Chapter 288: Chapter 174: Zhou Bing Crosses the River_3
Translator: 549690339
He is about to reach the Inborn level and cultivate immortal techniques, essentially setting him apart from many Daoists.
Only the true persons like Zhen Xuan, who are high above, are Lu Yuan’s targets.
Thus, the two of them returned to the inn, packed up, and prepared to leave.
When both had packed their things and were about to leave, Shangguan siblings were already waiting at the entrance of the inn.
During this half-month conference, apart from the first encounter, Lu Yuan and the Shangguan siblings had been separated and didn’t get together again.
Seeing Lu Yuan again now, Shangguan Haimoon’s eyes lit up, and she happily ran over, hugged his arm, and said, “Brother Lu.”
Shangguan Guangbai glanced at his little sister, then smiled and greeted Lu
Yuan: “Brother Lu.”
“Haimoon, Guangbai.”
Lu Yuan nodded in response, and unlike before, he did not actively reject Shangguan Haimoon’s closeness but let her hold his arm.
After the conversation with Yang Jing, the two reached a consensus to join the Ten Grandmasters and bind themselves more closely with the court.
Lu Yuan’s attitude towards the Shangguan siblings, or the Shangguan family behind them, had changed significantly.
Although he was about to advance to the Inborn level, even an Inborn Grandmaster couldn’t have much say in the court without sufficient foundation and allies.
He will soon serve the court for the sake of his fiefdom.
At this time, having someone from the court, whether for the interest of the fiefdom or the safety of their service to the court, would undoubtedly be a great benefit.
From the current perspective, the Shangguan family is undoubtedly the best choice for friendship.
‘If possible, I may try to get in touch with the Wucheng Marquis in due course.
If we can cooperate well, it’s possible to form a marriage alliance with them.’
With this thought in mind, Lu Yuan looked at Shangguan Haimoon and his smile became even gentler.
“Brother Lu, are you planning to leave?” At this moment, seeing the packages carried by Lu Yuan and Qi Yun, Shangguan Guangbai asked.
“Indeed, now that the conference has ended, I have military and political affairs to deal with, and Brother Qi also has apprentices waiting for him in his sect, so we can’t stay outside any longer.”
Lu Yuan nodded and then asked, “Guangbai, are you going back with me?”
Shangguan Guangbai showed a trace of apology on his face and shook his head: “No, actually, I was waiting for Brother Lu to say goodbye. After descending the mountain, I received a message from my father that the Zhou soldiers in Tianmen Prefecture have crossed the river and headed south, joining the Miao soldiers led by Lan Zhaoyun of the Five Poisons Sect. They have now united in an army of 100,000.
Nowadays, this 100,000-strong Zhou-Miao united army has approached Yueyang City and joined forces with the defenders led by Lan Cai’er inside the city.
Currently, over 200,000 troops from both sides are confronting each other, fighting fiercely, and the front line is short of manpower.
My father asked my sister and me to go back and help him suppress the Miao rebellion. ”
“The Zhou soldiers have crossed the river?” Lu Yuan couldn’t help but be surprised when he heard the news.
If he remembered correctly, the latest news he received before leaving was that the Zhou army had captured Changling County, the northern gate of Tianmen Prefecture, and besieged the city.
At that time, there were more than 10,000 defenders in Tianmen Prefecture City, and Marquis of Wuan Bai Mengyang had also sent 50,000 elite soldiers to support them.
With more than 60,000 troops defending the city, it had only been two months, so could it be that they had lost so quickly?
What are those 60,000 troops eating?
Shangguan Guangbai saw the doubt in Lu Yuan’s eyes and said with a bitter smile, “The city of Tianmen Prefecture has not yet fallen. The reason why the Zhou army was able to march in and cross the river southward is that they have reinforced their troops.
My father received the news that the Zhou State court had transferred another 100,000 troops from Nanyang Prefecture to follow along Xiangyang Prefecture and then enter Tianmen Prefecture.
I heard that the leader of this army is the Grand General of the Pillar State of Zhou, who is a renowned Inborn Grandmaster.
He left 50,000 soldiers to continue besieging Tianmen Prefecture.
Then he led the remaining 50,000 southward across the river, joining the Miao people and advancing to the city of Baling Prefecture.
Now at Tianmen Prefecture, there are over 100,000 Zhou soldiers besieging the city.
Under the city of Baling Prefecture, there are also over 100,000 Zhou-Miao united troops, and their side has two Inborn masters – the Saintess of the Five Poisons Sect and the Grand General of the Pillar State of Zhou.
Even with the aid of the Jihui saint monk, my father’s 100,000-strong army didn’t have much advantage against the united Zhou-Miao army.”
It has to be said that perhaps Zhou Country saw the opportunity to swallow two Yue Country prefectures in one fell swoop, so they really put a lot of effort into this southern expedition.
There were 100,000 troops in Xichuan Prefecture, and 200,000 in Dongting Prefecture—a total of 300,000 troops, plus three Inborn Grandmasters.
This strength is enough to be called the force of half a country.
‘Zhou Country must win against Da Yue. No wonder it can force the aristocratic families and gentlemen in the court to split the territory and change dynasties, creating the plan for the Ten Grandmasters. They have truly been forced to a dead end.’
Unlike the previous Liang Country’s southern expedition to Yue Country, which only aimed to seize the border friction in Guangling Prefecture, this time Zhou Country’s southern expedition to Yue Country was really aimed at national extermination.
Without Guangling Prefecture, Yue Country would have lost the northern territory along the Yangtze River, but there was still the Yangtze River’s natural barrier, which allowed them to maintain a stable national territory and no risk of extermination.
But if they lose Xichuan Prefecture and Dongting Prefecture, they will lose the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, and Zhou can directly go south along the river and march towards Jinling, destroying Yue Country.
The risks and threats of the two are not on the same level.
Thinking of this, Lu Yuan’s expression became solemn: “If that’s the case, it’s indeed necessary to make preparations early. Guangbai, Haimoon, you go back first. If there is any news, remember to keep in touch with me.
I have to go back as well and prepare for war.
This time, the Zhou army crosses the river, and it’s a great disaster for Dongting Prefecture. If there is any negligence, it will be the peril of national extinction.
We must not let those Zhou people and Miao people succeed.”
Whether it is Zhou Country or the Five Poisons Sect’s Miao people, they are absolutely irreconcilable enemies for Lu Yuan.
Because neither the Five Poisons Sect nor Zhou Country would allow Lu Yuan to split the territory and establish his fiefdom after they succeed.
For Lu Yuan, who has now obtained the Taiping Dao Book and is preparing to cultivate, this is absolutely unbearable.
Therefore, the Yue State court must be protected.
Because only the currently disadvantaged Yue Country can offer the terms of splitting the territory and establishing a fiefdom to Lu Yuan, which no other party can provide..