【1118】Consumption.

Xiao Shizhu, who walked out of the cabin, silently returned to his own cabin.
General Lin followed along all the way.
Qing Lan, who had already left, also followed after Xiao Shizhu entered the door, accompanied by the black monkey that had returned from somewhere, she had been absent for a while. Translated:
"My lord, it seems that the Qingqiu Fox Nation is indeed mobilizing troops, with a focus on attacking the central region to achieve the goal of attacking their weak points and breaking their entire front line."
General Lin couldn't wait to say as soon as he entered.
Xiao Shizhu stood by the sand table, staring intently at the landscape depicted on it, pondering swiftly.
He believed that there was a possibility, albeit very small, that Qingqiu Fox Nation might allow Yunmu to deliver false information to grant her escape.
He immediately turned to Qinglan, who had already handed him the teacup, and asked, "What did the spy on the Qingqiu Fox King's ship report?"
It turned out that just now, he had instructed Qinglan to contact the undercover agent planted on the Qingqiu Fox King's ship to verify the truthfulness of Yunmu's words.
"Indeed, it was Hu Shidou's doing, the secret order of the Fox King of Qingqiu." Qing Lan handed Xiao Shizhu a teacup and said slowly, "However, even Qingqiu Fox Kingdom is still unaware that our mermaid troops are following behind their ships. Yun Mu is still alive, perhaps it is truly an act of mercy from Hu Shidou."
"Is the intelligence source reliable?"
Before Xiao Shizhu could say anything, General Lin asked cautiously.
Qing Lan didn't say much, but nodded to indicate that it was absolutely reliable. The information came from a ghost that had long been placed beside the Fox King of the Qing Qiu, with a very high level of reliability. However, Qing Lan couldn't disclose any details, so she simply nodded.
General Lin stopped asking further questions, while Xiao Shizhu also stopped pondering.
Now he can be sure that Yunmu did not deceive him.
Moreover, Xiao Shizhu had already known about the mobilization of troops in the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom.
Just Yunmu doesn't know that he already knows.
"The Qingqiu Fox Nation is playing a clever game by letting the armies of other ghost nations head straight for Mount Dushuo to exhaust us, while they themselves preserve their strength and get ready to break through our defense line."
After taking a sip of clear water, Xiao Shizhu felt a cool and refreshing sensation in his mouth. He continued to gaze at the sand table in front of him, a contemptuous look appearing on his face.
Speaking of the strategy of the Qingqiu Fox Country, it is flawless, and it wouldn't be worthy of Xiao Shizhu's disdain. He simply predicted that Qingqiu Fox Country would act this way, which is why he showed such a gaze.
Although Xiao Shizhu has no idea how dangerous the upcoming battle will be, he can already predict that the Fox Kingdom of Qingqiu is doomed.
Once Duoshuo Mountain depletes all the external support for the Fox Kingdom of Qingqiu, it will be the moment when Jiu You Kingdom surrounds and besieges Qingqiu.
"Qing Lan, I want you to go to San Shan Island and instruct them to intensify their training for the navy." After handing Qing Lan the empty teacup, Xiao Shizhu said, "Make sure they are fully prepared for battle within a month and ready to be deployed at any time."
"Let Chunhan take charge of the defense in the Yiyi region, with Yinlingxing and Zhuhai providing maritime support and ready to be deployed at any time."
"Let the Yanlowang in the Duosuo Mountain hold on a little longer. We must exhaust the large number of foreign reinforcements from the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom at the foot of Duosuo Mountain."
After issuing three consecutive military orders, Xiao Shizhu's gaze returned to calmness as he finished speaking.
Qing Lan responded and took note of these military orders before hurrying out again.
An hour later, the third military order from Xiao Shizhu had been transmitted layer by layer by the mushroom people from various parts of the Nine Hades Kingdom to the military command on Mount Dushuo.
When the military order arrived, Yan Luo Wang was holding a meeting with the various mountain base commanders in the main hall of the military command, discussing the next course of action.
The flying thunder car that hurriedly arrived from the Xanglei Mountain not only brought them some strategic supplies, but also launched two airstrikes on the Fengdu Army and Xuan Emperor Army on its way, giving the defending army of the Jiuyou Kingdom in the Dushuo Mountain a chance to rest and breathe.
As the fungal messenger, responsible for communication, recounted Xiao Shizhu's military orders by Yama's side, the ghostly generals present fell into silence.
Months of battles had taken a toll on their forces and they suffered significant losses.
The southern allied forces, only providing artillery reinforcements across the river, have never sent troops to cross the river, leaving Mount Dushuo isolated and surrounded by enemy forces, which has frustrated some ghost generals present.
Now, Xiao Shizhu issued a military order, telling them to continue to hold their ground. The anger in the hearts of these generals only increased instead of being reduced.
Yan Luo Wang scanned the silent generals and noticed that some of the ghost generals had an unhappy expression. Guessing the reason, he slowly said, "Do you feel displeased?"
Just as the words fell, one of the ghosts hummed and said, "General, what does our lord mean? Is he using us as bait?"
Before he could finish speaking, Yan Luo Wang smiled and looked at Luo Qing, who was sitting there silently drinking tea. Seeing that Luo Qing showed no anger or resentment, Yan Luo Wang teasingly asked, "Luo Qing, are you just going to sit there and drink tea? Don't you have anything to say?"
Luo Qing put down the tea cup and shook his head, indicating that he had nothing to say.
