Facing the fierce ten thousand troops of the enemy's Deputy Commander Bronnie, Zhang Qingyun was forced to retreat to Wancheng. After all, defending the city still offered a chance to fight.
However, the enemy's strength on the eastern front, including Bronnie's ten thousand troops, totaled just over 300,000, while Zhang Qingyun had fewer than 200,000.
If the enemy adopted a strategy of siege without attack, Wancheng would descend into chaos within ten to fifteen days!
Therefore, judging solely by the current situation, the Northeast Tiger had undoubtedly fallen into a disadvantage on the eastern front, forced into a purely passive defense with no ability to launch an offensive.
In stark contrast to Zhang Qingyun's passive stance, Xiao Yunlong's various armies appeared relaxed and at ease. The 60,000 troops stationed thirty miles outside Aslianze City were even holding a bonfire party.
Even the 70,000 troops led by Li Jiuxiao and Zhuge Wushuang were resting in the area of Tianzang Mountain.
The western front had also entered a period of calm. It was on the eastern front, however, that the more than 300,000 enemy troops, under Bronnie's command, seemed eager to capture Wancheng to boost morale, launching a frenzied assault late at night.
Fortunately, Zhang Qingyun, this Northeast Tiger, was no mere figurehead. Facing the enemy's relentless attacks, he remained calm, repelled counterattacks, and repulsed the enemy multiple times.
Despite this, the casualties of the soldiers defending Wancheng gradually increased, reaching over 30,000 in just half a day.
"Damn it, this accursed Bronnie is like a mad dog! It seems he's determined to gnaw Wancheng to pieces!" Zhang Qingyun stood on the city wall, furious.
After a round of fierce enemy assaults, the scene was one of ruins and rubble, with piles of corpses outside the city and blood flowing like a river.
"Has King Xiao Bei made any moves?" Zhang Qingyun asked after some thought.
The adjutant stepped forward and reported, "According to intelligence, the eastern front forces led by King Xiao Bei have not made any moves so far!"
Zhang Qingyun's brow furrowed, and he mused, "Still no movement? I thought he would take this opportunity to reinforce us, and then we could coordinate from within and without to annihilate all enemy forces on the eastern front. What exactly does King Xiao Bei intend to do?"
A bearded general behind him remarked, "Tiger King, if your assessment is correct, and King Xiao Bei leads his troops to reinforce the eastern front, and you cooperate with him to destroy the enemy forces there, wouldn't that mean you lose?"
As he spoke, the bearded general grinned coldly and continued, "If you ask me, if King Xiao Bei truly leads his troops to reinforce, it would be best for us to remain inactive and watch the tigers fight. If Bronnie sees Xiao Yunlong reinforcing, he will undoubtedly counterattack fiercely, as they harbor deep hatred for King Xiao Bei. Once they are both weakened through their struggles, we can then make our move. Wouldn't that mean, Tiger King, you would..."
"Shut up!" Zhang Qingyun glared at him angrily, "You know my principles. How could I betray the soldiers on the western front for my own gain?"
The bearded general, unconvinced, argued, "I know, Tiger King, that you possess a magnanimous heart and a grand vision, and would not stoop to any despicable act. But what about King Xiao Bei? If he also had a grand vision, he should not be standing by indifferently, watching our soldiers in Wancheng suffer!"
Zhang Qingyun sighed, "You are mistaken if you think that way. Firstly, resisting the invading enemy is our duty on the eastern front. King Xiao Bei has no obligation to reinforce us. To put it plainly, if he reinforces, I will admire his character and magnanimity even more. If he doesn't, we have no right to blame him!"
"But..."
"There is no 'but.' Don't you understand? From King Xiao Bei's previous strategies and planning, I have already lost, utterly and completely. Therefore, what I need to do now is not to compete with him for superiority, but to hold Wancheng at all costs. As for what King Xiao Bei does next, that is his own affair."
Zhang Qingyun shook his head and gave a self-deprecating smile, adding, "However, I still believe that with King Xiao Bei's character and vision, he will not stand idly by. It's just that, so far, we don't know what he intends to do next!"
Indeed, as Zhang Qingyun had said, no one knew Xiao Yunlong's plans, not even his fiancée, Liu Ruyan.
It wasn't until the latter half of the night, as the bonfire party concluded, that Xiao Yunlong suddenly summoned Tu Fu and said, "Go and prepare. In one hour, launch an attack and capture Aslianze City before dawn!"
Tu Fu blinked, thinking he had misheard, and asked, "My Lord, didn't you say earlier that we wouldn't attack As City?"
"I said we wouldn't attack at that time, not that we wouldn't attack now. Why do you seem uninterested? If that's the case, I'll give Li Jiuxiao..."
