I Have A Martial Dao World-Chapter 527 - : 527. The world is full of vicissitudes.

Chapter 527: 527. The world is full of vicissitudes.

After clearing the remaining enemy, the Legion firmly took An Zhou.

Shi Rongchun convened the officers for a meeting and called Fu Fangsheng over.

After busying themselves for half a day, everyone was hungry; he ordered the Auxiliary Army to bring up meals, and they all ate and talked.

The food was packed in buckets, and the place was filled with the sounds of hearty eating and drinking.

Shi Rongchun picked up a bucket and guzzled down half of it in two or three gulps before he opened his mouth to speak:

“Not bad, fine white rice! At the Gukou Battery, I even had noodles blessed by the True Sovereign. Just like that, six years have gone by.”

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A few of Shi Rongchun’s old subordinates chimed in:

“Back then, the Imperial Court feared we’d start a war on our own and stopped our supplies. Luckily, the True Sovereign donated food and we chased away the foreign devils.”

“A million pounds of fine noodles. They even had salt and spices in them, so delicious indeed.”

The group buzzed with memories of the past, and Fu Fangsheng could tell they were boasting of their experiences. He felt somewhat disdainful.

The ones leading troops were definitely close to Lu Yao; who in the room didn’t have connections? So, he just kept his head down and ate without saying a word.

An impatient one asked, “Lord General, now that we’ve taken An Zhou… should we quickly report our victory to the Imperial Court?”

Going to war was all about seeking a future. Before setting out, Lu Yao had indeed made promises.

Everyone knew the True Sovereign wasn’t stingy and were all looking forward to what was to come.

Yet, Shi Rongchun said, “Gentlemen, An Zhou is but a minor victory and doesn’t show our true capabilities. Why not strike while the iron is hot and take the important city of Pyongyang and then report a great triumph?”

Everyone thought about it and agreed. The Izumo People were no match at all, and it was time to make big news.

Thus, they all volunteered for battle, some even saying they should take Pyongyang in one fell swoop.

“Pyongyang is just 60 kilometers to the south, not far away. With our marching speed, we’ll be there in two hours.”

“If we run fast, one hour will suffice. Lord General, let’s advance!”

Shi Rongchun had the same idea. Seeing that the morale could be utilized, he was about to give the order.

At this moment, Fu Fangsheng spoke up, “General Dong and the others haven’t arrived yet; should we rest for a night?”

The Coalition Forces of the Great Powers had previously invaded, and Fu Fangsheng and Dong Fuxiang had defended the Imperial City together, getting along fairly well. Hence, he spoke up.

Shi Rongchun gave a knowing look, and his deputy stepped forward and said:

“General Fu, as the saying goes, speed is of the essence in war. If we wait for the Izumo People to recover, we’ll face much more trouble.”

At this moment, the initiative was entirely ours. To fight or not was both possible.

Fu Fangsheng thought for a moment and decided it was better to avoid unnecessary risks; he simply remained silent.

Shi Rongchun immediately ordered, “So be it, we depart in two hours! This time we change our tactics. We will no longer group together but try to coordinate with the Light-Armored Warriors!”

This veteran was beginning to contemplate more scientific and reasonable ways of warfare.

But the world is fickle, and things do not always go as one wishes.

~~~~~~~~~~

Setting aside that Dong Fuxiang and his men were rushing over after leaving behind the Auxiliary Army, at this time, the Zhenhai Fleet was also patrolling at sea, capturing several Izumo vessels in the waters near Pyongyang.

Mostly, they were civilian officials fleeing southward by ship, seeing that Pyongyang was about to fall.

Through interrogation, the Zhenhai Fleet also learned about the situation on land.

The fleet commander, Lin Zhongqing, expressed his surprise, “The ‘Tiger Corps’ has been decimated, and their division commander killed… These chaps are quite capable.”

This remark carried the navy’s sense of superiority.

The deputy commander, Deng Boxiang, said with a smile, “A powerful army and fierce generals, unstoppable in their advance—this is a fortune for the nation.”

But what Lin Zhongqing wanted to say was not that; he implied, “At this moment, the defensive force in Pyongyang is extremely weak, with only a Blood-Exchange Realm Chief of Staff leading a bunch of pseudo-army forces! We have mechas in the army too… ”

Deng Boxiang’s interest was piqued, “What do you mean, Captain Lin?”

Lin Zhongqing licked his lips, “Have you heard of the Marine Corps?”

Deng Boxiang replied, “All major nations have such troops. How could I not know?”

“As naval officers, we naturally have to share the Imperial Court’s concerns and train a batch of troops in advance,” Lin Zhongqing declared with a sweeping gesture. “Gather those from each ship who can penetrate armor, ready to land!”

