Chapter 50: War Begins Against the Land of Earth! (Part 3...)
With the Tailed Beasts as their trump card, capable of turning the tide of battle, the Fire Country's leadership felt more confident than ever before. The previous debate about whether to wage war against the Lightning Country vanished overnight, replaced by a fervent discussion on how to efficiently utilize this power and maximize their gains.
The war machine began to run at full speed.
Supplies and supplies were mobilized on a large scale, border troops were frequently rotated, and elite troops began to secretly assemble in the border area bordering the Land of Lightning.
The entire Land of Fire was filled with a tense and warlike atmosphere, as if a storm was brewing.
Of course, even with overwhelming superiority, launching a war without a declaration is too barbaric and could easily provoke criticism from the "international community" and the vigilance of other countries. The Land of Fire needs a legitimate reason to start the war.
Thus, under the indirect influence of Yan Sheng (through the Daimyo), the Land of Fire made a complete 180-degree turn in its attitude at the negotiating table regarding the mineral veins.
From initial caution and attempts at negotiation, they became extremely tough and arrogant. The negotiators used harsh language, refused to budge an inch, and even openly declared their indisputable sovereignty over the mineral vein, displaying an extremely domineering attitude.
This turn of events infuriated the Land of Lightning's negotiating delegation. They had previously held the upper hand with their superior military strength and more aggressive stance, but how could they have been so suddenly overpowered and humiliated? This sense of frustration made the entire Land of Lightning leadership extremely uncomfortable.
Then, something even worse happened.
The Land of Lightning's vital supply lines, located near the mines to support frontline operations and future mining, have begun to be frequently sabotaged and harassed by unknown forces.
The warehouse was burned down, the road was blown up, and the transport convoy was ambushed, suffering heavy losses. Although the attackers acted stealthily, coming and going like the wind, leaving no survivors or obvious evidence, it was obvious to the Land of Lightning that the Land of Fire was behind this!
At the same time, a sinister rumor began to quietly spread among the people of the Land of Lightning.
Rumors say that the Lord of Thunder is preparing to wage war to seize the mineral veins, even at the cost of depleting the national treasury, and may impose additional taxes on the people as a result.
Although the tax increase policy has not yet been officially announced, the rumors have already spread like wildfire among ordinary people and small and medium-sized businesses.
People who were already struggling with life began to whisper and complain, and discontent with the ruling class quietly grew.
There were indeed insightful people in the Land of Lightning's court. Some astute ministers noticed the unusual nature of this series of events and pointed out that it was likely a conspiracy by the Land of Fire, aimed at provoking the Land of Lightning to take the first rash action and thus bear the responsibility for starting a war.
However, before these calm voices could take effect, the daimyo of the Land of Lightning, whose personality was already volatile and easily angered, had already reached his limit!
The repeated provocations, border losses, and signs of domestic instability... all made him feel that he had lost face and his authority had been seriously challenged.
"Outrageous! The Land of Fire has gone too far!" the daimyo roared at the court assembly. "They must give me an explanation!"
Despite his anger, he retained a sliver of reason and decided to first resort to diplomatic means.
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning dispatched an envoy known for his strong character and eloquence to the capital of the Land of Fire, presenting a letter of credence and sternly inquiring about the intentions behind the Land of Fire's recent series of actions, demanding an immediate cessation of the harassment and a return to the negotiating table.
This was originally the last chance to turn the tide and find out the truth.
However, no one expected that the Land of Fire's response would be so extreme and insulting!
A few days later, the envoy from the Land of Lightning and his entourage returned empty-handed—no, not empty-handed, they brought back an exquisite brocade box.
When the brocade box was opened at the court assembly, all the ministers present gasped in shock, and the daimyo of the Land of Lightning trembled with rage.
Inside the box was the head of the messenger they had sent. The head had been disfigured; the face was distorted, the eyes wide open, and the person died with a sense of utter disbelief.
