462: Chapter 462 Unification, Departure

Di Pingjian and the King led their victorious army back in triumph, and the entire capital was immersed in jubilation. However, they were not dazzled by the victory before them; instead, they quickly set about planning an even grander layout.

After handling the aftermath of the war, the King and Di Pingjian decided to continue pushing forward with the great cause of unification. They knew deeply that to achieve true unification, they had to conquer other powerful Dynasties.

This time, they did not choose to attack weaker Dynasties first as they had before. Instead, they set their sights on one of the top human Dynasties, the Benri Dynasty. This Dynasty possessed immense strength, powerful military forces, and abundant resources; it was a tough nut to crack.

To ensure total success, the King and Di Pingjian made meticulous preparations and mobilized an army of two million for the expedition. This force could be described as the elite of the elite, containing not only nearly three thousand Martial Artists, but these Martial Artists were peerless experts capable of taking on a thousand men alone. Even when facing the specially trained Flying Cavalry of the enemy, they could easily take on a hundred each.

In addition, within the two-million-strong army were over thirty thousand Shadow Kill Guards and two thousand Triple-Life Death Soldiers. These were elite warriors, battle-hardened and highly skilled, whose presence made the army even more formidable. The Shadow Kill Guards specialized in assassination and surprise attacks, while the Triple-Life Death Soldiers were famous for their fearless courage and superb combat techniques; each could easily kill a dozen or so Flying Cavalry.

It could be said that this two-million-strong army was the divine force of the Chaotian Dynasty, the sharpest sword in the hands of the King and Di Pingjian. They believed that with this powerful army, they would surely conquer the Benri Dynasty and take a solid step toward the great cause of unification.

According to rumors, the scale of the Benri Dynasty's army was quite massive, with forces said to be close to two million. However, during their last attack on the Chaotian Dynasty, they suffered heavy losses, with an estimated eight hundred thousand soldiers killed in action. Consequently, the remaining domestic forces of the Benri Dynasty likely numbered only a little over a million.

The King and Di Pingjian were clearly aware of this. They believed it was a perfect opportunity to launch a decisive attack while both major Dynasties were heavily damaged, wiping out both countries in one fell swoop. Despite having just experienced an intense war, they decided without hesitation to set out again and continue their foreign conquests.

Originally, the King and Di Pingjian planned to mobilize over four million troops, dividing them into two routes to attack the Benri Dynasty and the Ximei Dynasty separately. However, after careful consideration, they realized that out of the Chaotian Dynasty's current six million troops, the vast majority were surrendered soldiers from other countries. These soldiers lacked a deep emotional bond and loyalty to the Chaotian Dynasty, making it difficult to form a strong fighting force in a short time.

Based on this consideration, the King and Di Pingjian decided to change their strategy, sending only two million troops to launch a lightning strike against the Benri Dynasty with thunderous speed. The goal was to quickly break through the Benri Dynasty's defenses without giving the opponent a chance to breathe, thereby maximizing the advantages of their own army.

Amidst the King and Di Pingjian's anxious waiting, time flew by like a white horse passing a crevice, and three short months vanished in an instant. Just as they were waiting with bated breath, the exhilarating news finally arrived—the army attacking the Benri Dynasty had won a great victory, and the Benri Dynasty had been successfully conquered!

However, this good news hid a heavy price. According to the battle reports, the dispatched army suffered immense losses, with as many as five hundred thousand heroic soldiers dying in fierce combat, and another three hundred thousand severely wounded. Facing such tragic casualty figures, the King and Di Pingjian were not surprised.

After all, although the Benri Dynasty had few troops left, its combat strength was by no means comparable to that of the previous medium-sized Shengji Dynasty. To conquer such a powerful enemy, a certain amount of sacrifice was inevitable. Moreover, the majority of the soldiers who died in the army were from the units incorporated after the surrender of other small and medium Dynasties; to Di Pingjian and the King, the lives of these soldiers were not what they cherished most.

As the news of the Benri Dynasty's destruction spread like wildfire, the other remaining Dynasties immediately fell into true panic. The small and medium Dynasties, which were already wary of the Chaotian Dynasty's great power, began to waver under the persuasion of the Chaotian Dynasty's politicians, and some even took the initiative to surrender to the Chaotian Dynasty without hesitation.

