Soron’s gaze turned towards Tulingchen, while the other’s eyes fell upon Princess Zhiyan.
Tulingchen’s attitude was not humble. Rather, it appeared somewhat arrogant.
“Today’s first battle, we did indeed lose most miserably.” Tulingchen said. “However, rather different news came from the Sky Wolf Pass side.”
Soron said, “I saw that as well. Jianze dispatched a hundred thousand main force troops in one go, attacking Sky Wolf Pass in an unending stream, and actually broke through.”
Tulingchen said, “Lord Soron, what is that new weapon of yours called?”
“Cannons.” Soron said.
“Cannons? A fine name!” Tulingchen said. “Their power is great, yet also not great. Because the interval between each firing is too long. At sea they are an invincible killing weapon, but on land, they seem to…”
Indeed, this was so. If human wave tactics were used, charging up in an unending stream, then the power of cannons would be greatly reduced.
Tulingchen continued, “Most of Lord Soron’s troops are mercenaries. Their combat quality is not in question, but their fighting will is too poor. So in terms of combat effectiveness, they should be inferior even to the Dragon Guard Legion, and also inferior to the feudal lords’ elite troops.”
Soron nodded, acknowledging this point.
His army, apart from the hardcore Silver Wolf Legion, the earliest Soron clan city guard troops, and later the Rock Pirate Legion, was mostly composed of mercenaries who had come for money.
Tulingchen said again, “Of course, a considerable portion of the troops in your hands were captured from Duke Zhiwei’s Southeastern Army. I believe you also dare not overestimate their loyalty. If Lord Soron fights smoothly, then all is well. If the fighting goes poorly, it would be entirely reasonable for them to turn their coats and stab you in the back.”
Regarding this point, Soron had not the slightest doubt.
He had risen too quickly. The truly loyal core troops belonging to him were too few. Moreover, this world had no such thing as remembering past hardships and savouring present sweetness, no means of brainwashing. Therefore, whether mercenaries or newly reorganised troops from captives, Soron was pessimistic about their loyalty.
At present, the only troops he could truly trust were the Soron clan family troops, the hardcore Silver Wolf Legion, and the Rock Pirate Legion. The first two combined numbered merely fewer than twenty thousand. The Rock Pirate Legion’s fifty thousand had become the absolute main force.
Of the Rock Pirate Legion’s fifty thousand, Soron had allocated twenty thousand to the Sky Wolf Pass battlefield, five thousand to the northern Nu River battlefield, and the remaining twenty-five thousand were all at the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line.
Soron said, “Tulingchen, speak directly. Stop beating around the bush.”
Tulingchen said, “Jianze has two hundred thousand troops in his hands, but only the hundred thousand Southwestern Legion are reliable. The remaining provincial coalition troops are second-line forces, mostly riffraff and hooligans, with little combat effectiveness. In today’s great battle, Jianze dispatched entirely Southwestern Legion troops, and even left over ten thousand as enforcement troops. Those who retreated would die! So the mere eighty thousand or so actually used to attack Sky Wolf Pass ended up directly breaking through.”
“Get to the point.” Soron said angrily. His patience had never been sufficient.
Tulingchen said, “And we still have four hundred thousand troops in our hands, nearly five times Jianze’s number. Once we do as Jianze did, going all in with human wave tactics, madly attacking the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line. Do you think we could break through?”
If they went all in, piling up human lives in an unending stream.
Then every metre of the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line would face more enemies than today’s Sky Wolf Pass.
The key point was that in today’s Sky Wolf Pass battle, Jianze’s army had charged onto the walls three times, and the final time directly broke through and occupied Sky Wolf Pass.
The Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line was different from Sky Wolf Pass.
Behind the walls of Sky Wolf Pass, there were still many castles and passes that could be used to hold ground.
Once the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line was breached, there would only be simple military camps behind it, and open flat terrain leading directly to Tianshui main city.
In other words, if Sky Wolf Pass was breached it was not critical, it could still be retaken.
But if the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line was breached, then the enemy would truly be irresistible, surging directly towards Tianshui City. At that time, the entire Tianshui City would be like a defenceless beauty, at the mercy of others.
Once the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line was breached, it basically meant defeat!
So under this all-or-nothing human wave tactic, would the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line be breached?
Soron did not know, but purely from today’s Sky Wolf Pass battle situation, the probability of the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line being breached was high.
Because on land battlefields, the power of cannons was not as great as imagined.
Perhaps, only after high explosives arrived, especially when the era of breech-loading cannons came, could cannons truly become the God of War.
Tulingchen said, “If we go all in, dispatching all our troops to attack the city. What probability do you think there is of breaking the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line? Seventy percent?”
Seventy percent, roughly so!
Soron said, “Even if you break through, how many of your men would die?”
