A royal decree was placed on the table by a soldier. Yang Hao studied its contents, not expecting the former king's sudden demise.
Although the former king’s time was limited, informed sources had predicted he could at least last through the winter. But unexpectedly, he passed away just as deep winter began. The news had disrupted Yang Hao's plans.
He hadn't anticipated the storm would be so fierce. Under the leadership of the Tiangang Sect and Sword Sect, smoke of war rose across the land. The imperial court was powerless to resist, forcing Ji Fa to bow his head and seek support from local powers.
"Hmph! A clever move," Yang Hao mused. The court aimed to weaken local forces while appeasing them, a plan with two aims.
With this thought, Yang Hao went to the city walls, gazing at the mountains and rivers, the chaotic and mottled landscape.
"I, Yang Hao, have arrived!"
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Shu Prefecture, Prefectural Governor's Mansion.
Yang Hao sat at the head of the main hall, with Zhu Sheng, Wu Yong, Wan Mizhai, and Gao Shun seated on either side below him.
To better deal with and analyze the general situation, Yang Hao had also summoned Wu Yong, who was far away in Guanghan.
"Now that the world is in chaos, do you have any good strategies?"
Yang Hao frowned, looking at Zhu Sheng and Wu Yong below. Currently, he only had these two strategists. He still had to rely on them for counsel.
One had assisted Zhu Yuanzhang in establishing the Great Ming Empire, and the other had helped Song Jiang solidify his position at Liangshan. Both were learned and skilled in military tactics, possessing extraordinary intelligence.
Since their summoning, they had stabilized Shu Prefecture and devised strategies from all directions. Under their counsel, Yang Hao's influence grew, allowing him to control three prefectures.
"My Lord, I have a strategy that can share your worries!"
Wu Yong fanned himself with a feather fan, smiling at Yang Hao.
Yang Hao slowly turned his gaze to Wu Yong seated below.
"Oh? What strategy?"
Although Yang Hao had been in this other world for some time and had been handling and learning governance, he could grasp the general situation. However, the details of implementation had stumped him, causing him to rack his brains for days.
Wu Yong approached the front of the hall with a smile, bowed slightly, and said in a deep voice, "My Lord, the royal decree now proclaims that all regional powers can recruit soldiers and horses at will, and the court has delegated military authority. This is an opportunity for our rise!"
These local powers already had their own armies but lacked a legitimate pretext and feared the court's suppression. This was equivalent to legitimizing them.
"Hmm! Continue!"
After hearing Wu Yong's words, Yang Hao's eyes lit up slightly. He had overlooked this point recently. Zhu Sheng also smiled faintly.
"My Lord, the imperial court's forces are currently stationed in Guanzhou suppressing the Tiangang Sect, and the Governor of Yizhou has also targeted the Sword Sect. Neither side can achieve victory quickly, and they are unable to dispatch troops elsewhere."
"My Lord, the rebel forces in Liangzhou and Yongzhou are currently launching fierce offensives, and local powers are unable to suppress them."
"My Lord, you may order Generals Gao Shun, Liao Hua, and Zhou Yuji to lead three armies into the northwest, advancing into Xiliang under the pretext of quelling the rebels."
"Then, My Lord will control Yong and Liang Prefectures, and your great cause will be established. As for the three prefectures, Cheng Yaojin will be stationed in Hanzhong to guard against the court, and Master Wan will be stationed in Shu Prefecture to protect My Lord."
"Thus, we can await the turn of events in the world, and My Lord's great undertaking will be accomplished!"
Wu Yong's tone was steady, and his words were decisive and crisp.
Yang Hao followed Wu Yong's train of thought and slowly unfolded the plan. Taking Liangzhou and Yongzhou would not take too long.
"My Lord, I have some thoughts I wish to share," Zhu Sheng said, bowing slightly.
"Speak!"
Yang Hao wanted to hear Zhu Sheng's thoughts, as this was the founding strategist who helped build the Great Ming Empire from humble beginnings.
