Chapter 2135: Chapter 216: It Begins Today
The defeat at Noon Sun City undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the complacent Qi Army.
One of the brightest young generals on the eastern front, Bao Bozhao, the eldest legitimate son of Duke Shuofang of Daqi, led a force of thirty thousand to attack Noon Sun City.
On that very day, the news of Noon Sun City’s surrender arrived.
But also on that day, before night fell, the latest news arrived: Bao Bozhao was defeated at Noon Sun!
Twenty thousand Qi soldiers were slaughtered, and Bao Bozhao escaped from the city alone, his fate unknown!
Ten thousand new troops (Summer Country’s surrendering army conscripted by Qi Country) returned to Summer.
Tai Yin said: "With powerful enemies outside and no backbone within, surrendering after disarmament is not the soldiers’ fault! In the face of life and death, how can one force demands?"
He then killed the generals who had surrendered to Qi and took back the soldiers who had surrendered to Qi.
In Noon Sun City, he declared to the entire Hui Ming Fu, and even the entire Qi Xia battlefield, that the battle of Noon Sun was the beginning of Summer Country’s counterattack. The so-called "capture Jiang Shu before the throne, starts today!"
Across the entire eastern front, the Qi Army numbered three hundred thousand. Xie Huaian led the main force battling Zhou Ying at Linwu Mansion, advancing inch by inch. The Qi Army allocated to Feng Li and Hui Ming Fu numbered only one hundred twenty thousand.
The entire Feng Li region changed allegiance, with Qi taking many Summer surrendering soldiers to guard the city. Parts of the main Qi force also attacked Jin’an Fu.
The number of Qi soldiers able to fight a major battle in Hui Ming Fu is thus imaginable.
The battle at Noon Sun resulted in the loss of twenty thousand!
For the Qi Army, the defeat at Noon Sun City was undoubtedly a crippling blow.
Rumor has it that Bao Bozhao, supposedly killed by Tai Yin’s army, is a fallen genius of Qi Country!
Who is Bao Bozhao?
He is a notable figure among the younger generation of Qi Country.
If he had lived, he would have been a future high-ranking general of Qi Country, an integral part of Qi’s strength. His value is incalculable, and his significance is extraordinary!
It can be said that the defeat at Noon Sun truly awakened the people of Qi from their seemingly unstoppable success, truly making them realize the harsh realities of this war.
Do not think that the cavalry clashes on the Jiangyin Plains represent the entirety of Summer Country’s will.
Summer Country is not a weakling to be easily manipulated!
Additionally, the act of the ten thousand Summer soldiers who surrendered and then rebelled greatly hindered the Qi people from utilizing surrendered soldiers.
A certain rumor spread widely... It said that Bao Bozhao’s defeat at Noon Sun City was chiefly due to the surrendered soldiers turning on them at the crucial moment. The so-called Qi Xia being of one origin, in reality, are people of two countries; how can they truly be trusted?
The battle that involves a whole nation does not rest solely on defections, nor is it just a contest of flesh and blood.
It concerns life and death as well as honor and disgrace.
It’s a battle of the hearts of people, and a struggle for power.
To destroy Summer, it’s not only about annihilating their flesh but also their spirit, and vice versa.
Beyond just army clashes.
On the vast lands of Summer Country, the flag bearers of Qi and the Yutai Patrol Rider of Summer have clashed countless times.
From Linzi to the city named "Noble City," operatives from both sides have confronted each other numerous times.
And within this comprehensive confrontation,
The battle at Noon Sun was undoubtedly the most dazzling achievement of the Summer Army so far.
This battle showcased the vigor of the Summer Army, making the previously unstoppable Qi Army recognize once again the tenacity of the Summer Army. Tai Yin also made his name known through this battle!
...
Despite moving swiftly through the city streets, Tai Yin was not in a light-hearted mood.
He was acutely aware of how dire the current situation had become.
While the battle at Noon Sun could certainly be considered a major victory, in the context of the entire eastern front, it was still merely the outcome of a single city’s battle!
Up until the outbreak of the Noon Sun battle, Linwu Mansion had only three cities left, Feng Li had entirely changed allegiance, and most of Hui Ming Fu had already fallen.
Hui Ming Fu could no longer be called Summer Country’s Hui Ming Fu.
Qi had already gained a relative advantage here!
This recent battle had indeed restored pride by annihilating Bao Bozhao and his troops, but it had also stirred up a hornet’s nest. The Qi people would not give up the advantage they had established in Hui Ming Fu.
In the coming period, Noon Sun City is a key symbol.
The Qi Army that recognizes this fact will not allow its existence.
The upcoming period is critical!
After ambushing Bao Bozhao at Noon Sun City, Tai Yin immediately led his troops back. On one hand, they heavily fortified the city’s defenses, presenting a posture of defending the city to the death. On the other, they selectively leaked news of the Noon Sun City battle and swiftly began their next strategic plan... never pausing for a moment.
Not even daring to waste travel time.
As he was urgently marching, he suddenly looked up.
He saw an apparition swiftly sweep across the sky, suddenly stopping at the street corner and solidifying instantly. A tall, slender figure in green military uniform with a sallow face. As the eyes rolled, the gray feather of a smoke bird could be seen inside the pupil.
The person came to life.
Chu Mindao, a leading figure of the younger generation in the Touch Clan of Da Xia!
Tai Yin wasn’t surprised and continued forward, only asking, "How is it?"
The path of cultivation is one where no progress means regression. Those aspiring for the future refuse to waste time.
Today, Chu Mindao had also become an Outer Tower Cultivator, establishing three Star Towers, and had also tamed even more outstanding foreign beasts... like the smoke bird hidden in his eyeball.
Riding the beast to traverse paths, simulating its form, he could move between reality and illusion.
Thus, within the chaotic battle at Hui Ming Fu, he relied on this beast, risking himself to personally scout enemy conditions!
"There are two armies, mutually supporting each other, moving towards Noon Sun City," Chu Mindao reported succinctly.
"Have Zhongxuan Sheng and Jiang Wang arrived?" Tai Yin asked.
Chu Mindao replied, "As you expected."
The two walked side by side, their steps hurried.
As they walked, Tai Yin spoke, "Zhongxuan Sheng and Zhongxuan Zun are vying for the title of Marquis of Bowang. Before the expedition, Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Zun had a public confrontation, competing to be the vanguard before all the troops, openly displaying their rivalry. Now that Zhongxuan Zun has achieved merit by harassing the Imperial Mausoleum, Zhongxuan Sheng and his side will not allow their achievements of connecting the three regions to be diminished... Noon Sun City, they will inevitably come!"