Before Xiao Yunlong could finish, Tu Fu quickly waved his hand to stop him, "No, my Lord, I am interested, very interested. To be honest, my Lord, I have been waiting for this moment!"
With that, Tu Fu hurried out, throwing back over his shoulder, "My Lord, rest assured, As City will be captured before dawn!"
Xiao Yunlong was not worried about this at all, as the 50,000 defenders of Aslianze City had already been wiped out. Before the Snow Wolf Kingdom could send reinforcements, As City had no defensive capabilities left.
Moreover, Tu Fu, as the vanguard general, had always been highly capable in capturing cities. With him leading 60,000 troops, the gates of As City were sure to be breached!
Of course, the reasons why Xiao Yunlong wanted to capture As City were, firstly, to deliver a slap in the face to the Snow Wolf Kingdom; and secondly, to gauge Bronnie's reaction.
"My offensive has begun, Bronnie. Now it's up to you whether you reinforce or not. But regardless of whether you reinforce or not, the outcome is death. And your remaining 300,000 troops, from the moment they set foot on Dragon Country's soil, their fate was sealed: a dead end!"
Xiao Yunlong spoke coldly, looking up at the vast northern desert under the night sky, his gaze sharp as a knife, resolute and determined.
Without any suspense, even before dawn, Tu Fu led 60,000 troops to breach Aslianze City.
The news quickly reached the ears of Bronnie, the enemy's Deputy Commander on the eastern front, which infuriated him.
"Good for you, King Xiao Bei! I thought he would rush back to support Wancheng, but instead, he directly captured As City. What a masterful move!" Bronnie grunted.
A general of the Snow Wolf Kingdom stepped forward and said, "Deputy Commander, King Xiao Bei is now acting with impunity behind our backs. This subordinate believes we should immediately rush back and fight him to the death!"
"Rush back and fight him to the death? Haven't the lessons from Bruzagg last time been profound enough? I will not be so foolish!"
Bronnie snorted and commanded, "Listen up, all of you! We are not going back. We will attack again after dawn. I am determined to capture Wancheng, no matter the cost. Capture it for me!"
"But..." the Snow Wolf Kingdom general tried to speak again, but was angrily interrupted by Bronnie.
"But what? Do you intend to disobey orders? Let me tell you, I am the highest commander on the battlefield right now!"
This Snow Wolf Kingdom general was very angry, thinking to himself that since the other party's cities were not being attacked, of course, he wasn't in a hurry.
However, anger was useless. After all, when Commander Bruzagg was still in command, Bronnie had advised him not to reinforce and to seize Pingcheng.
But Bruzagg, worried about the safety of his Snow Wolf Kingdom's cities, had insisted on returning to provide support, thus falling into the ambush at Tianzang Mountain.
This scene now was so similar to that time!
After dawn, under Bronnie's command, the 300,000 enemy troops launched another fierce assault on Wancheng.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunlong had entered As City and was comfortably enjoying a breakfast of hot milk and bread.
"My Lord, news has just arrived from the eastern front. The enemy's Deputy Commander Bronnie does not intend to reinforce, but is instead launching another fierce attack on Wancheng. Judging by the situation, Bronnie is determined to capture Wancheng!"
Pan Chaofeng, responsible for intelligence, reported.
"Not reinforcing? That's not surprising. Bronnie is from the Stan Kingdom, and Aslianze City is a Snow Wolf Kingdom city. Naturally, he wouldn't feel the pain or worry!"
Saying this, Xiao Yunlong put down his fork and said coldly, "Since that's the case, then we will change direction and attack the Stan Kingdom directly!"
"A small country the size of a palm dares to offend the dignity of our Dragon Country. This time, I'll see if Bronnie is anxious!"
After speaking, Xiao Yunlong stood up and said solemnly, "Issue an order immediately for Qinglong and Xuanwu from Tianzang Mountain to lead their armies to the Stan Kingdom. Our target this time is the Stan Kingdom's capital!"
"Yes, my Lord!" Pan Chaofeng bowed and retreated to convey the order.
"Tu Fu, you also go and prepare. In fifteen minutes, the army will depart!"
"No problem, my Lord!" Tu Fu bowed and retreated.
Fifteen minutes later, led by Tu Fu, the 60,000 troops who had captured As City marched out in a mighty procession and quickly headed west.
At the same time, Li Jiuxiao and Zhuge Wushuang, who were ambushing in Tianzang Mountain, also led their respective 70,000 troops to advance rapidly westward.
When Bronnie, the enemy's Deputy Commander on the eastern front, received this news, he was completely stunned.
"What did you say? That bastard Xiao Bei Wang of Dragon Country is preparing to attack our Stan Kingdom?"
"To be precise, Commander, it is that King Xiao Bei who is preparing to attack your Stan Kingdom's capital!"
"Damn it..." Bronnie could no longer remain calm.