"Are the two Hall Commanders exaggerating?"
A corps commander with a full beard smiled faintly and said, "A hundred years ago, in the Battle of Xueyu Tianchi, the Northern Four Clans were severely weakened and have not fully recovered to this day. Although the demon race is stirring, the battle on Xueyu Tianchi not long ago saw Lu Hai fall from the thirteenth realm, which will undoubtedly postpone the demon race's southward advance. Currently, our human race's northern border is not only defended by Lin Xingchu at Xijian River but also by Lin Wanhua at Fusou Great Wall. Furthermore, Lord Zhou Yan leads a hundred thousand border defense troops to guard the area north of Fusou Great Wall. How much ability could the demon race have to dare advance south?"
"Oh?"
Chen Xi narrowed her beautiful eyes and smiled, "Some people are truly fools. Do you really think the ancestral mountains of the demon race only have one or two thirteenth-realm experts? The demon race has been managing the demon realm for another century. How much foundation and heavenly fortune have they accumulated, enough for several more thirteenth-realm experts to emerge? If you truly believe the human race's northern defense line is an iron wall, you might be closer to the demon race's steel blades at your throats than you think."
"Hall Commander Chen Xi, you shouldn't spread alarmist talk!"
Another commander of the Northern Three Prefectures' army said solemnly, even with a hint of reprimand.
"Da Zhige."
Han Yetang saw this and was already feeling angry. "Da Zhige was a renowned general of Western Shu and fought against the demon race on the battlefield. I assume you are not as short-sighted as those people?"
"Yetang, there's no need to take it to heart."
Li Chunyang stood up and smiled, "I have heard all of your arguments, and a decision has been made. Yetang, later, please list the warhorses, grain, armor, weapons, and other supplies needed by Xueyu Tianchi. I will naturally have the quartermaster department determine the prices. Then, you can take the list to Baiyi. If he is willing to buy, he will; if not, then so be it."
"Yes!"
Han Yetang cupped his fists and withdrew from the commander's mansion with Chen Xi.
"Da Zhige!"
Several generals showed anger. Yu Rang even gritted his teeth and said, "Your subordinate heard that the white-robed man previously saved Qin Ran, the son of Qin Yu of Fusou Great Wall, and also has some friendship with Han Yetang. Clearly, Han Yetang is abusing his authority for personal gain, using the Great Shang Dynasty's supplies to curry favor with his person. Hmph, even our Linlu Legion's supplies are already quite scarce. Must we still squeeze something out of our teeth to send to his Xueyu Tianchi?"
"Enough."
Li Chunyang raised his hand and gently pressed it down. "I understand everyone's feelings, but we must consider all aspects. As Chen Xi and Han Yetang said, it is not a bad thing for the human race to have an unyielding army in Xueyu Tianchi. Baiyi and his group can at least distract the demon race's attention. Moreover, Baiyi has some connections with Lin Xingchu and Lin Wanhua. If we directly reject Han Yetang's request, it might not be good. The heavy burden of the human race's northern defense line ultimately falls on our Northern Three Prefectures. I hope everyone can put aside their prejudices and perform their duties."
"Yes, Da Zhige!"
A group of generals cupped their fists in unison, then turned and left.
Li Chunyang sat back in his command chair and took a sip of tea. It was bland and tasteless. He watched the backs of the generals, his brows furrowed, and his heart heavy. What could he do? If he rejected Chen Xi and Han Yetang, could he still hold his position as the Human Race's Northern Commander? One was Chen Wanli's granddaughter, and the other was his granddaughter. And what was Chen Wanli's status in the Great Shang Dynasty?
Currently, of the six Hall Commanders, Lü Fengxian of Hulao Pass and Bei Minghai of Yanmen Pass were old subordinates of Chen Wanli, meaning they were elders to Chen Xi and Han Yetang. They would undoubtedly side with Chen Xi and Han Yetang. Additionally, Dong Chun of Yuzhuyuan also considered himself a junior of Chen Wanli. If a dispute arose, the only Hall Commander who might side with him would be Lin Ruo of Yangping Pass. However, Lin Ruo, who entered the Heavenly Yuan realm at the age of 23, was the youngest and most energetic Hall Commander of the human race. He even dared to disobey his grandfather Lin Yan's orders. Such a resolute person would not blindly side with him.
For a moment, Li Chunyang rubbed his temples. It was too difficult. The Southern Commander advocated for peace, while the Northern Commander advocated for war. He, the representative of the war faction in the Great Shang court, had so many things he wished he could do but couldn't, and was constantly being swayed by others.
...
Late at night.
On the eastern coast, Juzi Ridge, the northernmost beacon tower of the human race.
At this time, heavy snow was falling. The garrison of the Juzi Ridge beacon tower was a hundred-man cavalry unit, equipped with a captain and a sixth-realm cultivator, standing like a watchtower on the northern frontier of the Great Shang Dynasty, guarding the human race's territory.
Camps built with stones stood beside the beacon tower. Most of the soldiers were already asleep. Only one cavalryman stood on top of the beacon tower, shivering from the cold, rubbing his hands. His beard and eyebrows were covered in frost. He frowned, sat down at the base of the wall, and grumbled, "On duty in such cold weather. On duty for what? Not a ghost in sight. If I were a demon, I wouldn't attack in this weather. Isn't this just asking for trouble?"
He held a long spear and tilted his head to rest for a moment, dreaming of a warm bed with his wife, of everything good.
After an unknown amount of time.
Suddenly, he jolted. Years of military service had given him high alertness. He pricked up his ears and listened carefully to the wind and snow. It seemed... amidst the howling wind and snow, there were faint hoofbeats.
