Chapter 1244: Eight Thousand vs. Forty Thousand, the Advantage Lies with Me (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
[Don't think I don't know the ministers have been gossiping behind my back, but at crucial moments, these secret court meetings really come in handy.] Shen Tang had just left the Dingding Operation meeting when Tan Ting, sitting diagonally opposite him, opened her eyes at the same time, a strange light flickering in them.
That kind of look is something any working person could empathize with.
Shen Tang instinctively opened her mouth to defend herself.
DingTalk meetings are really convenient.
Tan Ting said: "Indeed...it's difficult to leak..."
The allied forces of the southwestern countries have been unable to identify the mole who leaked the information. The scope is vast, and there are many suspects. Failing to accurately identify the target would only alert the mole. The situation is different in Kangguo. If there were indeed leaks, the leakers would only be a few people who attended the meeting.
Is it possible that these people leaked information?
Tan Ting secretly shook her head in denial.
The likelihood of one of them leaking information is not as high as the likelihood of "DingTalk Meeting" being monitored and cracked by a third party.
Thinking of this, Tan Ting also felt a sense of needless worry.
[Isn't Your Majesty worried that there might be skilled spies lurking in the shadows, secretly listening?]
Shen Tang hadn't expected Tan Ting to be so thorough in her thinking. Tan Ting was quite open-minded: "Your concerns aren't impossible, but anyone capable of infiltrating silently must either be a trusted mole or a higher-level being capable of obliterating our consciousness and spirit. With such divine abilities, what couldn't they do?"
Not just anyone can participate in DingTalk.
The minimum requirement is to be registered on the Kang State Imperial Seal roster, leaving behind a personal signature/martial spirit aura, similar to fingerprint/facial/iris recognition, to register and receive the Imperial Seal's summons for authentication before entering that void space of consciousness.
Of course, this is only one layer of protection; there are other barriers as well. Otherwise, it would be impossible to prevent someone like Qi Shan from being caught.
Tan Ting: [...]
This reason is indeed irrefutable.
Tan Ting wasn't really concerned about safety; he just found the constant need to attend court sessions on call somewhat unsettling. Ironically, his colleagues all seemed fine with it, especially Qin Li, who presided over the court meetings, who thought everything was normal. Tan Ting could only swallow his thoughts, even questioning himself… perhaps he was being too picky and suspicious?
Shen Tang had arranged for Qian Yong to open the floodgates and ambush the Allied forces. Therefore, the crucial task of breaking through the Allied defenses as quickly as possible, attacking member states of the Dragon Slayer Bureau, and achieving a diversionary tactic, naturally fell to her. She was prepared to fight a decisive battle against the Southwest Allied forces along this route! To achieve the best possible outcome, she was willing to deploy all available troops to give the Allies a surprise!
The Southwestern Allied Forces wanted to launch a surprise attack on her hometown?
Heh, she'll make sure the other party receives the news of their ancestral graves being dug up halfway there! One grave isn't enough, she'll dig up two, and if two aren't enough, she'll dig up three! She wants to see if this so-called "dragon-slaying trap" is truly impregnable and unbreakable!
The little voice inside me is laughing hysterically, hands on hips.
There's an inexplicable sense of satisfaction in it, like the villain bullying the protagonist.
The supreme ruler of the world, who else but me!
Forget chickens and clay dogs, bring them all on!
So, this was Zheng Qiao's perspective back then?
"...The dragon slayer eventually becomes the dragon. Back then, the evil dragon Zheng Qiao was condemned by everyone, and now she, Shen Youli, has become one of them."
As it turns out, a seasoned angler is someone who can cast a line even while passing by the Bridge of Helplessness. Unable to fish at night, Qi Cang could only sneak away during the day. Relying on his high-level martial arts prowess and speed, he would fish for three to five hours at a time, only packing up and rushing to catch up with the main force when they rested. He repeated this cycle endlessly, seemingly enjoying himself immensely, while the allied forces, on edge, paid him no attention.
Qi Cang not only enjoys fishing himself, but also gets Zhong Lifu to join him.
Shen Zhongli Fu Tang was already used to Qi Cang openly criticizing her, and would occasionally join in the吐槽 (tu cao, a form of online commentary/criticism), mostly cursing the Southwest Allied Army as complete idiots with underdeveloped brains and cerebellums. Over this period of interaction, she discovered Qi Cang's three main hobbies: fishing, praising Zheng Qiao, and slandering Shen Tang.
