Eastern Might Army, commander's main camp!
Zhang Ru hurried over. At this moment, in the main camp, Lu Yang was leading a group of soldiers to look at a huge map in front of them.
Ember, Si Xin, Xuan Xu, Xuan Bing, and Xuan Yan were among them.
A few months ago, Xuan Yan was still disapproving of the Eastern Kingdom. After all, there were only 40 cities left, yet they had the ambition to swallow 12 major powers. This was a joke. Even the Three Peaks Holy Lands couldn't do it.
But under Mister Lu's arrangements, things really were fast. The eight great powers had already been devoured, and they were doing it with ease, not suffering too many losses. Now, there were only three powers left. The speed at which they moved was shocking.
"Commander, now there are three powers left: the Great Waves Nation, the Three Origins Holy Land, and the Undeserved Holy Land!
Among these three Celestial Immortal powers, only the Three Origins Holy Land is like us. In the past, we had three Celestial Immortals. The other two powers only had two Celestial Immortals. After the battle of High Firmament City, except for the Three Origins Holy Land which still had one Celestial Immortal, the other two powers only had peak Earth Immortals left.
It's just that their protective array has reached the Celestial Immortal level.
Over the past few months, they have slowly pacified the internal strife! "Xuan Xu explained.
"Except for the Three Origins Holy Land which still has one Celestial Immortal, there are no other Celestial Immortals?" Lu Yang narrowed his eyes.
"Commander, now that we have swallowed the eight major powers, we can gather countless troops. We can totally fight our way through!" Xuan Bing said immediately.
Lu Yang shook his head. "If we fight our way through, the cities will resist stubbornly. There will be countless casualties, and the common people will suffer.
Our Eastern Might Army isn't a bunch of bandits. After destroying the cities, we can just ignore them.
The more we kill, the more we lose. We have to use our troops to attack our enemies, our troops to attack our allies, and our troops to attack our enemies!
Forcefully attacking the cities is just the worst plan! "
"That's right. If we blindly destroy the cities, Nangong Lang won't have enough money and will blame us again!" Zhang Ru smiled bitterly.
"Commander is right. Previously, the four major powers took in the cities to reduce their losses to the minimum!
In that case, why don't we go and control their central capital like before! "Xuan Xu's expression changed as he said.
Xuan Xu did have some confidence in his words. Earlier on, that was what the four middle forces had done. Right now, they could totally do it as well. The three of them were all Heavenly Immortals, and the Sky Wolf Camp was even more ferocious than ever. It shouldn't be too difficult for them to take over a core, right?
"That's right. Trinity Holy Land has a Heaven Immortal, while the other two forces only have Peak Earth Immortal. We can definitely defeat them one by one!" Xuan Bing added.
However, Lu Yang frowned and said, "Earlier, when we took in the four great powers, they had already dispatched their troops successively. This shows that they already know of the danger. This time, we're going to do the same?
That was impossible. The three great powers must have joined forces.
Break one, and the other two will definitely come to help! "
"They're here to help? Aren't they afraid that they'll be our match?" Xuan Yan was unconvinced.
Mr. Lu shook his head. "They have the home advantage. So what if you three are Fairy Immortals?
What's more, there are other forces in the four sides. Although the Human Emperor of the Qin Kingdom and the Divine Son of Dan have reached an agreement not to interfere, it's hard to guarantee that no one will play tricks in the dark! "
"Huh?" Xuan Xu was surprised.
"Not long ago, the Green Robe Guard sent news that there were traces of a Shengdan Immortal among the three great powers. It seems that Shengdan Shengdan really hasn't given up. Even if he can't make a move openly, he'll still plot against us in the dark!" Lu Yang frowned.
"This won't do, that won't do!
Marshal, are we not going to make a move? "Yu Jin frowned.
Lu Yang shook his head. "It's not that we're not going to make a move. These three great powers must be defeated!
As for the two directions just now, it's actually possible. It's just that it'll cost us more. I'm just thinking of a foolproof plan! "
"Marshal, why don't we try my method!" Zhang Ru spoke again.
Lu Yang looked at Zhang Ru and frowned slightly.
Zhang Ru was parachuted in by Wang Xiong to assist him.
Lu Yang could roughly guess Wang Xiong's intention.
Wang Xiong wanted to use diplomatic means to take down the three great powers.
Lu Yang did not feel dissatisfied. After all, Lu Yang also knew that time was tight. The longer it dragged on, the more united the three great powers would be. The new monarch of the three great powers was already constantly proclaiming the evils of the Dongfang Kingdom. Once the people's feelings of hatred towards the Dongfang Kingdom were provoked, it would be difficult to take them down in the future.
