Starting from the border troops, I've worked my way up to become a Martial Emperor.

Chapter 176 Global Reaction

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No one expected this battle to end this way.

Eight hundred thousand imperial guards and a million border troops collapsed so quickly when faced with the Qin army.

Emperor Yong gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot.

This battle was a huge blow to him.

Lu Yuan's strength far exceeded his expectations.

Back then, for the sake of the Crown Prince, they pushed Lu Yuan away from Dayong step by step, and even intended to execute him, but instead brought back the Peerless Marquis. However, what they got in return was the rapid decline of Dayong.

This battle left the Yong Dynasty with no power to retaliate, and its national strength was 30% less than before.

He absolutely could not bear to use his remaining 400,000 Imperial Guards and his last renowned general to fight Lu Yuan.

If we throw these in too.

Then I would have absolutely no chance to turn things around.

He glanced down and asked, "Gentlemen, is there any other way?"

At this moment, Emperor Yong, despite possessing the cultivation of an Earth Immortal, still felt a sense of powerlessness emanating from within his body.

He had no other options left to deal with the Qin Dynasty.

Lu Ze said softly, "Your Majesty, Chang Dao has gained the upper hand in the battle at Luzhou, but Luzhou is connected to Songzhou, and the Qin troops will arrive in three days at the latest."

Neither the King of Beiyou nor Changdao could withstand such a powerful army.

If Luzhou falls, the only remaining shield for the imperial city will be Lingzhou. The Qin cavalry can travel a thousand miles a day, and in less than half a month, they will be at the city gates.

The old minister suggested moving the capital.

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtiers below began to discuss it.

Relocating the capital? This was something that had never happened before in the Great Yong Dynasty.

It would be an even greater disgrace. If the capital were to be moved, where would they go?

Emperor Yong's face was grim.

But he knew in his heart that with the Qin army of two million and his own elite troops already gone, if he didn't leave, and the enemy was at the gates, he probably wouldn't be able to leave even if he wanted to.

But he understood even more clearly that if he actually did that, he might become a sinner of the Great Yong Dynasty.

While he was hesitating, Grand Tutor Ling Cheng said, "Your Majesty, 400,000 Imperial Guards are currently stationed in Suzhou, led by General Zhang Xiao, which is also adjacent to Luzhou."

Otherwise, let's send the Imperial Guards back to reinforce. If the last Imperial Guard unit also falls into danger, we'll truly have no more trump cards left."

General Zhang Xiao was the last famous general of the Great Yong Dynasty. If he were to die in battle against Lu Yuan, that would be a different story.

There was absolutely no chance left.

Emperor Yong did not hesitate on this matter and immediately said, "Immediately draft an edict ordering General Zhang Xiao to lead the army back to the capital to defend the emperor."

As for the matter of moving the capital, I will consider it for a few days before making a decision.

He did not want to abandon the capital and move south before the situation had completely collapsed to a dead end.

After all, this place has been developed by the people of Dayong throughout the ages, and it can be said to be the foundation of Dayong.

If this place is gone, the loss will be too great.

"Yes, sir!"

After a servant responded, he began to get busy.

The officials of the Yong Dynasty withdrew at the Emperor's signal.

When he entered the study and found himself alone, he clenched his fists tightly and muttered to himself, "The Crown Prince has ruined me."

Looking back now, it was all because of the Crown Prince. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have thought of pushing Lu Yuan out to establish the Crown Prince's authority.

They would not push Lu Yuan to the opposite side of Dayong, but instead make him a general of Qin.

If Dayong had such a figure, he would be confident that he could defeat Dayu and annex Qin within ten years. What a force Dayong would be then!

But now everything is gone.

How could a crumbling court possibly withstand Lu Yuan?

Thinking about this, I almost clenched my back teeth to pieces.

He was filled with deep regret, but he couldn't show it in front of his ministers.

Otherwise, if this sentiment spreads, the war will become even more impossible to fight.

Emperor Yong's anguish was beyond words.

However, inside the Qin Dynasty palace, the atmosphere was joyous.

Empress Xiao and her ministers were initially worried, then excited, and now that their emotions had calmed down, they were overjoyed.

In just two days, Lu Yuan not only defeated two formidable generals from Dayong.

It even caused the 800,000 Imperial Guards to scatter, with some dying and others surrendering.

Moreover, they captured nearly a million border troops.

These people will all be incorporated into the Qin Dynasty's organizational structure.

With a little training, they can be dispatched in batches to guard cities for the Qin Dynasty, not even counting the spoils of this battle.

There was simply too much. Several states fell into their hands, along with gold, silver, grain, people, and a large amount of cultivation materials—the list was endless.

This time, the Qin Dynasty finally triumphed, securing victory in a single battle.

Having crippled the Great Yong, offense and defense became much easier.

Xiao Shi glanced at the Yu envoy who was almost speechless with astonishment and said calmly, "I'm afraid the grasslands are not going to be given to your Yu Emperor."

Please convey my thoughts to the messenger upon his return.