After that night raid, Qi Cang basically abandoned the guess that "Zhongli Fu = Shen Tang," replacing it with "Zhongli Fu is Shen Tang's inside man." For those who enjoy entertainment, the latter was much less interesting and its appeal plummeted. However, the days without war were too boring, so he could only find new ways to pass the time.
For example, he slandered Shen Tang in front of Zhong Lifu.
Chen Zhongli Fu Tang: "..."
Then Qi Cang changed his tune: "That's not right either. Shen Youli is not Zheng Qiao, and the Southwest Allied Army is not the Allied Army of that year."
She was so sleepy that she tilted her head, trying to doze off. In her half-awake state, she let the river fish drag her fishing rod away. As dusk fell, Qi Cang closed his stool, and Shen Tang stretched: "Finished work?"
Looking into his fish basket, there wasn't a single fish.
Qi Cang snorted coldly and casually slapped the surface of the river.
The palm strike sent up a towering column of water, and several stunned fish flew through the air in graceful arcs before landing precisely in Qi Cang's fish basket.
Shen Tang: "..."
She understood everything; the fisherman's last act of defiance was to avoid going home empty-handed.
Qi Qi caught up with the main Allied force, only to find the atmosphere somewhat strange. Qi Cang's deputy was sweating profusely, pacing around like a headless fly. When he spotted Qi Cang, he immediately cried out as if seeing a lifeline: "General, the lord urgently summons you!"
Qi Cang glanced at Zhong Lifu subconsciously.
Shen Zhongli Fu Tang also showed a slight surprise, which turned into schadenfreude: "The general's dereliction of duty has been discovered."
Dereliction of duty is punishable by flogging.
"The eldest brother doesn't criticize the second brother, and the snail doesn't laugh at the clam."
If Qi Cang gets flogged, will she be able to escape punishment? Same to you, if you're going to take your pants off and spank, then spank us both.
He'll definitely bite her out anyway.
He said to the soldier, "Let's talk as we walk."
Before even entering the main tent, Qi Cang sensed a tense atmosphere, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder, and a palpable sense of impending conflict. He raised an eyebrow, wondering if these people had already started fighting amongst themselves before even reaching the capital of Kang Kingdom. However, he didn't show any schadenfreude or amusement on his face, simply clasping his hands in apology. The King of Qi Kingdom did not punish Qi Cang, merely gesturing for him to step aside.
Isn't this a trap set for him?
Qi Cang immediately perked up.
Shen Tang noticed that several people present were dressed in mourning clothes, their expressions sorrowful. The one in the lead was ashen-faced, looking as if he might faint at any moment. Seeing this, she basically guessed what was going on and stood next to Qi Cang to watch the show.
This is indeed a good show.
Just half an hour ago, they received the devastating news that their border barrier had been shattered and the national seal absorbed. This meant their country had fallen, its demise a definite death. Their first thought was that some villain had taken advantage of their participation in the Dragon Slaying Scheme, leaving the country vulnerable, to launch a surprise attack and steal their nation! In an instant, they ran through all the suspects in their minds, but still couldn't determine who it was.
Those capable of raiding bases have basically all participated in the "Dragon Slaying" event.
Who did this?
The Crown Prince was representing the nation in the Dragon-Slaying Ceremony. He immediately drew his sword and questioned the messenger, his eyes bloodshot, his surging hatred causing him to tremble uncontrollably: "Speak! Which despicable villain dared to betray the alliance and secretly harm people?"
Not only did they destroy the kingdom, but they also dug up the royal tombs and hung the remains on the city walls.
Their behavior is inhuman and outrageous!
The messenger had never seen the Crown Prince so angry.
His legs immediately went weak under the pressure of the other party's aura.
He stammered, "Yes, it's Kang... Kangguo..."
The crown prince nearly had a mental breakdown, and asked incredulously, "What did you say? Say it again, who is this despicable person?"
The messenger, filled with grief and fear, cried out, "Your Highness, it's Kang! The enemy is flying...flying Kang's flag! It's real..."
Crown Prince: "..."
The sword slipped from his hand, and he staggered back several steps, weak.
I still can't process this information.
Not only was the crown prince of the fallen kingdom unable to process the intelligence, but the other members of the allied forces were also surprised by this turn of events: "Didn't the scouts from all sides confirm that all of Kang's troops had returned to defend their territory? Where did Shen Youli get her troops to conquer and destroy the kingdom in just one or two days?"
