"Our spy network has suffered so losses."
"Moreover, Lu Youxian has started constructing advance posts at distances of ten, thirty, and fifty miles outside the city, slowly encroaching on Western Regions’ territory. The Chen Country’s heavy-armored, heavy-shield soldiers are pushing forward and have already clashed with the Western Regions’ cavalry."
"The Chen Country, especially Lu Youxian, has not relaxed their vigilance toward our forces."
"As expected of him."
Li Guanyi felt a sting in his brow: "Lu Youxian..."
Lu Youxian, a renowned general of Chen Country, is also a difficult adversary that must be faced later.
Li Guanyi’s best opportunity is to seize the mont when Ying Country and Chen Country are still unprepared, to swiftly connect the Western Regions, Southwest, and Jiangnan via the waterways, and rise to prominence.
Li Guanyi’s na had already spread throughout the world.
Chen Country and Ying Country would not regard him as an insignificant pawn.
Currently, the defense against Li Guanyi is at a completely different level than at the beginning. If he cannot rise during this montous Western Region campaign, then once Chen Country and Ying Country catch their breath, the difficulty would increase dramatically.
Li Guanyi said: "The Southwest..."
Breaking Army unfolded the geographical map, saying: "The lands of the Southwest, though small among various parts of the world, have complex terrain, many obstacles, humidity, and heat. Central Plains soldiers often fall ill there, and soldiers from the Western Regions also find it slightly uncomfortable."
"Internally, the Central Plains refer to large and small tribes, but in reality, these are major cities."
"Rich in resources, aside from regular armies, their special military units focus on rattan armor, poison, and fast movent. Judging by past records, they have at least tens of thousands in army scale, although the quality and combat ability of these armies cannot compare to the three hundred years of warti Central Plains."
"But historically, whenever there have been attempts to attack or defend the Southwest."
"The greatest adversary of the Southwest is actually not their armies, but the harsh climate and treacherous terrain, it honestly isn’t suited for direct assaults, especially the environnt there isn’t favorable for large heavy cavalry charges of the Western Regions."
"If attacked directly, many people would likely be lost."
Li Guanyi said: "I also don’t wish for a direct assault."
Breaking Army said: "As I ntioned previously, Taiping Duke holds high prestige among the Southwest people. If you are willing, it would be much easier to subdue the region. Of course, if we can capture it without bloodshed..."
Breaking Army paused: "Then, riding the victory over Western Regions, and with the Southwest fully submitting, Lord, like a Soaring Dragon entering the sea, the montum would be unstoppable!"
Li Guanyi said: "But, it’s easier said than done."
"Moreover."
He paused his voice, looking toward the geographical map; there was still a layer belonging to Chen Country between Western Regions and Southwest, and obstructing the path was Lu Youxian. Breaking Army said: "Once your injuries recover sowhat, we’ll need to take action against Lu Youxian."
"Otherwise, given his combat skill, the longer ti passes, the more troubleso it will be."
Li Guanyi nodded slightly.
After sorting through docunts and training martial arts, slowly recovering his strength, he went to et with Yuwen Hua, Yuwen Tianxian, and Qin Yulong. When the three generals t, they imdiately stood to greet, but Li Guanyi stopped them and invited them to sit.
After chatting for a while, Yuwen Tianxian was silent for a long ti, then said: "Grandmaster defeated Wolf King, battlefield killings are common, all for the country, but to disgrace a corpse..."
He paused, said: "The three of us have no face to stay here any longer."
"Furthermore, now that the situation is gradually stabilizing, the three of us remaining here are neither enemy nor friend. On that day, the Crown Prince had an agreent with the Lord that once the situation stabilized, we’d be allowed to leave. I wonder if we may be released."
Li Guanyi softly said: "Teacher, I have an agreent with Jiang Gao."
"It’s just that currently, there’s unrest in the Eastern Palace. Would you be safe when returning?"
Yuwen Tianxian calmly said: "With the country in peril, at a ti when people are needed, even if there’s a risk of death, should we prioritize our safety over the survival of the nation? If even we behave like this, Daying is not the Daying anymore."
"Please, Lord, permit this."
Li Guanyi sighed, knowing that Yuwen Tianxian’s character was resolute and unwavering, not easily swayed by words, thus he agreed. The next day, he sent them off, providing horses, provisions, and travel expenses, and granting them freedom to go to Xiyi City, returning to Ying Country via Xiyi City.
anwhile, in Ying Country, the situation was stabilizing. Grandmaster Jiang Su maintained the nation’s dignity and his supre authority through the battle with Wolf King. That day he went to the palace, and the palace guards, maids, and eunuchs all kept their heads down, not daring to look at the Grandmaster.
Wherever the Grandmaster Jiang Su went, the atmosphere turned extrely cold.
Grandmaster arrived at Star-picking Tower, and after reporting to Jiang Wanxiang, he was allowed inside. He ascended floor by floor, until reaching the highest point. There, the king who two years ago debated the world with Li Guanyi with remarkable spirit, now appeared aged.
With his back to Jiang Su, he held wine while surveying the world, his white hair fluttering, faintly losing its shine.
The wind swept through his robes, curling and falling, yet there was inexplicably a sense of desolation.
Like dry winter grass, filled with the breath of death, Jiang Su saluted, saying: "Your Majesty..."
Jiang Wanxiang said: "Grandmaster, though it’s nearing sumr, with all things growing, why do my eyes see nothing but decay, seeing the leaves of the willow tree wither after being scorched by the sun, and the sullied mud in the lotus pond."
"Am I truly dying of old age?"
Jiang Su said: "Your Majesty is at your pri. The world is still unsettled. Our Daying Kingdom’s territories are vast, and there are many brave warriors. How could Your Majesty say such things?"
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