Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 819 - 678: Glacier Approaching the World

Chapter 819: Chapter 678: Glacier Approaching the World

In Shaanxi Xi’an, formerly the palace of Prince Qin of the Chengyan Hall.

During the reign of Emperor Tai of Jin, the mansion of Prince Qin was known as "the premier noble fief under heaven," and the title of Prince Qin was the most significant among all the princes.

During the Taizu Era, a huge sum was even allocated to build the mansion of Prince Qin in Xi’an, which nearly rivaled the imperial palace in its regulations.

However, in terms of military strength, the Prince Qin’s mansion was only mid-tier among the various princely houses of the Jin Dynasty.

In his early years, Emperor Tai granted six guards to Prince Qin, but due to insufficient financial resources and the suspicions of Emperor Taizong, four of them were disbanded, leaving the remaining two in name only.

When Prince Yi, Yu Jianshen, led his troops to attack Xi’an, these two princely guards dispersed in disarray.

This mansion of Prince Qin was subsequently occupied by Prince Yi, Yu Jianshen, becoming the central hub of Prince Yi’s army.

However, the atmosphere here was already oppressively somber to the extreme, and everyone had a gloomy expression.

At the hall below, a man in golden armor reported, "The Eastern Route Army was repelled at Pingliang Prefecture, and initially the governor of Jingzhou was persuaded by our envoy to open the city gates and welcome us. But three days ago, that man suddenly beheaded our envoy and hung the body on the city wall.

This man possesses considerable military talent. He organized the local troops and defended the city firmly, withstanding five days of continuous assault by 70,000 troops from the Western Route Army without falling."

Prince Yi, Yu Jianshen, couldn’t help sinking into deep thought, staring blankly outside the hall.

The former Zongdu of Shaanxi, Gan Ping, looked as grim as the bottom of a pot.

The governor of Jingzhou was his student. When that man passed the imperial examination during the sixth year of Jingtai, Gan Ping was his tutor.

Not only did they have a teacher-student relationship, but after entering the officialdom, Gan Ping personally promoted him, allowing him to rise from a low-ranked Jinshi to become the 6th-rank official governor of Jingzhou in just nine years.

Thus, their relationship was extraordinarily close.

Gan Ping originally thought that Jingzhou was securely in his hands, and that the governor would surely surrender the city as expected, but such a mishap occurred.

But he knew why the governor of Jingzhou had changed his mind—it was due to County Prince Fenyang, Li Xuan, achieving a weak-over-strong victory in Xuanfu, decisively defeating Meng Wu, capturing Tuotuobuhua, beheading hundreds of thousands, and reaching another victory outside Zhangjiakou against the Khan of Shiwei, Yexian.

Recent news of this battle had already shaken both the north and south of the Yangtze River, even more heart-stirring than Li Xuan’s earlier victory at the Chaobai River where he killed Liang Heng.

This had instilled confidence in countless people towards the current Court, with County Prince Fenyang, Li Xuan, proving undefeatable in attack and invincible in battle, clearly another Divine General following in the footsteps of Prince Dingxing, Huangfu Shenji.

With such figures overseeing military affairs of the Court, who in this world could withstand the invincible force of County Prince Fenyang?

And the current regent ministers at Court, all of them distinguished and reputed for their integrity; Princess Changle, who had once administered the state for several months, was also far from a foolish and inexperienced woman.

—With wise rulers and loyal ministers, Divine Generals at Court, this initially underestimated Court turned out to be unexpectedly steady.

This also caused many in the south to change their minds, unwilling to follow Prince Yi in risking further action.

Meanwhile, the numerous strategists and commanders present in Chengyan Hall were still in heated discussion.

"This governor of Jingzhou truly has courage. Can we send one or two at a heavenly level to eliminate him?"

"It won’t be that easy. The Court has already dispatched several heavenly level figures to the south a few days ago, including Hanyuanzi of Longmen Department, Master Mu, Zhang Shenye of the Tianshi Sect, and it is said that the Master of Wudang has also been summoned from retirement. There are also several Tubo law-kings and a Tubo prince on their way from the north.

They have over a dozen people at a heavenly level. Even if these figures are reluctant to exert their full strength, we are at no advantage in terms of heavenly level."

"Tubo? Are these people from Tubo stupid? Haven’t they always wanted to be independent? Why would they venture into Central Plains, making sacrifices for the Central Plains Court?"