Below, the envoy from Great Yu had lost the arrogance he had when he first arrived.

He bowed his head and said, "I will return immediately and will certainly convey Her Majesty the Empress's words."

After speaking, he carefully withdrew from the main hall.

As he left.

Empress Xiao looked at Li Qing and said, "I just received a message from the Prince of Qin. He is preparing to continue to expand his victories. The grain and various supplies he needs must be supplied by the court as soon as possible."

"Is the Prime Minister confident?"

Everyone knows that since the start of this war, Lu Yuan has been moving at an incredibly fast pace, like a wild horse that has broken free of its reins, and almost nothing can stop him.

This results in a very heavy burden on logistics and supplies.

Li Qing smiled wryly and said, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Qin has not complained at the front line. We are here in the rear to provide supplies, so we certainly cannot hold him back."

Your humble servant has begun collecting Sumeru Rings within the territory of my Great Qin, and has now accumulated quite a few, though it is still not enough to supply the army at the front.

However, if ground transportation is added, there is no problem.

As for grain, there is plenty now. We have been purchasing it from various places for the past two years, and after occupying northern Xinjiang, we found that the granaries there are full.

These were probably drawn from various places by the Great Yong to supply the front lines after we went to war, but now they all belong to us.

Without using the imperial court's provisions, it can support the front lines for a year.

Even if we take over a few more states, that would be more than enough.

After he finished speaking, Madam Xiao nodded in satisfaction: "That's good. You should have someone deliver the supplies as soon as possible."

Then, he turned his gaze to Xiao Gu beside him: "Grand Master of the Imperial Clan Court, after this battle, I feel that all the courts will regard the Prince of Qin as a thorn in their side, so we still need to send people from the Imperial Clan Court to protect him."

No matter what, the safety of the King of Qin must be ensured.

Lu Yuan's performance in this battle was dazzling.

He was bound to become a thorn in the side of every dynasty, and Xiao Ku alone might not be able to stop him.

Take last night's battle, for example. It was terrifying for Xiao Shi. Fortunately, Lu Yuan was strong enough to defeat the Prince of Ze. If something had really happened...

She'll probably regret it to death.

Xiao Gu immediately replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely send experts there."

However, just after he finished speaking, the Imperial Advisor Xiao Mie stepped forward and said calmly, "I will go myself. Xiao Li will come with me."

Xiao Mie and Xiao Li can be said to be the two pillars of the Qin Dynasty.

These two men were not knowledgeable in military strategy, but they were very strong and ruthless.

Xiao Mie was somewhat normal, but Xiao Li was utterly brutal.

Therefore, for the past few decades, it has been kept in Prajna Temple and is generally not allowed to leave.

This time, Xiao Mie is taking Xiao Li with him to protect Lu Yuan, which shows how serious he is about it.

After hearing his words, Lady Xiao nodded: "Alright, then let the Imperial Preceptor go."

She knew Xiao Li's personality and had heard of his reputation.

It doesn't matter, as long as Lu Yuan is safe, I don't care how many people I kill, since we're on the battlefield anyway.

Xiao Mie responded and prepared to leave.

But at that moment, Xiao Hua looked at her mother and said, "I want to go too."

Hearing her say that...

Madam Xiao shook her head: "You should just stay at home obediently. You can go into seclusion if you have nothing to do. The gap between your cultivation and A-Yuan's is getting bigger and bigger."

Moreover, this matter is very important, and no one is allowed to distract A-Yuan.

"But Sister Hongling..."

"Hongling and Ayuan have been separated for so long, and she is also a military commander, so she knows what to do. You are different. Ayuan doesn't have as much time to spend with you on the battlefield."

"Just focus on your cultivation." Xiao Hua was dissatisfied with Xiao Shi's words, but there was nothing she could do about it.

She wouldn't dare to act recklessly if her mother disagreed.

After speaking of her daughter, Madam Xiao waved her hand and said, "Let the court adjourn."

Then, he pulled Xiao Hua and left.

As for the other officials, they each performed their duties.

The battle at the front is intense, and the officials at home are equally busy.

Acquiring the territory of several states is no small matter. Although there are troops stationed there now, they are only there to maintain basic order.

Further efforts included dispatching officials and pacifying the people in the city.

These are all things that need to be done.

Moreover, each item is very complicated.

Inside the palace of the Great Yu Emperor, the Emperor's face was gloomy. The strength of the Great Qin had exceeded his expectations, and several prefectures of the Yong Dynasty had fallen into the hands of the Great Qin.

The latter will not lack land for growing grain in the future.

At the very least, there's no problem supplying our own needs to the central government.

There was grain, land for raising horses, and Lu Yuan, who could single-handedly kill two famous generals.

The climate of the Great Qin has already taken shape.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Pass down the order to have all the troops confronting Dayong return. They're probably going to lose Suzhou too."

But we cannot lose it to them, otherwise we will truly become mortal enemies with the Great Yong.

Immediately send messengers to the Eastern Yi and Western Rong, telling them to join me in warning the Great Qin to cease hostilities, or the three of us will aid the Yong Dynasty.