In the face of these Dynasties that surrendered voluntarily, Di Pingjian and the King showed great magnanimity and accepted them without reservation. However, not all Dynasties chose the Chaotian Dynasty; some resolutely turned to the Ximei Dynasty. Most of these Dynasties had relatively close relations with the Ximei and Benri Dynasties, but compared to the number of small and medium Dynasties joining the Chaotian Dynasty, those joining the Ximei Dynasty were significantly fewer.

Now, the human world had formed into two distinct camps: one was the superpower represented by the Chaotian Dynasty, and the other was the Alliance of Dynasties led by the Ximei Dynasty. Although the Alliance Army held a certain advantage in numbers, they could not compete with the Chaotian Dynasty in terms of either the people's will or the actual combat strength of the soldiers.

However, it would be no easy task if the Chaotian Dynasty wanted to crush the Alliance led by the Ximei Dynasty in a short time. After all, although the Alliance's overall strength was slightly inferior, they would certainly have their own unique response strategies and defensive measures after long-term confrontation. This contest between the two camps was destined to be a long and intense struggle.

After careful consideration, the King and Di Pingjian decided not to launch a war against the Alliance led by the Ximei Dynasty for the time being. They realized that war would only bring endless pain and loss to the people, and that developing the domestic economy and improving livelihoods were the top priorities.

Thus, the King issued a series of edicts encouraging the people to rest and recover while developing agricultural production. He ordered a reduction in the tax burden on farmers and provided more farmland and irrigation facilities to promote agricultural prosperity. At the same time, he encouraged commercial activities, relaxed trade restrictions, and attracted foreign investment to drive economic development.

At Di Pingjian's suggestion, the King decided to carry out a thorough and major reform of the Chaotian Dynasty. First, he ordered an elevation in the status of commoners, giving them more rights and opportunities. Commoners were no longer oppressed by the nobility and civil or military officials, and could freely participate in social affairs and economic activities.

Next, the King significantly weakened the status of the nobility and the civil and military officials. He cut their privileges and wealth and restricted the scope of their power, making society fairer and more equal.

To adapt to the needs of modern development, the King also customized and promulgated a brand-new economic system. This system was based on a market economy, encouraging innovation and competition while promoting effective resource allocation and rapid economic growth.

At the same time, the King carried out large-scale reforms of the military. He introduced a brand-new weapon—the Musket, which was invented by the State Preceptor. The emergence of Muskets modernized the Chaotian Dynasty's army, no longer relying on traditional cold weapons. Soldiers underwent rigorous training to master the use of Muskets, and their combat effectiveness was greatly enhanced.

Now, the Chaotian Dynasty was marching toward the goal of becoming the Great Chaotian Empire. Except for the political governance structure, all other aspects were being reformed in a modern direction under Di Pingjian's push. This ancient Dynasty was glowing with new life and vitality, showing infinite development potential.

Di Pingjian and the King knew well that the strength of Martial Artists far exceeded that of ordinary musketeers, so they never stopped cultivating Martial Artists. To find talents suitable for practicing the Martial Dao, they decided to start with newborns within the Chaotian Dynasty and from the surrendered Dynasties for screening and training.

Most of the work for this plan was actually proposed by Di Pingjian, while the specific execution was carried out by trusted aides sent by the King. Di Pingjian herself devoted more energy to matters concerning helping the commoners.

Speaking of Di Pingjian's savior, it was The Old Dean of the Relief House.

Regrettably, however, The Old Dean had already passed away. Nevertheless, Di Pingjian always remembered The Old Dean's final words on his deathbed.

The Old Dean had lamented that his greatest regret in life was being unable to ensure there were no more abandoned children in the world, and no further need for places like Relief Houses.

Di Pingjian's very existence carried a great mission, which was to help the common people. This was not just her personal responsibility but also The Old Dean's dying wish. Therefore, she threw herself into the cause of seeking welfare for the commoners without hesitation, striving for it without any slackening.

Di Pingjian knew well that achieving survival and development for the commoners was no easy task. She needed to fight for the commoners' rights to free and equal survival while maintaining the King's imperial status and the royal family. This was an extremely complex issue because it involved the political Domain, and politics is often full of schemes and power plays.

