Upon hearing the urgent report from the border city in the Northern Border.
The formerly confident chief among the Three Clans immediately panicked.
At the Western Borders of the Chu State, Xiang Yan was holding firm, fending off the Qin Army’s assault.
Naturally, they were unperturbed; as long as supplies lasted, that would suffice.
But the cities in the northern border of Chu State were under their defense and command; once the Northern Border was breached, it would bode ill for them.
"Speak, what has happened in the Northern Border?"
"Could it be that Qin has mobilized troops from the Northern Border?"
Zhao Wen, who had just been calm, immediately inquired aloud.
"Read it directly—what exactly happened?"
"Quick, read it." The other two shouted at once.
The assembled ministers all fixed their gaze upon him.
Under the watchful eyes of so many nobles and courtiers, the messenger soldier, trembling, raised the urgent report in his hand: "Great King, your subject cannot read, and begs Your Majesty to peruse it yourself."
With such a war report, even a minor misstep could spell death without burial.
After all, this court of Chu was not like that of Qin.
In Qin, even ill news would never result in the wrath of King Ying Zheng being visited upon a mere messenger soldier.
After all, as a Daqin Elite Soldier, honored with rank, such a one is considered a meritorious subject.
Under the Daqin Law, none would be punished for such a thing.
But in the various other states, things were different.
Elsewhere, power rested with the nobility; ordinary peasants and common soldiers without connections or pedigree could never ascend to high office.
"Present it."
The King of Chu waved his hand.
The temple official at his side quickly strode down to receive the urgent dispatch.
The King of Chu took it.
His expression abruptly changed.
"Loyal ministers,"
"A grave crisis has befallen us."
"Lord Wu’an, Zhao Feng of Qin, is leading the Wu’an Military Camp against our Great Chu."
"Now Qufu City and seven neighboring towns have already been breached by Zhao Feng’s advance."
"Our northern defense army stationed at the border has been overwhelmed by the Qin Army, suffering devastating losses," the King of Chu said, his voice trembling slightly.
As his words fell—
The Three Clans, who had not worried moments prior, now began to panic as well.
"How could it be so swift?"
"Our Great Chu never even received covert intelligence of the Wu’an Military Camp’s movements from Qin."
"When did King of Qin order the attack?"
"Qufu City was held by fifty thousand soldiers, and together with the surrounding towns, the force was over a hundred thousand."
"Even if Zhao Feng is formidable, it’s impossible to breach them in mere days."
"What is to be done?"
"Zhao Feng is indeed Qin’s undefeated general."
"In just a few days, our Northern Border has been overrun by Zhao Feng and his forces."
"The Wu’an Military Camp surpasses even Hangu Pass..."
At this moment—
The Chu court fell into panic.
"Three loyal ministers,"
"With Zhao Feng leading troops to attack, what should be done now?" The King of Chu turned to the chiefs of the Three Clans.
"Your Majesty."
"There is no time to lose. May Your Majesty swiftly proclaim an edict and reinforce the Northern Border." Zhao Wen loudly petitioned.
"I concur."
"We must promptly dispatch troops to reinforce the Northern Border and repel the Qin Army’s assault."
The civil and military officials on the court all spoke up one after another.
Yet—