Chapter 2182 - 2185: There’s Something Wrong with Zuo Yuanhao

"It seems like the Left Strategist isn't in the tent, nor in his residence. We sent people to find him, but they haven't located him yet."

Xiao Zhuang said, "He might have gone to inspect the terrain. Left Strategist always likes to travel alone, observing astronomical phenomena and studying geography. That's why he often comes up with extraordinary strategies."

Indeed, when there are many opinions, Zuo Yuanhao often comes up with unique and startling plans that differ from others.

This time, with such a major event happening, he is unexpectedly not present, leaving Qin Tian feeling somewhat empty inside.

When consulting strategies, the ones Qin Tian valued most were Zuo Yuanhao's and Zhou Yang's, as they were his two main strategists, his right and left arms.

"I understand everyone's opinion. Hmm, let's do this, General Xu Kuan, you go and mobilize the troops, gather a force of two hundred thousand in Yueya City, and as for the next step, I'll think it over."

Qin Tian looked at Xu Kuan and said, "Regardless, our gathering a force of two hundred thousand at the border will surely make Emperor Xuan anxious. Hmph, let's see if he comes to seek peace with me. If they seek peace, we can take the opportunity to demand benefits. If they don't, then our two hundred thousand troops will advance eastwards; I want to see what he uses to stop us!"

This arrangement by Qin Tian immediately won the approval of everyone.

After the meeting, Qin Tian and Zhou Yang were walking in the Imperial Palace's royal garden, pondering the many concerns of advancing east. As long as the concerns are addressed, Qin Tian actually doesn't oppose the deployment.

"Your Majesty, the State Preceptor seeks an audience."

The chief eunuch came running over and said softly.

"Oh, the State Preceptor is back? Good, bring him to the royal garden."

Upon hearing that Zuo Yuanhao had returned, Qin Tian was suddenly excited and said to Zhou Yang, "Just in time, let's chat with him and see if his opinion aligns with ours."

Zuo Yuanhao arrived in a whirlwind, his face even sweating.

"State Preceptor, where have you been in such a rush? Look at your sweat... Haha, I've never seen you so fatigued."

Seeing Zuo Yuanhao's state, Qin Tian joked.

Zuo Yuanhao wiped the sweat off his face and smiled faintly at Zhou Yang and Qin Tian, saying, "I was outside the city when I heard that Your Majesty was gathering everyone to discuss the deployment to the Imperial City, so I rushed back immediately."

Zhou Yang said, "Yes, everyone has shared their opinions, and now, the boss wants to hear yours."

"Deploy the troops."

Zuo Yuanhao seemed prepared, his gaze resolute, as he looked at Qin Tian and said, "Your Majesty, with a crushing defeat and the War God dead, Emperor Xuan is in chaos. This is the best opportunity for us to advance eastward. This chance must not be missed!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing Zuo Yuanhao's words, Qin Tian's brow slightly furrowed in surprise.

In the past, when Zuo Yuanhao proposed strategies, he often spoke calmly and never made definitive statements.

Moreover, Zuo Yuanhao liked to simultaneously offer multiple strategies and options for Qin Tian to choose from.

However, this time, Zuo Yuanhao merely said the two words "Deploy troops" and after a brief explanation, he fell silent.

Curious, Qin Tian asked Zuo Yuanhao, "State Preceptor, is this your suggestion? No other strategies?"

Thud!

At this moment, Zuo Yuanhao unexpectedly knelt in front of Qin Tian!

Startled, Qin Tian said, "State Preceptor, what's wrong? Why did you kneel? Get up."

Both Qin Tian and Zhou Yang moved to support him, but Zuo Yuanhao insisted on kneeling, refusing to get up.

This situation left both Qin Tian and Zhou Yang dumbfounded.

"State Preceptor, what are you doing? I don't understand you," Zhou Yang said with wide eyes.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

As Zuo Yuanhao spoke, he kowtowed to Qin Tian.

Confounded, Qin Tian quickly stopped him, saying, "State Preceptor, speak your mind. You're acting very strange today."

Zuo Yuanhao looked up at Qin Tian, and there were tears at the corners of his eyes!

"Your Majesty, this time, our deployment is bound to be victorious!"

Originally, one would have thought that Zuo Yuanhao was going to explain something to Qin Tian, but unexpectedly, he steered the conversation back to the matter of advancing the troops.

This left Qin Tian and Zhou Yang even more baffled.

What on earth is wrong with the State Preceptor today?

This is not like his usually composed demeanor at all!

Qin Tian took a deep breath and continued along Zuo Yuanhao's line of thought, asking, "Everyone is advising me to deploy the troops, but none are as resolute as you. None of them dare to claim that victory is assured."

"This time, you've gone against your usual cautious nature and spoke with such certainty. Why?"

Zuo Yuanhao closed his eyes slightly and said, "Because I... I know that if Your Majesty deploys the troops this time, we will surely capture the Imperial City! Surely!"

"State Preceptor... Are you hiding something from us?"

Zhou Yang, a very astute individual, noticed Zuo Yuanhao's slight hesitation and reconsidered Zuo Yuanhao's entire appearance from before, sensing something amiss.

"Yes."

Unexpectedly, Zuo Yuanhao didn't avoid the question and directly answered Zhou Yang's inquiry.

Qin Tian's eyes lit up from the side; something is hidden from us?

And he knelt?

Is it that serious?

Could it be, he has wronged me, and felt the need to kneel and confess?

Countless reasons for Zuo Yuanhao to kneel flashed through Qin Tian's mind, but none seemed plausible.

Furthermore, along the way, Qin Tian recalled that Zuo Yuanhao had always been helping him, working tirelessly, without a hint of self-interest, where had he wronged me?

At this moment, Zuo Yuanhao again steered the conversation back to the deployment, and with the maps of West State and the Tianyuan Dynasty at his fingertips, as if in perfect command:

"Your Majesty, this time, our two hundred thousand troops will march to Tiger City, then proceed north. The cities to the south and west of the Imperial City, upon encountering us, will surely surrender without a fight, not daring to confront us head-on."

"Meanwhile, with the impact of the War God's sudden death, Emperor Xuan is sure to deploy all his forces in the Imperial City. He knows that the smaller cities outside cannot hold against us, so he undoubtedly will prepare to make a stand with us in the Imperial City..."

Zuo Yuanhao analyzed seriously, with Zhou Yang on the side saying, "State Preceptor, we all know these analyses."

"It's just that we now have two concerns."

"First, the biggest concern is the Dragon Clan. When we attack the Imperial City, what will they choose to do? They could easily influence the battle."

"Second, although a camel may be thin, it is still larger than a horse. Even with our two hundred thousand troops attacking the Imperial City, is it certain it can't fend us off? None of us dare to guarantee its capture; the Imperial City has at least three hundred thousand troops, so our twenty thousand troops alone will find it almost impossible to take the city..."

"We can!"

Zuo Yuanhao suddenly interrupted Zhou Yang, staring at Qin Tian with determination, "We can definitely capture the Imperial City!"