Wang Chong's voice was deafening, and the mood instantly became much more oppressive.
It was simply impossible to escape from the southwest. Even though everyone had already vaguely understood this, no one had said it out loud. Everyone had a sliver of hope in their hearts, until Wang Chong mercilessly shattered it. One could easily imagine what they were feeling at this moment.
There's nothing to be done. The sooner we shatter this illusion, the sooner we can unite everyone. Otherwise, if we continue to hold onto this illusion, we'll all die here.
Wang Chong quietly said to himself.
The army had just won a victory and was in high morale, so they shouldn't have done this. But the internal conflicts within the Annam Protectorate made this operation fraught with danger. Only by shattering the unrealistic hopes in their hearts could the army suppress all the conflicts on the surface and unite.
Only in this way could the Annam Protectorate be of any use.
— Someone had to do it!
Since no one else could point it out, only Wang Chong could do it.
"But even if we stay, even if we hold the mindset that we'd rather die in glory than live in dishonor, we're no match for the Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army. They have too many people. One hundred thousand against five hundred thousand, with a considerable number of elite cavalry among them, we're simply no match for them. "
An Annam Protectorate general said, his expression gloomy.
"If we haven't tried, how can we know it's impossible? In addition, our goal isn't to defeat them, but to delay them until the Imperial Court's reinforcements arrive. Defeating them and resisting their attacks are two completely different concepts. "
Wang Chong sternly said, his eyes shining brightly.
"In addition, don't forget what the mission of the Annam Protectorate is. If we escape, what will happen to the people of the southwest? The only reason the southwest hasn't been plunged into misery and suffering yet is because we're holding back the Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army. If they don't deal with us, Gelofeng and Huoshu Huizang won't be able to invade other places in peace. If we retreat, what will the people of the southwest think of us? What will the Imperial Court think of us? Do you really think that preserving the main force of the Annam Protectorate can protect the Annan Protectorate? "
"Can a protectorate army that can't protect the southwest still be considered a protectorate army? Was there any meaning to their existence? Also, if I'm not mistaken, many of you are from the southwest of the empire, right? "
As soon as Wang Chong finished speaking, all the generals felt stifled.
'Can a protectorate army that can't protect the southwest still be considered a protectorate army?' No one had ever said these words to them, nor had they ever thought about them. But at this moment, even the most muddle-headed person knew that Wang Chong was absolutely right.
An Annam Protectorate that could not protect the entire southwest border, even if everyone managed to survive, there was no longer a need for it to exist. Moreover, if the nearly one million civilians of the southwest were to be delivered to the iron hooves of the Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army and have all of them flee, all the people of the Annam Protectorate would be cursed and despised by the world.
What kind of humiliation was that?!
The generals of the Annan Protectorate instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
"Young Master's warning is correct. We were foolish. At this point in this war, there's no way out. Either the enemy dies, or we die! "
All of them inwardly rejoiced.
The Tang Dynasty was famed for its martial prowess, and as a soldier, all of them had their own pride. This was especially so for the Annam Protectorate, which had suppressed Mengshe Zhao and Ouzan for so many years, and whose name had spread throughout the southwest. If they really ended up being cursed and cursed by tens of thousands of people, they would be better off dead.
"But even if we're willing to stay, how do we resolve the problem of food? The Erhai plains and the sturdy walls of Lion City should have been the best place to hold. If we hadn't run out of food, we would never have chosen to break out. Tens of thousands of men and horses. Every day, they would have to feed the horses. This was not a small figure. How do we resolve this problem? "
"The Emperor does not use starving soldiers. If we don't have enough food, Ouzan wouldn't even need to fight us. He could just surround us. If we were to sacrifice ourselves for this reason, wouldn't we have died in vain? "
A black-faced and bearded general sternly said, his expression grave.
Although he didn't want to say it, the problem of food was precisely the Annam Protectorate's greatest problem. Lion City had already run out of food. The problem now was that if this problem was not resolved, the hard-won victory they had just obtained would immediately crumble.
"Hahaha, there's no need for you to worry about this problem. I only have a way to resolve it. "
Wang Chong chuckled at this question.
'Before the three armies move, the provisions must go first.' If he hadn't even resolved this problem and done his homework, he would have never come to the southwest.
The generals glanced at each other, and even Chen Shusun appeared surprised at Wang Chong's words. It was clear that he hadn't been aware of this matter before.
"Since that's the case and Young Master has Lord Protector-General's token, we will naturally follow Milord's orders."
The generals of the southwest all had submissive expressions.
Since Wang Chong had Zhangchou Jianqiong's token, he represented Zhangchou Jianqiong, so no one objected. They were only worried about the problem of food. Since this problem was resolved, everything else was easy to discuss.
Drip drip drip!
Just as they were speaking, the sound of heavy hooves and a powerful aura rapidly approached from behind. Wang Yan rode a huge black horse, his cloak fluttering in the wind. He had a dignified expression on his face as he slowly walked over from behind.
Despite the majestic rain, not a single drop of water could get within three zhang of him.
"Milord!"
Seeing Wang Yan, everyone revealed a look of respect.
"Father!"
Wang Chong's heart trembled as he hurriedly lowered his head.
Although he was no longer the same as he was in the past and had made illustrious achievements, Wang Chong still instinctively feared his father.
"You've done a good job this time."
