Chapter 1286: Weak Ones Are Meant to Be Eaten

"You react quickly," Zhong Shengguang praised him, but his pointer slowly moved from Baling's territory to the west. "—It's here!"

He Lingchuan looked and was a little surprised, "Xianyou?"

Although General Hong had already seized half of Xianyou's territory, the remaining half was the toughest nut to crack, particularly with Baling Kingdom obstructing them.

With Baling's northeast passage blocked, why did Zhong Shengguang want to attack Xianyou instead?

"The Tongren passage is blocked by volcanoes, so Beijia cannot reinforce Baling anytime soon. This would be advantageous for us to attack Baling," Zhong Shengguang said with a smile. "Baling is well aware of this; their peace overtures reached me last night."

Baling was seeking peace? "Lord Zhong, are you planning to accept their offer?"

"Why not?"

"I suspect it's a delaying tactic. Baling might turn hostile again once Beijia's reinforcements arrive."

"It's certainly possible," Zhong Shengguang conceded, pacing a few steps. "However, for the past year and a half, Baling has consistently shown goodwill towards Panlong City. Five months ago, we opened a border market with Baling, and three months ago, both sides reduced import and export tariffs."

He Lingchuan suddenly understood. "No wonder Baling's specialty products have become more common in the city and markets recently."

He had been preoccupied with leading troops in Ximo Ridge, and the recent changes in Panlong City were so significant that he hadn't been aware of these trade details. Otherwise, he would have easily deduced that relations between Panlong City and Baling Kingdom were improving.

Fighting and easing relations simultaneously.

This was interesting.

Frequent aid from Emperor's Dew and Spirit Mountain had significantly strengthened Panlong City, enabling rapid outward expansion. Xianyou was a prime example, having been thoroughly defeated.

Now, prompted by Zhong Shengguang, He Lingchuan recalled that Panlong City had indeed initiated fewer actions against Baling. After capturing only a few cities, they had ceased their offensive, and remarkably, bilateral relations had warmed, even leading to trade.

However, amidst the ongoing war, this trade was not particularly conspicuous.

So, Baling and Panlong City had secretly been in communication for some time?

"Why was Baling arrogant before and so deferential now?"

Ten years ago, Baling was at the forefront of invading the Panlong Wilderness, seizing cities with even greater greed than Xianyou. It was only three or four years ago that Panlong City managed to reclaim these territories one by one.

Zhong Shengguang, hands clasped behind his back, said, "The reason is simple: previously, they were strong and we were weak. Now, our roles have reversed."

He Lingchuan understood.

Before Zhong Shengguang's ritual to the gods, Panlong City lacked land, people, and money. Baling Kingdom, seeing an easy target, had relentlessly exploited it.

Now that Panlong City possessed a formidable army, its iron hooves having trampled across the wasteland, Baling Kingdom spoke softly and sought to restore friendly neighborly ties.

Zhong Shengguang couldn't help but sigh, "When you are strong, people around you greet you with smiles. Nations are no different."

He Lingchuan added, "Beijia's protection for Baling is also no longer as comprehensive."

"The Baling king is a clever man; his approach is far more flexible than Xianyou's," Zhong Shengguang said, shaking his head. "Xianyou, even after we've seized half its territory, still barks incessantly at us."

One was obsequious, the other openly hostile. Who would Zhong Shengguang choose to punish? The answer was clear.

"The Baling king wrote to me, reaffirming his desire for neighborly friendship. He stated that both his western and southwestern borders are preparing for the spring harvest and, for the sake of his people's livelihood, respectfully requested a ceasefire," Zhong Shengguang explained. "What do you make of that?"

"A ceasefire declared in the west and southwest?" He Lingchuan looked at the sand table, pondered for a few moments, and then found the idea absurd. "Could Baling be hinting that it will stand by and do nothing?"

Xianyou was directly to Baling's west, yet Baling was now claiming its western front needed to focus on the spring harvest and would not engage in combat.

The implication was clear: it wanted no conflict for the next few months.

"Could this be a trap?" He Lingchuan reasonably questioned. "Even if not, if we attack Xianyou, can Baling withstand Beijia's pressure and refrain from sending reinforcements?"

Zhong Shengguang asked him, "Setting aside Beijia's pressure, between Baling and Xianyou, which nation would you prefer to attack first?"

"Xianyou, of course," He Lingchuan replied without hesitation. "In terms of territory, population, logistics, and military strength, Xianyou is weaker than Baling."

"In lean times, the weak are consumed. That's an old saying from the Panlong Wilderness," Zhong Shengguang said, tapping the sand table. "Admiring the strong and oppressing the weak is also an old Baling tradition. If Panlong City is determined to deploy troops, Baling, hoping not to be the target, will very likely sacrifice Xianyou."

Baling knew full well that even combined, they and Xianyou couldn't defeat Panlong City, and Beijia couldn't be relied upon for immediate aid. Therefore, the best way to preserve themselves was to sacrifice an ally.

After conquering Xianyou, Panlong City would also need a considerable amount of time to consolidate its gains.

He Lingchuan recalled actual history: Xianyou had long since fallen, while Baling had endured until his own time.

There was a reason for this.

"However, military situations are fluid. If our offensive isn't decisive enough, or if we encounter problems midway, Baling Kingdom might also seize the opportunity to turn on us and deploy troops," He Lingchuan warned Zhong Shengguang. "As you mentioned, the Baling king is shrewd; if he believes there's an opening, he might not remain a passive observer."

"Exactly. Therefore, our attack on Xianyou must be absolutely crushing," Zhong Shengguang said, moving his pointer across the sand table. "We must capture Xianyou's capital with lightning speed, just as we did when we took Xiji Kingdom years ago."

Speed was the essence of the plan.

Throughout all military tactics, speed is paramount.

He Lingchuan straightened his back and said solemnly, "Please give the order, Commander."

Indeed, the smoke of war was about to rise!

In this wasteland, peace was always fleeting.

To swiftly attack Xianyou, Zhong Shengguang would first need to make extremely confidential and thorough preparations. He Lingchuan took a deep breath.

Finally, he would be able to lead a large army into the main theater of war!

Zhong Shengguang saw through his thoughts and waved a hand. "Don't be so eager; your battlefield won't be in Xianyou."

"Huh?" He Lingchuan was dumbfounded.

If not in Xianyou, then where?

Seeing He Lingchuan's emotions so clearly written on his face for once, Zhong Shengguang couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't worry, your Ximo troops have a crucial role to play elsewhere!"

He Lingchuan composed himself. "Please tell me."

"I also have other intelligence concerning Xiluo."

Xiluo, the mother country of Panlong City.

As he spoke, Zhong Shengguang's smile slowly faded.

"Years ago, after Xiluo first broke its trust with Panlong City, I took two actions: I sent people to infiltrate Xiluo, and I re-established contact with old friends within the Xiluo court."

Xiluo had once commanded Panlong City to send elite troops back to aid in their wars, promising that Panlong City residents would be allowed to return home. Zhong Shengguang complied, but Xiluo reneged on its word. After that betrayal, Zhong Shengguang deeply reflected and resolved never to trust so easily again.

He intended to maintain first-hand knowledge of the nation's internal affairs.

"You and I both know our motherland is weak, but Xiluo today is even worse off than it was under the old king!" Zhong Shengguang always spoke of these matters with frustration at the nation's stagnation. "After Xiluo pledged allegiance to Beijia, Beijia not only stationed troops there but also appointed a regent."