[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten":3,"chapter-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-226":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Simulated to Reality: I Once Looked Down Upon Ten Thousand Ages?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2347241,4587,"Chapter 226: He Who Enters Chaoling First Shall Be King—Who Is the Yellow Bird?","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-226",226,"\u003Cp>Dusk was like blood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The setting sun poured across the horizon like molten gold, staining the earth with a somber orange-red hue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingyang City was now faintly visible, merely fifty li away, within reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forty thousand iron cavalry of Qianyuan and Hexi, like rivers converging into the sea, surged forward in an unceasing, thunderous tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Battle flags snapped in the wind, crimson as flame!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stern military order rang out; flag officers reined in their horses, and the command spread rapidly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His Majesty’s decree: the army shall halt!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The order was brief and forceful, instantly echoing through every corner—the forty thousand troops halted as if guided by an invisible hand, orderly and precise, beginning to set up camp with urgent efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the camp, lanterns blazed brightly, torches stood in rows like forests; from afar, they resembled fallen stars illuminating the entire hills and fields, a sight of grandeur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main command tent of the army!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two rows of civil and military ministers stood solemnly, their gazes all fixed on the figure seated at the head, wearing a mysterious ghost mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qianyuan Empress, Wu Ying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She slowly raised her head, scanning the surroundings; civil and military officials stood on either side, faces grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the leftmost position stood an old man in plain robes: Gong Sun Pingxi!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Gong Sun Pingxi, a group of Qianyuan generals and campaign chaplains followed, their expressions solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the rightmost position stood a towering figure, clad in shimmering light armor, a golden longsword studded with brilliant gems hanging at his waist, drawing all eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was square and bore a resemblance to Zhou Cheng, yet his eyes held deeper shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was none other than the Hexi Heavenly King, Zhou Xuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xuan frowned, his eyes filled with concern and confusion over the current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward, his voice urgent, addressing the figure seated at the head, whose face was hidden behind the ghost mask: “Your Highness, our troops are brimming with morale—this is the perfect moment to break through and seize the city. Why halt here? Why not strike now, before enemy reinforcements arrive, and take Jingyang in one decisive blow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once Jingyang falls, the road to Daqing’s capital will be wide open.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jingyang is already hard to defend; if more enemy troops arrive, it will be harder to handle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xuan stared at the figure at the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forty-five thousand troops loomed at the gates; within Jingyang City, panic spread, war clouds pressed down, and the entire city had raised its combat readiness to the highest level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four hundred fifty thousand troops pressed against the walls, panic gripped Jingyang City, clouds of war loomed over the citadel, and the entire city had raised its combat readiness to the highest level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This unstoppable iron tide had suddenly halted, refusing to launch an assault—this move bewildered the defenders of Jingyang and gave them a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this unstoppable iron cavalry suddenly halted, choosing not to launch an immediate assault—this move left the Jingyang defenders bewildered yet relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All present fell into thought; the tent grew silent, save for the crackling of torches, awaiting Wu Ying’s decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mention of the Lu family army, all knew its twenty-six pavilion generals were valiant and battle-hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Excellent Generals under the Great Qian Empress were even more renowned, each a hero of countless battles, wise and courageous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this campaign, the Empress had chosen five of the Nine Excellent Generals to accompany her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying gave no immediate reply; behind the mask lay a pair of regal phoenix eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Gong Sun Pingxi stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, what the Heavenly King says has merit, but our troops have marched a great distance and are weary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we attack now rashly, we may fall right into the enemy’s trap—let them rest while we prepare. Let us first rest, restore our strength, and strike tomorrow when morale is high.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xuan heard this, yet still said reluctantly: “But what of the Lu family army and imperial reinforcements?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xuan heard this but still said with reluctant frustration, “But what of the Lu family army and the imperial reinforcements?