Chapter 332: Central Military Tent
"Father Commander, if we're not going to the Great Yu Empire's battlefield now, shall we charge against the invading forces of the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty?" Xiao Yuanfeng said.
"We mustn't. The Great Yu battlefield, although it seems to have many cities, changes too rapidly. Early encounters with cities are bound to have sparse defenses, and we'll quickly lose many cities! It's ever-changing, and we must prepare to face the Great Yu Empire's battlefield at any moment," Xiao Wangzhi said.
"Yes!" Xiao Yuanfeng promptly responded.
"However, we still need small units to harass. Yuanfeng, I want you to lead a million troops to attack and probe the strengths and weaknesses of the Great Luo garrisons," Xiao Wangzhi continued.
"Yes!" Xiao Yuanfeng replied eagerly—
Collapse—this was the only way to describe the battlefield of the Great Yu Empire.
Under the leadership of Shui Wuheng, one army captured the first city in just twenty-five days. It was incredibly fast, leaving Shui Wuheng with feelings he couldn't dare to imagine.
They suffered a loss of twenty thousand troops, but considering the circumstances, it was relatively minor. In less than a month.
Shui Wuheng was extremely excited, employing methods taught by Zhongshan in the past to quickly pacify the city and promptly report to the Grand Marshal of the Da Xuan Kingdom.
It wasn't just Shui Wuheng's army that advanced smoothly. The other fourteen routes of the army were equally smooth, to an unbelievable extent. All it took was less than a month to capture one city.
In one month, they captured fifteen cities. Their might was overwhelming!
The defeated enemy fell too quickly!
After pacifying the city, Shui Wuheng immediately led his troops towards the next city. It wasn't just Shui Wuheng; the other fourteen armies were equally successful, advancing smoothly all the way.
The defending army? A joke. Only a small portion remained, with some still out searching for treasures and not returning. Moreover, upon seeing the arrival of the large army, the remaining defenders realized their leaders were gone (searching for treasures). What was there to fight for? Before the enemy arrived, their hearts were already timid, and they quickly fled!
With no commanders, the morale of the troops had long since dissipated. The battles were mere skirmishes against a few agitators. It was incredibly smooth.
The second city, having learned from the first, had a much better-prepared city lord and stronger defenses. However, being stronger was futile. Including travel time, it only took three months to capture the second city.
Since Zhongshan's orders began, Shui Wuheng had captured two cities within six months!
Shui Wuheng was incredibly excited. He never knew he could be this powerful in battle.
Shui Wuheng's great victory was mirrored by the other fourteen armies of the Great Luo forces. They had never experienced such a smooth campaign. Were these really the supposedly impregnable cities? The ease with which they were captured was astonishing.
Fifteen cities once again!
Grand Marshal Da Xuan was satisfied as he reviewed the battle reports. It was all within his expectations. Excellent!
Similarly, half a month ago, Grand Marshal Da Xuan issued orders once again: attack the cities, continue, and don't give the Great Yu Empire any chance to catch their breath.
Another month later, Shui Wuheng's army arrived at the location of the third city!
The first city took Shui Wuheng twenty-five days. The second took seventy-five days. For the third city, Shui Wuheng was prepared to spend a hundred days to capture it.
However, after a round of fierce fighting, Shui Wuheng immediately ordered a withdrawal.
This was too unusual! The third city was mysterious! Why did it feel like there were hardly any defenses?
Shui Wuheng was cautious, fearing an enemy ambush. But after waiting for five or six days, there was still no response from the city.
After careful consideration, Shui Wuheng decided to go all-in and launch a full-scale attack on the city.
Two days later, Shui Wuren stood solemnly atop the floating island of the City Lord's mansion. Was this city truly deserted? Was this feeble defense all they had left?
He seized a commanding officer. "Where are your people? How can you defend with so few?" Shui Wuren's eyes blazed.
"General, a month ago, most of our defenders were reassigned elsewhere!" the officer confessed.
"Reassigned? By whom?" Shui Wuren demanded.
"They say... it was the Grand Commander's order!" the officer divulged immediately.
"Yi Yan?" Shui Wuren raised an eyebrow.
Regardless, following Zhongshan's teachings, he swiftly reassured the city and reinforced defenses, dispatching troops to report the battle's outcome to the Grand King of Daxuan.
But this wasn't just happening to Shui Wuren—each of the other fourteen armies faced the same fate.
Another month passed, and at the fourth city, they encountered a similar situation: the garrison was gone, replaced by a few weak defenders.
In the tent of the Grand King of Daxuan, his expression was grim despite the numerous reports of victories. "Yi Yan's audacity is unprecedented," he remarked.
"Sixty cities, a gift from Yi Yan to us?" Grand King of Daxuan couldn't hide his astonishment.
"Instead of being divided and conquered, it seems wiser to sacrifice these sixty cities and regain absolute strength," Minister Fan remarked.
