Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The capital of the Great Yan Kingdom, Yanjing City.

The Khan of Great Yan, Murong Zhao, who was over fifty years old, sat on the dragon throne with a dejected expression.

The message coming from inside the hall was Murong Ke reporting on the recent military situation of the Tianlang Kingdom's invasion.

"Your Majesty, the 100,000 wolf riders of the Heavenly Wolf Kingdom are divided into several groups and are traveling back and forth to the border cities of our Yan Kingdom."

According to frontline statistics, more than sixty tribes guarding the grasslands have been plundered and slaughtered by the Sirius tribe.

Everywhere I looked, there were the corpses of my Great Yan soldiers and civilians, and countless herdsmen had been captured by cavalry and taken to the territory of the Tianlang Kingdom as slaves.

Murong Ba's troops have already marched to the front lines to defend against the incursions of the Sirius people, while other tribes are also advancing towards the border city.

However, the Tianlang tribe is savage and extremely cruel. If the Great Yan does not quickly expel them from its territory, the Great Yan will likely never have peace.

Murong Zhao opened his weary eyes, raised his hand and said, "As the Khan of Great Yan, I have reigned for thirty-six years and am now fifty-four years old. I have been working tirelessly to secure a place for the people of Great Yan to live and multiply."

Unfortunately, fate has not been kind to us. The barbarian wolves have repeatedly invaded our borders and humiliated our people. As Khan, I have been unable to protect them. I am ashamed before my country.

"Now, the Tianlang Kingdom, relying on the assistance of the Wuzhao Kingdom, is intensifying its provocations against my Great Yan. Unfortunately, my Iron Cavalry is stationed at Fengsui Fortress..."

Murong Zhao stopped speaking halfway through his sentence.

Fengsui Fortress is an eternal humiliation for the Murong clan.

The 15,000-strong Iron Cavalry Battalion consisted of renowned noble cavalrymen, representing the core strength of the Great Yan Dynasty.

The result was a complete annihilation in one battle, which also led to the downfall of the renowned general Wei Shuyu.

Otherwise, how could the Kingdom of Tianlang be so unscrupulous?

But it's too late to say anything now. With Wei Shuyu dead, the Yan state has lost a shield.

I still remember when Wei Shuyu led two thousand elite troops to Yushan Pass and held off the invasion of sixty thousand wolf cavalry for one year and three months without being able to advance an inch.

Now, the Imperial Pass, guarded by the newly appointed general Murong Chong, was breached by the Tianlang barbarians in less than two days.

The difference between the two is obvious at a glance.

Now, all that can be hoped for is that Murong Ba, the last great general of the Yan Kingdom, can withstand the massive invasion of the Tianlang Kingdom.

Murong Ke: "Father, this time the Tianlang Kingdom has launched a large-scale invasion of the Great Yan border. Their momentum is different from before; it seems they are coming to destroy our Great Yan."

It seems that Wu Zhao Kingdom is behind this. If we cannot withstand this pressure, the Great Yan dynasty will be in grave danger.

Murong Zhao: "I know that the Tianlang Kingdom is supported by the Wuzhao Kingdom, but what can I do?"

"The Kingdom of Wu Zhao is the largest country on the continent, with a population larger than that of the Great Chu. My Great Yan is merely a small country."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone in the hall immediately suggested, "Khan, I believe it is unwise to continue being enemies with the Wu Zhao Kingdom at this time."

My Great Yan is located in the Far East, with barren land and a sparse population. To the east, the Jin Kingdom is as fierce as wolves and tigers, and there is also the Taiji Kingdom, which is ambivalent and indecisive.

"Furthermore, the State of Chu has deployed troops along the border to the south. If the conflict with the State of Wuzhao continues in this situation, how can the State of Yan sustain such a prolonged war?"

Murong Zhao nodded: "What Mr. Yelü said makes sense. I also believe that the relationship with Wu Zhao Kingdom must be changed."

"It would be better to send an envoy to the Kingdom of Wu Zhao, grant the request of its ruler, and our Great Yan is willing to become its vassal state."

"Absolutely not!"

Murong Ke immediately refused.

"Father, if we submit to the Wu Zhao Kingdom, what will become of our Great Yan Kingdom!"