At the bottom of the box was a short note with only five provocative words: "This is the answer."
"Bang!"
The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning abruptly overturned the table in front of him, his roar echoing throughout the palace: "A humiliation! A humiliation! Land of Fire! I will never forgive you!"
The envoy was killed and his head returned; this was a naked and irreversible act of war. Any reason or advice was meaningless at this moment.
The nation's dignity has been trampled to the extreme; only blood can wash away this shame.
"Pass on my orders!" The daimyo's eyes were bloodshot, his voice trembling with rage. "The entire nation is on high alert! Assemble the army, target—the Land of Fire! I will raze the capital of the Land of Fire to the ground and use the head of the daimyo of the Land of Fire to appease the messenger!"
At this point, all possibilities for easing tensions have been completely severed.
The Fire Kingdom's meticulously planned provocation finally ignited the fuse of war. A full-scale war engulfing the two great nations officially began, drawing a bloody curtain.
The one who started all of this was standing somewhere in the capital of the Land of Fire, coldly watching the smoke and fire of war rising in the north.
***
Ten days later.
On the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning, war finally broke out completely, and like a wildfire, it quickly devoured the former peace.
The vast plains and treacherous valleys... all became bloody meat grinders.
The sky was stained gray-black by gunpowder smoke, and the air was filled with a strong smell of blood and burning.
The deafening shouts of battle, the clanging of metal against metal, the roar of explosions, and the agonizing screams of the wounded mingled together.
On the Land of Fire's side, the infantry phalanx, clad in crimson armor, surged like a burning tide, stubbornly resisting the Land of Lightning's army's onslaught thanks to their numerical superiority and relatively better equipment.
Under the cover of shield bearers, archers unleashed volleys of arrows into the sky, a dark mass falling and taking countless lives.
On the other hand, the Land of Lightning displayed their fierce folk customs and powerful individual combat capabilities.
The soldiers were generally tall and muscular, and when they charged, they were like raging rhinoceroses, easily tearing through the Fire Kingdom's defenses.
Their cavalry was even more elite, riding armored warhorses, galloping across the battlefield, carrying out deadly flanking maneuvers.
Furthermore, their ninjas almost came out in full force. Some hid in the shadows, using ninjutsu to snipe soldiers from the Land of Fire; others formed small teams, using combined ninjutsu to summon lightning strikes or create massive earth-style obstacles to influence the battle; still others were masters of taijutsu who charged into the enemy ranks, invincible in their path.
On the other hand, the number of ninjas participating in the war in the Land of Fire is pitifully small, and most of them are from small ninja clans or wandering ninjas with varying strengths.
The Konoha ninjas who were expected to be the main force, especially the renowned Senju and Uchiha clans, were nowhere to be seen on the battlefield.
......
General Musashi of the Land of Fire sat in the central army, his brow furrowed.
The situation was extremely unfavorable for him. The fighting strength of the Land of Lightning's army was within expectations, but due to the severe lack of his own ninja forces, he was tactically constrained at every turn and could only rely on traditional army formations and numerical superiority to hold on, with the defensive line constantly retreating and casualties rising steadily.
"Hold the line on the left! Right flank cavalry, outflank and encircle! Archers, suppress!" Musashi slammed his fist on the railing of the command vehicle, while simultaneously casting an anxious glance at the boy who had been standing quietly beside him.
***
News of the war spread like wildfire throughout the world.
The Royal Palace of the Water Kingdom.
The princess, who came from the Land of Fire through a marriage alliance a few years ago and is now the wife of the daimyo of the Land of Water, is looking at the war report from her homeland with a worried expression, her fingers tightly gripping a silk handkerchief.
Her marriage to the Land of Water inherently carried the implication of goodwill and alliance between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water. Now that her motherland is engulfed in war, and the situation seems unfavorable, she cannot stand idly by.
"Your Highness," her personal maidservant whispered, "this matter is of great importance; perhaps we should discuss it with the daimyo...?"