After a moment of silence, Lu Yang looked at Zhang Ru. "I know about Mister Zhang's plan. As long as it succeeds, it can indeed minimize our losses. However, the expenditure of Spiritual Stones is also extremely huge. It might even require a lot of time. Do you know that time is tight now? Once your plan consumes too much and if it doesn't achieve results, it will be even more difficult for us to use force to attack again!"
"I've already discussed with Nangong Lang about the Spiritual Stones. He will allocate a large amount of money as soon as possible. As for whether I can convince the three great powers, I, Zhang Ru, am willing to make a military pledge!" Zhang Ru said Solemnly.
"A military pledge?
Lord Zhang, have you thought it through? "Lu Yang said solemnly.
"Yes!" Zhang Ru said affirmatively.
"Good!
Next, I will do my best to cooperate with you!
Lord Zhang, I hope you won't disappoint the King! "Lu Yang said Solemnly.
Zhang Ru nodded. "These few months, I've actually been studying the official list of the three great powers, their relationships, and the preferences of the officials!
Marshal, I'll have to trouble you to make the arrangements next! "
Zhang Ru took out a thick document.
Lu Yang nodded.
-----
In a courtyard.
Danzhi Zi, Ancestor Du, and Scarlet Ice sat in a hall and chatted.
"The Eastern Might Army is really fast. It's only been five months and the number of cities in the Eastern Kingdom has reached 250. This Lu Yang is really a genius!" Ancestor Du sighed as he sipped his tea.
"Yes, this Lu Yang is really capable. He set up such a huge chessboard and yet he did it with ease. He paid such a small price to take down such a huge territory. He's a powerful character. I wonder how Si Wuji used him back then. He had such a great talent but ended up getting his sect destroyed!" Danzhi Zi frowned and sighed.
Scarlet Ice's face flushed red. "Perhaps, that Lu Yang doesn't listen to Si Wuji at all?
He's a vile person with evil intentions! "
Scarlet Ice's body was taken by Si Wuji. He felt depressed when he heard the others criticizing him.
"No, it should be that Si Wuji. He's short-sighted and doesn't know how to use people. He's stubborn and self-opinionated, but he doesn't dare to let go completely. That's why he failed at the last step!" Ancestor Du shook his head.
Scarlet Ice's depression rose again.
"What did Senior Brother say?" Ancestor Du looked at Danzhi Zi.
Danzhi Zi's face darkened. "Senior Brother Spider Sovereign still refuses to make a move now!"
"What?
Why? "Scarlet Ice's brows furrowed.
"Spider Sovereign said it's not time yet!
He also told us not to act recklessly! "Danzhi Zi said in a low voice.
"Are we just going to watch the Eastern Kingdom expand rapidly?
At least stop him? "Scarlet Ice's face was gloomy.
Danzhi Zi and Ancestor Du's faces darkened as well.
After a moment of silence, Danzhi Zi looked at Ancestor Du and said, "Junior Brother, Senior Brother refuses to make a move now. Why don't you do it …?"
"Me?" Ancestor Du raised his brows.
"Yes, Spider Sovereign is indeed shrewd. However, Junior Brother, you're not bad either. I've always felt that the Hierarch's arrangement was wrong. He should have let you be the leader. We'll all listen to you.
What do you think …! "Danzhi Zi looked at Ancestor Du.
Ancestor Du's expression changed.
"Uncle-Master, the Eastern Kingdom can't expand anymore!" Scarlet Ice advised.
After a moment of silence, Ancestor Du finally nodded. "Alright!"
"Uncle-Master, what should we do?" Scarlet Ice's voice was filled with anticipation.
"I understand Lu Yang's plan. To catch bandits, first catch the ringleader. He will take control of the three major factions. We'll find some Celestial Immortals from the Life-Elixir Alliance and ambush them near the capital and sacred mountain of the three major factions. No matter which faction the Eastern Might Army attacks, we'll invite the Celestial Immortals to attack secretly and make them pay a heavy price!
The Eastern Kingdom won't be able to take another step forward! "A cold light flashed in Ancestor Du's eyes.
"Junior Brother, grab the Eastern Might Army by the throat. Good plan!" Danzhi Zi laughed.
"Uncle-Master is wise!
Lu Yang won't be able to escape from you! "Scarlet Ice's voice was also excited.
"Lu Yang is a talent. It's a pity for that stupid Si Wuji. If he had treated Lu Yang well, he would have belonged to me, Shengdan Shengdan. That stupid Si Wuji forced Lu Yang out. Stupid, extremely stupid!" Ancestor Du scolded.
Scarlet Ice's face turned red.
"Uncle-Master, I've recently received news that some spies from the Eastern Kingdom are secretly contacting some officials of the three major factions!
Although it's very secretive, I still managed to find out a little! "Scarlet Ice's voice changed the topic.
"Contacting officials?
Ha, it's useless!
