Chapter 728: I Secretly Guided His Way |
"Make her one of our people?" Guan Fang Yi asked doubtfully, "What do you mean?"
Niu You Dao: "Nothing. Monkey is as stubborn as a mule. If he digs in his heels, there's nothing I can do. But he is a highly moral person, and Su Zhao has greatly influenced him. This girl appeared suddenly. We don't know if there's any malicious intent behind it. I'm afraid she might become a disaster for Monkey. Think about how to get her to talk. If it doesn't work, then let her go."
Guan Fang Yi said, surprised, "But you yourself said it's better not to let her go..." She stopped mid-sentence, unsure what to say.
She understood him. "Let her go" in front of Yuan Gang. To show that she left, but whether she would leave alive or not, that was another question.
Involuntarily, she said, "You're not a petty person. You wouldn't fixate so much on that red-faced Monkey, would you?"
"If there's something amiss with this girl, then she didn't come for Monkey, but for me. More precisely, she was sent. And I cannot allow others to succeed against me..." As he spoke, Niu You Dao began to sink into the water.
Guan Fang Yi squatted down, still deep in thought...
The Imperial Palace of the Jin Kingdom. In a vast hall, Tai Shu Xiong stood alone before a map.
A man entered from outside. Shao Ping Bo walked in and approached him: "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Shao Ping Bo: "Your servant has already reviewed the report."
Tai Shu Xiong slowly turned his head and asked, "Niu You Dao did this?"
Shao Ping Bo understood what he was hinting at. He knew why he had come to this conclusion, for he himself had told the Emperor that Niu You Dao had an agent within the Thousand Beast Sect. So, clasping his hands, he said, "It is difficult to say precisely what occurred. But, setting aside others, there's an 80-90% chance this was Niu You Dao's doing. If so, it merely confirms what your servant stated earlier!"
Tai Shu Xiong: "I know the situation of the Thousand Beast Sect better than you. And a mere disciple could hardly have pulled off such a feat. If Niu You Dao truly was behind this, then the person who helped accomplish it was likely Chao Jing!"
Shao Ping Bo pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Tai Shu Xiong: "It's a pity there's no proof. These are all merely my conjectures, otherwise, we could have used it."
Shao Ping Bo: "Some things don't require proof. A guilty conscience needs no accuser. I believe there will be another chance."
Tai Shu Xiong pondered, then chuckled and said, "An external thief is easy to guard against, but an internal one is far more difficult. If there truly are internal problems, then let's observe the Thousand Beast Sect."
He turned his head and sighed, saying, "This Meng Shan Ming is truly remarkable. With just one man, the Yan Kingdom is escaping a critical situation. But that Jin Jue, he's a real turtle. Such a juicy piece of meat is right before him, yet he doesn't intend to taste it. He stands there calmly, waiting, not daring to act, thus harming my plans."
Shao Ping Bo thought the same. Jin Jue wasn't attacking. They had learned that no matter how much the Han Kingdom's imperial court pressured him, Jin Jue stood his ground and refused to move his troops. And there was no chance to secretly assassinate this Jin Jue. Otherwise, Shao Ping Bo would have killed him long ago!
Matters had become far more extensive. It was already difficult to intervene directly. However, he offered comfort, saying, "Military affairs are unpredictable. Anything can change!"
Tai Shu Xiong sighed: "And for now, all we can do is wait and observe."
...
The Yan Kingdom's forces advancing on the Song Kingdom finally began to withdraw. However, they were not returning completely. They left behind a detachment of 500,000 troops to continue harassing the Song Kingdom.
On the way back, Gong Ling Ze sat in a swaying carriage.
He gazed out the window, admiring the scenery. Then, he turned his head and also looked at Meng Shan Ming, who was examining a map of the Han Kingdom. Involuntarily, he asked, "General Meng is carefully watching the Han Kingdom. Didn't General Meng speak of the destructive waters of the East? Have the plans changed?"
Meng Shan Ming shook his head: "The Han Kingdom's forces are led by Jin Jue. He is worthy of this!"
Gong Ling Ze unconsciously glanced at Meng Shan Ming's amputated legs. He had heard some things as well: "Jin Jue, I've been observing him too. They say he's merely a mediocre general. How could he possibly compare to General Meng? Is such close observation due to your legs?"
Meng Shan Ming shook his head: "One must not underestimate the enemy. In battle, an invincible general is not to be feared; what is truly frightening is underestimating your opponent. Lord Dao once said that a skillful warrior does not seek glory for his achievements! This can be said of Jin Jue!"
Gong Ling Ze asked, "Does General Meng truly consider himself weaker than him?"
Meng Shan Ming pointed to his amputated legs and smiled. Then he redirected his gaze to the window.
...
Standing before the map, Jin Jue examined documents. He was reading that the Yan Kingdom's forces were withdrawing.
A man entered from outside: "Advisor on Military Affairs, news has arrived from the Song Kingdom's capital."
Jin Jue, still looking at the map, said, "Speak!"
The man replied: "On one hand, the Song Kingdom's imperial court is urging us to attack the Yan Kingdom; on the other, they secretly wish to initiate peace talks with the Yan Kingdom themselves!"
"Shameless!" Inside the tent, the commanders immediately began to curse.
Jin Jue: "Is there any news about Luo Zhao being replaced? What's happening there?"
The man replied: "It's not clear yet. It seems they don't wish to replace the commander-in-chief before the battle."
