The World Online
chapter-1016

Li Jing was appointed, but he did not start work right away.

The current Battle of Annan had entered its key stage, and the Bear Legion Corps was being led by Baiqi. As a result, it was not appropriate for Li Jing to step in. It would be better for him to take over after the battle ended.

Li Jing did not stay in Shanhai City for long. The king had high hopes for him, so in return, he could only use his war achievements to prove the king correct.

In history, be it fighting in the grasslands or the high plains, neither was difficult for him.

The two Lis, Li Jing and Li Mu, would be the future of Great Xia in fighting against Tibet, West Xia, and West Turk.

Ouyang Shuo had already instructed Li Jing that after the Battle of Annan ended, the Bear Legion Corps were to move from the current Jiangchuan Province to Qiang Prefecture in the Shu Lands to go against Tibet.

Li Jing left Shanhai City to proceed toward Qiang Prefecture to set the groundwork for his future operations against Tibet.

...

Within the Xia palace Imperial Reading Room, Ouyang Shuo gathered Zhang Yi and Shen Buhai to give them both a secret mission.

That night, the magic powered submarine called Black Shark that was docked in Beihai Bay sneakily left the port and disappeared into the ocean.

Along with it was a high level official from the Honglu Temple.

************

Gaia 5th year, 4th month, 20th day, Annan Region.

During the past few days when the internal battle in China occurred, the Annan Region was not totally calm. After a reorganization, the Annan battlefield had entered a critical stage.

The final fates of the 500 thousand trapped Annan players was obvious.

Under the joint efforts of Huo Qubing and Mu Guiying, the Haiphong City 4th legion was crushed. Along with it, the entire south of Annan was under Great Xia's rule.

After the battle, the two groups of troops did not stay for long. Apart from leaving some men to defend and collect prisoners, most of them used merchant ships to go around Hai Van mountain and appear north of Annan to gather with Ma Chao.

After the two legions met up, they continued up north.

At the same time, the three City Protection Legions led by Shi Wanshui picked up the pace in sweeping the northern territories of Annan.

Haiphong City was not quiet either.

Recently, the Emperor Squadron and the 1st division of the Pacific Squadron had a joint bombing of the city.

As the main city, its defenders were obviously better than Danang City. Although they were both ocean cities, this one had around 200 cannons on its city walls.

That was really terrifying.

Firing all at once, very few squadrons would be able to withstand it.

Even a top grade squadron like the Emperor Squadron faced problems under the stubborn defenses, suffering heavy casualties. They had no choice but to take turns swapping out with the Pacific Squadron.

When the Yashan Squadron completed their sweeping mission, they too would gather at Haiphong City. When they happened, even if Haiphong City was made of steel, it would still be blown to shreds.

Before this, the Emperor Squadron could only cover the following 1st and 3rd legions of the Guards Legion Corps as they disembarked, camping 15 miles out of Haiphong City as they got ready to attack.

This meant that the Great Xia Army had split into three paths and advanced together. Looking at their stance, they were getting ready to sweep across and meet at Hanoi to launch their final strike.

Furthermore, at this moment, Annan suffered from an internal strife.

Adventure gamemode players chided Haiphong City Lord Ruan Tianque. If it were not for him having strong mental strength, he would have probably committed suicide.

However, Ruan Tianque could not die.

Due to their differences, the Annan players were not willing to assist Haiphong City. With the 160 thousand troops housed there, once the Yashan Squadron rushed over, the city would definitely be unable to handle the siege of the two Guards Legions.

The moment Haiphong City fell, half of the lifeline of Annan would be gone.

Hence, Ruan Tianque was really anxious. Helplessly, he personally rushed to Hanoi to visit all the guild leaders to discuss and explain the situation.

As the only Lord city left in Annan, Haiphong City was not only important to Hanoi, but it also guarded the entrance of Red River into the ocean.

The moment Haiphong City fell, the Great Xia Squadron could go up the flow of the river to arrive outside of Hanoi and cover Hanoi with cannon fire.

Such an outcome would be catastrophic.

Apart from that, if Haiphong City fell, it would mean that every city apart from the imperial city had been lost. All the other subordinate territories of Haiphong City would lose their fighting spirit and let Great Xia take over them easily.

If that happened, Hanoi would quickly become a lone city.

