Chapter 673
Chapter 673
Su Nan gazed at the city walls from a distance, thinking to himself.
‘Shen Lang, I didn’t come for revenge. I just want to take this city, lead my army, and march on the capital of Yue.’
That was his honest sentiment. In fact, before setting out, King Gong had allowed Su Nan to choose whether to command the army heading west or the one heading east. Leading the eastern army would have meant attacking the Jin Clan, giving him a chance to settle his grudge, but Su Nan had chosen the western army. He never expected to run into Shen Lang here.
Su Nan intended to approach this battle with the utmost caution. While he could have initiated the attack several days ago, he had his army completely surround Yangguo City and waited until all the siege equipment was in place. Why did Su Nan have more siege weapons? Most were dismantled from Tiannan Province. There was no telling how many catapults and large crossbows had been installed in that direction. Su Nan was so overly cautious about this battle that Shen Lang, who had been waiting for the fight, was about to die of exhaustion.
‘Damn it, according to the plan, you were supposed to attack the city two days ago. Speed is the essence of warfare. Because of you, I fed the Golden Dragon’s blood to the guards two days ago, and look at this! I have to deal with ten thousand madmen every day.’
He was truly at his wits' end. It had taken an immense effort from Shen Lang, Gao Duhuan, and the other officers to barely keep the ten thousand men calm. Otherwise, the soldiers would have already charged out to fight Su Nan to the death. Finally, on the fifth day of the second month, the encirclement was complete, and all the catapults and large siege crossbows were ready.
“Where is Young Master Shen Lang? Su Nan of the Great Southern Kingdom wishes to see you!”
Su Nan’s voice carried clearly even from a mile away. Shen Lang appeared atop the city wall.
“Marquis Su, have you been well?”
Shen Lang scrutinized Su Nan, even using his X-ray vision. He no longer looked as young as before; his hair had turned somewhat white, and this time, it was genuine, not dyed. But his back was straighter than ever, and he exuded an even more formidable aura.
“He has broken through to the Grandmaster realm.”
Li Qianqiu informed him from the side.
‘Incredible, truly incredible!’
“I truly envy you, Young Master Shen. We haven't seen each other in two years, yet you still possess such a remarkable presence. I, on the other hand, have grown old.”
To Su Nan’s words, Shen Lang replied.
“Marquis Su, can’t you see I’ve grown a bit haggard myself?”
‘Ugh! Are we really on terms to be exchanging such pleasantries? How do you expect me to respond to that?’
After a long pause, Su Nan continued.
“A celestial being like you, Young Master Shen, shouldn't involve yourself in the secular struggles for power. Why don't you take Mulan and sail far across the sea, to live as immortals? Hand this insignificant Yangguo City over to me. What does it matter if the State of Yue falls? The Jin Clan has Raging Tide City, so you can sever yourselves from these worldly disputes, can’t you?”
“I appreciate the sentiment, Marquis Su, but unfortunately, I cannot! My revenge is not yet complete.”
“Young Master Shen, isn’t the grudge between you and I already over?”
“The grudge between you and me is settled. But Xue Che remains. Only after I’ve annihilated the Xue Clan can I truly leave.”
Su Nan didn’t ask what Xue Che had to do with Yangguo City. He knew all too well. To eliminate Xue Che, he first had to defeat the Third Prince, Ning Qi. To defeat Ning Qi, he had to place Ning Zheng on the throne. This was not only Shen Lang’s promise to Ning Zheng but also his promise to Ning Yuanxian. In truth, Shen Lang could no longer stand by and watch the State of Yue fall. Ning Yuanxian was, in a way, his other father-in-law.
“Young Master Shen, since it has come to this, swords and spears have no eyes. Do not blame me if you are harmed.”
“Don’t worry, Marquis Su. If the moment comes when I am defeated, I will flee far away.”
Shen Lang could only afford to talk with him now because it was becoming impossible to calm the ten thousand guards; their lust for battle was about to explode. Su Nan nodded and retreated into the central command.
“Attack the city!”
At Su Nan’s command, dozens of catapults began to roar, and dozens of siege crossbows fired relentlessly.
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.*
*Kaboom!*
The battle for Yangguo City had officially begun.
***
The young King of Wu was slightly surprised to see Ning Qi, the even younger Third Prince of Yue. War was imminent, yet Ning Qi had come to the enemy’s camp unannounced. However, the King of Wu decided to receive him in accordance with the etiquette of war.
“Ning Qi pays his respects to the Royal Uncle.”
Although Ning Qi was only a few years younger than King Wu Ji, the kings of Wu and Yue had addressed each other as brothers, so he had no choice but to call him uncle. Wu Ji asked him.
“What brings the Third Prince of Yue here?”
“Your Majesty, the King of Wu, has gathered an army of over three hundred thousand. Is it your intention to attack our State of Yue?”
‘Straight to the point, are we?’
A minister beside him was about to retort, but Wu Ji raised a hand to stop him.
“And why not?”
‘Indeed, why not? Our two states, Wu and Yue, share a blood feud, so there is no shortage of reasons for war. Aren't nine of our commanderies still in your hands?’
Ning Qi replied.
“Of course, you can. But what does Your Majesty hope to gain by attacking the State of Yue?”
“Tianbei Province and half of Yanzhou.”
‘Just as I thought. They’ve already divided up the territories they plan to conquer.’
