Chapter 807 - 240: Throwing a Whip to Stop the Flow_2

"Two hundred thousand to one million!

"Isn’t it obvious which side has the advantage?!"

The civil and military officers murmured in their hearts.

Indeed.

That’s a full one million people.

All of you present here.

I’m afraid no one has ever seen so many people gathered together.

"One million people!"

Prince Qin emphasized: "Do you know what this means?

"Just by throwing the whips of my army into the Fei River, it could block the flow like a dam!

"Throwing whips to break the river!

"So, what are you afraid of!

"In this great war!

"I shall personally lead the army to the front line!

"All of you civil and military officials, follow me!"

The officials follow!

Upon hearing this.

The officials in the great hall were shocked.

"Your Highness?!"

The Minister of Personnel, Yin Mingchun, asked in a daze: "Do we, the civil servants, also have to go?"

"Yes."

The Minister of Revenue, Tian Guang, echoed: "Your Highness, we are mere scholars without the strength to bind a chicken. Even if some have practiced martial arts, they’re only in the Blood Refining Realm, going to the front line wouldn’t be of any use, right?"

"Who says it’s useless!"

Prince Qin righteously declared: "In times of peril for the nation, it’s precisely when you, the esteemed officials, should be loyal to the court. Even if you die, it should be outside the Capital!

"Only when ’The officials defend the nation, the imperial family dies for the country,’ can we inspire the morale of the front-line soldiers!"

"This, this..."

The civil and military officials were in an uproar.

"Hmm?!"

Seeing this, Prince Qin’s eyes widened with fury, smashing the desk with a fist, roaring: "Do you not all pride yourselves as loyal ministers of Dasheng, yet when needed, you dare not stand up?!

"I’m telling you!

"Within the city, no one above third-rank shall escape!

"Everyone will share life and death with the front-line soldiers!"

"..."

The civil and military officials dared not dissent anymore, reluctantly expressing loyalty.

"We are willing to be loyal to Dasheng!"

"..."

"Hehe~"

Dan Liangcheng seemed to mock: "Your Highness is indeed fearless."

"What is there for me to fear?!"

Regent King Qin said sternly: "Since we’ve decided to fight, let Immortal Master Dan speak on how exactly we should fight!"

"As the saying goes, a heavy sword has no edge, great skill shows no craft."

Dan Liangcheng emphasized, as the bamboo flute in his hand suddenly landed on the Fei River region at the Yu State border: "As I said, if military strategies cannot contend with Chen Sansi, then we won’t contend with him. Hence, the entire million troops shall advance to the front of Yu State, directly aiming at Kunyang Prefecture."

"What a ’heavy sword has no edge, great skill shows no craft’!"

Prince Qin nodded in agreement: "Let’s proceed as Immortal Master Dan suggests!"

Kunyang, situated at the center of many rivers, controls the entire water conservancy hub of the Fei River Basin, which is also the rebel army’s only waterway for food transport to the Capital after controlling the Luoxiao River.

As long as Kunyang is taken.

The rebel army loses the qualification to safely cross the river and must retreat north of the Fei River, detour over a thousand miles to the west’s Feng State ferry crossing, but in doing so, would require a massive redeployment of provisions, taking at least another year at the fastest.

By then...

Emperor Longqing would have completed his seclusion.

This battle would essentially be won!

In other words.

Fei River Kunyang is the decisive battlefield.

"What are we waiting for?!"

Prince Qin immediately made the decision: "We have a million troops, Immortal Master Dan’s formation, and the Ling Family’s Ancestor. This time we will surely defeat the rebels.

"All troops, onward!"

With one order.

Within the Capital Chang’an, all civil and military officials went into final preparations.

"Senior Brother Dan!"

A cultivator from the Shengyun Sect, landing steadily from the air, withdrew the flying sword into his sleeve, entering the hall with a grave expression: "There’s bad news."

"Junior Brother Su, you’ve been sent by the sect as well?"

Dan Liangcheng slightly furrowed his brows: "What is it?"

"It’s the Guiyuan Sect!"

Su Chun said in a heavy tone: "The sect received intelligence that a significant figure from the Guiyuan Sect might be coming."

...

Yulu Mansion.

Youlan Capital.

After the end of the Battle of Red Cliff.

The legitimate Emperor Cao Huan, along with the previously escaped civil and military officials, returned to the Capital City to make the final preparations for the upcoming decisive battle.

First, they must intensify control over the state capitals that have been captured. Otherwise, if the battle starts at the front, the rear might erupt in chaos, thus requiring a massive amount of troops.