Wang Yan's gaze swept over Wang Chong, and he gave a slight nod of his head in praise.
"Father!"
Wang Chong's heart trembled. Although it was only a few indifferent words, only Wang Chong knew how much affirmation this seemingly nonchalant 'you did well this time' contained. This was not some minor matter of eating properly in the capital, nor was it some petty squabble of wits against Yao Feng in Vast Crane Pavilion.
'The military is an important matter of the state, a place of life and death, a path of survival. It cannot be ignored.' The battlefield had never been a place that could be trifled with or joked about. Thus, the large-scale, cruel, and bloody battlefield had always been a forbidden ground for the descendants of the Wang Clan. The descendants of the Wang Clan were not allowed to casually step onto the battlefield. His grandfather, big uncle, and father were all extremely strict on this point.
Even someone as talented as his big brother, Wang Fu, had been severely reprimanded by his father when he first entered the battlefield.
Being able to say 'not bad' was already an enormous affirmation of his own abilities. It was clear that his father no longer minded that he had intruded into the southwest and intervened in the war of the empire.
"I heard your conversation just now."
Wang Yan had no idea what Wang Chong was thinking. His gaze paused on Wang Chong for a few moments before quickly shifting to the generals of the southwest.
"Milord …"
The generals began to listen attentively, expressions of deep respect on their faces.
[Welcome to my official WeChat account and Weibo. You can search for Huangfu Qi. There are many things that can't be found in novels.]
On this battlefield, the one whose status was second only to Xianyu Zhongtong was Wang Chong's father, Wang Yan. But unlike Xianyu Zhongtong, although Wang Yan came from the Wang Clan, he had relied on his own strength to climb to his current level. Everyone in the world knew this.
Moreover, the Wang Clan father and son had placed themselves in danger to save the Annam Protectorate. This was also why the generals of the southwest respected the Wang Clan and were willing to listen to their orders in battle.
"Chong-er is right about one thing. Lord Xianyu must be saved! The other Annam Protectorate must be saved. Just do as he says! "
Wang Yan's voice was concise and comprehensive, his words setting the tone for this debate.
"Yes, Milord!"
The generals roared in agreement.
"But Milord, the sky is dark and the rain is pouring down. We have no idea where Lord Xianyu and the others are!"
After a few moments of hesitation, the commander of the Annam Protectorate suddenly spoke up.
"Hahaha, there's no need to worry about that."
Wang Chong laughed as he suddenly galloped forward. Others might not know where Xianyu Zhongtong and the others were, but how could he not know?
"The Eagle!!"
Creee!
With Wang Chong's voice, a massive eagle leaped from The Eagle's shoulder. Under the flabbergasted gazes of the generals, it flew through the air toward the southeast.
… …
Meanwhile, in another place amidst the torrential rain, Xianyu Zhongtong's army was in grave danger.
Bongbongbong!
The beating of the war drums was extremely urgent. Under the sky, on a dark mountain, countless Annam Protectorate soldiers were surrounded by the Ouzan cavalry. Unlike Fengjiayi and Jiao Serro, the Ouzan's attacks were orderly, coming wave after wave like an endless tide.
At this moment, the pressure on the Annam Protectorate was unimaginable.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it! … "
On the summit, the black-bearded Xianyu Zhongtong's eyes were blood-red as he hammered his large fists against his knees. He bore the primary responsibility for the southwestern war's current state. The only reason he had not committed suicide to atone for his crimes was that the Annam army had not yet been completely wiped out.
But it would probably be soon.
"Why is it like this? Huoshu Huizang, Gelofeng, you're too bold! Even if I, Xianyu Zhongtong, am not a match for you, there will come a day when you will pay the price! "
Xianyu Zhongtong's heart surged with rage and hatred.
He was the one who had suffered the greatest impact in this war and was the most astonished. The Annam Protectorate had stood guard for many years and lived in harmony with Mengshe Zhao and Ouzan. But Gelofeng's sudden attack had destroyed a city, instantly shattering this hard-won peace.
When he had first received the news, Xianyu Zhongtong had not dared to believe it. He had even thought it was a misrepresentation.
But the ruined city would not lie, and the corpses strewn all over the ground would not lie.
In this war, Xianyu Zhongtong had always believed that he was acting as a punishment and that he was facing only Mengshe Zhao's army. Thus, when Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huizang led the Ouzan army out, one could easily imagine the shock in Xianyu Zhongtong's heart.
He had never imagined that Mengshe Zhao and Ouzan would be so bold. Zhangchou Jianqiong had just left the southwest and entered the capital, and they had already started this war, an all-out war!
"Xianyu Zhongtong, surrender! You're no match for us! "
A voice came from the base of the mountain. Although it was spoken in the language of the Central Plains, it was extremely cold and harsh.
"Bullshit!"
Xianyu Zhongtong suddenly stood up, his eyes bulging.
"Huoshu Huizang, don't get too cocky. The Annam Protectorate will never submit to anyone. Not in Lion City, and certainly not now. If you want to defeat us, you'll have to rely on your own abilities! "
His voice rumbled down from the summit like a peal of thunder, spreading over the earth. Even the curtain of rain rippled in response to Xianyu Zhongtong's furious roar.
"Hmph! As you wish! "
Far away from the summit, Huoshu Huizang, his expression cold and aloof, his black and red armor pointed at the heavens.
"Attack! — — "
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