Chapter 41: Xu Ning Is Here, Who Dares to Fight Me?
On one hand, Xia Yun knew that if he really went to Mingdu City, he wouldn't survive. The new emperor would have him killed the moment he arrived.
On the other hand, if he amassed a powerful army in Lingnan, he would face attacks from both the Da Xuan and Cangming Empires simultaneously. He would be crushed between two giants.
During this time, he had been making excuses to appease the new emperor while trying various solutions, buying time. None had worked.
However, even with Xu Ning's arrival, he couldn't come up with a concrete plan. His mind was clouded with worry.
The main reason was that he couldn't let go of Lingnan. It was his power base, his home. Abandoning it felt like abandoning everything he had worked for.
It could be said that Xia Yun was facing his most difficult moment. The pressure was immense.
Xu Ning's arrival at this time was like sending charcoal in snowy weather—a lifeline. How could Xia Yun dare to blame him for sleeping in?
Xia Li also understood the key point and ultimately didn't say much. She nodded, resigned. "Let's see what he says tomorrow. Hopefully, he has a real plan."
Xia Yun forced a smile. "We'll talk about it tomorrow. I'm sure he knows what he's doing."
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day.
Xu Ning, however, didn't get up until Xia Yun sent someone to urge him for the third time. Only then did Xu Ning finally arrive at the meeting hall, looking refreshed and unhurried.
As soon as they sat down, Xia Li couldn't help but speak sarcastically, her tone sharp. "Sir, you must still be feeling unwell after your long journey. Why don't you rest for another day? We wouldn't want to overwork you."
Xu Ning was about to nod and agree when Xia Yun, standing beside him, couldn't hold back any longer. He glared at Xia Li, his voice stern. "Little sister, don't be rude! Show some respect to our guest."
Xia Li was quite indignant at being spoken to like this in front of Xu Ning, but she dared not disobey her brother's order. She fell silent, though her displeasure was clear on her face.
Then, Xia Yun looked at Xu Ning, his expression earnest and slightly desperate. "Mr. Xu, you must be aware of my current predicament by now. Do you have any solutions? I'm at my wit's end."
Xu Ning didn't answer Xia Yun's question directly. Instead, he suddenly asked in return, "Your Highness, what is your ultimate goal in all of this?"
Xia Yun was taken aback. He hesitated before speaking, unsure how to answer.
Xu Ning asked again, pressing the point. "Is it about saving your life and surviving this crisis? Or is it about claiming the throne itself? They are two very different paths."
Xia Yun didn't answer immediately. After a long pause, he asked, "What's the difference? Either way, I need to survive this."
Xu Ning explained, "If it's just about saving your life, it's not difficult. I can arrange for your escape to somewhere safe, beyond the reach of Da Xuan and Cangming. But if it's about the throne, it requires a long and gradual process of building power. Years, possibly decades."
Xia Yun pondered for a moment, his eyes flashing with ambition. Finally, Xia Yun gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, I won't be coy anymore. I want the throne. If you can really help me achieve that, I guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and power, and I will work to bring peace and prosperity to the world. I swear it."
Xu Ning smiled. This was the reason he had deliberately delayed after arriving—to get Xia Yun to be direct and not beat around the bush. A hesitant leader was useless.
Immediately, Xu Ning spoke up. "Does Your Highness wish for a quick approach or a slow one?"
Xia Yun was taken aback. "What's the difference between quick and slow? Tell me the options."
Xu Ning replied, "If we're quick, we can raise an army immediately. I will offer advice based on the battle situation as it unfolds, but I can't guarantee success. It's too risky. The odds are against us in a direct confrontation."
"As for the slow approach, we can proceed gradually, building our strength in secret. I'm 100% confident of success if we follow this path. It will take time, but it will work."
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Xia Yun and Xia Li were both astonished upon hearing this. 100%! Who dared to say that with such certainty? Even the most brilliant strategists would hedge their bets.
Xia Yun calmed himself down, his decision made. "Then let's follow your advice and proceed gradually. I'd rather take longer and be sure than rush and fail."
Xu Ning nodded, stood up, and pulled a detailed map from his robes, spreading it out in front of them. Pointing to a specific location, he said,
"On the way here, I've already considered this thoroughly. Lingnan must be abandoned. If Your Highness decides to raise an army from here, you'll be the weakest of the three powers, facing attacks from both sides. Staying here is a losing strategy."
"I believe Your Highness's greatest weakness right now is strength. So you need to find a place to accumulate it safely, away from your enemies."
"From my observation, this place is surrounded by cliffs and natural barriers. It's easy to defend and difficult to attack. We can occupy it first and establish a base."
"This place isn't in Lingnan territory, so the Cangming Empire has no reason to send troops after us. Your Highness will only need to face the army from Da Xuan for now. With the terrain advantage, I'm absolutely confident we can hold it against anything they send."
