Chapter 91: The Army Besieges the City 9

  Further down, Narlan Xino no longer needs to ask. He has received the news that the Kwantung Army is marching towards the Imperial Capital. So he waits for them to come together. If he leads the 7 million strong army alone to the Imperial Capital, he will surely be mistaken for rebelling with Huangfu Ling.

  At this time, a palace maid ran to the door and saw Dugu Han and Nalan Xianyu alone in the palace. She hesitated for a moment. Dugu Han nodded his head. "I'll withdraw."

  Dugu Han left. The little palace maid ran in and said softly: "Your Highness, General Zhou is waiting outside."

  Nalan Xixi nodded. "Let them wait for me in the front hall."

  Front hall. General Zhou and the seven generals from Guandong were drinking tea and waiting. Nalan Xianyu walked out from the back hall. Several people stood up to pay their respects.

  "Long live the Queen Mother for thousands and thousands of years."

  Nalan Xixi smiled slightly and raised her hand. "There's no need for formalities, Generals. Please rise."

  "The late emperor's rescue came too late. Please, Your Majesty, mete out punishment." The many generals knelt on the ground and did not rise.

  Nalan Xixi helped him up, and Zhou Gai was overwhelmed with gratitude. "Everyone, please get up. Today, thanks to the timely rescue of all the generals, I am deeply grateful."

  Zhou Gai lowered his head in shame. "Your Ladyship."

  Nalan Xixi smiled slightly and gestured for everyone to take their seats. "A mighty army of 300,000 strong, yet you've come quietly. It's not easy to arrive now. I truly don't blame any of you."

  Zhou Gai bowed his head. "Thank you, Your Highness."

  Finished speaking, everyone looked at each other in dismay. Zhou Gai asked: "Your Majesty, the king...?"

  "Wang was seriously injured on his upper body. I sent someone to escort him and the Empress Dowager to find Shangguan Qinyue. Speaking of which, do you know who Shangguan Qinyue is?" Nalan Xianyu asked after taking a sip of tea.

  Zhou Gai was somewhat surprised. "The Shangguan family is the creator of the first great empire thousands of years ago. It's said that people from the Shangguan family all know how to tame beasts. The legend that whoever gets the spiritual beast will rule the world started back then. Could it be that this Shangguan Qinyue is a descendant of the Shangguan family? If so, that would be incredible."

  Listening to him, Nalan Xixi's mood eased a bit. Although the Empress Dowager often made mistakes in major events, this was a matter of life and death for Nan Gongyu, she shouldn't be reckless again.

  "Your Ladyship... You and Dugu Han... What kind of relationship do you have?" General Zhou asked after some deliberation.

  Nalan Xixi knew that Zhou Gai would definitely ask this. Not to mention Dugu Han leading 7 million troops to support her, just the fact that he helped her onto her horse at the palace gate was already causing people to speculate.

  Speaking of friendship, there is indeed some. He has saved her life more than once. Including this time, she owes him so much that it would take several lifetimes to repay. Nalan Xianuo paused for a moment before saying, "There's no such thing as friendship."

  "How could he have sent 700,000 troops to rescue her? If the princess and he had no deep relationship, then the general must have had ulterior motives."

  Nalan Xixiao had also thought of this possibility. But no matter how much she thought about it, there was nothing to be done. "What's the use."

  "The end will also be puzzled by this point." Zhou Gai furrowed his brow.

  Nalan Xixi smiled slightly. "If he has any ambitions towards Luo Tian, why would he send troops to rescue him? Let's let the two of them have a big battle and wait until they are both exhausted before taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, now that Huangfu Ling has no way out, if he can take down the Imperial City and then have another big battle with Huangfu Ling, wouldn't the world be his? But why is he not making a move? Although I don't know what his true intentions are for sending troops to assist, one thing is certain: he is not plotting against Luo Tian. At least, not now."

  The generals nodded in agreement upon hearing his words. Nalan Xiong continued, "On the battlefield, it's always difficult to distinguish between friend and foe. Isn't that right now? Yesterday's ally has become our greatest enemy, while yesterday's enemy has brought 700,000 troops to aid us. Regardless of his motives, he is now our ally. We should trust him."

  Nalan Xixi rubbed her temples. "How's Huangfu Ling doing?"

  Zhou Gai replied, "The final general has seized his grain and fodder camp, and also sent people to destroy the border bridge, cutting off his retreat route. He can't hold on for a few more days with his current supplies, and he can't go back either... it's a dead end."

  As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Gai and several other big prize winners burst out laughing. But Nalan Xianyu's expression gradually became serious.

  At this time, Zhou Gai said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that we should take advantage of the victory and pursue the attack, and destroy them in one fell swoop."

  "Yes. Kill him." The other generals echoed in agreement.

  Nalan Xixi shook her head. "No."

  Zhou Gai didn't understand. "Why? Now is the perfect opportunity. If we miss this chance..."

  Nalan Xixi stood up and said slowly, "Now, whether it's Sheng Jin or Lianxiang, they are both friends and enemies to us. When Lianxiang is present, Sheng Jin is a friend, but when Lianxiang falls, Sheng Jin becomes an enemy. Our current situation is not optimistic. In comparison, being friends with Sheng Jin is more rational than being enemies with them. Now that Sheng Jin has formed an alliance with us, but once Lianxiang suffers a great defeat, it's hard to predict what will happen."

  Everyone suddenly understood. Zhou Gai nodded. "Then we..."

  Nalan Xixi smiled slightly, and the sparkle in her eyes returned to its usual state of confidence and pride. "Huangfu Ling is not a person who waits for death. Just wait and see, within three days, the situation will change again."