Jin Jue sneered and shook his head. He understood. Although many in the Song Kingdom now blamed Luo Zhao for everything, at this moment, it was unlikely any general would dare to replace Luo Zhao. Taking responsibility now would be tantamount to courting death!
After making marks on the map, he pointed to the Song Kingdom and said, "Meng Shan Ming has achieved his objective. And now, the main forces must have gone to block Luo Zhao's path by the Dong Yu River. Meanwhile, 500,000 soldiers will continue to harass the Song Kingdom and cut off Luo Zhao's supplies. On one hand, they will block his road, and on the other, they will cut off his provisions. Even if Luo Zhao manages to cross the river successfully, he will still be in a dire situation. Meng Shan Ming will not give him a moment's peace!"
One commander shook his head and said, "Meng Shan Ming has dealt with him cruelly. He will leave him no means to survive. Although the Emperor supports him, it will be difficult for Luo Zhao to stay afloat at this time. If Luo Zhao can even just fight his way across the river, it will be good. Otherwise, he will truly face great problems."
Another man said, "The Emperor will not be able to support him now. The Emperor already has to answer to the court and the people. Someone will need to be found to bear the responsibility. And that responsibility cannot be shifted to the three sects."
Another man chuckled and said, "Luo Zhao is young; he rose like lightning from the very beginning and had never experienced such a setback. This time, Meng Shan Ming has severely taught him a lesson. However, one must not forget who stands behind him. He is, after all, the son-in-law of the Ascension Palace. With them, he will not fall."
Another commander said, "Advisor on Military Affairs, Meng Shan Ming will not completely crush Luo Zhao. He will leave them forces to resist us. Are we truly going to stand by and watch all of this calmly?"
Jin Jue smiled and replied, "Why rush? It's better to act with more reliability. That will be preferable."
That commander clasped his hands anxiously: "Sir, can we continuously just calmly watch as the Song and Yan Kingdoms collude against us?"
"Exactly! We clearly know what the outcome will be, are we really going to just wait calmly for it all?"
Everyone began to murmur amongst themselves.
Watching everyone begin to make a clamor, he turned to the map and pointed to a location in the Yan Kingdom.
Everyone looked at the southeastern part of the Yan Kingdom. There was Bingzhou province!
"Wu Gun Lin?" Everyone was doubtful.
Wu Gun Lin, after staging a coup in Cangzhou, had been repelled by the Yan Kingdom's forces. He thought he would cross the Dong Yu River and go deep into the Song Kingdom. Who would have known that Luo Zhao would not allow him to cross, and instead wanted him to fight to the death against the Yan Kingdom's forces? Wu Gun Lin cursed Luo Zhao endlessly. However, there was nothing he could do. But he was not so foolish as to fight against the Yan Kingdom's forces.
In the end, Wu Gun Lin and his troops headed south along the Dong Yu River. He invaded Bingzhou and seized access to the sea. Gathering ships there, he prepared to cross into the Song Kingdom. The distance to the Song Kingdom was not great, and the coastline was very long. He did not believe that at such a time, Luo Zhao would deploy his soldiers along the entire line.
In Bingzhou, he began to threaten the Song Kingdom. He declared that if they did not provide him with provisions, he would help Meng Shan Ming attack the Song Kingdom.
Not thinking to support this fellow, Luo Zhao sent him a single shipment. Luo Zhao figured that after he seized the Yan Kingdom, he would deal with him on the way back.
Having received provisions, Wu Gun Lin got a respite. He harbored no illusions, understanding that Luo Zhao would attack him later. However, he was not afraid because the Han Kingdom existed. If only he had enough strength, then after the Yan Kingdom was destroyed, the Han and Song Kingdoms would begin their division. And then the Han Kingdom would need him. After that, he could become a vassal prince. Only Meng Shan Ming had shattered his plans.
Jin Jue nodded: "We will not attack, and that does not mean the imperial court will not act. Wu Gun Lin understands that after all this, Meng Shan Ming will not take him back. Secretly, the imperial court will send people to contact him. We must entice him to our Han Kingdom with promises of profit and advantage. When Meng Shan Ming's and Luo Zhao's forces weaken, Luo Zhao, with meager provisions, will have to cross the river. Then, Wu Gun Lin can seize the opportunity and harry him! Wu Gun Lin doesn't need to fight to the death. He only needs to interfere!"
Everyone froze, then their faces shone with joy. Wu Gun Lin was capable of interfering with Luo Zhao. He could stir up chaos in the Song Kingdom. And this would play into their hands if they attacked the Song Kingdom. The Song Kingdom would not be able to defend itself on a large scale against the Han Kingdom. It would have to leave defenses within its own kingdom.
One commander joyfully exclaimed, "This Wu Gun Lin is truly farsighted. He successfully chose a location between the Song and Yan Kingdoms. Only, Meng Shan Ming will deal with him later."
"I was the one who secretly guided his way. Without the support of our Han Kingdom's cultivators, do you think he could have successfully reached his current position back then? When cultivators from the Song Kingdom were right beside him? Would he be in Bingzhou now?" Jin Jue stated.
What? They were stunned.
Before everyone had fully recovered their senses, Jin Jue pointed to the Zhao Kingdom and said: "We need to send a proposal of alliance to the Zhao Kingdom. We can offer them to advance on the Yan Kingdom. Also, concerning the Thousand Beast Sect in the Song Kingdom, the imperial court will send people to them as well. They will be promised benefits. The defeat of the Yan Kingdom's forces was a lesson. This must be taken into account!"