To achieve immortality, I cultivate using Qi Luck

Chapter 974: Chapter 404 Chang’an Residents_3 Chapter 974: Chapter 404 Chang’an Residents_3 In front of them, they were all very respectful and humble.

“Indeed, we have already arrived at Blue Jade County, which now falls under the jurisdiction of Jingzhao Yin of Wei Country, precisely within Jingji.”

Upon hearing the question, Huang Yun nodded slightly and then lamented, “I hadn’t expected such a critical core region to still be approached by Barbarian cavalry.

It seems the troubles along the western border of Wei are far more serious than imagined.”

Han Shun agreed, “The border troubles of Wei are so severe they now jeopardize Jingji.

It seems that our diplomatic mission might easily accomplish its goals.”

Initially, Lu Yuan had settled on a plan to ally with Wei Country, jointly dispatching troops to sweep through the plains Barbarians and the Western region foreign tribes, aiming to draw Wei’s forces towards Great Chu.

Afterward, naturally, someone needed to be sent to Wei to achieve this.

Huang Yun and Han Shun were the chief and deputy envoys of this diplomatic mission from Chu.

At the same time, they were also major generals of the Hanzhong army corps responsible for coordinating with Wei and jointly sallying forth to cleanse the Barbarians, each commanding a contingent of troops or awaiting orders at the main camp.

Well, given their responsibilities, it isn’t difficult to guess that their current mission to Wei carried certain special tasks.

For instance, gathering intelligence on Wei, observing the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses, and preparing for the next year’s military offense into Guanzhong.

After all, aside from drawing out the main Wei forces, the Hanzhong army corps also had the critical task of attacking Guanzhong, blocking Wei’s troops from reinforcing Henan and Nanyang.

Completing this mission wouldn’t be so simple.

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“It’s easy to lure the Wei people out, but to block them will be not so simple.”

Huang Yun looked towards the Wei Villagers eagerly disposing of the corpses and plundering war spoils from the defeated Barbarians, his gaze filled with worry, “The Wei have one million five hundred thousand Soldiers within Guannei and Shuofang alone, including more than ten Inborn martial artists.

They are already extremely strong.

But now I see that the common folk of Wei are also fierce and valiant in battle, far surpassing those of Great Chu.

If in the event of war, all five million Wei people of Guanzhong and Shuofang are as brave as this, it would be easy to gather an army of a million, each with significant combat strength.

That would be two million five hundred thousand troops then.”

By the end of his words, Huang Yun’s tone inevitably lowered a bit.

Han Shun was also silent.

The Hanzhong army corps they belonged to had a formation of two hundred thousand Soldiers and eight hundred thousand Militia; altogether, barely a million people.

This Strength looked strong, but compared to Wei’s forces in Guannei and Shuofang, it was vastly inferior.

The gap between Both Sides was close to four or five times.

“Not all Wei people may be so valiant.

Perhaps we could call these Village Braves over and inquire further,” Han Shun proposed, breaking the silence.

Huang Yun replied, “That’s possible, you go and bring someone.”

Han Shun nodded, then turned to find the Wei officials escorting them to negotiate the matter.

After speaking a few words with the Wei official, who did not oppose, perhaps because he also wanted to showcase their military strength, he called for the villagers to be brought over.

A short while later, the villagers who were clearing the battlefield of their spoils were led over.

“Lowly Zhu Xiang, at your service,” the man said.

Maybe because it was his First time seeing high-ranking officials, the villager brought over was somewhat reserved and cautiously saluted Huang Yun and his companions.

Huang Yun sized up the man in front of him named Zhu Xiang, a tall and stout figure with vigorous vitality and some grasp of Inner Strength—an indication that he had practiced martial arts.

He was only a bit old, with white at his temples, looking to be in his fifties or sixties, already advanced in years.

Perhaps for this reason, he had managed to escape being conscripted into the army.

“Rise, Old man, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Huang Yun raised his hand slightly, signaling Zhu Xiang to stand, and said, “Seeing the Old man lead people in driving off the Barbarian cavalry earlier was truly astounding, which is why I had someone bring you here for questioning.”

After explaining briefly, he continued, “May I ask the Old man, are there many warriors like you in the villages?”

Zhu Xiang looked up cautiously and replied, “Honored sir, our humble martial skills are not worth boasting about in the presence of such esteemed individuals.

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However, there are indeed many villagers like us who have practiced a thing or two.

Basically, boys around the ages of eleven or twelve will start learning some self-defense skills under the guidance of the elders in the village.

Therefore, in our area, all village men know how to handle swords, spears, and archery.

Even the women can handle a bow and manage to hit one or two arrows out of ten.”

In the world of the Nine Provinces, those of the high-level Aristocratic families meant more than just a good birth.

In this world where the extraordinary and holy appear, birth also signifies formidable martial Strength, like those Coastal Aristocratic Family members from Yangzhou, who are both scholarly and martially skilled, with profound Cultivation.

In such a situation, for the ordinary people at the Low-level to confront the high-level aristocracy, even hoping for a simple man’s last stand could only be a vain wish.

Therefore, someone like Zhu Xiang, a Low-level martial artist, facing Huang Yun, who was clearly an important person of high status, truly did not dare to boast of courage.

“Is that so…”

Huang Yun paused for a moment, then turned his gaze to some villagers who were waiting anxiously and looking curiously towards them: mostly youngsters and Old men.

Those were the people who routed a group of Barbarian cavalry earlier.

He took a second look and asked, “I see your fellow villagers are carrying the heads of the slain Barbarians.

Is there a particular reason for severing and taking the heads?”

Zhu Xiang answered honestly, “The county had issued a notice earlier that villagers who bring in the heads of invading Barbarians to the county office will be granted fifty catties of rice per head.

This time we’ve taken the heads of thirteen Barbarians, which can be exchanged for six and a half stones of rice.”

“I see,” said Huang Yun, nodding his head, then spoke, “Thank you, Old man, for clearing up the matter.

Take some reward and then you may leave.”

“Thank you, your Excellency!”

Upon hearing of a reward, Zhu Xiang’s face lit up with joy.

After expressing his gratitude, he hurried off.

After he left, Huang Yun looked at Han Shun beside him and asked, “General Han, what do you think?”

The latter’s expression was solemn, “Wei is indeed a tough opponent.

If their commoners are all like Zhu Xiang, This Battle will be difficult.”

Huang Yun sighed softly, “Regardless, let’s first meet the Wei Emperor then decide.

Whether it’s sending more troops or any other strategies, ultimately we need to draw Wei Soldiers out of the country first.”

Their conversation thus ended.

Amidst the sound of carriage and horses, the diplomatic party continued towards Chang’an.