King Gong would take Tiannan Province, the King of Chu would take Tianxi Province and half of Yanzhou, and the King of Wu would take Tianbei Province and the other half of Yanzhou.
“Your Majesty, the King of Wu, have you considered stopping the war?”
The King of Wu fell silent at Ning Qi’s question. There was no need to answer that.
‘Tell me, if I were to let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip by, wouldn’t I be remembered as a sinner for the ages in the State of Wu? Do you wish to speak to me of morality? Then tell me, when the State of Yue took nine of our commanderies, did you ever consider morality?’
“The King of Wu may be able to obtain Tianbei Province, but you may not be able to get Yanzhou.”
“Although Bian Wu is formidable, with the State of Yue on the verge of collapse, can he hold out alone with only sixty or seventy thousand troops under his command?”
“Your Majesty, what if you could obtain everything you desire without going to war?”
The King of Wu remained silent for a moment before speaking.
“Elaborate!”
“What if the State of Yue returns six of the commanderies it previously took from the State of Wu?”
The King of Wu laughed and replied.
“That’s a little too few.”
“But you would gain them without effort, without the blood and sacrifice of your soldiers.”
“I think I’d feel more at ease taking them myself. However, I have a proposal of my own.”
“Please, speak!”
“If you hand over Tianbei Province and Yanzhou unconditionally, that would be a path to survival from this desperate situation. Only then can the great war between Wu and Yue be avoided.”
Ning Qi’s eyes narrowed.
‘King of Wu, you ask for too much.’
“King Gong’s army of one hundred thousand has already marched north and will sweep through the lands of Yue. The State of Yue has no strength to resist; they will soon reach your capital. Once Tianyue City falls, the State of Yue is finished! If you cede Tianbei Province and Yanzhou to us, you can deploy all one hundred and thirty thousand troops from the north to defend your capital. Of course, whether you can defend it by then, or even defend Tianxi Province, is uncertain. But losing half your country is better than losing it all, is it not?”
The Privy Councilor Wu Zhi, standing beside him, added.
“Your Highness Ning Qi, what matters most to the State of Yue right now is not territory, but its army.”
“Indeed, why did your crown prince so gallantly bury an army of over two hundred thousand?”
A young boy nearby also chimed in. He looked to be only eleven or twelve, likely the King of Wu’s eldest son.
Ning Qi was silent for a moment before speaking.
“Your Majesty must be aware that Shen Lang has led an army of ten thousand south to stop King Gong.”
“Ten thousand palace guards, you mean.”
The King of Wu’s son interjected again.
“Aren’t the palace guards on the same level as thugs and ruffians? Can they even fight? They’ve clearly gone there to die!”
“King of Wu, I am also an enemy of Shen Lang. But you and I both acknowledge his abilities, do we not?”
At Ning Qi’s words, the King of Wu nodded. He, too, had suffered greatly at Shen Lang’s hands. The last time, an army of over thirty thousand from Wu had attacked Raging Tide City, and more than half had perished.
“If—and I say if—Shen Lang truly manages to hold off the main army of the Great Southern Kingdom in Tiannan Province, which side will the State of Wu align with then?”
“What is there to align with? We will simply continue the war!”
The King of Wu’s son sneered.
“Ten thousand palace guards defeating the hundred-thousand-strong army of Su Nan and Nangong Ao? Are you dreaming?”
“King of Wu, peace is not easily achieved. I have a proposal.”
“Speak!”
“I ask that Your Majesty not act rashly, but wait. Even if you intend to start a war, please do so only after news arrives that Shen Lang and the Jin Clan’s army have been annihilated. Would that not be a favorable outcome for Your Majesty as well?”
This time, the King of Wu’s eyes narrowed. The words were deeply suggestive. If Shen Lang and the Jin Clan truly managed to stop King Gong’s army of a hundred thousand, the State of Yue could breathe a sigh of relief and step back from the abyss of destruction. But there was a deeper meaning. If the annihilation of the Jin Clan was confirmed, Raging Tide City would be left empty.
‘Your Majesty, didn’t you say you were determined to take Raging Tide City?’
“I have no other intention. I simply wish for an agreement that Your Majesty will not act hastily, and that even if you do go to war, you will do so only after news of Shen Lang and the Jin Clan’s demise.”
The King of Wu smiled.
“Third Prince, you worry too much. I have already considered how I shall proceed.”
***
Ning Qi left the Wu royal palace but did not leave the capital of Wu. In a secret chamber, he met with Shu Tingyu of the Hidden Yuan Society.
“Master Shu, the fall of the State of Yue does not align with the interests of the Hidden Yuan Society, does it? Furthermore, it goes even more against the interests of the Shu Clan.”
“Rest assured. His Imperial Majesty will not stand by and watch the State of Yue fall. Moreover, both the Imperial Secretariat and the Privy Council have begun to take an interest in Your Highness. This is excellent news for you, Prince Ning Qi.”
Those words were a significant signal. Crown Prince Ning Yi had shown such incompetence in this war that the imperial clan and the Secretariat had all but given up on him.
“Oh, and in the future, you may have to call the Imperial Secretariat the Imperial Cabinet.”
Shu Tingyu’s words made Ning Qi’s heart ache. Reforming the empire’s internal structure, abolishing the Secretariat, and establishing a Cabinet meant that the regency of the Great Yan Empire was nearing its end, and an era of centralized imperial power was about to begin.
“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the next king of the State of Yue will be Your Highness.”