It's impossible to do it in any aspect.
"Four days ago, a corps of the Left Army discovered several small groups of enemy troops. They gave chase and quickly repelled them in a brief engagement, but their whereabouts became unknown. Perhaps they didn't return to defend, but instead broke up into smaller units, bypassed us, and went to launch a surprise attack?"
"absurd!"
An older military officer lowered his voice and murmured.
Everyone: "..."
This guess is somewhat absurd.
It is absurd yet somehow believable.
The first problem to face when breaking up into smaller units is the supply of provisions, followed by the danger of being precisely nibbled away by the enemy, and various uncertainties encountered during the operation. Just thinking about it feels like suicide, but if that's not how it works, how could Kangguo raise an army strong enough to destroy a country right under their noses, appear behind their backs, and deliver a fatal blow to their allies?
The crown prince of the fallen kingdom looked at the crowd with tears in his eyes, filled with hope.
If we hadn't participated in the conference, how could we have been so defenseless domestically?
Even though reason told him that given the enemy's offensive efficiency, even if he dragged the troops he had brought back, it would only prolong the destruction of the country by a day or two, and wouldn't fundamentally change the outcome. But reason prevailed, and he refused to accept it!
Allied members avoided his gaze.
Until the Crown Prince asked, "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. If we let the rebels run rampant and allow Kang to run wild, who knows if the disaster of national destruction will not fall on your heads? You should not be complacent and think that the rebels will only be able to hold out for three to five days after their food and supplies are cut off, and then give up the attack. The woman surnamed Shen is capable of doing things that are desecrated by heaven and earth, such as digging up people's ancestral graves and hanging the bones on the city walls. Do you think she would dare to allow her troops to burn, kill, and plunder, and to take food from the enemy? If they are allowed to do so, they can not only hold out for three to five days, but for thirty to fifty days! Tell me, after thirty to fifty days, how many of your former kingdoms will still be alive?"
A careful examination of Kang Guofa's family history reveals a suspicious point.
The Kangguo army rarely worried about food supply lines when fighting.
Once everyone is gathered, the fight can begin.
Where did the food come from?
Even if Kangguo were capable of growing grain, the land would be so fertile it would be difficult to supply the army. This implies that the Kangguo army must have had undisclosed sources of rations. What rations could be cheaper and more abundant than human flesh?
They ate and fought their way through.
They really can disregard the issue of food supplies.
At the same time, everyone on this floor thought: "..."
Shen Tang, who was caught in the crossfire even while sitting in a meeting: "..."
You son of a bitch, do you dare bark those words again?
The crown prince of the fallen kingdom then selected two neighboring countries.
The representative from the neighboring country who was named was visibly stiff in the back.
Once the whip hit him, he knew the pain. He immediately stood up to speak for the crown prince of the fallen kingdom, hoping that the allied members would reconsider, stop marching, and turn back to intercept the Kang Kingdom's forces.
These words were primarily addressed to the ruler of the State of Qi.
The King of Qi asked Cui Zhi, "What does Minister Cui think?"
Before Cui Zhi could speak, Luo Yuan sneered disdainfully: "You're so timid and cowardly. You talk about destroying a country, but in reality, you're only concerned with taking a piece of land equivalent to two prefectures within Kang Kingdom. What's wrong with giving you another prefecture to restore your country after you've conquered Kang Kingdom's borders?"
Kangguo dispatched its elite troops to raid their home.
Their primary concern was losing their home, so they rushed back to rescue it. Did they even consider that Kangguo might also face problems like insufficient troops and weak defenses? The northwestern Kangguo region has more cultivated land and a larger population; isn't it better than their old shanty? At worst, they could just move elsewhere and see if Kangguo would be willing to give it up!
Shen Tang's face remained calm, but her heart was already furrowed.
Luo Yuan truly lives up to his reputation as a ruthless person.
Moving house can be this decisive.
However, such courage is rare.
It could also be said that Luo Yuan was heartless in selling his family's land without a care in the world. Since it wasn't his country, he could disdain it without any burden, saying he would take the risk and change it without hesitation. Others couldn't do that. Not only could they not do it, but they also glared angrily at Luo Yuan for saying such heartless words.
Due to the power of Luo Yuanguan Hou, they dared not speak out against their anger.
Cui Zhi said, "Lord Luo's words make sense."
He was immediately refuted by several people after he finished speaking.
