THE HUMAN EMPEROR

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 471: The War Begins!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C471: The War Begins!
Chapter 471: The War Begins!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

The incident in the southwest had entranced the entire empire. Even Wang Chong in his cell could feel the change in the atmosphere.

The people from the Court of Judicial Review and Chamberlain of Dependencies had originally come to visit him every day, but now they rarely appeared. The prison guards who occasionally came in to deliver food also seemed distracted.

A somber air pervaded the capital.

It seems like the decision is about to be made! Wang Chong silently said to himself. Although he was worried, the imprisoned Wang Chong could do nothing but quietly wait.

"Chong-er!"

It was ten days later that he next met Wang Gen. His big uncle was dressed in his court robes, his face hard and grave.

Upon seeing his big uncle, Wang Chong felt his eyes begin to twitch while a terrible foreboding suddenly rose from his heart.

"The Imperial Court has already made a decision! Xianyu Zhongtong has been ordered to lead the 180,000 elites of the Annan Protectorate and immediately attack Mengshe Zhao to punish Geluofeng for his offense against the Great Tang!"

"What?!"

Wang Chong's heart went cold at this news, sending a shiver running throughout his body. Suddenly thinking of something, he lunged to the bars and asked, "Big Uncle, how could this be? Didn't you, King Song, and Consort Taizhen all oppose? Were you three not enough?"

King Song, the Wang Clan, and Yang Zhao's backer Consort Taizhen were three mighty powers of the Great Tang Imperial Court, three figureheads. The united strength of those three should have wielded enough influence to alter the court's decision.

Wang Gen sighed and began to give a detailed recount.

After meeting Wang Chong, Wang Gen almost immediately went to see King Song. Together with Wang Chong's sworn brother Yang Zhao, the three were completely capable of changing the court's decision.

But both Wang Gen and Wang Chong had underestimated someone.

Wang Chong's eyes flashed with cold light as he suddenly asked, "The Yao Clan?"

"If it was just the Yao Clan and King Qi, it would have been fine!" Wang Gen said with a shake of his head. Only those present would understand the intensity of that court debate. When the perennial hawks Wang Gen and King Song suddenly opposed the war with Mengshe Zhao, the entire court was stunned.

The hall had been silent for a very long time, no one able to speak. But the Yao Clan and King Qi were even more surprising.

These two had seemingly been keeping a watch on the Wang Clan and King Song this entire time. However, when those two opposed the war, King Qi and the Yao Clan, who had always been in favor of disarmament, suddenly took the opposite stance and loudly criticized King Song and the Wang Clan.

They said that these two were colluding with Geluofeng, had been paid off by him, and they also strenuously pushed for war with Mengshe Zhao. But everything would have been fine if that was all.

After all, the Yao Clan and King Qi were still inferior to the combined might of the Wang Clan, King Song, and Consort Taizhen. But in the end, someone completely unexpected, a most eminent yet also most inconspicuous person suddenly stepped forward and completely altered the result of this court debate.

"Who?"

Wang Chong's heart tightened.

Wang Gen gave a long sigh before giving the answer.

"The Prime Minister!"

Zing!

Silence reigned. Wang Chong gaped, and his pupils constricted. He found himself unable to say a single word.

"Li Genu1…"

This name was like a bolt of lightning. As it seared through Wang Chong's mind, it conjured countless memories.

In that moment, thousands of thoughts flew like lightning through his mind.

In the Great Tang Dynasty, there was no position higher than the Prime Minister. He was truly beneath only one and above the rest.

Both the Wang Clan and Yao Clan were closely related to this position. It was the primary reason for the Wang Clan's reputation as a clan of ministers and generals.

However, both the Wang Clan's Old Master, the revered Duke Jiu, and the Yao Clan's Old Master, Yao Chong, had already retired from the position of Prime Minister.

Someone new now held the post of Prime Minister.

Li Genu really was that man's courtesy name!

In the Great Tang Imperial Court, this person was abnormally low-key. Never before had the holder of such an illustrious position as Prime Minister stood out so little. Many people had even forgotten who he was.

However, Wang Chong had never dared to underestimate him.

"I didn't think that it would actually be him…"

A sharp light glimmered in Wang Chong's eyes.

In all of the Great Tang Dynasty, the one Wang Chong feared the most was not the Yao Clan or King Qi, but this Prime Minister who was often forgotten despite the prestige of his post.

In all of the Great Tang Empire, probably not even his big uncle knew just how terrifying this normally genial Prime Minister was.

Everyone was deeply underestimating the 'Lord Prime Minister'.

Wang Chong had never expected the Prime Minister to break custom and support the war in the southwest.

The combined might of the Yao Clan, King Qi, and the Prime Minister was enough to balance the might of the Wang Clan, King Song, and Consort Taizhen.

"…And there was one other thing. At the crucial moment, Zhangchou Jianqiong stood with King Qi and the Yao Clan!"

"Ah!"

Wang Chong was completely flabbergasted.

Zhangchou Jianqiong was part of Consort Taizhen's faction and they had a very close relationship. In fact, it had been Zhangchou Jianqiong who had helped Yang Zhao travel to the capital.

Consort Taizhen and Yang Zhao opposed this war, yet Zhangchou Jianqiong, the Minister of War, had stood with King Qi. No one could have expected this.

One Prime Minister could still be dealt with, but with Minister of War Zhangchou Jianqiong… the court debate was decided.

Wang Chong fell quiet.

"There was nothing to be done about that. His position as Minister of War still isn't stable, and he is also from the Annan Protectorate. There was a problem in his own territory, so it's easy to imagine how much pressure Zhangchou Jianqiong was under! Almost all the generals in the Bureau of Military Personnel under his command were in support of the war with Mengshe Zhao. If Zhangchou Jianqiong flinched here, he would face a great deal of opposition as Minister of War in the future," Wang Gen said helplessly.

Zhangchou Jianqiong had lusted too badly for power. After holding the border for decades, he desired authority and status more than anyone else.

Wang Gen had originally thought that he could delay this court debate for twenty days, but with the Minister of War in the fray, the situation was no longer in his control.

And there was nothing Wang Gen could do about it.

The dark prison was quiet. Both Wang Chong and Wang Gen were silent. The only sound was the guttering of the torches on the wall.

"Chong-er, what do you plan to do next?" Wang Gen asked his nephew.

Wang Chong had been behind all the plans, and Wang Gen had told him what had happened in the court. What would happen next would be for Wang Chong to decide.

"I didn't think that it would still be impossible to avoid…"

Wang Chong gave a long and bitter sigh.

Geluofeng had attacked the Great Tang, and the Imperial Court had decided to have Xianyu Zhongtong lead the 180,000 elites of the Great Tang in attacking the southwest… If it were Zhangchou Jianqiong leading the troops, if Zhangchou Jianqiong were still in the southwest, perhaps the final result would have been better.

But Zhangchou Jianqiong had already been tempted by power, and the position of Minister of War had now become the fetters around his neck. Leaving the southwest had been easy, but going back was not so!

The Minister of War could not leave the capital and lead the 180,000 elites of a border protectorate. There was no precedent for such a thing in the history of the Great Tang!

The plans of man were no match for the plans of heaven. Wang Chong had done all he could to avoid this war, but he had ultimately failed.

At this time, the last sliver of hope in Wang Chong's heart was extinguished.

Since it was impossible to avoid, he had to confront it head-on.

"Big Uncle, when did Xianyu Zhongtong set out?"

Wang Chong raised his head and closed his eyes.

"Four days ago. The news was sent by the fastest golden eagle of the palace. It should have only needed two more days to arrive. And with Xianyu Zhongtong's reaction speed, it should be another two days for him to mobilize his army and attack Mengshe Zhao," Wang Gen said.

"…It's already too late!"

Wang Chong gave a long sigh. Even the fastest bird would need six days to cover the vast distance between the capital and the Annan Protectorate.

By that time, the dust would have already settled. It would be too late to say anything.

"Big Uncle, take me out of this place…" Wang Chong suddenly asked.

……

Bongbongbong!

Over countless mountains and rivers, in the distant lands of the southwest, dark clouds had gathered and the beating of drums thundered into the sky. This beating of drums alarmed the earth and startled the entirety of the southwest.

The southwest had not heard the beating of drums for many years. And the last time it had resounded with this thunderous tempo had been ten-some years ago.

"By the orders of the Imperial Court, we are to punish Mengshe Zhao and spread the heavenly might of my Great Tang!"

In front of the main hall of the massive Annan Protectorate headquarters, a harsh, solemn, and also extremely majestic voice resounded through the sky.

The fully-armored figure of the newly appointed Annan Protector-General, Xianyu Zhongtong, stood on an imposing platform, his entire body exuding a chilling aura of power.

Atop the platform, banners fluttered in the wind, all of them soaring into the sky like pillars supporting the heavens.

And below the platform stood the 180,000 elites of the Annan Protectorate, all of them armed and armored. In their serried ranks, they were gathered before the Annan Protectorate headquarters like dark clouds.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

The Great Tang elites waved their halberds and roared. A vital energy exploded out of their bodies and surged into the dark clouds like rainbows.

The thundering of the drums shook the earth, and the mountains shuddered as a somber air filled the world.

"Move out!"

Without any further words, Xianyu Zhongtong gave the order. Warhorses neighed as the 180,000 Great Tang elites set forth like a storm of black clouds, howling and rushing toward Mengshe Zhao.

For the first time in ten-some years, the 180,000 elites of the Annan Protectorate were leaving their garrison, engaging in a war against a foreign country!

And only a teenager in the distant capital understood what exactly this war truly meant.

Not even the participants of this war understood!

Whoosh!

Right when Xianyu Zhongtong was issuing his order for the army to move out, carrier pigeons were taking flight from the city walls.

None of these carrier pigeons were destined for the Great Tang's capital. Instead, they were crossing the borders of the Great Tang, to the northeast, northwest, the north, the southwest, and the west.

Goguryeo, the Turkic Khaganates, Ü-Tsang, the Abbasid Caliphate, Charax Spasinu… many powers were paying close attention to this war between the Great Tang and Mengshe Zhao!

The southwest had always been peaceful.

This was the Great Tang's first large-scale mobilization, one that far exceeded any mobilization carried out in Longxi, the northeast, or the northwest!

And though various countries had fought with the Great Tang before, this was Mengshe Zhao's first time!

______________

1. Li Genu, more commonly known as Li Linfu, one of Emperor Xuanzong's Prime Ministers, was historically known for his political acumen and his skill in removing any potential challengers. He was also in favor of promotion for non-Han generals.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 472: Grievous News from the Southwest!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C472: Grievous News from the Southwest!
Chapter 472: Grievous News from the Southwest!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Over vast tracts of land, over Erhai in the southwest and a vast and thick forest, not long after Xianyu Zhongtong led his 180,000 elites…

"Move out!"

A massive shout tore through the sky. A stalwart, middle-aged man with a black mustache, seemingly endowed with both strength and wisdom, stood on the lands of the southwest. He wore a flatheaded crown and an imperial robe, and his hand held a golden sword. Meanwhile, an aura as vigorous as the mountains or ocean surged from his body and into the sky.

Rumble!

The earth seemed to have awakened from a long sleep. It began to fiercely quake and shudder.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

……

A killing aura so majestic that it seemed to take on physical form soared into the sky, sweeping through the clouds like a wave. The great earth was covered by the elite warriors of Mengshe Zhao, all of them armed for battle, wrapped in war halos of white or black. This mighty flood of steel was advancing relentlessly toward the distant Great Tang Annan Protectorate.

The thunderous beating of drums resounded through the heavens. In the sky, the dark clouds were in turmoil. After ten-some years of peace, war was finally about to rise in the southwest.

……

Clang!

A massive hammer smashed down on a bright-red iron. As sparks exploded, the screech was so grating that it could almost tear apart eardrums.

Dang! Dang! Dang! The massive hammer continued to slam down, once, twice, thrice… thousands of times. And the hammerers went from one to thousands as well!

On the massive Tibetan Plateau, fires blazed and smoke roiled. Thousands upon thousands of short and powerful Ü-Tsang blacksmiths were swinging their hammers. On this plateau more than 4,000 kilometers above sea level, they worked night and day in the outdoors to forge armor, sabers, swords, U-shaped horseshoes, arrow tips, and all sorts of other weapons.

Sweat poured out in buckets as these Ü-Tsang blacksmiths produced a stream of countless weapons and armor.

Ü-Tsang did not have as developed a weapons industry as the Central Plains, nor was it as efficient. But no one would dare view with contempt the weapons produced on this plateau, because the blacksmiths here used that most primitive and most straightforward of methods: a thousand hammerings and one hundred temperings!

There was nothing aesthetically pleasing about the armor of Ü-Tsang, and there certainly wasn't much skill put into its creation, but this armor was truly the toughest in the world, and also the thickest and longest-lasting.

The armor of one Ü-Tsang horseman far outweighed the armors of the horsemen of the Great Tang, the Eastern and Western Turks, Goguryeo, or even the Abbasid Caliphate and Charax Spasinu.

This also made it so that ordinary weapons and attacks would find it very difficult to harm the Ü-Tsang cavalry!

Ü-Tsang armor took a great deal of time and energy to forge, but it also meant that among all ordinary armors, Ü-Tsang armor lasted the longest.

This long armor-forging process had been started a long time ago. By this point, mountains of weapons and armors had been piled up on this vast plateau, creating a most magnificent sight!

Flapflap!

Wings flapped through the sky as a pure white carrier pigeon flew through the smoke and sparks. A white-clothed and old-styled middle-aged Confucian scholar raised his head and allowed the carrier pigeon to land on his hand.

"Hahaha, Huoshu, it's finally time to start!"

Dalun Ruozan gave a faint smile and sent the letter flying with a flick of his finger. The thin page in his hands was like a knife, shooting forward like a bolt of lightning.

Nearby, Great General Huoshu Huicang of the Ü-Tsang Empire's Ngari Royal Lineage was standing in front of a small mountain of Tibetan weaponry. Seeing the letter, he cast away the weapon in his hand and dexterously snatched the letter.

"Geluofeng is asking for troops again…" Huoshu Huicang said in surprise upon reading the letter.

"Hahahah, this is the third letter!" Dalun Ruozan said with a derisive smile. Ever since Mengshe Zhao had retreated, Geluofeng had been sending letter after letter requesting Ü-Tsang to send troops and for the two kingdoms to becomes allies. However, these attempts had all been stopped by Dalun Ruozan.

Huoshu Huicang turned his head and emotionlessly asked, "Do you want to reply?"

"There's no need!"

Dalun Ruozan waved his hands and sneered, "Everything that needs to be said has already been said. If Mengshe Zhao wants to win our Ü-Tsang's support, then it needs to prove itself!

"The world has been peaceful for decades now. Is the Great Tang still as powerful as it once was… Mengshe Zhao is the best test! If the Great Tang wins and easily crushes Mengshe Zhao, it means that the time isn't ripe and we need to delay our plans.

"But if the Great Tang loses…

"Then that means… that this is Ü-Tsang's era!"

With these final words, Dalun Ruozan slowly raised his head, his gaze piercing through the mountains and rivers to rest on the distant southwest region of the Great Tang.

From the towering Tibetan Plateau, one could faintly see two trails of dust, two steely armies surging toward each other.

Perhaps now should be our Ü-Tsang's era!

As this thought flashed through his mind, Dalun Ruozan's gaze cooled.

Whether it was Mengshe Zhao or the Great Tang, they would all be Ü-Tsang's opponents in the end. In this southwestern war, the Ü-Tsang Empire would be the final winner!

……

Day after day passed, Wang Chong spending his time calculating the state of the war in the southwest. In his previous life, although Wang Chong had not participated, he had been a witness. He clearly remembered everything that had happened.

"The future has already been changed. The war between the Great Tang and Mengshe Zhao has already been pushed forward half a year. I can only hope that the progress of this war changed as well," Wang Chong quietly said to himself, his heart burdened with worries.

Although his gloomy cell was cut off from the world and any outside news, Wang Chong could feel from the atmosphere that this war in the southwest had transfixed all of the Great Tang.

The air was filled to the bursting with worry!

And no one was more worried than Wang Chong. However, Wang Chong was still unable to leave. It appeared that the pressure from the Court of Judicial Review and Chamberlain of Dependencies was far stronger than he had imagined.

Several days later, right when Wang Chong was about to reach his breaking point, a figure appeared in his prison. It was not his big uncle, but King Song of the Great Tang.

"Your Highness!"

Wang Chong was startled and instantly had a very bad feeling.

"Wang Chong, I have some very bad news to tell you!"

Through the bars of the cell, Wang Chong could see that King Song had a very unpleasant expression.

"The Great Tang lost! Xianyu Zhongtong lost…"

"What?!!"

Wang Chong stood up from the ground like he had been struck by a bolt of lightning. His mouth was ajar, his entire body paralyzed.

How could this be possible!

Wang Chong's thoughts were in chaos as massive waves raged through his heart.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 473: Wang Chong Leaves the Prison!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C473: Wang Chong Leaves the Prison!
Chapter 473: Wang Chong Leaves the Prison!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

The battle in the southwest had been like a peal of thunder, stunning the entire capital!

Just when everyone was expecting to see the newly appointed Annan Protector-General Xianyu Zhongtong, leading the 180,000 Great Tang elites, topple Mengshe Zhao in a single blow and punish Geluofeng, the battle in the southwest dealt all of them a heavy blow.

King Geluofeng of Mengshe Zhao had mobilized his entire army, all 340,000 soldiers, and fought a decisive battle against the 180,000 elites of the Annan Protectorate on the western shores of Erhai!

The sheer difference in numbers led to the defeat of the Annan Protectorate army. The vast distance meant that there was no news on the most recent developments.

But these initial results were already extremely worrying.

In the northeast's Youzhou, Anxi's Suiye1, Longxi's Jishi, and the Yin Mountains of the north… the Great Tang had always held the advantage, at the very least in one aspect. But in the southwest, the Great Tang rarely ever engaged in mobilizations on as large a scale as 180,000 soldiers.

And such large-scale defeats were even more of a rarity!

Upon receiving this news, the Imperial Court immediately sent out a hundred of its most experienced scouts to find out what was happening in the southwest.

And the Imperial Court began to discuss the problem of reinforcements!

Whether it was Anxi, Andong, Anbei, or Longxi, the Great Tang was facing a powerful empire on every side. There was no easy way to withdraw troops to serve as reinforcements.

A rash action might lead to a flaw, leading to even greater danger. As a result, troops would have to be drawn from the interior.

"The Imperial Court's second wave of reinforcements was dispatched two days ago. The army is being led by the young rising star of the army. It consists of 60,000 troops and is heading to the southwest with many crossbows, ballistae, armaments, and supplies.

"You might not know who Li Zhengyi is. He's the leader of the younger generation of officers in the army and has participated in many large battles with sterling performance. Moreover, he made a name for himself very early. His reputation in the military probably even surpasses your older brother Wang Fu," King Song said.

King Song's expression had been very grave this entire time, and when he spoke of the defeat in the southwest, it was solemn to the extreme. However, when speaking of Li Zhengyi, King Song was clearly much more relaxed. It was clear that he regarded Li Zhengyi very highly!

Wang Chong's face contorted into a nasty grimace.

History is repeating itself! Wang Chong thought, his heart suffering from an indescribable pain.

How could he not know who Li Zhengyi was?

Li Zhengyi truly had made his name in the army earlier than his older brother Wang Fu, and he was publicly acknowledged to have formidable talents.

His earliest post had been an assignment in the distant Suiye of the Anxi Protectorate. His performance there had been so eye-catching that even Gao Xianzhi had profusely praised him.

Later on, he was transferred to Beiting, where he subdued the Turks many times. His performance was so remarkable that he even surpassed a few generals in the army.

