In the Eastern Sea, water splashed violently. Although there was almost no wind, waves at least two meters high rose from the surface of the sea and crashed continuously against the Blackstone Empire's warships. As for the fishermen's boats, they were bobbing up and down in the water like withered leaves, ready to capsize at any moment. It was an extremely frightening scene.
There were a total of four hundred large warships, but they were carrying less than half of their full capacity. This also meant that the Blackstone Empire's expeditionary army had less than sixty thousand soldiers.
On the dragon-headed warship, a group of warriors in blood-stained armor sat dejectedly, their faces full of confusion.
"We … have failed the emperor's grace …" At one end of the deck, a general wearing a commander's insignia was ashen. His arm was crisscrossed with sword wounds, and he suddenly drew his sword and slashed it across his neck.
"Don't, Lord Commander!"
A deputy hurriedly pressed down on his arm and said tearfully, "We're soldiers. Victory and defeat are commonplace. You're the highest commander of the three armies. How can you commit suicide?"
All the generals were overwhelmed with shock and hurriedly knelt down. "That's right, Commander Lu Yan. You're the highest ranked commander of the three armies. You definitely can't abandon us …"
Lu Yan was the commander of the Seagull Legion and held the same rank as Fu Yu. It was just that the Seagull Legion's strength was inferior to the Ashen Flame Army's, so it was often looked down upon. But now, the expeditionary army had failed at the last moment. Fu Yu, Han Shu, and even the Martial God Baili Qin had died in battle on Great Qin's soil. Once Lu Yan returned from this trip, he would definitely be sent to the military law office and punished as a loser.
Emperor Shi Yuan's temperament was violent and cruel. He probably wouldn't allow Lu Yan to continue living. After all, he wasn't the cream of the crop in terms of command and strength.
On the side, the young scholar said, "Commander Lu Yan, if you die, we'll be a group of dragons without a leader. Please continue to lead us for the sake of the Empire and so many soldiers!"
This scholar was Baili Yan, Baili Qin's descendant. What else could Lu Yan say if even Baili Yan had said that?
"The Marshal died in battle. Does Mister Yan not blame me?" Lu Yan asked with bloodshot eyes.
Baili Yan shook his head: "The ancestor died in battle because the opponent was too strong. Now it has been confirmed that Xiyin is the Empress Qin Yin who has disappeared for many years in the Qin Empire. The Western Heaven Realm made a very outrageous move and sent the strongest enemy here. The fault lies in the Divine Realm, not us. Please don't blame yourself."
"What should we do now?" Lu Yan asked weakly.
Baili Yan was a counselor of the three armies. But in the face of the many wonderful strategies of the famous generals of the Qin Empire, Baili Yan's confidence had been shattered half a month ago. How could he have any ideas?
Just then, the roar of a giant dragon came from the distant sky. Everyone immediately became solemn, and the fallen soldiers all raised their weapons in a defensive posture.
The clouds dispersed, and a giant dragon appeared in front of them. It slowly descended. When Lu Yan saw the bear-shaped battle flag on the neck of the giant dragon, he breathed a sigh of relief and walked forward: "Commander Lu Yan of the Sea and Mountain Army is here!"
The giant dragon landed on the deck with a loud bang. The dragon knight on the dragon's back lifted his helmet, revealing a handsome face: "So it's Commander Lu Yan's ship. That's great!"
"Ah … It's Lord Fu Yun?" Lu Yan was shocked.
Fu Yun smiled slightly: "His Majesty just received news of the expeditionary army, so he sent me with 20 dragon knights to assist in the battle. I heard … the expeditionary army suffered a crushing defeat?"
"Marshal Baili Qin died in battle, and even your brother, Commander Fu Yu …"
"I got it."
Fu Yun's face was a little pale. His body swayed slightly on the dragon's back, but he immediately regained his composure. He held the dragon sword in one hand and reached into his bosom with the other, pulling out an edict: "His Majesty's edict, Commander Lu Yan, please receive the edict!"
"Your subject … accepts the edict!"
"Immediately order Lu Yan not to return to the army. Lead the rest of the troops to the wilderness south of the Lingkong Province and continue to expand the territory for the empire. If you don't reclaim the land of Lingnan, you are not to return!"
"Ah?"
Lu Yan was slightly stunned: "Our army only has 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers left. How can we fight against Lin Muyu's army of more than 100,000 soldiers? His Majesty is sending us to our deaths … "
"How can that be?" Fu Yun said faintly, "His Majesty has sent me to assist you. Besides … the Tianji Empire's army of three hundred thousand is currently attacking the steel wall at Lingbei. If nothing goes wrong, Lin Muyu and Qin Yin's army will soon leave Lingbei and head towards the steel wall to participate in the battle. When that time comes, won't it be a great opportunity for us to take back Lingkong Province?"
"But our troops are still …"
"Please do not question His Majesty's decision." Fu Yun laughed, "His Majesty has already issued a royal decree, calling for the various mercenary groups within the empire's borders to participate in the war, entering the Sky Province to seize cities and plunder land. At this moment, there are at least a thousand warships behind me, and none of these mercenary leaders are people to be trifled with, Commander should also know that."
"But if we let these mercenaries seize the city, they will definitely establish themselves as kings. It will not help us at all."
"Commander, you don't understand. The purpose of the mercenaries is only to deplete the strength of the Qin Army. Our real goal should be more long-term, such as the Qin family's capital — Lanyan City."
"Ah?"
Lu Yan was startled and nodded slightly: "I think … I understand …"
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"Alright."
Lu Yan stood up straight and said with a loud voice: "Immediately send the order, turn the ship around and head for the coast two hundred miles south of the Lingkong Province to find a way out!"
