The King of South Tianzhu, Héraud, was a clear-headed person. He was willing to risk the destruction of his country in order to fight with all his might. This was because the consequences of retreating would be the destruction of his country many years later. Rather than waiting for death to come slowly, he would rather have a quick death. If the reinforcements arrived as he expected, then it was not impossible for him to turn defeat into victory.
However, the prerequisite for him to turn defeat into victory was that he had to destroy the Lion Kingdom's attempt to destroy his country quickly. In other words, he had to be able to block the Lion Kingdom's army for a long time and ensure that the palace would not fall quickly. This was to demonstrate his strength.
If the palace was breached in three to five days, then there was no way he could turn defeat into victory. This was the situation that he did not want to see the most.
According to his own estimation, as long as the soldiers of his country were united, with the geographical advantage of the palace, they would be able to block the Lion Kingdom's army for a long time and wait for reinforcements to arrive.
However, looking at the ministers in front of him who were unwilling to fight, Héraud suddenly felt a little discouraged. If the ministers were so afraid of death, how could they unite to block the strong enemy?
Now, to the King of South Tianzhu, Héraud, what he needed the most was foreign aid. As long as there was foreign aid, even if it was just a verbal promise, it would greatly boost the confidence of his subjects. Then, they would unite and defeat the strong enemy.
However, the small countries that he contacted all politely rejected his request. This made him very sad. In such a time of trouble, there was not even a single person who was willing to provide verbal support. This was too sad.
Looking at the frightened faces below, King Héraud really wanted to slap their mouths. He had raised these useless people for nothing.
"Your Majesty, the Lion Kingdom used despicable sneak attacks to seize many of our ports in the south. Now that their military is at its peak, it is not suitable for us to fight with them. If Your Majesty is determined to seize the lost ports, you can agree to the Lion Kingdom's request first. After they lower their guard, we can launch a sneak attack. This way, our chances of winning will be higher."
One of the ministers gave an idea.
"Yes, yes, yes, Your Majesty, you should agree to the Lion Kingdom's request first and let them lower their guard."
A few of the ministers agreed.
King Héraud would not believe their nonsense. They did not support fighting with the Lion Kingdom now, and they would definitely not be willing to do so in the future. It sounded nice to wait for the Lion Kingdom to lower their guard before launching a sneak attack. However, whether the Lion Kingdom would lower their guard was up to these ministers had to decide... After that, these lost lands could not be recovered. lost lands...
However, if the ministers did not support the king, then the king would become a useless person. Therefore, there were many times when he was very angry, but there was nothing he could do. He could only go along with the ministers' wishes, and this made Ero extremely miserable.
For so many years, the Leo Country had bullied the Southern Tianzhu Country with their powerful combat strength, causing great losses to the Southern Tianzhu Country. This time, they had directly occupied the land. It could be said that they had gone from strength to strength.
........ is........ Then we'll talk about it seven days later. I'm tired. You can go and rest! "
Héraud had no choice but to continue delaying. He would not admit that the occupied lands belonged to the Lion Kingdom until the last moment.
At the eastern port of Garigal in South Tianzhu, three steam-powered ships of the Tang Dynasty fleet slowly arrived and requested to dock.
Garigal was one of the bigger ports in South Tianzhu. It usually received more merchant ships. However, all the merchant ships were sailing. There had never been a steam-powered ship emitting black smoke. This made everyone at Garigal's port dumbfounded.
Fortunately, the merchants on the passing merchant ships had told them about the steam-powered ships of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, when they saw the steam-powered ships emitting black smoke, they immediately knew that these ships belonged to the Tang Dynasty and agreed to dock.
The Tang Dynasty was the most powerful country in the world. No country dared to offend the Tang Empire. Of course, they could not refuse the Tang Dynasty's ships to dock. In addition, the Tang Dynasty only had three ships, one steam-powered gunboat and two supply ships. They were not very large.
"Who's the leader?"
The Tang Dynasty official asked.
"I am. You are soldiers of the Tang Dynasty. This is the first time I've seen soldiers of the Tang Dynasty. This ship is so domineering and huge. "
The South Tianzhu official's eyes were fixed on the steam-powered ships. He had never seen such a huge steam-powered ship. If he did not take a few more glances, he would be letting himself down.
"We're just passing by. We'll rest for a few days. Where is your king? I want to see him."
The Tang Dynasty official's words were too domineering. An official with a low official position directly stated that he wanted to see the king of a small country. This kind of domineering attitude could only be possessed by an official of a big country.
