Chapter 150: The Villain Complained First
The Villain Complained First . . .
The Western General, Wu Gong-Lie, dispatched an urgent war report via carrier pigeon, signaling that he was already facing formidable challenges even before the full-scale conflict had commenced. Meanwhile, another urgent missive was en route, adding to the mounting concerns.
And it didn't stop there. From the north, the renowned Northern General, Cha Nan-Tian, had been eagerly awaiting his return to the capital. However, the Northern Wolf Country had marshaled hundreds of thousands of warriors, rallying support from over a dozen tribes to launch a fierce assault upon the northern borders of the Kingdom of Chen.
Thus, yet another war report found its way to the king's desk.
Remarkably, this particular report carried a glimmer of optimism. Although succinct, its content was heartening. "The Northern Wolf is sparing no effort to serve us some game," it read. "Allow me to eliminate them comprehensively in the impending battle. Your Highness, that should resolve the matter at hand."
The king couldn't help but admire the audacity and assurance exuded by this exceptional general. In the current climate, he was a paragon of reliability, a pillar of the kingdom.
The monarch's satisfaction was palpable as he perused the northern report. He mused, "Such confidence, such vigor. Only Cha Nan-Tian could speak with such assurance."
After a contemplative pause, a warm smile crossed his face. "I am truly fortunate to still have Cha Nan-Tian by my side. As long as he remains loyal, the kingdom shall remain stable."
However, the king's fleeting respite was swiftly interrupted as yet another report arrived, this one from the east. It was dispatched by the Eastern General, Gong-Sun Nu. In the east, the Kingdom of Tian-Yu had abruptly assembled its forces and established camps along the border. Their intentions were evidently belligerent, and war seemed imminent.
The Kingdom of Tian-Yu had assembled a staggering force exceeding half a million soldiers, with numbers still on the rise. This was no feigned threat. Adding to the gravity of the situation was the fact that the renowned Hundred Battle God, Zhan Qian-Shan, had resurfaced after a five-year absence to command their army.
Gong-Sun Nu conveyed in his report, "... If hostilities erupt, I will fight to the death without hesitation. There will be no retreat. However, should Zhan Qian-Shan personally lead the charge, my own abilities are insufficient. My sole recourse will be to offer my humble life in battle, buying precious time for Your Highness to prepare for the next steps. Should I falter in holding them at bay and reinforcements arrive too late, my demise will be an honorable sacrifice, but it would indeed spell adversity for the kingdom..."
In essence, he admitted, "I am utterly ill-equipped to face Zhan Qian-Shan in combat. My sole objective is to stall him as best I can. If feasible, kindly dispatch additional troops to reinforce me, lest the situation take a dire turn..."
Beyond the disparity in leadership, the Kingdom of Chen was also undermanned in terms of soldiers. With the Kingdom of Tian-Yu amassing an army exceeding half a million, and the numbers still surging, the Kingdom of Chen could only rely on Gong-Sun Nu's Western Army, which boasted a mere three hundred thousand troops. The imbalance was glaring.
Transporting additional forces from the kingdom's cities to the eastern frontlines would require at least twenty days—an uncertain and precarious timeframe that could prove fateful.
The peril looming over the eastern front was undeniably the most pressing concern among the four directions. Its tension exceeded that of the other three, teetering on the precipice of collapse.
Historically, whenever the Kingdom of Tian-Yu had deployed Zhan Qian-Shan, the Kingdom of Chen had invariably dispatched Prince Hua-Yang, Su Ding-Guo, to confront him. These two formidable adversaries had clashed for decades, and their battles had culminated in a deadlock, with no clear victor emerging.
But now, a significant change had occurred. Prince Hua-Yang had set off for the southern front, leaving a formidable void in the east. This absence created the perfect opening for Zhan Qian-Shan, who had suddenly reemerged after a five-year absence.
In an astonishingly brief span, the opulent and powerful Kingdom of Chen found itself ensnared in a perilous web of circumstances.
As the king pored over the reports, his countenance bore a profound sense of disbelief. Never before had his kingdom faced such an imminent threat.
"In the south, Yang Wan-Li, vice-commander of the Global Troop of the Kingdom of Lan-Feng. To the west, Wen-Ren Jian-Yin, a prominent military figure and senior prince of the Kingdom of Lan-Feng. In the east, the indomitable Hundred Battle God, Zhan Qian-Shan. In the north, a coalition of fifteen fierce steppe tribes, led by the Wolf King of the Northern Wolf, a leader renowned for his strategic acumen. These challenges..." The king's voice trailed off as he scrutinized the reports from each direction.
He furrowed his brows and muttered, "The House of The Chaotic Storms!"
It was abundantly clear that the architects behind this dire predicament were none other than the House of The Chaotic Storms. Without their malevolent machinations, the kingdom would not find itself entangled in such a perilous web of events.
Rising from his seat, the king paced thoughtfully. After taking a deep breath, he declared, "Master Bai... Do you covet my kingdom? What a shame. The Kingdom of Chen shall stand as a singular exception in history—a kingdom that defied collapse!"
