The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 727: Counterattack of Wuji!

Counterattack of Wuji! . . .

"In the circumstances at that time, even though we achieved victory and were in an advantageous position, expecting Commander Cha to press on with the invasion, seize Sky Nerve City by force, and further expand our territory is nothing short of a death wish for our hero!" Zuo Wuji passionately asserted.

He continued, "The Princess of Lan-Feng, Wenren Chuchu, may not have been entirely sincere when she sought to intimidate our forces, but it doesn't mean that her words were without merit. While it's certain that the Kingdom of Lan-Feng didn't dare to continue fighting, the situation could have been different if they had been compelled to do so."

Zuo Wuji spoke resolutely, "The reality is that Commander Cha led our army deep into enemy territory after our victory at Iron Peak. For seven days, they marched relentlessly, without pause or rest. When they finally retreated, they did so with an excuse designed to startle the enemy. In simpler terms, Commander Cha's forces were utterly depleted, with no strength left to engage in another battle."

He further emphasized, "Had they attempted to engage forcibly, we might have faced defeat once more. Think it through, you critics. Why would Commander Cha relinquish the chance to conquer additional territory and earn more acclaim? It's an undeniable truth before us. If he decided to forgo such an opportunity, there must have been a compelling reason to do so. His army was in dire straits—despite appearances of strength, it was fundamentally weakened."

Zuo Wuji extolled Wenren Chuchu's role, saying, "We owe gratitude to Wenren Chuchu. Her words provided our troops with a justification for retreat and a fitting conclusion to our resounding victory in this war."

His passionate speech resonated with many officials, some of whom nodded in agreement. Even the king showed admiration, recognizing the wisdom in Zuo Wuji's words. Having experienced warfare firsthand, he understood the dire situation Commander Cha's forces were in.

"To put it succinctly," Zuo Wuji concluded, "the relationship between that princess and Commander Cha was merely an excuse for retreat. I strongly advise some of you to cease harping on this topic. Our king is a wise man, and you're only inviting humiliation upon yourselves."

A senior official retorted, "Lord Zuo, your argument seems overly generalized. If Commander Cha's army was genuinely incapable of fighting, why didn't he report it? The battle report he submitted only extolled his significant contributions. Isn't that deception?"

Zuo Wuji countered coldly, "Commander Cha didn't dare to report the truth. Flawless as he may be, he is human, not divine. He cannot be invulnerable. Since he assumed command of his forces, he led a valiant but seemingly hopeless battle with limited resources. The only supplies they had were what they carried when they left the city. When the king urged some of you to provide additional supplies, some chose to block it. Allow me to ask, who engaged in deception then?"

He accused, "Many among us clamor for Commander Cha's demise, despite knowing that he fought wholeheartedly for the kingdom. Do you expect him to reveal his vulnerable position to people like you? How can he confide that his troops were depleted to individuals like you? How could he be certain that there weren't spies from the Kingdom of Lan-Feng among you?"

Zuo Wuji's voice remained unyielding as he continued, "What if a spy were present? Let's assume no enemy spies exist. Look at yourselves. How fervently do you desire his death? If you had the opportunity to leak information to the enemy, leading our hero to his death, do you believe he would be foolish enough to trust you not to act on that desire? Would he endanger his men's lives? That's deception against the king, and you claim it as your excuse?"

Zuo Wuji's words were direct and confrontational, but none dared to challenge him. Even the king on his throne appeared contemplative, his expression somber.

"If you could have supplied him adequately, perhaps he could have taken that city and conquered half of the Kingdom of Lan-Feng, given his remarkable command. What he has achieved thus far has already reverberated throughout the world as a historical victory! However, he found himself helpless; he was compelled to halt his advance and retreat, even in the face of a tremendous opportunity to penetrate deeper into enemy territory. Remember this, it is not the fault of Commander Cha. It is your fault!" Zuo Wuji exclaimed in an outburst.

He shouted with fiery indignation, "You unscrupulous traitors have betrayed our hero and our kingdom for your own interests! Your worthless sons remained ensconced within the city until the last possible moment, sheltered by your arrangements. They refused to sacrifice in battle, willfully disobeying their commander's orders. They deserved to be reprimanded for their cowardice! You harbored a grudge against Commander Cha, resorting to every vile scheme to ensure his death in battle, even among the soldiers under his command!"

"For all the days that he has been locked in relentless combat, have any of you dispatched a single man to offer assistance? No! Despite the king's repeated pleas for aid, you obstinately withheld your support! You provided Commander Cha with nothing, not even a morsel of rice, am I wrong?"

Zuo Wuji continued his scathing critique, "What about the soldiers' wages? Have they been paid? Spare me your excuses about the challenging times we face. If supplying them with food is problematic, fine. But what of money? We are far from wanting for funds. Did any of you disburse a single coin to them? No, not one, you wretched lot!"

He charged on, "You perpetrated every vile act conceivable to engineer our hero's death, despite his dedicated service to our kingdom, despite being our last hope! How could he truthfully report his situation? Even if he did not fear death himself, what of the soldiers who have valiantly fought on the front lines?"

Zuo Wuji's eyes welled with tears, his voice growing hoarse as he delivered a passionate and fervent speech. The court fell into an uneasy silence, and none dared to refute his claims.

Eventually, a senior official spoke up, "The kingdom has been embroiled in warfare for several years, facing battles on four fronts that have depleted our resources. Our treasury is nearing exhaustion. While we possess an abundance of funds, there is a severe shortage of food. Even if we wished to send provisions, there is none to be had. How can you hold us responsible for this?"

"Outrageous!" This time, it was not Zuo Wuji who responded, but the king himself. He could no longer contain his frustration and slammed the table while standing. Pointing at the official, he shouted, "Cheng Ziqi, your statements are utter nonsense!"

The officials were thoroughly unnerved by the king's outburst.