"Not good!"
He hurriedly stood up from the sentry post. The moment he stood, he saw figures in white robes appearing in the snow not far away. Beneath the white robes, their armor gleamed with golden light, and their warhorses were magnificent and strong. At that moment, the cavalryman was terrified. Who were these people? They didn't look like demons, as demons had no mounts. The patterns on their robes were also not of the Great Shang Dynasty. Could they be demons?!
The demon cavalry, a terrifying name. During the Northern Expedition, the demon cavalry was one of the main culprits in the destruction of the human race's Yun Province cavalry!
"You..."
The cavalryman was about to shout when a cold light broke through the wind. With a "swish," a spray of blood shot out from the cavalryman's neck, pierced through his throat in an instant. As he fell heavily, the demon cavalrymen flew past one by one, then ruthlessly charged into the human camp. The cavalrymen who had just gotten up were hacked to death with swords before they could even mount their horses.
"Quick!"
The human captain drew his sword and rushed out of the camp, roaring, "Immortal Master, send the flying fish to deliver a warning, quickly!"
Behind him, a young sixth-realm human cultivator hastily took out a flying fish and stuffed a pre-prepared note into its mouth. However, before he could release the flying fish, the person and the flying fish were as if drawn from the world. The surrounding wind and snow stopped, leaving him standing alone.
A small world, the opponent has entered the Upper Five Realms!
In the distance, a figure in golden armor slowly approached, looking extremely handsome.
"You..."
The sixth-realm cultivator was horrified.
"When you go to the underworld, remember to report my name, Yu Feng, the Crown Prince of the Divine Clan Yu Dynasty!"
Before his voice faded, a sword qi descended from the sky, instantly turning the sixth-realm cultivator and the flying fish into ashes. The power gap was too great, and there was no suspense at all.
In the blink of an eye, the entire garrison of the Juzi Ridge beacon tower was annihilated. The beacon tower was flattened, and the food and supplies in the camp were plundered. Then, countless demon cavalry surged south amidst the snow.
...
Shanhai Pass.
Han Yetang placed a list of military supplies in front of Lin Zhao and said, "This is what Chen Xi and I have managed to secure for you to the greatest extent possible. Although the prices of the supplies are indeed... a bit on the high side, there's nothing we can do. It's already good that we can get them."
"Mhm."
Lin Zhao didn't look up at her at all. He kept his eyes wide open and looked carefully at the list of supplies compiled by the Ministry of War—
Yun Province fine horses: 3000
Yun Province cavalry standard armor, long spears, sabers, heavy shields, crossbow bolts, etc.: 2000 sets
Barricade spears: 8000
Cannons: 20, with corresponding cannonballs
Ballistae: 50
Additionally, 100,000 shi of grain and fodder
All the supplies combined cost 25 gold zhen coins.
...
"It's not just a little expensive..."
Lin Zhao frowned and said, "Can't it be cheaper?"
"It's already the limit."
Han Yetang pouted. "If you don't have enough money... I can lend you the money. I still have some savings here."
"No need."
Lin Zhao felt a headache. "I'm just worried that this is the price this time, and it will be the same next time. If that's the case, our Xueyu Tianchi will truly not be able to afford it anymore."
"It can't be helped."
Han Yetang said, "Let's take it one step at a time. We'll deal with future matters when they come. I will also help you think of a solution."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile. "Regardless, I'm grateful for your help with this matter, thank you, Hall Commander Han."
"Call me Yetang."
Han Yetang raised her eyebrows and said, "When you call me Hall Commander, it feels strange. Are you forcing me to call you Marshal Lin?"
"Haha~~~"
Lin Zhao chuckled awkwardly. "There is no Marshal Lin in this world anymore, only the impoverished young hero Baiyi!"
Han Yetang and Wu Zhi covered their mouths and chuckled.
Shortly after, the supplies purchased by Lin Zhao arrived at Shanhai Pass. He did not appear. Mu Ga, leading a group of people, transported all the supplies back to Xueyu Tianchi through the teleportation array. Many spirit stones were burned, but it was worth it.
...
Two days later.
The former site of the Eastern Wu Kingdom, after being ravaged by the Linlu Legion, had almost become ownerless land. Small towns in the border regions had almost all escaped the fate of being sacked. All the supplies were carried away. Even most of the citizens of the Eastern Wu Kingdom had become prisoners and refugees. Young and strong men were sent to various places in the Great Shang Dynasty to serve as laborers, while the fate of the women was even more tragic, with many being bought and sold.
At this time, the border of the Eastern Wu Kingdom was guarded by a group of Great Shang soldiers.
Border Defense Legion, one hundred thousand troops.
On a border city wall, an old general placed his hands on the city wall. He was Zhou Yan, the commander of the Border Defense Legion. He looked into the distance and said, "How long has it been since the Juzi Ridge beacon tower sent its safety message?"
"A day and a night, my lord!"
"Not good..."
Zhou Yan frowned. "Could something have happened at the Juzi Ridge beacon tower?! Immediately issue an order, dispatch 500 light cavalry to Juzi Ridge to investigate. Also, strengthen the northern defenses. Tomorrow morning, as soon as the snow stops, we will immediately move out of the city to set up barricades, pitfalls, and so on, and strictly guard against a demon surprise attack!"
"Yes, my lord!"
"No..."
The next moment, Zhou Yan pricked up his ears and listened to the杂音 in the wind and snow. Suddenly, he gritted his teeth, pointed north with a hand, and said, "Immediately sound the alarm, the entire army is on high alert, enemy forces are approaching from the north!"