Himeko bit her lower lip, a resolute glint in her eyes. She knew that requesting the Land of Water's military assistance would not be easy, as it could drag the Land of Water into the quagmire of war as well. But thinking of her father and the safety of her homeland, she finally made up her mind.
"Prepare the sedan chair, I'm going to see my husband." She stood up, tidied her appearance, and tried to make her expression appear calm.
***
After the initial surprise at the lack of ninja power in the Land of Fire, the commander on the front lines of the Land of Lightning felt more relief and contempt.
"It seems the Fire Country Daimyo is unpopular! Even his own ninjas are unwilling to risk their lives for him!"
"Those guys from Konoha are definitely afraid of our Hidden Cloud Village!"
"God bless the Land of Thunder! Victory is assured in this battle!"
Optimism spread through the Land of Lightning's army, making their attacks even more ferocious and daring. They practically chased after the Land of Fire's army, pushing the battle line southward. Finally, the vanguard of the Land of Lightning crossed the border that marked the territory of the Land of Fire.
At that moment, Kokusatsu, who had been silently following General Musashi, finally raised his head.
He looked at the Land of Lightning army surging forward like a tide, and the Cloud Village ninjas who were unleashing their ninjutsu in the distance. His dark eyes were devoid of any emotion, only a cold calculation.
General Musashi couldn't help but turn his head again, lowering his voice and asking with urgency and last hope, "Lord Yansheng, can we use 'that' now? If we don't, the defense line will completely collapse!"
Yan Sheng's lips curled into a barely perceptible cruel smile.
"The timing is perfect," he said calmly.
The objective of luring the enemy deep into our territory has been achieved. The main force of the Land of Lightning's army has already entered the pre-arranged battlefield, and their formation has become somewhat scattered due to the pursuit. It's time for the true protagonists of this war to step onto the stage.
In the rear of the Land of Lightning's central army, an experienced old general with gray hair frowned, staring intently at the battle map ahead.
Despite the overwhelming force of the Land of Lightning's army, which had successfully invaded the Land of Fire, his sense of unease grew stronger.
“No…this is really not right…” he muttered to himself, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. “The Land of Fire’s resistance is tenacious, but disorganized, especially their ninja strength, which is practically nonexistent. What makes them dare to provoke us so arrogantly, even killing our envoy? Unless…they have something to rely on, something powerful enough to disregard the strength of a regular army and ninjas…”
The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became. A sense of impending doom coiled around his heart like a cold, venomous snake. He abruptly stood up, wanting to order the frontline troops to advance cautiously and increase vigilance.
However, it was too late.
Just as he stood up.
"Boom!"
The earth trembled violently without warning. Cups and utensils inside the command tent shattered on the floor, soldiers on guard stumbled and fell, and warhorses neighed in terror.
The old general's expression changed drastically. He rushed out of his tent and looked in the direction from which the tremor came—the rear of the Fire Kingdom's defeated army.
The next moment, he saw a scene he would never forget, a nightmare that would haunt him for the rest of his life:
A shadow, vast beyond imagination, slowly rose from the horizon. Yellow sand billowed, obscuring the sky and the sun.
What a terrifying beast it was! Its mountain-like body was made of endless sand, and its ferocious raccoon-shaped head roared to the sky. The sound it made was no longer a beastly roar, but like thousands of sandstorms howling at the same time, shaking people's eardrums to the point of rupture and their souls to tremble.
"That, that's... a tailed beast?!" The old general screamed, his voice distorted with fear.
This thing actually exists, and it even appeared on the battlefield, standing on the side of the Land of Fire!
***
Shukaku was very unhappy about being forcibly dragged out and thrown onto the battlefield.
Its enormous eyes, formed from chakra, swept over the Lightning Country soldiers below, who were fleeing frantically like ants, and its violent emotions took over.
If it can't beat Uchiha Kokusatsu, can't it beat anyone else?
