487 The Price to Pay (1/2)

Shangguan Jianyi looked into the distance at the aftermath of the naval battle. It was a weird and terrible scene: a fire was blazing on the surface of the lake and dozens of warships were engulfed by the flames. They looked like sacrificial offerings made of paper when seen from afar. The terrible cries of his soldiers, as they were attacked with fire and water, were frighteningly heart-wrenching.

”So, this is the Dragon King's secret weapon?” asked Shangguan Jianyi. He was nonchalant about the huge loss suffered by his navy; he had merely lost a few dozen warships, and even the oarsmen and soldiers on those vessels were mostly freshly supplied by the four nations on the north coast of the Xiaoyao Lake.

The advisor standing next to him was feeling a little uneasy. He was the person who had provided Shangguan Jianyi with the intelligence report that said the Dragon King had gotten hold on a new type of weapon and suggested that they should attack pre-emptively to find out what it was. He had not expected the turn of events. The warships of the Dragon army had a huge advantage and had won the battle even before both sides had barely made contact with each other.

What was most strange was that the liquid, which looked like black oil, was flammable on water and in fact the fire grew stronger as the battle went on. As such, the round projectiles containing such liquid hurled from the catapults on the enemy ships could set their targets on fire without requiring much aiming.

The intelligence report was passed on to the advisor by word of mouth and it would never be possible to trace it back to its source.

Shangguan Yun did not appear on the battlefield personally. Even though he did not have any rank or title in the Golden Roc army, he was being increasingly proactive and wandered all around. It was getting common for him to go missing for a few days.

Shangguan Jianyi silently accepted his nephew's shenanigans; as long as the Third Young Master did not interfere in military matters, he could freely order his devoted followers and the Golden Roc killers around.

”Prepare to engage the enemy.”

Commander Yi's order was quickly executed.

The main body of the Golden Roc Army was deployed on the north coast of the Xiaoyao Lake and its right flank was close to a mountain peak. To the north of that peak was the sea-crossing bridge, which was in the final stage of repair.

The first rank of the army was just a few steps away from the levee and made up of a closely packed row of ballistas, followed by another row of huge catapults. Compared to them, the devices on the warships of the Dragon army that flung the 'Fierce Bombs' were no more than small toys.

In this manner, Shangguan Jianyi waited for the enemy warships to launch their attack on the bridge.

The two opposing forces were separated by the lake, with the Golden Roc army situated at the southeast corner. The soldiers of the Dragon army had also seen the results of the naval battle and discussed about it excitedly amongst themselves. All of a sudden, victory did not seem so distant to them anymore.

To the surprise of both armies, the Dragon King unexpectedly ordered his troops to retreat 15 kilometers before the fire raging on the Lake had even died down.

When the Right General Shang Liao arrived back to shore, he realized that he had become a hero. The soldiers of the Dragon army formed two rows, lining the path to welcome him back. The soldiers from the Kang Kingdom were especially excited and they displayed the respect a subject accorded to his or her ruler toward the newly crowned king of the Kang Kingdom.

”Your Majesty, Your Majesty...” Shang Liao was feeling a little smug as he heard them address him in a way that he had not gotten used to yet. That said, when he entered the main tent of the Dragon King, the only expression he wore was that of indignation.

”May I ask why are we retreating, Dragon King? The fire will soon die down and our forces can go straight for the bridge during that time to raze everything to the ground.”

The high-ranking military officers of each camp were present and even though they were surprised by the Right General's performance, they were not pleased by his aggressiveness.

”We've decided that the decisive battle will be on land and that there's already no need to destroy the bridge,” replied Gu Shenwei.

Shang Liao understood that he had been too rude; perhaps it was because he had sensed the faint hostility from the other officers. As such, he bowed and replied, ”Everything will be carried out as per your orders, Dragon King.”

He was the Right General and newly crowned king of the Kang nation. As such, he did not have to kneel before the Dragon King.

Next, the Dragon King delegated tasks and duties to his army and navy respectively. Shang Liao was to produce even more Fierce Bombs and supply them to both the army and navy.

The meeting was thus concluded and Shang Liao found an excuse to remain behind; he wanted to voice his displeasure to the Dragon King in private.

”Dragon King, we've used the Fierce Bombs just to destroy only dozens of enemy warships. Aren't we a little overdoing things?”

”I believe we've already reached an agreement. The purpose of the battle is to test the effects of our new weapon. It's all good, I've seen it now.”

The Dragon King's nonchalance caused Shang Liao to feel even more displeased. He hesitated before saying what was really going on in his mind. ”Do you trust me, Dragon King?”

Gu Shenwei nodded his head. He had already more or less grasped what sort of person the new king of the Kang nation was. Shang Liao was a person who looked amiable and low-key but was inwardly proud. He was also the type of general the Dragon army sorely lacked at the moment. Dugu Xian was overly conservative and the military officers of the Great Snowmountain were too rash. The others were too mediocre and Shang Liao's character was a beneficial addition to the Dragon army.

”I trust you and therefore I want to discuss about the issue about 'price' with you,” said Gu Shenwei.

During his first official discussion with the Dragon King, Shang Liao had boasted of helping the Dragon King to defeat the Golden Roc army at the price of giving him 10,000 soldiers. He had also requested for complete independence of the Kang Kingdom and that it would not be under the control of any foreigner.

Shang Liao was extremely surprised to hear the Dragon King bring up the matter again. It was because he had originally just wanted the latter to quickly value his importance, but he had not expected the Dragon King to treat it seriously. ”I... still the same. Give me 10,000 soldiers and the independence of the Kang Kingdom.”

Shang Liao immediately regretted after speaking. From observing the Dragon King, he realized that he should have requested for better terms.

Gu Shenwei was even clearer on what sort of person Shang Liao was now. He was extremely smart but still lacking in negotiation experience. ”I'll offer you an even better 'price',” he said.

”Ah?”

”You can have 10,000 soldiers, or even more, but you have to recruit them by yourself. Other than our navy or ships, the Dragon army won't part with a single soldier for you.”

”Let me think about it.”