Zhao Di was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly looked at the rapidly approaching messenger, anticipating his good news.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Emperor of Wei has sent a letter stating that he is willing to send troops to support us, and in order to achieve a decisive victory and completely annihilate the Cloud Moon Kingdom's army, they will mobilize all of Wei's forces. They hope we will grant them passage."
Upon hearing this, all the ministers present, except for the Emperor of Wei, rejoiced.
"That's wonderful! Now we are saved, and the Cloud Moon Kingdom's army cannot do anything to us."
"That's true, but if the Wei army comes in too many numbers, won't it be dangerous for us too? We might escape one den only to fall into another, which might not be good."
"What danger is there? At such a critical moment, the Wei Emperor wouldn't be so short-sighted. Even if they wanted to deal with us, they wouldn't act while the Yunye Kingdom has already mobilized."
"If discovered by the Cloud Moon Kingdom, they might very well return, and the mussels and the clam fight, and the fisherman benefits."
"We have no other choice now. Either we let the Wei army come to our rescue, or we are defeated by the Cloud Moon Kingdom."
"Although the Wei country has many soldiers and vast territory, and poses a threat to us, this threat is only potential."
"But the Cloud Moon Kingdom has already shown this threat. Regardless, our primary enemy to deal with is still the Cloud Moon Kingdom."
The opinions of the lords present were divided, but generally, they held a positive attitude towards the Wei army's reinforcement.
The Emperor of Zhao's expression gradually returned to normal from extreme gloom, all within a moment. He had been listening to everyone's thoughts.
After understanding everyone's intentions, the Emperor of Zhao became even more enraged.
"From what everyone says, it seems you are not opposed to the increase of Wei's reinforcements. But have you ever considered that there is no difference between countries?"
"Wei can deal with the Cloud Moon Kingdom, but if they drive away the Cloud Moon Kingdom's army, they might also linger and not leave, or even become the new Cloud Moon Kingdom."
"Have you ever thought about what you would do then?"
The Emperor of Zhao's question made the faces of the ministers before him slightly unsightly and fearful, but they could only avoid the question.
"Your Majesty, this minister is willing to share the fate of Zhao with the country."
"Your Majesty, no matter how the situation develops, this minister will always stand with Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, a hint of mockery appeared on the Emperor of Zhao's face.
"From what you are saying now, it sounds as if our Zhao country is about to be destroyed."
Hearing this, everyone's faces turned slightly embarrassed.
Although they did not think so, instinctively they could sense that Zhao was in great danger.
At this moment, no choice was perfect; one could only avoid the important and take the light, choosing the lesser of two evils.
Even if the King of Heaven himself came, he would have no solution to this situation.
"Alright, we still have tens of thousands of troops that can be mobilized. We will send twenty thousand troops to accompany the Wei army on their campaign."
"The remaining twenty thousand will be used to defend the capital, Handan."
"No matter what, as long as the capital holds out, our Zhao country will never be defeated by the Cloud Moon Kingdom."
Hearing this, the assembled ministers fell silent.
"Your Majesty, if we do this, we will lose the initiative when facing the Cloud Moon Kingdom. Twenty thousand troops are insignificant compared to the nearly one hundred thousand troops of the Wei army."
"Yes, Your Majesty, we cannot send too few troops, otherwise, who knows how arrogant the Wei generals will be then."
"Your Majesty, defending the capital does not require so many soldiers. Let's move these limited soldiers to the front line and let them contribute to resisting the Cloud Moon Kingdom's army."
Hearing this, the Emperor of Zhao waved his hand.
"Alright, alright, I understand what you mean, but this is not the time to be sentimental."
"It is already a stroke of luck to be able to spare so many people. This way, I can feel at ease."
"Don't you forget what is most important? Everything in the capital is most important."
"Even if the border is lost, it is only a temporary loss. As long as we strive hard, we can still regain it."
"But if we lose even the capital, how can we possibly regain it?"
"Your Majesty, we are already short of troops. If we don't use them all to fight the Cloud Moon Kingdom, won't our chances of victory be even slimmer?"
The Minister of War couldn't help but say.
Zhao Di waved his hand: "Just do as I say. Don't I understand better than you?"
The ministers then stopped speaking, not daring to say more.
The Emperor was already angry, and if they said any more, they might lose their heads.
"Your Majesty, this minister will immediately carry out Your Majesty's orders."
The ministers withdrew one after another, and finally, a glimmer of light reappeared in Zhao Di's eyes.
Thinking of Consort Yang, Zhao Di's spirits were lifted again.
It is said that when one is well-fed and clothed, one thinks of lust. As the emperor of a country, working so hard every day, why shouldn't he enjoy himself?
Zhao Di returned to his sleeping quarters and resumed his former life.
Hundreds of miles away, the Wei army was advancing rapidly, its target naturally being the border between Cloud Moon and Zhao, west of Handan City.
A general with deep-set eyes, clad in heavy armor, looked forward.
As the Great General of the Wei army, one of the tasks given to him by the Wei Emperor was to repel the attack of the Cloud Moon Kingdom, and the second was to occupy Handan City!
Neither of these tasks was difficult for him, but there were too many skills to master.
"Report, General, there is military intelligence from Zhao."
A guard respectfully presented a letter. The Great General took the letter, opened it, and after reading it, a look of mockery appeared on his face.
"A mere ten thousand troops, and they want to defend Handan? Can they defeat my hundred thousand elite soldiers bolstered by the momentum of a great victory?"
"This Zhao Emperor thinks too highly of his ten thousand imperial guards. If his soldiers were so formidable, why would they seek our aid?"
"Transmit my order, accelerate the advance, repel the main force of Cloud Moon, and then march directly on Handan. I want to make this old man Zhao Di kneel before me and beg for mercy!"
"Yes, General!"
The Wei army accelerated its advance, getting closer and closer to the border between Cloud Moon and Zhao, and had already entered Zhao territory.
Meanwhile, Chu Chen's army had once again received intelligence from Zhao and Wei.
"Report, Marshal, Zhao has mobilized thirty thousand troops, with ten thousand preparing to come to the border to meet us."
"Report, Marshal, Wei has mobilized one hundred thousand troops and is rapidly heading towards the border between Cloud Moon and Zhao, expected to arrive within two days."
Chu Chen nodded and said, "Very good. You may all go."
The two messengers immediately went to rest.