He felt heavy-hearted, knowing that this battle was of great importance.
The outco at East Ping Lake would not only dictate the rise and fall of the Iron Banner Gang but also concern the life and death of 150,000 gang mbers.
Even though Zhou Liangchen didn’t understand why Chu Xisheng entrusted him with this heavy responsibility, he resolutely accepted it.
Having followed Chu Xisheng for a long ti, he had developed a sense of duty that brooked no refusal, embodying the spirit of "if not , then who."
Since Chu Xisheng trusted him, he would make sure to accomplish this task no matter what.
Tie Xiaosheng was once again filled with surprise.
After following Chu Xisheng northward, Zhou Liangchen’s cultivation progressed at a divine speed, reaching Fifth Grade Upper in just over a year.
However, his combat power was not particularly outstanding within the Iron Banner Gang.
Moreover, he had no experience in commanding a naval army. How was he qualified to take on the role of Water Army Commander of 150,000 troops?
Chu Xisheng’s decision seed like nepotism.
But Tie Xiaosheng soon realized it was likely directed at the Coastal Zhou Family and Zhou Xiongba of the "Three Finger Divine."
Indeed, Chu Xisheng had Zhou Xiongba in mind.
Though the Coastal Zhou Family had joined the Iron Banner Gang and was generally dutiful, Zhou Xiongba himself was perhaps avoiding suspicion, or had other reservations, or for so other reason, this major figure from the coast showed little fighting spirit and seldom got involved in gang affairs, less so than even the Protector Guests.
By appointing Zhou Liangchen as the Water Army Commander, Chu Xisheng aid to mobilize the power of the coastal aristocratic families.
Chu Xisheng also wanted to conduct an experint.
Could Zhou Liangchen, through this westward expedition against the current, complete his Heaven-defying Technique’s All Heavens Secret Ceremony?
Chu Xisheng understood the risks involved.
Zhou Liangchen was too young, had not been hardened by battle, and was suddenly in command of a large army. Moreover, they were a weaker force facing a strong enemy, making the likelihood of failure high.
But this battle aligned perfectly with the core essence of "Mad Sea Lone Boat, Reversing the Current to Conquer Heaven."
Chu Xisheng thought that even if Zhou Liangchen failed, he could salvage the situation.
He had confidence in his Blood Revenge Blade.
Once the Divine Intent Touch Death Blade was unleashed, the 230,000 naval forces would be like scattered chickens and dogs.
※※※※
The specifics of the campaign were not sothing Chu Xisheng could decide in a few words.
Afterwards, they held a confidential eting in the Chu family hall for nearly four hours, where they ticulously arranged the specific steps, financial allocations, personnel adjustnts, and other matters.
With Chu Xisheng’s orders, the entire Iron Banner Gang started to operate like a massive machine.
It must be said, though the Iron Banner Gang was in chaos at the ti, with many internal components and differing models, the basic operation was still intact, and no one dared to openly defy Chu Xisheng’s orders.
After the eting at the headquarters concluded, Chu Xisheng once again piloted the Bathing Sun Divine Ship, soaring into the air, heading straight towards the Jiangnan County direction.
Mad Sword Feng San, Lu Luanti, and others guessed what he intended to do and wanted to accompany him as guards, but he refused them all.
Jiangnan County was no Dragon Pond and Tiger Cave.
It was just an "Ice City Extre Sword," not worth the trouble of such extensive preparation.
Chu Xisheng brought only Bai Xiaozhao and Little Flat Head to hover above Jiangnan County.
By now, the East State City no longer showed its past prosperity.
Chu Xisheng observed from afar, seeing that all the streets in the city were desolate and deserted, with few pedestrians.
Many houses had been occupied by the Extre East Ice City’s army, with their soldiers seen coming and going.
On the northern side of the city walls, there were several large barracks, housing troops over 100,000 strong. Near the docks, there were countless sails and a gathering of warships.
The entire Jiangnan County city had beco a large military camp.
As Chu Xisheng concentrated his gaze on these camps, he pondered the intelligence from the Sky Listening Institute.
Rumors had it that the Extre East Ice City faced obstacles in Northern Qing Province and repeatedly failed to defeat the army led by Grandmaster Dugu Shou, forcing them to shift their breakthrough hopes southward towards the Shenxiu River.
This was re speculation from within the Sky Listening Institute, but judging by the heavy military presence in Jiangnan County, this prophecy was likely accurate.
Grandmaster Dugu Shou was thodical in his warfare, using defense to counterattack.
Besides firmly guarding the Canglang River line, the court’s nearly seven million troops continued to withdraw in all other directions.
They appeared weak and defenseless, yet this fit the essence of military strategy—"The form of an army is like water. Water avoids the high and flows to the low, the form of an army avoids the solid and strikes the empty; water dictates its flow by the terrain, the army dictates its victory by the enemy. Therefore, the army has no constant formation, water has no constant shape. By adapting to the enemy’s changes to claim victory, this is divine."
The Extre East Ice City had never succeeded in engaging the court’s main forces in a decisive battle, and in the territories they occupied, the local Jianghu forces and aristocratic families were increasingly resistant.
Without defeating or severely crippling the court’s main forces, the Extre East Ice City dared not advance further for fear of their supply lines being cut and getting trapped.
The Extre East Ice City had to change its strategy, focusing on breaking through the south, attempting to clear Shenxiu River and the canal, to turn the situation and force Dugu Shou into a decisive battle.
Chu Xisheng was quite concerned about this war affecting the Nine Provinces and impacting millions.
He was more concerned about Ween Zhiyi.
In the past ten days, Ween Zhiyi had personally fought three battles against Grandmaster Dugu Shou.
Though Dugu Shou was at a disadvantage, he could rely on the Emperor’s Secret Technique "Sky Battle Seven Guards" and the Daning Royal Family’s national divine artifact to withstand.
The key was that Ween Zhiyi seed to run out of strength each ti after three hours of battle and had to retreat on his own accord.
Chu Xisheng had a few tis thought of speaking through the Divine Contract Stele to offer condolences, but forgot all about it amid his intense sparring with Chu Yunyun.
And now, he found it sowhat inconvenient—
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