Standing with his hands behind his back at the treetop, Lu Yunzhu calmly observed this scene, shook his head after a long while, and then disappeared like a wisp of breeze.
At the sa ti, dark clouds gathered on the Sky Do, slowly spreading towards the south.
It seed as if a sound was carried away by the wind.
"The decision is made..."
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In the Imperial Capital Shengjing, within the court.
Emperor Chengtian looked at the latest battle reports from the frontlines, his expression solemn yet not greatly changed.
With battle after battle, he had begun to grow accustod to the constant defeats reported from the frontlines.
If asked what in these reports irritated him the most.
It must be Bai Yuhu's use of the term 'constant defeat' in his choice of words.
What, are you showing off your indomitable spirit in defeat?
Emperor Chengtian's expression grew more overcast, these guys really knew how to paint a prettier picture of themselves in battle reports, if only they could win a battle!
With a cold snort, Emperor Chengtian tossed the battle report aside, expressionless: "I assu you've all been inford of the frontlines' military situation; given the circumstances, if any of you have good strategies, feel free to propose them."
The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, Zhong Wenhan, rolled his eyes and said: "Your Majesty, the fact that the Central Capital is not lost is the best news. Although the Qin Army is full of montum, disaster managent is a prolonged affair, so the rebellious King Qin won't be able to mobilize all his forces to the north.
Moreover, since King Qin dared to take the unprecedented action of overthrowing the Divine Temples across the south, he is bound to provoke divine retribution. So during this period, Your Majesty can train new troops without restraint..."
"Enough." Emperor Chengtian directly interrupted his words: "When exactly will this divine retribution arrive?"
"This..."
Zhong Wenhan found himself speechless for a mont, just as the Commander of the Jinyi Guard hurriedly entered, presenting a secret letter.
The expression on Emperor Chengtian's face instantly shifted from gloomy to pleased, as he chuckled and said: "The divine retribution has arrived, the entire south is overcast with clouds, not a ray of sunshine in sight."
This was undoubtedly a potent boost, solidifying the minds of the court officials who had initially been shaken.
The gods are indeed supre gods after all.
Although it's just an overcast day, as long as the Longjiang disaster persists, the southern grain production is bound to reduce, by then, with what would King Qin sustain his military and civilians?
"Congratulations to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty have boundless good fortune!"
Zhong Wenhan quickly knelt down, and in an instant, the court was filled with voices praising the emperor with long life.
At this mont, Emperor Chengtian couldn't hide the smile on his face, and that wasn't the only piece of good news.
"Your Majesty, Minister Ren has returned."
"Quickly announce him!"
Vice Chief of the Cabinet Ren Yunpeng walked in, dusty from travel: "Your Majesty, thanks to fortune, I have not failed my mission. The Shenmiao Dynasty is willing to withdraw their troops and return Eastern Capital Luo'an, and is also willing to lend us a million troops to resolve the current predicant of the court."
Emperor Chengtian abruptly stood up: "Really?!"
"Really..."
Ren Yunpeng looked up at Emperor Chengtian, but before he could finish speaking, Zhong Wenhan interrupted him: "Mr. Ren, though the Shenmiao Dynasty has noble intentions, ultimately all under heaven bustle for profit, could it be that Emperor Yuanhua would really act out of sheer benevolence and ask for nothing in return?"
Hearing this, the joy in Emperor Chengtian's heart was significantly subdued, he quickly inquired: "Ren Aiqing, what conditions does the Shenmiao Dynasty have?"
Ren Yunpeng took a deep breath: "Emperor Yuanhua hopes Your Majesty would cede the lands of Chu, Rong, Yuelin, Ximing, and Hong Five States to Shenmiao, and once Your Majesty pacifies the south, they will naturally be returned."
Upon hearing this, the court fell silent at once, even Emperor Chengtian's facial muscles twitched a few tis uncontrollably.
Cede land?
Make peace?
If this is agreed upon, what would that make ?
"Your Majesty, I think it can be agreed." Ren Yunpeng took a deep breath: "With the current continuous disasters in the south due to King Qin's actions of collapsing the Divine Temples, it's a great opportunity for a counterattack, and if successful, the lands of the Five States can naturally be reclaid..."
"Impossible!" Zhong Wenhan stepped forward and loudly refuted: "The lands of our ancestors, how can they be easily abandoned?! Do you want the emperor to beco a ruler infamous for eternity!?"
After the accusation, Zhong Wenhan imdiately knelt down: "Your Majesty, you mustn't cede land for peace!
The Qin king's territory is currently under disaster and rebellion; Your Majesty, do not err again, or it will only allow Qin to overco the current crisis, and Your Majesty would be nailed in history as a disgrace."
"Your Majesty, the current situation is a matter of who makes the greater mistakes, under no circumstances can you err now," the Minister of Rites stepped forward, standing with the Grand Secretary.
