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"Although lies sound comfortable to hear, they are ultimately not sincere. It still feels somewhat unrealistic. Let's just speak the truth."
"If I speak the truth, I fear Your Majesty will punish me."
"It's fine, there are only the two of us here. I won't punish you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Du Jin immediately knelt before Guo Xiaotian and bowed his head. After this, even if Guo Xiaotian wanted to kill him, he would have to think twice.
After getting up, Du Jin frowned and said, "Your Majesty, if I am not mistaken, the reason you led an attack against the Eastern Dragon Empire is not because their emperor disrespected Lord Guardian, right?" After saying this, Du Jin glanced at Guo Xiaotian to gauge his reaction.
At this moment, Guo Xiaotian appeared very calm and nodded, saying, "I knew this matter could not escape your eyes; this is also why I admire you. Please continue."
"Moreover, I can sense that Your Majesty's purpose this time is to obtain an item from that boy riding the black Mount today. This item is important for both of you." Seeing that Guo Xiaotian did not react, Du Jin continued:
"Your Majesty, although you are the foremost person in our Great Six, in terms of leading troops, boosting morale, or recognizing talent, it seems you are somewhat inferior to that boy named Liu Guanfeng."
"What do you mean by that?" Upon hearing that he was inferior to Liu Guanfeng, Guo Xiaotian frowned but did not show anger, indicating his appreciation for Du Jin.
"Your Majesty, let's first discuss from the perspective of leading troops. Liu Guanfeng must have just arrived at Dragon Glory City and immediately launched a surprise attack on our Three Kingdoms Alliance. Then today he defeated us again. Secondly, regarding morale, Liu Guanfeng knows how to inspire it. As I mentioned before in those two battles, Liu Guanfeng used the most direct methods to elevate the morale of all soldiers in Dragon Glory City to its peak. Finally, regarding recognizing talent, if you had not sent Lord Guo Huai here, I believe our Alliance would not have fallen so quickly."
"Hmm? Why do you say that? Did Guo Huai do something wrong?"
"On his first day here, Guo Huai divided people into close and distant relationships. As a mediator, his mission has already failed. He initially tried hard to get close to the Southern Tiger Empire rather than my West Lion Empire." He then detailed some matters about Guo Huai to Guo Xiaotian, including how Guo Huai and Willy accepted bribes, showcasing Du Jin's capabilities.
After listening to Du Jin's words, Guo Xiaotian regretted his decision to send Guo Huai. However, since Guo Huai was very skilled at handling people, he was reluctant to punish him. Du Jin understood this well and continued: "Your Majesty need not blame Lord Guo Huai because the main reason for our failure this time is Liu Guanfeng. From what I've gathered, during the first siege by the Northern Bear Empire, it was the Eastern Dragon Empire's army defending the city. Just as the Northern Bear was about to capture Dragon Glory City, a new group of soldiers appeared—those currently defending the city—mainly from the Five Star Nation and Starfall Kingdom. Almost all of these soldiers were trained by Liu Guanfeng himself and possess formidable combat strength. All their armor and weapons were purchased from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce."
"The Chinese Chamber of Commerce?"
"Your Majesty knows about the Chinese Chamber of Commerce?"
"The gold card Liu Guanfeng used at the Rui Tian Auction last time came from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce."
"From this point of view, Liu Guanfeng has a very close relationship with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce."
"You may continue."
"Moreover, the people from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Blacksmith Guild Headquarters have a very good relationship. After Your Majesty ordered an attack on the Eastern Dragon Empire, all the blacksmiths went on strike, which has also caused our Alliance's weapons and armor to be unable to be repaired in time. From these two aspects, our soldiers' combat effectiveness has been limited, and our situation is not optimistic."
"Then do you still suggest we send troops to confront them directly?"
"The only way we still have a chance is by doing so. If we really force an attack on the city, I believe we won't have any opportunity at all."
"I see."
"Your Majesty, please prepare for the worst."
"I should prepare for the worst? What kind of plan?"
"The worst-case scenario is that Your Majesty must personally go to the battlefield, and it would be best if you could slay Liu Guanfeng. I believe that only if you kill him do we still have a chance."
Guo Xiaotian closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, saying, "It has really been a long time since I've fought; I wonder if I've rusted. Du Jin, if this time the Three Kingdoms Alliance can flatten the Eastern Dragon Empire, then you will be my first Grand Marshal. I will not go back on this promise."
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
"You should also go and prepare, and see if tomorrow's attack goes smoothly."
"Your Majesty, you should rest early as well." After Du Jin finished speaking, he turned and left the Tent.
As Du Jin exited the Tent, both he and Guo Xiaotian were in a bad mood. Du Jin confirmed his thoughts; this expedition was an unnamed army, and for personal interests to cause such losses among the three empires made him feel like he was complicit in wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Guo Xiaotian sat in his position muttering, "This time I might truly be wrong, but now I am already committed. I hope you can help me win this battle; if we really win, I will make you the next king."
The next morning after breakfast, all the Grand Marshals gathered before Guo Xiaotian: "Yesterday, Grand Marshal Du Jin has already arranged the tactics. I won't waste more words today; I only hope that all of you commanders can fight bravely and conquer the Eastern Dragon Empire in one fell swoop. If soldiers from that country are the first to charge into Dragon Glory City, then I will personally teach that country's Grand Marshal martial arts for three years."
Upon hearing Guo Xiaotian's words, several Grand Marshals and Vice Marshals gasped in surprise. Three years under Guo Xiaotian would at least elevate anyone who wasn't completely incompetent by one level. This was a dream for everyone below Divine Knight rank; even powerful Divine Knights would not easily give up this opportunity.
"Today's overall commander is Grand Marshal Du Jin; I will only observe from the side. Anyone who disobeys orders will be killed without mercy. You all go prepare."