"The challenges ahead will be formidable," the Grand King of Daxuan frowned.
Indeed, when Shui Wuren arrived at the fifth city, he saw a huge 'Yi' character emblazoned on the city's banners!
Yi Yan?
Seeing this flag, Shui Wuren's initial excitement turned to cold realization. Yi Yan, defending the city?
Not only Shui Wuren, but the leaders of the other fourteen armies also faced cities adorned with Yi Yan's banners.
Fifteen armies, not just the generals but every soldier, beheld the sight of Yi Yan's banner. In that moment, nearly everyone paused.
This was Yi Yan, a name capable of intimidating millions!
Yi Yan governed Dayoutai City, overseeing twenty surrounding cities, ready to reinforce any direction at a moment's notice.
Shui Wuren launched an assault, but as he approached the city walls, figures swarmed atop the towers—troops of Da Yu army, disciplined and prepared!
First charge, repelled! Second charge, heavy losses! Third charge, a retreat sounded mid-battle!
Watching the cities adorned with Yi Yan's banners, Shui Wuren took a deep breath. No longer arrogant, the previous successes seemed like a rushing river, until they hit a dam at the fifth city, abruptly halting their momentum.
And that wasn't all—just as Shui Wuren's troops withdrew, a cavalry unit emerged from the rear. Were it not for the Wolf Cavalry's intervention, Shui Wuren might have faced death!
All fifteen armies now felt it: within these cities were countless soldiers, and surrounding the wilderness, countless more lay in ambush. The slightest lapse would invite swift reprisal.
Three months later, the fifteen armies made no progress, suffering frequent ambushes and heavy casualties.
The Grand King of Daxuan's fifteen armies had ground to a halt!
Yi Yan had achieved his goal, though the cost was devastating: sixty cities. A terrifying toll indeed.
Grand King's Central Hall!
Perched atop a mountain peak, it was the palace the Grand King carried with him wherever he went.
Within the hall, the Grand King sat in his commanding seat. On one side were a group of strategists led by Minister Fan. On the other side stood Zhongshan, Ada, A'er, and Princess Qianyou.
"Why, Qianyou, do you grace me with your presence today?" the Grand King chuckled at Qianyou.
"I was traveling nearby and thought to visit Uncle. Must I report in?" Qianyou smiled.
"You, this girl, you're always welcome here," the Grand King shook his head.
"But Zhongshan, why have you come?" the Grand King fixed his gaze on Zhongshan.
"To witness with the Grand King the complete collapse of Da Yu!" Zhongshan smiled.
Studying Zhongshan, the Grand King showed a hint of admiration and caution.
"Dongfang Hou, can we begin the fifth step of the Tian Beng plan?" Minister Fan asked from across.
"I've already sent the message. One month from now, we officially commence the fifth step of the Tian Beng plan. When news of our victories reaches Sky City, during the nationwide celebrations of Da Yu Dynasty, we will extinguish their last flicker of hope," Zhongshan declared.
"And what about Xiao Wang?" the Grand King stared at Zhongshan.
Watching the Grand King, Zhongshan smiled faintly. "Your Majesty, I believe you can notify Marshals Shuijing and Xiangbu on the Great Guang battlefield to prepare for the charge."
"Are you sure Xiao Wang will shift the battlefield to Da Yu Dynasty, accelerating its downfall?" the Grand King fixed his gaze on Zhongshan.
"He definitely will!" Zhongshan affirmed.
"Good!" the Grand King laughed.
Afterward, Zhongshan and Princess Qianyou were arranged in a more elegant courtyard.
Inside the courtyard.
"Sir, why have we come here?" Princess Qianyou stared at Zhongshan.
"Why have I come here? Don't you know?" Zhongshan looked at Princess Qianyou with a hint of puzzlement.
"I don't!" Princess Qianyou shook her head.
"Hmm? It seems there are some things His Majesty and the Crown Princes haven't told you," Zhongshan furrowed his brow.
"What?" Princess Qianyou also stared at Zhongshan.
"Fate!" Zhongshan said.
"Fate? Contesting fate?" Princess Qianyou looked surprised at Zhongshan.
"Yes, just like two army commanders. Now, with the personal strength of the Grand King, he could single-handedly walk among millions of troops and decapitate Yi Yan. But he doesn't. Why?" Zhongshan fixed his gaze on Princess Qianyou.
"Because this is about dynastic fate, not just personal prowess. To seize the dynastic fate of Da Yu Dynasty, it must be won through a dynastic battle. Only by defeating them in such a manner can we continually seize their dynastic fate during the war. If we were to directly kill Yi Yan, it would scatter the dynastic fate, leaving the land empty and devoid of fate!" Princess Qianyou explained.
"Exactly. As the core army of the Great Luo Empire, centered here, apart from seizing the dynastic fate for the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty, our core army, in the end, all the generals can also follow the mandate of heaven and gain a small reward!" Zhongshan affirmed with a confident expression.
(To be continued...)