The spring of the second year of Yanping arrived in the midst of preparations for war in which the outside of Shou'an City was loose and the inside was tight.
The remaining snow in the corners outside the window has not yet melted away, but the lush atmosphere is gradually getting stronger as all things grow.
It was the first time for Shengyuan and Anyu to celebrate the New Year outside, but they couldn't care less about homesickness. Most of their energy was focused on the defense of the city and various sand table drills.
Of course, this is all done in secret.
To outsiders, the two of them still lived a casual and leisurely life, but they didn't go out very frequently. They thought they were enjoying the winter in the luxurious yard.
Originally, according to Shengyuan's plan, he had to go to Shouping City anyway. It was said that his grandfather was going to inspect the garrison and would definitely pass by there. It would be a reunion to meet him then.
But before she could leave, she received a handwritten letter from her grandfather. The letter contained numerous instructions, telling her to "sit in the city and not touch it without permission."
Sheng Yuan came to listen to the advice, and since his grandfather told him so, he followed it.
As a result, not long after receiving the letter, I heard that the team sent by the imperial court to inspect the front line and express condolences had been attacked.
It is said that the location of the sneak attack was not far from Shouning City. If it hadn't been for the encounter with the imperial army returning from training, it is impossible to say that the entire army would have been annihilated.
As soon as this incident came out, the officials of the government office of Shou'an City took the initiative to arrange for the government officials to strengthen patrols without the instructions of Shengyuan, for fear that the enemy would sneak attack on Shou'an City.
Therefore, until the ice melted and the snow melted, the security of Shou'an City was maintained at a very high level.
However, Shou'an City is safe, but the five northern countries close to Ajong and Nurhan are not.
Even in their wildest dreams, the leaders of the five countries never imagined that their decision to be neutral in the name of favoring A Rong not only failed to gain A Rong's gratitude and trust, but also became a prelude to his taking over the Central Plains.
"Sister Yuan! Look!" Anyu rushed in like a wheel of fire. Without taking a breath, he raised the letter in his hand and shouted softly, "A Rong has taken action against the five northern countries! "
"Yo?!" Sheng Yuan then remembered that there were several inconspicuous small countries supporting them near the grassland occupied by A Rong.
It’s not that Sheng Yuan looks down on them, it’s mainly because these countries are so small!
When Sheng Yuan and Queen Nurhan were interviewing, neither of them thought that in the territory they were discussing, there was also a piece of land belonging to the five northern countries.
"A Rong is quite efficient!" The spring breeze had just begun to blow, and they attacked first!
Is this a place to warm up before officially starting the war with Da Chu?
"Looking at the general map of the five northern countries, it borders Ajong on two sides and Nurhan on the other. If it were not for the buffering of the two mountainous areas, the ambition and strength of Ajong and Nurhan would have destroyed the five northern countries long ago. The country has been incorporated into the country." Anyu found a map and accurately pointed at the top of the area adjacent to Ajong and Nurhan. "Judging from the current situation, Ajong acted like this. It cannot be said that he is afraid of being attacked from both sides!"
"It's better now. As soon as this news came out, those chirping voices in Kyoto became much quieter." Sheng Yuan was not interested in the details of A Rong's equipment battle. She was more concerned about those who reported to the emperor to "mobilize the army to return to the court." I don’t know if the official’s cheek hurts. After all, A Rong is using “facts” as a slap in the face of these “peace talk faction” officials!
"Very happy?" Ever since taking part in the imperial examination, Anyu had rarely seen such a dazzling light in Sheng Yuan's eyes.
"If A Rong takes action, it will really save Dachu trouble!" Sheng Yuan pointed at A Rong's territory, winked at Anyu and said, "Well, look, if the five countries are defeated, will this land be lost?" It’s much more complete.”
Anyu tilted his head and stared at the map for a long time, then suddenly said: "It feels good!"
"Although the five countries are small, as long as they do not forget the reminder of the envoy of Da Chu and form a force, they may not be able to compete with A Rong for a short time. As long as they can maintain a stalemate, it will weaken A Rong's combat power." Sheng The more Yuan thought about it, the more he felt that Ajong's decision-maker was a good person.
Seeing that the decisive battle with Da Chu was about to begin, A Rong was not idle. He didn't know whether he was too confident in himself or looked down on the five small countries.
"I'm not optimistic about those five countries!" Anyu, who had been paying close attention to the previous envoys sent by Da Chu to contact the five countries, thought Sheng Yuan had taken it for granted.
"Those are the five countries that have all the elements of 'arrogance', 'weakness', 'incompetence', 'coward' and 'selfishness'! You think they should be united, but how can those countries that each have their own little ones... Possible cooperation? Mutual suspicion is the main theme of their interactions."
"Okay, let's hope that the fighting power of the five countries can be better than nothing!" Sheng Yuan was not disappointed. "No matter what happens, if Ajong is conquered in the future, there will be no dispute over the ownership of the territory. At that time, if someone really asks for the ownership of the territory, Regarding the issue of rights, let them talk to A Rong themselves!"
As for whether A Rong is still there... that is not a question that she, the governor of Da Chu, has to consider.
…
Sheng Yuan thought clearly, but was still stunned by the follow-up events of Arong's light-speed victory over the five northern countries.
"No, even a city made of sand wouldn't collapse so quickly, right?"
Sheng Yuan never expected that A Rong, who was so powerful, could swallow up the Five Kingdoms so easily!
"Brother Yu, tell me, after A Rong achieved such a record, do you regret it? Why didn't you fight them earlier?"
Anyu laughed out loud: "If Ajong had not united with Nurhan to attack Chu, the five countries would not have thought of seeking refuge with the two countries because they were afraid of the momentum of Ajong and Nurhan.
If the imperial court had not sent envoys to negotiate, the five countries would not have felt that Chu was afraid of Ajong and Nurhan, so they would have given up the confrontation and completely turned to Ajong, giving Ajong an opportunity to take advantage of. "
"It's just that A Rong has tasted the benefits, and I'm afraid he won't die down."
At the end of An Yu's words, the topic returned to preparations for defending the city.
…
"Your regent, Trust, is missing?" Sheng Yuan looked at Pu Nai who came and said with a nonchalant face, "Then I really have to congratulate Queen Jina! To use an old saying from Da Chu, By subduing the enemy's troops without fighting, Queen Gina will get what she wants!"
Pu Nai smiled bitterly and said nothing more.
Originally, the queen planned to take down Uncle Wang, who had been the center of power of the dynasty for a long time, in one go. This would not only allow the country to recuperate, but also allow it to advance, retreat or defend in the battle between Arong and Da Chu.
Unexpectedly, the Regent Trust was extra cunning and saw through the Queen's plan, allowing him to break out of the roundup. Now, there is no trace of him.
Although Prince Regent Trust has disappeared, because the round-up operation was exposed, the officials of his faction were on guard, and the Queen's side had lost the opportunity. If they unite, and with the protection of the royal clan elders, this power that can compete with the queen will be difficult to eliminate.