Some of them were emotionally agitated, their chests heaving violently.
Qi is geographically located in the south, and there are several other states between it and Kang that can serve as strategic buffers. Even if Kang's raiding force moves swiftly, it will still take time to reach Qi. During this time, the allied forces, even if they launch a full-scale attack, will be able to establish a foothold in Kang.
The State of Qi suffered few losses, but what about the states that were destroyed midway through?
They promised to restore the country to a larger territory, but what if they don't deliver on that promise?
These are nonsense stories; even ghosts wouldn't believe them if you told them!
Cui Zhi looked at everyone and sighed, "This place is only an arrow's throw away from Kangguo. If you turn back now, all your previous efforts will be wasted. Are we really going to fail at the last minute? Why not be ruthless and have a contest?"
Let's see who feels the pain first.
A cold smile crept into Shen Tang's heart.
Cui Zhi was ruthless, but unfortunately, his word didn't count, nor did the ruler of Qi. The Southwest Allied Forces wouldn't relinquish their own interests to benefit Qi. If Qi didn't agree, the allied forces would disband on the spot—they were in a bind.
The ruler of Qi also understood this principle.
She sighed deeply, "Okay."
Cui Zhi closed his eyes, while Luo Yuan remained unchanged.
Gongyang Yongye didn't even attend, and upon hearing the order to retreat, he became furious: "Are you sick? Is fighting a war like a spring outing? You spend several days running around someone's gate only to turn back?"
He even considered asking him to write up a prescription for aphrodisiacs to cure his condition.
No sooner had they left than a scout from Kang Kingdom brought back good news, causing Su Shiyilu, who was stationed there, to nearly jump up on the spot.
"Withdrawn? Really completely withdrawn?"
"They have indeed withdrawn."
Su Shiyi wiped his face: "Damn it!"
His back was already covered in a cold sweat.
Nobody knew that the city's defenses were now so effective that they could even use an empty city tactic. Not only had no reinforcements been sent here, but Jiang Sheng had also petitioned to transfer the elite troops from several nearby military commands to defend other areas. When Su Shiyilu saw the troops inside the pass, he cursed Jiang Sheng a hundred and eighty times.
If you want to kill him, just say so.
The old bastard has finally shown his true colors! He was involved in the scheme against Shiwu back then, and he's still up to no good!
Why the rush? Don't worry, a fight probably won't break out on your end.
[They've started fighting?]
The biggest traitor in Kangguo was actually Jiang Sheng.
Jiang Sheng said sincerely, "General, your face indicates you are currently experiencing great fortune, and you do not have the appearance of someone who will die young; you still have many years to live."
Su Shiyilu wished she could strangle Jiang Sheng.
[Do you rely on physiognomy to win battles?]
[Check your fortune.]
This is not your average face reading.
Su Shiyi Lu suppressed the urge to vomit blood.
On his very first day stationed there, he felt extremely uneasy, receiving news that an enemy force was heading straight for him. Su Shiyilu even considered betraying them. He would never risk his life for Kangguo or the Shen family; he still remembered the grudge from the Ten Crows incident vividly!
Waiting and waiting, day and night went by in several cycles.
Finally, the enemy made a last-minute retreat.
While Su Shiyi was overjoyed, he also felt a chill run down his spine. Jiang Xiandeng's ability seemed a bit too abnormal! As long as the estimated fortune was accurate, he essentially knew the outcome before the battle even began.
Even more prophetic than the prophets!
Su Shiyilu dared not let his guard down; who knew if these people from the Southwest might suddenly decide to launch a surprise attack? Calming down, he also began to wonder about the reason for their sudden change of heart; changing course at the last minute was a major taboo: "We can't just stay put, can we?"
He learned the reason the next day.
"Is the old nest really on fire?"
Su Shiyilu, still leaning forward in shock, leaned back again, muttering, "Still so fond of raiding..."
He's been stealing since the days of the Ten Crows, and he's still the same old thief.
((|||))
I'm sure September is going to be a month of bad luck. The fruit I bought had worms inside, I got a stomachache halfway out the door, my cold got worse, and a car sped across the pedestrian crossing and almost got me a ticket for running a red light... Sigh, I guess I'll just have to offer lamps and pray to Buddha tomorrow, the first day of the lunar new year.
I feel like this chapter isn't quite enough, so I'll add more words to it _(:з」∠)_.
It's finished.
Let me write some side stories to change my mood.
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