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Qianyuan general from the left stepped out of the line, supporting Gong Sun Pingxi’s view:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Gong Sun speaks wisely. Our army is strong and well-equipped; with forty thousand troops marching west, we have already struck terror into the enemy within the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, do not rush. We need only wait patiently. When enemy morale drops, we shall strike with thunderous force and seize the city in one blow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi nodded: “General Cheng speaks truly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xuan’s expression twisted, his face flushing red, but he forcibly suppressed it. He cast a long, wary glance at the masked Empress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said nothing more, merely turned with a few trusted men and quietly left the tent, pausing at the entrance to say:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope Your Highness will issue the order to attack early tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xuan pulled back the curtain and left the command tent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From start to finish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress had spoken not a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi watched Zhou Xuan’s retreating back, a faint smile appearing on his aged face, revealing blackened teeth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, Zhou Xuan is even more impatient than we anticipated!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying smiled; a voice emerged from behind the mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our four nations have an alliance: the first to enter Chaoling shall be king.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course Zhou Xuan is impatient!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was pleasant, yet none dared ignore it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One reason Wu Ying wore the mask was her gender; the other was her face—too soft, too beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore it to intimidate her generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four-nation alliance referred to: Qianyuan, Han, Chu, and the Northern Kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daqing’s capital is called Chaoling; it changed names several times, finally fixed in the Yongxiang era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be king” meant: whoever entered Chaoling first would claim Daqing’s lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between Qianyuan and Zhou Xuan of Hexi lay a secret pact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Qianyuan entered Chaoling first, the throne of Daqing would be Zhou Xuan’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In return, Qianyuan would help Zhou Xuan reclaim his longed-for northern lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In exchange, Hexi would be ceded to Qianyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed a profitable deal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi, seeing Wu Ying’s gaze fixed deeply on the map, asked: “Your Majesty, what are your plans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying’s eyes slowly traced the three battlefronts on the map, finally settling on Chaoling at the center. She spoke low and steady:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the enemy does not move, neither shall we.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi, hearing this, could not help asking: “Your Majesty, how do you think Lu Chen will respond to our four nations’ three-pronged advance on Chaoling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In such a desperate situation, what tricks can he still play?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qianyuan spies had confirmed: Lu Chen had already seized full control of the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying shook her head!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Empress, in warfare, always advocated two words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calculate. Deceive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before battle, it is “calculate”—understand the enemy’s every move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After battle begins, it is “deceive”—false and real, the art of war is deceit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying looked up at the generals; none dared to be careless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook her head: “I cannot guess Lu Chen’s intentions. In his youth, he fought the Northern Wind with flawless tactics and a masterful grasp of timing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi smiled: “Then let us see how the other three nations act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress had risen from her desk, speaking coolly: “Yuwen Yan, Gong Sun Zhongshu, Tuoba Shuyi—these four are heroes of the age. They understand the delicate balance among our four nations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoever swallows Daqing first will become the target of all, leaving the other three nations sleepless with dread.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Wu Ying had risen from her desk; her shadow stretched long in the candlelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Chen’s Lu family army has endured a hundred battles—its strength is formidable. To defeat them easily is impossible, and it would drain our troops and national strength. The other three nations know this well. Therefore, none dare move first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone wants to be the fisherman—and the yellow bird!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Yan, Gongsun Zhongshu, and Tuoba Shuyi—all four are heroes of their age, and they naturally understand the delicate balance among the four nations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever dares to annex Daqing first will become the target of all, leaving the other three nations unable to sleep or eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Wu Ying had risen from her desk, her shadow stretched long in the candlelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chen’s Lu Family Army has endured a hundred battles; its strength is no small matter. To defeat them easily is impossible, and would drain both troops and national strength. This point is clear to the other three nations as well. Thus, none dare act rashly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone wants to be the fisherman and the yellow bird!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1476,"2026-06-21T01:33:00.595Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","12693e0ca397ae0a2f172e6e89d093334143f74c73237ba15cf6504ab674f5b5","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-227","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-225",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]