"You don’t understand the weight of Li Xuan’s prestige in Tubo. He personally settled the chaos there, and those law-kings hold him in high regard.

Especially after the recent battle at Xuanfu, when tens of thousands from Meng Wu perished at his hands! Tubo has always revered the Northern Yuan and the people of Meng Wu, now they would only fear his power more."

"—But we can’t delay at Jingzhou any longer. We must recall the 70,000 troops stationed there. Fang Ying is set to be the Zongbing of Henan, leading an elite army of 120,000 to Tongguan, with their spearheads pointed directly at Xi’an.

It’s said that he’s also reorganizing the Henan troops. Henan is a large province with the army of Weisuo totaling 300,000 men, if even half of those can be mobilized, that amounts to a formidable force."

"There’s also the Zongbing of Taiyuan Guo Tai, who has gathered 170,000 troops from Weisuo along with 20,000 Taiyuan battalion soldiers moving southward, advancing to the Eastern Henan (modern Linfen and Yuncheng), watching the western banks of the Fen River.

Gaozu Emperor of Tang once took this route to advance south and seize Chang’an, which cannot be overlooked. Moreover, the Guyuan Garrison and Shaanxi Xingdu Division have shown frequent signs of activity lately. The Court is clearly preparing a large force to attack Xi’an!"

Many within the hall had ashen faces.

Shaanxi Xingdu Division used to be called ’Gansu’ during the former Yuan, renamed to ’Shaanxi Xingdu Division’ in the Taizu Era.

Gansu was fertile and strategically defended by natural barriers. It was surrounded by mountains and rivers, with the formidable barrier of the Hong River, commanding 24 guards, 8 Shouyu thousand household offices, and a total force of 230,000 men.

Formerly, the strength of Shaanxi Xingdu Division and Guyuan Garrison was bound in the north by the Shiwei people.

But now that Meng Wu has suffered a severe defeat, would Shaanxi Xingdu Division and Guyuan Garrison also redeploy their forces southward?

——This is an army of a million encircling Xi’an, intending to eliminate them all in one fell swoop!

At this moment, Prince Yi, Yu Jianshen, finally came to his senses.

"Since both the Northern and Western Armies have suffered setbacks, let’s recall them for now. Most of the troops under the prince’s mansion are newly formed, lacking in combat skills, with unstable morale and insufficient military supplies. Forcing them to attack the city would be too harsh. Calling them back will allow for proper training over time."

With a calm demeanor, he glanced at the many strategists and military officers present. His voice was cold and detached, slightly hoarse, "I have a few pieces of good news to share here. One is about military equipment, thanks to the aid from the Kunlun Sect. In recent months, twenty-seven thousand muskets and over three hundred cannons of various sizes have been continuously delivered to Xi’an, along with a large number of bows, crossbows, and armor. I plan to recruit troops in Shaanxi and build four more regiments of soldiers."

Moreover, we have also contacted the Folangji people overseas, securing an order of one hundred twenty Folangji cannons, thirty red-cloth cannons, and nine thousand flintlock runed guns that, reportedly, can be delivered in six months.

Another piece of news is from the Kunlun Sect, which has transported a million stones of grain to Xi’an using the heavenly treasure of Qiankun. Together with the original reserve of over a million stones in Xi’an and the Qin prince’s mansion, it is enough to feed our two hundred seventy thousand troops for a year. If that’s not enough, the Kunlun Sect has many more reserves."

By the Kunlun Sect, he was actually referring to the Jinque Palace.

The disciples of Jinque Palace, which could not appear in the mortal world, often traveled the world under the guise of the Kunlun Sect.

When Yu Jianshen spoke these words, everyone in the hall was fixed in their resolve, their eyes shining brightly.

At that moment, Prince Yi, Yu Jianshen, shook the dozen or so rune letters in his hand: "These are responses from numerous royal family vassal kings around the world. Each one believes that the current young ruler’s origin is unclear, and Jingtai Emperor and the Court have muddled the Heavenly Family’s lineage. They are willing to acknowledge me as their leader and to challenge the Court’s false ruler! However, they are not yet fully prepared and cannot rise up yet."

