Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1786: Chapter 569: Cai Qiu Internal Affairs, Countering Movement with Stillness_3

Inside the tent, everyone’s expressions instantly became more serious upon hearing this.

Even Yuan Cheng, who had suggested advancing, subconsciously moved his mouth as if to argue, but after pondering briefly, he shut it, clearly realizing Yuwen Dao’s words had merit.

“In your opinion, what should we do now?”

Upon hearing Xia Hong raise this question, Yuwen Dao immediately realized his words had gained the lord’s approval. His face instantly showed a few hints of excitement. After contemplating for a moment, he cupped his hands and said, “The lord initially had no intention to attack Guangning Mountain. Hou Bing and Yuwen Yong accidentally seized it. Cai Qiu now, I fear, is more anxious than we are…”

Cai Qiu is certainly anxious. When Cai Qiuhu left, he only left Cai Yunzhou to guard, which clearly showed that Cai Qiu’s higher-ups unanimously believed Great Xia would not dare to continue fighting with them.

The action of capturing Guangning Mountain would undoubtedly prompt Cai Qiu’s leadership to reassess Great Xia’s motives. With Great Xia so relentless, continuing to fight with Chen Cang would force them to respond.

After Yuwen Dao completed his penetrating analysis, he finally provided an answer, speaking softly: “Bone-Eroding Path, along with two-fifths of Evergreen Valley’s territory, is enough for Great Xia and Cai Qiu to create a buffer, continuing north would only mean taking the whole Evergreen Valley, but this would involve Great Xia in the Four Vassals’ struggle. The current Four Vassals roughly fall into two camps, with Chen Cang a strong force on its own, and the other three vassals as another.

Chen Cang’s hundred thousand troops are still stationed in East River City, clearly showing its ambitions over the Southern Slope Territory. If Cai Qiu is thoroughly offended, and Hezang and Wei Bo are made uncomfortable, Great Xia would isolate itself from the Four Vassals, making its future situation extremely tough.

Ultimately, the war is for resources. Great Xia’s unification of the Southern Slope Territory is only one step away. The urgent task is to complete this final step and then expedite the absorption of the Northern Five Towns, so Great Xia’s overall strength can quickly catch up with the Four Vassals, allowing it to legitimately participate in the Moao River contention.

Cai Qiu’s situation is precarious; they are more anxious than we are. Therefore, we should use inaction to control the situation, waiting for them to come to us…”

At this point, Yuwen Dao paused, smiled, and said, “Gentlemen, let’s not forget, though Cai Qiu’s warfare is tight, we still hold nearly ten thousand of their captives, which are solid chips!”

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately fell into thought.

Great Xia’s unification of the Southern Slope is only one step away, that final step refers to the ten thousand troops stationed in East River City by Chen Cang. Defeating these troops seems unrealistic, but given the current situation of the Four Vassals, it’s still hopeful for Chen Cang to voluntarily retreat his army;

As for Cai Qiu’s captives, originally after the battle on the Bone-Eroding Path’s north side, there were over fifty thousand. Later, Yuwen Yong led troops to clear them, coupled with last night’s battle on Guangning Mountain, they gradually captured over forty thousand more. Now the total indeed approaches one hundred thousand.

Critically, Cai Qiu still has a considerable portion of routed troops scattered in territories south of Guangning Mountain. As the Xia Army sets up checkpoints on both sides of Guangning Mountain, these stragglers will eventually be captured, by then the number of captives held by Great Xia may estimate between 120,000 to 150,000.

This number, not ordinary people, but those with Cold Resistance Level cultivation, well-trained and ready for battle, given Cai Qiu’s current predicament, the importance of this group of captives is self-evident.

“Cai Qianshan is seriously injured, while Commander Yizhong Feihu is leading the forces to preside over Lin Chu County’s warfare. Most of the Tribulation Body Realm are resisting Chen Cang over there, the only one who might come to us is the Grand Master who hasn’t yet appeared in Lin Chu County…”

“Report, Lord, someone outside the camp seeks an audience, claiming to be Cai Qiu’s Grand Master Liang Hengzhang, arriving alone without weapons, nor carrying any aura of deceitful objects.”

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives!

Xia Hong’s face showed a hint of a smile, waving to Yuwen Dao, Qiu Peng, and the others, said with a smile, “Since he proactively sought a meeting without overstepping, he’s a guest. The Grand Master’s position is not low, go and greet him politely, bring him over.”

“Understood!”

Yuwen Dao and the others immediately cupped their hands in acknowledgment and quickly stood up, all heading out to welcome this unexpected visitor, Cai Qiu’s Grand Master.