Ta-ta-kai!
Today it will vent all the pent-up frustration it has accumulated! Hahahaha, tremble, you foolish humans! Blame your bad luck, blame yourself for being enemies of Uchiha Kokusatsu.
"roar!"
It raised its head and roared, the sound alone creating a substantial shockwave that sent the soldiers of the Land of Lightning at the forefront flying, along with their horses.
Then, it raised its giant claw, which resembled a small hill, and casually pressed it down on the densest part of the Land of Lightning's army.
"No! Run!"
"A monster! It's a monster!"
"Help!"
Desperate cries and wails instantly replaced the previous battle cries. But it was all in vain. The giant claw descended, as if the heavens and earth had collapsed.
Hundreds of soldiers, along with their armor and weapons, were instantly smashed into a bloody pulp, embedded deep in the ground, leaving only a huge, cracked crater of claw marks. Blood gushed from the crater like a stream.
That wasn't all. Shukaku swung its enormous tail, made of sand, like a terrifying giant whip, sweeping across the battlefield.
Wherever they went, men and horses fell. Whether it was a sturdy shield formation or a hastily erected earthen wall, they were all easily destroyed as if made of paper. Soldiers were thrown out like leaves caught in a whirlwind, falling to pieces in mid-air.
It doesn't even need to use chakra; its massive body's most primal physical attacks are already a one-sided, utter massacre.
The soldiers of the Land of Lightning were like ants before it, utterly powerless to resist.
"Retreat! Retreat the entire army!" The commanders of the Land of Lightning roared hoarsely, their voices filled with barely concealed fear and despair.
What formations, what tactics—all become a joke in the face of a cataclysmic power like a tailed beast.
The army collapsed like a house of cards.
The soldiers of the Land of Lightning, who had been so aggressive and chasing after the army of the Land of Fire just moments before, now wished they had two more legs. They abandoned their armor and fled desperately back the way they came, crying and begging for their lives.
They trampled each other, order vanished, and all that remained in their hearts was the will to survive and boundless fear of the sand behemoth.
"How is this possible? The Land of Fire... How could they control a tailed beast?!" The general from the Land of Lightning, who had previously been relieved that the Konoha ninjas hadn't participated in the war, was now ashen-faced, his worldview completely collapsing as he looked at the hellish scene before him.
Not only ordinary people, but also the ninjas from the Land of Lightning who participated in the battle were terrified. Their lightning release attacks on the One-Tailed Beast didn't even raise a speck of dust; their speed was laughable in the face of the One-Tailed Beast's massive attack range.
Some weak-willed ninjas suffered mental breakdowns, standing frozen in place until they were swallowed by the sandstorm.
The soldiers of the Land of Fire were also stunned. They stared in disbelief at the tailed beast that had shielded them from the enemy like a god or demon, and then erupted in ecstatic joy and shouts of relief at surviving a catastrophe.
"God bless the Fire Kingdom!"
"Fight back! Follow the Divine Beast and fight back!"
Ordinary people don't know about the Tailed Beasts, so they regard them as divine beasts—that's what the stories and various legends say. It's become a concept.
Musashi trembled with excitement as he looked at the reversal of the situation before him. He couldn't help but look at the boy beside him, whose expression remained indifferent, and a hint of awe appeared in his eyes.
***
The battle began suddenly and ended even more swiftly—the moment the One-Tailed Beast appeared on the battlefield, the collapse of the Land of Lightning was already inevitable:
The battle began on the same day and ended with the main force of the Land of Lightning army being crushed by the tailed beasts, and the remnants fleeing back to the border in panic.
When the news reached the capital of the Land of Fire, the whole country rejoiced.
Not only did they secure the long-coveted mineral veins, but the defeated Land of Lightning was also forced to sign a series of humiliating treaties in subsequent negotiations, including ceding territory and paying reparations.
In stark contrast to the gloomy clouds hanging over the Land of Lightning, the Land of Fire was immersed in the ecstasy of victory.