In such a scenario, it would only be a matter of time until Annan was wiped out. Even if there were 800 thousand troops housed in Annan, along with 900 thousand combat occupation players, they would still be just birds locked in a cage.

Ruan Tianque reminded the guild leaders, "Do not forget how Great Xia took down Rabat. Just one fire turned it into ash."

"So, do you all really think that solely defending Hanoi can win us this country war?" Ruan Tianque's question was one they had no answers to. Some of them even felt a chill run down their spine.

They believed that Great Xia might use those plans one more time.

There was more, Ruan Tianque continued, "As a territory, Haiphong City still has allies in ASEAN. At the crucial moment, they can assist me. But if Haiphong City falls, there would be no assurance."

The current Annan had not shown signs of losing.

Before the situation became clear, Nanzhang, Zhenla, and his other allies would not rush to assist Haiphong City. After all, the Great Xia threat was everywhere, and they did not dare to move carelessly.

Even if they were to assist, it would only be limited to the territory armies.

Before Great Xia started up any other country war, be it the Nanzhang or Zhenla players, neither party would be generous enough come over to aid Annan.

Furthermore, during the war period, Great Xia had not stopped its diplomacy work.

During this period of time, while Great Xia arranged the Indian Ocean Squadron and the Pacific Squadron to patrol the neighboring ASEAN region, they also sent out envoys to the various ASEAN states.

The Xia King announced, "Great Xia is fighting a war with Annan due to a conflict in trade. We have no intentions of fighting against ASEAN, the battle will not easily expand."

To increase their persuasive power, Great Xia was even willing to sign agreements with Brunei, Johor, Siam, and Piao State, that promised they would not attack them.

The moment the news came out, the four of them were tempted.

Quickening the Battle of Annan while using diplomatic cards, Great Xia's combination attack was dazzling. They basically cut off outside assistance for Annan.

During such a situation, Annan needed to unite internally all the more.

Ruan Tianque saw through all of this clearly. He did not want to argue that the so-called protecting free trade thing from Great Xia was a fraud, and he just admitted that he was in the wrong.

He took the blame for that.

"Brothers, I admit I was wrong. After this battle, regardless of whether we win or lose, I'll die to pay for my sins. But before that, please put down your animosity against Haiphong City and unite to protect our country!"

"Please!"

"For the sake of our country's survival, trust me one last time."

When he reached the emotional parts, he even knelt on the ground.

Just like that, Ruan Tianque visited house by house, touching one person after another.

10 guild leaders gathered around him to discuss the matter.

"What should we do?"

The three pronged attack of the Great Xia Army was really terrifying.

Ruan Tianque was really confident, "The situation is not as bad as you guys think. The Great Xia Army splitting into three might look menacing, but they have gone against the worries of the war school of thought."

"How so?"

Ruan Tianque said expressionlessly, "Very simple, they have a total of seven legions and a total of 500 thousand troops. Although we lost the south, we still have 800 thousand guards and 160 thousand elites in Haiphong City. Not to mention the 900 thousand players that all you guys lead."

"In terms of numbers, we hold an absolute advantage."

As he said that, Ruan Tianque gave out a smirk, "Great Xia is too arrogant. To actually declare war on us with only 500 thousand troops, how foolish!"

"Even then, they still split into three to try to sweep us out. I can only say that they have let their arrogance get to their heads."

Most of them agreed with Ruan Tianque's analysis.

However, some people voiced their doubts, "That's not right, Great Xia has over two million in army troops. Why did they only send 500 thousand? That's not their style."

No one would think that Great Xia was really foolish.

Another guild leader said, "I heard that Great Xia is dealing with the Yanhuang Alliance in China, so they did not dare to move too many troops probably because they were taken up."

Hearing this, the others were shocked and exchanged glances with one another.

That guild leader who was the first to speak carefully said, "Now that their battle in China has ended, doesn't that mean that another army is about to arrive here?"

"Most probably!"

Everyone felt down.

Only Ruan Tianque was still pumped up and fervent. He loudly said, "Guys, this is our chance!"

"How so?"

"It will take at least a week for their second army to rush over. We just need to crush their three armies in one week. By then, even if their reinforcements arrive, it would be for nothing."

"Well said!"

The eyes of the guild leaders lit up, and the way they looked at Ruan Tianque was now filled with respect. Just like that, he had earned their trust once more.

The guild leaders cupped their fists, "As for what to do exactly, Brother Ruan, please enlighten us."