Which official would dare to rebel when the central faction is not under control?
The city lords of the four major factions surrendered because they saw no hope. How can it be useful now? "Ancestor Du shook his head confidently.
"Report!" A Life-Elixir Immortal entered the hall.
"Uncle-Master, Uncle-Master, we just received news from the Great Tide Kingdom that the Eastern Kingdom's Minister of Rites, Zhang Ru, is heading to the Great Tide Dynasty's capital!" The Life-Elixir Immortal reported.
"Zhang Ru?
The two armies are at war and he's heading to the Great Tide Dynasty's capital?
Isn't he afraid of death? "Danzhi Zi was shocked.
"Envoys are not to be killed when two armies are at war!" Scarlet Ice's head shook.
"Zhang Ru?
Who's accompanying him?
Xuan Xu, Xuan Bing, Xuan Yan? "Ancestor Du took a sip of tea.
"No, he's alone!" The Life-Elixir Immortal reported.
"Alone? Haha, he's really courting death. Isn't he afraid that the Great Tide Imperial Family will capture him and use him to threaten the Eastern Might Army?
Haha! "Danzhi Zi laughed.
Ancestor Du frowned slightly as he noticed something was wrong. "Continue investigating!"
"Yes!" The Life-Elixir Immortal replied.
"Junior Brother, what's wrong?"
"I'm not sure either. I just feel that something is wrong!" Ancestor Du shook his head.
The next day, another report came.
"Reporting to Uncle-Masters, the Great Tide Imperial Family has summoned all the civil and military officials to the palace. They've isolated themselves from the outside world. It seems like Zhang Ru is arguing with the officials alone!" The Life-Elixir Immortal reported.
"He's arguing with the officials alone?" Ancestor Du exclaimed.
"Yes!"
"What are they arguing about?" Ancestor Du asked anxiously.
"I don't know. The Great Tide Imperial Family is heavily guarded. All the civil and military officials have been arguing for an entire day. They haven't left the hall. I heard cursing and scuffling in the hall." The Life-Elixir Immortal reported.
"Zhang Ru alone?
He entered the Great Tide Imperial Family, and the moment he opened his mouth, he caused the civil and military officials to fight each other? "Danzhi Zi was shocked.
"No, that's not right. A few days ago, the Eastern Nation's people secretly contacted the Great Tide Imperial Family's officials. They didn't do it to provoke them, but to bribe some people to help Zhang Ru argue in the court today!" Ancestor Du's expression changed.
"Bribe?
Can he bribe all the officials? "
"No, he only needs to bribe some of them to help him build momentum. Not good, this Zhang Ru is stirring up trouble. Quick, continue investigating!" Ancestor Du's expression changed.
On the third day.
"Reporting to Uncle-Masters, the debate in the Great Tide Imperial Family is not over yet. Not only are the officials arguing, but even the Great Tide Imperial Family is participating. All the members of the imperial family are participating in the debate. The court is in chaos!" The Immortal reported again.
Patriarch Poison, Danzhi Zi, and Scarlet Ice Master all felt uneasy in their hearts.
On the fourth day, the fifth day.
On the sixth day, everyone heard an inexplicably shocking piece of news.
"Reporting to Uncle-Masters, Uncle-Masters, Zhang Ru has left the Great Tide Imperial Capital, and the new Human Emperor has announced to the world that the Great Tide Imperial Family has officially submitted to the Eastern Nation!" The Immortal who came to report was sweating profusely.
"The Great Tide Imperial Family has submitted to the Eastern Nation?
Say that again! "Ancestor Du's eyes widened.
"It's true. The announcement has been sent to the surrounding cities. In a few days, everyone will know!" The Immortal who came to report smiled bitterly.
"One person, with just his mouth, made the Great Tide Imperial Family surrender?
Is this a joke?
Is that mouth of his a heavenly decree? "Even the Poison Patriarch jumped up.
"Doesn't that mean all our preparations are useless?" Danzhi Zi's jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Zhang Ru?
What a joke!
What did he say in the Great Tide Imperial Family these past few days? "Scarlet Ice Zi looked incredulous.
"Where's Zhang Ru?" Ancestor Du asked solemnly.
"Zhang Ru has left the Great Tide Imperial Capital. Xuan Xu personally escorted him to the Undeserved Sacred Ground's Sacred Mountain!" The Immortal who came to report smiled bitterly.
"Does Zhang Ru still want to say that he surrendered to the Undeserved Sacred Ground and the Eastern Nation?" Danzhi Zi was shocked.
"Immediately, immediately find out what Zhang Ru has been doing in the Great Tide Imperial Family these past few days. Why did the officials and generals quarrel endlessly? Why did the Great Tide Imperial Family compromise? Aren't they enemies?
Why did they choose to submit? "Ancestor Du stared.