Zhu Sheng waved his fan, saying, "My Lord, I am not too worried about Wu Yong's strategy. The court and the Tiangang Sect will not be able to decide a winner soon."
"What I am worried about is that with the former king's demise and the internal strife in the Wu Kingdom, will the Jin Kingdom to the north and the Langya Kingdom to the northwest miss this opportunity?"
His words caused everyone in the hall to gasp. For a thousand years, the three kingdoms had frequently clashed, with deep-seated enmities and constantly changing borders.
Yang Hao also took an involuntary gasp. Indeed, how could they miss this opportunity? The Wu Kingdom's demise might be near.
"My Lord, the immediate course of action should be to implement Wu Yong's plan and first bring Yong and Liang Prefectures under our control to strengthen our overall power."
"Then, by occupying a strong position with formidable strength, we will surely be able to resist the Langya Kingdom to the northwest."
Zhu Sheng and the others also knew that the more land their Lord occupied, the faster he would grow stronger, and they too would be able to increase their strength.
"In the past, the Wu Kingdom's former king fought a decisive battle with the Langya Kingdom. The former king killed two Grandmasters amidst the armies. After this battle, the Langya Kingdom's national strength weakened."
"A kingdom with only two Grandmasters is nothing to fear! We will surely be able to protect the northwest's safety."
Zhu Sheng continued slowly, "As for the Jin Kingdom to the north, it will be the final straw that crushes the Wu Kingdom."
Yang Hao felt the matter was somewhat thorny and said solemnly, "Zhu Sheng, what do you think should be the next step?"
"Release the tiger from its cage!" Zhu Sheng said, his tone heavy and his expression solemn.
"You mean?" Yang Hao's eyes narrowed upon hearing this.
"Bingzhou is the northern gateway to the capital. If the Jin Kingdom invades, they will surely attack Bingzhou, which is the shortest route to the capital. By then, Bingzhou will be wide open, and the capital will have no choice but to fight to the death!" Zhu Sheng stated directly.
"If the Jin Kingdom penetrates deep, their supply lines will be too long. Fighting from afar will cost them dearly even if they destroy Wu," Gao Shun asked doubtfully.
"Hahahaha." Wu Yong laughed heartily.
"General, let's not even consider if we have the strength, but given the great favor bestowed upon My Lord's ancestors by King Wu, and the Wu Kingdom's thousand-year history, in the eyes of the people, the Wu Kingdom rightfully belongs to the Ji family."
"If the Wu Kingdom were to be destroyed by My Lord, it would invite criticism! However, if the Jin Kingdom destroys Wu, and My Lord leads an army to fight the Jin, then we would be an army of righteousness!"
Yang Hao suddenly understood. The most pressing matter at hand was to advance into Xiliang!
"My Lord, I request to be dispatched!" Hearing Wu Yong's explanation, Gao Shun stood up and knelt on one knee, saying in a deep voice.
Since arriving in this world, he had achieved no significant merit. Gao Shun urgently needed a campaign to make the name of the Camp of Trapped Beasts known. The battlefield was the true destination for a warrior.
Yang Hao looked at Gao Shun below. He knew it was a waste of Gao Shun's talent to merely defend cities. Yang Hao walked to Gao Shun and helped him up.
"In that case, do any of you have any objections?" Yang Hao looked at the officials below.
"We have no objections!" With a loud cry, everyone bowed slightly.
Yang Hao turned and sat at the front of the hall. "Transmit my orders!" Yang Hao's voice, like a rainbow, shook the hall.
Everyone present prostrated themselves.
"Order General Gao Shun to lead the Camp of Trapped Beasts to advance into Tianshui!" Gao Shun's body trembled. "Your subordinate obeys!"
"Order Zhou Yuji to lead ten thousand troops to advance into Longxi!"
"Order Liao Hua to lead ten thousand troops to advance into Wudu!"
With the three armies arranged, Yang Hao said solemnly, "Order Cheng Yaojin to strictly guard the border between Hanzhong and Sili. Report any movement immediately!"
"We respectfully obey the Prefect's orders!"
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