Li Zhengyi was already acknowledged in the army to be a future candidate for Great General. He was regarding as the leader of the younger generation, a future pillar of the empire who would replace the likes of Wang Zhongsi and Zhang Shougui.

But no matter how formidable the Imperial Court or how talented Li Zhengyi was, they would have never expected that their true opponents were not the people from Mengshe Zhao, not Geluofeng or Fengjiayi2, but Huoshu Huicang and Dalun Ruozan of the Ü-Tsang Empire!

The former was the number one general of Ü-Tsang's Ngari Royal Lineage. He was both aggressive and brave, and had once been conferred the title of 'Invincible Great General' of Ü-Tsang, only inferior to top-notch Great Generals like Li Siye.

The latter was a famous and wise general of Ü-Tsang with an incredibly keen sense for seizing the opportunity at the right moment.

When the two worked together, even Zhangchou Jianqiong would still be in great peril if he were leading those 180,000 elites.

In his decades of service in the Annan Protectorate, Zhangchou Jianqiong had never once attacked the Tibetan Plateau. His concern was not betrayal by Mengshe Zhao. He simply wasn't confident that he could beat Huoshu Huicang and Dalun Ruozan once he left the south.

Li Zhengyi might be strong and talented, but he was simply no match for people like Huoshu Huicang and Dalun Ruozan.

And the troops mobilized from the interior were utterly incapable of dealing with the elite cavalry of Ü-Tsang.

Their strength was already insufficient in a direct confrontation, and coupled with their lack of mental preparation, it was easy to imagine Li Zhengyi's fate.

Wang Chong had not expected the tragedy from his last life to repeat itself once more.

"Your Highness…"

Right as Wang Chong opened his mouth, a voice erupted in his mind.

"The world shifts, a major event: Ü-Tsang has intervened in the Great Tang's war with Mengshe Zhao. The Great Tang has been routed and is left with only 80,000 soldiers. Starting from now, user is forbidden from revealing any information regarding Ü-Tsang.

"Starting from now, within two months, if the number of soldiers in the Annan Protectorate army drops below 10,000, user will fail the mission and be killed. If the Annan Protectorate army is completely wiped out, user will fail the mission and be killed.

"User will not leave behind a single trace in this world, not even in the memory of others!

"The countdown starts now!"

……

Buzz!

An electrical current traveled from the soles of his feet to the rest of his body, causing Wang Chong to shudder. Paralyzed, he couldn't say one word of what he had planned to say.

"Wang Chong, what's wrong?" King Song said with concern. Wang Chong currently had a rather awful complexion.

"It's nothing."

The pale-faced Wang Chong shook his head, but his mind was in absolute turmoil.

Xianyu Zhongtong had lost, and it hadn't been a simple loss, but a complete rout. Ü-Tsang had intervened in this war far earlier than he had predicted.

The 180,000 Great Tang elites had already been fighting the entire Mengshe Zhao army of 340,000, and now that they had to contend against the more than 200,000 heavy cavalry of the Ngari Royal Lineage, the fate of Xianyu Zhongtong and his army could be easily imagined.

I didn't expect that I was still too late…

Wang Chong's heart sank. Only 80,000 of the 180,000 elites were left, meaning that 100,000 had died in battle.

The Annan Protectorate had suffered its worst wound since the establishment of the protectorate!

If things continued like this, it would be the first protectorate of the Great Tang to be dissolved due to attacks by a foreign power.

"Wang Chong, your big uncle mentioned to me that you had already predicted all of this, which is why I've shrugged off all criticisms and had you released from this prison. You can leave now. In addition, I hope to hear your views on the southwest.

"Someone, come and open up this cell!"

……

Rumble! The heavy main door of the prison opened with a boom. A beam of sunlight shot in as Wang Chong walked out, his first ray of sunlight in over half a month.

______________

1. Suiye was the seat of the Anxi Protectorate and is now located in present-day Kyrgyzstan. Jishi refers to Jishi Pass, located in Gansu.↩

2. Fengjiayi is Geluofeng's son.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 474: A Snowstorm of Letters!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C474: A Snowstorm of Letters!
Chapter 474: A Snowstorm of Letters!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Outside the 'government office', it was complete chaos. Only after coming outside did Wang Chong realize what a mess the capital had become.

The raucous and thriving capital had now become much quieter. There were fewer peddlers hawking their wares, and pedestrians were walking faster than usual. The topics of their conversations were no longer about buying and selling, but 'Xianyu Zhongtong', 'Annan Protectorate army', 'Ü-Tsang', 'Geluofeng', and other names that would have been impossible to hear several years ago!

The atmosphere was one of anxiety and concern.

It had been far too long since the Great Tang had suffered this sort of defeat. The loss of 180,000 elites was enough to affect the entire empire.

At this moment, it wasn't just the common folk of the capital. Even the generals in the army, the ministers in the court, and the authorities on the border were watching this war.

All of this gave Wang Chong a sense of déjà vu.

"Young Master!"

He heard a familiar voice. Old Eagle was standing in the street outside the office, a four-horse carriage beside him. It was clear that he had been waiting for a long time.

But Wang Chong did not immediately board the carriage.

"Carry out my three orders!"

Wang Chong held up three fingers, his eyes looking forward with a most profound gaze, as if he was peering into the depths of space-time.

"First, immediately dispatch the guards of the clan to all the tea houses and restaurants of the capital. Hire all experts at or above the True Martial realm. Whether noble or lowly, strong or weak, cheap or expensive, hire all of them!" Wang Chong said.

Old Eagle froze for a second before replying, "Yes, Young Master!" Inwardly, he rejoiced.

More than half a month of imprisonment had not worn away at Wang Chong's spirit. The youth before him was still that wise and composed young master in his memories.

Moreover, every time he issued a string of orders, it meant that something big was about to happen. It was clear that his young master was about to begin an operation.

"Young Master, does it have to do with the war in the southwest?" Old Eagle inquired.

When the entire empire was still clueless about the war in the southwest, Wang Chong and Old Eagle already knew. When the empire was still discussing what to do, Wang Chong was already beginning preparations.

Although Wang Chong had not stated why he was selling the spirit vein, Old Eagle could already guess.

Wang Chong did not nod, but he also did not shake his head.

Although his stance appeared ambiguous, Old Eagle, who had been serving at his side all this time and was very familiar with his thoughts, could already tell what he was thinking.

The war in the southwest had stunned the empire and left everyone gripped by terrible worry.

Xianyu Zhongtong's crushing defeat had dealt a gigantic blow to the Han, who had always firmly believed in the unstoppable might of the Great Tang.

Although one person, much less a teenager, was limited in what they could do in a war, Old Eagle had always firmly believed that his young master would be able to do something.

Perhaps others might not, but his young master definitely could.

Such things had happened many times in the past.

"Second, summon the four great sword-smithing clans, all the sword stores and shops, and all the swordmasters and inscription masters in the capital! Tell them that the Wang Clan wants to buy all the weapons they have and all their production for the next three months!"

Old Eagle suddenly raised his head and looked at Wang Chong in shock. There were more than a thousand sword shops in the capital, and combined with the four great sword-smithing clans, buying their total production for three months would result in an astonishing sum.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Although he was flabbergasted, Old Eagle still immediately agreed.

"Third, summon Zhao Jingdian, Wei Anfang, Xu Qiqin, and Huang Qian-er. Tell them to meet me tonight at the Wang Residence."

"Yes, Young Master!" Old Eagle immediately replied.

At this time, Old Eagle was completely without doubt. With these three orders, Wang Chong completely coincided with that extremely decisive youth in his mind.

There were some people that couldn't be judged by their age, and these people would never allow their own circumstance to weaken their will. It was obvious that Wang Chong was this sort of person.

"Have the ink and paper been prepared?" Wang Chong asked, apparently unaware of the change in Old Eagle's expression.

"They're ready, Young Master, in the carriage," Old Eagle deferentially replied.

Wang Chong nodded.

"Your Highness, please!"

Wang Chong turned around and extended his right palm to King Song, who had been standing behind him. King Song's carriage was parked nearby. Upon receiving Wang Chong's invitation, King Song appeared a little slow to catch on, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Very well."

Surprise quickly faded, and it took only a few moments for King Song to regain his composure. He nodded, raised the hem of his robe, and stepped onto the carriage.

Wang Chong followed behind, letting down the curtain of the carriage window before stepping inside.

"Let's go!"

The carriage quickly took off. No one knew what Wang Chong and King Song were talking about within. A powerful energy had suddenly exploded from within, instantly severing even Old Eagle's perception.

Old Eagle only knew that when King Song walked out of the carriage mid-journey, he had an extremely unpleasant expression!

After King Song left, the carriage became quiet once more.

"Half a month—there's only half a month left at most! Whether I can succeed will depend on this half a month!"

In the carriage compartment, Wang Chong's eyes flashed as he quickly spread out a sheet of paper. Holding it down with a paperweight, he dipped the brush in his right hand in ink and began to write.

His first letter was to his father Wang Yan and his older brother Wang Fu. Xianyu Zhongtong was a typical defensive general, and he was one of those sticklers who lacked flexibility. He was only good at defending a city.

And his talents certainly did not lie in commanding 180,000 soldiers, much less against opponents like Huoshu Huicang, Dalun Ruozan, Geluofeng, or Duan Gequan.

In his last life, Xianyu Zhongtong had lost precisely to these people. The death struggles of those 180,000 soldiers had only managed to preserve Xianyu Zhongtong's life.

To save the remaining 80,000 soldiers and preserve the vitality of the Great Tang, Wang Chong could only rely on his father and brother.

"To Father and Brother: From Wang Chong!"

Wang Chong lowered his head, his mind raging as his brush flew across the paper, writing line after line of weighty words.

No one other than Wang Chong knew the overall situation in the southwest. The lives of the 80,000 surviving soldiers depended entirely on the words in this letter.

Flapflap!

When the first letter was finished, a carrier pigeon took off into the sky, swiftly disappearing into the southwest.

After writing the first letter, Wang Chong immediately began on the second, third, fourth…

Some of these letters were bound for the southwest, others for the northeast. Some were going to places within the city, others without… Eagles and carrier pigeons received Old Eagle's summons and flew down from the sky and onto the roof of the carriage. They then took the snowflake-like letters and took off.

Not even the nearby Old Eagle knew what was in those letters.

"Young Master…"

Seeing Wang Chong's solemn and focused expression, Old Eagle gave a long sigh. Though his heart ached, he knew that it was wiser to not disturb him.

Although Wang Chong was only a teenager, Old Eagle inexplicably felt that Wang Chong would have to bear the burden of this incident alone!

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 475: Agitating the Capital! (I)
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C475: Agitating the Capital! (I)
Chapter 475: Agitating the Capital! (I)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

The capital was foreordained to be restless today.

Flapflap!

One carrier pigeon after another flew all over the city.

In a mountain range ten-some li from the city, a slightly plump youth was currently in the middle of meditating. A vigorous Stellar Energy seeped out of his body, transforming into a thick, white beam of energy. It coiled around him like a python, making the young man exude an aura of incomparable valiance.

"Mm?"

Upon receiving the carrier pigeon, Wei Hao (Youngster Wei) opened the letter, an astonished look in his eyes.

"Hahaha, Wang Chong, you bastard, you've finally come looking for me…!"

Bang! Wei Hao drew back his fingers, crushing the letter in his hands, after which he began to excitedly laugh.

Wang Chong hadn't written much in the letter, only one simple line: 'I want to borrow twenty guards!'

They were childhood friends, so twenty guards was nothing at all. Even if the Wei Residence had strict rules, even if he risked his father's rebuke, Youngster Wei would definitely help Wang Chong out.

What twenty? He would even be willing to find two hundred!

Boom!

The air vibrated with the clatter of metal. Under Youngster Wei's body, an obsidian-black Halo of Thorns spread out.

It was followed by a second, a third, a fourth!

In this short time, Youngster Wei had ascended from the Origin Energy realm to the True Martial realm, all the way to True Martial realm Tier 4. There were even signs that he was about to break into Tier 5.

At this moment, Youngster Wei was brimming with boundless energy, his strength even surpassing Wang Chong.

This was the power of the Mountain Ascension Art!

Wang Chong had gifted Youngster Wei this technique. It was considered a top-notch technique, but also one that was extremely difficult and had very demanding requirements on one's body.

It was especially difficult at the Origin Energy realm. But after breaking into the True Martial realm, one would become incredibly strong.

Ever since Youngster Wei entered Kunwu Training Camp, Wang Chong rarely called him. Whether he was dealing with the Goguryeon assassins or dealing with An Yaluoshan, Wang Chong had never asked for his help precisely so that he could put all his focus on cultivation.

Wang Chong's attitude toward his childhood friend was one of wholehearted support.

All of the golden ginseng he had obtained from the Goguryeons was a hundred years old. Ever since Wang Chong had reached the True Martial realm, that ginseng had become useless to him, but Youngster Wei could use it, so Wang Chong had offered it with no limit.

The Mountain Ascension Art was different from other techniques, so the Goguryeon ginseng was far more effective on him than on Wang Chong. In addition, practitioners of the Mountain Ascension Art found it much more difficult to break out of the Origin Energy realm and into the True Martial realm.

But the Goguryeon ginseng would lighten the load and provide a large boost in power.

At this point, Youngster Wei had consumed twenty to thirty times the amount of ginseng that Wang Chong had consumed. Moreover, even though Wang Chong had forbidden others from using the spirit vein, Youngster Wei could enter as he pleased.

However, upon reaching the True Martial realm, the Mountain Ascension Art could no longer use the simple energy of the world. It required an energy one level higher, the essence energy of the mountains.

This sort of energy was not like the energy of the world. In normal circumstances, outside of the unique Mountain Ascension Art, it was very difficult to cultivate this energy.

Thus, upon reaching the True Martial realm, Youngster Wei left the spirit vein and headed deep into the mountains. The more primal and numerous the mountains, and the less traveled they were by people, the thicker the mountain essence energy would be.

Youngster Wei had always been a martial arts maniac addicted to cultivation. He cultivated into the night, and from the night until the day. And given that, unlike Wang Chong, he was not bothered by other affairs, he was a perfect match for the Mountain Ascension Art!

As a result, Youngster Wei's cultivation had surpassed Wang Chong's.

There was no doubt that Youngster Wei had reached a level that would have been impossible to reach in his previous life.

"Something must have happened for Wang Chong to borrow guards. I have to go and take a look!"

Youngster Wei's eyes shone as he immediately stood up. With a swoosh, his body jumped forward like an ape, covering more than ten meters in a single bound.

But after a few jumps, Youngster Wei suddenly became a fierce tiger or massive elephant, quickly vanishing among the mountains.

……

At the same time, somewhere in the capital, there was a three-floor tea house. It had flying eaves and was built in an ancient style, giving off an aura of elegance and grandeur.

An elegant figure furrowed its brows, slender fingers gripping a five-inch-tall porcelain tea cup. It appeared like this figure had many worries on its mind.

Flapflap! The flapping of wings could be heard.

"Eh?"

A hint of surprise flashed through Bai Siling's eyes as she subconsciously raised her head. She saw a white carrier pigeon drawing a curve through the sky as it flew over the arching eaves of the tea house and toward her.

Bai Siling inadvertently extended an arm to receive the bird.

"It's him…"

As she opened the letter and saw that familiar, crooked handwriting, Bai Siling's originally furrowed inky brows slowly began to relax.

The worries that had vexed her for many a day melted like ice as her lips curled into a faint smile, a flower blooming.

"I just knew that cell couldn't hold you!"

Bai Siling gave a confident smile and took a sip of tea from her cup. A sweet aroma was left on her lips, imbued with endless charm.

Finally able to put down her worries, Bai Siling felt much more at ease. As for the contents of Wang Chong's letter, she didn't much care.

Putting down the cup, Bai Siling, with a graceful stride, quickly took her leave of the tea house.

……

"Haha, twenty True Martial realm experts… Wang Chong, you really can't stand to be quiet!"

In the practice ground within the estate of the Xu Clan, a pigeon was perched on Xu Gan's shoulder. In one of his hands was a spear made of white poplar while in the other was Wang Chong's letter.

"You just got out of prison and you already want to borrow soldiers. Are you starting another operation? The southwest?!"

Xu Gan slightly raised his head, his wise and profound gaze seemingly peering into the depths of time-space.

Xu Gan had always felt a deep admiration for his junior Wang Chong. He was deeply aware that he was no match for Wang Chong's thoughts and deeds, his courage and ambition.

Xu Gan felt blessed to have met him during the training camp mission.

The scions of the noble clans, especially those first in line, were all very proud and arrogant to each other, but Xu Gan had never once acted that way toward Wang Chong.

If there was one person in the capital that deserved his sincere and thorough admiration, that person could only be Wang Chong.

Whoosh!

With a flick of his wrist, the spear in his hand whistled forward like a mighty flood dragon, accurately landing in the weapon rack around sixty zhang away.

"Let's go… Last time, it was Zhang Shougui and Beiting Vice Protector-General An Sishun. I wonder who it's with this time? Being him really isn't a waste of time!"

After wiping the sweat off his neck with a towel, Xu Gan strode off.

"Haha, just as expected of someone admired by me, Zhao Yatong! Nothing can hold you for long!"

In the main hall of the Zhao Clan, Zhao Yatong finished reading the letter in her hand and left the Zhao Clan's mansion like a blazing cloud of fire.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 476: Agitating the Capital! (II)
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C476: Agitating the Capital! (II)
Chapter 476: Agitating the Capital! (II)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Flapflap!

One carrier pigeon after another flew to various places in the capital. All of the great clans, noble houses, and rich merchant families that had been established in the capital for at least several decades received Wang Chong's letter, regardless of whether they even knew Wang Chong or the Wang Clan.

"Father, what do you think the Wang Clan is up to?"

In the remote Duke Liu Estate, Li Bing gripped the messily written letter in his hand, his brow deeply creased.

"It would be fine if it were someone else, but we've had conflict him before, with Su Hanshan… Just what is he thinking?"

The Duke Liu lineage had retreated from the Imperial Court long ago and could be said to possess no influence whatsoever, only enjoying the status of Duke. It couldn't even be compared to the likes of the Wang Clan.

One could even say that there was nothing the Duke Liu lineage could do to help the Wang Clan, and besides, the two had once come into conflict over Su Hanshan.

Although both sides ended up making peace, such a matter was not so easily put aside.

The hall was quiet. Duke Liu was quiet, his brow even more tightly creased than Li Bing's.

If the Li Clan and the Wang Clan were extremely close, then they would have to agree to Wang Chong's request no matter what it was.

But in truth, Wang Chong's sudden request for experts had felt all too sudden for both Duke Liu and his son Li Bing.

"Bing-er, the Wang Clan is no normal clan, and Wang Chong is a golden-scaled fish, not bound to the confines of the lake. No matter what he plans to do, since we've received his letter, send a few people to go and see what he wants. And besides, this is a good chance to form a relationship with the Wang Clan. Just remember, that Su Hanshan… do your utmost to avoid meeting him!"

"Yes, your child understands and will do this now."

Li Bing lowered his head and then left.

……

"What does that Qilin son of the Wang Clan want?"

If Duke Liu was said to be caught by surprise, one could say that Duke Su found it somewhat hard to understand why he was now holding a letter from Wang Chong.

"If I remember correctly, didn't His Highness King Song recently repress the Court of Judicial Review and Chamberlain of Dependencies to get Wang Chong released? At this time, what is he up to, asking to borrow guards from me?"

Duke Su was over forty, and his bearded face gave off a rather dignified aura.

Before Duke Su could continue, Su Bai immediately began to shout. "Father, ignore him! That Wang Chong is nobody good. Last time, he inflicted a terrible humiliation on us, and now he's asking to borrow guards? Ignore him. Bastard! He's definitely up to no good. “另外，爹爹，你忘了吗？上次我可是差点被他害的死在牢里！”

"And also, Father, did you forget? I almost ended up dying in prison because of him!"

