Chapter 323: Coup d’etat
At the northern border of Anyang, 200,000 troops from Anyang were facing off against 500,000 troops from the Cai State. With banners fluttering, the border between the two sides stretched for over ten li, filled with a desolate and murderous atmosphere. In the western Kaiping County of Anyang, another 100,000 troops were also arrayed in formation, ready for battle. Kaiping County and Anyang County were now unified.
Despite such a tense and explosive situation, the standoff had lasted for several days. Yet the Cai State, despite having numerical superiority, lacked confidence.
Over the past few days, ferocious cannons appeared daily on Anyang’s border wall. Planes occasionally circled overhead. Especially those terrifying subsonic and supersonic aircraft, whose impact on the Cai soldiers was not to be underestimated. Rumors had already begun circulating among the Cai military about these “silver-gray, propeller-less” planes, claiming that Anyang had received some kind of inheritance from ancient immortals—otherwise, how could they possess such bizarre machines?
As the rumors spread, they began to change, ultimately affecting Cai’s morale. And this impact continued to grow.
On the Cai side, two generals and one commander stood daily atop the city walls to observe the situation. The commander was Grand Commandant Luo Guanjie himself; the two generals were the frontier garrison commander Lu Chenggang and Supreme General Wang Qisheng. Both Lu Chenggang and Wang Qisheng had suffered defeats at the hands of Anyang before and had developed something of a psychological shadow.
Compared to the confident Luo Guanjie, Wang Qisheng cautiously opened his mouth and said, “Lord Luo, speed is vital in warfare—we can’t wait any longer. In the past few days, Anyang has increased its artillery numbers by half. If we continue to wait, the situation will only become more unfavorable for us.”
Luo Guanjie smiled mysteriously and confidently. “You only see that Anyang is preparing—but we in the Cai State are also preparing. As the first to understand the power of firearms, of course we have made sufficient preparations. Xiang Bowen, who is in charge of weapons production, has already studied Anyang’s shells and developed our own explosive rounds.
Hmph, we now have artillery technology as well. It is currently being secretly delivered. As of now, we possess 100 units of 150mm cannons, and our own independently developed 240mm cannon has also succeeded. Although Anyang is the birthplace of the technology, it is after all a small place. Now it’s Cai’s time to shine.
This afternoon, we will launch a preemptive strike. Heh, by then, the 240mm cannons will surely give Anyang a surprise. We now have 10 of them, and from our border wall, we can directly strike Anyang’s frontier wall.”
Lu Chenggang was overjoyed. “Ah… we have 240mm cannons too? That’s the same caliber as the main guns on Anyang’s ironclad warships?”
“Yes, although the power might differ slightly, based on comparison, their force is at least three times that of the 150mm shells Anyang sold.”
Wang Qisheng was somewhat puzzled. “Lord Luo, since we’re developing our own cannons, why not adopt a new caliber, like 250mm?”
Luo Guanjie frowned slightly. “I heard Xiang Bowen, the one in charge of armaments, explain that Anyang’s artillery calibers are calculated very precisely, taking into account factors such as firepower, production difficulty, and ammo transport.
The difference in power between 250mm and 240mm is negligible. For mass production, 240mm has lower costs.”
“I see.” Wang Qisheng responded, though it was unclear whether he truly understood. But regardless, knowing that they also had hidden strength and were increasing combat capabilities, his confidence returned.
But at that moment, a figure suddenly appeared on the Anyang side. It was a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, exuding a powerful aura that made everyone unconsciously turn their heads. A Nascent Soul expert actively and fully releasing their aura was as obvious to cultivators’ spiritual senses as a tiger roaring in the forest.
“People of the Cai State, listen up—I am Yan Zhengqing.”
Woosh… A stir swept through the Cai army. Yan Zhengqing! Once one of Cai’s supreme generals, with true talent for command, stationed in the imperial capital. Now, seeing him as a Nascent Soul cultivator and standing against them, many Cai soldiers grew restless.
As soon as Grand Commandant Luo Guanjie saw Yan Zhengqing, he flew into a rage. “Yan Zhengqing, you traitor—you still have the face to show yourself?!”
Yan Zhengqing looked at Luo Guanjie from afar and snorted coldly. “Who the real traitor is, everyone knows in their hearts. I’m not here to argue with you today—I’m here to declare war.
