Chapter 764: What Else Can We See?

In the carriage, Xiao Yuanhang and Wang Jingzhao sat side by side.

The two smiled as they looked across.

Tuan Tuan was snuggled up warmly with Wang Jingning, while Chu Yuan sat beside Tuan Tuan.

The two little girls pressed their heads together, chattering about something.

Xiao Yuanhang asked, "Prince, regarding Japan's recent invasion, do you know the exact total troop strength?"

Wang Jingzhao's expression hardened: "I have heard my father, the King, discuss this with several generals."

"The warships that crossed the sea from Japan number about a thousand, and together with infantry, cavalry, and navy, the total does not fall below one hundred thousand and does not exceed 120,000."

"But when they attacked the Royal City, they fought a bloody battle with our soldiers, suffering losses of roughly ten thousand men."

"A few days ago your forces landed, and the Prince annihilated at least twenty thousand of them." He paused, "Therefore, the troops they have left stationed in Goryeo should still number around eighty thousand."

"Although Goryeo is not large, the Royal City lies near the beach while the other cities are deep inland; they cannot keep all their forces within the Royal City."

"Thus, I estimate that the Japanese garrison inside the Royal City now numbers about sixty thousand."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded slightly: "In that case, our navy has twenty thousand, a ten‑thousand‑strong garrison fleet, and together with infantry and the volunteer forces that have pledged to the Prince, the besieging force totals about seventy thousand."

"Seventy thousand versus sixty thousand," he said calmly, "truly evenly matched."

"But they are defending while we are on the offensive; our numbers are not superior."

Wang Jingzhao fell silent for a moment, then turned his head to Xiao Yuanhang: "The Prince's words are indeed correct."

Xiao Yuanhang recalled the silhouette he saw that day in the Thousand-mile mirror when the landing occurred: "The current Japanese commander is the Teng Yuan Liangxin we saw during the landing."

Wang Jingzhao's face showed resentment: "Exactly that person."

Xiao Yuanhang hummed: "He acts with sinister cunning and meticulous planning."

"Although he lost the landing battle, his defenses were set step by step, retreating layer by layer, and he was still able to withdraw calmly back to the Royal City; he is far from a mediocre talent."

Wang Jingzhao gave no reply, his expression darkening.

Xiao Yuanhang pondered briefly: "Prince, how far is the Royal City from here? How many days will it take to reach?"

"At most three days," Wang Jingzhao replied, "and if we march in haste, we can reach the city walls in two days."

Xiao Yuanhang furrowed his brows slightly: "Why is the Royal City so close to the coast?"

Wang Jingzhao sighed, "It was set by our ancestors."

"The Royal City was built by the sea to facilitate merchant ships and ensure abundant taxes."

"After centuries of accumulation, the Royal City has become the most prosperous place in Goryeo."

He paused, his voice dropping a notch, "I have indeed given this matter some thought."

"Because the Royal City is so close to the coast, the Japanese were able to reach its walls swiftly after landing."

Xiao Yuanhang fell silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "After this battle, Prince, have you ever considered moving the capital?"

Wang Jingzhao was startled.

Xiao Yuanhang looked at him, his tone solemn: "The Royal City's seaside location certainly benefits trade."

"But without sufficient depth, once the enemy lands, it becomes a sword hanging over the Royal City's head."

"Today Japan can land; tomorrow there may be other strong foes following suit."

"Relocating the capital inland is the only way to ensure lasting peace and stability."

Wang Jingzhao remained silent for a long while.

"The Prince makes a sound argument," he said, raising his head, his voice a bit hoarse, "I will discuss this with my uncle. Once the war subsides, we will move the capital inland."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded and said no more.

The carriage swayed gently; Tuan Tuan fished a piece of brittle candy from her small Sachet and slipped it into Wang Jingning's hand: "Jingning, try this; my mother made it, it's so sweet!"

"Thank you, Tuan Tuan," Wang Jingning took it and put it in his mouth.

