Chapter 1983: Lip Service Battle

**Chapter 1964: A War of Words**

For such a major issue concerning the national economy and people's livelihood, shouldn't you issue an announcement and prepare for the transition before taking action?

They sealed it just like that, with no warning whatsoever?

Are you trying to make us starve?

The people of Shanjin are resilient; some city and county government offices were immediately besieged by commoners, who angrily demanded to know why their livelihoods were suddenly cut off.

The second order issued by King Poliu was to conscript a large number of soldiers and prepare for war, "to defend the homeland," aiming to assemble an army of 30,000 within two months.

As Pei State borders Poliu, these reports first reached the ears of the King of Pei.

Situ He's heart felt heavy: "His sudden targeting of Yangshan is a declaration of allegiance to the Heavenly Gods."

Poliu's actions were a clear stance. It had taken a side; it had made its choice.

If it fully sided with the Heavenly Gods, what would the Allied Forces do?

The Allied Forces, led by the Situ family, maintained loose ties among their members. Beyond deploying troops against Bixia and providing mutual support, there were few mandatory obligations. Poliu, for instance, did not need to report to Situ He which Heavenly God it chose to worship.

However, Emperor Jiuyou had already declared to the world that he was irreconcilable with the Heavenly Gods. If the Dragon God Army decided to campaign against Poliu, would the Allied Forces intervene or not?

If they didn't intervene, there was an agreement for mutual support among Allied members;

If they did, it would be a joke—they couldn't stop them anyway!

Situ He knew that, having made up his mind, King Poliu would be very aggressive today.

Was this fellow also harboring ill intentions towards him, the alliance leader? Would he...?

Just then, a voice announced from outside:

"King Poliu has arrived—"

King Poliu strode in, his gaze sweeping over everyone. As usual, he gave a casual bow to Situ He, saying, "Marshal Situ!"

Situ He rose and returned the bow.

"Since everyone is here, let's seize the moment and begin our discussion," Situ He said, sitting down. "King Poliu, since you initiated this meeting, what important information do you have to share with us in person?"

"Before we discuss the intelligence, there's another matter," King Poliu said, taking out a letter. "The Bixia chieftain has once again requested peace talks."

Situ He said indifferently, "They haven't given up yet?"

King Poliu said gravely, "I know Marshal Situ has a deep-seated hatred for them, but since General Chongwu returned to Bixia, we've repeatedly failed to capture their capital, and our army was even forced to retreat eighty li. Continuing to drag this out now is pointless."

Before Situ He could speak, the chieftain of the Kan tribe interjected, "It's been two years, and everyone here knows the hardship. The war has exhausted our people and emptied our treasuries. Now, with sudden changes in the external environment and an imminent crisis, the war against Bixia truly shouldn't continue."

These words truly reflected the sentiments of the chieftains present. While they all held grudges against Bixia, there wasn't room for endless recklessness in the world. As rulers, their top priorities were the economy, the people's livelihood, and governance. If fighting fiercely for several years yielded no results, leading to depleted treasuries, public suffering, and even threatening their own rule, then this animosity could be set aside for a while; waiting ten years wouldn't be too late.

Besides, the most fearsome aggressor on the Shanjin Plain was no longer Bixia, but Emperor Jiuyou!

King Poliu pointed to the Bixia letter: "The letter states that if the Allied Forces immediately withdraw their troops and cease hostilities, Bixia is willing to pay one million silver taels and cede five cities."

The terms had been upgraded; originally, Bixia was only willing to cede three cities and 500,000 silver taels.

That Bixia, having fought seven opponents for so long, could still offer 500,000 meant they had already scraped the bottom of their coffers.

"Bixia's food supplies are depleted, and its people are exhausted," Situ He said gravely. "No matter how skilled General Chongwu is at warfare, he can't conjure food and drink for a large army. The war against Bixia can definitely be concluded before summer!"

"Marshal Situ, you said half a year ago that Bixia wouldn't last until spring," the chieftain of the Wutu tribe remarked, jutting his chin out. "And now, the peach blossoms are about to bloom."

Situ He looked at King Poliu. "General Chongwu has returned, yet Bixia is still requesting peace, and so urgently—doesn't that prove it can't hold out either? Isn't war simply about who can last the longest?"

"Could Bixia be wary of Emperor Jiuyou, wishing to end the war early to preserve some resources for the impending crisis?" King Poliu asked with a thin smile. "Someone like Marshal Situ, who completely disregards Emperor Jiuyou's threat, is truly rare in Shanjin."

In fact, whether the war against Bixia should continue had already been debated five or six times in previous regular meetings.

Situ He, however, had a way to change the subject. "I heard that Poliu is undertaking large-scale construction, building Temples of the Hundred Battles Heavenly God everywhere. Is this the main deity assigned to you by the Spirit Void Deities?"

King Poliu did not shy away. "That's right, Poliu has received the favor of the Hundred Battles Heavenly God and will welcome the first true deity into the Allied territory!"

His face was full of pride, knowing that everyone present must envy Poliu.

The Shanjin Plain was filled with various minor divine powers, but the lofty Spirit Void Deities had previously only favored Yao State, never even giving the Allied Forces a glance. The Situ family's efforts, no matter how long, had been in vain, yet the favor of the Hundred Battles Heavenly God was given to Poliu.

Moreover, that was the Hundred Battles Heavenly God, one of the true deities of the Spirit Void Deities. What a great honor!

Immediately, two major cities in Poliu were decorated with lanterns and filled with joy.

"The favor of a Heavenly God does not come without reason," Situ He said quietly. "What price did you have to pay, what conditions did you have to agree to, to gain the Hundred Battles Heavenly God's favor?"

King Poliu snorted, "When Heavenly Lord Miaozhan bestowed favor upon Yao State before, no conditions were set either."

"You've got that backward," the King of Yan State spoke up. "Yao State originally worshipped Heavenly Lord Shali. Heavenly Lord Miaozhan wanted to win them over, so it was Heavenly Lord Miaozhan who had to offer benefits to Yao State! Furthermore, Emperor Jiuyou openly campaigned against the Heavenly Gods' forces in Shanjin. You didn't invite him early or late, but precisely now you invite the Hundred Battles Heavenly God—isn't that specifically setting up a target for Emperor Jiuyou?"

The King of Pei sighed, "When that happens, we'll be dragged into it too."

King Poliu's eyebrows nearly bristled. "Hmph, haha! Do you really think the Heavenly Gods can't handle that arrogant fool, Emperor Jiuyou?"

Just as the King of Pei was about to retort, Situ He quickly raised a hand. "Stop, stop!"

This was an old and frequently debated topic at Allied Forces meetings; it was argued every time it was brought up. Once the argument started, it wouldn't end, and the meeting would be in vain.

"Let's get to the main business quickly. King Poliu, where is your important intelligence?"

King Poliu took a letter from his sleeve and slapped it onto the table with a thud:

"Here it is!"

Situ He reached out to take it, but King Poliu stopped him. "Wait, let others see it first."

The King of Baoxin, who was closest to the letter, casually picked it up.

Upon seeing it, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter, and he occasionally looked up at Situ He, making the latter's heart pound.

Situ He couldn't see the contents of the letter, but the brown envelope with a black border and the light blue paper were very familiar.

Very similar to the stationery used in Situ's mansion!