Immortal Fairies Always Have Designs on Me-Chapter 996 - 415: Lu Jin’an, Lu Yunzhu

North of Qiming City, the brocade banners fluttered, seemingly covering the sky.

The golden Emperor's Banner in the Central Army danced in the wind, like a soaring Golden Dragon, overlooking all beings.

The tents of nearly four million troops unfurled like stars in the night sky, giving a heavy sense of impending beastly ferocity about to devour everything.

Dark clouds press down on the city, threatening to crush it.

Within the Central Army Camp where the Emperor's palanquin stood, Emperor Chengtian sat on the Dragon Chair, gripping his hands tightly as he looked at the maps and the intelligence rapidly presented by the Jinyi Guard, his excitement difficult to conceal.

Although it was his first personal expedition, his first step onto the battlefield, holding nearly four million troops in hand, the thrill was somewhat uncontrollable.

'No wonder my Imperial Sister loves to be on the battlefield so much, this feeling is indeed wonderful.'

Dongfang Xinghe pondered silently, a spirit of first battle decisive, one battle determining the world surged within him.

One million border army from the Eastern frontier, stationed troops around the Capital, parts of the border army from Yanbei Pass, the million army sent by Jiuli Dynasty, fifty thousand troops from Shenmiao Dynasty, plus various patrol camps scattered around, this is his confidence.

Also the confidence for victory in the first battle.

Only…

Emperor Chengtian looked up, in the vast tent, the ministers appeared deathly silent, especially the ministers led by Grand Secretary Zhong Wenhan, their faces gloomy, clearly not yet recovered from the shame of ceding territory and borrowing troops.

To prevent these people from secretly contacting King Qin and having him detour to Beijing, he brought the civil and military officials from the Capital along.

Though here is also possible for them to collude with King Qin, the opportunities under his watchful eye are fewer than leaving them in Beijing.

But now, their expressions were simply nauseating.

Emperor Chengtian slammed the table, the officials inside the tent instinctively looked up at him.

He stood up slowly and positioned himself in front of the giant map hanging behind him, his voice steady and slow: "Qiming City is the Dragon Raising Land of the Great Ancestor of our Dynasty, and since ancient times has been the battlefield of wars, experiencing thousands of battles, affecting the rise and fall of how many Dynasties, how many emperors and ministers?

The past is difficult to recount, but with Qiming City as the Dragon Raising Land of this Dynasty, even during several relocations of the capital, as long as Qiming City hasn't fallen, our Dynasty shall recover from decline to flourishing, open a new era!"

After a pause, Emperor Chengtian paced slowly: "Thus, successive late Emperors have had the saying 'Qiming will not fall, Eastern Qiming.'

Now, with Qiming City still under the court's control, and I personally leading four million troops present here…"

With the words slowed a bit of Emperor Chengtian suddenly slapped the table, as he leaned forward the tone intensified: "But, I do not understand now, why every one of you here, esteemed officials, seems to have the expression of lost parents, as if the Qiming battlefield located in Changxing State spells inevitable doom for me."

"Currently, overcast clouds cover the West and South States, obscuring sunlight; Longjiang floods rush down, the flood disaster spreads across dozens of states, plus rebellions rise everywhere, yet the rebel King Qin can only gather a northbound army of merely two hundred thousand…"

Before the words finished, Emperor Chengtian resumed his seat on the Dragon Chair: "Over four thousand years ago, the Great Ancestor rode a dragon to raise an army, establishing our Dynasty's inheritance for four thousand four hundred and forty-nine years, over these four thousand years, the nation prosperous, rivers clear and seas calm, everywhere celebrating in peace, that realm of myriad activations still unfolds before my eyes."

"Up to today, do you really think this battle will see me defeated?"

With the words dropped, Emperor Chengtian slapped the table again and abruptly stood up, his voice chilling: "Regardless, this battle with four million against two hundred thousand, advantage is mine!

You best adjust your attitude, perform your duties, strive with full effort to settle the world with this battle!"

"Long live Your Majesty!"

Vice Chief of the Cabinet Ren Yunpeng was the first to kneel, followed by the civil servants and generals of his faction shouting long live together.

Zhong Wenhan and others coldly observed the scene, uninterested in Emperor Chengtian's words.

The South was lost, the West was lost, ceded five states, borrowed troops from Jiuli, coupled with the previous unclear loss of four hundred thousand troops…

Advantage?

If there truly was an advantage, would the favorable situation have deteriorated to this point?

Emperor Chengtian took in everyone's expressions, suddenly eased his tone: "Zhong Aiqing, I know you are dissatisfied inside, but to gain something, there must be something given.

Though this battle is our court's last stand, is it not as well for the rebels?"

"Moreover, although I borrowed troops from the Jiuli Dynasty and Shenmiao Dynasty, it's also an opportunity to weaken them, letting them lead the charge in this battle, once we defeat the rebel King Qin and the South returns to my hands, it will also be the day I launch an expedition to unify the three dynasties, would you agree or disagree?"

Upon hearing, Zhong Wenhan's expression softened somewhat, although he still felt this was mere lip service, but… just in case?

Thus, he bowed low: "Minister wishes Your Majesty victory at the banner's start, reunification of the world."

Emperor Chengtian nodded satisfactorily, then scanned others: "Though I lead the expedition personally, I am aware of my limited capacities, this battle relies on each of you to shine, when the conflict ends, I shall not forget your achievements."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Now, go forth and prepare."

Emperor Chengtian waved grandly, watching the roomful of officials leave in sequence, without much worry.

Because the brought Jinyi Guard is precisely to monitor these people.

"Where is Prince Ning, hasn't he arrived yet?" Emperor Chengtian glanced at the eunuch to the side: "Go find him quickly!"

"The servant obeys."

The eunuch bent and hurriedly exited the tent, Dongfang Xinghe leaned back in the chair, staring slightly dazed at the maps laid on the table.