As the sweetness melted on her tongue, her eyes suddenly reddened: "My mother used to often make candy for me, too."

Tuan Tuan blinked, extended her small hand and grasped Wang Jingning's: "From now on, what's mine is yours; my mother's craftsmanship is excellent! You will never be without candy!"

Wang Jingning looked at her, his little mouth curling: "You're so kind, Tuan Tuan."

Chu Yuan looked at Wang Jingzhao: "Prince, I, a humble monk, have a question."

Wang Jingzhao turned to him: "National Preceptor, please speak."

"The sea birds during the landing, in my view, were the work of Japan's yin‑yang master."

"Prince, do you know who the accompanying yin‑yang master in this Japanese army is?"

Wang Jingzhao's brows furrowed slightly: "I do not know, but on the day the city fell, a thick fog shrouded the Royal City, and the soldiers on the walls reported seeing a large number of refugees gathering below."

"They clearly heard women and children's cries, claiming a landslide had destroyed several villages, forcing them to flee to the Royal City."

He paused, then said bitterly, "The defending commander ordered the gates opened for them, but those who rushed in were all Japanese!"

Xiao Yuanhang was slightly startled by the words.

Chu Yuan nodded, "I see."

Xiao Yuanhang looked at Chu Yuan: "National Preceptor, what spell is that?"

Chu Yuan replied, "It is merely a misdirection technique, not a profound art."

"In contrast, the sea birds on the landing day were the yin‑yang master's truly clever method."

"Oh?" Xiao Yuanhang asked, surprised, "National Preceptor, how did you come to know so much about the Japanese yin‑yang master?"

Chu Yuan smiled faintly: "It is thanks to the Xuanwei Guoshi in the secret chamber, as well as my own disciple."

He raised his hand and patted Tuan Tuan's little head; Tuan Tuan turned and gave him a sweet smile.

"If Tuan Tuan had not discovered the ancient book left by Xuanwei Guoshi, I, a humble monk, would have no way of knowing these."

Xiao Yuanhang looked at his daughter, his face full of pride.

Wang Jingzhao hurriedly asked, "National Preceptor, what exactly is the matter with the Japanese yin‑yang master? I have never heard of it before."

Chu Yuan replied: "Although the Yin-Yang arts of the Eastern Sea have formed their own school, their foundation actually derives from the transformations of Zhongyuan Daoist methods."

Wang Jingzhao suddenly realized: "The princess is a senior disciple of the National Preceptor, no wonder she's so formidable."

Chu Yuan was taken aback: "No, no, it wasn't me who taught Tuan Tuan; that day, a few words from her drove away those seabirds."

"It is her own ability."

Hearing this, Wang Jingning widened her eyes at Tuan Tuan: "Tuan Tuan, you're so amazing!"

"I'm telling the truth!" Tuan Tuan proudly shook her little head: "The birds don't know that Dad is fighting; I told them to go home, so they won't get burned!"

"The princess has extraordinary talent," Wang Jingzhao gazed deeply at Tuan Tuan: "No wonder she is honored as the Immortal Envoy of Lie State."

On the afternoon of the third day, the Royal City was already in sight, and a burnt smell drifted on the wind.

From outside the carriage came Zhang Wu'an's voice: "Prince! The area twenty li ahead has been completely burned to flat ground, a landscape of scorched earth!"

"What?" Wang Jingzhao exclaimed, and Wang Jingning's little face turned pale instantly.

Tuan Tuan put her arm around her shoulders: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, my dad is here!"

Xiao Yuanhang lifted the carriage curtain: "Pass the order down: the army halts its advance; you take people ahead to scout the route!"

"Yes!"

The military command was as immovable as a mountain; the army quickly came to a stop.

After a while, Zhang Wu'an returned with a pale face: "Prince, within a twenty-li radius, there isn't a single person!"

"In the Thousand-mile Mirror, I still saw..." He trailed off, unable to continue.

Xiao Yuanhang frowned: "What else did you see?"