a cave, where Liu Lan Cheng outlined the troop deployments in Yidao County, noting the significant presence of Tang forces. He planned to send a scouting party to explore the Qingjiang Road for a potential route into Shu. After a discussion among his deputy generals, it was decided that Li Ke Shi would lead the scouting mission. A scout later reported the presence of over four hundred warships at the dock, but with inadequate troop protection. The lax security in Yiling County, due to a false sense of safety, allowed for a bustling market at the dock, despite the warships being largely neglected and in disrepair. The local populace had grown weary of the warships, viewing them as burdens. Meanwhile, Qiu Ming Da, a greedy general stationed in Yidao County, was seen discussing a business deal with a local businessman, hinting at potential corruption.

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