My Cultivation Starting from Archery

In other words...

This almost two-year-long war.

Is equivalent to fighting in vain!

In the end, they can only withdraw back into the territory of Beiliang.

Under the circumstances where the court has Immortal Masters, Ancestor Veins, and the Longqing Emperor who is about to end his retreat, retreating to Beiliang is basically akin to a slow death.

Secondly, retreating into various tributaries.

However, the troops under the Orthodox Emperor already lack large warships, and if they disperse and flee, they will face encirclement and interception from both land and water, eventually being defeated one by one.

It has already reached...

The moment of life and death!

The relevant battle situation has been steadily relayed to the upper echelons of each faction.

Chang'an City.

Zhongjue Hall.

"Good!"

Prince Qin excitedly said: "A good strategy, a brilliant iron chain! Even though Chen Sansi has the power to overturn rivers and seas, he ultimately can't stir up much trouble!"

"Indeed."

Minister of Personnel Yin Mingchun said: "Now that the decisive battle is imminent, our army has the Water Control Array and will be unstoppable, killing all the rebels!"

"General Lu!"

Prince Qin looked at the hulking figure who had remained silent in the corner and couldn't help praising him: "This time General Nie's iron chain scheme played a major role; your contributions are invaluable."

"Your Highness flatters us."

Lu Ji replied calmly: "Given the situation at the time, only the iron chain could respond, even if Chen Sansi hadn't mentioned it, Zhou Lang would have thought of it himself."

"Ah! General Lu, you are mistaken!"

Prince Qin stood up and said: "If we achieve a great victory at Chibi, the rewards ought not to be few for General Nie."

Lu Ji clasped his fists and said: "I am a sinner, how could I dare to speak of merit?"

"General Lu!"

Prince Qin patted his shoulder, saying comfortingly: "Regarding the loss of Liangzhou, you need not blame yourself. Who could have anticipated that Chen Sansi would turn Liangzhou into a lone city in such a short time? I won't blame you; instead, seeing loyal ministers in times of crisis, General Lu, you have inherited the honorable steadfastness of the Governor Mansion!"

"The upcoming Capital City still needs the protection of General Lu and the orthodox Beiliang army under your command!"

"Hehe, Your Highness is mistaken."

Young Pavilion Master Yan Maoxing teased: "If Chibi is a great victory, with the enemy forces in full retreat, His Majesty soon out of retreat, the world will settle itself, and there might be no need for General Lu and Immortal Master Dan to act."

"Zhou Lang is unrivaled in wisdom!"

Minister of Revenue Tian Guang sighed: "Facing the ferocious rebel forces, he not only showed no fear but instead joined forces with Immortal Master Dan Liangcheng to take the initiative to attack, turning defense into attack! In hindsight, we truly were fools!"

"If it weren't for Zhou Lang, disaster might have occurred!"

"Next, we just need to quietly wait for the good news from Chibi!"

"..."

...

Youlan Capital.

Taiji Palace.

Two Cultivators arrived back at the court via Flying Boat, reporting the battle situation at the front lines.

The Orthodox Emperor sat on the Dragon Chair, listening to the compiled reports from various sources, his expression involuntarily growing solemn.

Continuous defeats!

Presently.

Their naval forces have been pushed to a dead end.

At most, one more major battle, and they will be utterly annihilated!

A clamor erupted in the court.

Especially the officials from sects and noble families who recently placed their bets, they were all talking over one another incessantly.

The major reason they invested in making Prince Jin the emperor was precisely because he had the invincible Beiliang Army under his command, wasn't it?

Particularly the White Robe.

Since leading troops into battle, they have never suffered defeat.

That's why these sects, dormant for hundreds of years, seized the opportunity when the world was in turmoil, choosing to pledge their families and preparing to fight boldly.

From the battle of Hongdu to the successive victories as Liang Wang broke formations at Qiantang Prefecture; all these proved their choice was right, yet somehow... the situation at Chibi became so tense?

Luoxiao River!

The officials quickly analyzed the reasons in their minds.

The Beiliang Iron Cavalry, conquering the world as Cavalry, but they are not skilled in naval combat!

Moreover, it's said that the White Robe belongs to the fire element among the Five Elements, and when heading into battle, flames surround them, so in the Great Water, their Power is naturally diminished, remaining suppressed all along.

On the contrary.

The naval army from Chang'an City originates from Jiangnan, being elite troops under Prince Zhen Nan, who excel at naval battle, truly possessing the advantages of timing, geography, and unity.

"So, what should be done?"

"Based on the situation at the front line, the Water Control Array is nearly impossible to break."

"If insisting on a decisive battle against them, I'm afraid..."

"A major defeat will occur!"

"..."

Voices of pessimism were incessant.

The gray-haired Orthodox Emperor Cao Huan himself wore a look of distress: "Since all esteemed ministers feel there is no hope of victory, why not suggest better strategies."

Chief Minister, also Minister of War Ming Qingfeng spoke: "I believe, considering the current situation, we can only choose to believe in the Beiliang King!"

"Not right!"

An official, dressed in a scarlet robe and nearing sixty but full of spirit, with a short beard, stepped forward: "I believe, we cannot continue fighting like this."

Shangguan Haichang.

This person is the Sect Master of the top Eastern sect, the Danyang Sect.

The Danyang Sect has stood firm for a thousand years, having undergone three changes of dynasties, with fluctuating sect power yet never falling, even when Great Ancestor Sheng Cao Xie conquered Jianghu, its impact was minimal.

During this chaotic time, Shangguan Haichang took the lead, leading Eastern aristocratic families to join Prince Jin, providing supplies and manpower almost in abundance.

In a sense, his words represent the intention of the aristocratic families.

"Minister Shangguan."

Prince Jin Cao Huan said: "Any suggestions?"

"I believe."

Shangguan Haichang solemnly said: "We should retreat north!"

"Retreat?"

"Exactly!"

Shangguan Haichang continued: "Instead of letting the soldiers die needlessly on the Luoxiao River, preserve strength instead. We should unite with other troops, join the Beiliang Army in abandoning the Central Plains, retreat to within Beiliang, and then slowly plan anew."