Yelü An: "Second Prince, the Tianlang Kingdom slaughters the people of my Great Yan so often, and they invade the south almost every year. Can you bear to watch the people of Great Yan live in the shadow of barbarians?"

Murong Ke: "Mr. Yelü, you are mistaken. Wu Zhao Kingdom has always been untrustworthy. Even if my Great Yan is willing to submit to Wu Zhao Kingdom,

Will he really let us go? Don't be naive. Wu Zhao Kingdom has always been untrustworthy, especially its current ruler, Li Hong.

They are even more insidious and ruthless. How many countries that become their vassals can live in peace?

If Great Yan became a vassal state of Wu Zhao, and Li Hong launched a military campaign against it, would Great Yan send troops or not?

Yelü An remained silent.

Murong Ke continued, "The biggest enemy of Great Yan right now is the Tianlang Kingdom. As long as we hurt the Tianlang Kingdom badly, they will naturally not dare to invade again."

Yelü An: "Your Highness makes it sound so easy. The Tianlang barbarians are ferocious by nature, each one is brave and skilled in battle, and their horsemanship and archery are exceptionally superb."

Although our Great Yan also conquered the world on horseback, we have suffered more defeats than victories against the cavalry of the Heavenly Wolf Kingdom. How can we possibly fight them?

Murong Zhao nodded in agreement: "Yes, I know that submitting to Wu Zhao is the worst possible strategy."

But if they don't submit, how will Great Yan deal with the constant invasions of these barbarians?

Murong Ke said, "Father, Mr. Yelü, I have come up with a way to stop the invasion of the Tianlang Kingdom's cavalry."

"Oh? What can I do?"

"Purchase weapons from the State of Chu."

Murong Ke's words caused a huge uproar in the hall.

"Your Highness, do you mean to let Great Yan do arms business with Chu?"

"My son, you're not joking with me, are you?"

Faced with the questioning from his ministers and Murong Zhao, Murong Ke remained remarkably calm.

"Father, I have already discussed with the Empress of Chu that we wish to purchase weapons."

"We can go to Jinling to negotiate with them, and in my estimation, the State of Chu will certainly agree to provide us with a batch of military supplies for emergency use."

"Are Chu's weapons really that formidable?" Murong Zhao asked with a skeptical look. "You mustn't be fooled by that empress."

"will not!"

Murong Ke replied confidently.

"State affairs are not to be taken lightly. Besides, the power of Chu's military is already well-known."

The Chu state was able to recover Guanzhong, annex the Wu state, and eliminate the threat in the north thanks to its formidable military might.

I was fortunate enough to witness the power of that weaponry; a single cannon shot ravaged miles, its deafening roar echoing throughout the universe, tearing apart men and horses in its wake.

Upon hearing Murong Ke's words, Murong Zhao immediately became interested: "So, according to you, as long as our Great Yan army is equipped with such weapons, we will no longer need to fear the Tianlang Kingdom?"

"Of course!"

"But would the State of Chu really be willing to sell such a powerful firearm?"

"This naturally requires sending someone to the capital of Chu to discuss it in detail. I urge Father Emperor to think it over carefully."

Murong Zhao shook his head, leaning wearily against the dragon throne: "I am old, and my energy is not what it used to be. Since you think the Great Yan army should be equipped with weapons..."

"Then let's do it your way. The procurement of weapons will be entirely your responsibility."

"Father is wise."

Murong Ke bowed to Murong Zhao, finally feeling relieved.

The procurement of arms must proceed as soon as possible...

Just as the State of Yan began sending an envoy to Jinling in the State of Chu, the envoy from the State of Song arrived in Jinling even earlier, also intending to purchase a batch of weapons from the State of Chu.

"Your Majesty, the Jin Kingdom has invaded the territory of our Great Song Dynasty. His Majesty has entrusted me to come to the capital to purchase a batch of military supplies from your country."

"To alleviate this urgent crisis, Your Majesty, please consider the diplomatic relations between our two nations and grant this request."

Looking at Zhou Xianwu kneeling in the Taiji Hall, tears streaming down his face, Jiang Mengxuan's eyebrows furrowed tightly.

She genuinely didn't want to sell weapons; such national treasures should belong only to the state, and shouldn't be leaked at will.