Chapter 629: Chapter 181: The So-Called “Justice”_2
Although he had once vehemently rejected Shuangjing’s recruitment, after the incident with Mu Lan, he hosted a banquet for the involved parties and, with his own skills, greatly eased the tension between himself and the various factions.
This included his relationship with Shuangjing.
Shuangjing looked at the young man in white before him and couldn’t help but marvel at Ning Zhuo’s fortuitous circumstances. Previously, he never would have imagined that this sixteen-year-old Foundation Establishment Cultivator could become Mu Lan’s husband and the son-in-law of Mu Shang General Mansion!
The reason he was standing in front of the camp tent to welcome him was naturally not because of Ning Zhuo himself, but because of his identity within the Mu Shang General Mansion.
Ning Zhuo was led into the camp tent and quickly explained his purpose for coming.
It turned out that although White Jade Camp had allocations for Heavy Armor, they had never used a single one.
This was not because White Jade Camp did not have the funds to purchase them, but rather because they were too wealthy, their military equipment sufficient, and they had even better Heavy Armor themselves, making external purchases unnecessary.
After the ambush battle, White Jade Camp suffered heavy casualties and, due to Old Monster in Stone’s looting everywhere, they lost most of their military resources.
However, after returning to Canglin Immortal City for rest and reorganization, Shuangjing started a major reconstruction of White Jade Camp.
His financial power was indeed not as plentiful as before, but the forces behind him were exerting their strength, bringing new support by contributing money and manpower.
And his aunt Shuang Ling, being a Nascent Soul Level figure within the Liangzhu Country’s Royal Family, was very wealthy and had more sway with family and allies to move resources compared to Shuangjing.
The arrival of Shuang Ling brought a huge investment to White Jade Camp.
Under new military orders, Three Generals Camp, Red Flower Camp, Barbarian Demon Camp, and Golden Halberd Army all launched attacks into Thousand Peak Forest.
As they fought fiercely and campaigned along the way, White Jade Camp was resting and training feverishly in Mulu Town, growing more formidable by the day.
Upon hearing Ning Zhuo’s request, Shuangjing drank a sip of tea and did not agree outright, nor did he immediately refuse.
He was pondering what kind of conditions to propose that would be appropriate.
Just then, the General Seal in his chest slightly stirred, conveying a piece of latest intelligence to him secretly.
“Oh? Liu Er is also coming to visit me?”
“Interesting…”
Shuangjing glanced at Ning Zhuo and immediately devised a plan.
He gave a slight smile and said to Ning Zhuo: “Young friend Ning Zhuo, please go to the inner chamber and wait for a moment. I have another guest who requires my attention.”
Even though Ning Zhuo and Liu Er are closely related, he did not inform Ning Zhuo of the visitor’s identity.
Ning Zhuo smiled and immediately got up: “As the host wishes.”
He followed Shuangjing’s guidance and sat down in the inner chamber.
Shuangjing gestured toward a bookshelf on the side: “I have some leisure books here as well, young friend Ning Zhuo may wish to read a few to pass the time. I will handle the visitor swiftly, and then we can continue our talk.”
Liu Er was accompanied by a Golden Core Level Deputy General, weaving through White Jade Camp’s grounds.
The tall White Jade Stone Walls encircled the camp. The barricades were all carved from white jade, and talismans were layered heavily upon them.
The watchtowers were well-built towers, soaring high, with spacious tops, each outfitted with mechanical Bed Crossbows.
The flagpoles flew the White Jade Army Flag. The dragon pattern outlined in silver thread, with its dragon eyes flashing, seemed ready to spread its wings and fly at any moment.
The soldiers trained on a broad field, each riding a goat, galloping and leaping around.
This made Liu Er particularly envious, for to this point, the Three Generals Camp had not yet been allocated mounts.
Compared to White Jade Camp, despite receiving funding from Ning Zhuo, Three Generals Camp still appeared poor and shabby.
Liu Er stood in front of the main commander’s tent, loudly asking for an audience.
Ning Zhuo inside the inner chamber heard the familiar voice and was about to stand up.
Shuangjing immediately activated the camp’s powers, confining Ning Zhuo to the inner chamber. While he could move freely within the chamber, no sound he made could get out.
Shuangjing carried a faint smile, leisurely sipped his tea, and then said: “Come in.”
Liu Er bowed his head and slightly lifted the curtain of the tent door, then with a respectful expression, stooped into the camp tent.
Incense burned inside the tent, filling the air with a serene fragrance.
