Wolf King Chen Fubi, besieged outside the capital of Ying Country, after the two kings confronted each other, Jiang Wanxiang simply said in a cold voice: "Then, whatever ans the Divine Martial King possesses, just go ahead and use them."
Then, he turned around and left with great strides.
He personally presided over the National Protection Array within the city. Although he was a bold ruler, unwilling to expend the populace to exhaust the Wolf King, unwilling to diminish the heroic spirit within his chest, yet he also wouldn’t foolishly open the city gates to fight the Wolf King outside.
All military forces that could be used within the capital were already employed.
The regular army used for defending the city, the governnt officials from the prefectural office, and even Jiang Wanxiang had mobilized the Imperial Army within the palace. At this mont, the palace of Ying Country was at its weakest defense capability in decades.
Everyone was terrified, fighting desperately, intending to battle the Wolf King to the death.
They all hoped to hold on until reinforcents from various provinces and cities could arrive.
The Wolf King ventured alone deep into the heartland.
Even a military god would have to retreat under a tenfold disadvantage in military strength, not to ntion him. However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, the Wolf King’s forces began making preparations to attack the city, building siege equipnt, seemingly ready to attack at any mont, but not yet starting.
The situation thus seed like a sword hanging over one’s forehead.
They knew this sword would strike down.
Yet, they had no idea when it would strike.
That terrifying oppressive feeling continued to extend, casting a shadow over the hearts of the city’s citizens. And that Wolf King, each day, indulged in wine, sang loudly, played his sword and enjoyed the wind, and when in high spirits, led a dozen cavalry to swagger before the city.
With just a bow and a quiver of arrows, there were city defenders whose throats and foreheads were pierced, tumbling down dead, just like being nad by King Yan.
Knowing the city would be attacked, not knowing when it would be attacked.
Knowing the Wolf King would co, not knowing who would die.
This persistent uncertainty was far more terrifying than a real full assault, transforming into clouds of foreboding that hung over everyone’s heads, leaving the city’s citizens unable to rest easy daily.
On this day, the Wolf King returned from hunting, arrived at his camp, casually tossed his bow and arrows aside, dismounted, picked up a teapot, and drank heavily. In his military camp, the old monk was no longer seen.
Only the strategist Dongfang Chen who accompanied him remained. The Wolf King moved his body, gazed at the distant city, lost in thought for a while, then smiled and said: "Our ti is probably running out, sir."
Dongfang Chen replied: "This is Ying Country after all. Ying Country is powerful. Even if all troops are at war, when the capital is threatened, other cities can desperately mobilize an army."
"Now, reinforcents are coming from all directions, different cities and their city lords, along with their mixed quality large armies, all collectively amount to probably several tis, even ten tis, the size of our forces. By then, if besieged by a massive army, we truly won’t have any chance to get out alive."
The Wolf King’s strategist spoke these words with a smile, yet showed no fear.
In the chaotic world, there are two types of people.
One lives simply to continue living.
One lives to one day die in a blaze of glory.
Dongfang Chen was the latter type; the Wolf King stretched out his hand to warm by the fire, and asked: "In these past days, sir, what do you think of the city?"
Dongfang Chen replied: "In the realm of mighty city passes, it is grand although not like Zhenbei City, Xiyi City, and the Heroic Pass newly forged by Lu Youxian; not a place with both inner and outer castle gates and a setup with towers on all sides, yet still extrely difficult to conquer."
"The chanical techniques from the Heroic Mo lineage within the Mo School and the defensive arrangents of the Military School are all quite solid, with a large population and enough provisions in the city."
"To break through Ying Country’s capital, as well as Chen Country’s Jiangzhou City, if the national strength of these two countries is not defeated, it will probably take at least several hundred thousand troops to besiege for months."
"The best way to attack a city is to cut off supplies and information from all directions, causing water and provisions within the city to be depleted; then employ espionage, inciting conflicts among the city’s people, noble families, officials, and the court."
"And at this mont, open a gap to accept those willing to surrender."
"Then even the most mighty city pass will collapse without being attacked."
"Unfortunately, we have ventured alone without seizing the cities along the way. Secondly, we lack the ti to besiege this city for months. If forced to attack, it is difficult to capture; at this ti, failing to capture the city and instead being encircled from behind is more likely."
Wolf King Chen Fubi replied with a smile: "Indeed, one could say it’s seeking death."
"However, I never thought of using this remaining force of over ten thousand troops to clash bitterly with Jiang Wanxiang and still surpass him. Alas, alas, I say his life is like a candle in the wind, flickering precariously..."
"And aren’t we the sa?"
The Wolf King used his palm to cover the fla, fell silent, and suddenly said:
"Sir, you are skilled in face reading. Previously when you saw Jiang Wanxiang ascend the city."
"How much longer do you think he will live?"
Dongfang Chen replied: "Ten years."
Wolf King Chen Fubi mused: "Indeed, even in his advanced years, but relying on the majesty of the realm and countless spirit pills and miraculous dicines from the Imperial Physician, this old fellow can have ten more years of life."
"Ten years!"
"If we forcefully attack the city, and Jiang Wanxiang wins a great victory, he can relax his tense mind; his energy won’t be significantly affected, which would be a great failure."
"Our strategy from the start was not to kill him, but to wear him down."
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