His gaze was sharp as a blade as he swept over everyone, "Gentlemen, although Li Xuan was defeated by Meng Wu, there is still opportunity for huge undertakings. Now that the Court’s false ruler’s lineage is in doubt, and the unprecedented act of a princess acting as a regent, this is a situation where names are not rightfully established, and the words don’t follow! We only need to hold Xi’an with its strong defenses for a few months, and surely there will be uprising throughout the land, and beacon fires will rise in all directions—"

The former Zongdu of Shaanxi, Gan Ping, looking at the imposing Prince Yi, couldn’t help but feel gratified.

He thought to himself that his student truly had the bearing of a wise ruler.

It’s a pity that the Court’s officials are blind to reason. If they were willing to support Prince Yi’s accession, the Court could enjoy a golden age for a century, instead of brewing the relentless chain of military disasters that exist now.

And after this military meeting concluded, when the numerous strategists and military leaders had left,

the countenance of Prince Yi, Yu Jianshen, also turned stern as iron. He left Chengyan Hall hastily and made his way to the garden.

There, Lord of Xuanwu Palace, Lianling Immortal, was practicing techniques on the artificial lake, forming a thick layer of ice three feet thick on the surface.

Yu Jianshen, suppressing the impatience and restlessness in his heart, waited until half a moment later. Lianling Immortal gathered her techniques and floated over to face Yu Jianshen.

"Does Your Highness Prince Yi worry about Li Xuan’s major defeat to Meng Wu at Xuanfu?"

"Just as the palace speculated," Yu Jianshen replied with a bitter smile, "I am practically at my wits’ end now. Li Xuan’s military prowess is like an unstoppable force of gods and spirits. Now facing an unpredictable future, I cannot help but worry."

Lord of Xuanwu Palace, Lianling Immortal, however, slightly smiled, "Your Highness, with the strategic location of Xi’an and the support of many of heavenly level from our Jinque Palace, not to mention the ample supplies of grain and silver coin, do you really lack the confidence to hold out here for a year?"

"Rest assured, Dasiming has already prepared to add to your silver coin, to continue placing orders with the red barbarians and Folangji people, crafting more runed flintlock rifled guns, an excellent weapon for defending the city."

Yu Jianshen actually lacked confidence; he shook his head, "Holding out for a year isn’t the problem, but what about after that? The saying goes, ’A prolonged defense surely leads to defeat;’ the Court will sooner or later raze Xi’an to the ground."

Lord Xuanwu Palace Master Lianling Immortal paused for a moment, then counter-asked, "Your Highness, do you know of our Jinque Palace’s Celestial Observatory?"

"Celestial Observatory?" Yu Jianshen furrowed his brow, "I haven’t heard of it, but since it’s named after celestial phenomena, I assume it has something to do with climatic seasons?"

Lord of Xuanwu Palace, Lianling Immortal, nodded slightly, "Exactly as you say. A few days ago, our Dasiming already cast spells to cause a great surge in the northern cold wave, bringing icy rivers to life."

What she didn’t explain to Yu Jianshen was that this ’Celestial Observatory’ was also one of Jinque Palace’s tools for manipulating the major trends of the world.

Yu Jianshen thoughtfully asked, "The northern cold wave surges, and icy rivers come to life? Does that mean a significant drop in temperature and a major reduction in crops everywhere? Soon, will there be a famine?"

Lianling Immortal immediately looked at Yu Jianshen appreciatively, "Exactly your meaning!"

This Prince Yi was indeed wise and teachable.

Yu Jianshen smiled bitterly in confusion, "But by doing this, Shaanxi itself will also suffer from the famine."

Lianling Immortal laughed, "How many people are in your jurisdiction now? And our Jinque Palace has a grain reserve of twenty million stones, more than enough to help you endure the famine."

Her expression was confident and composed, "With a woman ruling the Court and a false ruler of unclear lineage, hence the heaven-sent disaster. Once the cold wave intensifies, it will only take a year before the Court cannot sustain its troops, and in two years, Yu Hongchang will certainly lose the people’s hearts. Then, Your Highness, you can be supported by the expectations of the people and move forth to seize the throne in the capital!"

Yu Jianshen was momentarily stunned, then a fervent gleam appeared in his eyes.

He felt somewhat uneasy, as to contend for the throne, it meant causing widespread famine, with countless families ruined and people dying?

This seemed to contradict the teachings of Confucianism—

But soon after, Yu Jianshen hardened his heart, aware that great achievements required that one must not possess the kindness of a woman!

For these one or two years, let the common people make the sacrifice; once he ascended the throne, there would be time to make amends.