Chapter 1700: Change of General

He Lingchuan turned and closed the doors and windows, then activated a barrier. Zhong Shengguang personally poured him a cup of water.

“I’ve just met with several foreign envoys from the three Wutu nations in the south. They are interested in forming an alliance and engaging in trade with us.” He spoke, his joy evident.

He Lingchuan smiled. “How arrogant they were before, and how deferential now!”

These three nations had previously been quite hostile toward Panlong City. Years ago, when Panlong City attempted to form southern alliances, they faced significant resistance. Now, several years later, Panlong City has grown powerful and successfully withstood Beijia’s pressure. The attitudes of these small southern nations have softened, and they have come together to seek business and cooperation with Panlong City.

Indeed, status is always determined by strength.

“If we can secure passage through the Wutu nations, Panlong City will gain an additional foreign trade route. Relying solely on Longchuan is too precarious,” Zhong Shengguang explained. He foresaw that if Longchuan were ever blocked or seized, Panlong City’s access to the outside world would once again be controlled. He stressed the urgency of establishing a second effective path for external communication.

“Several small nations to the south possess excellent ports,” He Lingchuan continued. “While the routes there are more complex and not entirely under Panlong City’s control like the Longchuan trade route, any path, regardless of its difficulty, is still a path. These nations are impoverished and, surprisingly, do not fear Beijia as much. If Panlong City establishes a trade route through their territories, the regions along the way will benefit. Once they experience the advantages, they will be unwilling to abandon the route, even if Beijia attempts to suppress it later.”

This would also give Panlong City greater flexibility.

Zhong Shengguang nodded. “We must act swiftly; we cannot wait for Beijia to intervene and cause trouble.”

Zhong Shengguang was particularly pleased that He Lingchuan, a commanding general, possessed such a broad vision, extending beyond mere warfare. This contrasted with generals like Nanke, who focused solely on military strategy.

This was indeed the rising star he had nurtured within Panlong City!

Afterward, he inquired about the battle situation at the Yuheng City front.

He Lingchuan knew that his sudden recall from the Jintao front to Panlong City likely signaled a different agenda.

True to He Lingchuan’s suspicion, Zhong Shengguang offered no commentary after listening; instead, he shifted the conversation to the fighting on the northwest front.

Panlong City had been engaged in the attack on Xianyue for some time.

After nearly half a month of reorganization and probing, General Hong achieved a decisive breakthrough, crossing the great river that Xianyue regarded as an impassable chasm, and now directly threatened Xianyue’s capital city.

Xianyue desperately resisted, while Beijia actively supplied resources, and some monsters “voluntarily” joined Xianyue’s forces.

Concurrently, two Beijia armies advanced into Baling territory and established their encampment.

This was a tactic to “force their hand,” compelling Baling to confront General Hong.

Beijia had already discerned Baling’s wavering loyalty, its indecision between Beijia and Panlong City, and its reluctance to stubbornly oppose Panlong City as Xianyue had.

The solution was simple: Beijia moved its armies directly into Baling, applying immediate pressure.

With Beijia’s armies now menacingly positioned within Baling’s own borders, could Baling still afford to remain neutral? They would be forced to declare their allegiance immediately.

The ruler of Baling now faced unprecedented pressure.

He Lingchuan also clearly understood that the Panlong army’s progress was falling short of expectations.

Even with General Hong leading the entire campaign, the advance of Panlong City’s front lines was nearly a month slower than anticipated. This delay provided Beijia with an opportunity to compel Baling to choose a side, thereby adding significant variables to the large-scale conflict.

Zhong Shengguang then asked him, “Our assault on Xianyue is proving increasingly difficult. What is your assessment?”

He Lingchuan replied without hesitation, “Because General Hong is preserving his troops.”

Zhong Shengguang was not surprised by his answer. “Is preserving troops incorrect?”

“It’s not a matter of right or wrong. You asked me for the reason, Commander, and this is it.” He Lingchuan himself had meticulously analyzed the situation on the northwest front countless times. “How many years has Panlong City enjoyed prosperity? Initially, the entire city had to live frugally, and you and General Hong were forced to concentrate your limited resources on forging a single elite force: the Da Feng Army.”

“Elite means ‘few but excellent.’ The Da Feng Army has been refined over many years, numbering only a few thousand in total, and General Hong is exceptionally protective of them.” He explained that for any great general, their elite troops are their backbone, their confidence, and their sharpest weapon. “The Panlong City army is also capable, but compared to the Da Feng Army, they are like common iron next to divine weaponry. Therefore, General Hong excels at swift annihilation and guerrilla warfare, capable of riding eight hundred *li* overnight to capture an enemy’s head. However, Xianyue itself is a powerful nation, accustomed to years of conflict with Panlong City, possessing high combat strength and a thorough understanding of Panlong City’s tactics.”

He Lingchuan sighed. “General Hong’s tactics are sound, but the current situation makes direct engagement difficult; that’s an objective reality. You foresaw this long ago, which is why you ordered me to form the Ximo Legion and train the Tigerwing elite, aiming to forge another formidable force in addition to the Da Feng Army.”

He successfully completed this task, and Panlong City’s combat capability has increased by far more than double.

Zhong Shengguang listened intently, then asked, “This stalemate cannot last. Either we withdraw, or Xianyue falls. When do you believe this deadlock can be broken?”

“Baling could renege on its commitment and enter the conflict at any moment, which would be even more disadvantageous for us. Therefore, to swiftly conquer Xianyue, General Hong can no longer afford to preserve his troops.” He Lingchuan exhaled. “The war on the northwest front will become exceptionally brutal and unforgiving!”

With the war having progressed to this point, there is no turning back.

If Panlong City’s assault on Xianyue were to be abandoned midway, the entire situation would drastically shift.

Thus, not only does the disadvantaged Xianyue have no choice, but Panlong City, though currently holding the advantage as the aggressor, also has no retreat.

Furthermore, once General Hong alters his tactics, he must secure victory, or the soldiers will have sacrificed in vain.

Zhong Shengguang raised his cup and drained it with a gulp, then exhaled. “I called you back from the front line for a different assignment.”

“Please elaborate, Commander.” Just as he suspected, his premonition had been accurate.

“The fighting at Yuheng City is gradually stabilizing, and our troops are gaining confidence against Beijia’s forces,” Zhong Shengguang explained. “I want Liao Shuang and Liu Tiao, from your command, to take over.” He noted that both were rising stars in Panlong City over the past three years, even earning specific praise from General Hong. “Future battles will only grow more challenging, and these young officers need to learn to lead independently. With Wen Daolun’s cooperation, Yuheng City will serve as an excellent proving ground.”

Panlong City requires new blood, and the battlefield needs emerging talent.

He Lingchuan pondered for a moment before nodding. “Liao Shuang is astute, and Liu Tiao is meticulous. This combination might be effective in resisting Lu Wushuang. However, if Beijia’s General Qiu Rong arrives, the outcome would be uncertain.”

“He has encountered trouble, so his expedition to Yuheng City must be postponed, or the Demon Emperor will have to replace him,” Zhong Shengguang said, a smile spreading across his face. “The demon clan supporting him has caused significant disruption in Lingxu City.”

“An excellent opportunity,” He Lingchuan said, exhaling in relief. He had long studied Qiu Rong’s fighting style, noting its distinctiveness among the many talented generals in Lingxu City. Qiu Rong’s inability to join the battle was a positive development in the short term.

“Indeed, it is an excellent opportunity, which is why—” Zhong Shengguang looked at him and slowly stated, “I have a different assignment for you.”