150 Preparation (1/2)
The sky was dark.
There was supposed to be a banquet after the ceremony.
However, the Secluded Mountains Prefecture was facing an imminent crisis. Those in power were not in the mood to be frivolous. They had either left the ceremony or were waiting for Fang Yuan to give his orders.
”Prefecture Master!”
Fang Yuan stood majestically on a high platform.
Zhang Qingfeng arrived behind him and bowed deeply before reporting, ”The names of those families and sects which have left the prefecture city have been taken down!”
”Very well, once I have assumed my position, I will order leader Niu to bring his troops and use those people as examples to warn the rest!”
Fang Yuan stroked his chin, his eyes flashed coldly.
How would Wu Country react to his display of strength?
'Even Wu Country has to pay for murdering Liu Yan. I would be able to buy some time if I display my strength and confuse them further.'
'There is no time to retrain the troops. However, there is sufficient time to flush out those traitorous families and sect!'
Grand Hall.
The candles burned brightly and lit up the surrounding.
The surrounding four bronze pillars contained blocks of ice with pipelines to emit cold air but the people in the room still felt hot and uneasy.
No matter what, no one would be at ease facing Wu Country.
”The Prefecture Master ascend to his throne!”
Following the music, the entire hall was silent.
Fang Yuan sat upon the golden Nine Dragons Throne and looked down at the masses.
Below him, Leader Niu, Zhang Qingfeng, Yu Xinlou, Zhang Sheng and a few other trusted aides were present.
Upon seeing his arrival, the people who were feeling uneasy appeared to have found their pillar of support. They quietened down and waited for his instructions.
”Zhang Qingfeng, explain the situation!”
Fang Yuan waved his hand as he maintained a poker face.
”Yes, sir!”
Zhang Qingfeng stepped forward, bowed at Fang Yuan before facing the crowd, ”according to my reports, the troops of Wu are gathering at the borders of the country. Their numbers are no less than 10,000! Furthermore, although the Summer Sun Prefecture is in shambles, there are troops being deployed in the Clear Spring Prefecture and the Xia Country capital. We cannot discount the possibility of an attack on multiple fronts! The army that we are facing in total might be more than 20,000!”
The people in the hall shivered.
”What about our side?”
Fang Yuan was unconcerned and probed on.
”We have gathered the troops in the 6 counties. In addition to the factions in the Summer Sun Prefecture, we have around 30,000 soldiers. Furthermore....most are new soldiers who did not have sufficient training!”
Zhang Qingfeng said bitterly.
The Secluded Mountains Prefecture was sorely lacking highly-skilled warriors in the beginning. Now, even the common military might was lacking as compared to other prefectures or countries.
It was no longer as simple as a defeat but rather an irrevocable loss!
”Very well! In my position as the Prefecture Master, I will now give the first order!”
Fang Yuan's face remained unchanged upon hearing all kinds of bad news, ”Those sects and families that are loyal to the Secluded Mountains Prefecture, fortify the defenses and gather at the prefecture city!”
”At the same time, Leader Niu, bring the troops and purged the prefecture of those whose names appeared in the list!”
”I want to make sure no enemy would get a single grain of rice or sway a single person in my land!”
....
The faces of the masses changed when they heard those words.
”Sir...”
Zhang Qingfeng said, ”The enemy is too powerful. This plan would only buy us some time but in the end, it would not be of any use... the Secluded Mountains Prefecture would be reduced to a swamp!”
”Your loyalty is commendable!”
Fang Yuan said, ”I have my own plans and am making preparations. You do not have to say anything more and may go now!”
Zhang Qingfeng retired. He was gloomy before he had a sudden realization.
This Prefecture Master was barely over 20 years old and had already achieved so much in martial and spiritual arts. Could it be that he was also a genius in other fields?
He was worried as he had seen many martial arts geniuses who created a mess when they tried their hands on other things.
”Yes, sir!”
Leader Niu answered loudly and was full of energy. ”I had long wanted to teach those people a lesson! Now, they will know the power of the whip!”
It was obvious that he wanted to punish the traitorous families who betrayed those in the Summer Sun Prefecture and would not go easy on them.
”As for Leader Niu, you will recuperate your wounds to prepare for the oncoming battle!”
Fang Yuan further comforted Xiang Zilong.
The two people were the most highly-skilled martial artists he had.
”I am willing to serve the Prefecture Master and avenge the previous Prefecture Master!”