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墨書 Inktalez
In Spring City, Severe Winter was holding court. Below him stood a group of officials from Cui Wenwu.
One man, around forty years old, knelt in the center and said, "Your Majesty, according to reports from our scouts, the Rebels in Summer City have begun their actions this morning. They have mobilized an army of one hundred thousand, targeting the imperial capital."
"One hundred thousand troops? That's quite a number."
"Indeed, the strength of the Rebels is formidable this time."
"Can our forces in the imperial capital withstand the Rebels' attack?"
"…"
Upon hearing this news, the officials began to discuss among themselves.
Severe Winter scanned the officials with his eyes and then slammed his hand on the back of his dragon throne. "Silence! What kind of decorum is this, making noise in court?"
His words silenced all discussions among the officials. At that moment, all the Cui Wenwu officials focused their attention on Severe Winter, eager to hear what their emperor would propose to reverse the current situation.
"A mere group of Rebels has frightened you all to this extent? Have the years of peaceful living made you forget how to fight?"
"Your Majesty, please allow me to lead troops to eliminate those traitors," said the middle-aged military officer who had spoken earlier as he approached Severe Winter again.
Severe Winter looked at the middle-aged man with appreciation. "Since Border General has a heart for protecting the nation, I grant you fifty thousand elite soldiers. I hope you achieve victory."
"Your Majesty, I am willing to serve as Vanguard Officer for Border General," said another middle-aged man in his forties who stepped forward from the military officers' ranks.
The Border General clasped his fists and said to Severe Winter, "Your Majesty, if General Lu serves as my Vanguard Officer, I guarantee I will bring back the head of the Rebels' Leader."
"Very well. Since both generals are determined, I appoint Bian Dong as Grand Marshal for this campaign against the Rebels and Lu Jiang as Vanguard Officer with fifty thousand elite troops. You two may set out on a chosen day."
"Yes." "I accept my orders."
As the morning court dispersed, only Black Eagle remained by Severe Winter's side. "Your Majesty, can Bian Dong and Lu Jiang manage? Do you need me to assist them?"
"I told you last time, Black Eagle, there's no need to worry. Those people won't cause much trouble. Although Bian Dong and Lu Jiang are not particularly strong, they are at least intermediate Advanced Knights. With them around, it should be sufficient. Even if they can't achieve victory, they can hold out for half a year. When the Gates of Hell reopen, Old Marshal can handle them without our help, which will save us the trouble."
"If they really can't hold on, I can step in personally when the Rebels arrive. As long as we take out their Big Leader and a few other Leaders, the rest will naturally retreat."
"Rest assured, Black Eagle. Although we are ruler and subject, I have never treated you as just a subordinate. After all this time as friends, when have I ever let you down?"
"Your Majesty's strength is unmatched on Luo Heng Island. I was being overly cautious; please forgive me."
"Black Eagle, don't say that. We have been friends for many years, and how could I blame you for worrying about me?"
"Your Majesty should still exercise caution. Do you remember what happened with Old Bai?"
"Are you referring to the black Sea Beast they reported back?"
"Exactly. I've been pondering why that Sea Beast went berserk and why such a divine creature appeared there."
"Black Eagle, are you suggesting that this divine beast was captured by someone from the New World?"
"I don't know; I just feel an inexplicable sense of dread."
Severe Winter laughed heartily. "I assure you, Black Eagle, there's no way that divine beast could be captured by someone from the New World. Even I wouldn't have the chance to capture such a creature. You must be feeling uneasy because you're missing Xiao Bai too much."
"Perhaps that's it; after all, I've known Xiao Bai for nearly a century. If Your Majesty has nothing else, I would like to take my leave."
"Go ahead and rest well. With me, Severe Winter, here on Luo Heng Island, the sky won't fall."
"Your Majesty, I take my leave."
At this time, Bian Dong and Lu Jiang arrived at the military camp, gathering a total of fifty thousand elite troops and assigning ten thousand to Lu Jiang as his Vanguard Camp. The two had already discussed their plans to depart early the next morning.
The next day at dawn, after bidding farewell to Severe Winter, they set off from the imperial capital. Lu Jiang left five hours earlier with his Vanguard Camp, followed by Bian Dong leading thirty-five thousand troops from the main army, with the logistics team departing last.
A week later, Lu Jiang arrived at a fishing village called Little Brother with the Vanguard Camp. He planned to rest his Vanguard Camp here for a day before continuing on. However, that night, while Lu Jiang was resting in his room, he heard a soldier's voice outside: "Reporting to the Vanguard Officer."
"Come in."
After entering, the soldier saluted Lu Jiang and began to report: "Reporting to the Vanguard Officer, we just received news from our scouts that the Rebels' army has been spotted ahead."
"How many Rebels are there?"
"About ten thousand."
"How far are they from us?"
"Approximately two kilometers away."
"When did they arrive?"
"They just got here and are setting up camp now."
"Go convey my orders to assemble the troops. We will pay them a visit."