The military camp became lively as the assembly horn was sounded repeatedly. This time, Du Jin brought all the Siege Engineers with him and placed them at the back of the formation. His intention was very clear: the main army would launch an ambush while the Siege Engineers took advantage of the chaos to rush to the city and set up ladders for the siege.
Guo Xiaotian stood in front of Dragon Glory City with three Grand Marshals and Vice Marshals. Today, he did not sit in a carriage but rode a Sixth Tier Fire Wolf, which was his first mount. His second mount was originally an Eighth Rank beast, but after becoming the king of Guardian Nation, Xuan Yuan Guang specially released him from that mount and gifted him Long Xiang, the only son of Dragon King Nightshade, as his new mount. This established Guo Xiaotian's reputation as the foremost knight in the realm.
However, Long Xiang, being the only son of the current Dragon King, could not be casually ridden. Therefore, Guo Xiaotian usually did not ride him unless he needed to travel far where the Fire Wolf could not suffice. At this moment, Guo Xiaotian rode his Fire Wolf and stood in the middle of the formation, gazing at the elite soldiers atop Dragon Glory City from a distance.
“Du Jin.”
“Your Majesty.”
“I have assigned my thirty thousand Royal Guards under your command. Do you have confidence in capturing Dragon Glory City?”
Du Jin looked at Guo Xiaotian's thirty thousand Royal Guards and replied, “I cannot guarantee this, Your Majesty, unless your Royal Guards can decisively defeat the elite troops of Eastern Dragon Empire.”
At this moment, three Royal Guard captains behind Guo Xiaotian sneered simultaneously. One of them said, “Du Jin Grand Marshal, are you afraid of them? Our Royal Guards are not like those so-called elite troops in your empire. The equipment for our soldiers is directly ordered from the Blacksmith Guild and must be forged by blacksmiths of at least steward rank. Moreover, all our soldiers ride mounts that are Fourth Rank or above, just like theirs. Why do you think we cannot compete with them?”
Du Jin remained silent and simply stared at the captain who spoke. When they arrived yesterday, Liu Guanfeng had brought out elite troops, but they were not the most elite. Furthermore, they retreated after being struck by Hank Niu yesterday, so these few were unaware of how formidable Eastern Dragon's true elite forces were.
However, Du Jin was very clear that during their last ambush by Eastern Dragon Empire, their soldiers' reactions were such that neither swords nor axes could break through the enemy's armor. Conversely, the enemy's Steel Blades easily sliced through their armor; even their axes would chip when clashing with the enemy's battle blades. They managed to kill dozens only because they outnumbered them; it was only by landing blows on unarmored areas that they could inflict injuries.
In the end, they resorted to having soldiers pounce on their opponents to knock them off their mounts before launching indiscriminate attacks. Even then, to kill one person would often require several of their own to be cut down first. Thinking back on it now still left Du Jin feeling uneasy.
Seeing that Du Jin did not respond, the captain assumed he had nothing more to say and snorted dismissively before ignoring him. However, none of this could disturb Du Jin's state of mind.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Junhong and Liu Guanfeng had already ascended to the city gate tower. Observing across at the Alliance, Shangguan Junhong asked Liu Guanfeng, “Elder Brother, how should we attack today? I estimate that Hank Niu's tactic from yesterday cannot be used again.”
“I am well aware of that; however, you need to assess the situation on their side first.”
“Their side? It doesn't seem much different from yesterday.”
“Take a closer look,” Liu Guanfeng seized every opportunity to teach his younger brother.
After examining closely again, Shangguan Junhong seemed to realize something: “Elder Brother, today Guo Xiaotian is different; he is riding a mount instead of sitting in a carriage. The position of those soldiers who protected him yesterday seems to have advanced quite a bit.”
"You finally revealed some issues."
"But what does that explain?"
"The fact that they dared to come forward today indicates that they are likely the first to charge because they are elite. They want to use these elites to crush our troops and then ambush from behind. Look at the back; although many people were deployed yesterday, there were no Siege Engineers. Today, all the Siege Engineers are fully equipped. It seems their objective today is clear: they want to use a human wave tactic to overwhelm our vanguard and then take advantage of the chaos to storm Dragon Glory City."
"Brother, should we not go out today? If they come, we can just defend."
"That's not my style; I don't like being passively beaten."
"What should we do then?"
"You need to have some confidence in me. Don't worry; just be ready to have the soldiers on the city use Repeat Crossbows and the Giant Crossbow for our cover."
"I understand. Brother, please be careful."
This time, after Liu Guanfeng arrived at the base of the city tower, he selected only elite troops: two Ten Thousand People from the Golden Hammer Squad of Copper Bull, one Ten Thousand People from the Giant Hammer Corps of Iron Bull, and two Ten Thousand People from the Short Bow Squad (Crossbow Unit) of Bao Rui. At the same time, Liu Guanfeng instructed Chonghong's air force that once the enemy launched a full charge, they should immediately take to the skies and use stones and arrows to suppress enemy fire.
After selecting his soldiers, Liu Guanfeng rode Little Black and was the first to charge out of Dragon Glory City, quickly standing before the Three Kingdoms Alliance, followed closely by the fifty thousand elite soldiers he had chosen. Although there were only fifty thousand, all of them were veterans who had come from Diaoyu Island. In terms of equipment and mounts, as well as stamina and strength, they were the strongest in the entire Eastern Dragon Empire.
Du Jinming clearly did not want to engage in a one-on-one fight with the Eastern Dragon Empire, so thirty thousand of his personal guards as vanguards also arrived at the front lines of both armies. The enemy deployed thirty thousand, and Liu Guanfeng's side was also set to charge with thirty thousand. This time it was truly a battle of elite against elite.
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