Chapter 443: The Allied Forces of Various Nations Attack Xia, and They Request Lin Beifan to Serve as the Supreme Commander Again?
The internal strife in Great Xia attracted the attention of people all over the world. “Great Xia… It’s going to break out in war again!”
“The Seven Nations Alliance hasn’t withdrawn for long, and they’re already at war within their own country again! These past two years, Great Xia has truly faced numerous hardships! They have the name of an empire, but no longer the substance of one!”
“Great Xia’s Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong has only 200,000 troops to withstand a million-strong alliance. I think it’s difficult!”
“Yes, Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong is too impatient! He has a hidden force, and if he had developed it slowly, there might have been a chance for a comeback. But he wiped out the people in the capital, offended everyone, and there’s no turning back now.”
“After this battle, even if Great Xia survives, its national strength will decline!”
“The era of a great empire is coming to an end!”
Many people watched from the sidelines, but even more sought opportunities for profit.
For example, the six small countries that previously joined forces with Great Wu. Before, due to disputes over territory, they often clashed and were on the brink of conflict. However, seeing the internal strife in Great Xia, they sensed a golden opportunity and were eager to take action.
“Great Xia’s internal strife is our chance again!”
“The more they fight, the more we gain!”
“Expanding our territory is just around the corner!”
They didn’t intend to act on their own. Even if Great Xia was in turmoil, it was a tough nut to crack, not something these small countries could handle.
So, they contacted Lin Beifan from Great Wu, hoping that, as before, he would become the commander-in-chief and lead a million-strong alliance to conquer Great Xia.
After all, with Great Wu taking the lead and Lin Beifan leading the troops, there was only one word to describe the situation: stability!
However, Lin Beifan shook his head and refused, saying, “Gentlemen, thank you for your kind offer, but I am about to marry Her Majesty. This is a joyous occasion, and it’s not suitable for bloodshed. Therefore, Great Wu will not participate in this matter!”
The representatives of the six countries were all stunned. Lin Beifan, unexpectedly refusing? They all spoke up to persuade him.
“Prime Minister Lin, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
“Great Xia’s internal strife gives us a chance to form another alliance, capture cities, and seize fertile lands!”
“Great Wu has strong soldiers, plenty of supplies, so why not act now?”
“Prime Minister Lin, as long as you lead the troops, we can let Great Wu take the lion’s share!”
Lin Beifan shook his head once again and said, “Respected gentlemen, I appreciate your kindness, but Great Wu truly does not wish to get involved in this matter. It’s getting late; please take your leave. I wish you all success and a safe return.”
Lin Beifan politely ushered them out. These representatives left with gloomy expressions, exchanging uncertain glances with each other. “What should we do now? Great Wu doesn’t want to fight, but we can’t miss this opportunity!”
“Yes, the opportunity is rare, and it would be a shame to miss it!”
“Since Great Wu doesn’t want to fight, let’s form our own alliance, regardless of them! I don’t believe we can’t conquer a fragmented Great Xia without Great Wu’s involvement!”
“Yes, if we form our own alliance, we can claim a larger share of the conquered territory!”
So, they returned to discuss their plans.
On the other hand, Lin Beifan walked into the study with a smile on his face.
The Empress admired a newly designed headdress while asking with a smile, “My dear, did you send them away? Are we really not going to participate in the war against Great Xia this time?”
Lin Beifan shook his head and replied, “This battle isn’t as easy as it seems. We might get entangled unintentionally.”
“Why do you say that?” the Empress asked, raising her head.
“Based on my understanding of Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong,” Lin Beifan said with a smile.
The Empress’s gaze once again focused on him, waiting for Lin Beifan to continue. He went on, “Certainly, after Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong returned, he did many ruthless things, virtually purging the entire realm, displaying a brutal nature that has plunged Great Xia into further chaos. However, from what I know of him, he is not a reckless person. He must have a deeper purpose.”
The Empress inquired, “What deeper purpose?”
“Is there any need to say it? He wants to quickly put an end to the internal strife and restore Great Xia’s unity. However, with Great Xia divided internally and strong external enemies, the longer this takes, the more Great Xia’s national strength will decline.”
“So, he intends to take this swift and brutal approach to save Great Xia. By eliminating all the traitors within, leaving only himself, the nation will naturally unify and become whole again.”
The Empress asked, “Isn’t he considering the consequences? Look at the situation now; there’s a coalition of vassal lords within, and external nations forming alliances to invade Great Xia! To be honest, I’ve never seen such chaos before!”
Lin Beifan smiled and replied, “Of course, he knows the consequences, but he still chose to act this way, indicating that he has a solution to the crisis. He must hold a significant trump card! Your Majesty, just watch. If my analysis is correct, this internal conflict in Great Xia will end soon, and the coalition of nations will quickly disintegrate. Not participating in this matter is the wisest course of action.”
