To achieve immortality, I cultivate using Qi Luck - Chapter 624
Chapter 624: Chapter 287: Arranging Xichuan_3
Having suffered twice before, Senior’s body has been severely damaged at its foundation, not only losing more than half of his innate zhenqi, but also greatly affecting his lifespan, aging him by more than a dozen years.
With Senior’s current physical condition, if he were to forcefully fight against a Grandmaster of the same level, he might lose his life on the spot.
Senior probably can’t be of much help in the situation in Xichuan.”
Of course, Hui An knew why Lu Yuan was asking about Jihui’s physical condition.
It was nothing more than wanting Jihui’s Senior to take action in the upcoming battles to hold off the Inborn Grandmaster of the Nanzhao Army.
But the problem, as he said, was this.
Jihui is not unable to take action, but once he does, his life would be on the line.
Under such circumstances, as the White Phoenix Temple’s only bargaining chip and the only pillar of their future, how could they possibly let Jihui risk his life?
So even though he knew that saying this would affect the White Phoenix Temple’s position and interests in the future, Hui An still declined Lu Yuan’s request for Jihui’s life.
“Is it really so?”
Upon hearing Hui An’s words, Lu Yuan couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed.
However, he had already anticipated the condition of Jihui’s battle, so he quickly calmed himself and began to think about countermeasures.
Since they could no longer rely on Jihui, the Inborn Grandmaster.
Then in the upcoming situation in Xichuan, without Jihui to hold off the Nanzhao Army, and with the Han State being held back by Zhou Country, there would be no one left to stop the Inborn Grandmaster in the Nanzhao Army, who would be completely unleashed.
The destructive power of an unimpeded Inborn Grandmaster is unimaginable.
No one knows where the Nanzhao Army, which had swallowed up the Xichuan States, would target next after losing its balance?
Whether they go north and join Zhou Country in attacking the weaker Han States, or east to attack the Chu State’s Xichuan Prefecture, which has no Inborn master guarding it.
Either of these situations would be terrible for Lu Yuan.
Without the Han States, Chu would lose its barrier, and the border pressure between Chu and Zhou on the west would worsen instantly.
If Xichuan Prefecture were to be attacked.
Facing an Inborn Grandmaster leading an army of 100,000, even with Lu Yuan stationed with an army of equal size in Xichuan State, there would be little confidence in stopping the enemy.
Worse still, Nanzhao State borders Xichuan Prefecture, where endless reinforcements can be deployed to the front lines.
Either of these scenarios would be unimaginable disasters for the Chu Kingdom.
‘So the Nanzhao Prince on that side of Xichuan Prefecture must be held back by someone, and not allowed to break free. It would be best to eliminate him completely.’-
As Lu Yuan thought about this, a trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes but quickly disappeared, and he looked up at Hui An and said in a deep voice, “Since Master Jihui is unable to take action, let it be for now.
However, Nanchong Prefecture is strategically located in Xichuan, connecting north, south, east, and west, and it is an important fortress that cannot be lost.
Later, I will issue an order for the stationed army in Xichuan Prefecture to deploy 20,000 Forbidden Troops to help defend Nanchong Prefecture.
With these 20,000 elite soldiers, plus the old forces of Xichuan State, even if the Nanzhao army attacks with full force, they should be able to hold out for several months.
With the assistance of a large army, even if Master Jihui is physically incapacitated, it should be no problem to hold back and constrain the Nanzhao’s Big Emperor Son, right?
My only request is that Master Jihui holds out in Nanchong Prefecture until at least April.
By April, I will have someone else to replace Master Jihui and deal with the Nanzhao Army in Xichuan.”
Now it is the dead of winter, not only have the southern states of Su, Song, and Dali stopped their military operations and started licking their wounds, but also the northern states of Nanzhao, Xichuan, and others have ceased their wars.
It is precisely because of this that Xichuan State has enough resources to send Hui An and other envoys to Chu State to discuss their surrender.
On the Nanzhao Army’s side, last year, they had mobilized 200,000 troops from their territories and also 150,000 from the vassal state of Jianchuan.
The total force of 350,000 nearly emptied the entire adult male population of Nanzhao, and the whole year’s resources were spent on the war, leaving their domestic production at a standstill.
For a country with a population of just over 2 million, maintaining the consumption of 350,000 troops would almost deplete their reserves for two or three years.
So as early as September last year, the 100,000 soldiers intended to deceive the world had been disbanded in Nanzhao.
Similarly, after numerous battles, Jianchuan’s remaining 100,000 troops were also disbanded after assisting the Nanzhao Army in breaking through Panshi Prefecture in the territory of Xichuan State.
These 200,000 militia-like troops disbanded, and Nanzhao must ensure they participate in the spring farming early next year, before they can continue to deploy troops.
By then, it will already be March or April.
By the time they have assembled their troops and marched north to Xichuan, it will already be May or June.
So before these troops arrive, there will only be the surprise army led by the Nanzhao’s Big Emperor Son left in Xichuan.
After constant attrition, this army now only has about 60,000 soldiers left.
And these 60,000 soldiers are facing a lack of food and supplies.
They can only maintain themselves by oppressing and looting the countless civilians in Xichuan, taking their food by force.
But this method cannot last.
The people of Xichuan have always been poor, and there isn’t much food and fodder to be looted
So before the reinforcements and supplies arrive from Nanzhao, Xichuan doesn’t have to worry about any major battles happening on its territory.
With the support of 20,000 troops from Lu Yuan, Jihui would have no problem holding out in Nanchong Prefecture for a few months.
And after April…
‘By that time, my Yellow Turban Strongman should be ready, and I can leave them behind and take action without worry.’
Lu Yuan’s eyes were deep, and his heart was set.
