Chapter 498: Chapter 498: Tuoba Hui: The Fool Who Ruined Me

The officials in the Imperial Study saw Prince Tuoba Hui in a rage, and they all lowered their heads in fear that his anger might implicate them. The entire study was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

After a long moment, Tuoba Hui calmed himself, looked at the head of the Ministry of War, and said in a deep voice, "Minister Wei Qing, what is your opinion?"

The head of the Ministry of War stepped forward, cupped his hand, and said, "Great Khan, I just heard this person say that the reason for the Eastern Army’s defeat is mainly due to a powerful weapon called ’Strange Thunder’ owned by the Chen Army. I don’t know what this Strange Thunder is."

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Hui also focused on the "Strange Thunder" mentioned in the battle report.

He turned his attention to that person.

The person said nervously, "This thing... it sounds as loud as thunder but can emit firelight, so we call it Strange Thunder. When it attacks, it creates a blaze at the horizon, which is terrifying and causes the warhorses to panic and lose control, disrupting the military’s morale and giving the Chen Army the advantage."

"Could it be some kind of divine power?" An official couldn’t help but speak.

Throughout history, many have practiced the Thunder Technique, channeling Celestial Thunder as Innate Spiritual Qi. After stepping into the Divine Power Realm, they naturally can use thunder technique divine powers.

However, although these divine powers are terrifying, like all Divine Power Realm martial artists, using them expends a lot of Innate Spiritual Qi, and they cannot be held for long, hence not posing much threat.

The reporting person shook his head: "No, Prince and General have said that they cannot sense a hint of Innate Spiritual Qi fluctuation around the Strange Thunder. Instead, there’s a strong smell of sulfur."

"Sulfur? Isn’t that a medicine?" An official from the Imperial Medical Bureau mentioned.

"Then what exactly does this Strange Thunder look like?" asked the head of the Ministry of War.

"I have seen two types... of Strange Thunder." The person reporting paused for a moment and said, "One type is a round black ball, and another type resembles an ordinary pottery jar. The common trait is that they explode upon hitting the ground, with great power that even vine armor can’t defend against. When struck, one might be severely injured at best or killed outright, leaving not even an intact corpse."

As the words fell, most officials turned pale, pondering what this Strange Thunder really was.

Despite their wealth of knowledge and cultural learning, none had encountered any description of such a thing in books, stories from others, or in any strange tales.

Faced with such an unknown thing, all officials were very worried.

The head of the Ministry of War questioned about the Strange Thunder, hoping to find a way to counter it and thus respond to Tuoba Hui’s inquiry.

But faced with something never heard of or seen, he had no clue or strategy, so he changed his approach and said, "Great Khan, since the eastern line has completely collapsed, the immediate priority is to strengthen the defense at other passes to prevent Song Army from invading Jin Xia’s border and harming our citizens."

The words from the head of the Ministry of War awakened the officials.

One must know that this time when attacking Great Song, a total of 150,000 troops were deployed, which are all the troops within the nation that can be mobilized.

What does ’all the troops that can be mobilized’ mean...

It’s not that Jin Xia’s army only consists of 150,000 people.

It is that except for those stationed at the Capital, guarding the border, and some local troops used to stabilize situations, all armies available for war are deployed.

One has to know that Jin Xia comprises dozens of tribes large and small.

Although these tribes have been subdued by the Tuoba Tribe, acknowledging Tuoba as the master and obeying Tuoba’s order.

But some tribes are merely obeying outwardly, with no true loyalty, just temporarily surrendered due to Tuoba’s strength.

The Tuoba Tribe understands this, so the Imperial Guard stationed in the Capital cannot be moved.

Also, although Gao Liao has been annihilated, only less than two years have passed, and the region still remembers the old master, so the border army guarding this region cannot be moved.

In this way, with the eastern line defeated, Jin Xia’s border with Great Song becomes dangerous.

The Ministry of War’s leader mentioned this, which somewhat rekindled Tuoba Hui’s suppressed anger.

Tie Muer, Yelv Nuku, foolish, incompetent.

A foolish man ruined me! A foolish man ruined me.

Violent anger and shame filled Tuoba Hui’s heart.

Despite his anger, Tuoba Hui had to force himself to remain calm and said in a deep voice, "I will soon issue a decree, ordering Yelv Hongqi to lead 10,000 Imperial Guards and with 10,000 troops from Beidi to reinforce Haiyan Pass."

Beidi is one of the many tribes in Jin Xia, whether in attacking Gao Liao or Great Song, Beidi’s troop contribution is minimal.

It is one of the tribes that obey outwardly but not truly.

Among the most loyal tribes to Tuoba are the Yelv Tribe, Wanyan Tribe, and Tutubu Tribe led by Tie Muer.

Haiyan Pass is the border pass between Jin Xia and Great Song.

Tuoba Hui’s ordering of Beidi troops is also a test to see what actions Beidi might take upon learning of the eastern line’s defeat.

The officials found Tuoba Hui’s arrangement appropriate and nodded in agreement.

The head of the Ministry of Revenue then stepped forward and said, "Great Khan, since the eastern line has completely collapsed, our attack on Great Song might be unproductive. Should we issue a decree ordering General Xia Ji to withdraw his troops?"

"No."

The head of the Ministry of War objected and continued, "General Xia Ji’s forces have reached Yu State in Great Song, which is the Chen Army’s stronghold. If we let General Wanyan retreat now, it would let the Chen Army operate without hindrance and push them to invade Haiyan Pass.

Moreover, although the eastern line has completely collapsed, the western line led by General Xia Ji is wholly victorious. If General Xia Ji captures Yu State, the Great Khan could decree the border army at Haiyan Pass to move south immediately, launching a pincer attack and possibly reversing the current defeat."

"Then how to deal with the Chen Army’s Strange Thunder?" the head of the Ministry of Revenue asked.

As head of the revenue, overseeing nationwide finances, his considerations differed from those of the Ministry of War, given warfare drains money and resources, imposing great pressure on him. Presently, he naturally hoped for a halt to hostilities.

"This..."

The head of the Ministry of War had no words and turned his gaze to Tuoba Hui, waiting for him to make a decision.

Tuoba Hui pondered for a moment and said, "Let’s follow Minister Wei Qing’s advice."

After all, the attack on Great Song was led by him. If it ended embarrassingly, what would the tribes think of him, how would the world view him?

He might become a laughing stock across the land.

...

Meanwhile, in Kedun’s Bedroom.

Wanyan Ya was trying on clothes in front of a half-height standing copper mirror.

Jin Xia’s customs and culture are more "open" than those of Great Song, so in her bedroom, Wanyan Ya directly undressed before the copper mirror.

Her wheat-colored voluptuous figure exuded a tempting allure that made one’s mouth dry.

Her beautiful face continuously exuded an enchanting charm akin to a fairy, her slender neck, with impressive curves under her collarbones, emitted a lively and healthy aura, inviting sampling.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com