Due to the bandit-like conduct of the Cai State, His Highness is furious. But His Highness still has compassion and offers you a way out. Everyone listen—those who surrender or leave the border battlefield within one hour will be spared. After one hour, Anyang will launch a full assault.
In this war—no prisoners will be taken! According to Anyang law: those who rob and kill—death penalty!”
These words from Yan Zhengqing had a massive impact on Cai’s 500,000 troops. Many began to grow restless. Anyang’s strength had already left a deep impression on many soldiers—in the past four years, the Cai State had clashed with Anyang many times, and always lost. They were practically a textbook example of repeated defeats.
Now, with Anyang even stronger and declaring “no prisoners,” panic began to spread. Some soldiers even wanted to leave.
Seeing the morale waver, Grand Commandant Luo Guanjie soared into the sky. “Brave warriors—do not be frightened by Anyang’s intimidation! They’re only bluffing. Think about it—in the past, Anyang always attacked directly. They never issued threats like this. Why are they doing so now?
There is only one reason: they’re bluffing!
Recently, Anyang has fought continuously. That tiny state of only one County has already lost 100,000 elite soldiers—its finest troops are gone. Its people are destitute, its industry and commerce on the brink of collapse. They no longer have the strength to support such a massive war.
Sure, Anyang defeated the Jin Kingdom. But against Xiao Liming, they only defended the border and didn’t launch a major attack—that’s the best proof.
If any of you are still uneasy, you may leave now. Supervisory troops, do not hinder any soldier who wishes to go.”
Luo Guanjie’s speech caused another stir in the Cai army—but this time, there was a different kind of noise. Sometimes people are strange like that. Now that Luo Guanjie had openly allowed retreat, no one left! The unrest stirred by Yan Zhengqing quickly subsided.
However, seeing the soldiers calm down, the mid-to-high-ranking officers of Cai began to worry. Among Luo Guanjie’s statements, only one part was true: Anyang was indeed exhausted. But that didn’t mean they were incapable of fighting. These officers knew all too well—Anyang must be truly furious this time to declare “no prisoners.”
If they dared to make that declaration, then they definitely had the means to back it up.
Back in the military tent, Luo Guanjie looked around at the generals, took a deep breath, and wore a confident smile. “This war may be more difficult than expected, but we have our trump cards too. Now, push all our artillery to the border wall—let the soldiers see what we’re holding.
Also—General Wang Qisheng, you’re skilled at surprise attacks. Immediately organize 30,000 elite troops and swiftly raid the area near Anyang’s border to engage them at close range.
Firearms, gunpowder, cannons, explosive packs, talismans, magical tools—take priority in selection. One hour to fully equip 30,000 troops is tight, so move fast.”
“Yes.” Wang Qisheng accepted the order and left.
After Wang Qisheng departed, Luo Guanjie turned to Lu Chenggang. “General Lu Chenggang, begin defensive preparations immediately. Use magic to construct temporary anti-air and anti-artillery facilities.”
Once Wang Qisheng and Lu Chenggang were prepared, Luo Guanjie made many more arrangements. With a series of commands, Cai State’s 500,000-strong army was mobilized, and the most brutal war between Cai and Anyang was about to begin.
…………
Almost simultaneously, in Baofeng County, the First Prince’s forces—Xiao Liming led 170,000 defeated troops finally returning. Although they were intercepted by Li Yulong along the way, the losses were minimal, as Li Yulong’s ambush was mostly symbolic. Still, even a symbolic move by Li Yulong caused around 10,000 casualties on Xiao Liming’s side.
However, Li Wei’s large army, fighting the First Prince’s forces in the north of Wuyang County, experienced a much bloodier battle. Using the military supplies obtained from Anyang, Li Wei’s troops blasted a path forward with artillery. Countless Baofeng soldiers fell along the way.
Taking advantage of Xiao Liming’s recent defeat, Li Wei’s army rapidly advanced over a hundred li. The territory controlled by Li Yulong in Wuyang County expanded from one-fifth to over two-fifths. The vanguard had already approached the imperial capital, Wuyang City.
On the First Prince’s side, it was a continuous string of defeats. Li Yulong had prepared for fifteen years, with hidden forces and recent strong support from Li Xian and Anyang. His army’s combat strength and abundant resources were far beyond what the First Prince could resist.
Now that Xiao Liming had failed in his eastern offensive, the First Prince’s position had become even more precarious.
