"Eat some vegetables, eat some vegetables. Before drinking, it's best to have something in your stomach, otherwise it will harm your health."

"Thank you for the teaching, Military Minister. I will definitely keep it in mind."

"You're too kind. Sitting at the same table, eating together, that proves we are on the same side."

Shen Wuxiang served himself a bowl of three-flavor soup and started drinking with gusto.

Hmm, very crude, very military-like.

Seeing Shen Wuxiang eating heartily, Prince Caesar did the same and joined in the feast.

He followed with a bowl of three-flavor soup and then ate a bowl of millet.

This was the most satisfying meal he had since coming to Qi Mountain.

After filling up, Shen Wuxiang started raising his glass frequently.

"Recently, I've been swamped with work and failed to properly entertain you, Prince. This glass, I toast to you."

"Don't say that. I feel like I'm the one disturbing your official duties, Military Minister." Prince Caesar quickly joined in the toast.

Shen Wuxiang put down his wine glass and looked at Caesar, saying, "You must know, Prince, recently the bandits have started attacking Luo City... Luo City is a major city for us Phoenix, and absolutely must not be lost."

"I understand the important significance of Luo City, and I also believe that, under the Military Minister's command, Luo City will be as solid as a rock. Here, I wish for your swift victory in advance, making the bandits retreat in defeat."

"Thank you," Shen Wuxiang nodded and said with a smile, "to be honest, Luo City is merely a bait."

Caesar looked astonished and asked, "Bait?"

"Yes," Shen Wuxiang replied, fiddling with the empty wine glass in his right hand, his expression unwavering, "We know Luo City cannot be lost, and the bandits know the importance of Luo City to us."

"So, they will certainly use all their strength to attack Luo City... When they have committed their main force there, that will be our chance."

Prince Caesar's eyes lit up, saying, "I understand. The Military Minister plans to draw the enemy deep inside, pulling the bandits into the Empire's core... When they are in full force attacking Luo City, you can encircle them from all sides, not only to annihilate their main forces but also to take the opportunity to attack their rear and reclaim the cities..."

"No wonder the Military Minister seemed to be retreating previously, losing several cities... Turns out, it is by design... to lay a grand plan to uproot the bandits..."

The more Prince Caesar spoke, the more excited he became, giving Shen Wuxiang a thumbs up, praising, "In terms of military prowess, the Military Minister is a top master on earth. That little rascal Tang Fei, gathering a gang of worthless soldiers, still dares to contend with the Military Minister?"

"How can the light of a firefly compare with the brilliance of the sun and moon? Such self overestimation."

How did that saying go?

Self-deception is most frightful.

Shen Wuxiang looked at the clever person in front of him, very satisfied with his attitude.

Unexpectedly, he patch up all the gaps and flaws of the plan.

Even giving an excellent justification for their initial 'defeats'.

For a moment, he even wondered if that was indeed his plan all along...

Luring the enemy deep.

First, lure them in, then close the gates to trap them.

Any problems? None.

"This is the core secret of our army, I ask you, Prince, to keep it confidential," Shen Wuxiang spoke in a reminder.

"Of course. I am willing to swear to the Space God that I will never disclose this information to the outside world."

Space God Aether, who governs the sky and stars.

This is one of the main gods worshipped by the Aus Empire and highly revered by the Aust royal family.

Prince Caesar's willingness to swear by the Space God shows considerable sincerity.

"I trust you," Shen Wuxiang smiled and said, "The character of the Aust royal family is well known even in Phoenix."

"Haha, Military Minister praises me too much." Caesar laughed like a fool.

At the negotiating table, every word is spoken with a price.

Shen Wuxiang purposely revealed this 'secret' to augment his bargaining chips.

If Aus Empire perceived them as constantly losing, the offered price would certainly be discounted.

If they could be convinced that all the failures were 'strategic', and everything was within control...

Then, they would eagerly climb on board.

Who doesn't yearn for victory?

Who doesn't want to reap the fruits of victory?

"Prince Caesar has been in Qi Mountain for quite a while now, and I see the sincerity of the Aus Empire in him. King Lionheart is a friend I truly wish to associate with... So, I think we can talk about cooperation."

"Thank you, Military Minister, for your trust in Aus and me personally." Caesar suppressed his inner joy and said with a smile, "Anything I can do to serve you, please don't hesitate to ask."

Shen Wuxiang picked up the wine pot and filled their glasses, expressing cold seriousness, "I will open up the Danxia Border, and while drawing the bandit army's main force, the Aus Empire can deliver a blow from the rear."

Prince Caesar lifted his glass and said solemnly, "I will not disappoint you, Military Minister."

"Pleasure working together."

"Pleasure working together."

------

Luo City.

Shen Annan led the Undying Army's first and second regiments along with the third Mecha regiment, adding up to nearly a hundred thousand elite troops to support Luo City. With the existing forty thousand defenders, the total military strength of Luo City reached an astonishing number.

Moreover, the Undying Army comes from the Shen Family's Direct Lineage, where both the soldiers' caliber and weaponry are top-notch.

It can be said they are the elite of the elite.

The Undying Army has never failed to impress, whether during internal Military Department competitions or external wars, they are always the victorious force among the three major corps.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.