Chen Liang is here

“I wouldn’t dare!”

Chen Liang hurriedly dropped to his knees and said, “I only wanted to seek justice for Cuihua’s mother and Cuihua’s father.”

“Cuihua has already severed her relationship with Cuihua’s mother and Cuihua’s father in front of everyone here. She also paid them a sum of money in return for the care and upbringing they gave her.”

“Everyone present witnessed it.”

“The matter is settled.”

“Now that General Zhang Shi is going to confiscate Village Chief Li Quan’s property, I ask General Zhang Shi to consider the plight of Cuihua’s mother and Cuihua’s father. They are elderly, have lost their daughter, and are in poor health. Without some money, they may not be able to survive in the future.”

Zhang Shi turned his gaze toward Cuihua’s mother and Cuihua’s father. It was obvious that they were a pair of simple, honest farmers. He nodded and said, “Very well. Your request is reasonable. I agree.”

Cuihua’s father and mother were still dazed and did not know to offer their thanks. Chen Liang frantically gestured at them with his eyes, but when that failed, he could only sigh and kowtow on their behalf.

“Many thanks, General Zhang Shi.”

“General Zhang Shi is truly benevolent.”

“His Lordship is magnanimous. In the future, Yunjing will surely belong to His Lordship and General Zhang Shi.”

Zhang Shi let out a cold laugh. “Boy, don’t try flattering me. Your own affairs have yet to be dealt with.”

“You’d better honestly explain what you’ve done…”

After a pause, Zhang Shi continued, “There are still plenty of empty cells in the Demon Suppression Bureau’s prison. You may well end up occupying one of them.”

As soon as he said this, all the villagers of Xipo Village changed color. They hurriedly fell to their knees and began pleading for Chen Liang.

Chen Liang spoke first. “General Zhang Shi, I know that my crimes are unforgivable, and I do not dare ask for leniency. However, I have learned some information concerning the safety of the nation, and I wish to present it to General Zhang Shi.”

“I hope General Zhang Shi will show me mercy and allow me to atone for my crimes by rendering service.”

“Oh?” Zhang Shi asked curiously. “Information concerning the safety of the nation?”

“Tell me about it.”

“General Zhang Shi, may I speak with you in private?”

After Zhang Shi agreed, Chen Liang followed him out of the courtyard. Under the protection of the personal guards, Chen Liang said, “General Zhang Shi, I have two pieces of information to report.”

“First, the realm is far from peaceful.”

“I have learned that the area around Yun capital—and indeed the entire realm—is seething beneath the surface. Numerous aristocratic clans and factions are watching hungrily from the shadows.”

“On the surface, the realm appears stable and peaceful, with only His Lordship’s campaign against Yun capital drawing attention. But in other regions, who knows how many people are watching the outcome of this battle?”

“In other words, it is only because His Lordship has advanced with overwhelming momentum, causing everyone to hesitate, that the realm has not already been thrown into turmoil.”

Zhang Shi’s expression remained impassive, but the chill in his eyes deepened. He said calmly, “And what is the other matter?”

“The other matter concerns Gu Qingyue. She was formerly the commander of the Imperial Cavalry of Great Yu. Back in the capital, she opposed His Lordship at every turn. His Lordship’s father, the former Duke of Zhenguo, even died at her hands. She is currently hiding near Yun capital.”

“She has been recruiting soldiers and gathering allies, and her influence is growing rapidly.”

“I fear she may pose a serious threat to His Lordship.”

After a pause, Chen Liang said honestly, “It was precisely because I discovered Gu Qingyue’s whereabouts that I learned of these matters.”

Zhang Shi still showed little emotion. Instead, he looked Chen Liang up and down and said, “With your knowledge and insight, you hardly seem like a villager from Xipo Village.”

“What is your name?”

“What did you do before?”

“Why are you in Xipo Village?”

Chen Liang bowed deeply and said, “This humble one is Chen Liang. I once served alongside Gu Qingyue; we were both commanders of the Imperial Cavalry. While in the capital, I often opposed His Lordship. Later, I came to my senses and resolved to pledge my allegiance to His Lordship. In Pukou City, I led the Love Mutual Aid Alliance in supporting His Lordship.”

“As for why I came to Xipo Village…it is because the villagers of Xipo Village once saved my life. I came here…to repay that debt.”

Only then did Zhang Shi’s expression change.

He looked delighted. “So that’s how it is.”

“So you’re the fellow I’ve heard about.”

