Chapter 557: Dalun Ruozans Judgment! The Astonishing Result (1/2)

Chapter 557: Dalun Ruozan's Judgment! The Astonishing Result

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

The appearance of a mysterious youth had suddenly flipped around the situation in the southwest. In the first stage, the Tibetan army had won victory after victory, practically encountering no opposition. But in the second stage, it had been dealt two major defeats in a single night, losing fifty to sixty thousand soldiers.

When they were all excited to completely wipe out the Annan Protectorate army and sweep over the Great Tang's southwest, this reversal had been like a sharp blow to the head.

No one knew where this mysterious youth had come from, and even Jiaosiluo and Fengjiayi had only clashed with him once. But right now, this Ü-Tsang Great Minister who had never even seen this youth or participated in any of the battles was now stating that he knew who this youth was.

”Great Minister, are you speaking the truth?” Fengjiayi asked, a look of astonishment on his face.

He had only ever heard of the deeds of this Ngari Great Minister, and knew that he was extremely intelligent and capable. Once, when the Great Tang's Zhangchou Jianqiong worked with the other protectorates to initiate a 'disciplining operation', it was Dalun Ruozan who managed to eventually cause the abandonment of the plan.

Fengjiayi didn't understand Dalun Ruozan, but he did understand Zhangchou Jianqiong, who was now in the capital. Zhangchou Jianqiong had a burning ambition to make a name for himself in the southwest and use his achievements on the battlefield to enter the Imperial Court.

Moreover, under Zhangchou Jianqiong, the Great Tang's relationship with Mengshe Zhao was not so stiff, and there had even been a honeymoon period. Back then, Zhangchou Jianqiong had once attempted to incite Mengshe Zhao into joining the Great Tang in attacking the plateau.

But in the end, none of these operations succeeded.

In the end, even someone as ambitious as Zhangchou Jianqiong had to quietly stand guard in the Annan Protectorate for several decades. This was not the work of Great General Huoshu Huicang, but the Great Minister of the Ngari Royal Lineage.

I have long heard that the Great Ministers of Ü-Tsang are all incredibly perceptive people with astonishing intelligence. All of them are well-learned, scholars of great erudition exceedingly familiar with all the classics of the Central Plains. Moreover, they have all been infused with secret techniques from the enigmatic Great Snow Mountain Holy Temple, and empowered with an astonishing foresight, like a cicada that can tell the end of summer before the autumn winds begin to blow. In the past, I thought that this description must be an exaggeration. But if Dalun Ruozan can determine who that youth is from just these words, then he truly is terrifying.

Fengjiayi's eyes shone as countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Ü-Tsang had four Royal Lineages, four Great Ministers, and one Prime Minister. Dalun Ruozan was only one of the Great Ministers. If he really did have this sort of skill, then what of the three other Great Ministers and the one minister serving the Tsenpo? The thought was truly a chilling one.

A faint apprehension suffused Fengjiayi's heart.

Royal Father is borrowing the power of Ü-Tsang to deal with the Great Tang, but Ü-Tsang itself is a wolf, and an extremely fierce one at that. If Mengshe Zhao and Ü-Tsang break into hostilities in the future, the kingdom will be in great danger!

With regards to borrowing the strength of the Ü-Tsang Empire, bringing their cavalry down south, Fengjiayi had actually always had a rather reserved attitude. Although he did not ardently oppose the move, he was also not very supportive of it. At the very least, he was internally conflicted about it.

And the stronger this general and minister of Ü-Tsang appeared, the more conflicted Fengjiayi felt.

”Haha, I wonder what Crown Prince Jiayi is thinking?”

A voice rang out in his ear. At some point, Dalun Ruozan had walked over, a half-smile on his lips that seemed to carry some profound meaning as he looked at Fengjiayi.

”It's nothing. I appreciate Great Minister's concern.”

Fengjiayi's heart shivered as he quickly refocused. He knew that this Great Minister was extremely observant, and his thoughts were probably more frightening than he could possibly imagine.

”…That brat's origins are uncertain. If we can truly find out who he is and use that knowledge to find his weak points, that would be for the best. Fengjiayi is willing to listen to Great Minister's brilliant ideas.”

”Hahaha, it's actually not that difficult. Although I've never met that youth you speak of, participated in those battles, or observed how he commands his troops, just determining his identity truly isn't very difficult. I already know his background.”

Dalun Ruozan paced forward, waving his feather fan, attracting everyone's notice.

In military affairs, there were things that a civil official should handle and things that a military official should handle, so whenever Huoshu Huicang was present, Dalun Ruozan would rarely interfere. He mainly stepped in for questions of strategy.

”Strategy and tactics are secrets that are not passed on outside of their clans. No outsider would be able to learn such things. In addition, you mentioned that he was wearing Wang Fu's armor…”

Here, Dalun Ruozan chuckled before continuing.

”The part of the Annan Protectorate army commanded by Wang Yan truly has only two commanders. One is Wang Yan and the other is his eldest son Wang Fu. These two are the two commanders with the highest actual authority in that army. The art of war is of vital importance to the state, so how can any ordinary soldier dare to randomly put on the commander's armor? They wouldn't even dare to think of it. The moment this youth appeared, he replaced Wang Fu and wore his armor. If this person didn't have an illustrious background and incredible confidence, how could he dare to exceed and offend his superiors?”

”Great Minister, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but the Great Tang is replete with rich and wealthy scions of illustrious background. Isn't this insufficient to determine the identity of that youth?”

The King of Mengshe Zhao, Geluofeng, frowned as he spoke. He was actually quite curious about this youth, but curiosity did not mean admiration. It was the curiosity aimed at a threat that needed to be extinguished as quickly as possible.