"The king is in the capital. It's dozens of miles away."
The South Tianzhu official was still observing the steam-powered ships.
"Dozens of miles. We should be able to arrive in a few hours at the earliest. You're in charge of leading the way."
The Tang Dynasty official ordered.
"You've come such a long way. Don't you want to take a rest?"
The South Tianzhu official wanted to visit the Tang Dynasty's steam-powered ships, but he did not dare to say it directly. Instead, he turned a corner.
"No need. We have something important to see your king. We have to set off now."
The Tang Dynasty official said seriously.
"Yes, we'll lead the way."
The South Tianzhu official did not dare to disobey. He immediately led a group of soldiers to clear the way ahead.
"We don't need infantry. Everyone, ride horses. Only in this way can we reach the capital faster."
The Tang Dynasty official asked all those who did not have horses to stay behind. He also asked the South Tianzhu official to lead the way on horseback. He also prepared a few extra horses for them to change on the way.
The journey of dozens of miles was very slow for walking, but it was much faster for riding horses. As long as they kept galloping, they could reach the capital in a few hours.
On the way, the South Tianzhu official asked, "I haven't asked yet. Why are you looking for our king?"
The Tang Dynasty official replied, "We just came to tell your king that our Tang Dynasty's Assistant Minister Li is going to pass by your country. I really don't know anything else."
"Oh, the assistant minister of the Tang Dynasty is a very high-ranking official!"
The South Tianzhu official sighed.
A few hours later, it was completely dark. Fortunately, they had arrived at the gate of the capital. As long as they entered the city, they would not have to sleep in the suburbs.
Ancient cities had no lights, so under normal circumstances, there would be a night curfew policy. No one could go out at night. The city gates would be closed in the evening to prevent thieves.
Although the South Tianzhu was a small country, the capital also followed this rule. There was a night curfew policy, so the soldiers guarding the gate would not open it casually.
However, outside the city were the high-ranking officials of the port of Garigal and the emissary from the Tang Dynasty. They naturally did not dare to not open the gate for people of such status. Otherwise, the consequences would be very serious if they made the other party unhappy.
The Tang Dynasty official entered the city smoothly. However, it was already dark for a long time. Logically speaking, he should rest for the night and visit the king of the South Tianzhu early the next morning.
However, the Tang Dynasty official was impatient. He insisted on seeing the king of the South Tianzhu immediately. His tone was very tough, as if he would not give up until he met the king immediately.
"Wait here. I'll go and report it."
The South Tianzhu official was helpless. After all, the other party was an official of a powerful country. If it were his official, he would not dare to disturb the king's rest.
"Your Majesty, someone has come to visit."
The attendant reported softly.
"Who is so bold in the middle of the night?"
King Héraud did not rest. Not only that, but several of his officials also stayed in the palace. The reason was very simple. They were discussing the affairs of the Lion Kingdom. In order to prevent the king from taking risks, these officials came to persuade him again. Moreover, they refused to leave and kept brainwashing the king to learn to endure.
"Your Majesty, an official of the Tang Dynasty has come to visit."
An official came to report.
"An official of the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty is a very powerful country! There is no country more powerful than the Tang Dynasty in the world. "
"Why did the Tang Dynasty fleet suddenly come here? Are they here to help us?"
"Your Majesty, we can't offend the people of the Tang Dynasty. We have to welcome them personally."
A look of joy appeared in the eyes of many officials. They were even afraid of the Lion Kingdom, let alone the Tang Dynasty, which was countless times more powerful than the Lion Kingdom. How could they not welcome them personally?
King Héraud was also delighted when he heard that the Tang Dynasty fleet had come to visit. In this case, even if the Tang Dynasty fleet did not come to help, he had to meet them personally. At least, he could cheer up his subjects and strengthen their courage to fight against the Lion Kingdom.
"Let's go and welcome the emissary of the Tang Dynasty fleet."
Héraud personally led the officials to the outside of the palace. He wanted to personally welcome the emissary of the Tang Dynasty. In this situation, when he heard the words "Tang Dynasty", it was like hearing the name of his savior.
The king led all the noblest officials of South Tianzhu to the gate of the palace to welcome the Tang Dynasty officials. He had given them enough face.
"Emissary, welcome to South Tianzhu. Please come in immediately!"
King Héraud said courteously.
"You're welcome, Your Majesty. I'm just a small official of the Tang Dynasty. Our Assistant Minister Li is passing by your country and will definitely arrive at the port of Garigal in two or three days. I hope Your Majesty can personally welcome him. I'm just here to pass on a message."
