Xiao Wu insisted on her decision and ultimately went to the Spirit Master Legion where Ning Rongrong was stationed.
Tang San did not try to stop her. His expression remained indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Over the next few days.
Under the leadership of Nether Civet Duke Zhu Zicheng, the sect forces led by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan began openly recruiting troops in preparation for the campaign to suppress the southern rebellion.
At the same time.
In the southern Tianxing Province.
"Young Master, that Liu Wenxuan really does have some skills. Using the grain we provided for disaster relief to stabilize grain prices, and forcibly ordering local aristocratic families to sell grain—the surrounding famine situation has basically been stabilized."
Thirteen, who was in charge of intelligence work, praised.
Ye Tian smiled slightly. "After all, he's someone who once presided over military and political affairs in a region. How could he not have some ability?"
"How are things on Zi Zhenzhu's end? We haven't heard any news from her these past days."
The Star Luo Empire had more than one naval fleet.
A month ago, a well-equipped Star Luo fleet launched a surprise attack on Tianxing Port.
This caused Zi Zhenzhu to lose several ships under her command.
In fury, Zi Zhenzhu requested permission to attack.
Ye Tian granted it.
This pursuit had lasted half a month.
Thirteen explained, "Recently, there's been another typhoon. Although our ships are fast, they can't withstand typhoon attacks, so no ships have been able to dock at port, which naturally blocks communication."
"Besides, Young Master, you should have heard about Zi Zhenzhu's temperament. She won't rest until she avenges her brothers."
Ye Tian shook his head, somewhat regretfully.
He had planned to have Zi Zhenzhu handle shipping operations, continuing to transport supplies from East Sea City to Tianxing Port.
It seemed he couldn't count on that now.
"Forget it. Have Sea Witch take charge of shipping operations instead. The army's supplies cannot fall behind."
"Why not choose me?"
At that moment, a figure suddenly jumped down from the ceiling beams.
Light red silk Bohemian-style long dress, arms crossed, expression quite casual.
Looking up to see it was Bo Saixi, Ye Tian clicked his tongue.
"Sister Bo, when did you learn to lurk on ceiling beams?"
Bo Saixi, arms crossed, smiled with pursed lips. "If I wanted to kill you, perhaps you'd already be dead."
"Not necessarily." Gu Yue Na, who had been resting on the nearby desk, suddenly raised her head and squinted over at her.
This made Bo Saixi's face flush slightly. She opened her mouth, but her beautiful eyes only glanced at Gu Yue Na, ultimately saying nothing.
"I'm idle anyway. Being able to help you seems nice enough." Bo Saixi withdrew her gaze, examining her fingernails nonchalantly.
Ye Tian smiled and said:
"Having Sea God Douluo personally in charge of shipping operations—such a luxurious lineup. If the Star Luo Emperor found out, wouldn't he come surrender in person?"
"Hehe." Bo Saixi rolled her eyes at Ye Tian.
...
The next day.
Ye Tian inspected the new army's training progress.
After nearly two months of training.
The new army now possessed the ability to understand command flags.
On the training ground, following the officers' orders, they moved in neat formation, dividing into orderly blocks for drills.
It looked quite impressive.
But Ye Tian understood.
Training cold weapon soldiers wasn't just about neat formations.
Once the new army encountered elite troops, a single charge would still crush them.
Only troops like the Heavenly Strategy Army, who didn't engage in close combat, could be trained to competency in three months.
Zhou Long, who was responsible for military training, came to Ye Tian's side and gazed at the training ground with emotion.
"Young Master, thanks to your benevolence, the new army soldiers have all been allocated land. Their morale is now high."
"Such an army can be put to use."
"But to become elite troops, without half a year's time, they'll be difficult to train properly."
Ye Tian waved his hand, pointing at the new army with a light smile. "Do you see this army? Don't they look like exquisite bait?"
Zhou Long was first stunned, then greatly shocked, murmuring, "Young Master, you want to use these troops as bait?"
