The war between Yusheng and Bei Rong escalated. Bei Rong had expected that if Yusheng acted rashly, Yun Qi and Lan Yue would not stand idly by, yet to their surprise, both Yun Qi and Lan Yue remained inactive.
"Damn it, is there still no response from Yun Qi?"
"No, Yun Qi has strengthened border defenses but shows no intention of aiding us."
"What benefit does Yun Qi gain from Yusheng annexing Bei Rong? Once Nangong Yu becomes all-powerful, Yun Qi and Lan Yue will be next." The Emperor of Bei Rong was furious. He had hoped to be a peaceful ruler, seeking neither merit nor fault, but unexpectedly, as his reign neared its end, he was forced to watch Bei Rong be destroyed.
"Is there any movement from Lan Yue either?"
"Father, the Empress of Lan Yue already has an ambiguous relationship with Nangong Yu. Now that Nangong Yu is attacking Bei Rong, it would be a mercy if the Empress of Lan Yue didn't add insult to injury. How could she possibly aid us!"
"Are we to stand by and watch Bei Rong be annihilated?"
Prince Yelü had many offspring, and the princes engaged in fierce internal struggles. Yelü Heng was not the most outstanding, but he was definitely intelligent, otherwise, he could not have escaped certain death time and again.
"Third son, what do you think?" King Yelü looked at Yelü Heng. Among his many sons, only Yelü Heng had dealt with Nangong Yu and Xiao Man. He hoped Yelü Heng could provide a solution.
"Father, your son believes that Yusheng and Lan Yue have already joined forces," Yelü Heng said slowly after a moment of hesitation. "Yun Qi's inaction strongly suggests it has been conquered by Lan Yue."
"That's impossible!" the First Prince immediately retorted. "Yun Qi is no paper tiger. For Lan Yue to conquer Yun Qi is no easy feat, and we haven't heard any news of Lan Yue attacking Yun Qi."
"Eldest Brother, Lan Yue would not attack Yun Qi from the outside, but from within," Yelü Heng explained, surveying the room. Seeing everyone prick up their ears, waiting for his next words, he continued, "The Empress of Lan Yue, Xiao Man, has incorporated the Red Feather Iron Cavalry of Empress Dowager Dugu."
Everyone present gasped. If there was anyone who could make them turn pale with fear, it was Dugu Man. In those days, Dugu Man, leading the Red Feather Iron Cavalry, had utterly defeated the proud cavalry of Bei Rong. Because Bei Rong had plundered and massacred the people of Yun Qi's border cities, Dugu Man retaliated by slaughtering the inhabitants of ten Bei Rong cities, leaving none alive. That battle had terrified Bei Rong and made Dugu Man famous throughout the land.
Dugu Man was thus branded as bloodthirsty, cruel, and ruthless, known as the Jade Face Asura. Even Nangong Yu could not match her mercilessness.
Yet, such a cruel and ruthless person had fallen victim to the wolf cub she had nurtured. If Dugu Man's former subordinates hated anyone the most, it would be Murong Sheng Rui.
If Xiao Man had indeed incorporated Dugu Man's forces, then for Lan Yue to conquer Yun Qi from within would not be impossible!
King Yelü fell silent. This had become the worst-case scenario. If Yun Qi were truly conquered by Lan Yue, then Bei Rong was doomed. Nangong Yu's Silver Armor Army was no less formidable than Empress Dowager Dugu's Red Feather Army. Even if Bei Rong was strong, it could not withstand Yusheng's million cavalry!
"Is there a way to break this deadlock?" After a long pause, King Yelü inquired. However, his sons, who were usually eloquent, were all as if struck dumb, remaining silent.
"Speak up! You usually have so many ideas, why are you silent now?" King Yelü raised his voice. "You're all so capable when it comes to vying for territory and power. Now that outsiders are coming to take your land, why are you afraid to speak?"
"Father, the Silver Armor Army is unstoppable. The only course of action now is to retreat north," Yelü Heng said. "There is an old saying in the Central Plains: As long as the green hills remain, there will be firewood to burn."
"Retreat north?" King Yelü sneered at this suggestion. "Bei Rong is already in the farthest north. Where else can we retreat? Behind us lie only snow mountains and deserts. How can we retreat?"
"Retreat towards the direction of Wu Yue Kingdom," Yelü Heng stated decisively. "Wu Yue Kingdom is located in a desert oasis, easily defended and difficult to attack. It is also a key trading post. Recently, it has incorporated surrounding small countries and is now a medium-sized nation. We should retreat towards Wu Yue Kingdom."
"Easier said than done. If we retreat to Wu Yue Kingdom, will Nangong Yu let us go?"
"The four-nation trade route is of great importance," Yelü Heng's gaze deepened. "Moreover, Wu Yue Kingdom has a close relationship with the Empress of Lan Yue. If we retreat into Wu Yue Kingdom, Nangong Yu will be hesitant to pursue us further, fearing repercussions. We will feign surrender and then, when Wu Yue Kingdom lowers its guard, we will seize Wu Yue Kingdom in one fell swoop."
"Third Brother's idea is good, but Third Brother, have you forgotten that Wu Yue Kingdom massacred our three cities and killed so many of our people? Even if we retreat to Wu Yue Kingdom, will Wu Yue Kingdom allow us to enter their borders?" the Seventh Prince said unhurriedly. "Furthermore, we frequently harass Wu Yue Kingdom's borders, stealing food and silver from their people. If we dare to appear on Wu Yue Kingdom's border, the people of Wu Yue Kingdom will rise up against us."
"I said, we are going to surrender, to seek refuge in Wu Yue Kingdom," Yelü Heng scoffed. "Even if Wu Yue Kingdom harbors ill will towards us, they may not be on guard if we go to surrender."
"If we are going to surrender to Wu Yue Kingdom, what will be our token of sincerity?" the Second Prince asked. "What benefits can we offer Wu Yue Kingdom?"
"Our dignified great nation, Bei Rong, going to seek refuge with a small, insignificant country, isn't that enough sincerity?"
"Sincerity?" The Second Prince chuckled. "Unless the Emperor of Wu Yue Kingdom is old and foolish, he will understand that accepting the surrender of Bei Rong is like inviting a wolf into the house."
"Does Second Brother have a better suggestion?"
"My suggestion is to seek refuge with Lan Yue," the Second Prince said excitedly. "Only Lan Yue can contend with Yusheng now."
"Seeking refuge with Lan Yue is like a lamb entering a tiger's den," Yelü Heng countered. "The Empress of Lan Yue, Xiao Man, and Nangong Yu are in cahoots. The current disaster befalling Bei Rong is their doing."
"That is because you offended them both, leading to this disaster," the Fourth Prince said faintly. "I wonder if the new Emperor of Yusheng would retreat if we tied Third Brother up and sent him to the front lines?" Su Dan Novel Network
"Absurd!" Yelü Heng was furious. "Let alone tying me up and sending me to the front lines, even if you tied Father up and sent him to the front lines, Nangong Yu would not retreat!"
"Enough!" King Bei Rong roared angrily. "At this critical juncture, you are still fighting amongst yourselves! If you have the guts, go to the battlefield and show your might against Nangong Yu, against the Silver Armor Army. All of you, get out! At this crucial moment, you are all useless!"
"Your humble subject takes his leave."