Eighteen days later, on the 18th of January, year 7736 of the Imperial Calendar, the demons finally sent their troops!
…
The rumor had already spread in the human territory. Everyone was in a state of panic. The demons were like a nightmare that haunted everyone's mind. Anyone who had witnessed the demons' slaughter was trembling with fear. Moreover, according to the military reports and rumors, the demons' vanguard was aiming at the steel wall of the Daojiang tributary of the empire. They were determined to conquer it!
Early in the morning, rays of sunlight fell on the gilded carpet in the main hall of the Ze Tian Palace. The officials stood in great numbers, their faces full of fear and uneasiness.
Qin Yin and Tang Xiaoxi entered the hall one after another. After sitting down gracefully, Qin Yin said, "It's just the beginning of spring, and the demons are invading in large numbers. Someone, tell us the military report in detail."
"Yes!"
An assistant minister of the Ministry of War reported, "Three days ago, the demons' army set out from the Winter Frost City in the Lingdong Province. The QianFeng Corps has 140,000 soldiers, including 100,000 armor demons, 30,000 winged people, and nearly 10,000 advanced demons. The Thunder Rush Corps has 210,000 soldiers, including 170,000 armor demons, 40,000 winged people, and more than 10,000 horseshoe people in the Daojiang River. The demons have 150,000 human soldiers in the human territory of the Lingdong Province. They have a total of 510,000 menacing soldiers!"
Qin Yin couldn't help but gasp. She had only heard the rough information about the demons' military strength. Now she knew that the demons actually had so many troops!
Xiang Yu frowned and didn't say anything.
Su Muyun cupped his fists and said, "Your Highness, there's no need to be afraid. Since the empire and the demons have already fought at the steel wall, there's no need to be afraid. The demons are also made of flesh and blood. There's nothing to be afraid of."
In the crowd, a deputy general said, "It's just that … the Thunder Rush Corps has 170,000 armor demons. 170,000! Even 500,000 cavalrymen may not be a match for this army …"
Feng Jixing frowned and didn't say anything.
At this time, an old official with a walking stick stepped out of the ranks. He was Count Qingyun, an old noble who controlled more than one-third of the ore transactions in Lanyan City.
Count Qingyun held the jade tablet in one hand and said, "Your Highness, the demons are coming with a fierce momentum, but they aren't necessarily coming for the empire. Don't forget that our mortal enemy is the Yihe Kingdom of Lingnan. In this old subject's opinion, it would be better to send an emissary to the demon camp before the war begins and make some promises to negotiate peace with the demons. We can sit on top of the mountain and watch the tigers fight. When the demons and the Yihe Kingdom are mutually wounded, we can wait for an opportunity to strike. This is the best strategy."
Lin Muyu couldn't help but smile, "Does Count Qingyun think it's possible for us to negotiate with the demons? Count Qingyun, if I may be so bold as to ask, have you ever seen the scene of a demon killing? "
"I … I didn't …"
"The demons are ferocious, and countless civilians have died to their claws and butcher knives. Moreover, we are nothing but food in their eyes. Do you think the demons will negotiate with food?"
With that, Lin Muyu said indifferently, "If we negotiate, it'll be showing weakness to the demons. They won't hesitate to attack the empire first, so there's no need to talk about peace."
The Blue Cloud Count was startled and said, "Commander Yu, as a soldier of the army, surely you don't understand these political tactics. Even if the Demon Race treats us as food, what does it matter if they don't have absolute certainty of victory?"
Feng Jixing laughed from the side. "Very well, I also agree with the negotiation. Then why don't you send Count Qingyun to the demon camp as the empire's emissary? Also, this general will give you a word of advice. Why don't you take a bath in honey water before you go? Armor demons like sweet food, not greasy or spicy food. "
"You …"
Count Qingyun was livid with anger. He took several steps back and didn't say anything else.
At this time, Tang Lan took a step forward. "I think Your Highness has already made up your mind on whether to fight or negotiate."
Qin Yin's lips curled up. Her voice was very calm. "Fight! Our Qin clan isn't used to kneeling. Even if we lose, we won't beg for a moment of peace from the demons. "
With that, Qin Yin looked straight at Tang Lan. "Duke Lan, oh no, Seven Seas King, I have something I don't understand and want to ask Seven Seas King."
Tang Lan's body trembled. "Your Highness … Your Highness can ask anything."
"Since the beginning of this month, there hasn't been a single letter from the Seven Seas Province to the capital. Apart from that, there hasn't been any news from the Seven Seas Province and the Divine Temple. It's as if the Seven Seas Province has disappeared from the map of the empire. May I ask the Seven Seas King, I think you know best what happened to the Seven Seas Province?"
Qin Yin's gaze was like a knife, causing Tang Lan to feel a prick on his back.
"This old subject also doesn't know, but … this old subject will immediately send my servants to the Seven Seas Province to mobilize troops to fight the demons!"
"That's good."
Qin Yin said indifferently, "How about this, Xiao Xi is a descendant of the Tang clan and also the bloodline of the Seven Seas King. I will send Xiao Xi to lead the National Army to the Seven Seas Pass to take over the troops of the Seven Seas Province. All troops of the Seven Seas Province must immediately hand over the sword seal to Xiao Xi after leaving the Seven Seas Pass and listen to Xiao Xi's orders. In this battle, Xiao Xi will command all the troops of the Seven Seas City. What do you think, Duke Lan?"
