Xianyang, the Grand Commandant's residence.
"What did you say?" The wicked man grabbed the intelligence report from the table. "The King of Kucha killed our military envoy?"
"Yes!" the Black Ice Guard agent knelt and replied, "Just three days ago. Our men had just discovered their hidden weapons and were about to report it when they were assassinated by the King of Kucha's personal guards. Their bodies are still hanging on the city gate..."
The wicked man's eyes flashed with a cold light; this was blatant provocation!
Since the war in Nanyue, the kingdoms of the Western Regions have never been so audacious.
It seems there really is someone backing him up behind the scenes.
"Go on!"
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant," the spy wiped away cold sweat, "it's not just Kucha. Yanqi, Shule, and other kingdoms have also been making frequent unusual moves lately. They're secretly conscripting able-bodied men and forging weapons. Even more worrying, the Yuezhi blacksmiths seem to be helping them..."
"Hmph!" The wicked man slammed his fist on the table. "These ignorant fools, do they really think the Great Qin is a pushover? Issue my military orders!"
"exist!"
"Order the border troops to be on high alert, keeping a close watch on every move of the Western Regions kingdoms. Furthermore..." he sneered, "send someone to tell the kings of these small kingdoms that they've all seen the fate of Nan Yue. If they don't want to become the next Yi Yu Song, they'd better behave themselves!"
After the spies left, the wicked man immediately summoned his trusted confidant Zhang Erhe: "Go to Wusun yourself and tell their leader that if they can help us monitor the Yuezhi's movements, the Great Qin will not treat them unfairly."
"Yes!" Zhang Erhe accepted the order and left.
The wicked man strolled to the window and watched the falling snowflakes.
These small kingdoms in the Western Regions must have received some information to dare to act so recklessly.
Logically, after the shock of the war in South Vietnam, they should have remained silent.
unless......
"Guards!" He suddenly remembered something. "Go and summon the artisans of the Mohist school. This Grand Commandant intends to improve the 'Horse-Swarm' weapon. Since these petty scoundrels are courting death, let them see what a true weapon of war looks like!"
Meanwhile, at the Yuezhi royal court.
"Your Majesty," a general rushed into the tent, "news has arrived from Kucha; they have carried out their plan and killed the Qin envoy in charge of the military affairs."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in the Yuezhi king's eyes: "Excellent! These small countries have finally shown some backbone. Issue the order to have the artisans speed up the forging of iron armor. After spring arrives, I will let the Qin people know the might of the steppe cavalry!"
Just then, another scout brought crucial intelligence: "Your Majesty, the Xiongnu Chanyu has sent word that he has already made contact with the various tribes in the Western Regions and is waiting for the ice to break in the spring so he can launch a large-scale southward invasion!"
"Hahaha!" The Yuezhi king laughed heartily, "Good! After waiting so long, it's finally time for revenge! Men, prepare wine for me; tonight we'll celebrate properly!"
Everyone in the tent raised their glasses in celebration.
The humiliation of that bloody battle three years ago can finally be washed away.
The northern desert, the royal court.
"Your Majesty!" Jamuttai entered the tent, covered in snow. "Good news has arrived from the Western Regions. Kucha has acted according to our plan. The Qin military supervisor has been killed and his image displayed on the city gate. Now, the other smaller states should follow suit!"
Red Cloud Wolf nodded in satisfaction: "Kucha has indeed not disappointed me. However..."
A sly glint flashed in his eyes: "Now is not the time for a major conflict. Let them cause trouble first; when the Qin people are exhausted from running around, that will be our true opportunity to strike!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Jamuttai praised. "I have also learned that the Qin army has begun to reinforce its troops on the border. It seems they have also sensed that something is amiss."
"Let them be," Crimson Cloud Wolf sneered. "What good will reinforcements do in this freezing weather? When spring arrives, we'll attack from different directions simultaneously. Let's see how they manage to be in two places at once!"
Meanwhile, at the Kucha Royal Palace.
The king is discussing countermeasures with his ministers.
The Qin envoy's corpse hanging above the city gate was like a sharp sword, hovering over everyone's heads. They all knew that this time, they had truly embarked on a path of no return.
"Your Majesty," an old minister said worriedly, "they won't let this go easily after killing the Qin envoy!"
"What's there to be afraid of!" the king gritted his teeth. "You've all seen how ferocious the Qin people are. If this continues, we'll become the second Baiyue sooner or later. Rather than sit and wait for our doom, we should..."
"Report!" A guard rushed into the hall. "The Yuezhi king has sent a batch of fine iron armor. He said to reassure us that they will launch an attack south after spring!"
"Haha!" the king exclaimed with delight. "Send the order to distribute these armors to the elite guards. Furthermore, continue conscripting able-bodied men. By spring, we must have a battle-ready army!"
Thus, undercurrents surged throughout the Western Regions.
On the surface, all is calm, but in reality, a storm is brewing. Countries are secretly preparing for war, waiting for the moment when it will erupt.
Outside Chang'an City, a group of Mohist craftsmen were on their way to the Grand Commandant's residence.
They carried the revised blueprints for "The Hive," ready to demonstrate the latest improvements to the wicked Grand Commandant. This modification would make the artifact even more terrifying.
Amidst the swirling snow, a great battle that could reshape the landscape of the Western Regions is quietly brewing!
Mo Family Workshop, in the southern suburbs of Xianyang.
"Xianglihe, how are the results of your improvements?" The wicked man took the blueprints and examined them carefully.
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant," Xiangli He pointed to a key part on the blueprint, "we've added specially made armor-piercing tips to the arrows, crafted from fine steel, which can easily pierce iron armor. Moreover..."
He pulled out a sample: "This new arrow has a more ingenious design. Once it's inside the enemy, trying to pull it out will cause a larger wound."
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