Qi Mountain.

Staff Headquarters.

"Luo City is the gateway to the Imperial City, the peril within perils, the core of cores. Under no circumstances can it be lost."

"If we let them seize Luo City, they can attack the Red River Valley to the left, which is our grain base, and Xinyang to the right... Even if they pause without advancing, it would still pose a threat to us..."

"I am willing to personally travel to Luo City and take that kid's head to relieve the Military Minister's worries."

------

Shen Wuxiang sat upright at the head of the table, silent and unspeaking.

His mind was racing with thoughts, not knowing when the poor kid from the Old Land managed to occupy such a large territory and gain such formidable power.

Strong enough to stand on equal footing with him.

If only I had eliminated him when he was still on unsteady ground, how great that would have been.

Alas, alas...

Thinking of this, he felt a bit of resentment towards his own grandson, Shen Xinglan.

His woman was taken away, yet he didn't draw his sword in a fit of rage for her, cutting him into three thousand two hundred pieces...

What need is there for maintaining appearances?

Now it's come to this, the woman is gone, and face is lost too.

Even the territory is about to be lost.

What pained him the most was Shen Xinglan's condition; he's still recuperating in the Cold Pond, and it was originally planned for a retreat of eighty-one days, but how many days has it been now?

Yet still there's no sign of activity.

Perhaps by now he's already dead at heart.

He also wanted to chat with his grandson, but he knew very well he wasn't suited for 'thought' work.

If words didn't agree, he'd want to kick someone.

Bo Yu was suitable, but unfortunately, his condition was even worse.

"Sigh..."

Shen Wuxiang couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.

Is fate determined to destroy the Shen Family?

Shen Wuxiang was so lost in thought that his sigh was particularly loud.

As a result, the arguing generals and staff immediately fell silent, and everyone turned their gaze onto Shen Wuxiang.

'Why does the Military Minister sigh?'

'Is the situation dire, and the Military Minister feels the pressure?'

'He doesn't believe in us? Surely not? Surely not?'

'We are prepared to fight to the death, why is the Military Minister surrendering?'

------

A thousand people each have a thousand Military Ministers in their eyes.

All were secretly speculating on Shen Wuxiang's psychological state.

Moreover, the Military Minister's sigh was so strong, filled with indignation and unwillingness... Could it be that the Military Minister also thinks the tides have turned against us?

Qi Mountain, in danger!

This is why leaders must remain unflinching in the face of disasters. If you accidentally let out a sigh or burp... people below will wonder if you're unwell and on the brink...

Letting them guess, and ensuring they can't guess correctly, is the best camouflage.

Women who have mastered this special skill can firmly control their boyfriends.

"Sigh..."

Having held high positions for many years, Shen Wuxiang naturally understood their thoughts.

Thought work had to be done...

If people are scattered, the team is hard to lead.

Seeing everyone's puzzled eyes on him, Shen Wuxiang let out an even louder sigh and said angrily, "Boosting the morale of others, while diminishing one's own. I didn't expect that a small bandit army would make each of you so restless, as if facing a formidable enemy."

"Does Tang Fei have three heads and six arms? Making you so terrified? Don't forget, you are the Empire's ace army..."

"Of course, I must also apologize to you all. Why has Tang Fei achieved his current success? Mainly because I underestimated him, didn't give him enough attention."

"If we had initially pressed our army forward, given a thunderous blow with troops several times larger than the bandit's, would they have had a chance to rise?"

"But, I have my difficulties... We must maintain internal stability of the Empire, and also guard the borders, resisting the invasions of the Aus Empire and the Kaman Federation..."

"We treat this country as home, but the bandit army only knows how to cause destruction... That's why they gained a little advantage."

"However, their streak of luck ends here. We must win the battle of Luo City, and win it big."

"Therefore, this time... besides the stationed army of 400,000 in Luo City itself... I will also dispatch the Undying Army's elite there..."

Shen Wuxiang looked around, and said in a deep voice, "Shen Annan."

"Present." A burly middle-aged man stepped forward.

"I order you to lead the first regiment, second regiment, and third mecha regiment of the Undying Army to assist in defending Luo City."

"Yes."

Shen Annan was Shen Wuxiang's staunch confidant, personally cultivated and promoted by Shen Wuxiang, otherwise he wouldn't trust him with the Shen Family's direct lineage army, the Undying Army, to command.

After agreeing, he showed difficulty and spoke, "Military Minister, Luo City is a mega-city, with an extremely strong garrison force as it is... If my opinions clash with the City Defense General's, what should we do?"

Two tigers cannot coexist on one mountain, nor can a single army have more than one voice.

Even if that voice is wrong...

Shen Wuxiang understood this principle and said, "The Staff Headquarters will issue an official letter, instructing City Defense General Jia Jun in Luo City to fully cooperate with your work."

"Thank the Military Minister for the support; the city stands if I stand, the city falls if I fall."

After Shen Annan made a military pledge.

"I trust you." Shen Wuxiang walked to Shen Annan's side, gently patted his shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Luo City must not be lost. If you encounter any difficulties, communicate with me at any time."

"Yes. I guarantee the mission's completion."

Shen Annan took his orders and went to gather his troops for preparation.

