Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Issuing the edict to all armies to convene, Zhao Jiang had awaited this day.

Once he became the Alliance Leader, he would command a vast army of two million. Although this number was greatly exaggerated, the current massive army was sufficient to sweep through Xiao Yunqi’s forces.

Once successful, he would become the common lord of the world.

The thought made his heart swell with excitement.

Zhao Jiang was filled with lofty ambitions.

After tidying his robes and sword, he ascended the high platform with ardor, burned incense, and prayed, saying:

”The nation is unfortunate, the imperial order in disarray. The traitorous minister Xiao Yunqi deceives the emperor, adding calamity to the sovereign... We fear the country will fall, and today we gather righteous troops to face the national crisis...”

After speaking, he cut his arm to pledge allegiance, and the lords below were somewhat moved by Zhao Jiang’s passionate words.

After descending from the platform.

The group entered the tent again. After several rounds of drinking, Zhao Qi suddenly said, ”Now that the Alliance Leader has been established, all should heed orders, support the nation, and not discriminate based on strength or weakness.”

To the side, Zhao Yu hurriedly nodded.

Zhao Jiang also took the opportunity to say, ”This king is not talented, but since you have appointed me as the Alliance Leader, I shall reward meritorious deeds and punish offenses.”

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, he continued, ”My brother Zhao Lu oversees the supply provisions and will handle the various camps...”

Zhao Lu, besides Zhao Jiang, had the most troops under his command.

Since Zhao Jiang appointed him, even though it seemed a bit nepotistic, no one dared to oppose, nodding in agreement with a cheer.

Seeing everyone agree, Zhao Lu stepped forward, said some polite words, then declined due to lack of ability. After several declines to no avail, he reluctantly accepted.

Subsequently, Zhao Jiang announced several appointments, which included Zhao Bo, Zhao Qi, and Zhao Yu; of course, also the governors of Qi Hai and Nan Hai to prevent rumors against him.

Finally, Zhao Jiang took a sip of strong liquor, saying, ”The army must have someone as the vanguard, responsible for challenges ahead...”

His gaze swept across the lords, then he said, ”Who is willing to take on this heavy responsibility?”

Governor Liu Yi of Nanyang stepped forward, cupping his hands, saying, ”We are willing to be the vanguard.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jiang was overjoyed, hurriedly pouring himself a glass of wine, ”Very good, Governor Liu Yi is valiant and fierce. This king drinks to you.”

...

Xiao Mansion.

Calculating the time, the Eighteen Lords were also convening at Ju City today.

So Xiao Yunqi invited his generals, including Chen Mo, and ministers to the Xiao Mansion for a discussion.

After all, the Eighteen Lords claimed to have an army of two million; with such a large number of troops, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to sweep through the entire Great Song Dynasty. Who wouldn’t be alarmed facing such a formation?

Chen Mo sat kneeled on the side, silent, drinking alone.

Xiao Yunqi’s strategists and generals offered their opinions.

Some suggested recalling Huangfu Hao’s troops.

Others proposed mobilizing local militia forces for reinforcement.

Hu Sheng said, ”Duke An Yang, do not worry. My sources tell me that the enemy army is far from two million, not even half. Among this half, many are new recruits drafted temporarily, lacking combat strength. Under Duke An Yang are six hundred thousand well-trained Imperial Guards, eliminating the need to fear the enemy...”

”Only half.” Hearing Hu Sheng’s words, some people in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.

If there really were two million, Zhao Jiang might indeed reach the Capital, which would spell disaster for them.

With only half, victory was still uncertain.

Xiao Yunqi knew Hu Sheng’s intelligence department was stronger than his own. Knowing these things didn’t surprise him, he gravely said, ”Even with only half, if it comes to a real battle, it means ’kill a thousand enemies, lose eight hundred of our own.’”

Since supporting Zhao Chong to power, Xiao Yunqi’s ambitions had grown increasingly large. With so many enemy troops, even if they won, he would have no energy left to deal with the Yellow Turban Scarf and other local unrest.

By then, what he held would be nothing but fleeting.

Therefore, he wanted to achieve victory with the smallest cost possible.

Xiao Teng rose and stood, ”Father, do not worry. These Eighteen Lords are like weeds to me. I am willing to lead the tiger and wolf troops and behead all, bringing their heads before you.”

Although Xiao Yunqi knew these words were meant to raise spirits, a real test would prove impossible.

It’s known that Zhao Jiang’s natural talent far exceeded Zhao Ji’s.

Zhao Ji was already Second Grade.

He feared that Zhao Jiang had already reached First Grade.

And based on investigations from the Imperial City Department over the years, Zhao Jiang had recruited strange talents and Jianghu experts, with formidable generals under his command.

Xiao Teng was only Second Grade.

Yet even so, Xiao Yunqi was pleased to hear these words, laughing, ”With my son Teng here, there’s no need to worry.”

While saying this, Xiao Yunqi certainly wouldn’t send Xiao Teng to be the vanguard, glancing down at the generals to ask who would lead the army as the vanguard.

Naturally, Xiao Yunqi wouldn’t act as if the Eighteen Lords’ army would reach the Capital. He certainly needed to send a large army to intercept them.

His gaze landed on Chen Mo.

Chen Mo stood up, saying, ”I am merely a coarse person. As long as Duke An Yang commands, I would march through fire and water without hesitation...”

However, before he finished speaking, a voice behind him shouted, ”Why use a broadsword to kill a chicken? No need for Vice Envoy Chen Hong himself to go. I can capture the lords’ heads as easily as taking something from a bag.”

Wow.

Hearing this, Chen Mo turned his head, seeing behind him a man nearly three meters tall, his body covered in muscles akin to those of bodybuilding enthusiasts from his past life, exuding explosive power with a tiger’s torso and a wolf’s waist.

Xiao Yunqi also looked over. He knew this person was a recently recruited Jianghu expert, a Second-Grade Martial Artist named Hua Zhong. Because he had not yet achieved any merit, and with things being busy recently, Xiao Yunqi was merely supporting him, not yet giving him any official rank.

Xiao Yunqi was delighted, immediately promoting Hua Zhong to Commander of the Infantry Division, giving him fifty thousand foot and mounted troops each, and sending him along with several Innate Martial Artists to the pass to meet the enemy.

”Come, everyone, let us toast to General Hua Zhong.” Xiao Yunqi raised his cup with a hearty laugh.

Chen Mo also raised his cup, gesturing slightly toward Hua Zhong, his brow slightly raised.

No wonder in the simulation, he had been sent by Xiao Yunqi to face the enemy only later.

Apparently, someone had foolishly volunteered ahead of him.

Hua Zhong’s allegiance to Xiao Yunqi was naturally in pursuit of wealth and glory, and without any achievements, he was embarrassed to ask Xiao Yunqi for opportunities.

Now that the opportunity had arisen, of course, he had to seize it.

As for facing a First-Grade Martial Artist.

In a battle between large armies, a First-Grade Martial Artist would not be the first to strike.

Because if trapped within a battle array, even a First-Grade Martial Artist would face defeat.

Only when military generals faced each other would a First-Grade Martial Artist act.

Moreover, Hua Zhong was confident that even against a First-Grade Martial Artist, he had the strength to contend.

Should he achieve military merit, his status would surely surpass that of Chen Hong.

His gaze swept over Chen Hong, carrying a hint of envy.

To him, Chen Hong had merely slain the leader of the Nanyang Rebel Army and then had fortuitously helped quell a mutiny, gaining his current position.

How was he inferior?