"Haha, Brother Dashan is an outstanding member of the Yelü Clan. He will surely become a minor king in the future. Why laugh at someone like me who has only managed to get to this position after decades?"
Tuoba Yu glanced at him and couldn't help but burst into laughter.
It's amazing how it took him decades to become a minor celebrity. Everyone's a product of decades of hard work, isn't they?
Yelü Dashan was both amused and exasperated. He said irritably, "I can forget about it for the rest of my life. Right now, all I'm thinking about is how to fight my way out. Lin Yi attacked from behind!"
I'll help you!
Tuoba Yu patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "We've been through life and death together, that makes us brothers. Once we get out, if we join forces, the credit will be well-deserved!"
Seeing this, Xiao Shan blinked involuntarily. Tuoba Yu really had some impressive skills.
This seemingly comforting gesture was actually a ploy to pull the Yelü Clan onto his side; this guy has quite the ambition.
Unlike Evil Bodhisattva and Yelü Dashan, he was under the command of the king of the Northern Region Barbarians, not someone to be a slave to Tuoba Yu. However, Tuoba Yu's courage and ambition were now making him feel somewhat afraid.
I hope Your Majesty can keep this person in check, otherwise he will surely rise to great heights and threaten the royal authority.
He knew one thing clearly: Yelü Dashan might seem like just an ordinary general, but it would be incredibly foolish to underestimate him.
This guy is a direct descendant of the Yelü Clan, and he will have a say in the Yelü Clan in the future.
Tuoba Yu's current efforts to win him over are likely aimed at securing his own gains through the Yelü Clan, and also at preventing Yelü Dashan from causing trouble for him.
Just then, Tuoba Yu looked at Xiao Shan and said in a deep voice, " Xiao Shan, Little Pine Mountain has already fallen into enemy hands. Where do you think our way out lies?"
Forehead!
Xiao Shan did not hesitate and said in a deep voice, "Now our choice is either to occupy Ningchuan Commandery, then find boats to cross the river and fight, which would draw the attention of Great Ning, but the consequences are unpredictable!"
"Indeed, the Great Ning River is not like the Song Tao River. I bet half of them would be killed before they even got across," Tuoba Yu laughed.
What about the second one?
"The second plan is for us to break through Ningchuan Commandery, then proceed to Youning Commandery to meet up with the Third Prince."
Everyone nodded in agreement. They knew there was a third point: to defend Ningchuan Commandery. But that was the most foolish thing to do, as it would bury their last chance of survival.
So the only options are to launch a further attack, which would be a near-certain death.
Either we attack eastward and rejoin the main force, which is simpler and clearer.
Tuoba Yu pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "His Majesty is in a precarious situation right now. If we leave like this, it won't help Mountain and River Pass at all. Therefore, we need to find another way!"
"How so?" the Evil Bodhisattva asked excitedly, immediately intrigued.
Tuoba Yu didn't hide anything and explained, "Since the enemy is holding Mountain and River Pass, we'll direct the war directly to Youning Commandery and Great Wasteland Commandery. In this way, the enemy will inevitably have to come back to reinforce. When the time comes, Your Majesty can seize the opportunity and coordinate an attack from within and without, this entire land will be ours!"
Hiss!
Everyone gasped in shock. If they joined forces like this, their side would have an army of 200,000, and Lin Yi would be utterly useless.
"Okay, let's do it this way!"
The Evil Bodhisattva exclaimed in admiration, "That's exactly how it has to be done! Otherwise, how can we truly capture the spirit of the Northern Region Barbarians?"
We're the troublemakers; if we didn't cause any trouble, wouldn't we be the people of Great Ning?
Yelü Dashan frowned and said, "Fighting is no problem, but how do we fight now? We are severely understaffed. After last night's battle, we only have less than 20,000 troops left. It's very difficult."
Yesterday they did a lot of things. First, they used the people of Ningchuan Commandery to break through Ping'an City, and then they took the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Imperial Guards outside.
Although they killed more people, they also suffered heavy losses on their own side.
Haha, aren't these all people?
Tuoba Yu laughed heartily, pointing at the prisoners filling the city and saying that these prisoners could help him build the city. With a little effort, how could they not fight for him?
"Will they fight for us?"
"Meeting!"
"Why?"
Tuoba Yu smiled without saying a word, then walked directly among the common people and said with a smile, "I have decided to give you a chance to follow me. Are you willing?"
"I don't want to!"
These commoners sneered inwardly. They refused to believe that this guy could kill them all. The Heir of Northern Liang would certainly not let them go, nor would the Emperor.
Besides, life in Great Ning is perfectly fine. Who would want to go live that kind of desolate, godforsaken place where your crotch is frozen solid?
This is just asking for trouble; it will pass if you just bear with it.
Yelü Dashan shrugged, clearly indicating that he couldn't!
Tuoba Yu wasn't angry. Instead, he said quietly, "You cooperated with me to take Ping'an City. Even if your future emperor rescues you, what do you think your fate will be?"
Forehead!
These words struck like a bolt from the blue, instantly silencing everyone. If the Emperor were to find out, the consequences would be unimaginable.
This time, the fall of Ping'an City not only resulted in the deaths of 10,000 imperial guards, but also the complete annihilation of the Northern Ning's Mansion. This...
They, who had been as resolute as iron, suddenly lost their composure.
"Hahaha!"
Tuoba Yu couldn't help but burst into laughter. He knew in his heart that these people had no choice but to follow him in All Under Heaven.
He glanced at Yelü Dashan and laughed, "Brother Dashan, these men are yours to manage. After they've rested, we'll set off to attack Youning Commandery!"
"OK!"
Yelü Dashan gave a thumbs up. This guy is indeed ruthless. He found a breakthrough in an instant. These people will only follow Tuoba Yu for survival and the future. They have no other choice.
Soon, all the men were divided up. Looking at the rapidly growing army, the Evil Bodhisattva couldn't help but laugh out loud. This looked so satisfying!
"Tsk tsk, our forces have instantly returned to 50,000. It's a pity we can't have any more, or we won't be able to control them." He said regretfully, looking at the remaining troops.
Tuoba Yu sneered, saying disdainfully, "It's no pity at all. These people will just be cannon fodder, blocking our arrows in front of us."
Forehead!
Everyone's pupils contracted; this method, while clever, was truly insidious.
Thump thump!!!
Just as they were chatting and laughing, the ground suddenly began to tremble. Tuoba Yu's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "Oh no! This is a large-scale cavalry attack! They have at least fifty thousand men!"
This was no small matter; the entire Ningchuan Commandery seemed to tremble. How many people had come? Wasn't it said that Lin Yi only had 30,000 troops?