Shen Wuxiang sat back in his original position, his square face slightly tilted upward, eyes sharp as hawks, and said in a mocking and teasing tone, "Ladies and gentlemen, do you still remember the 'Extinguish Tang Case' of years ago?"

Everyone was shocked.

The Extinguish Tang Case...

How could they possibly forget?

In order to secure the throne of the Military Minister and consolidate his position as the top figure in the army, Shen Wuxiang launched a bloody purge against Tang Li and his direct lineage.

Heads rolled, and blood flowed like rivers.

It was said that during those months, the sewers of Phoenix City ran red.

And it wasn't just the sewers of Phoenix City.

The three major legions, local garrisons, and even the Imperial Military Committee and Staff Headquarters all underwent purges.

It was precisely because of this that Shen Wuxiang earned the notorious nickname "Butcher."

But why was he bringing it up now?

Wasn't this a blemish on his life history?

Everyone had different thoughts, not daring to answer lightly.

"To the victor go the spoils, the defeated become criminals. What good end do the losers have?"

"Back then, we could annihilate Tang Fei's entire family, so if Tang Fei won... wouldn't he annihilate our families?"

"When he executes the Shen case, I don't think any of us here would escape. So, let's unite and overcome the difficulties to create glory again."

"Yes, Military Minister."

Everyone replied solemnly and in unison.

It was clear to all that the Military Minister was displeased with their divided loyalties.

And he used the 'Tang case' as a threat, indicating that they were all in the same boat; once the Shen Family was destroyed, none of them could escape.

Unless they surrendered early.

------

Dragging his exhausted body, Bi Qingqiu returned to Courtyard No. 1 of the City Lord Mansion.

His wife, Ye Shuhua, came out to greet him, taking his discarded suit jacket, and asked, "Old Bi, what happened? Why do you look so worried?"

"Don't you know?" Bi Qingqiu glanced at his wife and walked straight to the living room sofa: "The bandits have attacked, the city is under siege... oh, you probably haven't received the news yet, after all, the bandits haven't actually launched an attack yet."

"Bandits? Those people from the north?" Ye Shuhua asked.

"Who else could it be but them?"

"I heard those people are very fierce, is it dangerous? Can Luo City hold up?"

"I was just about to discuss this with you, I'm not sure if Luo City can hold up, so we need to make plans early."

"Ah?" Ye Shuhua looked at her husband in shock, thinking that if even the Lord of Luo City wasn't confident in defending it, then could they still stay in this city? "Is it that serious?"

"It's not that it definitely can't hold, but that guy is very tricky and hasn't lost yet... Old Jia is quite confident, saying he'll ensure that guy doesn't return, but I suspect he's bluffing too."

"Then what should we do?"

"Well, leaving outright isn't suitable. If you leave, it might cause public panic, and if there's accountability from above, it would be hard to explain."

"But we can start making arrangements ahead of time, at least transfer some important assets out. Leave this matter to Yu Cong to handle... where's Yu Cong?"

"Where could he be? Surely drunk somewhere, who knows if he's awake now."

"Call him and tell him to come back once."

Knowing the gravity of the situation, Ye Shuhua quickly dialed her son's number.

One ring, two rings, three rings...

No answer.

She tried calling via video call, the smart home assistant number at home...

No answer.

Frowning deeply, Bi Qingqiu huffed, "Call his secretary and have them look for him. It's a critical time... and he's playing missing?"

With troubles outside, there were also troubles at home.

Think about it, and it's infuriating.

Ye Shuhua was also very anxious. With a major enemy at their doorstep, her son was nowhere to be found.

Moreover, she knew her son, he was someone who acted with moderation...

In the past, no matter how much he drank or how busy he was, he would always pick up the phone on the first ring and visit his parents every two days.

He was a good kid.

It is said that mothers and sons have a psychic bond, and she even had some ominous premonitions in her heart.

Ye Shuhua decided to call her son's personal assistant to have her check all their properties...

After all, their family had many houses, and she wasn't sure where her son slept last night.

At this moment, her own phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID and saw it was her son's number.

She immediately pressed the answer button and hurriedly said, "Yu Cong, where are you? I called so many times and you didn't answer. Come back quickly, your dad has important matters to discuss."

"Mom, I can't come back."

"Why can't you come back?"

"I've been kidnapped."

"..."

------

Luo City. Two hundred kilometers away.

On the command ship, Kong Yinghan looked at Tang Fei and asked, "My Lord, when are we ready to attack?"

"Attack?" Tang Fei hesitated for a moment and then said, "Let's persuade surrender first."

"Persuade surrender?"

Kong Yinghan looked at Tang Fei incredulously, thinking that even if our side was incredibly brave, to want to persuade surrender without even fighting?

Persuasion is not impossible, but usually, you weaken them first to a certain degree before taking this step.

Are you just going to skip the middle steps?

"Yes." Tang Fei nodded with certainty and said, "What do they say? Try and you'll prevail. What if they just agree?"

"..."

Kong Yinghan was worried.

This boss doesn't seem that bright.

Then again, if he weren't smart... how did the Flame-Bathed Legion fall to him?

Alright, let's get to work.

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