The news quickly spread throughout the army.
The soldiers were filled with righteous indignation and eagerly volunteered for battle. In particular, those who had just returned from Japan were particularly eager to make Goryeo taste the bitterness of annihilation.
"Grand Commandant," Meng Tian reported, "the navy is ready. The new warships are equipped with 'swarm fire' and Greek fire, and are ready to depart at any time."
"Very good." The wicked man nodded. "This time, we'll launch a combined land and sea attack, putting Goryeo in a pincer movement. However..."
He walked to the sand table: "The Goryeo people are different from the Japanese; their mounted archery is very formidable. I, the Grand Commandant, have prepared a new contraption specifically to counter these cavalry."
As he spoke, he unfolded a blueprint. It depicted a specially designed horse trap, complete with sharp wooden stakes coated with a deadly poison. Any warhorse that stepped into it would surely die.
"Brilliant!" Meng Tian exclaimed. "With this, their most prized cavalry force is now half-crippled."
"That's not all," the wicked man added, "I've also prepared a large quantity of oil. We'll place these horse traps in key locations and then set them on fire. They'll be unable to advance an inch!"
Just then, Wang Li arrived to report: "Grand Commandant, the troops from the three northern commanderies have assembled and are awaiting your command!"
"No rush," the wicked man sneered. "Let these Goryeo envoys 'enjoy' themselves in the side hall for a few days. We can make our move after they're terrified."
At this moment, in the side hall.
The Goryeo delegation was terrified. New "evidence" was being discovered every day, leaving them filled with anxiety.
"Princess," an old minister whispered, "shouldn't we send someone back home to report this immediately? I'm afraid the Qin people are going to..."
"Shut up!" Jin shouted sharply. "We're stuck here, unable to move an inch, not even able to send out a messenger. Besides..."
Looking out the window at the patrolling Qin soldiers, a chill ran through her: "Even if a message is sent back, it's probably too late."
Just then, they heard footsteps outside.
The wicked man strode in with a troop of soldiers: "I, the Grand Commandant, am acting on His Majesty's orders to inspect the delegation's luggage. All of you, behave yourselves!"
Jin's face turned deathly pale. She knew this was yet another frame-up. But she was powerless to resist and could only watch helplessly as the Qin army "found" various pieces of evidence in her luggage.
"Very well!" The wicked man picked up a "secret letter." "You're actually plotting to kidnap His Majesty? Guards, record all this evidence!"
Jin knelt down and begged for mercy: "Grand Commandant, please understand! These are not the truth..."
"Shut up!" the wicked man roared. "The evidence is irrefutable, yet you still dare to argue? This Grand Commandant will spare your life for now, out of consideration for your woman status. But..."
He coldly surveyed the crowd: "You must all truthfully report your crimes to His Majesty. As for the consequences, that depends on His Majesty's will!"
After the wicked husband left, the entire side hall fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone knew that the Qin people were using this to convict Goryeo. Once the evidence was conclusive, they would face utter destruction!
Under the cover of night, the wicked man summoned his generals for a meeting.
"Gentlemen," he said, pointing to the sand table, "Although the Goryeo people are not as dispersed as the Japanese, their terrain is complex and difficult to attack. Therefore, this time we must advance by land and sea, encircling them from all sides!"
The generals listened intently.
"First, the navy." He marked several points on the coastline. "Land at these locations and cut off their retreat. Remember, burn all the ports along the way; leave them no way out!"
"Your subordinate obeys!" Meng Tian said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
"Secondly, there are the cavalry," he added. "They should advance from the northern plains and take the capital directly. But be wary of their mounted archery; use horse traps and fire attacks frequently."
"Your subordinate obeys!" Wang Li accepted the order.
"As for this Grand Commandant..." His eyes flashed coldly, "I will personally confront this reckless King of Goryeo! Order the entire army to prepare immediately. The moment His Majesty gives the order will be our move!"
The generals roared their agreement. They all understood that the purpose of this campaign was not conquest, but to make Goryeo, like the Japanese, disappear from this land forever!
Just after the generals dispersed, the Black Ice Guard's spies brought news again.
"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, there has been unusual activity within Goryeo's territory. It seems they have received word and are beginning to mobilize troops..."
"Ha!" the wicked man sneered. "That's perfect, saves us the trouble of searching for them one by one. Order all departments to expedite preparations. Once His Majesty issues the decree, we'll show these Goryeo people what true fear is!"
As night deepened, the Grand Commandant's mansion was brightly lit.
The wicked man stood alone in front of the sand table, looking at the land that was about to be stained with blood.
In his mind, the Japanese pirates were a blood feud, while Goryeo was a disgusting, toad-like creature.
They were equally hated!
The Epang Palace, the morning court session.
Ying Zheng sat high on his dragon throne, his cold gaze sweeping over the Goryeo delegation kneeling in the hall. These people had been imprisoned for more than ten days, their faces pale and trembling.
"Your Majesty," the wicked man stepped forward and said, "After investigation, the evidence against the Goryeo delegation is irrefutable. Not only did they send assassins to infiltrate the palace, but they also stole crucial military secrets. These secret letters..."
He produced a stack of documents, his voice booming: "These are all secrets they're preparing to send back home. They contain not only the military plans of our Great Qin, but also a plot to assassinate His Majesty!"
"What?!" The courtiers in the hall were in an uproar.
"Please look at this letter." The wicked man unfolded a document. "It says: When the time is ripe, we will first eliminate the King of Qin, and then call upon all the states to raise armies. This is clearly a plot to rebel!"
The courtiers were even more indignant: "These barbarians, how dare they!"
"Your Majesty!" Lady Jin knelt and kowtowed, "We had no knowledge of these letters..."
"Shut up!" the wicked man sneered. "The evidence is irrefutable, yet you still dare to deny it? The Japanese said the same thing back then, and now they've vanished forever!"
Jin's face turned deathly pale. She knew, of course, the fate of the Japanese—a full four hundred thousand men, wiped out by this god of death!
"Your Majesty is wise," the wicked man continued. "I believe that Goryeo, while outwardly submitting to us, is actually plotting something sinister. If this scourge is not eliminated, it will surely become a great threat in the future!"
Ying Zheng slowly spoke: "You wicked husband, what is your plan?"
"Your Majesty," the wicked man said, clasping his hands in a fist salute, "I suggest a preemptive strike. Before they can react, let us strike with overwhelming force. We must not only conquer Goryeo, but also make them vanish from this land forever!"
He pointed to the map: "I have already mobilized an army of 300,000, advancing by land and sea. With just a command from Your Majesty, I can show these barbarians the consequences of betraying Qin!"
"Granted!" Ying Zheng said decisively. "I appoint you as commander-in-chief, fully responsible for the campaign against Goguryeo. These traitors must pay the price!"
"Your Majesty, I obey!" The wicked man turned to the Goryeo delegation. "As for these envoys, imprison them for now. We'll deal with them after Goryeo is pacified!"
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