Tang Lan trembled slightly. "Yes … this old subject obeys …"
… …
Qin Yin nodded happily and stood up. She looked at the officials and said, "Then let's start the battle. Luo Yu, listen up!"
"This general is here!"
"Leave 30,000 imperial guards under your command to defend the capital."
"Yes!"
Qin Yin continued, "Feng Jixing, listen up!"
"This general is here!"
"You will lead the remaining 30,000 imperial guards to fight with me!"
"Yes!"
Qin Yin took a deep breath and said, "Receive my orders. King of Yunzhong Su Muyun, General Su Yu, three hundred thousand men and horses in Qi Yunzhong Province, Marquis of Yunling Lin Muyu will be reinstated. He will command all the troops in the Valiant Dragon Corps and follow me into battle."
"Yes!"
Lin Muyu, Su Muyun, and Su Yu stepped forward and knelt on one knee to listen to the order.
Qin Yin then looked at the people of the Tang clan and said, "Seven Sea King, you still have close to 200,000 troops in Earthstar Province and Northridge Province. Gather the troops with Xiang Yu, the Marquis of Pingnan, and follow me to the steel protective wall to fight the demons."
"Yes!" Tang Lan, Xiang Yu, Tang Xi, and the others knelt down.
"All generals, prepare the provisions and equipment. We will set off in three days."
"Yes!"
…
The empress had issued an imperial edict, and the war was on the verge of breaking out. The entire Lanyan City was naturally shrouded in a gloomy cloud. Other than those generals, there was probably no one in this world who liked war.
Late at night, the camp of the Dragon Courage Legion was still bustling with activity. The three armies had yet to move, but the provisions and fodder had to go first. Fengxi was already gathering the provisions and sending them out to the Longdan Army Camp. This time, the empire had mobilized nearly a million troops to fight the demons. They couldn't lose, they had to win.
In the commander's tent, the fragrance of tea filled the air. Chu Yao frowned as she brewed tea.
In front of her, Lin Muyu sat majestically, and beside her was Qin Yin, who was dressed casually.
"Does Xiao Yin also suspect Tang Lan?" Lin Muyu finally asked.
"How can I not be suspicious?"
Qin Yin sighed faintly. "Tang Lan has always been disloyal, and the troops of Qihai City have always been unable to be used by us. Now, Tang Lan has even cut off the correspondence between Qihai City and Lanyan City. Her intentions are clear, so I can only order Xiao Xi to take over the troops of Qihai City. As long as Xiao Xi controls the hundreds of thousands of troops of Qihai City, I believe the overall situation will be set."
"Xiao Yin seems to be very confident that we can defeat the demons this time?" Chu Yao asked with a smile.
Qin Yin also smiled, but her smile was full of bitterness. She said, "The land left by my father was originally extremely rich, but in recent years, there have been continuous wars, and people have no way to live. This time, with the troops of Qihai City, we have used nearly a million troops to fight against the demons, which has already affected the foundation of the empire. If we don't win, the national strength of the Qin Empire will be greatly damaged, and we will no longer have the strength to fight against the demons."
Lin Muyu reached out to take the tea handed over by Chu Yao, put it to her nose and sniffed it. She said, "In order to prepare for the war, all places are collecting and buying grain. Many people have even taken out the grain for winter. If we lose this war, indeed … I don't know how many people will starve to death, and the national treasury is a bit empty. For us, the best result is to defeat the demons and recover Lingnan. With the resources of Lingnan, maybe we can still deal with the demons. This war is a battle of life and death for us!"
Chu Yao said faintly, "I don't know military strategy, but … I believe you can do it!"
"Well …"
…
The night was dark, but it was unknown how many people could not sleep peacefully this night.
The starlight sprinkled in the courtyard, and the sound of crutches hitting the stone floor echoed softly. Tang Lan stood under the begonia tree in the backyard of the mansion with a pale face, looking at the begonia tree that had not bloomed yet, and suddenly sighed.
"Grandpa, what's wrong?" Tang Xiaoxi asked softly.
"It's Xiao Xi …" It was rare for Tang Xiaoxi to return to the Qihai Palace to spend the night. Tang Lan's face was a little more gratified, and she said, "I don't know … I don't know if Grandpa can see this year's begonia blooming."
Tang Xiaoxi stared blankly for a moment before replying, "Of course I can see what Grandpa is saying. Don't forget that the empire has many powerful generals. Although the demons are strong, we aren't weak either. We won't lose this war."
"Even if we win this war, our Tang family will lose."
Tang Lan sighed and said, "Can't Xiao Xi see that the empress completely doesn't trust me?"
Tang Xiaoxi held Tang Lan's arm and said, "Xiao Xi is not stupid. Naturally, she can see it, but … doesn't Xiao Yin trust me very much? As long as I lead the 300,000 soldiers of the Qihai Province to defeat the demons, I will definitely be able to win back Xiao Yin's trust in the Tang family. What do you think, Grandpa? "
"Perhaps …" Tang Lan smiled slightly.
"Will Grandpa follow Xiao Yin to fight the demons?"
"Yes."
Tang Lan raised his head and looked at the begonia tree swaying in the breeze, and said, "Decades ago, before Her Highness Yin was born, I followed the former emperor to conquer the south and the north. Now … it seems that I have returned to that time. Ah … perhaps this is the ending that the old general Tang Lan deserves?"
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