Chapter 259: Watching Coldly from the Sidelines

The State of Cai, in the Imperial Capital ‘Shangyong’, the people bustled about, most of them merchants; and among these merchant caravans, the majority dealt in cloth and textile raw materials. These were followed by steel, bearings, bicycles, iron wire ingots, and industrial wiring.

Due to the profitability, Prime Minister Huang Fu of the State of Cai had astonishingly become the biggest protector of the “Anyang Dumping Plan.” However, Huang Fu was not without skill—by redirecting crises, he shifted the dangers of the dumping plan onto other nations, allowing Cai Nation to reap significant benefits as well.

Yet, the profits all went to the upper class. The lives of ordinary citizens had been gradually destroyed by the dumping plan. With no talents like Yan Ze’an left, the Emperor of the State of Cai was completely immersed in the prosperity fabricated by Huang Fu and others.

Inside the Imperial Palace

The Emperor of the State of Cai was listening to Prime Minister Huang Fu’s report on the “data.”

“Last month, 1.2 million taels of gold were stored in the treasury. Of these, 400,000 taels came from the royal trading company; another 500,000 taels from commercial taxes. Only about 300,000 taels came from traditional taxes and the like.

According to current growth trends, it is expected that next month will also see one million taels of gold, with plans to add 12 large textile factories.

Taking into account various expenditures, by the end of this year, the national treasury should have accumulated between 5 million and 5.5 million taels of gold.

Additionally, through trade, the nation’s fortune has increased by 30%, greatly prolonging its national prosperity.”

The Emperor of the State of Cai was immersed in the numbers, intoxicated for quite some time, before suddenly asking, “What’s the current situation in the south?”

“Infighting!” Huang Fu summed it up in three words. “All three princes have proclaimed themselves emperors. Li Yulong has also revealed his ambition and declared himself emperor. The Anyang County, where Li Xian resides, is facing an unprecedented trial. The information we received says: a million-strong army, attacking from ten directions.”

A trace of anxiety flickered in the Emperor’s eyes. “What if we deploy troops now and seize the Southern Nation?”

“Not advisable, not advisable!” Huang Fu shook his head. “Your Majesty, the Southern Nation is currently engulfed in internal conflict, fragmented into regional factions, fighting amongst themselves. They are draining each other’s strength. In two years, when their resources are depleted and mutual hatred has deepened, that will be the best time to send in troops.

If we strike now, all the fractured factions of the Southern Nation will unite against a common enemy.

Also, this is a good opportunity to observe the situation in Anyang. If Anyang can’t hold out, it still won’t be too late for us to send troops.”

The Emperor of the State of Cai frowned slightly. “Two years? Will we miss our chance? The surrounding Chen, Qi, and Jin nations are all eyeing us covetously.”

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. As the saying goes, ‘A centipede dies but never falls stiff.’ The Southern Nation has over 3,000 years of history and has some foundation after all. No matter who attacks the Southern Nation now, even if they win, they will suffer heavy losses. When the time comes and we march in, it will be far easier.”

“Indeed, that makes sense! Then let us watch and wait to see how the other nations act. If the Southern Nation proves to be weak, we strike. If it still has fight left, we just sit back and watch the tigers fight!” The Emperor of the State of Cai had “figured it out.”

“Your Majesty is wise!” Huang Fu immediately flattered.

Delighted and pleased with himself, the Emperor turned and walked back to his imperial throne, beginning to enjoy the benefits of the increased national fortune. Through commercial trade, a new “path of fortune” had been opened, greatly boosting the State of Cai’s national luck. With this increase, the most immediate benefit was that the Emperor had advanced to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. Nowadays, the Emperor would often sit on the throne for no reason, basking in the benefits of the rising national fortune. His cultivation progressed rapidly, and some previously incomprehensible insights during his practice would suddenly become clear. It was much faster than cultivating step-by-step.