In the end, the troops available for the decisive battle at the Fei River numbered merely a hundred and eighty thousand.

Secondly, provisions must be allocated.

The provisions of Beiliang were completely exhausted after consecutive battles.

The provisions for the final battle were reluctantly pieced together by the powerful noble families of the New Dynasty.

They are like a bowstring stretched to its limit; releasing it would not restore its position but break it directly!

This battle.

If it continues, the situation is exceedingly strained.

Inside the Taiji Palace.

The legitimate Emperor and numerous officials once again harbored thoughts of retreat.

"Two years of war."

The legitimate Emperor Cao Huan sat on the Dragon Chair, glanced at the civil and military officials, and said slowly: "Now the court has reclaimed most of the kingdom, but due to the constant war, it has almost reached the point of ’recklessly waging war,’ making it impossible to continue fighting.

"Therefore, my idea is to cease fighting and rest, recuperate for two years, and wait for the national treasury to be full before launching further expeditions. What do you all think, my beloved ministers?"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Minister of Revenue Shangguan Haichang immediately said: "We just received news that Chang’an has deployed a million troops; now is the time to avoid their sharp attack!"

"Why is Your Majesty doing this?"

Xu Wencai stepped forward and asked: "A campaign south, striking Chang’an directly, hasn’t this been the national policy set by the court two years ago? Now that the victory at Red Cliff is recent and our army’s morale is high, shouldn’t we seize the victory and charge straight to the Capital City?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

Wang Zhi was also puzzled as to why there was suddenly talk of a ceasefire and reminded: "Pardon my word, the former Emperor is about to emerge from seclusion."

Remember.

Cao Huan initially claimed that Emperor Longqing ascended to the Immortal Realm, using the fake edict of coronation to flaunt his success as Emperor.

If it was delayed until Emperor Longqing emerged, then he would be seen as a traitor attempting to rebel and murder his father.

Furthermore.

If Emperor Longqing successfully established the Foundation, he might lead an expedition himself, causing more significant troubles.

Therefore, stopping now is absolutely impossible.

"Well..."

Cao Huan, while speaking, kept an eye on the expression of the White Robe, wanting to see the other’s reaction to the decision, but the latter merely looked at the steps expressionlessly, leaving outsiders unable to discern any thoughts.

So much so that he dared not speak further!

He, Cao Huan, the legitimate Emperor.

Now issuing a decree.

Yet he needs to watch the servant’s expressions!

"Hehe~"

The legitimate Emperor Cao Huan awkwardly chuckled: "Chen Aiqing, don’t be anxious. Actually, it’s due to the Upper Sect Guiyuan Sect, which caused some changes in the situation; I haven’t had time to tell Aiqing."

"Just right."

Prince Yan, Cao Zhi, interjected: "Your Majesty, today is about the time when the Immortal Master will arrive at the Capital City; why not adjourn the court, and let my brother and us go to meet the Immortal Master first, then make a decision?"

"Very well, very well!"

Cao Huan waved his hand.

The eunuchs retreated from the court.

Soon.

In the grand hall, only the Emperor, Prince Yan, Beiliang King, several military ministers, and cultivators remained.

Under Prince Yan’s guidance.

The group proceeded to the dojo outside the rear mountain of the Imperial Palace.

"Your Highness."

Xu Wencai probed and asked: "What kind of important figure is coming to necessitate a change in the grand strategy?"

"A Second-Tier Array Master from Guiyuan Sect has come."

Prince Yan Cao Zhi said straightforwardly: "Remember the Water Control Array at Red Cliff? In the future, we will also have someone capable of setting up a great formation with similar power."

Second-Tier Array Master?

The sword-wielding Chen Sansi pondered.

If indeed a Second-Tier Array Master is here to assist, then their chances of a victorious pursuit should be greater.

Amidst his thoughts.

From a distance, came the sound of wheels grinding and something akin to horse hooves tapping the ground.

Guiyuan Sect’s Second-Tier Array Master arrived.

But unlike other cultivators, this person neither flew with a sword nor rode an Immortal crane. Instead, what appeared before them was merely a shabby donkey cart.

On top of the donkey cart.

Sat an old man, in tattered clothes, with hair as white as snow and a face etched with the ravages of time. He squeezed out an incredibly simple smile, revealing his prominently gapped front teeth, adding a hint of foolishness.

"..."

Chen Sansi’s face was like a calm lake, but his heart tightened.

Because...

His Qi Observation Skill could not see through this man’s cultivation level.