Explain the pros and cons to them.

"Yes, sir!" The Minister of Rites stepped forward and replied after receiving the order.

Then, Emperor Yu continued, "This King of Qin is no ordinary man. It seems that only the person who touched the top of the Cliff of Ascension can contend with him."

Send men to find him immediately; he must be found.

At any cost.

Emperor Yu's voice was very calm, after all, the flames of war had not yet reached the Great Yu, so he was quite composed.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The courtiers bowed and said.

Then, at Emperor Yu's signal, they left the main hall.

When the Emperor was alone in the empty palace, his face flushed red.

Thinking back to how smug I was, thinking I had outmaneuvered both Qin and Yong, I now realize I was just a clown.

The Qin dynasty stabilized itself with just a grassland.

Now they have seized the entire northern border of Dayong.

They owned their own granary.

He was filled with resentment. If he had known, he should have joined forces with Dayong to deal with Qin.

Perhaps things wouldn't have turned out this way, since Lu Yuan is ultimately alone and can't be in two places at once, launching attacks from both sides.

The Qin Dynasty will always have to pay the price.

Moreover, if Lu Yuan can defeat a military formation composed of two famous generals, what about four or five famous generals?

Unfortunately, it's too late to say anything now.

The defeat of the Great Yong Dynasty was inevitable; it had been utterly crippled.

If Lu Yuan continues his southern campaign, there is even a risk of the dynasty being destroyed, which is definitely not something he wants to see.

In the land of Dongyi, the Azure Emperor, with a cold expression, finished observing everything in the dazzling mirror, and then leisurely said to his ministers, "Search the entire wilderness and the four seas, and be sure to find the person who climbed to the top of the Heavenly Ladder Cliff back then."

The Eastern Barbarians, if they desire peace, can only rely on this man.

Now he has to admit that, apart from the person who climbed the Heavenly Ladder, probably no one can restrain Lu Yuan now.

Just when all the courts were fearing the Great Qin like a tiger.

At this time, within the territory of Dayu, on a majestic mountain peak, there were pavilions and towers of all kinds.

A young man stood in the main hall.

His face was full of arrogance, and his white robe was spotless.

Looking up at an old man with white hair and a youthful face, he said, "Master, after I climbed back from the top of the Heavenly Ladder Cliff, you said it wasn't time to go down the mountain yet, and that we should wait for an opportunity. Now that Dayong is suffering defeat after defeat, has my opportunity finally arrived?"

This person is named Zhang Fan, and he comes from the Guxiao Sect, a top sect within the Dayong territory.

When Lu Yuan descended the mountain after reaching the summit that year, the sunlight had not yet faded.

Because the power that had reached its peak had already been absorbed by Lu Yuan.

Therefore, the pressure was reduced, giving Zhang Fan, a genius who had reached level 9,000 or higher, the opportunity to climb to the top.

They managed to catch a glimpse of the last beam of light before it disappeared.

Upon returning, he told his master, Sect Master Gu Xiao.

From then on, the entire sect began to devote all its efforts to cultivating Zhang Fan.

Furthermore, without Zhang Fan's knowledge, the sect leader Gu Xiao instilled in him the idea that he was a person blessed by the fortune of heaven and earth and would surely be able to unify the world.

This convinced Zhang Fan that he was destined to be the future ruler of the world.

Now that his cultivation has greatly increased, he is even more eager to go down the mountain.

Sect Master Gu Xiao looked at him and said, "Disciple, going down the mountain now might get you some attention, but it's far from enough."

The rise of the Qin Dynasty and the appearance of the King of Qin are all part of Heaven's plan to create momentum for you. Just wait and see.

When the whole world is powerless against this King of Qin, that is when you should make your move.

At that time, we will surely be able to decide the fate of the world in one battle.

Upon hearing his master say this, Zhang Fan raised an eyebrow and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

Then he said, "Yes, Master."

"Well, go back to your cultivation. Calm down and don't rush," Sect Master Gu Xiao said calmly.

As the sect leader of a top sect in the Great Yu Dynasty, he naturally knew some inside information about the imperial court.

He also knew that other dynasties were looking for his apprentice.

But he understood even more clearly that if he didn't make the court anxious for a while, how could those high-ranking emperors and nobles really give his disciple an important position?

He would only descend the mountain when those officials from the imperial court came to Guxiao Peak to beg his disciple to come out of the mountain.

As for Lu Yuan and Da Qin, he had already decided in his heart that they were the whetstones that Heaven had arranged for his disciple.

After all, according to historical records, the appearance of a person with great fortune is often accompanied by the arrival of an opponent who disrupts the world's order.

Even the Zhou emperors of that time could not avoid it.

His own apprentices will likely have to go through the same process as him.

At this moment, Lu Yuan did not care about the attitudes and performances of all parties. After entering the city lord's mansion in Qingjiang Prefecture, he went straight to a quiet courtyard.

I'm ready to see how much my cultivation has improved this time.

I was quite looking forward to it.