"Yes, General."
After the soldier ran out, he immediately gathered the Vanguard Camp, and Lu Jiang stood at the front of the formation: "Brothers, our scouts report that not far ahead is the Rebels' Vanguard Camp. Since we are also a Vanguard Camp, I think we should greet them. Everyone follow me immediately and remember to keep all mounts in non-combat status until we are ready to attack. Change everyone's armor to soft armor; anyone who makes even a slight noise will be dealt with according to Military Law. Understood?"
"Understood."
"Move out." A ten-thousand-strong force quietly left Xiao Ke Village.
Not far away, in an open area, the New World Vanguard Camp was setting up camp as well. They had received intelligence that a nearly ten-thousand-strong army was stationed in Xiao Ke Village.
Hong Tao's plan was simple: let the entire army rest for the night and confront them first thing in the morning. Since leaving Summer City, Hong Tao had rarely seen Liu Guanfeng; all of Liu Guanfeng's daily needs were managed by Cui Zhongyi and his fifty subordinates. Cui Zhongyi often had something to say about this, but whenever he spoke to Liu Guanfeng, he would always smile slightly and say little.
Now everyone was busy setting up camp while Liu Guanfeng observed with a smile on his face. Just as Liu Guanfeng thought everything was no different from usual, a strong wind suddenly picked up. Although wind is common on islands, this gust was particularly fierce. It directly blew down the main flag of the camp, startling Liu Guanfeng.
At this moment, Hong Tao also noticed that his Hong Character Flag had been blown down. He took two steps to the position of the large flag and called over two soldiers to help him raise it again.
Liu Guanfeng stepped up beside Hong Tao. "General Hong."
"President Liu, do you need something from me?" Hong Tao replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Liu Guanfeng was no longer in a joking mood. "General Hong, there might be trouble tonight."
"Trouble? What kind of trouble could happen? There are hardly any generals or soldiers left at Winter Thief; what could possibly occur?"
"There’s a chance someone might raid the camp tonight."
"A raid? President Liu, on what basis can you be sure someone will raid the camp?"
"The Main General's Flag being blown down is an ominous sign."
"You deduced that from this?"
"Exactly."
"President Liu, I didn't expect you to be skilled not only in forging but also in fortune-telling. But I can't let our soldiers lose their rest just because of your predictions, can I?"
"General Hong, even if they can't rest tonight, they can tomorrow. If the enemy comes to raid the camp, we might lose our lives."
In front of Liu Guanfeng, Hong Tao couldn't directly dismiss him. He had already made a jab at Liu earlier, and if this continued, neither would save face. So, Hong Tao said to Liu Guanfeng, "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, President Liu. I will have my soldiers be more vigilant tonight."
Since Hong Tao had said this much, Liu Guanfeng felt it was inappropriate to say anything further and thus bowed his hands in farewell to Hong Tao. However, after seeing Liu Guanfeng turn to leave, Hong Tao sneered with a look of disdain.
Back in his tent, Hong Tao shared this incident with his father. His father, Hong Bin, said to him, "Tao'er, throughout this journey, Liu Guanfeng has not approached us about any matters regarding life or military affairs. Since he has come to us this time, I think it’s better to pay more attention to this matter."
"Father, don’t worry. Our scouts reported that the enemy has only just arrived at Xiao Ke Village; don’t they need time to regroup? What can a weary army do? So you don’t need to worry; I guarantee nothing will happen tonight. You just rest in the tent."
After returning to his own tent, Liu Guanfeng called over Cui Zhongyi. "Senior Brother, I think something might happen tonight."
"What could possibly happen?"
"I'm afraid they might raid the camp."
"Raid? Xiaofeng, do you have any evidence or intelligence?"
"No, it's all just a gut feeling."
"Then tell me, what should we do?"
"Senior Brother, I've already informed Hong Tao about this, but he didn't take it seriously. So we must prepare first. The fifty of us from the Merchant Guild are staying closest to the camp gate. Let's have our people dig some pits around each tent; this should help slow down any enemy advances. Also, tell everyone that they must sleep in their clothes tonight, keeping their weapons within arm's reach. All crossbows should be loaded and ready so that even while sleeping, they can enter combat at a moment's notice."
"I understand. Is there anything else?"
"Every time we stay nearby, it's Liu Yuan's squad. They've become quite close with you all along the way. Go tell Liu Yuan to have his squad do the same as us; whether they listen is up to them."
"I'm on it." Cui Zhongyi turned and left the tent.
Immediately, within the New World camp, soldiers were seen laboriously digging pits around the four tents of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile, other soldiers under Hong Tao watched the guards of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce with disdain, as if thinking these people were fools for digging pits around their own tents. Did they plan to sleep in those pits tonight?
The soldiers of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce paid no mind to the ridicule from others. They knew this order came from Liu Guanfeng, who was already a deity in their hearts; Liu Guanfeng's commands were always correct.
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