The official of the Tang Dynasty said domineeringly.
"It doesn't matter. The Tang Dynasty is a big country. As long as you're an official of the Tang Dynasty, you're our most distinguished guest. Please come in."
The king of South Tianzhu said with a smile.
"Thank you very much. Your Majesty, please come in."
The official of the Tang Dynasty said.
"May I know what important things the assistant minister of your country has to do? Do you need our help?"
Héraud asked as he walked.
"As I said just now, I'm just a small official. I don't know the details. You'll have to wait until you meet Assistant Minister Li to know."
The official of the Tang Dynasty said.
"Oh, I see. The senior official of the Tang Dynasty must have brought a lot of troops with him!"
The King of South Tianzhu, Héraud, continued to ask.
"Not a lot, just more than 10,000 elite troops and hundreds of ships."
The official of the Tang Dynasty replied.
"Oh, more than 10,000 elite troops of the Tang Dynasty must be very powerful. After all, they are the elites of a big country, haha!"
Héraud flattered.
The official of the Tang Dynasty was amused and said happily, "Hahaha! You're right, Your Majesty. The elites of the Tang Dynasty can't be compared to any other country. Although there are only 10,000 elite troops, if we go to war, we can defeat millions of soldiers and destroy a small country as easily as taking something out of our pocket. "
This was definitely not an exaggeration. The 10,000 troops of the Tang Dynasty were indeed powerful. It would not take much effort for them to destroy a backward small country like South Tianzhu.
The advantage of technology was very important. In history, India was just a geographical concept. There were more than 500 independent countries, and the South Asian subcontinent was very fragmented. However, the Western powers gradually conquered these 500 small countries with their strong technological advantages and formed a complete country.
Therefore, as long as one had a huge advantage in technology, even if one had a small number of troops, one could have a very strong combat power and defeat enemies who were far more numerous than one.
"The troops of the Tang Dynasty are so brave. Amazing, really amazing."
"I've long heard that the Tang Dynasty is the strongest country in the world. It's really extraordinary."
"The Lion Kingdom claims to be strong, but compared with the Tang Dynasty, it's not worth mentioning at all."
"The Tang Dynasty is a just country. A rogue country like the Lion Kingdom actually calls itself a strong country. It's too shameless."
"As long as the Tang Dynasty exists, there will be no strong country in the world. Only the Tang Dynasty can be called a strong country."
The Southern Indian minister's ability to flatter was still very strong, and there was no pause in his flattery.
The Tang Dynasty officials were naturally very happy when they heard these compliments. They laughed from time to time, and their attitude was much gentler. They were less arrogant and more friendly.
"Ambassador, don't worry and stay in the palace. If you need anything, just let me know. Xiao Wang will leave early in the morning the day after tomorrow. He will go to the dock in advance to wait for Assistant Minister Li."
The King also knew that the official of the Tang Dynasty in front of him was not high-ranking enough, so he did not want to ask too many questions. Moreover, it was already late. The official of the Tang Dynasty should be tired from the journey and should indeed rest.
"Hahaha! Your Majesty is too polite. I'm going to sleep. "
The official of the Tang Dynasty followed the chamberlain to the guest room.
After making arrangements for the official of the Tang Dynasty, the King of South Tianzhu, Héraud, and the ministers looked a little excited. In short, they could not calm down and were not sleepy at all.
"Your Majesty, a high-ranking official of the Tang Dynasty suddenly came to visit with more than 10,000 elite soldiers. What is the meaning of this?"
"Yes! We have only seen Tang Dynasty merchants. No high-ranking official of the Tang Dynasty has come to South Tianzhu by sea. "
"I have long heard that the Tang Dynasty is extremely powerful. If the Tang Dynasty is willing to help us, the Lion Kingdom will not dare to attack us."
"The Lion Kingdom dares to threaten everyone. Does he dare to threaten the Tang Dynasty? They definitely don't have the guts."
"Not necessarily. Although the Tang Dynasty is extremely powerful, it is far away in the east. Although more than 10,000 elite soldiers came this time, they may not be able to defeat the 50,000 soldiers of the Lion Kingdom."
"Yes! It's really hard to say. Our soldiers are not as many as the Lion Kingdom's. The Tang Dynasty's elite soldiers came from far away. If they are not acclimatized to the environment, I'm afraid their combat power may not be stronger than ours. "
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