Tulingchen said, “Yes, that is the crucial point. Today the Southwestern Legion suffered nearly sixty thousand casualties, making my father’s heart bleed. These troops are the foundation of our Tuling family’s very survival, and also the foundation of the Raging Wave Kingdom’s prosperity and stability. Prince Zhili is like a cornered beast, who can only place himself in a position of certain death to survive. Even if he loses his last soldier he does not care, as long as he can defeat you, he can ascend the throne. He faces nothing but a dead end. But my father is not…”
Indeed, Zhili could only fight to the end, either becoming king or a bandit.
But Tulingtuo was different. He could switch camps and pledge allegiance to Zhiyan. At that time, he would still be the first man of the command staff, still the first man of the Raging Wave Kingdom’s military.
After Zhiyan ascended the throne, Soron as prince consort regent would not compete with Tulingtuo for position. For Tulingtuo, the only discomfort would be having to breathe according to Soron’s whims in the future.
And if Tulingtuo followed Zhili in going all in, not to mention the possibility of losing.
Even if they ultimately won, his Dragon Guard Legion main force would suffer countless casualties. One must know that today at the Sky Wolf Pass battlefield, sixty thousand of the Southwestern Legion’s hundred thousand had already been killed or wounded. If the Dragon Guard Legion also suffered heavy casualties, how many troops would remain in the Tuling family’s hands?
The army was the foundation of Tulingtuo’s glory and wealth. If all the troops in his hands were lost, what would he use to resist Zhili’s “birds gone, bow discarded” in the future?
This was the reason Duke Tulingtuo sent his son to negotiate with Zhiyan.
By comparison, at this moment his betrayal of Zhili and defection to Zhiyan offered the greatest benefit.
Suddenly, Tulingchen solemnly lifted his robes and knelt before Princess Zhiyan, saying, “Your Highness, this is a civil war. Those who die are all the sons and brothers of our Raging Wave Kingdom, and what is wounded is the Raging Wave Kingdom’s vital energy. In the coming decisive battle, regardless of who wins or loses, casualties will exceed several hundred thousand. If Zhili’s side wins, because of his special relationship with the Divine Dragon Temple, the Flame Empire and Western Cool Kingdom might not dare to take advantage of the chaos…”
Tulingchen raised his head, gazing at Princess Zhiyan’s incomparably beautiful face and said, “But if you win, the casualties of both armies will only be greater. Once Your Highness ascends the throne, as everyone knows, the Divine Dragon Temple has never been willing to let secular royal power break tradition and allow a woman to rise. At that time, the kingdom will completely lose the Divine Dragon Temple’s protection, and the Western Cool Kingdom and Flame Empire will certainly take advantage of the chaos. Because this civil war will cost us four to five hundred thousand casualties, the kingdom’s army will have lost half. At that time, how will we resist the tiger and wolf armies of the Western Cool Kingdom and Flame Empire?”
What Tulingchen said was not without reason.
If Zhiyan ascended the throne, the Divine Dragon Temple would certainly be enraged. At that time, the Western Cool Kingdom, which had long been eyeing the Raging Wave Kingdom covetously, would certainly not let the opportunity pass, and the Flame Empire would also take advantage of the chaos.
The Raging Wave Kingdom, having lost half its army due to civil war, would indeed be in danger.
Having finished speaking, Tulingchen solemnly kowtowed to Princess Zhiyan and said, “I beg Your Highness to consider this carefully!”
At this moment, Soron discovered that Tulingtuo had chosen to negotiate with Zhiyan, not with him, Soron!
Judging from Tulingchen’s manner, this negotiation was even intended to cast Soron aside.
…
At this moment, Zhili’s entire great camp fell into a most peculiar silence.
Previously, every evening, Zhili would hold a great feast for his ministers.
And every night, certain feudal lords, nobles, and high-ranking generals would seize the opportunity to linger in Zhili’s great camp, fawning and toadying in every manner.
But tonight, after the great battle ended and the troops returned to camp.
All the feudal lords directly retreated into their own tents and never emerged again.
Even including high-ranking civil officials and high-ranking generals, all hid within their own tents as if they had simply fallen asleep.
Zhili’s central army camp, normally bustling with activity, was silent as a ghost.
Zhili lay upon his bed in sorrow. No lamps were lit within the tent. He simply gazed into the darkness, his heart incomparably absurd yet desolate.
How laughable!
Before his wall had even fallen, countless people were preparing to come push it.
This world was truly too realistic, too cold.
Today he had merely lost the first battle, yet his courtyard was already deserted. One could imagine that when he truly suffered defeat, those who had previously fawned upon him and flattered him would not hesitate to trample him ten thousand times.
Previously, surrounded by several hundred thousand troops, he had felt like a god, supported by a myriad of armies, with heaven’s timing, earth’s advantage, and harmony among men all in his grasp.
And now, he was still surrounded by a myriad of armies, yet felt like a man utterly alone.
Of these four hundred thousand troops, how many were truly loyal to him, Zhili? Perhaps only the ten thousand Young Lord’s residence troops!
The remaining several hundred thousand troops could at any moment become fierce beasts, biting Zhili until not even his bones remained.