Placing his hands behind his back, he arched an eyebrow, a pair of metaphorical dragons soaring on his visage. Leaning against the window, he sneered, "Who dares assert that my kingdom lacks great generals? If circumstances indeed demand it, I shall personally take up arms. And what of it?"
"Let us not forget that Zhan Qian-Shan suffered his sole defeat at my hands."
Standing resolutely by the window, he added with nonchalance, "Gather all the civil and military officials in the main hall."
"Yes, Your Highness," Eunuch Wang replied, before offering an additional tidbit of information. "Your Highness, Lord Jiang, the Revenue Minister, has been waiting in the side hall for quite some time."
The king's expression soured. "For what reason?"
Wang explained, "It appears he is here concerning his son, who was gravely beaten by Lord Cha-Eun Xiao, the son of the Northern General. The young man suffered such severe injuries that his flesh was grotesquely mangled. The extent of the damage may leave him permanently crippled."
The king's ire surged. "At a time like this? He comes over such a trifling matter?"
It was a justified anger. In the midst of an impending crisis, the Revenue Minister had arrived at the royal palace over a seemingly trivial altercation among young individuals.
Unbeknownst to the king, Jiang Yu-Ming was equally incensed when he witnessed his son being carried home in a battered state. He had hastened to the Royal Palace, believing in his amicable ties with the royal family. Unaware that Cha-Eun Xiao had already fallen into unconsciousness, he saw no reason not to come.
While other officials would have hesitated to enter the Royal Palace during such a fraught time, Lord Jiang felt no such restraint, owing to his longstanding and unique relationship with the royal family.
Wang interjected, "Well, Your Highness, the specifics remain unclear. The young lord suffered terribly..."
Having known each other for many years, Wang and Lord Jiang had done favors for each other in the past. Aware of Jiang's closeness to the king, Wang tactfully offered a favorable impression of Lord Jiang, despite the king's evident displeasure.
The king's initial haste was palpable as he bustled about the palace. However, his hurried pace ground to an abrupt halt when a question, seemingly out of context, slipped from his lips. "Oh? Is Cha-Eun Xiao alright?"
Eunuch Wang, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected query, struggled to make sense of the king's priorities.
[It is Jiang Yu-Ming who has arrived to file a complaint. Furthermore, it is Jiang Tai-Sui, the son of Jiang Yu-Ming, who finds himself in a grievous state, having suffered a brutal beating!
How is it that the king seems more concerned about the well-being of the alleged assailant than the victim? Why?]
Unbeknownst to Wang, Cha Nan-Tian was the singular pillar of support that the king could rely on during these dire times. With the kingdom teetering on the brink of peril, should any harm befall Cha-Eun Xiao, Cha Nan-Tian would undoubtedly return to the capital posthaste, even if it meant relinquishing his command in the north.
The king possessed intimate knowledge of Jiang Yu-Ming's character and had surmised that the latter was most likely the instigator, leading him to speculate that Cha-Eun Xiao might have suffered even more grievously.
Such thoughts weighed heavily on the king's mind, causing him to fret.
"As for Lord Cha's condition, I cannot say for certain," Wang replied cautiously. "However, considering his formidable strength, which allowed him to inflict such a severe beating, one can surmise that he is in robust health."
The king heaved a sigh of relief and spoke with palpable delight, "That's good. As long as he is alright."
Wang couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly. [Here stands the victim, seeking redress for his grievances, yet the king's primary concern is the alleged assailant's well-being? The assailant is unscathed, and he expresses satisfaction? 'As long as he is fine'?
Is it really necessary to be so composed in this situation?
It seems that Lord Jiang does not occupy as significant a place in the king's heart as I had believed. My efforts on his behalf may have been in vain.]
The king, in haste, strode away, remarking, "Summon the court officials. Instruct them to arrive promptly. I shall inquire of Jiang Yu-Ming the precise details surrounding his son's misfortune—a situation orchestrated by many hands."
Wang, however, found himself suppressing a sudden cough, his throat feeling peculiarly irritated.
The king couldn't help but feel relieved that Cha-Eun Xiao had emerged unscathed. [So long as Cha-Eun Xiao remains unharmed!
Should anything untoward befall him and he becomes disabled...
It would constitute an unparalleled catastrophe for the kingdom!]
Nobody was more aware than the king of the depth of Cha Nan-Tian's devotion to his son.
In the past, Cha Nan-Tian had single-handedly decimated millions on the battlefield in a relentless pursuit of medicinal remedies for his son. He was a force of nature, unstoppable in battle when it came to safeguarding his child.
He had even forged a solemn brotherhood pact with the king, pledging to protect the kingdom for twenty years—motivated by the well-being of his son.
The king had long harbored his own private grievances, often questioning, [Why does Cha Nan-Tian place such an inordinate value on his son?] Yet, with no alternative available, the king had little choice but to indulge Cha Nan-Tian.
In the present circumstances, there could be no more significant disaster than harm befalling Cha-Eun Xiao. In the king's mind, all adversity was bearable, so long as Cha-Eun Xiao remained unscathed.
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