The Demon Lords

Chapter 468 61 Angry Officials_1

"Interesting indeed, an emperor creating his own opposition."

The Earl of North Border sat on his Pixiu, chewing on dry rations as he spoke.

"Sometimes the emperor and the commoner are vastly different, but sometimes there's no difference at all. A powerless emperor can sometimes be worth even less than a commoner."

The Earl of North Border nodded in agreement, adding, "Is the Son of Heaven truly destined for the throne? He who possesses a strong army and robust horses shall rule."

This has been an unchanging truth since ancient times.

With the Emperor of Jin State guiding them, the two hundred thousand Yan iron cavalry entered Jin State through the South Gate with remarkable speed. Although the Yu Family, bearers of the Jin imperial surname, had seen their power fall into the hands of the Three Great Clans for several generations, they were not entirely idle. Some strategies and hidden assets, which would normally be incapable of altering the broader situation, produced miraculous effects at this critical juncture.

Along their route, they passed three passes and seven forts. Two passes and four forts opened their gates and surrendered immediately. The remainder already had collaborators within. It could be said that the Yan Army advanced without significant cost or delay. They marched swiftly from the South Gate in the southwest of Jin State, pushing directly northwest. The Yan-Jin border, the current battlefield, was already in sight.

Ultimately, it was because the Yan Army's entry point was truly too sensitive. It was as if the main forces of the Wenren Family and the Helian Family were engaged with the Yan garrison across a gate, while the Earl of North Border and Lord Jingnan led their primary force around, approaching from a diagonal rear. The distance was indeed short. However, it's precisely this kind of 'darkness under the lamp'—things easily overlooked because they are too close—that often leads to the most unexpected outcomes.

"Wujing, although I've fought plenty of battles in the desert, I have to admit that when it comes to leading troops, you are superior to me."

When speaking casually, they usually addressed each other with 'you' and 'I'. However, when one used the formal address 'This Lord' for self-reference, it signified a more serious conversation.

"You are too modest," Tian Wujing replied expressionlessly.

The Earl of North Border couldn't fight a war? Such a claim would make anyone laugh their head off; no one would believe it.

"Truly. When I inherited the Earl of North Border's seat, the Barbarians had already been thoroughly softened by my father's and grandfather's generations. By the time I took the helm, the Barbarians were like soft persimmons. In fact, rather than saying I'm skilled in warfare, it's more accurate to say that the North Border Army under my command possesses astonishing combat strength. There are very few battles they can't win."

Li Fusheng once told Zheng Fan that warfare ultimately comes down to four words: strong soldiers and robust horses. This was the conviction and the foundation of the North Border Army's confidence. When you possess absolute strength, as long as you advance steadily and make no mistakes, victory is practically assured. When your three thousand iron cavalry can charge an enemy formation of tens of thousands seven or eight times, regroup, and still launch another assault, how could you possibly lose?

"Honestly, when His Majesty first appointed you as the commander-in-chief for this Jin campaign, I held no resentment. I thought that my North Border Army had indeed grown a bit too large, and supporting you, the Southern Marquis, would create a north-south balance, which is a consideration for the future of Yan. But I never imagined that there truly are people in this world born with such innate knowledge. How many years has it been since your Jingnan Army last fought? Usually, you only conduct drills. Yet, from marching south into Qian, then borrowing passage through Qian into Jin, you've grasped the topography, hydrology, marching routes, even the climate, as if holding them in the palm of your hand. The army has advanced with incredible speed and silence. If I were in command, I certainly couldn't have achieved this."

"There's no such thing as innate knowledge in this world. I've been pondering these matters for years. Even the marching routes—not only did I dispatch merchant caravans to traverse them multiple times, but I also personally disguised myself and joined a caravan two years ago to travel it myself. Ultimately, I simply wasn't confident enough, so I wanted to prepare more thoroughly to feel more secure."

"Hey, don't be humble with me. I rarely praise anyone. When I praise you, you just take it."

