Translator: ryangohsff Editor: Nora
Chapter 938 – Shu Han Sends Troops
The fall of Hengshan Pass opened up the Dragon Legion Corps’ attack on Jiangyang Prefecture.
At basically the same time as when Luo Shixin took down the pass, the left vanguard led by Lai Hu’er also took down the south-east door of Jiangyang Prefecture – Jiulong Pass.
In a single day, two hugely important passes were lost at the same time.
When Feng Qingyang received the report, his face was ugly to the max. He questioned Wei Yan, who was in charge of military matters, “Losing two passes in a day, are the 2nd legion soldiers useless?”
“….”
Wei Yan did not know how to reply. When his Lord acted up, he would truly say anything.
“Investigate. Find out how exactly they were lost.” Feng Qingyang was slowly feeling more and more uneasy.
“Yes!”
Wei Yan did not wish to stay any longer. In truth, Wei Yan desired to know the reason more than Feng Qingyang. If he did not find out how the passes were lost, the following war could not be fought.
…
In just a day, various intelligence reports were gathered.
The bad feeling that Feng Qingyang got came through one by one.
Flying devices, grenades, siege chariots, and new cannon; each new piece of equipment stunned Feng Qingyang.
“How the f**k can we even fight?” Feng Qingyang hurled vulgarities. The invincible defense line he was proud of became tofu. There was no news that could be worse than this.
Even Feng Qingyue’s brows were locked. Her intuition actually came through; the reason Great Xia waved their flag around the wilderness was to take down Swordsman City.
If not, they would not have bothered to prepare so many types of equipment that targeted the Shu Lands.
The future of Swordsman City became really uncertain.
Her eyes looked more and more depressed, “That man is really heartless!”
“What did Di Chen and the others say?” Feng Qingyue asked her brother.
Thinking about this, Feng Qingyang grew even more furious, “That group of evil-hearted ghosts, they said that the Shu Lands have a complicated geography; even if they reinforce us now, they would not be of much help. As such, they said why not just wait until the Xia Army reaches Swordsmen City and have a final battle then.”
“….”
Feng Qingyue was speechless. Di Chen’s words made sense, but it was still really infuriating.
Although the geography of the Shu Lands could affect the enemy, it also reduced its own soldier placement. Like Di Chen said, even if they sent 100 thousand troops, there was nowhere to position them.
Place them in the various passes?
The pass was just so huge and having more troops would not make a difference. Furthermore, Great Xia was doing an air siege. If there were more people, the casualties would be even greater.
Place them in the cities?
To the cities that did not have city walls, no matter how many troops were stationed there, they would not be able to contain the Great Xia Army.
Hence, the Dragon Legion Corps’ two War Fighting Legions still stayed in Dongchuan Prefecture. No matter how many troops they sent, it would be useless. In fact, it would cause a lot of logistical nightmare instead.
Keeping the two legions in Dongchuan Prefecture was also a scare tactic, as it made them think that they might reinforce the frontlines at any moment.
Feng Qingyue was truly the female Zhuge. From one point alone, she understood the arrangements of the Dragon Legion Corps. However, so what if she did? This was a scheme.
Thinking about it, Swordsman City only had one way out, which was to put up as much resistance as possible along the way. Only by eating at the Great Xia Army would they stand a chance during the final battle at Swordsman City.
As the main city, Swordsman City had a huge city wall.
Swordsman City was located at the southernmost point of Jiangyang Prefecture. If they really did that, it would mean losing 90% of the prefecture, which would be a huge loss to Swordsman City, as they only had two prefectures of land.
Even if they managed to beat the Great Xia Army, both sides would suffer heavy loses.
No matter how they saw it, it was a terrible situation.
Feng Qingyang was depressed to the maximum. He was the one who had the least intentions of being an overlord, but he was the one who faced the most of Great Xia’s wrath.
…
So what did Di Chen think of it? There was another reason why Di Chen was not willing to immediately assist, apart from the Shu Lands’ geography.
A day ago, the four Lords in Dali Prefecture had already merged their territories, and they had 50 thousand troops. If they sought protection from Dali, they would have another 50 thousand guards.
Although Dali imperial city did not have a dynasty, during the Battle of Yunnan, it had already protected these four territories.
There was also the help of that player in the Dali palace. Moreover, moving 50 thousand guards was not going against the game rules, so Gaia would not prevent that.
Of course, it was impossible to exceed 50 thousand.
As the highest level artificial intelligence, Gaia had a really precise judgment system.
Xiao Alliance also gave their reply; they were willing to arrange 100 thousand combat occupation players to help. Xiao Nianying was truly going all out, taking out half of the combat occupation players of the guild as a bet.
