Xu Jingxuan, already well-versed in military affairs and brimming with strategic plans, was restrained by the reality of his situation. Now, with a clear objective, he moved swiftly, drafting a conscription plan in a single night, preparing to recruit fifty thousand more soldiers. As a key stronghold in the western frontier, the Tower City had been stocked with vast quantities of weapons, ammunition, and various military supplies by the Zheng Kingdom. These strategic reserves were now being utilized for the expansion of the army.
As for Xu Jingxuan’s family, he did not even have the time to fetch them personally, instead asking Qian Ye to send someone to the capital to bring them over. It was clear that, in the presence of the new King Zheng, even a lowly soldier sent by Qian Ye would carry far more weight than Xu Jingxuan himself.
Naturally, Qian Ye would not refuse such a small request. Xu Jingxuan was indeed a rare talent, possessing exceptional personal gifts. If not for growing up in Yongland, he might have already begun to challenge the divine general’s threshold. More importantly, he was a natural commander, having orchestrated numerous classic battles during his tenure in the western border, causing untold suffering to the dark races. Sadly, the internal strife within the Zheng Kingdom prevented it from expanding, allowing countless opportunities to slip away.
With Qian Ye’s arrival and the unprecedented advantage in the air, they would not miss this chance. Xu Jingxuan, seeing his long-held ambitions finally within reach, threw himself into the task of army expansion with renewed vigor.
In just three days, the army’s expansion in the Tower City began to take shape. Although the population of the Tower City itself was insufficient to support tens of thousands of troops, the western region was fertile, dotted with numerous small towns and villages, each providing ample manpower. Xu Jingxuan, well-acquainted with the city’s situation, set what seemed like an impossible recruitment target.
However, raising an army was no joke. The sheer amount of equipment, logistics, and supplies required was enormous, and the Tower City’s output and stored provisions could not possibly sustain such a force.
Qian Ye was well aware of this but did not object to the recruitment goal. Xu Jingxuan understood that the future supply of this army would come from the dark races. This realization only fueled his excitement, confirming Qian Ye’s determination for war.
Just as the Tower City buzzed with activity, a group of unexpected guests arrived.
Hearing the hurried report from his attendant, Qian Ye paused, “The Imperial Guard? What do they want here?”
The attendant replied, “The commander of the Imperial Guard wishes to meet with you to discuss the transfer of the Tower City.”
Qian Ye was perplexed, “Transfer?”
The attendant, lowering his voice, hesitated, “Yes, the commander wants to confirm when you will hand over the Tower City to them.”
For a moment, Qian Ye was stunned, finding the request so absurd that he felt no anger. He could not fathom the background or mindset of the unknown Imperial Guard commander. For a fleeting moment, he considered meeting him, just to see what kind of person could come up with such an idea.
However, Qian Ye quickly dismissed this whimsical thought. With so many critical decisions pending, even though Xu Jingxuan was capable, all key decisions still needed his approval. There was hardly enough time for cultivation, let alone dealing with such people.
He then instructed the attendant, “Gather all the generals; I will be in the war room in half an hour.”
The attendant departed swiftly, knowing half an hour was not much time, and any delay would be costly.
Soon, all the generals assembled in the war room. A few were panting, clearly having rushed from some distance. Qian Ye checked the time, pleased to see that only twenty minutes had passed.
“I heard that an Imperial Guard unit is outside the city. How many are they, and where are they stationed?”
Xu Jingxuan stood, “This Imperial Guard unit consists of thirty thousand soldiers, including the elite First and Seventh Divisions. The commander is Vice Commander Xue Yang, a close relative of Noble Consort Xue. He has a commendable record and is often regarded as the most formidable commander in the Imperial Guard.”
“Most formidable commander?” Qian Ye smiled, “What is his strength?”
Xu Jingxuan replied, “Like me, he is at level sixteen. However, after Noble Consort Xue rose to power, it is said that he switched to a royal cultivation technique. In a real fight, I would likely lose to him.”
Qian Ye nodded, “No wonder he is so confident.”
The generals, whispering among themselves, knew about the transfer demand. The Imperial Guard, with their thirty thousand soldiers, was encamped less than ten kilometers away, clearly in a position to attack at any moment.
The mercenary generals were dismissive, and if not for Qian Ye’s authority, they would have clamored to launch an assault. Xu Jingxuan, however, appeared tense, realizing that even with the city’s defenses, his six thousand soldiers would be no match for Xue Yang’s thirty thousand.
Noticing the expectant looks, Qian Ye said, “Let’s first discuss the reorganization of the new army.”
