"How could it be so fast! Who is leading the troops? Is it Liang Xiao again?" Helian Heng roared.
The orderly explained with a wry face, "General of Pacification, Zhuo Ying, is the commander-in-chief, and General of Pacifying Rebellion, Shi Liuyun, is the vanguard. They advanced like a hot knife through butter. The Great Qi Dynasty's powerful bows and crossbows are too formidable, and their so-called 'Ironclad Infantry' has excellent defensive capabilities. With limited troops in various regions, they were forced to surrender..."
Helian Heng nearly fainted with anger and looked at Master Longyue and the Brocade Robed King.
He had been so focused on taking Hanzhong that he had drawn troops from various regions. Meanwhile, the Spring Renewal Sect and the Sun Moon Army were eager to claim merit, thus weakening the defenses of Eastern and Southern Sichuan...
The Brocade Robed King seized the opportunity and said, "Let my son dispatch to the Southern and Eastern Sichuan regions!"
Xiao Feng received the order and left with his men as a matter of course.
Helian Heng was still uneasy and hastily issued an order: "Transmit orders to the prefects of all regions to arrest able-bodied men to defend the cities!!"
As the military orders spread, the regions south of Jiange were the first to suffer. Soldiers were everywhere arresting able-bodied men, and grumbles filled the air.
Ren Changfeng and others, disciples of Jian Nanfeng, had already disguised themselves and arrived at Fucheng, just in time for the order to arrest able-bodied men.
The expressions of the group changed, and they urged Ren Changfeng, "Third Senior Brother, it's not wise to linger here!"
Ren Changfeng pondered for a moment and said, "You all retreat to Fuling first. I will infiltrate the Fucheng army and see if I can get close to the commander. If necessary, we can capture him and plan something big!"
Just then, a figure drifted from afar, like a ghost.
"Who are you?" Ren Changfeng asked, seeing that the person was unremarkable but had determined eyes.
"Even if one dies, their heroic spirit remains fragrant, not ashamed to be a hero in this world!" the person seemed to mutter to himself.
Ren Changfeng was startled and replied, "Kill one person in ten steps, and remain unseen for a thousand miles!"
"Night Owl of the Hidden Wolf Guard under the Marquis!"
"Ren Changfeng, the Swordsman of Mount Tian!"
After exchanging their carefully selected secret signals, the two immediately decided to infiltrate Fucheng together, joining the army as "able-bodied men from another region."
The remaining swordsmen of Mount Tian were ordered to leave for Badong and provide intelligence on Western Sichuan to Zhuo Ying.
After a long journey, Nan Jiyun's eight thousand men also arrived at Yinping, each carrying a month's worth of rations, heading straight for Fucheng along the Yinping trail.
In Liaodong, the King of the Xianbei, furious at being tricked by Liang Xiao, was eager to regain his honor and sent his army to approach the Liaodong region again, harassing them day and night.
Lv Changhe and Nie Yuan, who had long been prepared, consolidated their defenses in various regions and refused to engage.
To garrison the regions and prevent landlord rebellions, the Great Qi Dynasty had limited troop reinforcements for Liaodong. An offensive would be difficult to overcome the more than 180,000 Xianbei cavalry.
"Why do those Xianbei cavalry seem to be wearing armor commonly used by barbarians recently?" the soldiers wondered.
Lv Changhe said solemnly, "The enemy must have gone to the Northern Desert, encountered the Sky Sun Clan, and reached an agreement. We must not be careless!"
Everyone suddenly understood.
As the Great Qi Daily published excerpts of the Great Zhou historical records, the mysterious Sky Sun Clan had also become a widely discussed race throughout the Great Qi.
The Kingdom of Taiji, after offending the Great Qi, also consolidated its defenses, fearing that the Great Qi would attack from Liaodong.
However, upon discovering that all regions of Liaodong were holding their cities firmly, the King of Taiji was both surprised and delighted.
"It seems the Xianbei are still superior. We should befriend them!"
The Kingdom of Taiji immediately dispatched Li Shunping, with five hundred beauties of Taiji, to detour to the Xianbei encampment to seek cooperation.
The next day, Ito Masamune, an envoy from Izumo, sought an audience with the King of Taiji!
"Our country hopes to resolve past grievances with the Kingdom of Taiji and establish an alliance!" Ito Masamune said with sincerity.
"To counter the Great Qi?" the King of Taiji anxiously asked.