Shuangjing sat straight, dignified and composed, his deep eyes reflecting a proud and noble demeanor with every gesture.
“Liu Er, what brings you here?” Shuangjing asked directly, his tone calm and without offering Liu Er a seat, his manner quite ungracious.
Liu Er cupped his fist and bowed: “Lord Shuangjing, I have come this time upon hearing that you still have a quota for heavy armor distribution, hence I would like to request for some.”
“During the previous ambush, my Three Generals Camp supported the Red Flower Camp to break free from Ma Feitui’s entanglement. Since the Red Flower Camp came to the aid of your forces, my Three Generals Camp has also indirectly exerted effort.”
“I hope you can look on this favorably and accommodate us somewhat.”
Shuangjing remained silent for a long time.
Liu Er felt disappointed and also puzzled, so he slowly lifted his head, only to see Shuangjing leisurely sipping tea with a calm demeanor, quietly observing him. That sculpted-like face was full of pride and detachment, and his gaze bore a heavy sense of condescension.
“Liu Er,”
Shuangjing spoke, “You seem to underestimate the difficulty of this matter.”
“Indeed, I can consume cooperation and purchase the heavy armor from the quartermaster, and then transfer it to you.”
“But actually, this is not what Commander Du wants to see.”
Liu Er was slightly stunned.
Shuangjing continued: “Commander Du appears to be fair and just, yet he harbrs his own thoughts internally.”
“Do you think that this time’s heavy armor quota is just the quartermaster distributing it evenly based on the number of armors?”
“Hehe, don’t be so naive.”
“This is precisely Commander Du’s deliberate arrangement!”
“He wants to make the heavy armor quota less than the total number of your armies, to induce you to merge and cut down your troops.”
“Ultimately, through the standard of the Iron Stream Flat Country, eliminate the unqualified armies.”
“The disbanded armies will no longer share in the merits and also save a large amount of military provisions.”
“Do you know how much he has invested in building the Parade Platform this time?”
Shuangjing stretched out three fingers: “At a conservative estimate, at least three million top-grade Spirit Stones!”
“Therefore, he wants to sell the heavy armors at a high price.”
“He also wants to eliminate a large number of your personnel, to streamline the entire army.”
“After this great battle, the remaining friendly armies will almost certainly all be ones enhanced with the Military Art of Iron Stream Flat Country. Hence, they will owe him favors, admire him, and even pledge loyalty.”
“This is Commander Du’s method, even if you are aware of it, you are forced to obey and act accordingly.”
“So, it seems like I am doing you a small favor, but in reality, I am upsetting Commander Du’s plans.”
“The intangible price that I have to pay is much greater than you imagine, and is even immeasurable. Do you understand now?”
Liu Er’s expression turned vacant, he stood frozen in place, momentarily speechless.
Liangzhu Country is in desperate need of military forces, with several main armies each needing to guard their defensive lines. Pulling one hair affects the whole body; thus, the Monarch of Liangzhu Country has refrained from making any moves.
He has been recruiting from various aspects this time, even issuing Recruitment Decrees to enlist many new armies.
Aren’t Liu, Guan, and Zhang the trio who, through the Recruitment Decree and by providing their own funds, assembled the Three Generals Camp?
Descendants of noble families like Shuangjing, who are not of regular military origin, have also seen an opportunity this time and chosen to invest in the formation of an army to participate in this great campaign.
This means that most of the army under the command of Du Tiechuan are new forces, each with its own background and origins.
Except for the Vanguard Army.
The Vanguard Army is a regular army of Liangzhu Country, however, it is currently shrouded in miasma and its internal situation is unclear.
It’s no wonder that Du Tiechuan is one of the Upper Generals. After the failure of Mechanical Princess Shuang Ling’s mountain-stepping wheel mechanism plan, he immediately switched to the second scheme.
The grand tactic of Iron Stream Flat Country, before contending with the enemy forces of Thousand Peak Forest, began its internal integration first, unifying the pace, making everyone rally even more closely around Du Tiechuan than before!
Shuangjing tapped on the table with his finger, admiringly remarking: “I have to say, Commander Du’s tactics are quite brilliant.”
“It is clearly a removal of dissidents, yet it is done so righteously that no fault can be found.”
“Moreover, he applies both soft and hard tactics and does not force things just for the sake of being forceful.”
“Do you think the so-called Iron Skin Armor Technique was just something his Deputy General released on his own?”
Shuangjing sneered: “Certainly, there must be instructions from Du Tiechuan behind it!”