"Great King."
"For the survival of the nation, we ministers will give our utmost service."
"I am willing to mobilize all the able-bodied men of my clan to serve Great Chu."
Zhao Wen pondered for a moment, then proclaimed loudly.
"I too am willing to gather the young and strong of my clan to serve Great Chu."
"I am also willing..."
One minister after another seemed convinced, and all spoke up, eager to contribute.
Upon hearing this.
The King of Chu’s expression finally grew much more pleasant.
"You three, esteemed men."
"Your three clans are the very pillars of Great Chu. If you do not unite in this war, then truly, Great Chu faces peril."
"How to deploy troops, how to safeguard Great Chu—I entrust the full authority to you three."
"As for conscription, I shall issue a royal edict." said the King of Chu immediately.
"Great King is wise!" The ministers cried out in unison.
-----------------
Location: Chufang City.
The Daqin Elite Soldiers of the Hangu Pass Camp were already at the gates.
"Shangjiangjun."
"We have just received a report."
"Lord Wu’an has already led his forces to break through the northern cities of Chu State, routing the hundred-thousand-strong army defending the northern border."
"Now he presses on, relentlessly assaulting Chu State." Li Xin reported to Huan Yi, his face filled with excitement.
"I knew the Great King would order Lord Wu’an to attack Chu."
A hint of excited smile appeared on Huan Yi’s face as well.
"Shangjiangjun."
"I must admit I am truly convinced now."
"Though Wu’an Military Camp launched a surprise attack, Chu Army has been fortifying its northern border for many years. Yet Lord Wu’an managed in less than ten days to repeatedly breach the crucial border cities and seize numerous towns."
"Of the hundred thousand elite Chu Soldiers, many have died, and countless have been captured."
"Such a great victory!" Li Xin exclaimed, his face ablaze with excitement.
"Now Lord Wu’an has triumphed."
"From the northern border all the way south, he can now advance straight for the Capital City of Chu."
"From the looks of it, our force need not rush." Huan Yi sneered coldly.
"Shangjiangjun, you mean to merely hold off Xiang Yan?" Li Xin immediately grasped the intent.
"Exactly."
"The true elites of Chu State are all under Xiang Yan’s command; two hundred thousand strong, gathered around Chufang City."
"This Chufang City is easy to defend, hard to besiege; we need only surround, not attack, and delay Xiang Yan—certain to yield results."
"As for the destruction of Chu, I believe Lord Wu’an will surely march straight for Chu’s Capital. Once the capital is breached, Chu State will fall; with Xiang Yan gone into Chu’s heartland, destruction is certain." Huan Yi spoke with an icy smile.
"I understand." Li Xin nodded at once.
"With this battle, Chu State is finished."
"Their people are divided in heart."
"Receiving a single blow from our Hangu Pass Camp made them panic like startled birds. Now with Wu’an Military Camp advancing, within half a year, given Lord Wu’an’s command, he will decisively reach Chu’s Capital."
"This war."
"Let our Hangu Pass Camp assist Lord Wu’an in achieving this feat." Huan Yi declared with utter confidence.
"Understood." Li Xin nodded immediately.
"This battle."
"I really shouldn’t have come to snatch the credit."
"Had it been Lord Wu’an commanding our invasion, perhaps Chufang City would have long since fallen."
"If not for Lord Wu’an’s reminder, Hangu Pass Camp would have been lost entirely."
"Such great favor, Huan Yi shall never forget."
"In this war, Huan Yi will not vie for the glory, only wishing to assist Lord Wu’an in conquering Chu and supporting him to ascend the position of Grand Commandant, commanding the military power of Qin." Huan Yi murmured.
"I will follow with all my strength." Li Xin, utterly convinced, replied.