Inside the palace.
A grand victory celebration banquet was underway. Amidst the clinking of glasses and the sounds of singing and dancing, everyone's face beamed with excitement and pride. Daming, in particular, was radiant with joy, having drunk several cups and already quite tipsy.
The more he looked at Yan Sheng, who was sitting not far from him, the more pleasing and delightful he became.
The young man is not only as handsome as a celestial being from a painting, but also possesses unfathomable strength and the ability to control legendary tailed beasts—truly a treasure bestowed upon the Land of Fire by the heavens! If only we could completely bind him to the Land of Fire's war machine...
A thought, fueled by the alcohol, surged into Daimyo's mind. Drunk, he held his wine glass close to Yan Sheng and loudly asked, "Yan Shengqing... how old are you this year?"
Yan Sheng calmly replied, "Fifteen."
"Fifteen... hiccup... not young anymore, not young anymore!" Daming hiccuped, his eyes shining. "Are you married yet?"
"Never."
Upon hearing this, the famous man beamed with joy and slapped his thigh: "What a coincidence! My youngest daughter is only eleven years old, the perfect age for innocent and carefree love! How about betrothing her to you? In that case, you will be my son-in-law, truly one of my own! Hahahaha!"
His voice was quite loud, and the previously noisy banquet hall instantly fell silent. All eyes were focused on Yan Sheng and Daming.
Amidst the expectant, envious, or scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, Yan Sheng didn't even lift his eyelids, directly uttering two words: "Inappropriate."
The refusal was swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation, and they didn't even bother to come up with a tactful excuse.
The lively atmosphere froze instantly.
The daimyo's smile froze on his face, and he sobered up somewhat. As the ruler of a great nation, he had offered his beloved daughter in marriage, only to be so decisively rejected? And in front of the entire court.
A surge of anger, fueled by the alcohol, rose in his head, and Da Ming's face darkened, his tone becoming sarcastic: "Inappropriate? Ha... Yan Shengqing, do you perhaps think... my princess is unworthy of someone as esteemed as you?"
The dissatisfaction in his words was quite obvious.
The surrounding officials fell silent, and even the music stopped at some point.
Yan Sheng already lacked respect for the daimyo, and now, being harassed by the other party under the influence of alcohol, he felt even more annoyed. He raised his eyes, a cold glint flashing in his dark pupils.
He put down the wine cup he had been toying with; the porcelain clinked against the table, the sound particularly jarring in the silent hall.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Yan Sheng slowly and deliberately said, "Your Majesty misunderstands. It is not that the princess is unworthy of me."
He paused, then continued, his voice carrying clearly throughout the hall: "But I have a hidden ailment in my lower body. Occasionally, I can't control it, and when it flares up..."
His gaze swept over the powerful and wealthy people present who were all ears, and a subtle, chilling smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"I would want to kill everyone around me."
After he finished speaking, the entire celebration banquet fell into a deathly silence, as if it were a tomb.
Everyone was stunned, staring in disbelief at the boy who calmly uttered such terrifying words.
Hidden illness? Outbreak? Kill everyone around you? This isn't a polite refusal; it's a blatant threat.
Daming was instantly sobered up by the shock, and cold sweat poured down his back.
Looking into Yan Sheng's unfathomable eyes, recalling the terrifying tailed beast, and combining it with these seemingly casual yet chilling words, a chill ran from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.
He had no doubt that if he continued to pester the boy, the boy in front of him might actually do something terrible.
"I...I see. I was being presumptuous." The daimyo stammered, awkwardly raising his wine glass to hide his embarrassment, trying to change the subject. "Come, come, my lords, let's continue drinking! Continue!"
Although the atmosphere of the banquet was forcibly rekindled, it could never return to its previous fervor.
A shadow fell over everyone's hearts, and in their gazes toward Yan Sheng, there was not only awe but also an indescribable fear.
