The elder stepping forth from the ranks was Yu Zhong, Tongzhu Kingdom's Minister of War. Hearing the ruler's instructions, he calmly glanced at the Jade Gui in his hand, cleared his throat, and said, "This old minister and the others have analyzed the circumstances of the four kingdoms. Gu Kingdom and Yifeng Kingdom were Confucian cultivator founded nations, Jiming Kingdom was a Daoist sect country, and Gaza Kingdom had recently been supported by the Buddhist sect. Judging solely from the surface, Tongzhu Kingdom should begin with Jiming Kingdom and Gaza Kingdom. Gaza Kingdom in particular lies extremely close to Tongzhu Kingdom and is not strong; it should fall in a single blow. However, General Hao Hu believes that Yifeng Kingdom is controlled by the You family, a seventh-grade aristocratic family, while Gu Kingdom has always been the territory of the seventh-grade Gu family. Aristocratic families below the seventh grade pose no deterrent before Tongzhu Kingdom. Moreover, the Confucians of those two kingdoms belong to the... Agriculturalist school, which holds little weight among Confucian cultivators. The national strength of those two kingdoms is not much greater than Gaza Kingdom's. Yet although Gaza Kingdom is controlled by Buddhist cultivators and appears weak, Buddhist statues now spread their influence across Cangxian Continent. We have never heard of a Buddhist kingdom being destroyed. If Tongzhu Kingdom were to challenge their edge, we fear retaliation from the Buddhist sect. Your Majesty knows that those monks are the most sinister, and they care greatly for face. One careless step by Tongzhu Kingdom could invite a joint siege by several Buddhist kingdoms. The gains would not repay the losses! I ask Your Majesty to decide..."
"What about Jiming Kingdom?" Seeing that Yu Zhong had not mentioned Jiming Kingdom, the ruler asked with interest.
Yu Zhong hesitated slightly,