"Alright, I admit I'm better at warfare than you."

"You're bullshitting!"

Tian Wujing looked up at the sky and said, "Actually, His Majesty had been planning this war even before ascending the throne. The Jin royal family being able to maintain some independence? It wasn't purely due to those few merchant caravans; His Majesty has been secretly supporting them all along, not just with money and goods, but also with talent. They returned to Jin State with Emperor Jin's merchant caravans, laundered their identities through his connections, and became Jin people. Meanwhile, the Three Great Clans, in their efforts to suppress Emperor Jin's faction, would try every means to recruit anyone who showed talent or promise in Jin's minor court. In the three passes and seven forts we traversed these past few days, it seemed like Emperor Jin's men opened the gates, but in reality, half of those inside were our Yan people."

"War should just be about fighting. All these schemes and roundabouts give me a headache."

"If your North Border Army numbered not three hundred thousand, but six hundred thousand, eight hundred thousand, or even a million, then we wouldn't need all these roundabout tactics. Ultimately, our Yan State still lacks sufficient territory and population. We're not a tiny nation with few people, but compared to the three states of Qian, Chu, and Jin, our situation is truly challenging. To win against greater odds, one must rely on skill. After all, even in a mutually destructive victory, we would be the ones who truly lose."

"Heh, I've always thought Qian State is the most affluent. What the Qian people consider the barren three borderlands, to us Yan people, is practically a Jiangnan beyond the frontier."

"Zhao Jiulang once said that the Qian people use civil culture to suppress martial valor. They appear weak, but the true strength of their culture lies within, not in outward displays. It's easy to break them, but difficult to rule them. Jin State is different. The imperial line of Jin has been in decline for generations. Though it's called Jin, in reality, the ruler doesn't act like a ruler, officials don't act like officials, and the state itself barely functions as one. After shattering their military, subduing the Jin people is actually simpler than subduing the Qian people."

"You're all so eloquent. It makes me feel like a crude oaf, like dog meat unfit for a banquet."

Lord Jingnan shook his head. "Commanding the world's foremost elite troops, yet still not claiming kingship, willingly serving Yan State—Li Liangting, there are truly few in this world as astute as you. Look at this situation of the three families carving up Jin. To put it bluntly, if Yan lacked you and me, how different would it be from the current Jin State?"

"That sounds like self-praise, but since you included me in the praise, I'll accept it. HAHAHAHA."

Tian Wujing reined in his Pi Beast, bringing it to a halt. Li Liangting also signaled his own Pi Beast to stop. The two lords of Yan exchanged a glance.

Tian Wujing said, "When it comes to contemporary cavalry, our Yan iron cavalry is universally acknowledged as the world's finest. However, the Jin people have never accepted this. They lack neither warhorses nor cavalrymen; they've merely lacked the opportunity for a true contest against our Yan iron cavalry."

Li Liangting gently patted the head of the Pixiu beneath him. "To say we'll beat them into submission is too crude. Since they refuse to submit, then let them stew in their discontent. Feeling pent-up and uncomfortable? Simple. Die!"

「 」

By the Bian River, Li Fusheng ordered a retreat. However, the day before the retreat, Li Fusheng had specifically led his cavalry to shatter a Qian army encampment, which was formed by tens of thousands of loyalist soldiers who had rallied from various regions. Outsiders saw it as merely venting pent-up frustration. But only Zheng Fan knew that Li Fusheng was radiant that day, not releasing anger, but more like a boisterous child frolicking wildly in the open.

As the Yan Army retreated across the river, the Qian forces, having made a detour via the upper Bian River, merely set up camp silently outside the imperial capital, holding their position without engaging. They had marched for many days, seemingly only to bid farewell to their Yan friends from afar.

