Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1896: Chapter 1733: Probing the Empire’s Strength

Under such determination, the Yizhou Army acted with lightning speed. They broke camp immediately when ordered, and Yan Yan and Zhang Ren, upon their return, promptly led their corps toward the southwest direction.

As the Yizhou Army advanced westward, the Kushan side had already selected the battlefield, almost without much difference from Zhang Su’s guesses. The Kushan did not seize too many advantages in terms of terrains, only timing the movements tightly.

Clearly, the Kushan commander also had his own pride. Although he considered himself less strong than the Han Army, he could not accept a victory that brought shame. Having noble origins, they couldn’t accept that kind of outcome, so in the end, Brack opted for a middle-ground approach.

That is, we won’t take any terrain advantage from your Han Empire. In battlefield arrangements, we might be slightly better than your Han Army, but not vastly so.

Although such a method is a form of self-illusion, considering Brack chose the battlefield location, they already held a substantial advantage in terms of timing. Yet, at least in battlefield terms, they hardly held any advantage over the Han Army.

If they win this way, Brack would at least have pride rather than the previous situation where winning still left him feeling humiliated.

”Let’s set the battlefield on the plains north of the Ganges Estuary. There, tens of thousands can be deployed. After all, with a battle against the Han Army, few numbers can’t gauge the strength between their army and ours. Let’s have eighty to one hundred thousand troops,” Brack said, looking at his civil servant Hirilah.

”That’s a bit much,” Sulapri’s heart chilled.

At this moment, Brack and others turned directly to look at Sulapri. Instantly, Sulapri felt a chill in his heart, and after a moment of silence, he said, ”Since this is the case, let’s prepare for a decisive battle and think about the dispatch of forces in all aspects.”

”That’s your business,” Brack said, looking at his three staff officers, ”Having gone to this extent, our army must aim for ultimate victory.”

”With each side having eighty to one hundred thousand troops, how could this battle not escalate to an intense confrontation?” Leiblalei said with a chill in his heart.

”There’s never been a notion of holding anything back. Having reached such a point, let’s proceed. We either decisively defeat the Han Army and establish the empire’s prestige, or we get defeated by the Han Army and they decide when to stop,” Brack said coldly.

”Such is the extent we have to reach,” Hirilah said contemplatively, being somewhat unwilling to have a major conflict with the Han Empire, considering his family had countless records of the Han Empire being too strong.

”After all, it’s a challenge to them. Without using the opportunity within the rules, there’s no knowing when such an opportunity will arise again,” Brack said with a sneer.

”If that’s the case, we shouldn’t think about withholding anything. Use all available techniques,” Leiblalei took a deep breath, remaining calm, ”Our army elite, all commanders from top to bottom, need to prepare for battle until death possible.” I will personally join the battlefield.”

”This war lacks any technical content, purely seeing whose foundations are thicker, whose combat power is stronger. Therefore, we press forward with the entire army,” Sulapri had already understood the situation, knowing Brack intended to use this battle to probe the Han Empire’s depths.

”So, everyone must prepare,” Brack looked at all the military officers, his eyes solemn.

”Hahaha, leave it to us! My sword and blade have yet to be stained with the Han Empire’s blood. This time, I must see what this empire is really like,” Yano Lipu said proudly.

”If it’s to see life and death rather than restraint, then I’ll lead the Death Soldier Camp’s Central Army forward,” Sharuk said silently.

Sharuk, originally from the lower caste, was once a member of the Death Soldier Camp, always at the enemies’ most dangerous positions. Fighting for years there, escaping death countless times, he unexpectedly achieved Inner Qi Manifestation, no longer being treated as a lowly lower class.

In this era, Inner Qi Manifestation is recognized by the highest caste as inherently Kshatriya, meaning achieving Inner Qi Manifestation automatically elevates one to the second highest caste, particularly among those in official positions leading military battles.

Sharuk had leapfrogged from a lower class to a noble, thus strived for the nation to showcase his value, even willing to die in battle. His immediate family would still enjoy noble treatment, so he feared nothing.

”Sharuk, you need not do this. You’re already a noble, there’s no need to do such a lowly task,” Brack was somewhat moved, considering Sharuk was no longer a lower class. Getting him to continue such roles was inappropriate.

”If we can win, what I do isn’t lowly. If we can’t, what we consider noble now won’t really be noble,” Sharuk said looking at Commander Brack, ”I’m willing to move through the mud in pursuit of victory.”

After further requests, Brack looked at all the generals, as they were all nobles, such a significant matter could not be decided alone by him.

”I also desire victory; let me assist Sharuk by being on the flank!” Among hesitant nobles, one military general stepped forward saying.

After Albaz spoke, other generals exchanged glances, then silently nodded in agreement with Sharuk’s proposal. However, all generals warned Sharuk he could lead the Death Soldier Camp but must remember his role as Kshatriya and survive.

”Rest assured, I will definitely survive to witness our victory,” Sharuk very solemnly said to all, bowing courteously.

”Please allow me to support Sharuk’s flank as well,” Saiximon said, standing up.

”Good,” Brack nodded in understanding.

Unlike Sharuk, who didn’t understand the implication of leading the Death Soldier Camp, Brack was clear-headed, understanding why Saiximon would request this.

Among the present nobles, Saiximon held the highest rank and absolutely wouldn’t allow a Kshatriya and lower class to die together in battle. His troop’s significance lay in protecting Sharuk, not enabling the Death Soldier Camp’s breakthrough.

”In that case, Sharuk, you lead the breakthrough of the Death Soldier Camp Central Army, while Albaz and Monnari protect the central army’s flanks, and others each allocate some forces to the Death Soldier Camp,” Brack ordered everyone.

Upon hearing Brack’s words, Monnari’s long gloomy face due to Sharuk leading the Death Soldier Camp finally showed relief. Though Sharuk acted unwisely, it was fortunate that Brack understood the meaning of Kshatriya.