Duke Su suddenly turned around and berated his son. "Bastard! I didn't even mention you yet! Speak! Did you make trouble for me yet again?"

"Father, I'm innocent! I haven't done anything!"

Su Bai's plea of innocence was true. He had just been messing around in a tea house when his father's guards tied him up and brought him back.

In truth, Su Bai had been frightened half to death by the fact that Wang Chong had sent a letter to the Duke Su Residence, and was even more shocked than his father.

"You've done nothing? Then why did he send a letter to our Duke Su Residence? Evil son, remember this for me. We can disregard any other person in the capital, but for Wang Chong, no matter how much of a grudge you hold against him, you had better keep far, far away," Duke Su harshly scolded.

"Why? Didn't that brat need King Song's help? Otherwise, given his crime, he was dead for sure!" Su Bai angrily replied.

"Hmph, you also know that the trouble he caused would have ended in death. Then why don't you think about why he's not dead? Who are Zhang Shougui and An Sishun? One is Andong Protector-General and other is the Beiting Vice Protector-General, and both are Great Generals of the empire. You couldn't even afford to provoke one, much less both of them.

"Perhaps other people might stay quiet if King Song released Wang Chong, but do you think Zhang Shougui and An Sishun would be cowed? Although an Imperial Great General might be inferior in status to an Imperial Prince of the Great Tang, they also don't have much to fear. So why didn't they say anything?"

"They…"

Su Bai's mouth was open, but he couldn't find a retort.

It was true. Other people might stay quiet, but why didn't Zhang Shougui or An Sishun say anything about King Song releasing Wang Chong?

Other people might fear King Song, but why would they?

If his father hadn't mentioned it, Su Bai would have never contemplated this question.

Su Bai looked at his father and uncertainly said, "Father, your meaning is…"

"Hmph, if this wasn't His Majesty's will, do you think Zhang Shougui and An Sishun would just leave the matter at that? Even the massive ruckus caused by the Regional Commanders incident wasn't able to do anything against him, and all he did this time was kill a few of Zhang Shougui's and An Sishun's subordinates. Did you really think anything would happen to him?

"Zhang Shougui has always been praised as a quick-witted person. If he didn't perceive His Majesty's will, he wouldn't have taken this matter lying down. As for An Sishun, he might be a Hu and not have a lot going on in his head, but he is devotedly loyal to His Majesty. Did you think that he ended up as Vice Protector-General of Beiting by luck? He might not know what other people are up to, but he clearly understands His Majesty's intentions.

"An Sishun must have received a message from His Majesty. This was why King Song was able to so smoothly ensure Wang Chong's release," Duke Su indifferently said.

There was no way he would have let Wang Chong go so easily, but as a longtime servant of the court, he had gained the ability to see where the political currents were flowing.

One needed this sort of sharp sense to remain in political circles.

"This, this…"

Su Bai was dumbstruck, his eyes wide open and mouth agape. He only knew that King Song had saved Wang Chong, but nothing about what was going on behind the curtains.

The internal politics of the court were far more complex than he had imagined.

"Go with a few people and see what he wants first…" Duke Su said with a wave of his hand.

Similar events were taking place at around the same time all over the capital. It wasn't merely clans Wang Chong had good relationships with like the Bai Clan or the Xu Clan, but also places like the Duke Su Residence, which the Wang Clan had few interactions with. Even great clans that had no connection with the Wang Clan had received an invitation.

Other than the Yao Clan and King Qi, these rivals of the Wang Clan, all the great clans of the capital received this invitation.

Wang Chong's letters began to move the entire capital.

No one knew what Wang Chong wanted, but there was no question that the letters Wang Chong wrote on his carriage home were stirring up the entire capital.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 477: Simulating the Southwest!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C477: Simulating the Southwest!
Chapter 477: Simulating the Southwest!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Zhao Jingdian, Wei Anfang, Xu Qiqin, and Huang Qian-er arrived at the Wang Clan Residence at a very late hour. The residence was brightly lit, and Wang Chong invited these people into his study before shutting the door.

No one else knew what they discussed, only that once Zhao Jingdian, Wei Anfang, the usually uninterested Xu Qiqin, and Huang Qian-er left Wang Chong's study, they all had very unsightly expressions.

The four were completely out of sorts, every one of them dazed and absentminded, unresponsive to the calls of the Wang Clan guards. They did not stay the night, leaving right after the meeting.

But the lanterns in Wang Chong's study were not extinguished.

After the four left, the silhouette on the window of Wang Chong at his desk remained while the scratching of his brush could be heard. But the door was shut, so nobody knew what Wang Chong was actually doing inside.

……

"…Lion City was finished a long time ago, and a massive amount of food was stored within. That is the last chance to save Xianyu Zhongtong and the Annan Protectorate army!"

In the study, Wang Chong looked at his desk under the flickering lantern light, an incredibly grave expression on his face.

On Wang Chong's table was a miniature topographic model of the southwest. All the canyons, mountain ranges, rivers, plains, cities, and forests were displayed here in breathtaking detail.

Wang Chong had borrowed the necessary information from the Bureau of Military Personnel quite some time ago and then hired artisans to make this model. In the Great Tang, all information involving geography, including models of military defenses, were classified secrets, and keeping them for oneself was a major crime.

But Wang Chong had never cared. He had kept this model in his study the entire time.

The defeat of the Annan Protectorate army in the southwest was already set in stone. The past could not be changed, but that did not mean that everything was hopeless.

"If there are no surprises and everything goes as it did in the past, Xianyu Zhongtong and Geluofeng should have fought on this plain!"

Wang Chong stared at the model, countless thoughts flickering through his head. He looked nothing like a young and inexperienced teenager.

Without knowing, Wang Chong had once more become the experienced Grand Marshal of the Great Tang, leading a powerful army and deciding victory or defeat with a forceful jab of his finger!

Whoosh!

Wang Chong took out a small flag and thrust it into the Erhai plains. As someone praised by the entire world as 'War Saint', Wang Chong had experienced thousands of battles, big and small. Not even he could remember exactly how many.

Even a completely clueless layman would become a decent commander if they managed to survive through thousands of battles, and this was Wang Chong!

As long as Geluofeng wasn't an imbecile, as long as Duan Gequan was still a commander, they would definitely have chosen the Erhai plains for their decisive battle.

And only the Erhai plains could hold so many soldiers!

The Great Tang and Mengshe Zhao of his past life hadn't chosen that place to fight for no reason. And as long as Xianyu Zhongtong wasn't a complete idiot, as long as he was still an ordinary person, after the defeat, he would definitely be able to see that place!

Wang Chong took out a small red flag and placed it on Lion City, positioned behind the Erhai plains. Wang Chong had still not been to Lion City, had no idea what this city he had spent millions of taels of gold on even looked like.

But given Zhang Shouzhi's abilities, Wang Chong was sure that the city he had built, that massive city near the Erhai plains, was a most remarkable existence.

Even from a distance of several hundred li, one would definitely be able to see that city seemingly forged from steel, 'Lion City'!

This Lion City had been constructed for Wang Chong, and it had also been constructed for those 180,000 Great Tang warriors. It was their only hope.

In his last life, those 180,000 soldiers had no place to retreat to after the battle at Erhai, and there was no way infantry could outrun cavalry. As a result, those 180,000 elites were completely annihilated.

Other than Xianyu Zhongtong, who barely managed to escape, the rest were utterly wiped out!

But Wang Chong's Lion City had now become the only hope for survival for these 180,000 elites. Wang Chong could almost guarantee that the remaining 80,000 Great Tang soldiers only existed because they had escaped into Lion City.

Otherwise, the army would have already been wiped out and the Stone of Destiny would have already killed Wang Chong for failing the mission.

But Wang Chong was well aware that one Lion City was not enough to alter the fate of those 80,000 soldiers and the disposition of forces in the southwest.

There was no city in the world that could not be broken, and Lion City was no exception.

The 300,000 or more Mengshe Zhao soldiers that Geluofeng had practically emptied his country to raise and the 200,000 or more soldiers of Ü-Tsang's Ngari Royal Lineage constituted a force that could break down any city.

Lion City couldn't last for too long!

Wang Chong had expended a massive amount of resources on Lion City only to give the 80,000 Great Tang soldiers some space to breathe, to offer them a temporary moment of reprieve.

But this reprieve would not last for too long.

Moreover, even if Lion City were unbreakable, it still wouldn't be able to last for too long. 'Food is god for the people.' Even though Wang Chong had prepared a massive number of rations in the city, this amount was absolutely insufficient for these 80,000 Great Tang soldiers who needed to step onto the battlefield at any moment.

'Before the troops and horses can be mobilized, rations and fodder must be prepared.' Without sufficient food, a great army would crumple without even the need to attack!

In order to save the 80,000 remaining Great Tang soldiers and alter the course of the war in the southwest, he had to act before the rations were completely exhausted.

There was not much time left for Wang Chong!

Wang Chong's gaze flitted over the model, taking measure of the southwest's geography.

300,000 Mengshe Zhao soldiers and 200,000 Ngari Ü-Tsang soldiers were not something a mere 80,000 soldiers could fight against.

Even with the tens of thousands of soldiers under his father and Li Zhengyi, it still wouldn't be enough.

But Wang Chong had no other choice. In addition, while difficult, it wasn't impossible for the few to defeat the many, at least for Wang Chong.

With proper use of geography and suitable strategies, such a thing was completely possible.

'All warfare is based on deception.' In this world, no one understood the meaning of this phrase more than Wang Chong.

(TN: This quote is a proverb from Sun Tzu's Art of War.)

Wang Chong was searching for the proper geography.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

One small flag after another was thrust into the model. Hills, forests, riverbanks, mountains… these places that Wang Chong thrust the flags into were projected onto his mind.

The model was empty, devoid of activity. But in Wang Chong's mind, a massive army was surging through it.

The Mengshe Zhao army, the Ü-Tsang army, and the Great Tang army besieged in Lion City… all of these soldiers began to fight in his mind as if they were alive.

This was Wang Chong's first time using his mental energy to simulate the changes in the war of the southwest.

'Military strength relies on simulation.' This was a skill that every commander needed. But the most formidable commander could only simulate tens of thousands of soldiers, perhaps a bit more than a hundred thousand. No one had ever done what Wang Chong was doing, simulating in his mind a war involving 700,000 soldiers.

Moreover, this war involved famous and powerful generals like Geluofeng, Fengjiayi, Duan Gequan, Dalun Ruozan, and Huoshu Huicang!

The styles of renowned generals were difficult to grasp. If someone were to see what Wang Chong was doing at this moment, they would definitely be flabbergasted.

Because if one wanted to predict the actions of generals on the level of Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huicang, one had to have an extremely deep understanding of them. In addition, one had to completely surpass them in terms of strategy.

Only by fulfilling these two conditions could one smoothly simulate this war!

Yet this was precisely what Wang Chong was doing!

The future had already changed. 80,000 survivors was already a massive difference from his last life. To Wang Chong, what happened next was no longer in the bounds of fate. He could only rely on himself!

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 478: Old Eagle's Worries!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C478: Old Eagle's Worries!
Chapter 478: Old Eagle's Worries!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Wang Chong's mind was constantly simulating, and the positions of the little red flags were constantly fluctuating, being plucked out and thrust back into the model.

At the end, everything in his mind was decided, and the number of little red flags on the model had been greatly reduced. Only seven or eight were left.

Of the 80,000 soldiers, half is infantry and the other half cavalry. They also have a square of master archers! They won't be able to escape the Ü-Tsang warhorses, so if they have to fight, the decisive battle will be here! Wang Chong mentally said to himself as he thrust out his finger and drew a circle on the model. Although there seemed to be nothing around there, Wang Chong knew that this would be the site of the truly decisive battle. The fate of those 80,000 soldiers and the fate of the Great Tang itself would be decided within the bounds of that circle.

After taking into account all the factors—distance, speed, rations—that place would be the final hope for the Annan Protectorate army!

When one has done all one can, the rest is up to the heavens! For the rest, it'll just depend on luck! Wang Chong said to himself, a great burden relieved from his mind.

'One misstep leads to many more.' This was a basic understanding needed before making any attempts to predict a foe's movements in a war.

Dealing with famous generals like Huoshu Huicang and Duan Gequan, predicting in advance the location of the decisive battle, luring them over, making preparations… such a feat was simply unimaginable for an average person.

But for Wang Chong, dealing with a stronger opponent wasn't a problem at all.

Although the reincarnation had lowered his cultivation level, it had not stripped him of his strategic intuition and attainments.

Time slowly passed as Wang Chong's brush flew at tremendous speeds, piling high a stack of diagrams on his desk. The complexities of war far exceeded the bounds of a simple simulation.

Wang Chong had to prepare for everything, developing a response for every circumstance.

After some time, Wang Chong's pale-faced figure finally opened the door to his study and walked out.

"Old Eagle, send a person to each of these three locations. Have them conduct a thorough investigation and then draw a detailed topographic map to give to me!" In his hand were several maps.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Old Eagle took the maps, his eyes filled with worry at the sight of the black circles around Wang Chong's eyes.

"Have you gotten in touch with the sword shops of the capital about buying their next three months of production and asking them to help us forge items?" Wang Chong said.

Adding on the time he had spent in the cell, Wang Chong had not gotten any proper rest in a long time. But even so, Wang Chong did not feel one bit tired. On the contrary, his eyes were bright and his face seemed to be brimming with energy.

Old Eagle lowered his head and earnestly answered, "Replying to Young Master, I've already sent out the residence's guards, but it's still early. It hasn't been very long since Young Master was released. Although we've communicated with no small number of sword shops and smiths, they still haven't expressed any stance. We'll probably need to wait a little longer to hear any response."

Although he had been at Wang Chong's side all this time, he had also been carrying out all the orders Wang Chong had given him.

But unlike normal people, even though Old Eagle himself didn't move, his carrier pigeons and various birds of prey had never stopped moving.

However, getting in touch with so many sword shops and smiths was clearly not something that could be done in a short time; one night was definitely not enough!

Moreover, actual discussions, signing of contracts, and affirmation at the Court of Judicial Review would require time.

"Hmph, if time is needed, use money to lower it!" Wang Chong said with a grim smile.

Although he was young, he was also no three-year-old. In a place like the capital, if a deal was going slowly, it meant that the price was not enough.

"Old Eagle, let me ask you, when auctioning the spirit vein, how much money did we raise?" Wang Chong asked.

With his long hair, gown, and hands held behind his back, he naturally gave off the graceful air of a noble scion, but he was also not lacking in the manly air of a descendant of generals.

"Young Master, even if you didn't ask, I would still say it. One-third of the spirit vein has been sold off at present, resulting in 1.8 billion taels of gold!"

"1.8 billion taels?"

Wang Chong took in a deep breath, the shock evident on his face. Even though he was the one who had initiated the proceedings, he still didn't dare believe his ears. This sum had far surpassed his original expectations.

"Yes, Young Master. The auction price far exceeded our original estimates. However, although I say 1.8 billion taels of gold, the amount we have in hand hasn't reached that amount. When we began the auction, the great clans still did not have much money in hand, so quite a significant part of this sum is made up of land, businesses, or treasures the great clans used to reach the necessary sum," Old Eagle said somewhat apologetically.

The spirit vein was a priceless treasure that any clan would cherish. But no one had expected Wang Chong to give it up like an old shoe and auction it off.

The clans of the capital all basically went crazy!

However, the price for the spirit vein was still very high, not something an ordinary clan could afford. Many of the clans had bought parts of the spirit vein by offering both gold and clan property.

Even so, the amount of actual gold was still a massive sum.

"So how much is left?" Wang Chong asked.

"About 200 million gold!" Old Eagle said.

The gap between this figure and the one he first reported was rather large, but it was still quite the surprise. The Wang Clan did not have any sort of large-scale business.

The other clans, on the other hand, had an unending stream of revenue from their own properties.

It was precisely this thought that gave Old Eagle the idea of paying part of the auction price in property. Otherwise, it would have simply been impossible to bring in this much gold.

But Old Eagle had no idea what Wang Chong wanted to do with all this gold.

"200 million… is enough!" Wang Chong indifferently said, his eyes calm, his plans already made. "Take 100 million and give it to the clan guards. Have them go directly to those sword smiths and shops, and negotiate with them. I want to hear their answer by the end of today. As for the rest of the 100 million, help me find the sword-smithing clans and sword shops on the periphery of the capital.

"Although their forging abilities are inferior to those of the capital, it's enough for what I want to have forged!" Wang Chong said without hesitation, a calm expression on his face.

Old Eagle looked at Wang Chong in consternation, wanting to speak out. 200 million taels of gold was the harvest from auctioning off the spirit vein. By doing this, Wang Chong was just using the money to smooth negotiations.

This would lead to a much greater loss than normal.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Old Eagle had hesitated, initially wanting to urge Wang Chong to do otherwise, but by the time the words had reached his mouth, he had already changed his mind. Wang Chong's will was firm and was not easy to alter. It was clear that anything that Old Eagle said would be useless.

"Mm!"

Wang Chong nodded and continued, "Did you inform all of the capital's great clans? When will they arrive?"

"According to Young Master's will, they have all been informed. They should arrive in four hours," Old Eagle said.

"Mm, I understand. I'll go back inside and do a little work. When they arrive, come and inform me."

With this said, Wang Chong turned and walked back into his study.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Old Eagle's voice came from behind him, but right after, boom!A massive energy struck an acupoint on his back. Wang Chong's entire body trembled as all the strength poured out of his body like it was a punctured sack. A tide of drowsiness immediately swept over him.

"Old Eagle…"

This was the last thought in Wang Chong's mind as his body toppled.

"Young Master, I've offended you. What you truly need is a good rest. If you continue like this, I'm worried that you'll break down!"

Old Eagle gave a long sigh as he went to pick up Wang Chong.

From the cell to now, Wang Chong had always appeared energetic and not the least bit tired. But Old Eagle was well aware that he was actually exhausted to the extreme.

This was not purely physical exhaustion. The bodies of martial artists were far stronger than those of ordinary people. Old Eagle's true concern was Wang Chong's mental state.

Wang Chong's mind had been operating at full capacity throughout his more than half a month of imprisonment. In the few times Old Eagle had seen him in his cell, he had been constantly writing and drawing.

Even though he didn't understand what Wang Chong was writing, Old Eagle was completely capable of guessing that it had to do with the southwestern region of the empire.

A person couldn't allow their physical body to reach this state of exhaustion. Old Eagle was worried that if Wang Chong persisted on this path, he would burn himself out.

"Rest well, Young Master! Just leave the rest to me!"

Old Eagle put Wang Chong in bed and then left the room and the residence. Since Wang Chong had already pointed out the direction, he should handle the rest…

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 479: Discussion in the Hall (I)
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C479: Discussion in the Hall (I)
Chapter 479: Discussion in the Hall (I)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Wang Chong woke up four hours later.

"Young Master, all the representatives from the great clans are here!"

He heard a familiar voice at his ear. Opening his eyes, Wang Chong immediately noticed that Old Eagle was standing by his bed, his waist bent in a deferential bow.

Wang Chong froze for a moment before giving a bitter smile of understanding.

"Old Eagle, I know that you had good intentions, but you shouldn't do this again."

"Yes, Young Master. Old Eagle understands."

Old Eagle did not argue.

Wang Chong left the matter at that. Old Eagle didn't have a bad personality, and Wang Chong knew that he had done it for his own good, but time was short, and he had countless matters he needed to attend to. How could he allow himself to take a rest?

"Where are they all?" Wang Chong asked.

"In the reception hall. I only came to inform Young Master after making sure that they were all taken care of," Old Eagle said.

Wang Chong took in a deep breath, nodded, and quickly left his room.

……

The Wang Clan's reception hall was packed.

The representatives from the great clans filled the room. The Wang Clan was a clan of ministers and generals, its status far higher than the other great clans. Ordinary clans wouldn't even have the right to step through its main gate.