"It's not impossible, but there's no need to offend the Great Qi at present. Our country needs your iron ore, and your country needs our gold and silver and garrison troops for defense. We each take what we need," Ito Masamune replied.
The King of Taiji fell silent.
The military commanders, led by Li Sunchen, strongly advised, "The Kingdom of Izumo is cunning and treacherous, and its military strength is unknown. Your Majesty must not trust them!"
The King of Taiji glared at Li Sunchen angrily, "Should our country, as the origin of Great Qi civilization, obey Great Qi and grovel? If you were not meritorious officials of three dynasties, how could I allow you to jeopardize our nation's destiny and fawn over Great Qi!"
Ito Masamune sighed, "You offended the Great Qi, but you also offended Izumo, which is allied with the Xianbei? Our Kingdom of Izumo has no intention of aggression. We only wish to befriend our neighbors and not make enemies everywhere, lest we become isolated and helpless like your country."
"The Great Qi is the cradle of our culture, Your Majesty. We should be realistic and identify our position..." Li Sunchen, who was not good at debate, blushed with anxiety.
The King of Taiji, enraged, puffed out his beard and glared, seemingly intending to oppose these old officials who were not good at flattering words. He immediately decided to reach a consensus with the Kingdom of Izumo and secretly plot to seize Liaodong and the East Sea from the Great Qi.
In Southern Sichuan, upon hearing of Helian Heng's defeat and Zhuo Ying's approaching army, Iris, the former leader who was organizing her followers, was filled with shock and anger: "Why are they all so incompetent!"
Achilles, standing beside her, asked, "Is General Tian leading the troops?"
A follower truthfully replied, "General Tian is not here, but the Great Qi has the Flying General Nan Jiyun, the Victorious General Nie Yuan, and the White-Haired Black Blade Shi Liuyun, all renowned for their bravery..."
"Is this truly the Great Qi that values civilian over military arts?" Iris was full of resentment and then sighed, "It must be the change brought about by Liang Xiao. In the past, Great Qi was fragile! Without Liang Xiao, last year would have been a perfect opportunity for us to conquer the entire Great Qi!"
Achilles said coldly, "It seems the Great Qi people are just good-for-nothings, not worth using! I suggest you return to the Peacock Dynasty and strategize as you did in previous years, instead of enduring Liang Xiao's humiliation here."
"Can't you send your troops to kill Shi Liuyun, Nan Jiyun, Nie Yuan, and these villains?" Iris was unwilling.
Achilles shook his head, "Firstly, I am only interested in General Tian. Secondly, King Tian Ri has sent someone to invite me back to the holy land to deal with the threat posed by Attila, or to go to the Kushan Dynasty to fight against the western borders of the Great Qi. I have already delayed for several months to accommodate you!"
Iris gave Achilles a resentful glance and had no choice but to see him off.
After Achilles left, Iris, enraged, immediately ordered, "Continue to assassinate the common people throughout Shu. Send someone to the Great Liang Kingdom and inform my disciple that she must instigate the Son of Heaven of Great Liang to invite Liang Xiao to be an envoy to Great Liang!"
Liang Xiao's forces had already transported a large number of trebuchets and gunpowder barrels, awaiting Nan Jiyun's arrival at Fucheng and the chaos in Jiange before launching the siege...
In the Imperial Palace of the Great Liang Kingdom.
Qin Feng and Zhirou hid in a side hall, listening to Su Wanqing play the zither for Mu Cheng.
"Wanqing, your playing is getting better and better," Mu Cheng praised.
Su Wanqing blushed and looked at Mu Cheng, her eyes full of affection.
"It's love sees beauty. In truth, I haven't improved..."
Mu Cheng laughed heartily, "Listening to your zither puts me in a good mood, and I don't cough as much. I haven't coughed blood for a month, so it seems it's not consumption!"
Su Wanqing said softly, "It is because Your Majesty governs diligently and loves the people, and Heaven blesses us."
Mu Cheng smiled with relief and said, "But why has your brother changed his attitude so suddenly and privately advised me to invite Liang Xiao? What do you think?"
Su Wanqing suppressed her nervousness and shook her head, "Before, I didn't understand state affairs and only sought to please Your Majesty. Now, looking back, it's better not to invite Marquis An Guo to Great Liang, lest we offend the officials too deeply..."
In the side hall, Qin Feng and his wife exchanged glances.