The reorganization involved numerous aspects, and the needs of tens of thousands of soldiers were no small matter. The generals, aware of Qian Ye’s time constraints, kept their reports brief, and an hour passed before they finished.
The attendant at the door, looking anxious, drew Qian Ye’s attention.
Qian Ye remained calm, allowing the attendant to enter, “What is it?”
The attendant stuttered, “Sir, the Imperial Guard’s messenger is still waiting outside, growing very impatient.”
Qian Ye turned to Xu Jingxuan, “Is this your man?”
Xu Jingxuan, sweating, stood, “Yes. I failed to lead him properly, and I beg for your punishment!”
Qian Ye said coolly, “Such a coward should not be in the army. Dismiss him.”
“Understood, sir!”
Xu Jingxuan walked to the door, lifted the attendant, and tossed him to his own men, ordering, “Take him away, expel him from the army, and never rehire him.”
His men complied, ignoring the attendant’s pleas, dragging him out.
Once Xu Jingxuan returned, Qian Ye continued, “Since it’s been brought up, let’s resolve it. It’s not a big issue, so we’ll discuss it. Jingxuan!”
Xu Jingxuan stood, “At your service!”
“Tell them the area within fifty kilometers of the Tower City is off-limits. They must leave within half an hour, or they won’t be able to leave at all.”
Xu Jingxuan, taken aback by Qian Ye’s firmness, recovered quickly. He agreed without hesitation.
Satisfied, Qian Ye then ordered, “Song Lun, Song Hui, take the flagship and order all warships to prepare for battle. At the half-hour mark, commence bombardment of the Imperial Guard camp, regardless of whether anyone is inside.”
Song Lun stood, acknowledging the order, while Song Hui’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
The mercenary generals, eager for battle, all requested to join, some proposing flanking maneuvers, others a frontal assault, all intent on wiping out the thirty thousand Imperial Guard. Qian Ye, having no intention of fighting under the Tower City, made it clear that he would not hesitate to act if provoked.
Waving for silence, Qian Ye summarized the new army’s reorganization, assigned defensive tasks, and dismissed the generals.
Half an hour later, massive shadows swept across the land, followed by the roar of explosions and billowing smoke. Flames engulfed the Imperial Guard’s temporary camp.
A kilometer away, a burly man, enraged, shouted, “Damn it! They’re going too far! Let me go, I’ll fight them!”
The man, immensely strong, dragged the officers who tried to restrain him. The officers, using all their strength, yelled, “Sir, don’t! You can’t!”
The burly man roared, “What about our brothers in the camp?”
“Too late, they can’t be saved!”
The man, stunned, suddenly stamped his foot, “It’s my fault, my greed that got them killed!”
The officers, relieved, advised, “Commander, we only wanted to show them a lesson. Who knew they would be so ruthless, sending warships to bombard the camp!”
“We have no ships, retreating is our only option.”
“Sir, as long as we live, we can return. Why bother with them, seeking a short-term victory?”
The burly man sighed, “Fine, it’s my fault. Let’s go, why leave anyone behind?”
The entire camp was now a sea of flames, even a battle general would struggle to survive the bombardment. Overhead, the floating warships halted their fire, circling to ensure no one escaped.
On the war cruiser, Song Hui pointed out, “They’re still there, clearly defiant!”
Song Lun hesitated, “They’ve left the camp, as ordered.”
Song Hui shook her head, “It’s not about following orders but about submission. They’re clearly not submissive, so we need to teach them a lesson.”
Song Lun warned, “But the commander didn’t say to attack now.”
“Neither did he say to let them go if they’re not submissive!”
Song Hui, ignoring Song Lun, ordered, “Fire the secondary cannons, starting from this point. Move forward thirty meters, and fire again, repeating until done.”
The experienced ship captain understood and prepared accordingly.
Soon, the war cruiser began to turn, the secondary cannons lowering, aiming at the line Song Hui had drawn, and fired.
The skilled gunners delivered precise strikes, creating a straight line of explosions. The sound was deafening, and the light was blinding.
The line of explosions was just a hundred meters from the Imperial Guard’s position, leaving the officers shaken and pale. They watched the rising wall of smoke, feeling the warship’s true power for the first time.
The war cruiser adjusted, readying its cannons. Before the dust settled, it fired again, this time thirty meters closer.
The officers, feeling the imminent threat, pleaded, “Sir, let’s retreat!”
Xue Yang, furious, said, “I want to see if they dare to kill a high-ranking official!”
Before he finished, the third round of cannon fire began, this time only fifty meters away. The debris and shockwaves made the danger even clearer.
Finally, the commander gritted his teeth, “Let’s go!”
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