In addition, the Wang Clan was influenced by its Old Master and had very strict principles, so other clans were rarely invited into its residence.

For many of these great clans, this was their first time being invited into the Wang Clan Residence. However, the atmosphere in the hall was not harmonious in the slightest.

"Just what is the Wang Clan up to?"

"We've been waiting for so long, so why has no one come out?"

"Is that how the Wang Clan acts when they want to borrow people from us?"

"Hmph, what's this about borrowing people? Did you agree? I certainly haven't. Just want to see what reason the Wang Clan has for making this request."

"That's right, that's right. Not even revered Duke Jiu would do something like this, right? We ourselves don't have many True Martial realm warriors, so why should we lend them to the Wang Clan? And they're even asking for True Martial realm Tier 4 or 5!"

……

The crowd in the hall was buzzing with conversation, but the air wasn't very friendly.

"These people!"

This was the sight greeting Old Eagle when he led Wang Chong out, a sight that caused Old Eagle's brow to rise.

"It's fine!"

Wang Chong chuckled as he pulled the angry Old Eagle back from giving those people a beating. Unlike Old Eagle, Wang Chong only needed to sweep his gaze through the room to know what was going on.

"Someone here is leading the conversation!" Wang Chong softly said, the situation as clear as crystal in his eyes.

There were many great clans in the capital, but all of them would be very reluctant to lend their precious True Martial realm Tier 4 or 5 experts to another person.

But for all of these people to be of one mind, all working in concert to make a ruckus in the Wang Clan's reception hall, that wasn't normal at all. If there weren't someone making trouble in the background, there was no way this crowd would have been so united in their denunciations.

But Wang Chong didn't care that much.

If he had no confidence in this venture, he would not have dared. He wasn't just confident that he could merely persuade these great clans to lend him their experts. He believed that by the end, they would be more than happy to lend him their guards, even those people who were making trouble and leading the conversation.

In truth, by that time, he wouldn't be begging them. They would be begging him.

"I've let everyone wait!"

With a sweep of his sleeve, Wang Chong walked into the hall, Old Eagle at his side.

"It's Young Master!"

"Young Master Chong is here!"

Wang Chong's entrance immediately attracted the attention of the crowd. With a glance, Wang Chong could tell that while the number of people in the hall was quite large, it was only a small part of the number he had actually invited.

Moreover, many of these people were not actual members of these great clans, but their subordinates.

No wonder they were so easily incited by someone else, Wang Chong said to himself, instantly understanding everything.

"Young Master Chong, what do you need to borrow these people for?"

"Young Master Chong, Duke Jiu has always been revered by the people. If the Wang Clan needs it, our Li Clan will do our utmost to assist. However, even we are lacking True Martial Tier 4 and 5 experts!"

"Young Master Chong, I am truly sorry. Our clan elders haven't been present as of late, so we are momentarily unable to answer your request. I was sent here to express our apologies to Young Master Chong! I hope that Young Master can forgive us!"

"Young Master, these two Deep Sea Xuan Pearls represent our Yu Clan's courtesy. As for ten True Martial realm experts, please forgive us. We cannot do it. Our Yu Clan is already lacking in manpower, so I don't know if you're willing to accept two True Martial realm experts!"

……

Wang Chong coldly watched the proceedings. There were all kinds of people in the hall. Some of them directly refused, some found an excuse, fearing the Wang Clan's power, and others wanted to negotiate to reduce the number of people requested…

While he had been sleeping from the strike Old Eagle had delivered to his acupoint, that person in the shadows had proved very effective in their attempts to lead the conversation.

Yet Wang Chong was utterly unsurprised by this result.

Experts at the True Martial realm and above were extremely important to the great clans. Moreover, the Imperial Court had always strictly controlled the experts of the great clans.

Each great clan had a quota to meet in the army, and once a clan had too many experts, they would immediately be ordered to enter the army to follow the military's tune.

As a result, there had always been a limit to the number of experts under the control of the clans. Besides, clan experts were a special resource that couldn't be loaned out to others like silver or gold.

It was the complete opposite. If a clan found someone talented or strong, they would vigorously attempt to recruit them. Why in the world would they want to lend these experts to others?

From the very start, Wang Chong's request had been almost impossible to fulfill.

"Hmph, isn't it just twenty experts at True Martial realm Tier 4 or 5? This one will lend you forty!"

While everyone was making excuses or declining, a voice suddenly exploded like thunder in the ears of the crowd.

For a moment, the entire hall was quiet. Everyone turned to one particular extremely straightforward and outspoken young scion.

"Hmph, I wondered who it was. So it was Wei Hao! You're childhood friends with Wang Chong, brothers who basically shared the same pair of pants. Of course you would lend guards to him!"

An odd voice filled with derision quickly entered the ears of the crowd.

"But Wei Hao, I would just like to ask one thing. You casually declared that you would lend him forty True Martial realm experts, but are they actually yours? If I remember correctly, don't you have two older brothers? Wouldn't you have to ask them as well as your father, Duke Wei, first?"

A man dressed in silver walked out of the crowd, a sneer on his face. He had a stalwart body, and the emblem of a clan adorned his chest. He was clearly a guard from some clan.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 480: Discussion in the Hall (II)
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C480: Discussion in the Hall (II)
Chapter 480: Discussion in the Hall (II)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

"Hmph, you were sent by Su Bai? Bastard thing, since he sent you over, he must not be far. Su Bai, you son of a bitch, show your face!"

Wei Hao angrily snorted, his wolfish gaze sweeping over the crowd. He had no reason to be polite toward Su Bai. If that fellow dared to send people over to make trouble, he was under no obligation to treat him kindly.

"Don't go spouting off any nonsense here. Our young master didn't even come. Besides, the one who invited us was your good brother Wang Chong. It has nothing to do with us!" the Duke Su guard sneered back.

The order he had received was to do his utmost to ruin this venture of Wang Chong's, no matter what it was. However, even if he hadn't received this order, Duke Su had intended for him to come and see what exactly was going on.

Alas, in Su Bai's hands, these orders became ones of selfish mischief, demanding that he ruin Wang Chong's venture at any price.

"Wang Chong, Su Bai can't have had any good intentions by sending over this son of a bitch. Just give the word and I'll help you kick him out!"

Wei Hao was foaming in rage as he pressed out of the crowd and to Wang Chong's side.

As a brother who had basically grown up together with Wang Chong, he had a good grasp of the Wang Clan Residence, but Wei Hao still understood whose home this actually was.

This gathering had been called by Wang Chong, so on this formal occasion, only Wang Chong could decide how to deal with the unwelcome and troublemakers.

"It's fine."

With a grin, Wang Chong pulled on the fuming Wei Hao.

"Cool down a little. I was the one who invited Duke Su's people."

"What?!"

The raging Wei Hao was dumbfounded by these words, his face frozen in shock. He had been under the impression that Su Bai had sent people purely to make trouble.

He didn't think that Wang Chong had specifically invited them.

"Haven't you always been at odds with him? Why did you suddenly invite him?"

Wei Hao had an incredulous look, taken completely aback by the truth.

"Haha, in a little while, I'll tell you."

Wang Chong smiled but did not explain any further.

The matter of the southwest involved enemies of the country while the matter between the Wang Clan and the Su Clan was just a private grudge, and what did a private grudge matter in comparison to what was about to happen in the southwest?

As long as it was of benefit to his current task, as long as it could help the empire and its millions of inhabitants confront this great peril and get through this storm, nothing else was important to Wang Chong.

"Hmph, Wang Chong, don't pay attention to this bastard. Isn't it just ten-some True Martial realm experts? Not only does my Bai Clan have them, it has plenty!"

A voice piped up from the crowd as Bai Siling strode out of the crowd, simultaneously heroic and charming, her head held high.

As she walked over to Wang Chong, she also blinked her eyelashes at him as if communicating some profound meaning.

Wei Hao leaned close to Wang Chong and whispered to him, "We had originally wanted to come and find you, but you happened to be sleeping. Bai Siling also said that there were certain to be troublemakers among all these people you invited, so she recommended that we not rush out to meet you and mix in with the crowd first."

Although he hadn't spent much time in the training camp, he had met the people at Wang Chong's side quite a few times, so he knew the Bai Clan's Bai Siling, who had made her name off her intelligence and cunning.

"Haha, if Young Master Wang needs, you can also count on our Xu Clan!"

On the other side, Xu Gan coordinated with Bai Siling and also walked out of the crowd. He wasn't as bombastic as Bai Siling, but it was enough for him to coordinate with her.

"Haha, then count us in too!"

Like a fiery cloud, the red-dressed Zhao Yatong, a dot of red on her brow, promptly drifted out of the crowd, bewitchingly beautiful.

Buzz!

Both the Xu Clan and the Zhao Clan were very influential clans in the capital, and Bai Siling's Bai Clan ranked amongst the oldest, its influence on par with the Wang Clan's.

These three people stepping forth caused the crowd to buzz with chatter. From the restlessness of the crowd, it was clear that no one had expected this sight.

The great clans always had reasons for their actions. If there were no benefit to them, they would not have done this. To many clans, whenever they were hesitating, they would just need to look at those most influential clans to know what to do.

And there was no question that the support of Bai Siling, Zhao Yatong, and Xu Gan had greatly affected the crowd.

The somewhat minor clans seemed about to act.

"Wait a moment!" the Duke Su guard hastily shouted. "Hmph, if my memory is right, Bai Siling, Zhao Yatong, and Xu Gan, you're all Wang Chong's friends. If you help him… there's no problem. But there's no need for the rest of us to follow!

"And besides, all the people here come from clans that are in no way lacking for money. Moreover, many of these experts are ones that we spent a great deal of time and energy raising. The rest of them are ones that we spent large sums hiring from the outside. If we gave them to you, wouldn't we be helping out the Wang Clan for no gain! I know that your Wang Clan recently sold off the spirit vein, but no matter how much money you offer, we're not selling!"

The Duke Su guard wasn't willing to let the matter end like this. And with his troublemaking words, many people began to hesitate once more.

The prestigious clans had exceptional status that was very effective on the other clans of the capital. However, if one said that Bai Siling, Zhao Yatong, and Xu Gan had always been Wang Chong's good friends, then this matter took on a completely different flavor.

In the end, Wang Chong wasn't borrowing pots and pans or gold and silver from them. For many of these clans, top-notch experts were the backbone of the clan that couldn't be lightly loaned to others.

Damn, how did this fellow know who Bai Siling, Zhao Yatong, and Xu Gan were? Wei Hao silently cursed. This scoundrel seemed determined to make trouble.

"Ha, who said that I was going to buy them with money?" Wang Chong indifferently said.

"Is that not so?" the Duke Su guard immediately shot back. Gold? Treasure? All of these things had utterly no appeal to these clans.

As for status, the Wang Clan couldn't offer such a thing.

Wang Chong gave him no further explanation, only a faint smile. He turned his eyes to the other representatives.

"First of all, my thanks to everyone for coming. And then, the reason I didn't write it in my letters is because just words alone wouldn't be enough to make you believe me. If you didn't hear them from my mouth, none of you would have any faith in the exchange."

Wang Chong paused for a moment, his expression unhurried, his manner exceptionally convincing.

"There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Since I have asked for help from all the clans, I'm naturally not asking for them for free. Thus, each person can decide next if they want to accept.

"I want the clans present to lend me their strongest guards. They must be at True Martial realm Tier 4 or above. I need them for three months. In these three months, all of them have to follow my orders without question. And once these three months are over, these guards will naturally return to your clans! As for the price…"

Wang Chong paused, during which the entire hall was absolutely silent, everyone looking at Wang Chong.

Even the Duke Su guard who had been making trouble kept his mouth shut, a focused expression on his face.

Wang Chong had just stated that he wouldn't be using money to borrow these True Martial realm experts from the clan, so now, everyone was very curious to see what Wang Chong would give them if not gold or silver.

Given the status of all these clans, there was truly little that could attract them.

"One Wootz Steel weapon!"

Under everyone's expectant gazes, Wang Chong slowly raised a finger.

"For three months, for each True Martial Tier 4 or 5 expert loaned, you can obtain one Wootz Steel weapon from me. Once the three months are over, then whether I've completed what I wanted or not, you can get one Wootz Steel weapon along with the guard you loaned me!"

The moment Wang Chong finished speaking, the entire hall fell into an eerie silence.

"Wang Chong, you've gone crazy!"

Wei Hao was the first to react. His wide-open eyes stared in disbelief at Wang Chong. No, it wasn't just disbelief, but deep concern.

"How can you give the Wootz Steel weapons to them? And for only three months? Quickly, take back your words."

"That's right. Wang Chong, Wootz Steel weapons are currently priceless. You can't even buy one if you wanted to. If you require a few elite experts, we can think of ways to help you. There's no need to do this."

Bai Siling was also stunned.

Not even she had imagined that Wang Chong had gathered so many people to carry out this sort of exchange. Wootz Steel weapons could cleave through regular steel and were hailed as the king of weapons.

Wang Chong himself probably didn't have enough of them!

"Siling is right. Wang Chong, do you not want to reconsider?" Xu Gan added in support.

From his perspective, Wang Chong was suffering a severe loss. This sort of exchange was absolute insanity!

"Wang Chong, if you need help, I can also assist. Our Zhao Clan is a military clan and has probably been involved in the army for much longer than your Wang Clan. In this aspect, our Zhao Clan can offer you aid, so there's no need to ask them for help."

Zhao Yatong walked up to Wang Chong's side.

"No!"

Before Wang Chong could respond, someone in the crowd became nervous.

"The Wang Clan is still a clan of ministers and generals. Once these words have left his mouth, they are a horse that can't be retrieved. He's already made the promise, so he can't back down now!"

With these words, a fierce and stubborn figure squeezed their way out of the crowd. It was not the Duke Su guard, but someone else.

"Bastard! Su Bai, it's you!"

Wei Hao's eyes went red as he roared and leaped through the reception hall toward that person who had been hiding in the crowd all this time, Su Bai.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 481: The Capital Quaking!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C481: The Capital Quaking!
Chapter 481: The Capital Quaking!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

"Wei Hao, do you think I'm afraid of you? You want to challenge me? You're just making trouble for yourself."

Although Su Bai had spent quite some time hiding in the crowd, he seemed not at all humble in the face of Wei Hao's charge.

Foul scoundrel, just because I can't deal with Wang Chong doesn't mean that I can't deal with a brat like you!

A vicious look appeared in Su Bai's eyes.

What sort of person was Wei Hao?

He was the butt of the jokes they made while messing around, their punching bag in Eight Gods Pavilion. Su Bai had never been afraid of Wei Hao. And besides, Wang Chong had repressed Su Bai so much that his belly was almost bursting with rage.

Boom!

Su Bai thrust out a palm, his entire body suddenly going red. His dantian began to reverberate with the ringing of metal as a majestic energy burst out from his body. This was not the strength of the Origin Energy realm, but the Stellar Energy of the True Martial realm.

Although he seemed ignorant and incompetent, Su Bai had broken into the True Martial realm a long time ago. As a member of one of the top-ranking noble clans in the empire, Su Bai couldn't actually be a true incompetent.

"Wei Hao, this time, I'll let you get a good taste of pain!"

Su Bai had a sinister gaze as his voice turned into a roar. But then suddenly, boom! A boundless power rang out with the clattering of metal as it smashed into Su Bai's hand.

Like he had been struck by some massive mountain, Su Bai flew backward like a stray kite.

As Su Bai flew backward, he brought the seven or eight people in his path down with him.

"Aaaaah!"

"Su Bai, you bastard! Don't you have eyes?"

"What are you two doing? Fighting here?"

……

The orderly reception hall fell into chaos as those clan representatives knocked down by Su Bai began to curse.

"Wang Chong, shouldn't you be controlling Wei Hao!"

On the ground, Su Bai was both shocked and furious. He was shocked at Wei Hao's power and angry over the fact that he had shamed himself in front of so many people.

"Wei Hao, it's fine, that's enough."

Wang Chong couldn't help but inwardly laugh. From the moment Wei Hao appeared, Wang Chong could sense that his strength had increased by leaps and bounds. The Mountain Ascension Art had been an elite art back then, so it would have been stranger if Su Bai had won.

However, he had not called on Su Bai so that he could humiliate him or take revenge. Such a matter wasn't even worth mentioning when compared to what he planned to do.

"Hmph, Su Bai, weren't you mouthing off just now? Can't back it up? Heh, I'll let you go this time for Wang Chong's sake, but I won't go so easy next time!" Wei Hao said with a huff.

Now that Wang Chong had spoken, he naturally couldn't continue, but it was fine to give him a good tongue-lashing.

Su Bai's complexion fluctuated between green and purple, but to everyone's surprise, he didn't leave out of anger from his humiliation.

"Wang Chong, do those words of yours count? Do you really plan to exchange three months of one True Martial realm expert's time for one Wootz Steel weapon?" Su Bai asked, staring at Wang Chong.

He originally intended to not show himself. While he had outwardly agreed to listen to his father, he had actually wanted to make Wang Chong look like a fool.

But it was no longer the time for that.

Wootz Steel swords were the highest class of weapons. They were not only gorgeous, they were also incredibly tough, simultaneously almost invulnerable and incredibly sharp.

Almost no saber or sword in the capital could compare to them. As a result, although every Wootz Steel weapon was remarkable, they had always been priceless.

The Duke Su Residence had once attempted to buy a Wootz Steel sword, but found out that the Wootz Steel swords were only being circulated in the palace and were simply impossible to buy outside.

In the past, Duke Su's status had meant that he had always been able to easily obtain any information or object he wanted from the Imperial Army.

The situation in this case was completely different.

The Imperial Army that had always been extremely respectful to the dukes of the empire had an attitude as different as night and day to the Wootz Steel swords. Anyone who got their hands on a Wootz Steel weapon wasn't willing to let it go.

Ever since the Wootz Steel weapons had started being auctioned off, the number of them that had appeared outside the Imperial Army could be counted on one's fingers.

To the majority of the clans, this object was something they could look at, but not touch, could encounter, but not seek.

More importantly, the clans of the capital all had a few precious swords that had been passed down through the generations, but the sharpness of the Wootz Steel weapons far surpassed them.

The price of such weapons was naturally impossible to estimate.

Martial artists had a lifespan, but sabers and swords could be passed down without limit. This was where the value of Wootz Steel weapons rested.

If they only needed to lend one True Martial realm Tier 4 or 5 expert for three months to receive an indestructible Wootz Steel sword that could slice through metal, this would be an incredibly profitable exchange.

"Right, right, Young Master Wang, you can't just take back your words!"

"A great clan also needs its dignity. Young Master wouldn't throw away the Wang Clan's dignity for a Wootz Steel sword, right?"

"Five True Martial realm experts is no problem! Young Master Wang, you'd better not go back on your word!"

"That's right! That's right!"

……

It only took a few moments for the crowd to take a completely different tone and voice their approval.

The conditions the Wang Clan had offered were simply impossible to resist. No one had expected the terms to be so generous.

"Wait a moment! Wang Chong, don't do this!"

Bai Siling was quite panicked over the fact that Wang Chong had made this sort of promise.

"Siling, it's fine!"

Wang Chong smiled and waved his hand. After allaying Bai Siling's worries, he turned to the crowd and announced, "Our Wang Clan's words can naturally be counted on, and I'm also putting my reputation on the line here. On my end, I only have one thousand Wootz Steel weapons. After this wave, even if I wanted to, I wouldn't have any to give out. Thus, I'll stop as soon as I reach one thousand True Martial realm experts. Whether or not you can get a Wootz Steel weapon will depend on yourselves!"

Boom!

Wang Chong's words were like a boulder falling into the crowd, instantly causing them to rush out of the room.

This matter involved a massive boon to the clan. Everyone was afraid to fall behind.