…
Inside Tulingduo’s tent!
“Father, why?” Tulingduo shrieked.
Her snow-white face appeared especially ferocious at this moment, her eyes bloodshot.
“Why what?” Duke Tulingtuo said.
“Don’t think I don’t know where Tulingchen has gone.” Tulingduo said. “I understand you too well. Seeing the situation turning bad, you are preparing to turn traitor and betray Prince Zhili, planning to pledge allegiance to Soron.”
Duke Tulingtuo ignored her, continuing to practise calligraphy to calm his mind, waiting for Tulingchen’s return.
“You’re too naive, Father. Do you think we still have room for reconciliation with Soron?” Tulingduo shrieked, “Today at the Sky Wolf Pass battlefield, Jianze has already demonstrated for us that as long as we go all in and send several hundred thousand troops in an unending stream to attack the city, piling up human lives, the Wind and Thunder Fortress defensive line will certainly be broken. We have at least eighty percent chance of victory!”
“Indeed, if we go all in and pile up human lives, we do have a seventy to eighty percent probability of winning.” Duke Tulingtuo said. “And then? How many of our men would die?”
“Who cares?” Tulingduo said. “In any case, it’s not us dying. What are those soldiers worth? Dead is dead.”
Tulingtuo said angrily, “Fool, those soldiers are the foundation of our Tuling family’s very survival. Today the Southwestern Legion suffered sixty thousand casualties. If we follow Zhili in going all in, our Dragon Guard Legion would certainly lose one to two hundred thousand. At that time, how many troops would remain in our Tuling family’s hands? After Zhili ascends the throne, when he discards me after the birds are gone, what would I use to resist? Without an army, I am nothing! Count Tuye of the Northern Legion has already led his troops back to Nanlin Fortress. He too knows to preserve the troops in his hands. Once the troops in my hands are all dead, Tuye will become a fierce tiger that devours me, replacing me in my position.”
Tulingduo said, “But we cannot pledge allegiance to Soron either. That would completely be seeking skin from a tiger. With his vengeful nature, where would our path of survival be?”
Duke Tulingtuo said, “You’re wrong. We are pledging allegiance to Princess Zhiyan, not Soron.”
Tulingduo said, “That pair are of one body.”
“No, they are not of one body.” Duke Tulingtuo said, “Previously Princess Zhiyan had no one to rely upon, so naturally she and Soron were of one body. But once she ascends the throne, the two will no longer be of one body. On the contrary, Soron’s power and influence are too great. Princess Zhiyan will need someone to check and balance him, and the best candidate for that is me!”
Tulingduo said, “Women are different from men. Once they fall in love, they give everything. She will certainly let Soron do as he pleases. Once we defect to Zhiyan, we will certainly be killed by Soron.”
Duke Tulingtuo said, “You too have fallen in love. Have you given everything?”
“I am different from other women. I am more heartless.” Tulingduo said.
Duke Tulingtuo smiled, “Believe me, Princess Zhiyan is even more heartless than you. She is a person without feelings!”
…
Inside the Wind and Thunder Fortress!
Princess Zhiyan turned towards Tulingchen and said, “Your father wishes to pledge allegiance to me?”
“Yes!” Tulingchen said, “To preserve the Raging Wave Kingdom’s vital energy, my father is willing to break tradition, pledge allegiance to Your Highness Zhiyan, and support Your Highness’s ascension to the throne of queen!”
Tulingchen’s gaze rested solely upon Zhiyan alone, not looking at Soron even once.
Just as his father Tulingtuo had said, they were pledging allegiance to Zhiyan, and this had nothing to do with Soron.
After catching this scent, Soron’s gaze immediately turned cold and dark. He fell silent, retreated several steps, and watched coldly from the sidelines.
“Conditions?” Princess Zhiyan said.
Tulingchen said, “My father remains the command staff’s first marshal, already in command of the Dragon Guard Legion, while I go to serve in the Southwestern Legion.”
What enormous appetite. Of the kingdom’s four great legions, his Tuling family wanted to take two. The remaining Northern Legion would go to Tuye, and the Southeastern Legion would belong to Soron.
Zhili was not yet dead, yet they were already impatiently dividing the spoils.
“And then?” Princess Zhiyan asked.
Tulingchen said, “Prince Zhili once promised on behalf of the royal house to enfeoff my deceased grandfather as a prince of the blood.”
Ennoblement of a different surname as prince!
Tulingtuo wanted not only to control two legions, but also to be ennobled as a prince of a different surname!
Because after Zhiyan ascended the throne, Soron would certainly become prince consort regent. And if Tulingtuo were also promoted to prince of the blood, that would enable him even more to stand as an equal against Soron.
“And then?” Zhiyan asked.
Tulingchen said, “My Tuling family is willing to form a marriage alliance with the Soron clan, so I wish to marry Miss Soron Ningbing!”
Too outrageous!
In an instant, Soron’s fury shot to the heavens!