The Empress smiled and said, “I share the same thoughts! Let them fight, and we will focus on preparing for the wedding! Once they are both weakened, we’ll see if there’s an opportunity for us to benefit from it.”
Lin Beifan also smiled and replied, “Your Majesty’s decision is wise!”
Next, Great Wu indeed remained on the sidelines, not getting involved in the conflict. Meanwhile, the six small countries once again formed a million-strong alliance to attack Great Xia. However, what was amusing was that they formed this alliance with six Marshals.
Since none of them would yield to the others, each country appointed a general as the Marshal to command its own troops. If they encountered any issues, they would discuss solutions. If discussions failed, they would resort to voting, with the majority prevailing.
It seemed ideal, but Lin Beifan saw only four words in this arrangement: a motley crew.
Once the coalition of six nations was formed, they boldly entered Great Xia’s territory, attacking cities and seizing land with ease. They felt like they didn’t even need Great Wu.
Unbeknownst to them, the main forces of Great Xia’s cities had already been dispatched to join the million-strong alliance to overthrow Crown Prince Xia, so there was no organized resistance.
All of this was observed by people all over the world, and they once again underestimated Great Xia’s strength.
However, within the capital city of Great Xia, Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong’s indifferent face revealed a hint of satisfaction.
“They’ve all come? Excellent! I will make sure to make the most of what they bring, everything they eat, and spit it all out with interest!”
While saying this, Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong sent a letter. Not long after, an elderly man with white hair arrived quietly and looked at Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong coldly, saying, “In the past, I owed your father a favor and promised to help him with three tasks to repay that favor. I’ve already completed one task. There are two left. Since you possess my token, go ahead and tell me your request.”
“Thank you, senior!” Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong was overjoyed. “I’m sure you’re aware of the current situation in Great Xia. Please, senior, help me eliminate the vassal lords’ coalition and the alliance of the six nations!”
The elderly man with white hair furrowed his brow. “Too many lives will be lost, causing harm to both heaven and earth!”
Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong explained, “Senior, we will only eliminate their generals and innate experts. I will personally deal with the rest of their troops!”
The old man’s frown relaxed, and he nodded. “Very well!”
That day, the elderly man swiftly entered the midst of the vassal lords’ million-strong alliance. In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, he had killed all the princes, major generals, and innate experts of the alliance and then departed as if he were a phantom.
Without leaders, the vassal lords’ alliance couldn’t wage war. Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong rode out, explained with reason and emotion, and then absorbed this million-strong alliance.
His own power rapidly expanded.
Next, Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong personally led a million-strong army to march and confront the coalition of six nations.
At this moment, the coalition of six nations was still dreaming of expanding their territories.
However, at this very moment, a strange elderly man suddenly infiltrated their coalition, killing officials on sight and massacring any strong warriors in his path. Whether innate experts or transcendent ones, none could withstand his might.
“Who are you? Why are you killing the generals of the six nations?” someone asked in shock.
“The dead don’t need to know so much!” The old man lightly waved his hand, and a burst of energy flew from his sleeve, not only killing the person who questioned him but also carving out a trench a hundred feet long and seven feet deep.
After once again eliminating all the generals and experts, the old man departed without a trace, disappearing into the unknown.
However, with no commander, the million-strong coalition was thrown into chaos, like a headless swarm of flies.
“The Marshal has been killed, let’s escape quickly!”
“All the generals and leaders have been killed, what are we fighting for? Run!”
“Yes, let’s escape, or else that ruthless person might return…”
Panicked, they discarded their armor and weapons and fled in disarray.
But at this moment, Crown Prince Xia Tianqiong had already led a million-strong army to the scene. He looked at the disorganized mess of the coalition of nations, his eyes burning with hatred. He roared, “These are all invaders! Give them no quarter, kill them all!”
“Yes, Your Highness!” The soldiers responded.
Great Xia’s forces unleashed a brutal massacre.
This battle raged on for a day and a night. Due to the fact that the coalition of nations had lost all their generals and leaders, morale was nonexistent, and they couldn’t muster any effective resistance. In the end, they were all annihilated by Great Xia’s forces.
News of this battle quickly spread far and wide, shocking people everywhere.
“The million-strong coalition of vassal lords, the million-strong coalition of six nations, they were defeated like this?”
“That’s 2 million troops, and they lost so quickly?”
“I heard that Crown Prince Xia invited a grandmaster expert. It was this grandmaster who killed all the generals and strong warriors of both coalitions, giving Crown Prince Xia the opportunity!”
“I see, so that’s what happened. Never underestimate Crown Prince Xia. He’s truly enigmatic! Great Xia is not to be trifled with!”
“Those six countries must be regretting it now. They lost so many troops! Not only did their military strength suffer, but they also need to be wary of Crown Prince Xia seeking revenge!”
“It was indeed a wise decision for Great Wu not to participate in this war against Great Xia!”