Then, as if suddenly understanding, he said, "In everyone's perception, troops with armor are considered elite."
"But the Heavenly Strategy Army has no armor. If these two armies were displayed, in outsiders' eyes, which is stronger and which is weaker would probably be obvious at a glance."
He roughly understood Young Master Ye Tian's thinking.
The Young Master wouldn't say these things for no reason.
This meant the Young Master was ready to make his move.
"Tianxing City is over 1,100 li from Star Luo City. Has Young Master prepared for a long-distance raid?"
"Almost. There's a fifty percent chance of success." Ye Tian gazed into the distance.
"Fifty percent..." Zhou Long unconsciously pondered.
When had the Young Master ever made such a risky move?
Not until the afternoon gathering for a meal.
Thirteen came rushing in, out of breath:
"Young Master, the military map has been drawn clearly. The armies of the five southern provinces are clustered on the west side of Tianxing Province, all huddled in the cities. They probably won't have the courage to attack anytime soon."
"Besides this, the military defenses of the other provinces are virtually nonexistent and can be disregarded."
"The map has marked three possible routes for our advance."
Seeing the markings on the map, Zhou Long looked as if he suddenly understood, his graying temples moving in the wind as he smiled:
"No wonder I haven't seen the North Star Squad these past days. Turns out Young Master sent them to draw maps."
Ye Tian took the map but didn't examine it.
The accuracy rate of maps drawn by the North Star Squad was guaranteed.
He neatly folded the map and waved it in his hand, smiling at Zhou Long. "Now there's a sixty percent chance of success."
"I knew Young Master wouldn't fight an unprepared battle." Zhou Long also smiled.
"But where is the remaining forty percent chance of success?"
Thirteen smiled mysteriously. "I only know this seventh ten-percent is on the table."
Hearing Thirteen's words.
Zhou Long hurriedly looked carefully.
He found that besides a few blue and white porcelain bowls on the table with some noodles inside, there seemed to be nothing else.
"Don't tell me the chance of success lies in these noodles?" Zhou Long picked up the steaming noodles from the bowl with chopsticks, puzzled.
"Exactly!" Thirteen laughed heartily. "Uncle Zhou, why not have a taste?"
"I've already tasted these noodles." Zhou Long recalled thoughtfully, "They contain sauce from Butterfly Farm, some dried vegetables, and several pieces of preserved beef."
"...Carefully tasting it, the noodles are also somewhat special. They don't have the chewiness of regular noodles, but rather seem deep-fried."
"Uncle Zhou really guessed correctly." Ye Tian sat down and ate with his chopsticks, helping himself.
"This thing is called instant noodles. Its greatest feature is that it can be eaten without cooking."
"Of course, if you want it to taste good, it's best to soak it in boiling water."
"No need to cook?!!"
Zhou Long's eyes widened.
This was tremendously significant!
No need to cook meant no need to set up stoves for cooking!
You must know that cooking for an army was an extremely troublesome affair.
For one meal, the army had to waste nearly two hours or even more!
Moreover, the smoke from cooking could potentially alert enemy forces, thereby exposing one's position.
Clearly, instant noodles could solve most of these problems.
If this were used as military rations, soldiers would save a tremendous amount of marching time!
Thirteen's smile broadened as he pulled out a white paper package. "At the same time, Young Master also invented a self-heating pack. Pour some water on this small package and it will heat up."
"This is quicklime, isn't it?" Zhou Long was quite knowledgeable and recognized the composition of this so-called self-heating pack at a glance.
With this self-heating pack, soldiers wouldn't have to eat dry instant noodles.
Looking at the instant noodles, then at the self-heating pack, Zhou Long's mind suddenly cleared. "It seems Young Master, you're about to take action."
Ye Tian finished the instant noodles in his bowl in large bites, wiped his mouth, and looked up. "That's right. Bo Saixi has already gone to receive the supplies."
"Most of what's being transported this time is instant noodles produced by the farm."
"Once the supplies arrive, we set out! Blitzkrieg on Star Luo City!"
(End of Chapter)