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

"Get up and talk first."

"Yes."

After Hailan stood up, Shen Lang asked, "How many people does your Soren tribe have now?"

Hailan replied truthfully: "Our Solon people are scattered in the Savage Mountains that connect Liaodong and Liaoxi. I don't know how many there are."

In the tribe where I live, there are more than 40,000 people, including the elderly, women, and children.

I brought 2,028 people with me this time. They are the strongest and most capable men in the tribe. They are all very hardworking. As long as you are willing to give them a full meal,

"You can make them do anything, sir. Really, our Soren tribe doesn't need anything, as long as we have food, we're willing to risk our lives for you."

To date, Shen Lang has only recruited mercenary groups five times.

The Imperial Guard, the guards of Nanzhao, the ronin of Yunshang Kingdom, the Shatuo, and the Solon tribe.

In terms of individual combat prowess alone, the Solonians were the cheapest and most effective group among these conscripted mercenaries from foreign lands.

This is also the key to Shen Lang's plan to incorporate the entire Liaodong region into the territory of the Chu Kingdom.

There are too many tribes in Liaodong, and a tribe that is absolutely obedient to the Chu state is needed to assist in its management.

After the fall of Northern Yan and Goguryeo, Shen Lang planned to launch an extremely bloody tribal revolution in Liaodong. Only a small number of tribes that were absolutely loyal and obedient could survive and thrive in this storm, spreading their branches and leaves into the development dividends of the Great Chu.

"Very well, I demand that you swear on the lives of the entire Solon tribe that from this day forward, the Solon tribe will have only one vassal state, and that is the Great Chu Empire."

You and your people will obey the Emperor of Great Chu for generations to come. If you break this oath, the entire clan, men, women, and children, will surely perish.

Without hesitation, Hailan knelt on the ground and swore: "I, Hailan, chieftain of the Soren tribe, hereby declare that I will lead my entire tribe to serve the Great Chu Empire."

From this day forward, I will be at your service. If I break this oath, I will surely die a horrible death!

Shen Lang closed his eyes briefly: "Hailanyin, remember your promise today. From this moment on, you and your people must obey my arrangements."

"Yes!"

After responding loudly, Hailan couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, sir, will we be attacking the city tomorrow?"

Shen Lang: "You want to claim the credit?"

Hailan shook her head and said, "No, sir, you misunderstand. Our tribesmen ate very well today, and we feel like we have inexhaustible energy."

That's how we Solon people are. Whoever treats us well, we consider them friends. We want to help our lord, to take that city and present it to him.

"Hahaha."

Shen Lang smiled upon hearing this.

"It's just a meal, is it really that big of a deal?"

“Of course!” Hylan replied firmly, “The master gave us a full meal, so we should naturally repay him tenfold.”

"You're a straightforward person, but it's a pity that the first merit has already been reserved by the Shatuo, so you won't have that chance."

Upon hearing this, Hailan's face showed visibly disappointment.

Shen Lang waved his hand: "Alright, you don't need to think too much. Just do as I say."

I've already had hot water prepared. Tonight, you and your people should wash yourselves thoroughly.

"To be honest, you guys smell really awful. How long has it been since you showered?"

"Yes."

Hailan responded and respectfully withdrew from the main tent.

After he left, Ban Dingyuan came to report: "Commander, the army's food supplies are running low."

"How long can this last?"

"More than half a month."

"Is there any news yet about sending Jin Zizai to gather military provisions?"

"There is no news yet, but I estimate that the expenses of raising tens of thousands of troops over the next few months will be considerable."

The gentry of Taiji Kingdom have probably also been drained of their resources and cannot produce so much grain for the time being.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang got up and paced back and forth inside the tent.

Ban Dingyuan suggested, "Commander, I propose reducing the soldiers' daily rations. This way, the army can hold out for at least another month."

Shen Lang shook his head: "We absolutely cannot reduce the grain supply. Here's what we'll do: Go write a letter to Northern Yan and tell them that Goryeo is short of grain. Ask them to find a way to send 100,000 hu (60 jin per hu) as an emergency measure."

Ban Dingyuan wondered if he had misheard: "Commander, could there be a mistake? Northern Yan itself is probably out of food. Are you sure you want to ask them for more?"

Shen Lang: "You don't need to worry about that. Just do as I say. Don't worry, I never even thought I could get a single grain of food from the Northern Yan region."

"Since the Commander already has a plan in mind, I will take my leave now."

"Go on, we'll be launching a full-scale attack on Rangzhou City tomorrow. Take a good rest."

……

The following day, smoke filled the air, and shouts of killing shook the heavens.

After a ten-day rest, the Goryeo army launched another offensive against Yangju City.

"Kill--"

"Hold on! Hold on, everyone! Don't let a single Goryeo soldier in!"

Lou Tai'a did his utmost to command the defending troops, and they engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with the Shatuo and other tribes in Liaodong at the breach.

For a moment, soldiers from both sides were crowded together in the crowd, spears and swords clashing against each other, blood splattering and creating a cloud of blood mist.

Looking at the breach in the city wall, Xue Yan couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile.

Just an hour ago, the breach in the city wall, which had taken seven days to barely repair, collapsed again amidst the roar of cannon fire.

Faced with absolute technological superiority, Xue Yan felt that all these efforts were nothing but a joke.

"Get them out! Get them all out!"

Xue Yan suddenly roared, then grabbed his sustain knife and leaped to the front of the breach, sweeping it backhand at a Liaodong soldier.

puff-

With a single slash, Xue Yan severed the head of the Liaodong barbarian from his shoulder.

"Kill! Never back down, kill!"

With their commander so fierce, the Goguryeo soldiers and civilians behind them were also infected. Their previously damaged morale returned, and they shouted loud slogans as they rushed madly towards these foreign tribes.

The battle raged from morning until noon, but it ended temporarily with the Goguryeo defenders holding the breach in the city wall and the withdrawal of the Shatuo and other Liaodong tribes.

After returning to the camp, Shen Lang didn't even go to see Shatuo anymore, but instead asked Ban Dingyuan to convey his message.

“Commander Shatuo, our commander said that he is very dissatisfied with the failure to capture Rangzhou City today and is already considering finding someone else to cooperate with.”

"No, the Duke of Zhenguo can't do this, he really can't do this!" Shatuo cried out anxiously. "We've lost over three hundred men today, how can he just abandon us like this?"

Ban Dingyuan replied, "Commander of the Shatuo, you don't need to rush to blame the military commander. If you really want to blame someone, you should blame your Shatuo tribe for being incompetent."

After all, the commander agreed to all your unreasonable demands precisely because he trusted you, but your performance has truly been disappointing.

"Alright, I won't say any more. You decide what to do. Commander, you're going to contact the other tribes to help conquer this city."