"Su Bai, wait a moment!" Wang Chong sternly called out.

In the crowd, Su Bai, who had already run seven or eight zhang, suddenly came to a quivering halt. As he slowly turned around, he had an unsightly grimace on his face.

"Wang Chong, are you going back on your word?"

Though he truly had come to make trouble, he was also no fool. Exchanging ten elite experts for ten Wootz Steel swords would be of massive benefit to the Duke Su Residence.

Only an imbecile wouldn't make such a deal. In comparison, the grudge between him and Wang Chong might as well not exist.

If Wang Chong suddenly went back on his word, then he would be in trouble!

"Hmph! I'm not going that far!"

Wang Chong waved his sleeve and grinned.

"But I presume that you also understand our relationship. So, Su Bai, don't think that you can send some people over, take the Wootz Steel, and also make trouble for me in secret.

"I don't demand much of others, but for you, don't send any of your Su Clan's trusted agents. And don't send anyone below True Martial Tier 6. In addition, I know that your Su Clan recently recruited a new batch of experts. It shouldn't have been more than two months ago. This amount of time probably hasn't been enough for you to completely tame them, right? If you want to get some Wootz Steel swords, you should know what to do, right?" Wang Chong indifferently said.

Su Bai's face froze, his complexion ghastly pale. Wang Chong had been right on the mark. He really did have such plans.

No matter what Wang Chong planned on doing, as long as he planted a few of the Su Clan's trusted agents inside, he could obtain the sharp Wootz Steel swords while also getting a grasp of Wang Chong's movements and secrets. If it was necessary, they could even stab Wang Chong in the back.

If something really did happen, they could just say that they didn't know anything and push the responsibility on a few of their guards.

Alas, Wang Chong had already prepared to defend himself against this move. And he even knew about the new batch of experts that the Su Clan had recruited.

"Hmph! Wang Chong, don't get too smug! There will come a day that you'll regret this!"

Although Wang Chong had seen through his plans, Su Bai wasn't willing to give him the final word. After throwing out this phrase, Su Bai quickly departed.

A matter involving Wootz Steel weapons was no minor one. He had get back and tell his father as quickly as possible.

"Wang Chong, why do you need so many people? And you're even exchanging them for Wootz Steel weapons!"

Once everyone had left, Zhao Yatong took a few steps forward and voiced the question on her mind.

"Does it have to do with the southwest?"

It was still Bai Siling who was the first to catch on.

Wang Chong said nothing, only glanced at Bai Siling and gave a deep nod.

……

As those clan representatives left the Wang Clan Residence, the news that the Wang Clan was exchanging Wootz Steel swords for experts quickly spread through the capital.

The entire capital began to quake!

"Fuck! I knew I should have gone!"

"It's over! It's over! It's all your fault! This was a chance dropped right in our laps, but it was lost all because you jabbered too much!"

"Hurry up! Do you know how much effort the clan head wasted trying to get a Wootz Steel sword from the palace? And he still failed! Now the Wootz Steel weapons are being sent right to our doorstep! We can't miss out!"

"I don't care how many experts the Wang Clan wants from our clan. I don't even care if they die! We have to get those weapons!"

"Quickly, gather the clan's experts. In addition, make preparations! I have to immediately pay a visit to Young Master Wang! No matter what, I have to get a few spots!"

……

In the capital, the clans were in a flurry, many of them regretting their previous decisions. The matter of the southwest had currently transfixed the entire capital, but the southwest was very far away.

In comparison, the exchange offered by Young Master Wang was intimately related to the well-being of their clans.

Countless clans quickly began to take action.

And while the clans were beginning to gather the experts, all the thousands of sword shops and sword smiths in the capital were also in a frenzy…

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 482: The White Lion Great General, We Tadra Khonglo!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C482: The White Lion Great General, We Tadra Khonglo!
Chapter 482: The White Lion Great General, We Tadra Khonglo!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

"400,000 taels of gold to buy out the production of your Jadecut Sword Shop for the next three months. This is the schematic. Forge the items according to the instructions. No mistakes are permitted!"

As the horse galloped away, a heavy bag of gold flew through the air, through the door of Jadecut Sword Shop, and thumped onto the floor of the reception hall.

The impact of the bag was so great that the entire sword shop quivered.

"400,000 taels?!"

In just a few a moments, the people inside the building came out and stared in shock at the heavy bag on the floor.

Jadecleave Shop, Jadesteel Shop, Rending Metal Smithy… on the same day, all the famous sword shops and smiths of the capital received Wang Chong's generous 'reward'.

Both sword shops and sword smiths were actually extremely limited in the amount of profit they could make each month. Unlike Wang Chong, they couldn't make just one sword that would then sell for tens of thousands, a hundred thousand, or even hundreds of thousands of gold taels.

In truth, in the entire capital, probably only Wang Chong was capable of such a feat.

400,000 taels already far surpassed the yearly revenue of these top-notch sword smiths and sword shops. Though they had initially been hesitant, how could they remain so after Wang Chong delivered all this gold to their doorsteps?

In this short span of time, all the sword shops and sword smiths made their decision. In practically one day, Wang Chong had gained the ability to decide what all the sword shops and sword smiths in the capital could forge.

Starting from now, Wang Chong had exclusive use of these sword shops and smiths. They would only make items for Wang Chong, would serve only him, would give him all they produced!

Such a thing was unprecedented, but now, it had all become reality!

……

Through the use of gold and the Wootz Steel weapons, the entire capital began to operate around Wang Chong and the Wang Clan like some massive machine.

Thick smoke poured out from various places in the capital as the sword shops and sword smiths closed their doors to other customers and began to forge weapons for the same person.

And the clans of the capital were dispatching their experts to the Wang Clan. Wang Chong gave Li Siye, Wei Anfang, and Zhao Jingdian the responsibility of handling these experts.

Strength was not the only thing needed to make guards and experts from the great clans into soldiers that could work together and crisscross the battlefield. Strict training was also necessary.

However, unlike hired experts, the experts and guards from the clans had at least some military experience. It was for this reason that Wang Chong had prioritized gathering guards from the great clans first.

"Everything has been set in motion. All that's left is myself…!"

Wang Chong stood on a high pavilion, the gusting winds ruffling his robes. Surveying the tiled roofs and towers of the capital, he saw columns of smoke floating into the sky while the sounds of hammering could be heard from every direction.

And in the distance, he could hear the neighing of warhorses. Wang Chong felt like he could see the hundreds of guards training in the distant Deflecting Blade Manor under the direction of Li Siye and Zhao Jingdian.

War had always been an enormously expensive venture. Whether in manpower, food, or war implements, it put forth costs that no ordinary clan could bear.

Wang Chong had already invested everything he could, including the Wootz Steel swords and the money he had gotten from auctioning off the spirit vein. The gears were already beginning to spin. Wang Chong was deeply aware that what awaited him next was a gruesome war!

It wasn't only the soldiers that needed to prepare for this war. He had to as well!

With a thought, Wang Chong immediately communicated with the Stone of Destiny in his mind. When he had attempted to kill An Yaluoshan and killed Ashina Sugan, he had obtained 200 points of Destiny Energy. With the addition of the Destiny Energy he had gained from killing the Youzhou soldiers, he had accumulated a total of 269 points.

He could have left this Destiny Energy for when the next level of rewards in the Stone of Destiny opened, but the campaign in the southwest was imminent. He no longer had the time.

Only by making the exchange now would it be of any help in this war that was about to begin.

Moreover, although the first level of rewards wouldn't be as impressive as the next layer, Wang Chong knew that one of the rewards would be of great assistance to him.

"Stone of Destiny, exchange for three Stellar Energy Piercers!"

Wang Chong sent this thought into his mind.

Rumble! His mind brightened, golden light bursting out as the energy of three Stellar Energy Piercers came out of the Stone of Destiny and flew into Wang Chong's dantian.

Bzzt!

Wang Chong's already formidable energy quickly increased as the one Stellar Energy Piercer suddenly became four. The chance of the Stellar Energy Piercer activating also raised from 5% to 20%. With every five attacks, there was a chance of one piercing through Stellar Energy.

After exchanging for three Stellar Energy Piercers, Wang Chong also rose in power, going from True Martial realm Tier 3 to the brink of True Martial realm Tier 4.

I'm only missing out on that last step!

With this thought, Wang Chong opened his eyes and turned to look at the four pills in his hand. He had gotten these pills from Six-Fingered Zhang.

'Money can make even ghosts push the millstone.' The selling of the spirit vein had granted Wang Chong an enormous sum of money, simultaneously raising Wang Chong's status in the hearts of the palace alchemists.

This time, it was the palace alchemists who had come to find Wang Chong, taking the initiative to increase his privileges. The number of pills he could exchange for each month had been raised by one.

Gulp!

Wang Chong raised his neck as he swallowed the four pills. For a moment, it felt like fire was running through his veins, but after a few moments, the pills were expended, and Wang Chong had successfully broken into True Martial Tier 4…

……

Boom!

Thunder crackled over the distant west. A massive city loomed over this vast land, and above this city, black clouds gathered, with silver snakes of lightning shuttling through them.

Across from the city was a land that reached into the clouds. It felt like a massive wave that could slam down at any moment and wipe everything away.

This was the Tibetan Plateau!

The distant Longxi felt the threat of this land, the threat of this empire, more than any other part of the Central Plains.

Although they were neighbors, this lofty plateau was like another world to the Central Plains.

Those highlands nurtured countless warriors. Even though dynasty after dynasty of the Central Plains had defeated them, they had never been able to completely destroy the threat.

The high altitudes were like an invisible barrier that made it difficult for the empires of the Central Plains to fully utilize their strength.

Time after time, the cavalry would gather on that plateau and charge down into the Central Plains, plundering and killing. Then, before the army could arrive, they would retreat back into the Tibetan Plateau!

To the people of Ü-Tsang on the plateau, the Central Plains were defenseless… until that city was built, and that person appeared.

Big Dipper City!

Geshu Han!

This newly constructed city was like a gigantic nail hammered into the western border. It was an existence that held down Longxi and suppressed the cavalry of the Ü-Tsang Empire.

And Great General Geshu Han, who had risen like a comet, had swept over the western border, becoming the Ü-Tsang Empire's most feared existence.

'When the seven stars of the Big Dipper shine up high, Geshu comes at night with his saber. No prying shepherd or horse dares to cross Lintao.' This folksong was not only known in Longxi, but also in the Tibetan Plateau. Everyone knew of it, and everyone trembled in fear at it.

And it was precisely Geshu Han's existence and the nail of Big Dipper City that led to the extremely famous saying, 'The world is rich and populous, but nowhere surpasses Longyou1.'

Amidst the peals of thunder and the low clouds, fierce neighing tore through the sky. It had come from above the clouds, from the top of that towering plateau.

It took only a few moments for a dark and bloodthirsty figure to appear at the edge of the plateau, and on that figure's back was a large banner flapping in the wind.

"Enemy!"

Almost as soon as that figure appeared, a lookout on the walls of Big Dipper City gave a loud shout of warning.

Over the many years spent guarding Longxi's border, these soldiers had become extremely familiar with Ü-Tsang cavalry. That armor of theirs was so heavy that it seemed to sink into their bodies. Even from a distance, they were very easy to recognize.

But this was not the cause of his concern. Ever since their Great General had established Big Dipper City, the Ü-Tsang Empire had been dealt defeat after defeat. It had been a long time since any of them dared to engage in a frontal assault under the eyes of Big Dipper City.

Such circumstances were extremely unusual.

Boom!

The entirety of Big Dipper City came to life, thousands of soldiers surging out and swiftly forming ranks.

Despite their numbers, there was no sense of panic in Big Dipper City. Even when they were rushing to their posts, they still followed a strict discipline and order.

It only took a few moments for the massive Big Dipper City to fall silent once more. All the soldiers were standing ready at their positions, an intimidating aura hanging in the air.

The city was so quiet that it seemed to be empty.

At this moment, the long hours of training in the Big Dipper Army were on full display. It had only taken a few seconds for the entire city to break out of its normal routine and enter a battle-ready state.

But though the city was quiet, outside the city, it was getting louder and louder.

Rumble!

A massive sound like the raging of the sea came from the high plateau. Although it had started soft and almost inaudible, it had gradually become louder and louder, resounding through the air… By the time it was close, everyone could hear the thousands of horse hooves pounding the earth, mixed with the clattering of armor.

"It's the Ü-Tsang army!"

On the city wall, the Big Dipper Army soldiers began to pale. They had stood sentinel in Longxi for many years, so they were used to fighting with Ü-Tsang.

But there was clearly something different about this battle.

From the ferocity of the gallop, the army that had appeared on the Tibetan Plateau far surpassed those of the past.

The quaking of the earth meant that this army consisted of at least 100,000 soldiers.

"Look over there!"

Somebody shouted and pointed.

Under countless eyes, a massive banner, perhaps a hundred feet tall, suddenly unfurled itself at the edge of the plateau.

This banner flapping in the wind seemed to have been dyed with blood, and on this bloody background was a massive three-headed white lion, its teeth bared. Even at these distances, it was possible to see it clearly.

"The three-headed white lion banner! It's We Tadra Khonglo2!"

The soldiers paled even further, and even the officers of the Big Dipper Army began to appear nervous.

______________

1. Said quote is from Sima Guang's Zizhi Tongjian. 'Longyou' and 'Longxi' both refer to the same place, a location west of the Long Mountains. 'You', 右, here means 'right', and 'right' meant the same as 'west', 'xi', 西, to the Chinese. This area served as a major nexus for the Silk Road, a likely reason for its wealth during the Tang Dynasty.↩

2. Historically, We Tadra Khonglo was a general of the Tibetan Empire who also served as the highest-ranking minister in the Tibetan government. He served under the Tibetan King Me Agtsom. He was executed in 728, which the Chineses histories allege to be because a Tang Dynasty general spread rumors that We Tadra Khonglo was conspiring with the Tang.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 483: Bad News Spreads!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C483: Bad News Spreads!
Chapter 483: Bad News Spreads!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Not many people had ever seen the banner of the three-headed white lion on the Longxi border, but there was practically no one who didn't know what it was. It represented a legendary existence of the Ü-Tsang Empire: the Tsenpo's King of Generals, the Ü-Tsang War God, We Tadra Khonglo!

In Ü-Tsang, this person's status far surpassed other Great Generals like Huoshu Huicang or Dusong Mangpoje. His status was similar to that of the Great Tang's War God, now the Crown Prince's Junior Guardian, Wang Zhongsi.

At the time, Wang Zhongsi had lorded over the west, almost fighting his way onto the Tibetan Plateau, where he could menace the royal city of Ü-Tsang. In the end, he failed because he had encountered We Tadra Khonglo!

And across all the Ü-Tsang Empire, the only person that could be a match for War God Wang Zhongsi was We Tadra Khonglo!

The legends said that this man's ability to command was almost divine, but ever since that war, We Tadra Khonglo had never appeared again. No one had expected this legend of Ü-Tsang to appear now.

In an instant, all the soldiers of the Big Dipper Army turned to look in one direction.

'A man's name, a tree's shadow.' This legendary King of Generals was far too famous, exerted far too much pressure.

If there was one person in Big Dipper City that could stand against him, it could only be their Great General!

Everyone looked toward the highest tower of Big Dipper City, waiting for that mighty figure to appear.

When the seven stars of the Big Dipper shone up high, Geshu came at night with his saber!

No matter the time, the Big Dipper Great General Geshu Han's name would be an existence as firm as the mountains and rivers in the west!

"We Tadra Khonglo…"

Geshu Han stood in that majestic tower. Though he was not striking any particular posture, he exuded the aura of a mountain, of steel that had gone through countless temperings.

Though an Imperial Great General, Geshu Han had a handsome appearance and dignified bearing. When those long and narrow eyes opened, they were as bright as the sun or moon. Although they showed no anger, they gave off a majesty that inspired awe and respect.

As a former subordinate of the Great Tang War God Wang Zhongsi, Geshu Han had experienced many things, including the great battle between Wang Zhongsi and the White Lion Great General We Tadra Khonglo.

Ü-Tsang came away from that war with heavy injuries, and Wang Zhongsi, affected by the geography of the plateau, the limits of his soldiers, and We Tadra Khonglo's resistance, also chose to withdraw from the Tibetan Plateau.

Geshu Han had personally taken part in the war, so he clearly understood what had happened back then.

Only Geshu Han knew that it was not out of kindness that We Tadra Khonglo did not continue to invade the Central Plains after that war. In fact, he had suffered severe injuries back then that forced him to retreat.

But after so many years, his injuries should have mostly recovered.

"'In abnormal circumstances, there must be an evildoer at work.' It has been a long time since Ü-Tsang and the Great Tang engaged in any wars. What does We Tadra Khonglo intend to do by showing up here…"

The black-armored Geshu Han stood unmoving on the tower, allowing the wind to throw his long hair about. He had experienced many campaigns of all shapes and sizes, so there were very few things that could affect his mood.

But at this moment, Geshu Han felt a little uneasy. It was not because of We Tadra Khonglo, but because Ü-Tsang's movements were too out of the ordinary.

It was true that We Tadra Khonglo was the White Lion Great General, the greatest of all of Ü-Tsang's Great Generals and the most powerful. Even War God Wang Zhongsi at his peak couldn't do much against him.

But Geshu Han was not going to subdue Ü-Tsang. A campaign in the open and defending a city were two different things! The cavalry of Ü-Tsang might be fierce and courageous, but as long as the Big Dipper Army didn't engage them on open ground, the White Lion Great General We Tadra Khonglo could only twiddle his thumbs!

After so many years, it was impossible to keep track of the number of Tibetans the Big Dipper Army had killed. If there was one group of soldiers who had the greatest understanding of Tibetans and were most effective against them, it could only be Geshu Han's Big Dipper Army.

Forged in fire and blood, this army could stand on its own two feet and face any storm. This was not an army that could just be run over.

Geshu Han was confident that the Tibetans understood this simple principle.

We Tadra Khonglo would never do anything without a purpose. If the White Lion Great General did not possess an unusual intelligence, he would have never been able to block Wang Zhongsi's attacks.

Geshu Han stood on the tower as his mind worked, countless thoughts flashing through his mind in the space of a few seconds. The entirety of the empire, including the landscape of Longxi, flitted through his mind.

Lintao stood on the border of Longxi, and with Big Dipper City towering here, the Tibetans had essentially no chance of getting past. As for the northwest, Gao Xianzhi was standing sentinel at Suiye.

He also had Feng Changqing's help, and with those two individuals, one the master of martial matters and the other the master of civil, not even the White Lion Great General would be able to do much.

As for Qixi, Fumeng Lingcha was standing guard.

This person was an out-and-out veteran. When he was standing guard over the Western Regions, he had fought with Tibetans quite a few times. He had even pushed back the Arabs before.

In truth, if one looked at a map of the empire, one would discover that from the ends of the Western Regions to Suiye, from Qixi to Longxi… three protectorates of the Great Tang had formed a curved wall of steel along the Tibetan Plateau, sealing the Tibetans within.

Meanwhile, An Sishun's Beiting Protectorate was intimidating the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates. Given his massive army, he could come to the aid of any of the other three protectorates at any time.

The Tibetans would find no chance for progress here, not unless…

Jiange in the southwest!

With this lightning bolt of a thought, Geshu Han's entire body shook. He suddenly understood something and his face morphed into a nasty grimace.

The only path the Central Plains had left for the Tibetans was Jiange in the southwest. It was already no secret that Xianyu Zhongtong and the 180,000 Great Tang elites had lost to Geluofeng.

But Geshu Han had always believed that even if Xianyu Zhongtong lost, he would only suffer a few losses. Given the strength of the Tang soldiers, as long as they stood firm, their own strength and the reinforcements coming from behind them were still completely capable of defeating Geluofeng.

But at this moment, Geshu Han felt an extremely ill omen!

Bwoooom!