This proves an irrefutable truth: when you are a pushover, everyone wants to take advantage of you and test your limits; but when you show strength and uncontrollability enough to overturn the table, the people around you will immediately become "understanding" and "compassionate".
—Since that night, although some people in the elite circles of the Fire Kingdom's capital were privately displeased with Yan Sheng's almost arrogant attitude, no one dared to show him the slightest disrespect openly.
Every time they met, they greeted each other with a smile and spoke cautiously, afraid that they might accidentally offend this jinx who could "go berserk" at any moment.
However, this reverence also largely stems from the aura of identity that Yan Sheng meticulously cultivated as the "mysterious successor of the national family."
If Yan Sheng were standing here as a ninja, no matter how strong he was, in the eyes of these nobles who had served for generations, he would ultimately be a servant or a tool, and their attitude would never be so good. They would even have a sense of superiority as if he were bestowing a favor.
Of course, given Yan Sheng's personality, he wouldn't give these people a friendly look in that situation.
***
Himeko, far away in the Land of Water, experienced a rollercoaster of emotions.
She has not yet convinced her husband to send troops to help in the war—although he has verbally agreed, the troops he sends are more symbolic than practical, clearly a perfunctory gesture and a wait-and-see approach.
Just as she was feeling anxious and helpless, shocking news came from the front lines: the war was over, and the Land of Fire had won a great victory! And the key to the victory was none other than the legendary Tailed Beast.
This news struck like a thunderbolt throughout the Land of Water.
The daimyo of the Land of Water, who had previously been ambiguous and procrastinating, suddenly made a complete 180-degree turn in attitude.
He took the initiative and summoned his senior ministers to discuss his personal trip to the capital of the Land of Fire. Ostensibly, it was to "congratulate our ally on his great victory," but in reality, he wanted to personally verify the authenticity of the Tailed Beasts and reassess the relationship with the Land of Fire, fearing that he would fall behind in this new round of power reshuffling.
"Himeko, get ready and come with me." The daimyo's tone towards his wife held a newfound respect. "You are, after all, the daughter of the daimyo of the Land of Fire. With you here, many things will be easier to discuss."
Himeko bowed her head in agreement, but inwardly she felt a deep sense of irony.
Previously, her repeated pleas only earned her perfunctory responses; now that her motherland has demonstrated overwhelming power, her husband immediately flocks to her.
This is politics, naked and realistic. But she could say nothing, nor could she change anything; she could only be a pawn, following her husband on his journey home.
The situation in the Land of Fire has stabilized, the deterrent power of the Tailed Beasts has been successfully established, and the cooperative relationship with the Daimyo has reached a delicate balance after that earth-shattering conversation.
Yan Sheng believes it's time to turn our attention to a new chessboard.
He summoned Uchiha Masaki and Shi before him.
"Yasuki, you are fully responsible for the subsequent liaison between the Land of Fire and the Daimyo, the transfer of interests, as well as the covert manipulation of public opinion and the maintenance of our influence over the higher-ups," Yan Sheng instructed.
Uchiha Masaki is meticulous and adept at maneuvering, making him the best person to handle these matters.
"Shi, you will assist Ya Shu. Also, the capital is not absolutely safe, so stay vigilant." Yan Sheng looked at Shi, and the little girl immediately straightened her back and nodded vigorously: "Yes! Brother Yan Sheng!"
Having finished his explanation, Yan Sheng showed no lingering attachment. Like a skilled chess player who had made crucial moves in the game of the Land of Fire, securing victory, he decisively withdrew to prepare for the next game.
His next target is the Land of Lightning in the north, which has just suffered a crushing defeat.
—Such a humiliating defeat, with heavy losses and the signing of a treaty that ceded national sovereignty, must have fueled the growing discontent within the Land of Lightning towards the current daimyo, which has been building up like a volcano.
The pro-war faction will become the target of public criticism, and the daimyo's prestige will plummet. This is precisely the moment when the power structure is most vulnerable and most easily breached from within.
