With the Remnants of Wei, Zhao, and Han vanquished, Ayanokoji was now able to set his eyes on his original goal: the unification of China.
The dim light of dusk filtered through the large windows of the war room, casting shadows that stretched across the polished floors. The strategic map of the kingdoms, painstakingly marked with territories, lines of influence, and key fortifications, dominated the large table at the center. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood motionless before it, his dark eyes scanning the map with cold precision. The only sound was the faint rustle of paper as the general laid out new reports beside him.
The conquest of Yan, a kingdom on the northern edge of the Chinese world, loomed large. It was the next crucial step in Ayanokoji's campaign to unite China, and although the region had long been considered a lesser threat, it still presented its own challenges. Yan's mountainous terrain, seasoned and loyal military forces, and well-established fortresses meant that a direct approach would prove more difficult than previous campaigns.
Yet, as always, Ayanokoji was not one to rely on brute force alone. His mind worked through the details, both the obvious ones and the subtle forces that could be leveraged. Victory would not just come from military might; it would be built on calculated moves, pressure points, and exploiting every crack in the enemy's defenses.
Yan had long been a contentious kingdom, isolated in the northernmost most of China, and often overlooked by the other states. Its king, though determined, had never demonstrated the leadership or foresight that Ayanokoji had come to respect in his adversaries. The kingdom had recently seen a period of internal unrest, with competing factions seeking control within its court. Ayanokoji knew that such disarray could be his greatest weapon.
His spies had infiltrated Yan, gathering information about its internal politics, military infrastructure, and most importantly, the loyalties of its ruling class. The most significant piece of intelligence he had received was the factionalism within the royal court. A series of nobles had been quietly vying for power, and Ayanokoji had learned of a few key figures who could be convinced to switch sides or sow dissent among the others.
"The key to this conquest will not be to storm their gates," Ayanokoji muttered to himself, his voice low and calculating. "It will be to divide their leadership, manipulate their infighting, and make them distrust each other."
He had already taken steps to weaken Yan from within. His agents had been working behind the scenes, using both bribery and subtle threats to turn influential court figures against each other. While Yan's king believed that he was still in control, Ayanokoji had already made sure that the seeds of rebellion were planted. The coming months would see the kingdom's fragile unity crumble before it even realized what was happening.
As always, Ayanokoji's military preparations were meticulous. He knew that Yan's mountainous terrain would make traditional warfare difficult. The forces of Yan were well-trained in defending their land, and its fortresses were formidable. A head-on assault would be costly. But Ayanokoji did not intend to wage a war based on traditional methods.
"The strength of an army is not just in its numbers, but in its ability to adapt," Ayanokoji spoke coldly, as he addressed General Zhang, one of his most trusted commanders.
"I have already taken the liberty of arranging several specialized units," General Zhang replied, his voice firm. "We've gathered soldiers skilled in mountain warfare and archery. They'll be able to navigate the terrain with ease, striking swiftly at key points. We'll create a constant sense of pressure, never allowing the enemy to find a moment of peace."
Ayanokoji nodded thoughtfully. The ability to strike at multiple locations simultaneously was key. His strategy was not just to engage the enemy in open battles but to wear down their morale over time. Constant pressure would lead to mistakes, and those mistakes would be exploited.
"We'll also need to cut off their supply lines early," Ayanokoji continued, his gaze sharp. "Yan is heavily reliant on trade for resources. If we can isolate them from their allies and disrupt their supply chains, their defenses will crumble. Their armies won't be able to fight if they lack the means to sustain themselves."
The planning was already in motion. Ayanokoji had placed his most experienced generals in charge of key operations. These officers, all loyal to him, understood his vision and knew how to execute it. The strategy was clear: divide, isolate, and weaken.
"Not only that, their king is quite incompetent. Letting his guard down just because we concentrated on Chu and Qi a lot. I can see how many fractures are hiding in plain sight in the Kingdom of Yan" Ayanokoji said to himself
Though war loomed on the horizon, Ayanokoji also understood the importance of diplomacy. He could not afford to have multiple fronts open at once, especially not with the remnants of Zhao, Wei, and Han still simmering in the background. Usually, Chu and Qi would support Yan but Chu was far in the south while Qi was wary of Qin making them unable to take action.
Ayanokoji was quick to understand that diplomacy was just as much a weapon as the sword. His emissaries had been dispatched to key neighboring states to reassure them of Qin's intentions. He promised peace, stability, and prosperity in exchange for their non-interference in his campaign against Yan. The last thing he needed was for another kingdom to interfere at such a critical moment.
"Ensure that they understand the necessity of our actions," Ayanokoji ordered. "We do not seek war for the sake of war, but for the preservation of peace. We cannot allow the instability of Yan to spill over and threaten our borders. It is in everyone's best interest for us to secure this region quickly and decisively."
He was a master of diplomacy, a force that could twist and shape the will of others without ever appearing to exert undue pressure. The leaders of the neighboring states would find it hard to argue with the logic of Ayanokoji's reasoning. Even if they secretly resented the idea of a united China, they knew that crossing Qin at this moment would be disastrous.
As Ayanokoji prepared for war, he was also preparing for the unseen battle: psychological warfare. His agents were already in place, whispering rumors and planting doubts in the minds of the Yan leadership. His spies had been working tirelessly to spread misinformation about his intentions, making the Yan king question the loyalty of his closest advisers.
"The enemy will be on edge," Ayanokoji mused to himself. "They will turn on each other. The more they distrust their own, the easier it will be to strike when the time comes."
His spies had also been feeding false intelligence to Yan's commanders, making them believe that their own forces were being outflanked by Ayanokoji's troops. As a result, their response would be hasty and uncoordinated, just as Ayanokoji had planned.
"I've already won this war," Ayanokoji murmured, eyes glinting with icy confidence. "I'm simply waiting for the pieces to fall into place."
As the weeks passed, Ayanokoji's army began to assemble at the borders of Yan. His generals were in position, ready to launch the initial strikes. Supplies were stocked, and the last remnants of resistance in the surrounding regions were swiftly dealt with.
Ayanokoji spent his time reviewing the final logistical details, ensuring that his army was ready for the difficult terrain ahead. Every unit, every soldier, and every resource had been meticulously accounted for. The war would not be won by luck or chance. It would be won by precision, by timing, and by the unyielding will of Ayanokoji.
"There is no room for error," Ayanokoji said, his voice calm but firm. "We strike at dawn. Yan will never know what hit them."
The final preparations were complete. Ayanokoji's forces were primed, his spies in place, and the diplomatic situation under control. All that remained was for him to unleash his carefully orchestrated plan.
In the coming days, Ayanokoji would move swiftly, attacking Yan's borders, cutting off their supply routes, and sowing the seeds of chaos within the kingdom. It was time for the final push, the conquest of Yan. The storm was about to break.