  Luò Tiān. Chéng jiāo wài.

  Translation:

  Luo Tian. Suburbs of the city.

  In the camp, military doctors are busy treating soldiers who were heavily wounded in a surprise attack a few days ago. The soldiers are covered in blood, some with severed hands, others with severed legs, and some lying on the ground gasping for their last breaths.

  The fifty thousand strong army that was so mighty and powerful on that day suffered one hundred thousand casualties in an instant, their morale greatly reduced.

  In the commander's tent, Huangfu Ling was leaning on a couch, holding a military book to pass the time. There was not a hint of anxiety on his face. In front of him were hundreds of thousands of fierce soldiers staring at him menacingly, but he didn't have a single thread of fear.

  At this time, a civil official walked in. He looked anxious and even forgot to salute.

  "Your Highness..."

  Huang Pu Ling turned over a page of his book and said calmly: "What's wrong with you being so flustered?"

  "Your Highness." The civil official was almost in tears. "We only have one day's worth of rations left. If we pass today, the soldiers will have to slaughter their warhorses and eat horse meat."

  Huang Pu Ling didn't lift his head. He nodded slightly, unmoved. "Mm."

  The official was somewhat stunned. "Your Highness..."

  At this time, a soldier rushed in to report: "Your Highness, they have arrived."

  Huang Pu Ling heard this and closed his book. He stood up and tidied himself. "Let them come in."

  He said, glancing at Wen Guan, and calmly said: "Go and have someone prepare some good wine and food. I want to entertain our honored guest."

  The official looked at him incredulously, wanting to speak but stopping himself, then wiped away a tear and stormed out in anger. Just a moment later, a red-clad scholar and a big-bearded man walked in.

  Huang Pu Ling stood up and welcomed them. "You two have arrived. Please sit down quickly, it's been several days since we last met, I've missed you, my younger brother."

  They exchanged a glance. Younger brother. The majestic Ling Wangye of this great country of Lianxiang, when did he become their younger brother?

  Everyone took their seats. The soldiers brought up fine wine and dishes. Huangfu Ling poured a cup of wine, raised his glass with a smile and said: "In the eight countries of Jiangnan, who doesn't know the two generals Hong and Hei of Wunanchu? The two generals' great names are known to all. General Hong is wise and has many strategies. General Hei is brave and skilled in battle. Younger brother truly admires you."

  Hong Hei Er poured a cup of wine and drank it down without any expression, not giving him any face at all.

  Huang Pu Ling also didn't think so. The Red General chuckled and said, "Ling Wang has invited us to come here for good wine at this critical juncture. What's the matter? Does Ling Wang have any difficulties? Just say it, and we'll go back to report to the Duke and definitely come to assist with all our might."

  Huang Pu Ling smiled. It's really clear who is on whose side. At that time, it's not even about lending a helping hand, but rather not stabbing each other in the back would be good enough.

  "It's been a long time since we parted ways in Tokyo. I've missed you both."

  "Oh." General Hong chuckled lightly. "With the great enemy of King Ling before him now, he still has time to think of us. It's truly touching."

  "A great enemy is at hand." Huangfu Ling looked at him. "The Red General wouldn't really think that Dugu Han came to help Nangong Jin, would he?"

  The red general's expression paused for a moment. "What does it mean."

  Huang Pu Ling smiled lightly. "At present, Luo Tian is in a precarious situation. The dominant power is now in the hands of Sheng Jin. To Sheng Jin, Luo Tian is just a chess piece."

  Hong He Er's face changed color upon hearing this. Huangfu Ling looked at them with a smile that was not quite a smile. "They have cut off my retreat route. Now, the Luotian Emperor has abundant food and grass. We can't wait any longer. If we force our way through, how can my 400,000-strong army possibly defeat his million-strong elite troops? Once I lose this battle, the next to suffer will be you two."

  Hong Jiang's expression solidified. "Ling Wang, your words are wrong. We have always been peaceful and defensive. Moreover, the Usnan Kingdom is just a small country. How could they come to attack us without reason?"

  Huang Pu Ling slightly raised an eyebrow. "Is that so."

  He stood up and said slowly: "Although the eight countries of Jiangnan are short of military strength, they are rich in land and people, and have always been a place where soldiers must contend. After this big war, the Union will be unable to fight again, and Luo Tian will also suffer heavy casualties. The combined forces of the eight countries of Jiangnan are only about three million. Dugu Han will not miss this opportunity."

  Huang Pu Ling smiled and walked closer to the Red General, saying in a low voice: "If I were Dugu Han, I would lead my troops southward, conquer Lianxiang, capture the eight kingdoms of Jiangnan, and unify the world."

  Hong Hei Er's face turned pale upon hearing this.

  This isn't Huangfu Ling intimidating them, such a situation. Just think about it carefully and you'll understand. Now Luotian has already lost the initiative, allowing Dugu Han to take the lead. However, as I said before, in this great war, in the end, they won't be able to achieve anything good. If they win, they will be swallowed up by a powerful nation. If they lose, then their entire army will be annihilated.

  However, compared to being swallowed up by a powerful country, it's not much different from the current situation. At least we can still survive and have hope. There will be opportunities in the future. If nothing is done, just waiting for death, what's the difference between that and total annihilation?

  It's better to die fighting. Besides, they have no choice now anyway.

  The Red General nodded. "We will consider Ling Wang's words carefully..."

  Huang Pu Ling saw that the two were still hesitating, so he put away his smile and said coldly: "The current situation is no longer up to you two to consider. I implore you to immediately return and gather the eight kings of Jiangnan, form an alliance with me, and make a final desperate struggle."