While Geshu Han's brows were rising in unease, the low, desolate, and grandiose sound of a horn came from the towering plateau. Beneath that bloody banner of the three-headed white lion, a smaller black banner was propped up.

And on this black war banner was the striking image of a glaring black yak.

Two banners, one red and one black, one big and one small, stood together. Even Geshu Han paled at the sight of these two banners.

Anyone who had lived in Longxi for some time could recognize that black banner as the banner of Ü-Tsang Great General Dusong Mangpoje.

Two Ü-Tsang Great Generals had appeared on the border of the Tibetan Plateau to threaten Longxi.

Even Geshu Han began to feel a mighty pressure on his shoulders!

For any empire, a Great General played a critical role and would rarely appear.

For two Ü-Tsang Great Generals to appear at the same time and face down Big Dipper City was completely unprecedented.

Not only Geshu Han, all the officers and soldiers of the Big Dipper Army felt a massive pressure.

The combined might of two Ü-Tsang Great Generals completely changed the nature of this battle.

Rumble!

Hooves began to rise, and after a few moments of silence, thousands of Tibetan horsemen began to pour down the edge of the plateau like a pot of dumplings being spilled. They swept toward Big Dipper City with a momentum that could stun the heavens and topple mountains.

The atmosphere instantly grew incomparably tense.

Boom!

On the highest tower, Geshu Han suddenly took a step forward, his handsome and imposing face exuding a frigid and somber aura.

"Everyone, heed my orders. Stand ready!"

Geshu Han's right hand rested on his saber while an energy as vast as the mountains and the seas, as frenzied as a storm, surged into the sky. At almost the same moment, the army roared, the 60,000 elites of the Big Dipper Army exploding with a murderous intent that broke through the firmament…

The battle had finally begun!

……

The long-disappeared Ü-Tsang King of Generals We Tadra Khonglo had appeared with Dusong Mangpoje to attack Longxi's Big Dipper City!

The arrival of this news stunned the capital.

And even more stunning was the news from the southwest: Xianyu Zhongtong had been defeated, his 180,000 soldiers dealt a crushing defeat by a pincer attack from Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang. More than half had been killed, and even the 60,000 reinforcements under Li Zhengyi had been intercepted by Ü-Tsang!

The spread of this news sent the capital into consternation and the court into panic!

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 484: The People in Panic!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C484: The People in Panic!
Chapter 484: The People in Panic!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

News had begun to spread a few days ago. A scout from Li Zhengyi's army had rushed into the capital, covered in blood. Upon being carried to the Bureau of Military Personnel, he delivered his message, a request for reinforcements, and then fell unconscious.

If the large-scale Tibetan assault on the Longxi border was shocking, the grievous news that the 180,000 elites of Jiannan had lost was even more earth-shattering.

No one had expected such a thing. The Tibetan assault made everyone panic.

"The Tibetans are declaring war against the Great Tang! This is a complete break!"

In the Imperial Court, an imperial censor shouted for all he was worth, his face red, his entire body shaking from the sheer rage flowing through him.

"It's already collapsed! In Longxi and the southwest, Ü-Tsang has mobilized over 100,000 soldiers to invade the Great Tang. If that's not a break, what is! Right now we have to talk about what to do next!"

"Li Zhengyi has already been defeated! Where else can we get soldiers?"

"If we want to help out Xianyu Zhongtong and Li Zhengyi, the Big Dipper Army is the best way!"

"But the Big Dipper Army is being held down by We Tadra Khonglo and Dusong Mangpoje!"

"Lord Wang said a long time ago that this wasn't the time to send soldiers, but none of you listened. Now you know!"

"That's not what I'm worried about right now. What of the hundreds of thousands of civilians living in the southwest! If the 180,000 elites of the Annan Protectorate aren't there to stand guard, the southwest is a completely open field! Who else is left that can stop the combined armies of Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang?"

……

Bzzt! As if all the air had been suddenly sucked out of the room, the noisy hall fell quiet. All the nobles and officials had stopped talking.

A stifling mood shrouded the entire court.

The defeat of the southwest had never been their greatest worry. Their true concern was the almost one million civilians living in the southwest.

As the barrier of the southwest, the Annan Protectorate was the first and final wall against Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang.

It was for this reason that the Annan Protectorate had always had a very large garrison. 180,000 elites far surpassed the number of troops in Geshu Han's Big Dipper Army or in Gao Xianzhi's army.

Not even the Andong Protectorate's Zhang Shougui had 180,000 soldiers.

And it was for this reason that when Zhangchou Jianqiong had been presiding over the southwest, he had always been prudent and cautious, never once daring to take the initiative and start an offensive.

However, Geluofeng's sudden attack and Zhangchou Jianqiong's lack of stability in his new post of Minister of War had caused him to succumb to the pressure, voiding his old concerns.

The Imperial Court would need at least two months to raise a new wave of reinforcements. This time would be necessary whether they transferred these soldiers from the other protectorates or recruited them now.

But right now…

The almost one million inhabitants of the southwest were bereft of protection. When they thought about what would happen when Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang advanced, all the ministers trembled in fear.

Wang Chong…

As King Song looked at the worried yet silent faces of the gathered officials, he suddenly thought of that boy.

No one had expected the 180,000 elites of the southwest to end up in this state. If there was someone who had already predicted all of this, that person was undoubtedly Wang Chong.

For some reason, King Song felt like Wang Chong had always known that this was how things would develop. This made him feel rather strange.

…Perhaps this child has some idea of how to proceed! King Song thought to himself, raising his head up to the carved image of the coiled dragon on the roof of the hall.

……

A roof would leak on the night of a downpour. When the Imperial Court of the Central Plains was still stunned by defeat in the southwest, the Great Tang's north and northeast were also growing restless.

"Hahaha, this is a gift from the heavens! I didn't think that 180,000 Great Tang elites would actually lose to Ü-Tsang and Mengshe Zhao…!"

On a moonlight night, on the vast steppe to the north of the Yin Mountains, a white tent loomed. The tent was surrounded by massive white wolves, almost lion-like. They warily watched the surroundings with fierce expressions.

Within the tent, oil lanterns cast a pitch-black shadow onto the canvas, magnifying it to gigantic proportions.

Although the source of this shadow used no techniques, displayed no martial arts, the shadow exuded a dreadful aura. Like a bottomless abyss, it sucked in all the moonlight in a radius of several hundred zhang.

"Carry out my order. The army will move south and enter a stalemate with the Great Tang's Beiting Protectorate. If the Beiting Protectorate shows any strange movements, we will move south and completely overthrow them!"

Clenching his fist, that shadow spoke with a rough and determined voice.

"But Khagan, won't we be utterly offending the Tang Emperor!"

In the flickering light of the tent, another voice within the tent urged caution, his fear evident.

"Ha, you think that the Great Tang is still the Great Tang of the past? 180,000 elites… that's 180,000 elites! The Great Tang of the past wouldn't have been guaranteed to lose even if Ü-Tsang and Mengshe Zhao used all their power!"

That rough voice spoke, seeming to drift off at the end as its owner began to remember the past.

The power of the Great Tang was not something any ordinary person could imagine!

When War God Su Zhengchen was still present and the Eastern and Western Turks were still strong, Khagan Ozmish1 was still a child.

(TN: Khagan Ozmish was the penultimate Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. Historically, his reign lasted for only two years from 742-744, after which he was overthrown by the Uighurs and executed.)

150,000 fully equipped warriors and the most valiant Black Wolf Khagan2 of the Western Turks couldn't even stop the 8,000 soldiers under Su Zhengchen! Afterward, the Eastern and Western Turks were left greatly weakened, with both Wang Jiuling and Wang Zhongsi sweeping through them. It was only after a long time that they finally recovered.

(TN: I can find no records of any Black Wolf Khagan or 'Heihen Khagan'. This war, however, probably refers to the Tang Dynasty's war against the Western Turks during the reign of Emperor Gaozong in 657. As such, the Black Wolf Khagan is probably Ashina Helu, also known as Ishbara Khagan. In the Battle of Irtysh River, a cavalry force of 100,000 led by Ashina Helu was ambushed by the Tang general Su Dingfeng and his 10,000 soldiers, resulting in Ashina Helu's defeat and subsequent capture. This episode also makes me believe that Su Zhengchen is modeled on Su Dingfeng.)

The six to seven hundred thousand Great Tang soldiers were able to suppress the surrounding foreign kingdoms due to their oppressive strength and various weapons.

But now, 180,000 Great Tang elites and 60,000 reinforcements had been completely routed by Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang. To the Western Turks and the other empires, this was something that they didn't even dare to imagine in the past.

"The Great Tang has already become brittle and is no longer as powerful as it once was. They've had it far too easy for too long. And we… have also changed!"

The rough voice suddenly became incomparably loud. The pack of white wolves around the tent seemed to sense something and began to bare their teeth.

"Let's go! The Turks and the Great Tang will fight with each other. If not now… then it will be in the future!"

"Yes, your subordinate understands!"

……

At the same time, to the east of Youzhou and north of the Bohai Sea…

A towering wall stood opposite the distant Andong Protectorate, separated from it by a vast plain and a clear river.

The walls were scorched by flames and appeared to have experienced countless battles. Yet they were so lofty and firm that not even the walls of the Central Plains could compare.

'Gaimou City3!'

On the banner flapping over the massive city walls were actually these words written in Han characters. Goguryeo bordered the Central Plains, and though their spoken languages differed, Goguryeo still used the Han characters of the Central Plains in their official records.

Boom!

Suddenly, the normally-shut gates of Gaimou City opened and Goguryeon infantry suddenly surged out. At almost the same time, the gates to the north and south of the city also opened to let large numbers of Goguryeon soldiers out.

This sudden activity shocked the entire territory of Youzhou!

All the soldiers of the Andong Protectorate were dumbstruck.

The Andong Protectorate governed the lands to the east of Youzhou. This was no nominal authority, but one obtained through fire and blood, forged through the course of several wars.

The Empire of Goguryeo had always taken a defensive stance in the northeast, relying on its firm city walls and other fortifications to defend against the Great Tang's attacks.

Never once had it opened its gates to launch an offensive.

"Enemy!"

On the other side of the clear river, several Great Tang scouts jumped onto their horses as they yelled and galloped away. They did not see the stalwart figure of a Goguryeon Great General appearing on the walls of Gaimou City, five long sabers on his back, quietly watching them with a complicated gaze.

In his hand was a royal Goguryeon decree on yellow paper, the 'moon in water' symbol on the decree clearly conveying its sender.

This was a decree from the Emperor of Goguryeo, Yeon Gaesomun!

'Vigorously attack, suppress the Great Tang!'

This royal decree had only these six words.

In the space of a single night, the countries bordering the Great Tang—the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates, the Goguryeo Empire, and even the distant Abbasid Caliphate—were beginning to show signs of movement.

The entirety of the Great Tang was in panic.

Only Wang Chong had expected all this to happen and remained calm and indifferent throughout.

______________

1. Khagan Ozmish was the penultimate Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. Historically, his reign lasted for only two years from 742-744, after which he was overthrown by the Uighurs and executed.↩

2. I can find no records of any Black Wolf Khagan or 'Heihen Khagan'. This war, however, probably refers to the Tang Dynasty's war against the Western Turks during the reign of Emperor Gaozong in 657. As such, the Black Wolf Khagan is probably Ashina Helu, also known as Ishbara Khagan. In the Battle of Irtysh River, a cavalry force of 100,000 led by Ashina Helu was ambushed by the Tang general Su Dingfeng and his 10,000 soldiers, resulting in Ashina Helu's defeat and subsequent capture. This episode also makes me believe that Su Zhengchen is modeled on Su Dingfeng.↩

3. Gaimou City, located near the current city of Gaizhou, was located just across from the Liao River and was a fort that Goguryeo had built along its border with the Tang Dynasty.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 485: King Song, Vaguely Beginning to Understand!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C485: King Song, Vaguely Beginning to Understand!
Chapter 485: King Song, Vaguely Beginning to Understand!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

"Everything has returned to the starting point…"

While the winds howled overhead, Wang Chong stood at the peak of Deflecting Blade Mountain, his heart incomparably calm. The defeat in the southwest, the interception of the reinforcements, the restlessness of the surrounding foreign countries…

Everything was exactly like what had happened in his last life!

When consternation and panic engulfed all of the Great Tang, only Wang Chong was calm, having anticipated everything.

"Young Master, the training is finished. What should be done next…"

A familiar voice came from behind him as Zhao Jingdian galloped on a horse toward him. At almost the same time, there was a rumble as hundreds of horsemen charged down the mountain, a crushing momentum exploding from their bodies.

Wang Chong watched these swift figures until they vanished into the distance.

If one didn't know the truth, it would be very hard to believe that these incredibly fierce horsemen were actually the True Martial realm experts that Wang Chong had recruited from the various clans!

These people had come from different clans, practiced different techniques, and had different temperaments, but at this moment, they were beginning to show signs of an army.

Only with Li Siye's power suppressing from above and Zhao Jingdian's ability to organize troops could this sort of army be formed in such a short amount of time.

Although he had still not reached the proficiency from his last life, Zhao Jingdian was already beginning to display that talent for command that had made him Wang Chong's trusted aide.

"It's about time. Proceed with the second phase of training?"

Wang Chong took out a long-prepared diagram from his sleeve and gave it to Zhao Jingdian. These True Martial realm experts hired by the clans were still far from reaching the level of discipline, obedience, and flexibility that he wanted. He wasn't able to command them like they were his arms and fingers, but as long as they could learn the two formations he had given them, it would be enough.

The rest would have to be trained on the march, and this follow-up training was probably not something Zhao Jingdian could do. He would have to personally supervise it.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Zhao Jingdian lowered his head without hesitation and quickly went to carry out his new orders.

Gallop!

Zhao Jingdian's horse left a trail of dust as it hurried away to catch up with the one thousand horsemen. He began to issue order after order, and with these orders, the horsemen began to shift, their movements causing even more dust to rise.

"…I didn't think that you really would be training them!"

A sigh suddenly came from behind Wang Chong, as well as a voice tinged with an indescribably complex mixture of emotions. Wang Chong's body shivered as he turned his head. It was a familiar figure, broad-shouldered and sturdy, dressed in a yellow dragon robe. He was slowly walking up from the mountain slope, his every moment imbued with a noble aura.

And behind him was the old butler, silently following behind him like a ghost.

"Young Master, I'm sorry! His Highness King Song didn't permit me to inform you."

Nearby, Wei Anfang had his head lowered and his arms drooped, shame all over his face.

Wang Chong's face went from surprise to a frown, but he quickly regained his composure.

King Song and his old butler shouldn't have been able to get so close without him noticing. But when he thought about that old butler's unfathomable strength and King Song's own power, Wang Chong felt somewhat pacified.

Although he himself had grown much stronger, he was still very far from unfathomably powerful experts like King Song and the old butler.

It was normal for him to not notice them as they ascended.

"Has Your Highness King Song come because of Ü-Tsang and Mengshe Zhao?" Wang Chong indifferently asked, as if he had already expected King Song and the old butler to appear.

"You already anticipated this situation, correct?"

With a solemn face, far less relaxed than Wang Chong's, King Song went straight to the point.

The matter of Ü-Tsang, Mengshe Zhao and Wang Chong had perplexed him for quite some time now. Completely based on his intuition, King Song felt that Wang Chong knew something.

So he had come here.

"On the Longxi, We Tadra Khonglo and Dusong Mangpoje appeared at the same time, leading an army to attack Big Dipper City and restrain Geshu Han. You already knew about this, correct?" King Song said.

Wars between countries were no trifling matter, but he was using this military intelligence to question a teenager. This was the conduct of a madman, but King Song was set on this course.

If he could not clarify these matters, he would never be at peace, would never get a good night's sleep.

To the northeast, the northwest, and around Beiting, all the foreign countries were restless, intentionally or unintentionally holding down the Great Tang's forces. This situation was unprecedented.

Although no one in the Imperial Court had noticed it yet, King Song was already feeling a terrible danger.

It was not so long ago that the foreign countries all feared and respected the Great Tang, keeping far away from its armies. When did they become so bold and reckless?

King Song felt an unprecedented peril in these abnormalities.

If the foreign countries no longer respected the Great Tang and perhaps had even silently agreed to work together and restrain the Great Tang, how could the Great Tang continue to subdue them all and sit steady in the center?

The Great Tang had used decades, perhaps even over a hundred years, to subdue these foreign countries and create the current golden age of peace.

But if this all fell apart, if they lost their fear, wouldn't the Central Plains once more become the target for all the various foreign powers?

A momentary loss could be recovered from, but if this tacit understanding for peace was broken, what awaited the Great Tang would be an unending sequence of wars, danger lurking around every corner!

The current Great Tang was far from its peak of power. The long peace had softened the hearts of the people. But the foreign countries, once naught but powder under the hooves of the Great Tang's cavalry, targets for their crossbows, had benefited from the Great Tang's peace. The long period of trade had allowed them to obtain large amounts of refined iron, pig iron, cast iron, and steel, with which they could forge a large amount of weapons.

They were now far stronger than they were in the past!

While one receded, the others swelled. King Song couldn't help but worry about such problems. The war in the southwest might only be the beginning. The Great Tang could soon be facing an endless storm!

If there was no skin, what would the fur attach to? If such a thing happened, perhaps no one would be able to survive!

"Yes!"

Wang Chong immediately and frankly admitted to King Song's question.

【Warning!】

【Warning!】

The voice from the Stone of Destiny rang out in his mind, but Wang Chong acted like he couldn't hear, his gaze fixed on King Song.

At this moment, King Song was dumbfounded.

Although King Song had this intense feeling ever since he had left the court, Wang Chong's frank confession had still caught King Song completely off guard.

King Song looked at Wang Chong in astonishment, his mind in a complete mess, unable to describe what he was feeling.

The south, Jiange, Longxi's border…

Not a single person in the court could have predicted the incidents taking place there, including himself. If someone had said beforehand that they had already predicted all of this, King Song would have called them crazy.

But as for Wang Chong… King Song believed him.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 486: The Final Preparations Before the War!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C486: The Final Preparations Before the War!
Chapter 486: The Final Preparations Before the War!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

After a long period of silence, King Song finally asked, "Just how did you know?"

There were far too many secrets hanging around Wang Chong. Although King Song had experienced countless trials and political storms, developing an extremely sharp gaze and feel for politics, King Song still found it at times impossible to see through this teenager standing before him.

Wang Chong shook his head and casually said, "This isn't some big secret!" Although he was a reincarnator and possessed an entire life's worth of memories, some things could be predicted even without foresight.

Mengshe Zhao, Ü-Tsang, Goguryeo, the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates—these empires had grown stronger and stronger over the years while the Great Tang had remained in the same place.

No, it had not just remained in the same place. In reality, it was constantly declining.

The Imperial Court from top to bottom and the whole of society had become haughty and lazy, and the wealth of the Central Plains was bound to stir the ambitions of these foreign countries.

And among all these foreign kingdoms, Ü-Tsang had the fiercest conflicts with the Great Tang and had the greatest capacity to invade.

Unlike the Eastern and Western Turkic Khaganates, Ü-Tsang was based on a high plateau. The Great Tang wanted to deal with this high-altitude empire, but it lacked the strength.

Thus, in every war, the Tibetans only needed to retreat into their interior, a strategic withdrawal saving them from disaster. They had always possessed a safe fortress, and they recovered faster than the other foreign kingdoms.

At the same time, if Ü-Tsang wanted to expand, the Great Tang in the Central Plains was the greatest barrier. Everything foreordained Ü-Tsang to always be the first opponent to strike a blow.

Geluofeng and his 300,000 Mengshe Zhao soldiers had been their chance.

They had already routed Xianyu Zhongtong in the southwest, and if they wanted to amplify their success, they needed to prevent any reinforcements from the Great Tang. Consequently, it was imperative that they send an army to restrain Geshu Han and his Big Dipper Army.

