Chapter 454: In this war, there are no winners, only losers!
At this moment, the entire world is worried because of the sudden extreme cold weather. Cold weather can be deadly. Last year’s once-in-a-century ice disaster caused a direct population decline of 20-30%, and in severe cases, up to 30-40%. The entire country is in turmoil.
Although the current cold is not as severe as last year, it will still claim many lives.
With more deaths, the country becomes unstable.
Look at how many countries have changed regimes since last year.
How many families have collapsed? At this moment, they realize how wise Great Wu was, and they regret deeply.
“If only we had learned from Great Wu!”
“Back then, I mocked them for being too cautious, little did I know I was the fool!”
“Alas, it’s too late to say anything now!”
At this moment, only Great Wu, Great Xia, and Slanted Moon, who were prepared, remain calm.
Slanted Moon Dynasty, within the royal palace.
Empress Ziyue looked at the swirling snow outside the window and felt the biting cold wind, secretly relieved.
“Thank goodness we prepared in advance and distributed cold-resistant supplies, or this winter would be hard to endure! Is Strategist perhaps the reincarnation of the Dragon God? The accuracy of this weather is uncanny.”
Great Xia Dynasty, within the imperial palace.
The newly crowned Great Xia Emperor also gazed at the heavy snowfall outside the window and smiled in satisfaction.
“Thank goodness I prepared ahead of time, or many more people would have died in this weather!”
“Your Majesty is wise!” The court officials all agreed.
Great Wu Dynasty, in the imperial study.
At this moment, Lin Beifan and the Empress were reviewing official documents, discussing state affairs, and the matter of the grand wedding.
Due to the cold weather, Lin Beifan was enjoying wine in his study to keep warm.
He was drinking the finest wine, slowly steaming it on a charcoal stove. The rich aroma of the wine filled the room, creating a slightly tipsy atmosphere, quite enjoyable.
At this moment, the Empress couldn’t help but turn her head to look out the window and asked with concern, “Sir Lin, how long do you think this heavy snowfall will last?”
Lin Beifan, while sipping his wine, chuckled and replied, “Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry. This heavy snow will only last for two weeks! After that, the snow will stop, and the cold will ease.”
The Empress let out a sigh of relief, saying, “It’s only two weeks, that’s good!”
It’s not the cold weather they fear, but prolonged cold weather. Last year’s major ice disaster lasted nearly three months.
Except for wealthy families with enough charcoal, how could others endure it for so long?
What’s even more terrifying is that the snow was so heavy and thick that transportation was extremely difficult, turning every city and village into isolated islands. It was an unprecedented calamity, causing irreparable losses.
Now, there are only two weeks left, and they can tough it out.
“Your Majesty, there’s really no need to worry!” Lin Beifan poured another glass of wine for the Empress and said with a smile, “We managed to minimize casualties during last year’s ice disaster to historic lows! The extreme cold weather we’re experiencing now will pass quickly!”
“Sir Lin speaks the truth!” The Empress smiled, feeling completely at ease.
They had all survived the once-in-a-century ice disaster. How could they not endure a brief period of extreme cold weather?
The Empress sipped her wine and gloated, “I heard that the coalition army of the seven nations, leading a 2 million-strong force, has already penetrated within 500 li of Great Yan’s heartland! But with the heavy snowfall and icy conditions, I wonder how they’ll fare?”
“How will they fare? They’re in for a tough time!” Lin Beifan grinned, “I just received news from the front lines. The coalition army reached the city of Luohua, less than 100 li from Great Yan’s heartland. However, a heavy snowfall trapped them, and they can’t move forward or retreat. It’s quite embarrassing! Hahaha!”
The Empress also burst into laughter, imagining their predicament.
“Lord Lin, as the Supreme Commander of our dynasty, a military genius, how do you think this major battle will unfold?”
“Very well, I’ll tell Your Majesty!” Lin Beifan took another sip of wine and continued, “Although the coalition army boasts 2 million troops, they seem formidable, but the issue of provisions is a significant problem! Providing for the daily needs of 2 million soldiers is no small feat. Therefore, their supply lines must remain intact, as any interruption would lead to collapse.”
The Empress nodded, signaling Lin Beifan to continue.
“Normally, this issue is easily resolved within the coalition army. They have many capable individuals. However, a heavy snowfall has disrupted their grand plan! As Your Majesty knows, in such icy and snowy conditions, traveling is extremely challenging, let alone transporting provisions, especially for 2 million troops!”
The Empress nodded again.
“So, this heavy snowfall has severed their supply lines! From what I understand, with frugal consumption, they might last about a week with their existing provisions, but this snow is going to last for two weeks!”
“In addition, they’ll need to solve the issue of keeping warm in this cold weather!”
“Transporting provisions is already a huge challenge, and solving the problem of staying warm in such conditions is even more difficult, nearly impossible! They are currently in a small city, and resources are limited…”
Lin Beifan shook his head in disapproval, saying, “They come from seven different countries, and with seven nations come seven different agendas! Initially, they united for their common interests to attack Great Yan. But now, with scarce resources and for their own survival, they may start quarreling among themselves, even resort to infighting! So, they have already defeated themselves without the need for a battle!”
“If I were Great Yan, I wouldn’t need to do anything. I’d just watch them self-destruct, and after their collapse, I’d send troops to clean up! It can be said that the coalition army has completely played themselves! They shouldn’t have, really shouldn’t have, sent their armies!”
Lin Beifan chuckled gleefully.
The Empress thought seriously for a moment and said, “The coalition army advanced triumphantly, nearing the heartland of Great Yan, only to crumble due to weather conditions. They gained nothing but suffered a loss of 2 million troops!”
“Great Yan lost a considerable amount of territory, although they might reclaim it eventually, but they also lost a significant number of troops! So, in this war, who really came out victorious?”
Lin Beifan shook his head and replied, “There are no winners! In this war, there are absolutely no winners; everyone is a loser! If we must find one, it might just be us, Great Wu!”
“Both the seven nations and Great Yan suffered heavy losses, providing us with a rare opportunity! When spring arrives next year, we can gather our troops and march southward once again, expanding our territory!”
They exchanged a knowing glance and burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, the sleep-deprived coalition army, as Lin Beifan had predicted, began to quarrel among themselves.