As expected from someone who managed to grab the chance to rise out from the Guardian Guild race and become the biggest dark horse in the guild circle.
When he really put his heart to it, he was willing to take a gamble.
Of course, a portion of his confidence came from Di Chen’s huge plan. Since they had 100 thousand proper troops along with them, Xiao Nianying did not have much to be afraid of.
With that, the Dali Alliance Army was 200 thousand strong.
The Great Xia Army, apart from the two legions in Dongchuan Prefecture, there was only the 1st legion of the Dragon Legion Corps in Consonance City.
The Dali Alliance Army wanted to lead the two legions in Dongchuan Prefecture into the Shu Lands. Of course, it would be the best if they were able to lead the 1st legion in too.
It was with such considerations that Di Chen decided to not aid Swordsman City.
Feng Qingyang had just recovered, so Di Chen was not willing to share the plan with him because he was afraid that Feng Qingyang would oppose it.
How could Di Chen have expected that Feng Qingyang would choose a totally different path?
…
9th month, 8th day, Swordsman City.
In three days, another two passes fell, and along with them were the two cities.
Seeing Di Chen and the others show no signs of helping, Feng Qingyang could not wait any longer, “Since it’s already at such a state, let’s seek protection from the Shu Han Dynasty.”
The successive blows made Feng Qingyang want to give up.
In his eyes, if he sought protection from the Shu Han Dynasty, Swordsman City would be totally safe. No matter how strong Great Xia was, it would not be able to beat the Shu Han Dynasty.
With that, he could get the burden of territory management off his chest and focus on cultivation.
As expected from a martial idiot.
It was not that he did not care about his territory. Rather, it was because he loved cultivating.
Although Feng Qingyue was not willing, she had no reason to stop her brother. That morning, Feng Qingyang handed the protection request to the Shu Han Dynasty, and it was approved.
…
Chengdu, emperor palace.
Liu Bei had looked forward to unifying the Shu Lands.
Upon receiving Feng Qingyang’s protection application, he laughed and naturally agreed.
After Swordsman City and the Shu Han Dynasty confirmed their master-subordinate relationship, Liu Bei invited Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong over for a discussion regarding how to help Swordsman City.
A million guard troops. Even during their most prosperous period, the Shu Han Dynasty did not have so many troops. With such an army, Liu Bei was naturally not afraid of anyone. He wished that he could fight Great Xia to avenge his brothers.
After a short while, the two strategists came over.
Zhuge Liang was still so humble and gentle; it was like everything was under his control.
That was actually true. Although the deaths of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were heart wrenching, it was great for his position in the dynasty.
Without these two stopping him, Zhuge Liang could pretty much do as he wished.
In the military, the only remaining one of the five tigers, Zhao Yun, was his close friend. Huang Zhong was also really friendly with Zhuge Liang.
One did not even need to mention the civil servants, as half of them were his students.
Compared to Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong was expressionless. Obviously, he was not happy here, and he had been given the cold shoulder.
Although that was the case, he was still really loyal to Liu Bei. Long ago, Ouyang Shuo had tried to use Zhou Yu to tempt him over but failed.
Of course, Pang Tong did not decline the offer completely, leaving a way out for himself.
Based on the reports from Zhou Yu, as he had not been doing anything for so long, his determination was waning. When Ouyang Shuo received the news, he smiled. Patience always paid off.
It was only a matter of time before he obtained Pang Tong.
“Who do you think we should send out?” Liu Bei asked Zhuge Liang.
When Zhuge Liang heard this question, he was not surprised.
A few days ago, when Swordsman City sent their envoy, Zhuge Liang had been preparing for this, “You can send Zi Long and 150 thousand guard troops.”
For this trip, Zhuge Liang did not even think they had a chance of losing at all. Naturally, he wanted to let Zhao Yun earn credit.
“Do you want to follow along?” Liu Bei asked.
Unexpectedly, Zhuge Liang shook his head, “We are guests, so we should not take charge. If it is as I expected, the main battlefield will be at Swordsman City. Since it’s a strength-based battle, there’s no need for strategies.”
Liu Bei nodded. Just as he was about to agree with Zhuge Liang, he noticed the lonely looking Pang Tong. He suddenly changed his mind, “Since that’s the case, Zi Long will be the main general, and Du Yuan will be the strategist.”
Hearing those words, both Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were shocked.
Pang Tong stepped out, “Yes my king!” Pang Tong had wanted to step out for some fresh air; he did not want to be cooped up in Chengdu.
Hence, the matter was decided like that.
9th month, 9th day, invited by Swordsman City, the Shu Han Dynasty with Zhao Yun as the main general and Pang Tong as the strategist led 150 thousand guard soldiers to assist Swordsman City.
The moment the news went out, the world was in a state of uproar.