Chapter 680: The Coalition Arrives

Dongping City.

While Watanabe was lobbying, the Southern Liang and Northern Di armies arrived at Bozhou.

After a six-day trek, the massive army entered Qizhou.

After another three days of marching, they arrived outside Lu City and set up camp.

"Hahaha... Brother Xiao." As soon as the Southern Liang army arrived, Han Zheng came out from Lu City to greet them and patted Xiao Cheng heavily on the shoulder.

During this time, the Xie Family's two hundred thousand troops had already arrived.

Now that the Southern Liang and Northern Di troops had arrived, he finally felt at ease.

Ever since he chose to abandon the unimportant cities, the Yan Prince Army had been unstoppable, and all eight commanderies outside the four commanderies in the Southwest of Qizhou had fallen into the hands of the Yan Prince.

Every time he heard that a city had fallen, he would suffer from insomnia all night, filled with worry and fear.

Besides this, what he worried about most was that the Southern Liang and Northern Di armies would break their contract.

If that were to happen, his Qi would truly be finished.

That was why he was so excited by the arrival of Xiao Cheng's army.

Xiao Cheng recognized Han Zheng, who was wearing a Dragon Robe, at a glance.

Grabbing Han Zheng's hand, he looked awkward, "Should I address you as Brother Han or as Your Majesty?"

Han Zheng smiled helplessly, "There is no need for such formalities between us; calling me Brother Han is fine, or if you wish to elevate me, calling me Your Majesty is also fine."

Xiao Cheng was only joking with Han Zheng, but in the end, he still respectfully called out, "Your Majesty."

After all, this Anti-Yan Coalition had been orchestrated by Han Zheng.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, then Xiao Cheng pointed to the Northern Di general beside him and said, "This is King Gurtu."

Han Zheng looked toward Gurtu, the joy on his face deepening, and he hurriedly said, "It is my honor that King Gurtu could come. The banquet in the palace is already prepared, and I will personally host the welcome feast for you all."

Gurtu laughed loudly, "I want good meat and Wine, and there must be no shortage of beautiful women."

Han Zheng smiled, "That is only natural. King Gurtu has traveled thousands of miles to Lu City to assist us in attacking the Yan Prince, so this small request will naturally be satisfied."

Gurtu revealed a satisfied smile, "With a million-strong army gathered this time, plus my one hundred thousand Northern Di Iron Cavalry, the Yan Prince will not be able to escape his fate. When the time comes, you all must not fight me for the Yan Prince's head."

"Hahaha..." Everyone laughed upon hearing this.

Because the soldiers were all camping outside Lu City, white tents stretched from Lu City into the distance.

Seeing such a powerful military force, they could not help but feel full of confidence.

Entering Lu City, Han Zheng led everyone to the Imperial Garden of the Imperial Palace.

At this time, Wang Zi'an and Xie Duan had been waiting for a long time with their respective family members. Seeing Xiao Cheng and Gurtu approach, the two rose simultaneously to welcome them.

After a round of greetings, they had Xiao Cheng and Gurtu take their seats.

Han Zheng ordered palace maids to serve Wine and food, and also ordered music and dancing.

After three rounds of drinks, everyone's faces were flushed from the alcohol, and the atmosphere grew intense. Han Zheng raised his cup to toast everyone,

and said, "That you all could arrive as promised brings great joy to my heart. With your assistance, defeating the Yan Prince this time will be as easy as turning over one's hand."

Xie Duan, drunk, said, "Since that is the case, why don't we discuss now how to eliminate the one hundred and twenty thousand Yan Prince Army troops that have crossed the Jin River."

Han Zheng was anxious; he was also very urgent. After all, if Qi could not be preserved, the Xie Family's territory could not be preserved either; this was a matter of the lips and teeth being cold.

While drinking just now, Xiao Cheng had learned about the current situation on the Qizhou battlefield from the generals.

After pondering for a while, he said, "We have come from afar and should not be in a long-term standoff with the Yan Prince. We must fight a quick battle to force a quick decision. I believe we should take the initiative to attack and eliminate these one hundred and twenty thousand Yan Prince troops."

Han Zheng frowned and said, "The Yan Prince's muskets and Artillery have a very long range. If we take the initiative to attack and they defend from within the cities, I fear it will be very troublesome."

Gurtu nodded, "Your Majesty's words make sense. We Northern Di suffered a great loss precisely because we blindly attacked cities; we must not suffer that loss again. We should find a way to lure the Yan Prince's army out of the city and fight a decisive battle with them."

He paused and added, "Qizhou is as flat as a plain, which is perfect for my Northern Di Cavalry to slaughter the enemy."

Wang Zi'an then said, "The generals under the Yan Prince are all as cunning as monkeys. Seeing a million-strong army arrive, they will certainly shrink back into the cities and will not take the initiative to fight us."

Xiao Cheng sneered, "Brother Wang, you have a way with administrative affairs, but you are far behind when it comes to fighting. If they don't come out, we will force them to come out."

Wang Xie, who was beside Wang Zi'an, nodded slightly. He had thought of something, but he did not speak, merely waiting for Xiao Cheng's follow-up.

Xiao Cheng continued, "Why did the Yan Prince take the initiative to move south? Firstly, it is because he is arrogant and conceited, believing he can defeat our Anti-Yan Coalition. Secondly, it is because he does not want the war to take place on the land of Yanzhou. This Yanzhou is the Yan Prince's Achilles' heel."

"Therefore, if they shrink back into the cities, we will build ships by the Jin River and feign an attack on Yanzhou. When that time comes, the Yan Prince's troops will either have to retreat to Yanzhou to stand off against us across the Jin River, or they will have to come out of the cities to fight a decisive battle with us."

Han Zheng's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh, "Exactly right, Brother Xiao is absolutely correct. The Yan Prince has just swallowed my eight commanderies of Qizhou. It is said he is distributing land and training Village Soldiers; they certainly will not be willing to abandon these eight commanderies and return to Yanzhou. Then, the only path left is to fight a decisive battle with us."

Wang Xie flatteringly said, "Xiao is truly a famous general of this age."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cheng revealed a smug smile.

He continued, "If the Yan Prince's troops choose to fight a decisive battle with us, the remaining war will be simple. At that time, I only hope that you all will not begrudge the lives of your soldiers and will work together to fight to the death against the Yan Prince's troops."

Han Zheng said, "Well said. This battle concerns the survival of our clans; we must cast aside past grievances and unite as one. Otherwise, once defeated, we will be picked off one by one by the Yan Prince and will have no hope of recovery."

Everyone felt this was true and nodded.

Then Han Zheng said, "The troops from Wu and Nanping will take some time to arrive. Everyone, please wait patiently for ten days or half a month. At the same time, let the generals of each family get to know each other so that they can coordinate tacitly during the decisive battle."

Xiao Cheng nodded slightly; naturally, there could be no fighting in these few days.

For one, the long journey required rest, and secondly, it was as Han Zheng had said.

Although he said he wanted a quick battle to force a quick decision, in his view, it was likely unavoidable that this war would last for two or three months.

But it must not drag on for years, otherwise the consumption of grain and fodder would be too great, which would be a heavy burden for every country.