“You’re the friend Lord Pei Jingzhi has been thinking about constantly, aren’t you?”

Chen Liang smiled. “I never imagined that Lord Pei Jingzhi would still remember me so fondly.”

“Enough.” Zhang Shi reached out and patted Chen Liang on the shoulder. “You won’t be going to the Demon Suppression Bureau’s prison after all. Come with me to see His Lordship.”

“His Lordship is quite interested in you.”

“Just the thing—you can report all of this to His Lordship in person.”

Zhang Shi acted swiftly.

He had traveled to Xipo Village at great speed, and he departed just as quickly. The only difference was that he now had one more person with him: Chen Liang. They hurried toward Ren Tianye’s military camp.

At that moment, Ren Tianye was already in the camp, discussing the assault on the Yangtze defensive line with his generals.

“According to the clues provided by Pei Wugou, Zhou Mengyan, the Grand Admiral of Yun capital’s navy, is no ordinary man. His abilities are exceptional. He is known as one of the Twin Pillars of Yun capital, together with the general guarding Zijin Pass.”

“He also has two capable generals under his command. Both are rare talents in naval warfare, and neither is inferior to General Lu Chaosheng, who recently joined our side.”

“Moreover, the Yangtze defensive line is exceptionally well fortified. It has countless cannons and warships. A frontal assault would come at an enormous cost.”

“Of course…the most crucial point is that our army consists entirely of infantry. Fighting across a river is difficult to begin with. This battle will likely require considerable effort.”

Ren Tianye stood beside the sand table as he explained the situation. Then he asked, “Generals, does anyone have any suggestions?”

Someone immediately stepped forward. “His Lordship, what is there to fear? With General Wang and General Zhang Shi leading the charge, taking the minor Yangtze defensive line will be effortless.”

“Exactly! We’ve been fighting in Yun capital for so long. When have we ever found ourselves in danger? Haven’t we taken every place without shedding blood? We barely suffered any casualties.”

“I’ve never fought such smooth battles in my entire life. Wherever His Lordship’s banners appear, people surrender one after another. I never would have dared imagine such a thing before. It will surely continue this way in the future!”

…

The generals and soldiers were all in high spirits. Those who had surrendered and joined them, such as Wu Xingzhou, were especially enthusiastic. It was only after following His Lordship that they realized how miserable their former lives had been.

They all shouted that they should simply fight their way forward and smash the Yangtze defensive line to pieces.

The civil officials, however, were more cautious.

Pei Jingzhi rose to his feet and said, “His Lordship, we must not let our guard down.”

“Our army consists entirely of infantry, and fighting across a river has never been easy. Looking back through history, there has never been an example of an army from the northern lands effortlessly crossing the Yangtze and capturing the far bank in a single campaign.”

“Therefore, I suggest that we first train a navy.”

“Even if we train in haste for battle, it will take at least two months. Under normal circumstances, it will take three months. If His Lordship can give us five months of training, then our brave infantrymen can transform into sailors. At that point, we will no longer fear the Yun capital navy along the Yangtze.”

After a pause, Pei Jingzhi continued, “His Lordship, General Lu Chaosheng is exceptionally talented. If the navy is placed entirely under his command for training, the force produced after five months will certainly be no weaker than the navy trained by Grand Admiral Zhou Mengyan’s two naval generals.”

“I respectfully ask His Lordship to proceed with caution.”

His words prompted Ren Tianye to nod.

Lu Chaosheng was the de facto commander of the Jiangbei Fortress Cluster, and there was no denying his military prowess. After meeting with him in person and speaking with him at length, one could fully appreciate just how extraordinary he was.

From that perspective, Zhang Shi had to be given the upper hand over Wang Ming when it came to the credit for capturing the Jiangbei Fortress Cluster.

After all, armies were easy to come by, but a great general was hard to find!

However, Zhenjiang City was the core of the entire Jiangbei Fortress Cluster. Since Wang Ming had captured it, his achievement was plain for all to see and far easier for others to recognize. Thus, most people in the army believed that Wang Ming was still the same Wang Ming, and Zhang Shi… was still the same Zhang Shi!

Little did they know that Zhang Shi had already undergone a tremendous transformation without anyone noticing.

Just as he was thinking this, one of his personal guards came to report.

“Reporting, Lord Duke. General Zhang Shi has arrived.”

“He has also brought someone with him, a man named Chen Liang!”

The moment those words were spoken, Pei Jingzhi sprang to his feet.

“Who? Chen Liang?”

“Hahaha, Chen Liang is here?”

……