Two-thirds of the court officials stood with the Grand Secretary.
Ren Yunpeng retorted: "A great man can bend and stretch, no one knows if the divine retribution will persist, nor if King Qin can solve the current predicant. If we do not take this opportunity to move south, and if King Qin resolves the crisis, the status of the gods may be shaken, affecting the vast regions north of Longjiang, then...
Will anyone still stand with the court, with Your Majesty?"
"Nonsense!" Zhong Wenhan erupted, swearing: "As long as the divine retribution continues, King Qin's standing in the minds of the southern military and civilians will waver, the longer it lasts, the greater the possibility of it collapsing on its own, why cede land and borrow troops?"
"But King Qin has plundered many grain warehouses north of Longjiang, those present here are well aware that as long as there's food, who would easily rebel!?" Ren Yunpeng stood up, his words were powerful: "There are quite a few grain warehouses in the south, what if the divine retribution doesn't last that long!?"
"Ren Yunpeng, you..."
The court was in an uproar, sitting on the Dragon Chair, Emperor Chengtian Dongfang Xinghe was silent, the Grand Secretary and the Vice Chief of the Cabinet each had their points, which is what troubled him the most.
Because he wanted to adopt both strategies, yet where would the troops co from without ceding territory?
But if he ceded territory, he would beco a muddle-headed ruler, not only losing the people's support, but also causing disappointnt among many in the court...
How to choose?
"Your Majesty, cede territory to borrow troops!"
Suddenly, a huge pressure enveloped the entire court, the noisy sounds fell silent, the officials involuntarily knelt down under the pressure.
Emperor Chengtian looked at Li Xuanzhen who walked in: "State Preceptor, you..."
Li Xuanzhen stepped forward, his voice calm: "A letter from Prince Ning, the Land of Prosperity is already revealing a glimr, it is ti for a decisive battle, I urge Your Majesty not to hesitate!
Moreover, Emperor Yongxing is willing to lend Your Majesty a million troops to help Your Majesty pacify the nation."
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Xinghe asked, "Does Emperor Yongxing also want to cede territory?"
"No need."
"If so, do I still need to cede territory to Emperor Yuanhua to borrow troops?"
"Without borrowing, would Emperor Yuanhua withdraw from the Eastern Capital without seizing the opportunity?"
"..."
Emperor Chengtian clenched his hands, and after a mont, he spoke softly: "Cede territory, borrow troops..."
"Your Majesty, no!" Zhong Wenhan shouted: "How can Your Majesty sell the nation!?"
Li Xuanzhen paid no heed: "I implore Your Majesty to personally lead the campaign, heading south!"
Emperor Chengtian was taken aback, just as Li Xuanzhen continued: "The Divine Envoy awaits Your Majesty's good news in Qiming City!"
Dongfang Xinghe suddenly stood up: "I will personally lead the campaign!"
Fight with one's back to the river.
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Central Capital, Qiming City.
Ever since Bai Yuhu withdrew north to here, the local residents have been forcibly gathered to build the city defenses, so looking around, a scene of desolation.
Lu Jin'an held Zhiyu's small hand, strolling on the city walls of Qiming City, occasionally glancing to the south.
He already knew the intelligence about the changing weather in the south, although it made Dongfang Xinglan's determination to pacify the south more difficult, the unchanged weather after the Qin Army marched north beca evidence that the southern weather was not divine retribution.
Therefore, large-scale civil unrest did not occur in the south, on the contrary, the original chaos was quelled by her running around.
And now, the news that Emperor Chengtian has ceded territory, borrowed troops, and will personally lead the campaign spread throughout the land, sotis Lu Jin'an also found it strange, clearly the advantage had shifted to Emperor Chengtian's side, yet Emperor Chengtian made blunders repeatedly...
This Dongfang Xinghe guy is really the true brother of Dongfang Xinglan, born of the sa mother, how could there be such a big difference?
But it doesn't matter, knowing the whereabouts of the Land of Prosperity is the most important thing.
Once this matter is resolved, everything will settle.
He didn't pay much attention to the weather changes in the south, after all, it's just a spell of Incense Fire Will, easy to break.
Just, why did the Upper Realm use this thod at this ti?
Wouldn't take action before King Qin developed be more successful?
Lu Jin'an pondered while watching the distant Qin Army looming over the city like oppressive dark clouds.
For now, the issue of weather can be put aside without problem.
He stopped walking, exhaled slowly, and placed a hand on the city wall.
It was early autumn, the end of sumr is near.
For Dongfang Xinglan and Emperor Chengtian, this is the decisive ti of no retreat.
Whoever wins, the world belongs to them.
"The final mont..."
Lu Jin'an looked down at Zhiyu, thought for a mont, yet didn't continue to say sothing like "soon we can go ho."
At crucial tis, it's better not to speak carelessly.
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