Upon retreating to Beihe Commandery, Li Fusheng's contingent rendezvoused with Li Bao's. Both units had endured harsh battles, but Li Bao's forces had suffered more casualties, and Li Bao himself had lost an arm. When Zheng Fan, following Li Fusheng, saw Li Bao, the latter was using his remaining right arm to eat garlic.

Seeing Li Fusheng, Li Bao grinned.

Li Fusheng went over and hugged Li Bao, only to be kicked so hard by Li Bao that he rolled several times on the ground.

"You damn scoundrel! You vile spawn!"

Li Fusheng sat quietly on the ground, not angry, and replied, "Feel better now? Not satisfied? Kick me a couple more times if you want."

"Enough."

Li Bao nodded. Then, he came up and kicked Li Fusheng twice more, sending him rolling on the ground again.

Li Fusheng cursed, "If you'd had enough, why kick me again? You're pushing it, aren't you?"

"Because I wouldn't dare kick those two! I can only vent my anger on you!"

At these words, Li Fusheng fell silent.

Originally, they had believed themselves to be two prongs of an attack, luring the enemy deep. Who could have imagined they were actually an isolated force! They had fought so fiercely, and so many good lads had died, only for it to be a feint!

Especially Li Bao; to aid Li Fusheng's dash to the imperial capital, he had voluntarily led his troops to assault the Qian's fortified encampments.

It was understandable, but truly infuriating. Yet, there was nowhere to vent this anger.

Li Fusheng sat on the ground, somewhat demoralized. Li Bao walked over, grabbed a handful of garlic with his right hand, and handed it to Li Fusheng.

"Eat some garlic. Let it go."

「 」

The Yan people had retreated. In the imperial capital, the populace lit lanterns and hung up decorations to celebrate the victory. In the court, civil and military officials loudly acclaimed the Emperor's sagacity. Sitting on the dragon throne, Emperor Zhao held a cup of watered-down wine, sipping it slowly. He was silently calculating how many officials would be purged from the court after this affair, how many of his own men he could promote, how many silver taels could be saved in the national treasury, and how many troops could be trained with it. The people's celebration was born from the joy of having survived a disaster. But looking at his officials celebrating so fervently, Emperor Zhao could only see it as "whitewashing."

Fortunately, this time we didn't fall for the Yan people's trap. The three borderlands are still in our hands, and Qian State's elite troops remain. With this foundation, we can train several more elite units. We must never again suffer the disgrace of the Yan people invading the south as if through undefended territory!

The outcome of the chess game, well, that remains to be seen in the days to come.

「A few days later, news arrived from the northeast of Qian State.」

The report stunned the entire Qian court. The Yan's Earl of North Border and Lord Jingnan, leading two hundred thousand iron cavalry, had entered via the South Gate, attacking the Jin army from the rear. The Helian Family patriarch was killed in battle, and the Wenren Family patriarch was captured. Of Jin State's six hundred thousand strong army, more than half were casualties, with tens of thousands surrendering their weapons. The current Emperor Jin, Yu Ciming, personally beheaded the Wenren patriarch and submitted a memorial to Yanjing, kneeling and begging for annexation. The entire western half of Jin State fell under Yan's dominion! The Situ Family dispatched envoys to Chu State seeking aid, only to find that the Chu Emperor had just passed away, and the various princes were now vying for the throne!

That night, a furious Emperor Zhao, sword in hand, smashed every piece of porcelain in the Mispring Pavilion.

His supposed brilliant calculations, his supposedly clever and decisive countermeasures... In the end, the Yan forces that had truly marched south this time numbered less than sixty thousand cavalry! And he himself had ordered the elite troops on Qian's three borderlands not to return to defend, even strictly commanding local garrisons to hold their positions and not engage, thereby allowing the Yan to reach the very walls of the imperial capital!

Though his rage was not completely vented, the utterly exhausted Emperor Zhao collapsed onto his chair.

Suddenly, the words spoken to his face that day by the Yan envoy surnamed Zheng surfaced in his mind:

"Your Majesty, you haven't fought a war."