My Cultivation Starting from Archery

That is victory!

From beginning to end, all he wanted was to win.

...

Yong Yue Prefecture.

Another round of bloody slaughter ensued. Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire

After more than a month, both sides suffered heavy losses.

The forces of Qing Country had lost over ten thousand men, with Sheng Country suffering a similarly grim toll.

The greatest advantage for Dasheng lay in the fact that Yong Yue Prefecture's provisions couldn't last much longer. The depletion of food and supplies signaled the moment the city would fall and its people perish. However, the problem of Hu Lao remained unsolved, like a sword dangling over their heads, threatening their lives at any moment.

"Is there any way to divert some more troops to Hu Lao?"

Clutching a bloodstained map, Meng Quji asked, "The surrendered soldiers from Qing Country are almost ready to be deployed. If we send some from Yong Yue Prefecture as well, how many can we spare?"

Zhan Taoming calculated, "We can squeeze out at most another two thousand men, but even then it would take them at least ten days to reach Hu Lao, and we don't have a single high-ranking officer to send."

"That will have to do."

Meng Quji instructed, "Proceed with this plan. It's not many, but it's better than nothing and might help hold out a bit longer."

As the two racked their brains over how to aid Hu Lao,

a subordinate delivered urgent news.

"This is bad!"

"Commander, something grave has happened at Hu Lao!"

Upon hearing this,

Meng Quji, who had just sat down, sprang to his feet and, as though facing a formidable enemy, said, "The negotiations failed, and Nan Xu has launched an assault? Are they unable to hold on? No, Zhan Taoming, you must go yourself!"

Before he could finish speaking with his subordinate, he began desperately devising a rescue plan.

"Me?"

Zhan Taoming hesitated, "Commander, if I leave, what will you do?"

"The Crown Prince!"

Meng Quji said, "The Crown Prince mentioned he'll try to send more reinforcements, though we're unsure when. Anyway... don't worry about me. Hu Lao is the priority. If worst comes to worst..."

"Commander..."

The messenger, raising his voice to cut in, said, "Your subordinate hasn't finished! General Chen is preparing to lead three thousand Xuanjia Soldiers out for a decisive battle."

"A decisive battle?"

Meng Quji felt as if he were hallucinating due to exhaustion, "Aren't there a hundred thousand Armored Soldiers from Nan Xu outside Hu Lao? Who is he going to battle decisively?"

"Against that very hundred-thousand-strong army."

The messenger replied, "Commander, while you were besieging the city, you can see for yourself in the secret message."

"Where is it!"

After reading the message, Meng Quji nearly fainted, staggering and bracing himself on the table, "What is Chen Sansi trying to do? We agreed on negotiations to buy time, even the Crown Prince stamped it and cooperated! We could have dragged this out for another ten days or so; who knows, we might have made a breakthrough here. Why risk so much?"

"Hurry with the letter!"

Zhan Taoming ordered, "At all costs, stop General Chen, tell him we can send reinforcements!"

"It's too late, by the time the message arrives, they're probably already engaged in battle."

Meng Quji sighed deeply, "I've fought many battles in my life, but never have I felt such trepidation. Chen Sansi is truly torturous; not only does he torment the enemy, but he also torments his own people."

"Commander..."

Zhan Taoming spoke anxiously, "What do we do now?"

"What to do?"

Meng Quji, with his hand on his forehead, said, "What else can we do but trust him now? The worst-case scenario is the Nan Xu Army flooding in from Hu Lao into Lai State, and we evacuate from Yong Yue Prefecture to wage a protracted war of independence. That was my original plan..."

...

Nanxu Camp.

Central Army Tent.

Three Mystical Phenomenon Generals from the opposing side were present.

To prevent any accidents,

three Upper Generals from Nan Xu also gathered together and arranged many Assistant Generals, Hua Jin, and a host of elites around the tent to ensure absolute security.

After a formal but insincere banquet, negotiations officially commenced.

Fan Shuzhen examined Sheng Country's peace proposal and repeatedly confirmed that the Great Seals were genuine.

He asked, "General Fang, if this is indeed the case, how long will your country need to fulfill these promises?"

"Three months."

Fang Qingyun calmly replied, "Ceding cities and lands involves complicated and numerous affairs, and naturally cannot be accomplished overnight."

"That's too long."

Ran Jingxuan stated bluntly, "Do you expect the great army of Da Xu to wait here foolishly for three months? By then, you will have secured Lai State for yourselves. If you go back on your word, what are we to do?"

"Be direct."

Fang Qingyun said, "What will it take for you to be satisfied and withdraw from Lingzhou?"

Ran Jingxuan replied, "Command Prince Zhen Nan to immediately withdraw from the Southern regions and let our Da Xu forces station north of Dehua, Mangshan, and Liwan in the Great Wall territories. Besides, if we do that... we can complete everything within half a month, and neither side will waste time."

"Isn't that too much?"

Sha Wenlong found it hard to contain himself, "With those prefectures in your hands, you would virtually control the lifeline of the Southern regions. What if you are still not satisfied later and decide to launch a major northern invasion?"

"Well..."

Ran Jingxuan spread his hands, "That has nothing to do with us. If you do not agree, then please return, and we'll continue our attack on Hu Lao."

"Give us some time to consider."

Fang Qingyun looked troubled, "After all, this is a matter of great importance."

"Fine!"

Fan Shuzhen agreed, "Then you may rest in the tent tonight, and by dawn, please provide us with a response. Otherwise, I must assume you are simply employing delaying tactics with no sincerity!"

With the negotiations concluded,

Fan Shuzhen and his party gradually departed.

Only the generals from Sheng Country remained in the tent.