After leaving the palace, Huang Fu also returned home to enjoy his share of the national fortune. With the nation’s fortune increasing, the prime minister naturally received a significant portion. This amount was enough to allow Huang Fu’s cultivation speed to surpass even the Emperor’s—after all, the Emperor had to bear the burden of sin, whereas ministers and officials only shared in the benefits.

The State of Cai wasn’t alone—neighboring Chen, Qi, and other countries also took a cold, watchful stance toward the internal chaos and infighting of the Great Xia Nation. Only Jin Kingdom was preparing to launch an active assault on Anyang.

However, Jin Kingdom wasn’t aiming to seize territory outright, nor was it purely an act of invasion. Instead, the internal and external connections of the Nanyang County forced their hand. Nanyang County had already been frightened by Anyang and had no choice but to act—at least, from Kong Dong’s perspective, it was a necessity.

Jin Nation’s 300,000-strong army marched grandly, stretching over fifty li. Their destination: Anyang. Guided by people from Nanyang County, their journey was as smooth as it could possibly be.

In addition, in order to catch Anyang off guard, the marching speed was extremely fast. They even dispatched a rapid assault force composed of around ten thousand Foundation Establishment experts! It must be said, Jin Kingdom is, after all, a major power. Even in times of scarce resources, they could still organize a force of over ten thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators—this indeed speaks to the strength of a prosperous and powerful nation.

Kong Donglai observed coldly and said nothing about Anyang’s military situation or their experts; likewise, the generals of the Jin Kingdom did not ask—full of confidence! Even Commander Li Lisong, who led the team, arrogantly refrained from making inquiries. For so many years, the Jin Kingdom had always been a great and powerful country. Even someone like Li Lisong was used to this sense of superiority and didn’t take Anyang seriously.

Foundation Establishment cultivators travel fast. Departing at noon, they had already crossed Nanyang County and reached the border of Anyang by sunset. However, Li Lisong did not stop at the border between Anyang and Nanyang County. Instead, he bypassed it entirely and headed straight for the battlefield at Xiandai River.

Upon seeing this, Kong Donglai couldn’t help but ask, “General, why not attack here? It’s just turning to night—if we launch a sudden assault now, we can surely break through Anyang’s border defenses in one swift move and press deep into their territory.”

Li Lisong glanced at Kong Donglai and smiled faintly, but didn’t answer. He merely said, “Military secret. I’m afraid I cannot disclose it.”

His offhanded tone carried a clear sense of disdain.

Seeing this, Kong Donglai’s chest burned with fury, but on the surface he could only smile awkwardly. “I was being rash.”

Li Lisong gave him another glance, then continued leading the group forward at high speed.

In fact, Li Lisong had his own calculations: if they launched a surprise attack from the Nanyang–Anyang border, even if they were victorious, it was over five hundred li from there to Anyang City. The army would inevitably face layer upon layer of resistance. Though they had three hundred thousand troops, they were still far from home and deep within enemy territory. If they got bogged down, the entire army could be wiped out. When it came to Anyang, Li Lisong still exercised a measure of caution.

But launching an assault from Xiandai River was different. That area was already in a state of confrontation. The Jin Kingdom’s army could easily break through the defenses and enter Luliang County. Luliang was not Anyang—it was poorly defended. The army could swiftly and effortlessly pass through Luliang, reaching Anyang and then the Qingyun Valley directly!

This was the true calculation of the Jin Kingdom and Li Lisong: helping Nanyang County was only secondary and incidental. The main objective was to plunder Qingyun Valley completely.

After sprinting for nearly two more hours, Li Lisong led ten thousand Foundation Establishment experts to Xiandai River.

At that moment, a standoff was underway on both sides of Xiandai River. On the southern bank were 100,000 troops from Nanyang County led by Commander Nangong Zhi, along with another 100,000 troops from Dongyuan County led by General Yuan Jinjiang—totaling 200,000 soldiers. On the northern bank were 100,000 troops from Anyang, led by Yan Zhengqing.

In terms of numbers, Anyang’s 100,000 troops were at a disadvantage. But in reality, the situation was quite the opposite.

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