~~~~~~~~~

Four hours later, when Shi Rongchun and his team arrived near Pyongyang, they heard the rumbling of gunfire.

But the violent noises were coming from the sea, which puzzled him. He ordered everyone to rest a bit and regain their strength before setting out again.

However, it was precisely this prudent move that made Shi Rongchun and his team miss the last chance.

As they approached, they could clearly see smoke billowing within Pyongyang’s walls, with many gargantuan craters that only naval guns could have created, as if a great battle had taken place.

And those greeting them were a group of identical mechas, with the leader lifting his faceplate and looking over with a smirk.

“People of the Zhenhai fleet! I curse your fucking ancestors!”

Shi Rongchun couldn’t help but erupt in curses, realizing what had happened—his prize had been snatched away!

Lin Zhongqing said, “We were afraid that General Shi might miss the opportunity for battle, so we couldn’t help but make our move. No offense, no offense.”

Such an obvious act of stealing credit left those from the Imperial Fist looking rather unpleasant.

Especially for the meticulous planners like Shi Rongchun and his colleagues.

They had hoped to conduct the operation independently, away from the allied forces, but had not expected this outcome…

~~~~~~~~~~

In Jing Yi Garden,

The naval and land forces of the Great Yi Dynasty quibbled for three days before presenting their “victorious reports”, which Li Pei immediately sent back.

Lu Yao looked at the two reports, with wording that praised their own deeds while belittling others, and couldn’t help but feel a mixture of laughter and tears.

Li Pei chuckled, “When the grand army set off, your parting words were so evocative, it inspired these soldiers to compete for glory in every possible way.”

“It’s better than being timid and fearing the enemy,” Lu Yao put down the war report. “Taking Pyongyang in less than half a month is considered up to standard, right?”

“Just up to standard?” Li Pei exclaimed in amazement. “Such military achievements are truly unprecedented! Countless people in the court and the country are dumbstruck; they suspect you’ve used some spell…”

Many could not comprehend—how the Imperial Fist, still the old foundation of the Shun Dynasty’s army, had suddenly become so formidable!

Lu Yao smiled, “Maybe it’s a change of spirit; our people are actually very capable of fighting.”

“Anyway, whatever the matter, it always turns magical once it’s in your hands!”

Li Pei’s enchanting phoenix eyes glided over her husband, wondering how many more surprises awaited her.

Yet her expression fell, and sitting on her husband’s lap, she began to fret, “The country’s foundation is still too weak; the cost of war flows like water! Money is tight everywhere~”

The Empress could only complain and vent in front of someone close; Lu Yao said, “Don’t be afraid of spending money, it should be used for comprehensive development during the war!”

Li Pei was somewhat confused.

Lu Yao continued, “This is something we can learn from Izumo, to expand production through war, which in turn stimulates market prosperity! Spending money vigorously is the right approach!”

Li Pei nodded thoughtfully.

Lu Yao spoke with the air of one who had the final say, carelessly strategizing. “We can also use this to establish national credit and issue currency. Oh~ and we must support a few formidable military departments!”

“We already have Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau… Master Zhou works there,” she said.

“Train several and let them compete against each other! Give more funds to those who show ability.”

…

The couple chatted for a while, and just then, the sky suddenly became overcast as if it would rain.

Streaks of brilliant light cut across the sky, and a thunderous sound like a stampede of ten thousand horses howled from afar.

“This year’s spring thunder is a bit late…” Lu Yao abruptly stood up. “Peipei, help me with the spell; I want to listen to this rolling thunder!”

Li Pei cautioned, “Be careful.”

Lu Yao reassured with a calm expression, “Don’t worry, I’ll just try it out on the ground.”

“Lightning Hearing” also differed in difficulty levels. Soul Travel on the ground was the lowest level of difficulty, and naturally, its effect was the least.

After all, progress requires a gradual approach.