Chapter 651: Chapter 296 – Three Paths Together_3
However, even among the militia, there were differences.
The militias of Kunhai and Chilih countries had beco familiar with war through years of warfare, and many had seen bloodshed, possessing so battlefield fierceness.
On the other hand, Nanzhao Country had enjoyed peace for a long ti, so there was little talk of warfare.
Grown in such an environnt, it was doubtful how much fighting power could be mustered by the militia.
Therefore, commanding “arrogant and fierce soldiers” that they had trained themselves from the dead, Li Xiong and Li River felt that there was no problem in beating the “delicate and weak” Nanzhao army.
Yes, within Nanzhao, there were indeed two Inborn Grandmasters. So, they have no advantage in terms of top-level combat power.
But they didn’t intend to destroy Nanzhao Country!
What Li Xiong and Li River really wanted was to take advantage of this opportunity and plunder from Nanzhao Country, grabbing so money, food, and population.
In this way, they could restore the annual weakening vitality of the two countries caused by war.
After Lu Yuan established the borders between the two countries and ended the Kunhai hegemonic war, the strength of Kunhai and Chilih countries in the Kunhai area had beco almost finalized.
Kunhai had four prefectures with fertile soil, but due to the continuous turbulence of war, the total population of the country was only about 300,000.
Chilih had six prefectures, occupying a corner of Kunhai and also having good land. Although the rear areas had not been affected by war, the population had been greatly reduced due to years of military drafts, leaving only about 400,000 people.
The total population of the two countries in one county was less than 800,000, which was even more miserable than the previous Xichuan and Hanzhong.
This devastating impact of war on the two countries was clear to see.
It was for this reason.
Kunhai and Chilih countries were in urgent need of a large number of people to replenish and restore dostic production and a large amount of money and food to maintain the operation of the governnt.
Neither of these could be provided by the two countries themselves.
Therefore, in order to achieve their goals, they were left with only one option: external expansion.
However, with both countries also submitting to the Chu state, it was no longer possible for them to fight each other in the Kunhai region, which would have been the most suitable target.
So, if they wanted to expand externally, they would have to look for targets in countries outside the Chu system.
Originally, Dali in the south was a suitable target.
In the First Month of this year, after a year of reorganization, they successfully suppressed the rebellion in Tong Hai Country and initially stabilized the area’s rule.
Su Country officially announced the establishnt of Tonghai County, with four prefectures and forty counties, which was the establishnt of administrative jurisdiction.
Following Su Country, at the end of the First Month, Song Country also formally established Yinsheng County, with five prefectures and fifty counties, in the territories they controlled in the Heichi Country, as well as so parts of the southern YingSheng area, and began their rule over the southwest barbarian region.
The establishnt of Tonghai and Yinsheng Counties by Su and Song countries imdiately cut off one-third of Dali’s territory, causing heavy losses to the country.
At the sa ti, in order to cope with the joint attack of Su and Song countries, Dali had no choice but to station a large number of troops in YingSheng area to deal with the aggressive offensive of the two countries, being extrely busy.
At this ti, if Kunhai and Chilih countries were to sneak-attack the now-empty Yangzu countries in the north of Dali, they would definitely reap great benefits.
Even seizing so territory would be very likely.
However, after losing the southern part of Kunhai, Chilih Country no longer bordered Dali. If they were to launch an invasion of Dali, only their rival, Kunhai, would ultimately benefit from it.
Thinking of this enemy, Chilih Country couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Moreover, if Kunhai were to grow stronger, the threat to Chilih would also increase. Of course, they would not let this situation happen.
Similarly,
With Chilih Country, the enemy, watching from behind, even though Chu was pressing down on both countries, Li Xiong would not dare to expose his back and confidently attack Dali.
Secondly, with Chilih’s submission, Dali also noticed the threat from the north and began to gradually dispatch troops to the Yangzu area in April to guard against the invasion of Kunhai.
There was internal restrain between the two countries, external caution from Dali, so it would not be easy for them to take advantage of the Yangzu area.
Thus, while the plan had always been in place, an opportunity to execute had never been found.
Just at that ti, the suzerain state gave an order for the two younger brothers to join forces and attack Nanzhao.
Li Xiong and Li River calculated that given the pressure from Chu and their own greed for Nanzhao, they reluctantly put aside their previous grievances and jointly launched an attack.
Under the coordination of Chu, the war against Nanzhao, with three countries attacking from the north, center, and south respectively, officially began.
On the 20th day of the fifth month of Shenwu Year 6, King of Chu, Lu Yuan, led an army of 40,000 northward.
On the sa day, the armies of Kunhai and Chilih Countries, which had been reorganized for more than a month, were outside Yangcheng City swearing allegiance, declaring their response to Chu and sending troops to attack Nanzhao Country.
On the 25th day of the fifth month, Lu Yuan arrived at Hui Chuan Country.
After eting with Huang Xuan again, he encouraged the 20,000 Forbidden Army soldiers under his command.
The True Person in charge of this country’s defense also formally swore allegiance to his troops in Hui Chuan Country, coordinating with the southern troops from Kunhai and Chilih countries, launching an attack on the Sword River Country, which was under Nanzhao’s rule.
Lu Yuan temporarily stopped here for two days, and with the assistance of his subordinate officials, established prefectures and counties in Hui Chuan Country.
Using the old land divisions, Jianchang and Huichuan Prefectures were set up, and at the sa ti, officials were to be dispatched from the rear to the various prefectures and counties to take up positions.
The original 4,000 county soldiers who had crossed the river with him were also distributed to various places in the two prefectures, to work alongside the newly arrived officials in enforcing governing and control.
After looking after the matter for three days and seeing no problems, Lu Yuan continued to move northward.
On the third day of the sixth month, Lu Yuan led his 40,000-strong army to officially arrive at Yuzhong Prefecture, in Xichuan County, where the Chu army was stationed.
The battle between the main forces of the northern route and the Nanzhao army officially began.
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