Thus, Wang Chong was utterly unsurprised to see such a thing happen.

Although Ü-Tsang was a foreign kingdom outside the sphere of Han civilization and was far less prosperous than the Central Plains, there were several extremely powerful existences behind it.

Whether it was Dalun Ruozan, Huoshu Huicang, We Tadra Khonglo, or Dusong Mangpoje, they were all the elite of the elite, not one bit inferior to the renowned generals of the Central Plains.

When these generals joined their powers, there would be no flaw in their strategies. Even though Wang Chong knew far in advance, he still wasn't able to do anything about it.

"Since you were able to analyze all this, why didn't you speak up sooner?"

King Song looked at the youth, his heart caught up in a mixture of emotions.

In the past, he would definitely have been full of praise for Wang Chong's analysis. But now there was defeat in the southwest, danger in Longxi, restlessness on the borders of the northeast, northwest, and Beiting. King Song no longer had the mind to think about much else.

"If I said it, would anyone have believed me?" Wang Chong indifferently said.

The campaign in the southwest had already reached this point. After three hundred years, this massive and prosperous empire had finally welcomed its first life-threatening peril.

And the perils that followed would only be more dangerous, more formidable.

If they could not even endure through this one, the following series of events coming down like a line of dominoes would completely knock the empire over.

At this moment, there was no need to hide anything.

"Aah!"

All that King Song could do upon hearing Wang Chong's question was to raise his head up to the dark clouds and give a long sigh.

Wang Chong was correct. Military affairs were no trifling matter.

Even if Wang Chong personally told him what would happen, even with his relationship with multiple generations of the Wang Clan, he would never have believed Wang Chong's words.

It wasn't about whether he trusted Wang Chong. This just wasn't how major affairs in the Imperial Court were decided. Private affections were not to play any part in the proceedings.

Without solid evidence, no one would allow a few lines of analysis to decide matters of state, decide the lives of tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands, of soldiers. This was not the correct way to run a government.

Thus, no matter what Wang Chong said, no one would believe until it actually happened, not even King Song.

It was precisely because he understood this that King Song couldn't help but sigh, a deep helplessness welling up in his heart.

With Li Zhengyi's defeat, the Great Tang had no more extra soldiers to offer.

"Could all this really be unavoidable…"

At this moment, King Song's mind was agitated and in turmoil.

"Your Highness, we cannot avoid what has already happened. The greatest concern right now is how to handle the war in the southwest!" Wang Chong sternly replied.

No matter how terrible things were, as long as the dust hadn't yet settled, he would not give up.

"What else can be done? The southwest has already been lost. Your one thousand men are like a cup of water on a cart of burning firewood. They won't be able to do anything."

King Song bitterly smiled as his gaze shifted toward the roiling dust rising from another mountain.

He understood everything now, understood the moment he had arrived at this place. Wang Chong had sold off the spirit vein so that he could gather the experts of the great clans and set off for the southwest.

Only the dangerous situation in the southwest was worth Wang Chong's gathering so many experts and paying such a heavy price.

But all of this was a drop in the ocean. What could one thousand 'soldiers' do, even if they were experts from the great clans of the capital?

A war was not something a mere one thousand experts could resolve. War was far from being that simple!

"If I don't try, how do I know whether I can succeed?" Wang Chong asked back, his expression firm.

With the war in the southwest at this stage, he had no other methods. Although one thousand experts was not a lot, this was all he could do on short notice, and he had invested everything he could.

"How can I help you?" King Song sternly said.

"Your Highness, if everything goes as expected, in at most seven days, I will be leaving. I don't have any rank or title, so I won't be able to make the generals over there submit. I require Your Highness's token so that my orders are followed without fail. In addition, if possible… it would be great if Your Highness could lend me a few of your experts," Wang Chong said.

King Song nodded and handed over his token. Then, he and his old butler silently left.

Wang Chong watched King Song leave, and though his eyes flickered with emotion for a few moments, he quickly went back to normal.

The danger in the southwest grew with every passing moment. He didn't have much time left, and he needed to efficiently use every moment of it.

Breeee!

A neigh reverberated through the mountains as hooves thundered. In a flash, a horse shot out of the forest like a dragon. After several months, the White-hoofed Shadow had grown even stronger and sturdier.

Whether it was its bones, ligaments, or muscles, the White-hoofed Shadow was now a completely mature adult, the difference from its former self as stark as night and day.

"Hyah!"

Wang Chong mounted the horse, took the reins, and gripped the flanks of the horse with his legs. He became one with the horse and left behind a trail of dust as he galloped off to the smithy of the Zhang Clan.

Dingdang! Dingdang!

To the west of the capital loomed a giant smithy. From a distance, Wang Chong could already hear the sounds of hammering and see the plumes of smoke.

"Young Master!"

Upon seeing Wang Chong, a supervisor from the Zhang Clan hurried to welcome him. At the moment, there was no one in the Zhang Clan who didn't recognize Wang Chong.

"Let me go in and take a look."

Wang Chong dismounted and got straight to the point.

The smithy of the Zhang Clan was a hive of activity, generating smoke everywhere and incessant sounds of hammering. Upon walking in, Wang Chong could feel intense waves of heat slapping against his face.

"Young Master, following your orders, all the master smiths of the clan worked day and night to forge the Wootz Steel swords you required! The clan viewed this task with utmost importance, and the clan head personally supervised the entire process. He just left a few moments ago. If you had come a little earlier, you would have been able to meet him," the Zhang Clan supervisor explained.

It had been a very long time since the Zhang Clan's smithy had been this busy. All of its master smiths had come forward, and these last few days had been even more busy than the last few months.

Wang Chong nodded.

The matter of the Wootz Steel swords was incredibly important. With a sweep of his gaze, Wang Chong could see that many guards were standing sentinel, including the Wang Clan experts that had been dispatched to this place.

Such was the value of the Wootz Steel swords that many people were willing to go to desperate lengths to obtain one.

"Wang Chong, why are you here!"

As the supervisor was speaking, another voice butted in. Zhang Cong and Zhang Jian were leading several elders of the Zhang Clan to receive Wang Chong.

Wang Chong nodded in greeting and asked, "How is the forging of the Wootz Steel swords going?"

"It'll be finished in another three days, but we'll have to rely on you for the next step."

Zhang Cong looked worriedly at Wang Chong. A thousand Wootz Steel swords required many steps. Even a great clan like the Zhang Clan had felt it very exhausting, and Wang Chong had to finish them all by himself!

Zhang Cong was concerned that Wang Chong wouldn't be able to do it alone.

"I know. All you need to do is finish with the initial processing for the one thousand Wootz Steel swords. None of you have to worry about the rest," Wang Chong calmly said.

The crucial steps for forging the Wootz Steel swords rested almost entirely in his hand, and no one could copy them. However, though the process overall was complex, the last steps were actually very simple.

As long as enough liquid was prepared, the temperature of the Wootz Steel swords could be lowered fairly quickly. In any case, he had it much easier than the Zhang Clan.

"In addition, we've already passed the matter of the armor to the other clans for them to work. We've dispatched supervisors to oversee the process. The armors might be finished before the Wootz Steel swords!" Zhang Jian added.

There were too many steps in forging the Wootz Steel swords, making the work rather troublesome. In comparison, the Meteoric Metal armor was much simpler. Wang Chong did not intend to forge armor made of pure Meteoric Metal, but instead wanted to mix the Meteoric Metal with other high-class refined iron. This made the forging much easier and also allowed for more suits of armor to be produced.

And unlike the Wootz Steel swords, the various clans were all more experienced in forging armor. The only problem was that Meteoric Metal had a higher melting point. Otherwise, the process would have been even faster.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 487: The Crucial Point! Lion City!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C487: The Crucial Point! Lion City!
Chapter 487: The Crucial Point! Lion City!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

In the center of the smithy was a massive, windowless room. Its walls were made from iron and were three feet thick. Each of the walls had been inscribed with layers of defensive inscriptions that made them extremely sturdy.

This was where the Zhang Clan stored its weapons.

Wang Chong's Wootz Steel swords were stored inside.

Wang Chong walked in, picked a Wootz Steel sword embryo out of the pile, and began to carefully inspect it. The safehouse had no windows, but it did have several bright pearls embedded in the ceiling to give light.

The warm light of these pearls allowed him to see the fluid lines on the Wootz Steel sword. Although it still had not gone through the quenching and the last few steps, the sword embryo itself was already very aesthetically pleasing.

The smiths of the Zhang Clan truly are excellent!

Though Wang Chong said nothing as he examined the sword embryo, he mentally gave his nod of approval.

A thousand Wootz Steel swords was no minor affair, and he had even required that they be forged in a very short amount of time. His greatest concern was that the Zhang Clan might skimp on their work.

But his inspection revealed that the Zhang Clan truly had treated this matter seriously.

Each of the sword embryos he inspected had gone through countless temperings and taken a great deal of effort to create. The Zhang Clan's smiths had cherished this precious forging material far more than Wang Chong had imagined.

After examining them all, Wang Chong began to get a feel for their weight. Finally, he nodded his head.

"Not bad!"

These Wootz Steel sword embryos felt heavy in his hand, indicating that they were all pure Wootz Steel. Every Wootz Steel sword had to pass through his hands, so he was extremely familiar with the weight of Wootz Steel.

Wootz Steel could not be mixed with other metals. Otherwise, the weapon would be ruined!

"Send these weapons over to my side. And send the rest over once you finish them!" Wang Chong said as he put down a sword embryo.

Wang Chong now felt completely at ease about leaving this matter to the Zhang Clan.

After leaving the Zhang Clan's smithy, Wang Chong rode to the cave outside the city. It didn't take long before a stream of Wootz Steel sword embryos began to be delivered into the cave.

As time slowly passed, Wang Chong completely forgot about the outside world, as all of his focus was placed on forging the Wootz Steel swords.

Batch after batch of Wootz Steel swords passed through Wang Chong's hands and out of the cave. They were sent to Deflecting Blade Mountain, where they were placed together with the Meteoric Metal armor forged by the other clans and distributed to the True Martial realm experts recruited from the great clans.

Quality, and not quantity, was more important in a soldier. Through these armaments, the one-thousand-man division of elite soldiers that Wang Chong anticipated was slowly beginning to take shape.

Time was short, and while Wang Chong was completely cut off from the outside world, his entire being focused on forging Wootz Steel swords, the outside world was being overturned.

The war in the southwest had shaken the entire empire, troubling the minds of millions. Every day, more news was coming from the southwest.

More and more details began to be revealed about the defeat in the southwest, and the more that was known, the more troubled the people were.

And several days later, a letter arrived from the front lines, jolting the entire capital.

More than half a month after Xianyu Zhongtong set off with his 180,000 elites, the Imperial Court finally received a letter from Xianyu Zhongtong.

This was a letter requesting reinforcements!

The letter said that the supplies in 'Lion City' wouldn't be able to last for too long and would be exhausted after a little more time, and so the Imperial Court was being asked to speedily deliver supplies.

Xianyu Zhongtong's seal had been stamped at the end..

This letter let the people know for the first time that 80,000 soldiers from the Annan Protectorate still remained out of the initial 180,000, and that this army was taking shelter in a place called Lion City. After many days and nights of worry, this news was assuredly a great comfort.

But people quickly began to ask, what was Lion City?

Where was that place?

How could it block the assaults from the hundreds and thousands of soldiers from Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang?

Countless questions surged through their minds!

The officials from the Bureau of Revenue and the Bureau of Personnel were quickly summoned to the Imperial Court to be questioned about this Lion City. But to the astonishment of all, none of the officials knew anything about this Lion City. They even had to ask where it was!

Even stranger was that this Lion City was found on no maps of the Great Tang. Even those old ministers of the court who had lived in the southwest for decades and knew Jiannan like the back of their hand had no idea what this Lion City was or where it was located.

So surprising was this conclusion that no one dared to believe it!

A large number of scouts were immediately dispatched to the southwest. No one dared to overlook the lives of these 80,000 elites.

Everyone knew that these 80,000 soldiers were the last barrier to the southwest. Their presence could hold down those two foreign powers and make them act more cautiously.

Without them, Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang would have nothing to fear. Geluofeng, Dalun Ruozan, and Huoshu Huicang would lead their armies deep into Tang territory, sweeping over the southwest until the borders of Longxi.

But just when everyone was fruitlessly seeking clues on this Lion City, a surprising response came from a minor official in the Bureau of Military Personnel, serving under Zhangchou Jianqiong.

He suddenly remembered that when Zhangchou Jianqiong was holding a banquet in the capital, he had invited Wang Gen and his nephew. At that banquet, Wang Chong had mentioned that he wanted to set up a city in the southwest.

And later on, a person at Wang Chong's side had come to consult the minor official on this matter. At the time, that person seemed to vaguely indicate that this city was being established at Lion Mountain.

Everyone was flabbergasted at this news.

And then they received further confirmation that more than half a year ago, the Wang Clan really had dispatched a large number of guards to the southwest, along with a large amount of raw materials. Wang Chong had also sent a million taels of gold to the southwest. All levels of society, from the court down to the common man, were left dumbfounded!

The impact this made on all the officials of the court was difficult to imagine. Even Wang Chong's big uncle, Wang Gen, was stunned speechless.

He knew that Wang Chong had asked for a lot of land from Zhangchou Jianqiong. In fact, he had been sitting at the table at the time. But not even Wang Gen knew that this Lion City that occupied a strategic location in the southwest war had been constructed by Wang Chong, and more than half a year ago at that!

Even the slowest of people were beginning to realize something.

Had that young fellow from the Wang Clan already predicted this war more than half a year ago and even constructed that important and strategic city to prepare for it?

Countless people found this nigh impossible to believe.

"Crazy, crazy! That's completely crazy!"

"How could he know that the Great Tang and Mengshe Zhao would fight there?"

"Impossible! Only a fool would build a city for the sake of a war! And how could he know that Mengshe Zhao and the Great Tang would battle there?"

"How much profit can the Tea Horse Road bring? If not for war, was it for trade? Would you build a city for the sake of trade, investing a million taels of gold?"

"This…"

The person was dumbstruck.

That this war that involved 180,000 Great Tang elites, 300,000 Mengshe Zhao soldiers, and almost a million civilians had been decided by a single teenaged scion in the capital was truly difficult to believe.

In fact, it was completely absurd!

Regardless of the truth, whether it was for trade or war, Wang Chong and that Lion City several thousand li away had garnered the attention of all the officials and military officers.

The Wang Clan began to receive letter after letter, and the Imperial Court even sent a document of inquiry to Wang Chong.

But at this time, Wang Chong couldn't be bothered to get into a debate in the Imperial Court…

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 488: Move Out! The Southwest!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C488: Move Out! The Southwest!
Chapter 488: Move Out! The Southwest!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

After finishing off the last Wootz Steel sword, Wang Chong finally emerged from the cave. But he ignored the summons from the Imperial Court, boarding his carriage for elsewhere. His destination was not the Wang Clan Residence; instead, the carriage turned at Vermillion Bird Street and headed toward the office of the Minister of War.

He was greeted by a large board painted black, with the words 'Minister of War' written on it in large letters.

This was Zhangchou Jianqiong's new place of work.

From the moment he took the position, Zhangchou Jianqiong had replaced everyone in the Minister of War's office with his own group of people from the southwest. Through this method, Zhangchou Jianqiong had placed the entirety of the office under his firm control.

But when Wang Chong arrived, the entire office was blanketed in a somber and heavy mood. Anyone who passed by would be able to feel that melancholy and oppressive air.

Almost everyone in the Minister of War's office had their heads lowered.

Zhangchou Jianqiong had originally been the protector-general for the southwest, and the current defeat in the southwest had resulted in the deaths of 100,000 of the 180,000 elites and the imminent massacre of almost a million civilians at the hands of Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang.

One could easily imagine the pressure these officers from the southwest were facing.

Although no one had said anything, as they were former officers of the Annan Protectorate, all the blame for this affair rested on them.

At present, there was almost no one in the Minister of War's office who didn't recognize Wang Chong.

Although no one knew his purpose, when Wang Chong appeared at the gate, he was quickly ushered in.

In the innermost confines of the Minister of War's office, Wang Chong saw the downtrodden figure of Zhangchou Jianqiong, so haggard that it seemed like he had suffered through some terrible torture.

"Milord!"

Wang Chong tidied his clothes, walked in, and bowed.

"You've come…"

Zhangchou Jianqiong's eyes momentarily lit up at the sight of Wang Chong, but they hurriedly dimmed as he lowered his head once more in dejection.

Given the Wang Clan's status and the relationship Wang Chong had with Yang Zhao and Consort Taizhen, Zhangchou Jianqiong should have greeted him with warm enthusiasm, but he truly was not in the mood.

Nor was this a good time to receive guests.

All of society was currently focused on the southwest, apparently allowing Zhangchou Jianqiong to escape any disaster for now. But in reality, only Zhangchou Jianqiong knew that all the pressure and criticism was actually gathering on his body.

In the most recent morning court sessions, he had even felt the occasional unkind gaze from the other prestigious officials.

Zhangchou Jianqiong understood what all these officials were thinking.

'If you hadn't been so set on entering the capital, the southwest would have never turned out this way. Moreover, you might be the Minister of War now and, in the strictest sense of the word, unrelated to the matter of the southwest…

'But Xianyu Zhongtong was someone that you recommended, and the southwest was your territory. Now 100,000 Great Tang elites have died and Li Zhengyi's reinforcements were ambushed.

'This was all because you recommended the wrong person. You carry unavoidable blame in this catastrophe.'

This invisible pressure could push anyone to the breaking point, and even more concerningly, Zhangchou Jianqiong himself believed that this was his mistake.

In the current situation, he probably wouldn't even be able to hold onto his position of Minister of War, and with the loss of his territory in the southwest, he would also probably lose the right to stand in court.

Plagued by problems both internal and external, Zhangchou Jianqiong was mentally exhausted, lacking even the energy to greet Wang Chong.

"Milord is troubled over the southwest?" Wang Chong calmly asked as he seated himself across from Zhangchou Jianqiong.

"Haha, other than that, what else could it be?" Zhangchou Jianqiong replied with a bitter smile.

In his view, Wang Chong's question was completely unnecessary. Even an idiot could probably understood how poor his situation was. Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang had unexpectedly joined forces. In the past, even if he were beaten to death, he wouldn't have dared to believe such a thing.

But all of this had really happened.

He had barely left and Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huicang were already holding his feet to the fire.

It seemed like he wouldn't be Minister of War for very long.

"Since Milord is worried about this matter, why not leave the Bureau of Military Personnel and lead an army to the southwest?" Wang Chong said.

"Leave? I'm the Minister of War. I have to supervise the matters of the Imperial Court. How can I just leave and participate in a war on the front lines? In the three hundred years since the founding of the Great Tang, have you ever heard of a Minister of War who went to fight a war on the front lines?" Zhangchou Jianqiong said.

In his view, Wang Chong's advice was a complete joke.

If he went in his capacity as Minister of War to lead a charge through the front lines, who would handle the Minister of War's affairs? A snake had a snake path and a mouse had a mouse path, but both were completely different from each other.

"While it's true that the rules of the court cannot be discarded, if Milord forces the issue, which official would dare to stop you? The entire empire is currently focused on the southwest. As long as Milord can resolve the southwest, who would dare to criticize you?" Wang Chong said.

Zhangchou Jianqiong's eyes unfocused for a few moments. If he could solve the war in the southwest by leaving the capital, why wouldn't he? But now…

If he had gone before the Great Tang had been routed, it would have been fine, but now… even if he went, what use would it be?

"I can't! Wang Chong, you don't understand. The rules of the court cannot be broken. As Minister of War, I cannot leave the capital."

Zhangchou Jianqiong struggled for a few moments, but only a few, before regaining his composure.