***
Yan Sheng left the Land of Fire and headed north.
The closer one gets to the Land of Lightning's territory, the thinner the warmth in the air becomes, replaced by a biting chill and a desolate atmosphere in the wind.
The Land of Lightning is mountainous with rugged terrain and a harsher climate than the Land of Fire. The shadow of defeat hangs over the entire country like a thick, dark cloud.
Yan Sheng did not go directly to the capital of the Land of Lightning, but instead traveled through the towns and villages of the Land of Lightning.
He changed into simple, dark travel clothes, concealed all his chakra and sharpness, and like an ordinary wandering samurai, he stopped in taverns, teahouses, markets and other places where people gathered, quietly listening and collecting information.
—What I heard and saw was a scene of oppressive sorrow and boiling resentment.
"It's all over, all over." A ragged old farmer muttered to himself while drinking cheap liquor in a roadside tavern. "My three sons all went to war with Daming, and none of them have come back."
A scarred retired samurai slammed his fist on the table, spilling wine from his bowl. "Outrageous! This is an utter disgrace! When have the samurai of the Land of Thunder ever suffered such humiliation! Not only did we have to pay so much money, but we also have to cede border mines! That's land our ancestors won with their blood!"
"It's all those damned warmongers' fault!" Another middle-aged man, who looked like a merchant, lowered his voice, but his resentment was still evident. "If they hadn't kept encouraging the daimyo to send troops, how could we have ended up like this? Now look what's happened, taxes have doubled! How are we small merchants supposed to survive?"
"I heard that His Majesty fell ill after returning... Is that true?"
"Hmph, I bet he's too ashamed to show his face! He's led the country to this state, what face does he have left to sit in that position!"
The widespread lamentation among the people reflects their grief over the losses of the war and their discontent with the heavy taxes imposed upon them.
In more respectable teahouses or gathering places, Yan Sheng heard more voices from lower- and middle-ranking samurai and ninja families.
These voices are sharper and filled with criticism of the incompetence of the current ruling class.
"Where are those guys who were shouting the loudest before? Now they're all cowering and trying to shift the blame to others? Hmph, dream on!"
"We need to change! We must change! If things continue like this, the Land of Thunder will perish!"
The spearhead of hatred was directed at the decision-making level that launched the war—the pro-war noble group led by the Daimyo.
Yan Sheng blew on the hot tea in his hand and took a couple of sips.
This surging undercurrent was the perfect tool he wanted to utilize. The suffering of the people was the soil, and the anger of the samurai class was the fuel; all that was missing was a spark to ignite it all and direct the flames toward a specific target.
***
After thoroughly understanding the social sentiment in the Land of Lightning, Yan Sheng entered the capital of the Land of Lightning.
His goal was clear: the chief elder of the Daimyo's household, who was currently the most trusted and influential person in the Daimyo's household, an old man named "Kurosawa".
Kurosawa, the chief retainer, belonged to the conservative faction and was not highly regarded before the war. However, it was precisely because of his non-war stance that he appeared to have foresight after the defeat and was able to quickly rise to power and take over the chaotic court.
In the dead of night, all was quiet.
Yan Sheng appeared in the bedroom of the Kurosawa family elder.
When Kurosawa was jolted awake from his sleep and saw those calm yet overwhelmingly powerful crimson eyes in the darkness, he was terrified.
Yan Sheng cut to the chase without any pleasantries, his voice as cold as the iron of the North: "Elder Kurosawa, do you want to keep your current position, or... go further?"
Faced with an absolute disparity in strength and the threat of death, the elders of the Kurosawa family had no other choice.
Yan Sheng outlined a clear path for him: take advantage of the dissatisfaction of the common people and the samurai class with the pro-war faction, and shift all the responsibility for the defeat onto a few of the most representative but now powerless pro-war nobles.