However, Di Pingjian was not deterred by the difficulties. She constantly thought and explored, trying to find a way that could satisfy the King's needs while also protecting the rights of the commoners. This process was full of hardships and challenges, but Di Pingjian always firmly believed that as long as she persevered, she would surely find a way to solve the problem.

As time passed, rumors of the changes in the Chaotian Dynasty gradually reached the outside world. Initially, the Alliance of Dynasties led by the Ximei Dynasty did not take it to heart; they firmly believed that the Chaotian Dynasty must have been bewitched by some demonic person and its King must be incompetent and tyrannical. In their view, the decline and fall of the Chaotian Dynasty was only a matter of time.

Thus, the Ximei Dynasty focused solely on training troops and expanding its military, constantly enhancing its army's strength in the vain hope of one day dominating the world. However, as time went on, the Ximei Dynasty gradually noticed something strange.

They were surprised to find that the subjects of their own Dynasty were actually fleeing to the Chaotian Dynasty! This phenomenon shocked the rulers of the Ximei Dynasty, and they quickly launched an investigation to figure out the reason.

After an in-depth investigation, the Ximei Dynasty finally discovered the key to the problem—the living conditions of the lower-class people in the Chaotian Dynasty had been greatly improved! This news was like a heavy hammer blow to the hearts of the Ximei Dynasty's rulers.

It turned out that after undergoing a series of transformations, the social order of the Chaotian Dynasty had gradually stabilized, and the economy had begun to flourish. Especially for the lower-class people, their living conditions had significantly improved, no longer as miserable as before.

In contrast, although the Ximei Dynasty had made some achievements in military affairs, the domestic livelihood issues had never been effectively resolved. The common people lived in hardship, full of confusion and unease about the future.

Faced with such reality, the rulers of the Ximei Dynasty were furious. They could not accept that their own subjects actually yearned for life in the Chaotian Dynasty, and even less could they tolerate the massive loss of population. Thus, in a fit of rage, the Ximei Dynasty issued a ban, strictly prohibiting the commoners from leaving the cities to stop the continued drain of people.

Time flew by, and ten years passed in the blink of an eye.

The Di Pingjian of today had entered her forties, and the King was the same.

However, time seemed exceptionally kind to the King; he looked much younger than his actual age. The reason for this might be related to the King's abstinence from women starting ten years ago, focusing solely on the methods of health preservation.

On a fine, sunny day, the King and Di Pingjian sat opposite each other under an exquisite pavilion.

A gentle breeze blew, bringing bursts of coolness that were refreshing to the heart and mind.

The King leisurely took a sip of the fragrant tea in his hand, then set down the teacup, his gaze falling on Di Pingjian as he asked with a smile:

"Pingjian! We have decided to eliminate the Alliance of Dynasties this time. In your opinion, how much time will it take?"

The corners of Di Pingjian's mouth curled up, revealing a confident smile. She replied calmly, "Your Majesty can rest assured. In my humble opinion, it will not take even a month to break through the capital of the Alliance."

Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed the King's eyes. He sat up slightly straighter and pressed, "Oh? Pingjian, are you really that certain?"

Di Pingjian's smile did not fade; instead, it became even more certain. She said in a firm tone:

"Your Majesty, I am by no means speaking nonsense. Although the Alliance of Dynasties has some strength, our army's morale is high, and with the proper application of tactics, we will surely be unstoppable and quickly capture their capital."

The King gazed at Di Pingjian.

After a moment, a look of expectation gradually appeared on the King's face, and he said slowly, "If it is truly as you say, then that would naturally be for the best."

"Yes, naturally. Only an army of Martial Artists can compete with the Spear God Army. The Alliance Army is a mere army of Mortals; they cannot stop the attack of our Spear God Army.

When I said one month, I was taking into account the travel time of the Spear God Army on the road. To break the Alliance capital, only three days are needed!"

Di Pingjian still had a confident look. After speaking, she also took a sip from the teacup on the table.

Before a month had even passed, news indeed came from the front lines that the gates of the Alliance had been breached, and the King of the Ximei Dynasty had chosen to commit suicide.

After the Chaotian Dynasty waited for the army's triumphant return, the King announced that the whole country would celebrate together!

From then on, the human Dynasties were unified!

Di Pingjian felt something leave her, which made her feel free and relaxed, yet also a bit empty!

Very strange!

...