Chapter 107.2 |
Lin Beifan, concerned, inquired whether there was a need for additional military support.
An Lushan confidently asserted that there was absolutely no need; with the 500,000-strong Northern Garrison under his command, he could fully secure the nation’s borders.
Lin Beifan reiterated his trust in General An’s capabilities.
However, to minimize unnecessary casualties, he still suggested withdrawing the people who were clearing and farming the land in the northern garrison area.
This move was very reasonable, and An Lushan had no suspicions.
On the second day, An Lushan once again reported to the imperial court that the Great Yue Kingdom’s army of 500,000 was closing in on An City, less than two hundred miles from the northern border, and it would take approximately four days to reach the northern border.
Lin Beifan once again expressed his trust in General An’s capabilities.
On the third day, An Lushan reported to the imperial court again…
The same happened on the fourth day.
However, by the fifth day, the Great Yue army had already arrived at the northern border. A major battle between the two nations was imminent, and the border was extremely tense. But An Lushan no longer sent any messages back.
At this moment, An Lushan looked at the mighty Great Yue army before him, yet he turned his horse around and bellowed at his own troops, “A foolish emperor rules, the people cannot survive! Wicked courtiers bring disaster, the living are mired in misery! Now, my fellow soldiers, follow me as we storm into the Great Xia capital city to achieve great deeds and change the dynasty at this very moment!”
These soldiers were his personal troops nurtured by him. They pledged allegiance to the general rather than the emperor.
Hearing An Lushan’s words, although somewhat bewildered, they still turned their weapons around.
At this time, Shi Siming drew his long sword and roared, “What are you hesitating for? If we strike at the Great Xia capital city and change the dynasty, you’ll have the chance to leap over the dragon gate, receive promotions and honors, and be appointed as marquises and ministers! I promise, as long as we reach the capital city, the grain will be yours, the silver will be yours, the beauties will be yours!”
Great rewards bring out brave warriors!
The 500,000 soldiers of the Northern Army were invigorated: “Charge!”
Following An Lushan and Shi Siming, they marched towards the capital city of Great Xia.
The Great Yue army of 500,000 troops closely followed behind them.
This matter was quickly known by the imperial court, which immediately convened an emergency meeting to discuss solutions.
“Your Majesty, Generals An Lushan and Shi Siming have betrayed the country and led the Great Yue army into our territory. Combined, the two armies amount to a total of one million troops, and they will be at our city gates in approximately five days! The situation is extremely urgent; please make preparations early!” Cao Cao reported loudly.
Grand General Chai Yulang spoke with great indignation: “Those two traitorous officials have not only betrayed the Emperor’s grace but have also conspired with the enemy and sold out the country. Their crimes are unforgivable! Please entrust the troops to your humble servant, and I will ensure they do not return!”
“Count me in!”
Chai Yuxin stood up excitedly: “I have always despised those who betray and sell out their country!”
“Their forces are too strong; we currently only have 500,000 troops and are at a disadvantage! Therefore, your humble servant suggests that we defend from within the city to gain the upper hand!”
“Why not simply send a master to burn their grain?” suggested one of the officials.
The court officials each expressed their opinions.
At this moment, their interests were tied to Lin Beifan.
If Lin Beifan fell, they would fall as well.
Lin Beifan spoke calmly, “Ministers, please be patient! I am aware of your proposed methods of dealing with the enemy, but they are not the best solutions. I have a better plan!”
The civil and military officials looked at each other, wondering, “What does Your Majesty mean…”
Lin Beifan chuckled, “I always admire those with ambition. Since he wants to fight, then let him fight!”
“F*ck!” All the officials were dumbfounded.
The enemy’s million-strong army was marching towards us, pressing on relentlessly, and in a few days, they would reach the capital city.
Instead of thinking about resisting the enemy, you’re allowing them to continue their assault?
What kind of twisted logic is this?
Could it be that His Majesty has lost his mind again?
“My intention is that, rather than mobilizing for a major conflict everywhere, it would be better to rest easy and have our troops recuperate in the capital city! When their million-strong army arrives, we can defend from the city, and wouldn’t our chances of victory be greater then?”
Everyone exchanged glances, blinked, and realized what His Majesty had said…
Seemed quite reasonable!
Given the current disparity in military strength, a head-on battle would most likely result in their defeat.
Why not stay in the capital city, rest up properly, and then fight them when they arrive, with even greater chances of winning?
“Your Majesty’s words are most astute; this humble servant has been enlightened!” the officials responded in unison.
Lin Beifan waved his hand: “Withdraw all the troops back!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” the officials responded again.
Thus, the imperial troops were all called back to the capital city.
This news quickly reached An Lushan.
“The court has recalled all its troops. They intend to settle the matter in one fell swoop within the capital city, what a scheme!” he mused.
“Big brother, this is good news!”
Shi Siming said with a smile: “They don’t want to suffer losses, and neither do we. On this journey, we can march straight to the capital city, don the yellow robe, and ascend to the throne as Emperor without destroying Great Xia!”
“Second brother, you speak the truth!”
An Lushan laughed loudly: “Let’s hurry, I can hardly wait!”
The speed of the million-strong army is one point faster.
And all of this fell into the eyes of Lin Beifan.
“According to this speed, they will be able to reach the capital city in another 5 days! One, two, three… only 8 Innate experts have arrived; the masters are not all here; acting now would scare them away! No rush, I will play along with you for a while!”
Lin Beifan chuckled and hooked his finger.
Unconsciously, two hours passed, and An Lushan looked at the sky, noticing that it had gradually darkened, and shouted loudly: “That’s enough for today! Rest on the spot, light fires and cook!”
“Yes, General!” the crowd responded.
The cooks were the first to act, moving food from the carts to prepare the meal.
However, when they untied the burlap sacks, they were utterly dumbfounded.
Because inside weren’t grains but bags brimming with sand.
Opening the second sack, it was the same thing—not grains, but sand.
Opening the third sack, still sand.
The fourth sack, again, just sand.
Until they had opened all the sacks, only to find that they were all filled with sand, not a single grain of rice!
The soldiers panicked, their faces pale and cold sweat streaming down.
“Why is it all sand?”
“I remember it was all grain inside, how did it turn into sand?”
“Could it be haunted?”
“Without grain, how do we start a fire to cook?”
“The general will blame us for this!”
“What is all this noise about?” An Lushan came over, bellowing loudly.
The soldiers knelt down, trembling and said, “Reporting to the general, we were just about to start a fire to cook when we found that all the grain inside had disappeared, turned into sand, and we can’t cook!”
“Absurd! How could the grain just vanish into thin air?” An Lushan’s face showed displeasure.
“General, please see it yourself!”
An Lushan looked towards the sacks that were supposed to contain grain, only to find that there was indeed no grain, just sand.
After inspecting all the sacks, the same was true.
He couldn’t help but fly into a rage: “Where is the grain? How come the grain is gone? Speak up, did you switch it out and hide it all away? Hand over the grain immediately, or I will chop off your heads!”
The soldiers were so frightened that they knelt down, kowtowing and begging for mercy: “General, please calm your anger, how would we dare to do such a thing? Even if you kill us, we can’t conjure up grain!”
***
Sponsored Chapter by Drangonk105
9/17
We are currently recruiting. CN/KR/JP Translators/MTLers are welcome!
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/HGaByvmVuw
Comments 8