"You should complain a little. Since the start of the war, it's been the East Hill where you've suffered the most attacks and incurred the greatest losses. Don't you want to complain a bit?"
With this statement, all the ghost generals turned their gazes towards Luo Qing under the candlelight.
Those ghost generals who harbored resentment, particularly, had hopeful eyes, anticipating that Luo Qing would also step forward at this moment. Translated:
I saw Luo Qing smile lightly and said, "I have been following our lord and fighting in many places since early years. I have been with him since before he became the King of the Underworld. From Shuoyue Island to various prefectures in the south, we fought all the way to today. I understand one thing: as ghost generals leading troops, we can be bold and innovative in tactics, but the overall strategy is determined by our lord and his advisers. It's not our place to dictate. Wherever the court and our lord command me to fight, I, Luo Qing, will fight. As for losses, which war can truly be fought without bending others to one's army? Which war can be fought without bloodshed and sacrifice? There's nothing to complain about."
After saying that, he chuckled again and stopped speaking, picking up his own teacup and continued drinking.
Those ghost generals who had hoped for him to take action couldn't help but feel disappointed and shifted their gazes away from Luo Qing.
"Exactly, Luo Qing's attitude is much more proper than yours." Yan Luo Wang smiled and glanced at the other generals, slowly stating, "The Ninth Underworld Army has always been bold and unafraid of fighting. Are you saying that this time you are afraid of shedding blood and sacrificing? You complain endlessly over a little bit of loss. Don't forget, your soldiers are the people's and the court's, not your private possessions."
Not only did these resentful generals express their anger, but they also made them feel ashamed.
"Both the court and the devil's people need us, they need us to defend this place, and exhaust the enemy's forces. So we must resolutely follow the military orders, not retreat a step or give an inch, and fight until the very last devil soldier falls."
"
What do you have to complain about? Just follow the military orders."
After saying this, Yan Luo Wang, who had reached his limit, stopped talking about the matter.
Another message is that Princess Xiaofuling from Yuque has urgently mobilized 20,000 soldiers and 100,000 stones of supplies from Dongyizhou, and it is heading towards our side." After a pause, Yanluo Wang said to the generals, "Many of them are troops from the Fucheng and Xuandi forces in the southern seas, who have just surrendered. But now that they have surrendered, we can make use of them. When the time comes, I will prioritize allocating them to Luoqing."
Once again, there was a pause. Yama, the King of Hell, looked towards a slightly surprised Luoqing.
With their eyes locked, he asked, "Luoqing, do you dare to use these soldiers?"
"Of course," Luo Qing answered without hesitation, "I dare to use it."
Over the years, not all of Luo Qing's soldiers and horses were old soldiers from Shuoyue Island. Many of them were prisoners of war captured in various battles. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
He also did not feel that there was anything inappropriate in the use of these ghost soldiers. These ghost soldiers were not from the same clan, and their hearts were bound to be different. After joining the Nine Nether Nation, they followed the principle of unity among the ghosts of the Nine Nether Nation and served wholeheartedly, and there were indeed many of them.
He naturally dared to use it.
"Okay, I'll give you ten thousand." Yama looked at the other generals and asked, "Does anyone have any objections?"
After a brief moment of contemplation, the generals nodded one after another, expressing their agreement.
They also know how much enemy forces Luoqing has dealt with for them in the past few months, and how many fierce enemy attacks he has endured. Nobody really has the audacity to compete with Luoqing for this troop replenishment.
"And this is just the first batch, there will be more reinforcements arriving soon." Seeing that everyone agreed, Yan Luo Wang continued, "When that time comes, the court will make up for any losses of troops and horses you have suffered. The court hasn't forgotten our contributions and sacrifices. I hope all of you will work together and stop complaining all day long. Follow the orders of the Lord and maximize the consumption of the enemy's forces."
“诺。”。
主将齐齐起身，抱拳应答，声音洪亮且铿锵有力，不
再有丝毫抱怨。
当然了，这也不是阎罗王诓骗他们，他确实收到了玉阙城那边，发来了让他准备接受兵源，以及物质的消息。
This immediately dispelled the complaints and grievances of the ghost generals present, as the recent losses have been too great.
No matter how much news there is, Lord Yama cannot reveal much more.
He knows that this consumption is to preserve strength, so that in the future, the Jiuyou Kingdom can completely encircle the Qingqiu Fox Kingdom. However, he cannot yet inform his subordinate commanders. Translated:
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That's all for now.
Yama, the King of Hell, waved his hand, signaling the generals to sit down before continuing, "The enemy's counterattack may be delayed this time. Their ghostly artillery has all been destroyed, and it will take them some time for transportation. Take this opportunity to rest, reinforce our defenses, and be prepared for battle at any time."
"Since Lord has requested us to continue consuming, then if the enemy forces attack, we should still adopt a strategy of defending head-on while simultaneously launching surprise attacks from the sides and rear. This will maximize the enemy's casualties."
Yama, the King of Hell, plans to consume the enemy's army in this way, but feels that it's not enough. He adds, "The enemy's artillery is heavy and once they retreat, they will certainly withdraw their artillery first. By depriving them of artillery support, we can also pursue their rear troops to some extent. We can hit them and then quickly retreat, making them suffer and giving them headaches. There's no harm in doing so."
Yan Luo Wang, this move of mine is making enemies retreat while I advance, which may seem a bit opportunistic but it can also lead to a greater depletion of the enemy forces.