310 Three Years (2/2)
Fang Yuan smiled, ”Come, follow me to review the troops!”
Outside the Dragon Palace, 8,000 soldiers gathered. They had a hint of demonic energy and yet had some divine light too.
They were amassed by Bai Guan and his predecessor and maintained by the tortoise guard. With the 8,000 of them, it was beneficial for Fang Yuan.
As they felt the new Dragon God's might and divine light, the crustacean army did not hesitate to worship, ”Greetings, Sir! I pledge my life to you!”
The tidy formation represented a strong force in the lake. Such a display made other powerful spirits' expressions change at once.
”All of you will be rewarded for your loyalty and protection of the Dragon Palace! Enjoy the feast!”
Fang Yuan appeared elated as he gave his instructions. He then gathered the officers to enter the Dragon Palace to enjoy the feast.
The melodious drums echoed around the palace.
During the feast, numerous servants joyously presented the delicacies and as they caroused, words of respect could be heard continuously.
Fang Yuan sat on his dragon throne with a golden cup in his hands while he smiled looking at the scene.
It was a lively celebration!
This was the Dragon God's enjoyment!
...
At Da Chu, although Wang Qiao had ascended the throne, none of the military occupied towns recognised him as the emperor, and hence, the regnal dating system of the previous emperor continued. It was now the 8th year of Yong An.
Inside Golden Lake Prefecture.
Xu Ting was just in his early twenties, but he already had a strong and vigorous appearance. He had also married his wife, who was a lady from a noble family. She was cultured and refined, a perfect match for him.
Furthermore, they had a son and a daughter.
Compared to his wife, Li Luan was still a titleless maid, which also caused gossip to spread.
Xu Ting also had a moustache. He looked towards Li Luan and thought for a while but then stopped immediately.
The world was in chaos and there was no time for such relationships!
Xu Ting walked into the room and paid respects to Xu Ren, ”Father!”
”Oh, my son has come over, have a seat!”
Xu Ren was very satisfied with this son of his.
”I have followed your orders and finished organizing the troops. They are currently separated into 10 battalions and each battalion has 3,000 soldiers. There are also 20,000 marines and one hundred warships!”
The five prefectures near Golden Court Lakes produced plenty of goods and were not prone to natural disasters. Thus, with slight organisation, their strength easily took shape.
”Hmm, in this three years, we have managed to train the troops and form close relationships with the officials. Now, our officers are already well trained and would be able to hold their own ground.”
Xu Ren stroked his beard delightfully, ”With such a large troop, we can win a war! Xu He, what do you think?”
A middle-aged man walked forward, he was an officer appointed by Xu Ren to be in charge of commerce. In actual fact, he was the leader of their spies. He paid respects to Xu Ren and Xu Ting, and then reported, ”Sir! General! The fake king Wang Qiao was ambushed and killed at Luolong Hillside, and his army of 10,000 men has fallen apart!”
”What?”
The news was earth-shattering, Xu Ting immediately stood up in shock at first, but the expression on his face turned into joy immediately, ”Wang Qiao is dead? Heaven is really helping our family!”
Although the battle was very fierce, Wang Qiao still had an advantage as he had control of the imperial court and the imperial guards. In the past three years, he had already annihilated five military occupied towns. But now, just as he was about to fully succeed, he was met with a sudden death.
With his death, the imperial court had no leader, and with the opposition from the royalties of the original emperor, Wang Qiao's followers were bound to be completely purged.
The five remaining military occupied towns also suffered severe losses to their strength as many of their soldiers were heavily injured or dead. It was a total mess for them to recuperate, occupy more territories and attack the capital at the same time.
If this was not the perfect opportunity, then when would it be?!
”I can't believe it, Wang Qiao just died like that…”
As Xu Ting's biggest enemy and obstruction just died, it made him slightly worried, ”Who was the one who planned it?”
Wang Qiao was so close to completing his grand plans but died suddenly. After Xu Ting's initial joy, he felt a chill down his spine as he sensed there was something sinister.
”Although the five military occupied towns proclaimed allegiance to each other, but in reality, the one in charge was still Xinfeng army's military governor, Baili Xuandu!”
”Xinfeng army, Baili Xuandu!”
As Xu Ting uttered his name, he knew he was his biggest foe.
”If I was Baili Xuandu, I would have immediately charged to the capital and forced the imperial court to hand me the title of the emperor!”
Xu Ting took a few steps, his eyes radiating with sharpness.
”That's a good guess, my son!”
Xu Ren sighed as he passed an intelligence report to Xu Ting.
After Xu Ting read through it, he realised Xinfeng army's movements were indeed as he predicted. Furthermore, they had received the backing of two other military occupied towns. It was an urgent matter, Xu Ting said, ”This is not good, if our family still wants to rise to power, we have to use two methods! Firstly, I will quickly lead the troops along An River to Qi Lake and conquer all the prefectures along the way, thus, occupying half the country! Also, we have to send spies to the capitals to influence or divide them, as long as Baili Xuandu does not easily conquer the capital!”
”That's right!”
Xu Ren said, ”Since you have the will, just do it! Three days later, we will dispatch the troop!”
”Yes, father!”
Xu Ting replied, and his voice was like a warcry.
Inside Golden Court Lake, a shadow emerged to gaze at the spiritual energy ashore and he sighed, ”After three years, is it finally happening?”
The shadow was Golden Court Dragon God, he appeared puzzled and thought, ”How did Wang Qiao just die like that? Demons must have interfered!”