At the same time, the image of the daimyo as a tragic hero deceived by treacherous officials was created to preserve the daimyo's reputation as much as possible and to direct public resentment toward a specific scapegoat.
All of these operations require the cooperation and approval of an external force.
This power naturally belongs to the Land of Fire, which just defeated the Land of Lightning.
Yan Sheng promised that he would make the Land of Fire give the Land of Lightning leeway in negotiations and public opinion, such as slightly reducing the pressure of reparations, or publicly expressing understanding that the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning was misled by villains, thereby helping the current Daimyo stabilize his crumbling legitimacy.
Kurosawa was a smart man and immediately understood Yan Sheng's intention.
This is essentially a deal: the daimyo of the Land of Lightning relinquishes part of his national sovereignty and decision-making power in exchange for the Land of Fire's help in maintaining its rule. The daimyo will become a puppet, and the one pulling the strings is this unfathomable young man before us.
Kurosawa sighed, his already hunched back becoming even more stooped with age.
"Okay, I promise you."
With Yan Sheng's covert planning and Kurosawa's overt promotion, a political purge began within the Land of Lightning.
Several disgraced pro-war nobles were framed for numerous crimes, including deceiving the emperor, embezzling military funds, and misjudging military intelligence. Their property was confiscated, and their family power was eradicated.
Their downfall greatly vented the public's anger. At the same time, the propaganda machine was activated, portraying the daimyo as a victim who was devoted to the country but unfortunately surrounded by treacherous officials.
At this "just in time," the Land of Fire sent a signal of goodwill, expressing its willingness to renegotiate the details of the treaty and give the Land of Lightning some breathing room.
All of this was seen by the Daimyo and the elders of the Kurosawa family as proof that Yan Sheng kept his promise, which made them breathe a sigh of relief.
What they didn't know was that the power vacuum left by the purged nobles was being rapidly filled by people secretly planted by Yan Sheng or other bribed forces.
The key military and political departments of the Land of Lightning, like a sandcastle soaked by water, are quietly changing hands.
Yan Sheng rarely showed up in public; he only occasionally gave advice through the Kurosawa family elders.
These suggestions, seemingly aimed at stabilizing the Land of Lightning, actually gradually put the country's lifeline in their grasp.
Amidst a complex mix of fear and relief, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning became nothing more than a puppet manipulated by Yan Sheng in the shadows.
**
Having seized actual power in the Land of Lightning, Yan Sheng immediately set his sights on the next target on the map: the Land of Earth.
The Land of Earth is a vast country with abundant resources and a long-standing military tradition, making it a formidable force that cannot be ignored. It would be very troublesome for the Land of Fire to wage war against it.
But now, with the Land of Lightning as a pawn, the game has become much clearer.
Yan Sheng gave a new "advice" to the elders of the Kurosawa family: "The Land of Lightning has suffered a major defeat, its national strength has been damaged, and the morale of its people is low. At this time, it is in dire need of an external victory to restore the confidence of its people and unite their hearts. And the best target is the Land of Earth, which has a long-standing border dispute with the Land of Lightning."
The reasons are plausible: During the War of Lightning and Fire, the Land of Earth stationed troops on its border, intending to take advantage of the chaos; historically, the Land of Earth has also repeatedly encroached on the border mineral resources of the Land of Lightning; now that the Land of Lightning is weak, the Land of Earth is even more eager to act.
Rather than passively taking a beating, it is better to take the initiative, wage a limited border conflict, and seize one or two strategic locations rich in resources. This would both avenge the defeat and make up for the losses of the war.
This plan impressed the Daimyo and the entire high-ranking officials of the Land of Lightning.
They desperately needed a victory to divert attention from domestic conflicts and consolidate their rule. Under Yan Sheng's guidance, the war machine of the Land of Lightning was set in motion once more, but this time, its target was the Land of Earth to the northwest.
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Author's Note: Land of Earth: Who's going to feed me peanuts? [melting emoji]
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