The countermeasures can be said to exist or not? Metaphysics?

After Zuo Yuanhao said this, everyone looked at him speechlessly.

Lin Yu was even more anxious and said, "General Zuo, what do you mean by whether you have it or not? Just tell us directly what you have brought. If you have a plan, let us help evaluate it; if not, we can all brainstorm together."

Lin Yu made a valid point, and everyone nodded in agreement.

Zuo Yuanhao said, "This time, with the Demon Clan uniting four armies to attack us, we are indeed placed in a very critical situation. However, upon careful analysis, this is also an opportunity for us."

Zuo Yuanhao continued, "In responding to their strategy, we can, in fact, divide our countermeasures into internal and external strategies."

"Internally, the Demon Clan should have already reached a peace agreement with their rebel forces and temporarily halted the war. To break through this particular line, we need to disrupt their ceasefire balance."

"How do we disrupt it? We've never interacted with the Demon Clan's rebels before, and right now, we're the ones invading them," Lin Yu grumbled.

Zuo Yuanhao chuckled, "Even though this is the case, if we reinterpret the situation, it becomes different. For instance, we are not invading the Demon Clan, but helping Princess Liu Fei'er restore her kingdom. In that case, the rebels within their country wouldn't remain indifferent, would they?"

"As far as I know, Princess Liu Fei'er mysteriously disappeared during the internal chaos of the Demon Clan. Many within the Demon Clan are searching for her. The forces currently fighting against Yin Yue Demon Venerate are old confidants of the former Demon Emperor and should be quite familiar with Princess Liu Fei'er. If Princess Liu Fei'er were to emerge at this time, I imagine they would sincerely support her, which would set the rear garden of Yin Yue Demon Venerate on fire."

After Zuo Yuanhao finished speaking, Zhou Yang nodded, "Indeed, it's the perfect timing for Fei'er to come forward. As long as those rebels acknowledge Fei'er, Yin Yue Demon Venerate will have no choice but to send troops to guard against her, which will consequently reduce the forces fighting us."

This was a great method to dissolve the increasing troops from the Demon Clan, and everyone nodded. Zhao Lanjin said, "General Zuo, do you have any other strategies?"

"Internally, as long as the Demon Clan is bogged down by internal strife, their forces shouldn't pose much of a threat to us."

Zuo Yuanhao continued, "Externally, it's a bit more complicated."

"First, from the Imperial City, the Fourth Prince currently insists on dealing with us. He might not dispatch his own men to attack West State, instead opting to use a borrowed knife strategy, letting other armies attack and weakening their strength in the process, achieving a sitting on the mountain watching the tigers fight effect."

"In this way, we can conveniently exploit it. The Crown Prince's strength is suppressed by the Fourth Prince, so he can speak out on our behalf. As for the army that comes to attack us, we can secretly communicate with their commander, clearly explaining the stakes. I'm confident that they wouldn't be willing to serve as the Fourth Prince's lackeys and fight us to mutual destruction, allowing the Fourth Prince to reap the benefits. This line shouldn't pose much of a threat to us either."

"Regarding the Barbarian Clan. Firstly, the Barbarian Clan invaded the Tianyuan Dynasty several times years ago and was defeated by us, so their strength wasn't very strong to begin with. This time, if they dispatch troops, it will likely be a limited engagement with no more than 100,000 troops. Currently, the Barbarian Clan's populace is suffering, their general livelihoods in disarray. The Barbarian King is troubled due to lack of funds and goods, so he's quite distressed as well."

"This Barbarian King is extremely opportunistic. The Demon Clan must have offered him benefits to mobilize his troops. As long as we simultaneously provide the Barbarian King with benefits, he probably won't really attack us either. On this front, we can rest easy."

Zhao Lanjin asked, "How can General Zuo be sure that if we offer the Barbarian Clan benefits, they won't attack us?"

Zuo Yuanhao chuckled and said, "Firstly, the Barbarian King not only waged war with our Tianyuan Dynasty, but also had minor conflicts with the Demon Clan over the years, so they're not really in collaboration. Secondly, having already received the bounties from both the Demon Clan and us, what point would there be in him attacking us? He's an opportunist; since he already got the benefits, he wouldn't likely waste resources and lives for the Barbarian Clan. Without a doubt, by then, he'll probably just dispatch tens of thousands of troops to make an appearance and not really engage us."

"What General Zuo said makes sense," Zhou Yang echoed in agreement. "We can distribute the benefits in two phases—first a portion, and after the war ends, once the Barbarian King fulfills his promises, we can settle the rest. I reckon the Barbarian King won't hold a grudge against us."

Qin Tian remarked, "Currently, West State's economic situation is pretty good, so providing benefits to the Barbarian King poses no issue at all."

After saying this, he stared at Zuo Yuanhao and asked, "We've resolved three of the four armies. Do you have a strategy for the last line, the Demon Clan's army, Yuanhao?"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Yuanhao smiled slightly and said, "Lord Qin, the strategies I've mentioned for the three lines, those are our available countermeasures; as for the Demon Clan line, that would be the unavailable countermeasure I spoke of."

Unavailable?

Everyone froze.

Qin Tian and Zhou Yang exchanged glances and then both laughed.

Lin Yu hadn't quite caught on, "What do we do if it's unavailable? I've heard the Demon Clan's army is pretty formidable. Won't they attack if we have nothing to counter them?"

"Don't worry, General Lin, no need to be so tense."

Zuo Yuanhao chuckled reassuringly, "When I say there's no available countermeasure, I mean the Demon Clan line also won't pose a threat to us."

"Oh? How so?"

Lin Yu, anxious by nature and not one to thoroughly think things through, looked utterly confused as he listened to Zuo Yuanhao.

Zuo Yuanhao explained, "General Lin, think about it. When the Demon Clan allied with the Demon Clan, they must have told them that they had also allied with the Imperial City and the Barbarian Clan troops, and that they would move together and encircle us on four sides."

"Yeah, and then what?"

"Then, when the Demon Clan's army deploys, they'll observe the Imperial City's army proceeding slowly, the Barbarian Clan's troops failing to reach the designated location, and the Demon Clan's army being significantly reduced. Do you think the Demon Clan would still charge forward to attack us?"

"Oh... hahaha... I get it now!"

Lin Yu suddenly understood.

Zuo Yuanhao smiled, "The Demon Clansmen aren't fools. Benefiting from the bounties, they'll also perform a charade and withdraw when they see the rest aren't truly committing."

"Brilliant! General Zuo, you're brilliant!"

Lin Yu was deeply impressed by Zuo Yuanhao and said, "Just moments ago, the thought of those four armies had me in a cold sweat, but now after your analysis, I'm thoroughly enlightened. Those four armies are nothing but paper tigers! Hahaha!"