…
Further south of the southern border of the Lingkong Province, a hundred miles of dense forest covered the area. There were tigers, pythons, poisonous insects and so on in the forest. It was difficult for ordinary people to reach. It was also because of the existence of this natural barrier that the empire's territory did not continue to expand further south. But there were still human beings in the south — the Southern Wasteland Tribe.
In the eyes of the people of the empire, the Southern Wasteland Tribe was also known as the Southern Barbarians. They were a group of completely uncivilized races. They did not even know how to plant crops, they did not even know how to start a fire. They still lived a life of eating raw meat and drinking blood.
But at this time, in the Southern Wasteland Tribe, there was smoke rising from the chimneys. Tens of miles of plains were filled with smoke. The Southern Barbarians, who were dressed in animal skins, were full of smiles. They had already tasted the wonderful taste brought by the fire. Cooked meat must be much more delicious than raw meat.
"Elder Lu! Elder Lu! "
The clansmen surrounded the bonfire and danced an ancient totem dance. The chiefs of more than a dozen large tribes of the Southern Wasteland Tribe gathered here. Their faces were full of joy. They shouted "Elder Lu" to an old man in the middle. In their language, this meant "Holy Lord".
The old man was wearing a king's robe. His face was full of smiles. He stroked his beard and smiled without saying a word. He was none other than the commander-in-chief of the Yihe Country, Qin Yi. And at this time, Qin Yi seemed to have integrated with the life of the Southern Wasteland Tribe.
Behind Qin Yi, a group of subordinates of the Yihe Country were full of smiles. Only Qin Huan was muttering to himself without saying a word. He was holding a clumsily made wine cup in his hand. He looked sullen.
A general walked over and said with a smile, "Your Highness, everyone is celebrating this grand ceremony. Why are you sullen alone?"
Qin Huan sneered. He looked at a group of naked Southern Barbarian girls who were dancing in the distance and said, "We brought fire and seeds to these barbarians. We taught them how to farm, but they still yearn for peace. They want to live here quietly. They are still unwilling to agree to send troops to help us. They are really a group of ungrateful dogs!"
"Shh!"
The general hurriedly made a shushing gesture and said, "Don't let their prophet who knows the language of the Central Plains hear you! This matter needs to be discussed at length. After all, we have just arrived. Not to mention eating and living in other people's houses. Now that the commander-in-chief has just been worshipped as the Holy Lord by the Southern Barbarians, isn't it only a matter of time before the 18 clans send troops? Don't be fooled by their unattractive appearance. Their youths are full of vigor and strength. Once they put on their armor and pick up their weapons, with a little training, they will become invincible elite soldiers. The youths of these eighteen clans add up to two million. What a terrifying army it is! "
"Hmph, I don't think so. None of those old things are willing to work for our Yihe Country." As he said this, Qin Huan suddenly changed the topic and asked, "I heard … there is news from the Lingnan that Qin Yin has been resurrected, and that Ding Xi is not dead. Instead, he has pledged his loyalty to Qin Yin. Is this true?"
"Most likely."
"Hmph, that old dog Ding Xi is truly despicable and shameless. Our Yihe Country has treated him so well, but he actually faked his death and has now pledged his loyalty to Qin Yin. What a shameless bastard! To think that Imperial Father even planned to build the Lingnan Loyalty Monument and carve his name in the first place! "
The general was stunned and said, "I think … Commander Ding must have his own difficulties?"
"Don't call him Commander Ding, he is not worthy!"
"Yes … this subordinate knows his mistake!"
… …
Just as the celebration was going on, a warhawk scout suddenly descended from the sky in the distance. He looked like he was on the verge of collapse, and his face was full of panic. He scrambled into the crowd and said, "Commander-In-Chief, something bad has happened! Commander-In-Chief, something bad has happened! "
"What's going on?"
Qin Yi turned around and asked.
The scout hurriedly knelt down and said, "Many warships have appeared on the southern coast. They are … they are the warships of the Blackstone Empire. There are flags of the Ashen Flame Army and the Sea Mountain Army. The total number of soldiers seems to be at least 50,000, and there is also a Dragon Knight Legion following them. They are less than 50 kilometers away from us!"
"What, 50 kilometers?"
Qin Yi suddenly stood up and sneered, "It seems like they are coming for us. However, a mere 50,000 soldiers want to contend against the 150,000 soldiers of our Yihe Nation? Who will go and fight? "
The generals all kept quiet out of fear, and no one said anything.
Even Ding Xi and Long Qianlin had been defeated, so who would have the confidence to defeat the Blackstone Empire's army? Even if it was a ratio of three to one, no one had the confidence to do so.
Finally, Qin Huan stood up from the crowd and cupped his fists, saying, "Imperial Father, since no one is willing to go, this child is willing to lead the army!"
Qin Yi frowned and couldn't help but feel a wave of sorrow in his heart. With Ding Xi and Long Qianlin dead, the Yihe Nation actually didn't have any more useful generals. The few remaining generals hadn't fought in any major battles and weren't useful at all. It seemed like only this son of his had experienced a true war, but … no one knew a son better than a father. Qin Yi knew that Qin Huan was proud and arrogant, but he didn't have any real ability.
"Forget it, I will personally lead the army."
Qin Yi lightly waved his hand and said, "Three armies, listen up! Prepare for battle! We will fight against the Blackstone Empire's army on Zilu Plains!"
… …
"Elder Lu! Elder Lu! "
Behind him, the clansmen of the Southern Desolate Tribe all praised him, but Qin Yi couldn't say anything.
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