"Once Your Highness has accumulated sufficient strength, you can use this base as a center to radiate outwards and expand your territory. Then, using economic reforms I've designed, you can govern the acquired territories effectively and continue to develop and strengthen yourself. In just a few years, you can send troops to the capital and claim your throne."
Xia Yun and Xia Li, standing nearby, widened their eyes in surprise upon hearing this detailed plan. It was comprehensive and well-considered.
Xia Li, in particular, was ashamed of her earlier rashness. She hadn't expected Xu Ning to have already planned this out so thoroughly before even arriving. He had been thinking steps ahead.
At the same time, Xu Ning's plan made her eyes light up with hope. For the first time in months, she saw a real path forward.
Currently, Xu Ning's plan was the best option, and Xia Yun didn't refuse. He nodded in agreement, his expression resolute. "We'll do it. Let's move immediately."
Subsequently, Xia Yun issued orders, leading three thousand trusted men from Lingnan directly to the location indicated by Xu Ning. They moved quickly, not wanting to alert their enemies.
Originally, Xia Yun had considered bringing the entire 30,000-strong border army, but Xu Ning stopped him.
He told Xia Yun that they didn't need too many troops at present, and wouldn't lack them in the future. What they lacked were loyal soldiers who would stick with them through hardship. A smaller, more dedicated force was better.
After all, the provisions for 30,000 troops would be difficult for Xia Yun to bear during their retreat to a barren mountain. Logistically, it was impossible.
So, in the end, Xia Yun simply said to his soldiers, "Those who want to follow me, follow. Those who don't, I won't force. No one will be punished for staying."
And these three thousand soldiers were among those who chose to follow without hesitation. They were the core of his future army.
After several days of travel, the three thousand-plus men finally arrived at the place Xu Ning had indicated. It was a rugged, defensible plateau surrounded by steep cliffs.
The area was currently barren, so Xu Ning immediately ordered the army to begin clearing the land and planting the mid-grade mortal-level corn seeds he had previously saved. They needed food.
Then, he ordered the army to mine iron ore nearby and smelt it. They needed weapons and armor.
Indeed, a major reason Xu Ning chose this location was this iron ore vein. It was essential for equipping his forces.
Then there was the breeding of horses, which Xu Ning paid great attention to. They needed a strong cavalry.
After the iron ore was smelted, Xu Ning began upgrading the army's equipment.
Warhorses were upgraded to mid-grade mortal-level, making them stronger and faster than any normal horse. Armor and weapons were also upgraded to mid-grade mortal-level, far superior to standard issue.
However, due to material limitations, Xu Ning's upgrades were slow. After more than three months, he had only upgraded a little over two hundred sets. But those two hundred soldiers were now superhuman.
At this time, the Da Xuan extermination army arrived, a total of ten thousand men. They had come to crush Xia Yun's rebellion before it could grow.
Upon hearing the news, Xia Yun and Xia Li were immediately anxious and rushed to find Xu Ning, their faces pale with worry.
Xu Ning didn't waste any words. He immediately donned his upgraded armor, which gleamed with a faint, unnatural sheen. "Your Highness, don't panic. I will personally lead the troops to meet the enemy. Stay here and keep the base secure."
Xia Yun was quite unsure after hearing this. "Sir, are you confident? There are ten thousand of them, and we have only three thousand. And we've never seen you fight."
Xu Ning's voice was calm and steady. "I am definitely confident, Your Highness. Just watch. This will be over quickly."
After saying that, Xu Ning picked up his upgraded hoe, climbed onto Tie Dan's back, and then looked back at Xia Yun with a confident smile. "Your Highness, wait for my triumphant return. I won't be long."
Xia Li looked at the hoe in Xu Ning's hand and couldn't help but frown. "Sir, will this really work? Are you going to... farm them to death?"
Xia Yun was also somewhat surprised. "Sir, if it doesn't work, we can just use the terrain advantage to defend. There's no shame in caution."
Xu Ning shook his head. "Your Highness, if the enemy came with an army of fifty or one hundred thousand, I might choose to avoid battle. But if it's only ten thousand, then I need their weapons and supplies. They've brought us a gift. It would be rude not to accept."
Xia Yun could only nod helplessly after hearing this and watched Xu Ning ride away on Tie Dan, his strange weapon glinting in the sun.
Upon reaching the army's position, Xu Ning raised his hoe high. "Brothers, the crucial moment has arrived! Iron Cavalry, charge with me! The rest of you, finish off anyone who runs!"
As Xu Ning led his army out of the base, the mopping-up troops were just preparing to challenge them, forming up for battle.
Rumble—
"All troops, attack!" Xu Ning rode his iron ox out of the gate, shouting at the top of his lungs, his voice carrying across the field.
The enemy general was utterly stunned upon seeing Xu Ning. Riding an ox to fight? What the hell?
And what's with that hoe in your hand? Don't tell me you're here to farm? This is a battlefield, not a field.
And if I remember correctly, aren't you supposed to be a strategist? The famous top scholar from the capital? What are you doing leading a charge?