Defeat in the southwest was already unavoidable. He had finally managed to climb up to his current position, and with so many people watching, he could not allow it to be lost.

The Annan Protectorate already had nothing to do with him, but he could at least attempt to hold the position of Minister of War.

"Ah…"

Wang Chong had been keeping a close watch on the changes in Zhangchou Jianqiong's face. As he watched it slowly turn hard, he couldn't help but give a long sigh.

Zhangchou Jianqiong knew the southwest like the back of his palm, as well as Geluofeng, Dalun Ruozan, and Huoshu Huicang. He even knew their commanding style.

The southwest would be much easier to resolve if he had the previous Annan Protector-General at his side, increasing his chances of ending the war.

But his final attempt had failed!

The current Zhangchou Jianqiong was no longer the Zhangchou Jianqiong of the past. His desire for power had completely defeated his status as an Imperial Great General.

He was no longer that tiger of the empire!

Wang Chong felt somewhat disappointed, but also a little relieved.

In the end, he could only rely on himself.

"Milord, I came this time to bid you farewell!" Wang Chong said forthrightly, clasping his hands in respect.

Since he could no longer place his hopes on the Minister of War, Wang Chong no longer hesitated.

"Ah!"

Zhangchou Jianqiong gave a soft yelp, his body trembling as he raised his head to look at Wang Chong with shock on his face.

"You want to leave the capital!"

"Yes!"

Wang Chong lightly continued, "Wang Chong has already gathered one thousand elites, set to leave for the southwest before the sun sets!"

Wang Chong spoke flatly and calmly, without emotion in his voice.

The room was quiet, but the mood seemed to have slightly changed.

Zhangchou Jianqiong stared blankly at the youth before him. In his daze, he suddenly realized something, and he began to look at this youth with completely different eyes.

He already had a keen understanding of what was happening in the southwest. For Wang Chong to go there at this time could only mean one thing!

For the first time, Zhangchou Jianqiong viewed Wang Chong with a sliver of respect in his eyes.

He had heard many things about Wang Chong, heard much about the reputation of the Wang Clan's Qilin son. But the feeling this time was completely different.

Zhangchou Jianqiong's mouth opened to instinctively stop him, but he ultimately chose not to.

The situation in the southwest was extremely dangerous, but like a drowning man, he would take any chance, no matter how slim.

"What do you need?" Zhangchou Jianqiong asked, his eyes quickly turning clear.

He was the previous Annan Protector-General. Since Wang Chong was going to the southwest, he knew exactly what he needed to do.

"I require something in Milord's possession. If Milord believes in me, then I require Milord's token, one that can allow me command over the Annan Protectorate army, including Lord Xianyu," Wang Chong said.

His expression was firm. Even when facing Zhangchou Jianqiong, his eyes showed no fear.

Zhangchou Jianqiong felt like he had been jabbed, his pupils constricting and his expression turning extremely solemn.

A protector-general was a border official. Even as Minister of War, he did not have complete control over them. Thus there was the saying, 'When the general is abroad, there are some orders they need not accept.'

But Wang Chong had guessed correctly. He truly did have a token that symbolized his own identity and was capable of commanding all 180,000 soldiers of the Annan Protectorate.

This was also a method he had agreed to with Xianyu Zhongtong.

If not for that token, he would not have left the southwest and given the position of protector-general to Xianyu Zhongtong.

This matter was a great secret that only those in his inner circle knew.

"What is Milord still thinking about?!"

Seeing the look on Zhangchou Jianqiong's face and his unwillingness to speak, Wang Chong knew what he was thinking.

"The war in the southwest has already reached this stage. Does Milord still believe that there is another way?"

Wang Chong's voice had become a little louder.

If Zhangchou Jianqiong was still pinching pennies at this time, then he was letting down his title of Tiger of the Empire.

"Aah!"

Zhangchou Jianqiong mentally struggled with himself, but after giving a long sigh, he finally made a decision.

I hope that my decision won't be wrong!

Clack!

His right hand lightly pulled at his waist, bringing up a heavy medallion made from black metal. But Zhangchou Jianqiong did not immediately hand it over.

"Answer a question for me first. Lion City in the southwest… Did you really anticipate all this?"

"Yes!"

……

Zhangchou Jianqiong gave a long sigh and handed over the token with no further questions.

"What else do you need me to do?"

"If Milord is willing, give me a few of the generals at your side!"

With these words, Wang Chong left the Minister of War's office.

After leaving, Wang Chong returned to Deflecting Blade Mountain. 'Soldiers raised for a thousand days are meant to be used for a single moment.' After so many days of training, it was finally time to head south.

Rumble!

At the peak of Deflecting Blade Mountain, the earth quaked and fierce winds swept through. With Zhao Jingdian leading the charge, a thousand fully-equipped experts rode their horses in an organized formation toward the mountain.

Dust roiled as a thousand hired experts followed like a crashing wave. Leading them was a giant man, eight feet tall. He was extremely conspicuous, and on his back was a massive sword larger than the average man.

Across all the Great Tang, probably only Li Siye possessed such an astonishing constitution.

Rumbling could be heard as far as a hundred li away. Even the students of Kunwu Training Camp were alarmed. But Wang Chong seemed to not see or hear.

All his focus was on this army that he had raised.

"This mission to the southwest will be extremely dangerous. If you want to back out, there's still time!"

Wang Chong stood on the peak, his expression stern. His gaze was not on the experts from the great clans, but the ones that he had hired.

The winds howled, but no noise came from those dense ranks. All of them appeared to not care about this danger.

Hired experts had always lived life on the edge. If this career were peaceful and utterly without risk, wouldn't everyone be hired experts?

Wang Chong's question was completely pointless for them.

For hired experts, money was enough. The higher the risk, the greater the reward. As long as this requirement could be fulfilled, they really didn't care about much else.

"Hmph!"

Wang Chong snorted. He gave no speech to raise the morale of the army. He simply drew his sword and pointed it at the sky.

The unstoppable and peerlessly sharp Wootz Steel sword exuded its cold light toward the dark clouds.

"Move out!"

With this earthshaking order, Wang Chong mounted the White-hoofed Shadow and led the army down Deflecting Blade Mountain, toward the southwest.

The rumbling of the army, sweeping forward with the momentum of a mountain, followed him.

All of the Great Tang Empire was focused on the Imperial Court and the southwest. Few noticed that the experts Wang Chong had gathered using millions of taels of gold and one thousand Wootz Steel swords had silently left the capital, riding toward the distant southwest.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 489: Crisis! Scaling Ladders!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C489: Crisis! Scaling Ladders!
Chapter 489: Crisis! Scaling Ladders!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

In the distant southwest…

A massive lake, more than eighty li long and more than ten li wide, spanned between the Great Tang and Mengshe Zhao. The lake was said to be connected to the sea, so it was called the Erhai1.

There was no one in the southwest that didn't know of Erhai.

All the merchants using the Tea Horse Road had to pass through this place. This was a placid lake, a peaceful sea, but now, it was brimming with the stench of death.

Caw!

Crows opened their wings and flocked over the Erhai to a vast plain on its banks.

Here were countless corpses, their pale faces turned toward the sky or the dirt, piled up and stretched out on the ground. There were people from the Great Tang here, from Mengshe Zhao, and from Ü-Tsang, but the majority of them came from the Great Tang.

The air stank of blood and the earth was dyed red. Birds dropped down from the sky to perch on these corpses, their long beaks pecking at eyes.

From above, one could see that thousands of birds had gathered here. This tragic scene had become a dreadful and mournful feast for the crows!

This was the battlefield of the southwest!

Broken axes, shattered halberds, and ragged banners scattered across the field served as the last scene of this battle. But though much time had passed, from a certain perspective, this battle still wasn't over.

"You're telling me that that city was constructed by a child?"

Dalun Ruozan stood on the gruesome battlefield, his gown as white as snow. He narrowed his deep eyes as he gazed at that majestic city of black steel in the distance, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Great Minister is correct. Our spies in the Great Tang have already discovered that this city was built by the youngest grandson of the Great Tang's former Prime Minister, Wang Jiuling! Construction began on it a little more than half a year ago."

Nearby, a bearded and middle-aged man of heroic constitution put his hands behind him and explained.

This middle-aged man wore a silk dragon robe and had a muscular constitution, and his every movement exuded a thick aura of nobility. Even though he was standing next to prestigious figures like Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huicang, he was not one bit inferior.

Across all of Mengshe Zhao, the only person that could reach this level was the King of Mengshe Zhao, the strongest of his generation, Geluofeng.

Dalun Ruozan said nothing, but his eyes betrayed his astonishment.

300,000 Mengshe Zhao soldiers working with more than 200,000 Ngari Royal Lineage heavy cavalry should have made it almost impossible for the 180,000 Great Tang elites to escape.

But the reality was that this city near the banks of the Erhai, an unremarkable city that still seemed to be in the middle of construction, had played a critical role in this battle.

While 80,000 soldiers wasn't a large number, it also wasn't small. In normal circumstances, the massive might of their combined forces would have easily annihilated such a force.

But the truth was that the firm walls of the city meant that the 80,000 soldiers had not only been able to stave off their assault. They also now occupied a rather decent position.

The situation now was rather awkward. The door to the Great Tang's southwest was wide open, their 500,000-man army able to sweep in at any time.

But this city near the plains of the Erhai and the 80,000 soldiers within meant that this army of 500,000 soldiers couldn't go anywhere!

This trifling Lion City was like a peg that nailed down the Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang armies.

Although their numbers were far inferior to Ü-Tsang and Mengshe Zhao, the Great Tang still had the advantage in equipment. And the Great Tang soldiers also held the advantage in terms of crossbows, master archers, and other non-horse-based forces.

If it weren't for their sheer strength in numbers, Mengshe Zhao would have never dared to challenge these 180,000 Great Tang elites!

If they divided their troops poorly, those 80,000 soldiers could easily take advantage of this opportunity!

After all, these 80,000 elites could still fight, could still influence this war!

"This matter is because of my carelessness. I received news when construction on this city began, but I didn't pay it much attention. I didn't think that this city would be built for war or that it would hold enough supplies to sustain 80,000 soldiers! It now appears that this city was prepared long in advance," Geluofeng said, a strange expression on his face.

These were two leaders of their respective armies, one the King of Mengshe Zhao, the other the Great Minister of Ü-Tsang's Ngari Royal Lineage, yet they had been outwitted by a child in the Great Tang's capital, several thousand li away.

What was even harder to accept was that this child's actions clearly had nothing to do with the Great Tang Imperial Court.

Otherwise, the Annan Protectorate's 180,000-man army would not have suffered such a grievous defeat, perhaps not have even mobilized.

"If that child really is as you say, then he can't be underestimated. When I return, I will advise the Tsenpo to investigate him and find out why he erected this city. I worry that this child might threaten Mengshe Zhao and our Ü-Tsang in the future," Dalun Ruozan said. He didn't know who this child called Wang Chong that Geluofeng spoke of was, nor had he ever met him.

But as a wise general who had to plan for the future, Dalun Ruozan had an instinctive distaste for variables like this, and he found the fact that he had no control over them even more unpleasant.

There was no question that this city near the Erhai and the distant Wang Chong were complete beyond his control.

However, he's too simple if he thinks that one city can stop us. Your Most Esteemed Majesty, how are the preparations going for the matter I spoke of?"

Dalun Ruozan grinned and turned to Geluofeng.

Although the city was a little troublesome, the problem wasn't intractable.

"Haha, relax. I've already mobilized all the subjects, the porters and farmers, of Mengshe Zhao and had them cut down the forest near Erhai. In just ten-some days, we'll have a large number of scaling ladders ready. When the time comes, the army will be able to assault the city and the Great Tang's defeat will be assured."

Geluofeng's eyes were bright as he stroked his beard and gave a hearty laugh.

"Hmph, good! Then I'll wait for your good news! Those Tang soldiers can live for a little longer. Huoshu Huicang, have the army surround the city. Let no one escape. The Great Tang has no soldiers to send, so as long as we can wipe out the soldiers in Lion City, the entire southwest will be ours for the taking. The soldiers of our Ü-Tsang and Mengshe Zhao will be able to sweep across unhindered."

With a wave of his sleeve, Dalun Ruozan turned around to look at a large model.

A finger shot out and stuck a flag at the place where Lion City was, then twisted, pulverizing the miniature Lion City into powder.

Loudly laughing, Dalun Ruozan turned and left for his own camp.

And behind, four or five li from the Erhai, within a lush forest, the tree branches were rustling as the sounds of chopping rang through the air.

Thousands of Mengshe Zhao porters and farmers were at work. Singing a work song, they cut down tree after tree, and in the distance, scaling ladders were under construction…

______________

1. Erhai means 'Ear Sea', as it is somewhat shaped like an ear. I do not know where the author got the idea that the Erhai was connected to the sea. Apparently it is called the Ear Sea because the native Bai people of Yunnan had a longing for the sea.

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NovelThe Human EmperorChapter 490: Rapid Advance Over One Thousand Li!
THE HUMAN EMPEROR
C490: Rapid Advance Over One Thousand Li!
Chapter 490: Rapid Advance Over One Thousand Li!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Rumble! Hooves thundered and dust roiled. An army of thousands traveled on the roads to the southwest, traveling night and day.

"Hyah!"

Wang Chong was in the front, horse whip in hand. Behind him were the one thousand clan experts equipped with Wootz Steel swords and Meteoric Metal armor, as well as several thousand hired experts.

Several days had passed since they had left the capital, and they had been moving at maximum speed. Three days and three nights was enough to cover several thousand li.

This rapid advance was almost impossible to imagine, but even so, Wang Chong did not relax in the slightest.

"Warning, 112 Tang soldiers have died. The Annan Protectorate army is now below 80,000!"

"Warning, 133 Tang soldiers have died. The Annan Protectorate army is rapidly weakening. User must act as quickly as possible!"

"Warning, 253 Tang soldiers have died. Only 74,517 Tang soldiers remain in Lion City!"

"Warning, Lion City's losses have now exceeded 500. 1 point of Destiny Energy will be subtracted from user as punishment!"

"For every 500 deaths in Lion City, user will be deducted 1 point of Destiny Energy. Once 5000 soldiers have been lost, every 500 deaths will result in a deduction of 2 points. At 30,000 deaths, every 500 deaths will result in a deduction of 3 points!"

"If user has no Destiny Energy to pay the penalty, user will die. If user cannot reach the southwest battlefield in a month, user will die. Violating either of these will result in mission failure and death of user."

……

The callous and emotionless voice of the Stone of Destiny continued to surge like a waterfall in Wang Chong's mind, each of its messages warning Wang Chong that his time was short.

But Wang Chong had no mind to pay attention to these messages. All his thoughts were on the 80,000 soldiers in the southwest and the almost one million civilians that lived there.

Only he himself understood just how little time he had.

Twenty days! Lion City's stockpile can only last for at most twenty more days. Once the supplies are exhausted, morale will collapse, and no matter how firm the walls of Lion City are, the city will still fall…

Wang Chong's mind was as restless as the winds howling around him. That invisible pressure was pressing down on him at every moment, putting Wang Chong through an excruciating torment that no one else could ever experience.

He had tarried for too long in the capital, but Wang Chong knew that there had been no other way. To do a good job, an artisan needed the best tools. If he wanted to intervene in a massive battlefield like the southwest and rely on his own powers to influence this event that would shake the Great Tang and the Central Plains, he had to make ample preparations.

Without that batch of Wootz Steel swords, without the hardy Meteoric Metal armor, without those aides he had gathered… even if he brought even more people with him and arrived even sooner, his efforts against the 300,000 Mengshe Zhao troops and 200,000 Ü-Tsang troops would be like an ant shaking a tree, a grasshopper trying to stop a carriage.

Quality, not quantity, was more important for soldiers. Wang Chong didn't have enough soldiers, so he could only work on quality. Consequently, when the war in the southwest broke out, Wang Chong did not hurriedly lead an army south, but used a considerable amount of time to forge equipment and train them.

These things were necessary to enter the war, so this time was a necessary expense.

Now that everything had been prepared, Wang Chong had to make up for as much of that time as he could.

"How far is the next relay station?" Wang Chong asked without turning his head.

"It's still fifty li. All the warhorses are prepared and can be switched out as soon as we get there!"

The screech of an eagle came from above. Old Eagle galloped alongside Wang Chong while receiving the eagle and reporting to Wang Chong. It was a long journey to the south, and no horse could endure this sort of nonstop march.

But Wang Chong's army did not need to suffer this problem.

The reason was very simple. While Wang Chong had been in the capital, preparing for his army to move out, the route that his army would take was also being prepared, along with the relay stations where they could rest.

Everything on the road to the southwest had been made ready, leaving nothing that could delay them.

A relay station had been set up every dozen li where Wang Chong could switch out warhorses.

Every several dozen li, another batch of warhorses would be replaced, allowing him to maintain the fighting power and speed of his army at the maximum level.

This was the ability to organize an army!

Wang Chong's arrangements were so meticulous and comprehensive that no one had noticed them.

There were currently very few people in the Great Tang army that could pull off such a feat in such a short amount of time. In his last life, Wang Chong had relied on this powerful organizational ability to lead his army across a hundred li, a thousand li. His forces were so agile that those foreign invaders had never been able to track him down.

After passing through a few mountains, Wang Chong suddenly straightened his body, raised an arm, and issued an order. "Crane Wing Formation!"

Rumble! The originally orderly army on the official road suddenly became chaotic, and a few of the warhorses even ran into each other.

But this disorder persisted for only a short while. The several thousand soldiers quickly regained their composure and carried out the order. As they began to charge forward in formation, they exuded a strict discipline. They now seemed even more like an army than they had at Deflecting Blade Mountain.

Wang Chong had at first given Li Siye and Zhao Jingdian the task of training the soldiers, but he himself personally carried out the last part of the training.

One could imagine the effectiveness of someone who was known as 'War Saint' in their last life personally training an army.

In the three days of rapid advance from the capital, Wang Chong had not only succeeded in arranging this loose assortment of several thousand warriors into units of one hundred, ten, and five. Wang Chong had also selected an officer for all these hundred-man, ten-man, and five-man units, allowing his orders to be delivered and executed to the very lowest level.

Besides that, Wang Chong had, along with Zhao Jingdian and the others, taught the army a new set of cavalry formations, somewhat more complicated and more powerful.

The current army was now equipped in standardized armor and their cohesion had ascended to a completely new level!

At the very least, it had taken on the basic shape of an army.

After a few moments, Wang Chong raised his arm again. "Arrow Formation!"

The several thousand soldiers of this 'army' quickly took another formation and began to exude a chilling killing intent.

To train these undisciplined and rowdy warriors into this state in just ten days was truly astonishing.

But Li Siye, Zhao Jingdian, Old Eagle, and even the hired experts had already begun to naturally accept this and treat it as normal.

Not even they had noticed how strange this was!

"Reporting!"

As the army was rapidly advancing and drilling, a shout came from a distant mountain as a warhorse rode over. The white-robed soldier riding it seemed to have been surveying the area and been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Wang Chong's army, he had raised his horse whip and charged out of the lush forest.

"Young Master, your subordinate has carried out your orders and has been waiting here for three days. The items Young Master has ordered are ready. Please inspect them!"

The white-robed soldier galloped in front of the army, dismounted, and kneeled.

Wang Chong's eyes glowed as he brought the army to a halt with the wave of his right hand. In an instant, the activity and movement came to a stop.

This was the first time since the start of their march to the south that he had ordered the army to halt.

At present, every second of time was precious. Wang Chong had particularly emphasized this while commanding this army.

If it were not important, he wouldn't have the army stop.

In just a moment, Li Siye, Zhao Jingdian, Luo Tong, and everyone else placed their focus on that white-robed soldier.

Only Old Eagle seemed to understand. He looked forward with a calm expression, no surprise in his eyes.

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