Peace Order
Chapter 575 - 40: Golden Spears and Iron Horses, with a spirit that swallows Wan Li like a tiger!

Chapter 575: Chapter 40: Golden Spears and Iron Horses, with a spirit that swallows Wan Li like a tiger!

Academy Disciple!

Li Guanyi was surprised. Aside from the three senior brothers brought by Mr. Wang Tong, this was the first time he encountered someone from the Academy outside, and a Confucianism disciple at that. Observing the young man, his Inner Strength seemed ordinary; however, he was gentle and calm, with a lively and strong Primordial Spirit. Dressed in a simple cloth robe and a sword by his waist, he possessed a relaxed demeanor.

Yuan Zhi was also sizing up this famously rising Young General.

At sixteen, he was already as tall as Yuan Zhi. His black hair was styled in a general’s topknot, his eyebrows sharp, and he had a teardrop mole. A strong, murderous aura emanated from him, dressing in a war-scarred Heavenly King’s armor, marked by friction and sword cuts.

Li Guanyi strode forward and immediately grabbed Yuan Zhi’s hands.

The Young General laughed heartily, "I am Li Guanyi, also a disciple of Mr. Wang Tong, studied under the Master’s guidance, come come, Mr. Yuan Zhi, please come in!" His strength was immense as he pulled Yuan Zhi inside and personally served tea, saying, "Sir, I admire your ability to defend the city for such a prolonged period."

"Please drink the tea!"

The Ranger touched his nose, took a sip of the tea, and praised, "Delicious!"

"Just like what my mother used to make."

He glanced and indeed it was tea residue typically used at home, and he grinned.

The General’s tea preference was so modest, he chuckled shaking his head, then said, "General, you lead your troops across nearly twenty thousand miles of mountains and rivers, your first battle in the world was a great victory over the nephew of the Grand Commandant of Chen Country, truly awe-inspiring. However, General, you are also currently in a predicament."

Li Guanyi said somberly:

"Indeed, as you said, although my army has deployed, the supplies are still insufficient. East Crossing City is a type of port city; although it has some goods, it struggles to support over twenty thousand people, including prisoners. Once the food and supplies confiscated from Chen Army run short, we will face significant trouble."

Yuan Zhi smiled, "I have come exactly for this reason."

He drank another mouthful of the coarse tea, unconcerned with the details, and asked, "General, what do you think we should do?"

Li Guanyi thought for a moment, then said gravely, "Go to the State Mansion cities of the Jiangnan Eighteen States."

"The place is home to the Murong Family, a sacred city of Martial World within Martial World, rich in resources, frequented by major traders, which could alleviate the crisis temporarily. However, if we leave East Crossing City, I am also worried about continuing attacks from Chen Country on East Crossing City. If we divide our forces, it will diminish our strength."

"Confused about this, I ask for your advice, sir."

He stood up, his armor clanking, and bowed.

Yuan Zhi barely swallowed the tea in his mouth before he stood up, returned the bow, and said:

"General, there’s no need for such formality, please sit down."

This young Ranger even started to doubt his own advice.

Having traveled everywhere, he had seen the demeanor of those aristocratic families, each one arrogant as if they had their eyes on top of their heads, who would be so easy to talk to? After thinking, he said, "General, your point is valid. The Qilin Army is currently in dire straits as if in boiling oil."

"Although the army’s will is strong, they are on par with the second-tier troops of Chen Country. If Chen Country gathers a large force and advances slowly, with continuous support from their rear, they can grind down the Qilin Army."

"However, such a massive force is also a weakness for both nations."

Li Guanyi asked, "How so?"

Yuan Zhi said, "General, please look."

He dipped his finger in the tea and began to draw on the table, sketching the geographical map of the Jiangnan Eighteen States, "The Jiangnan Eighteen States is a critical region in the world, shaped like a rectangular block. To the north lies Ying Country, to the south is Chen Country, and by following the river upstream, one can reach Central State."

"A decade ago, Sword Madman forcibly detached the Jiangnan Eighteen States from Chen and since then, the influence of the Jiangnan Eighteenth State has been substantial. However, since the elder closed himself off, Chen Country and Ying Country, though not daring to directly invade the core regions of Jiangnan Eighteen States."

"Yet, they have been gradually devouring the land on the north and south sides."

"Chen Country established control over Qu Shui with Chunyang City, taking possession of major river gates at Hengdangkou, placing Chen troops at two locations, and building numerous cities like Lieyang City and Fuling City; Ying Country, on the other hand, occupied Yue City, Hui Ji, Dan Yang, and three major ferry points."

Yuan Zhi continued, "Thus, Chen Country and Ying Country avoided the area controlled by the Murong Family, but they never slowed down their pace, which is no other’s fault but that the Murong Family, despite its renowned name, absolutely cannot compare with major countries like Chen and Ying."

"Chen and Ying are large countries spanning tens of thousands of miles with deep foundations and continuous manpower in logistics; the Murong Family cannot stabilize a very large area, and neither can you, General. Although your military might is at its peak, logistics are lacking."

"The opposition’s successive reinforcement never ceases."

"Currently, capable soldiers number only seven thousand, with the remaining ten thousand prisoners who will definitely not surrender to you before you have firmly established yourself."

Li Guanyi actually understood the implications of what Yuan Zhi was saying; even if his seven thousand troops were formidable, they would suffer losses. Facing an enemy fully stocked with tens of thousands of elite soldiers backed by supplies and logistics, and possibly deploying their first-line troops and renowned generals, Li Guanyi absolutely couldn’t withstand them.

Even if they won, how would it benefit them if these seven thousand were to be decimated?

Yuan Zhi analyzed the situation in the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

Li Guanyi asked in a deep voice, "According to your view, what should we do?"

Yuan Zhi tapped his sheathed sword, "We must fight swiftly."

This young man, who had traveled the world after shedding blood, sparkled in his eyes and boldly stated:

"The news of the Qilin Army’s grand victory has not yet spread, which is an opportunity. In my opinion, although Chen and Ying have strong logistic support and vast territories with hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers, these are their strengths as well as their weaknesses."