But even more destabilizing was the questioning from Anyang. Xiao Liming’s failure to attack Anyang, combined with the defeat on the front lines and Anyang’s reproach, gave the First Prince a sharp sense of an indescribable crisis.
Inside the grand hall, the First Prince sat high above in a dragon robe, flanked by the officials of this empire. The atmosphere was heavy as Ouyang Qing, Yuan Cai, Zhang Quan, and Zhang Quan’s father, Zhang Yuan, stood solemnly.
Ouyang Qing unfolded the letter from Anyang and read it slowly. His voice echoed through the hall—steady, yet filled with accusations, threats, and enormous demands for compensation from Anyang.
They demanded 5 million taels of gold, cession of 100 li of land, and a public apology. Otherwise, Anyang would send troops to attack Baofeng County, jointly with Tang Kingdom (Li Yulong). If that happened, the losses would be even greater.
The grand hall fell into a stifling silence. Offering apologies, ceding land, and paying reparations would make the First Prince a laughingstock. But if they chose war, no one was confident of victory.
Xiao Liming had launched a surprise attack on Anyang, but was crushed at the first contact. In just moments of fighting, over 20,000 were killed or injured, including over 100 elite cultivators at the Golden Core stage. On the way back, Li Yulong’s army intercepted them again. While the losses were small and Li Yulong only put on a show, the blow to morale was significant—they had essentially been driven off. Of the 10,000 casualties, many were deserters.
After Ouyang Qing finished reading, Yuan Cai was the first to object. “We cannot agree to Anyang’s demands, or we’ll become a laughingstock. I’d rather fight than surrender and offer apologies or cede land and pay reparations. If we do that, the authority His Majesty (the First Prince) has just established will be completely destroyed.
Li Xian is just a rebel. We’d rather die than surrender!”
Yuan Cai’s words made sense, and many others agreed. Yes, from the First Prince’s perspective, Li Xian was a rebel. Now, a rebel was forcing the legitimate prince to apologize and cede territory—this was unacceptable. If the First Prince agreed, it wouldn’t just damage his prestige; it could even destabilize his claim to the throne.
After hearing this, Zhang Quan spoke up: “General Yuan makes a valid point. However, General Yuan, sometimes reason alone is not enough. We must also consider our strength. We’re already struggling just dealing with the Tang Kingdom (Li Yulong). If we also confront Anyang, have you considered what consequences that could bring?”
Yuan Cai frowned slightly but insisted, “Even if we are defeated, we should fight bravely first. Only then, if needed, can we apologize and compensate. To surrender immediately is inappropriate!”
“Defeated?” Zhang Quan sneered. “General Yuan is only thinking of saving face, but have you thought about the lives of our soldiers? If we lose and then apologize and pay reparations, it will be even more disgraceful. Not to mention, the reparations will likely be doubled.
In my opinion, if we don’t have the confidence to win and only want to save face, we might as well accept Anyang’s terms now.
If we really want to fight, we must at least be able to hold our ground against Anyang. Otherwise, it’s better to accept their conditions.”
The First Prince sat above, his brow deeply furrowed. At least holding the line against Anyang? That seemed unlikely. “Neither option works. Is there a better solution?”
“There is!” Suddenly, a voice came from the front of the hall. Xiao Liming strode in, followed by several top warriors. “There’s another way—Your Highness should personally go to Anyang to apologize!
I believe that if you, the First Prince, personally go to Anyang to apologize and admit fault, Li Xian will surely back down. The demands for land and compensation can be waived.”
Before the voice faded, Xiao Liming had already reached the center of the hall. Clad in armor, hand on his sword, he looked imposing and awe-inspiring. Standing in the center of the grand hall, he actually suppressed the aura of the First Prince, the so-called emperor.
Behind Xiao Liming, a line of elite soldiers stood in formation—shining armor, swords at their sides, bows on their backs—completely sealing off the hall. More elite troops were arriving, surrounding the entire hall.
A cold, oppressive aura exploded into the air. Seeing Xiao Liming appear like this, many eyes flickered—some showed excitement, others were filled with fear and panic.
The hall suddenly fell silent. The First Prince, sitting high above, abruptly stood up, his gaze sharp as a hawk. He pointed at Xiao Liming and shouted, “Xiao Liming, what are you trying to do?!”
Xiao Liming’s face immediately darkened. “You brat! You dare call me by name? You should be calling me ‘Grandfather!’”