Chapter 361: The Sharpest Dagger Often Comes from Within!
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How did the Great Wu gather so many people? Didnt we hear there were only 100,000?
Look at the armor! The regular troops are only 100,000; the rest are our Darro forces!
They joined the Great Wu and came to fight with the Great Wu army.
Arent we doomed here?
If only we had escaped earlier, what regrets!
Though the city had over 500,000 soldiers, similar to the force Lin Beifan brought, the difference was evident. The troops led by Lin Beifan appeared vigorous, spirited, and full of conviction, while those in the city looked fearful, uncertain, and trembling, devoid of fighting spirit.
It was clear who was strong and who was weak. How could they win the battle? Prince Hamu looked at the trembling Darro soldiers, his face darkened with anger.
Before the battle even began, they were already frightened. How could they charge forward and resist the enemy later? Prince Hamu cursed the weak-hearted soldiers in his heart and felt extremely frustrated.
Among the 500,000 soldiers, only 200,000 were regular troops. The other 300,000 were hastily recruited conscripts who had received little training and had never been in battle. It was natural for them to be afraid of the Great Wu army.
So, they needed to boost morale!
Prince Hamu exclaimed loudly, Soldiers, dont be afraid! Although the enemy has a large number, theyre just a paper tiger, all show and no substance. With our weapons raised, theres no undefeated foe in the world. We, the people of Darro, will triumph!
At this moment, mocking laughter echoed from the Great Wu army.
Prince Hamu, arent you feeling guilty as you speak?
Who is the real paper tiger after all?
Look at your soldiers, their legs are trembling in fear. Its hilarious!
Tell your lies with open eyes. Im willing to proclaim you as the strongest!
Following the direction of the voices, Prince Hamu looked over, his anger surging through his veins.
Because the ones mocking him were the former Darro commandersMoro, Qingfeng, Nihan
They had all donned the Great Wus golden armor, embraced the Great Wus cause, and were now mocking him mercilessly.
Prince Hamu angrily retorted, Shut up! You ungrateful traitors collaborating with the enemy, selling out our countrydo you have the right to mock me? You surrendered without a fight and betrayed our land. You even cheered for the Great Wu. Our Darro doesnt have such treacherous souls as yours!
The defectors sneered, their faces full of disdain.
What nonsense are you spouting? Werent you the first to break your promises, betraying loyalty and ethics, tearing up the alliance between our nations, stirring trouble with the Great Wu, causing our people to suffer in dire straits?
Now that the nobles have fled, no one is left to fight. Youre using our lives as a buffer!
Youre just trying to get us killed while dragging the entire city down with you!
Youre the real treacherous ones!!!
Nonsense! Prince Hamu exploded in anger.
At this moment, Lin Beifan appeared with a cheerful smile. Prince Hamu, as the saying goes, Many roads lead to success, but few lead to righteousness. Its because you acted without regard for ethics, without concern for the lives of the people, driven by personal gain, that you find yourself in this situation! Its all your own doing, and you have no one to blame but yourself!
Leaving aside the question of whether youll succeed or not, even if you do succeed, what will happen to Darro?
Hmph! It will remain the same! Lin Beifan exclaimed loudly. Everyone will still be hungry, without clothes to wear or homes to live in. Nothing will change! And after experiencing a great war, your supplies will be cut off by us again, making life even harder!
Everyone was deeply moved by his words.
Because Lin Beifan was absolutely right! If they managed to drive back the Great Wus army and win this battle, what would change?
It would only make their lives even more difficult! Without food, clothes, or shelternothing at all!
If they were already suffering so much, why even fight? Just to return to the hardships of the past?
That effort would be in vain!
Prince Hamu urgently stated, Listen to me, Lin Beifan is talking nonsense! After winning this battle, I will definitely treat you well!
Lin Beifan laughed again, Treat you well? What a joke! When our army hadnt arrived, you were already in such a miserable state! Do you think things will magically get better after we leave?
Dont be naive. Gentlemen, they will be even more ruthless towards you! Because they fear that you might rebel again, that you could shake their rule. They will undoubtedly resort to bloody suppression!
The ones who stab the deepest are often your own people! They know exactly where it hurts the most, where its most fatal!
The surrendered Darro soldiers, who had been wavering, became resolute after hearing Lin Beifans words. The Prime Ministers words were right; the Darro royal family could never treat them well.
Because they were afraid that they might rebel again!
And stabbing hurts more when its done by ones own!
Because they knew our pain so well!
Lin Beifan continued, And all you generals, dont overthink it either! After submitting again to them, do you really think youll rise to high positions and live the lives you desire? No, its impossible!
Because those fleeing nobles will come back and continue to enjoy everything they had before. Where would that leave positions for you? Darro is so vast, but there are limited positions, not enough to go around!
When the surrendered generals heard this, they found it quite reasonable.
The reason they had achieved their positions was that the nobles had fled, which had given them the opportunity.
When those nobles returned, where would there be a place for them?
They would inevitably become thorns in the side of the nobles, facing exclusion and suppression, living worse than before.
Given that, it was better to stick with the Prime Minister to the end!
Prince Hamu urgently stated, Dont listen to Lin Beifans nonsense. I will definitely give you the benefits you deserve! As for those fleeing nobles, they can stay wherever they want. I wont tolerate them!
Lin Beifan burst into laughter once more, Prince Hamu, youre joking again. Do you even have the ability to do that? Back then, they said they were leaving, and they left without hesitation. How many of them did you actually punish?
Lin Beifan playfully winked, How about you call them back now? Lets see if theyll pay attention to you.
You! Prince Hamu was exasperated.
The surrendered generals became even more steadfast in following Lin Beifan!
With a triumphant smile, Lin Beifan said, So, Prince Hamu, youre truly powerless! Since you cant deliver, dont make empty promises and embarrass yourself!
Lin Beifan!!! Prince Hamu ground his teeth in anger. His eyes turned red, emitting intense killing intent that seemed to pierce through the sky!