After publicizing his strength and the generous rewards, which made the soldiers under him excited, they rushed back to the barracks to sleep peacefully. Hong Yi, on the other hand, calmed down and gathered everyone around him. In the room where the commander gave orders, he started to study how to fight this battle. How should he arrange it?
Although the actual combat arrangements in the residence of the Pacification Navy commander had not been issued, and Hong Yi did not know what his Green Battalion would be sent to do, he had no choice but to start studying the sea distribution and the secrets he got from Hua Nongyue and Hua Nongying.
In the commander's barracks, other than Chi Zhuiyang, Shen Tiezhu, and the five bodyguards, there was also the newly promoted Commander Yang Yingming.
Mu The Younger and the Golden Spider went to gather the five Iron-armored Airships overnight. As soon as the order was given tomorrow, the entire Green Battalion would immediately board the ships and head out to fight.
This preparation could not be said to be inadequate.
No matter what, this was the first time Hong Yi had really led troops to war. If there were any mistakes, not to mention making meritorious contributions in the future, he might even be caught and imprisoned.
"Precision Nautical Map! Where did you get this, sir? "
Just as a huge, clear, colorful, and small print showed many routes and islands on the chopping board, Yang Yingming's neck seemed to be strangled, and his eyes widened like an angry bull.
One had to know that precise nautical maps were not only the top secret of the Pacification Navy, but also the top secret of all the forces. Every country had precise nautical maps, and the degree of accuracy varied.
After being a soldier in the Pacification Navy for many years, Yang Yingming also knew the importance of the sea map. He was also a scheming person, so he naturally paid attention to this aspect and was quite familiar with the nearby sea. However, looking at the sea map that Hong Yi had spread out, the entire Maze Bend, even the past Divine Wind Nation, Ryuzhu Nation, etc. were all detailed on the map. In addition to the islands that Yang Yingming knew, there were many islands that he did not know.
When he unfurled the map, it was as if the sea within a ten thousand kilometer radius had been imprinted in his mind.
He had complete control over the topography of the entire sea region.
Although he didn't know what the top-secret sea map looked like, Yang Yingming's intuition told him that the sea map that Hong Yi spread out was definitely the most detailed and accurate one.
"It's none of your business." Hong Yi glanced at Yang Yingming. Yang Yingming immediately lowered his head, knowing that he had asked too abruptly. This was Hong Yi's secret. He hadn't gained Hong Yi's trust yet, so how could he ask rashly?
"This subordinate has been rash." Yang Yingming took two steps back, not even looking at the sea map as he said respectfully.
"Mm. You're quite sensible. "Hong Yi nodded in satisfaction.
"Maze Bend has a radius of a thousand kilometers. There are a total of three to four hundred islands drawn on the sea map. Some of the islands are even virgin forests. It won't be a problem even if hundreds of thousands of people are hidden in them. After our army approaches the islands, we will definitely search them one by one. At that time, the danger will begin!"
Chi Zhuiyang pointed to the sea map one by one and said, "According to the intelligence, there are pirates and water bandits on these large islands. Some of them have even built strongholds and fortifications. They are definitely not a motley crew. There are a total of five groups of pirates entrenched in Maze Bend, namely Giant Whale Island, Black Shark Island, Thousand Buddha Island, Dragon Island, and Nephrite Island. These five groups of pirates add up to about fifteen to sixteen thousand people. Each of them is fierce and ferocious, and there are experts hidden among them. They have ample rations, and there might even be people who practice Taoist techniques among them! Because of the siege of the Daizen Temple, many martial monks also escaped overseas. Some escaped into Maze Bend and became pirates, and they have the secret support of many countries. "
What Chi Zhuiyang said was all secret information he had obtained from Hua Nongying and Hua Nongyue.
This information could be said to be accurate. Because every year, a large number of silver merchants would travel to various countries on the sea to do business. They also had to pay respects to these pirates and give them some offerings.
"Sunchaser? Your country of Yun Meng must have experts among them, right? "Hong Yi glanced at Chi Zhuiyang.
"That's not a problem. Yun Meng's matters have nothing to do with me. I'm from the Crow Bone Tribe. After the Crow Bone Tribe was destroyed by Yun Meng, it was incorporated into his territory. On our grasslands, there are only tribes, and not your Da Qian's so-called countries. Right now, my loyalty is to the Murong family, not to Yun Meng. "
Chi Zhuiyang glanced at Hong Yi and knew what Hong Yi was thinking.
"So that's how it is." Hong Yi relaxed. He had originally thought that Chi Zhuiyang would have some misgivings about killing Yun Meng's men. But now that he heard it, that wasn't the case at all.
"The grasslands are governed by the law of the jungle. The strong can plunder everything. There's no such thing as benevolence, righteousness, or propriety. There's only martial arts, Taoist techniques, fists, sabers, bows, and arrows!" Chi Zhuiyang sighed.
"Alright, let's not talk about this. Let's familiarize ourselves with these forces and have a foundation. After the order is issued tomorrow, we'll see which side the pirates are attacking. Anyway, we have enough bows and arrows, the ships are sturdy and swift, and we're familiar with the terrain. I'm confident that we're well prepared. "
Hong Yi and his group of trusted aides discussed for a while more. They discussed the logistics of supplies, fresh water, and repellent drugs before going to bed.
Although the logistics of the Pacification Navy would also provide these things, such a large army naturally couldn't take care of everything. Only the core and elites of the army could enjoy the preferential treatment of full deployment. Hong Yi's Green Battalion was only second-rate.
Chi Zhuiyang had been in Yun Meng's army before, so he was very clear about these situations.
At midnight the next day, the command of the Pacification Navy's camp was issued. All battalions and troops were sent out in an orderly manner. They gathered their ships and set off immediately.
Under the starry night sky, the entire sea was densely packed with ships. There were tens of thousands of small and large ships. After gathering for a while, they spread out neatly and sailed into the deep sea.
"We're sailing in the direction of Whale Island this time." Hong Yi's five iron-armored flyships carried three hundred and thirty-six well-equipped soldiers. They followed behind the leading ships of the army at an unhurried pace.
Hong Yi stood at the bow of his ship and looked at his army. Among the hundreds of ships, most were officially made wooden ships. Although they were sturdy, they were clearly inferior to the iron-armored flyships. Hong Yi's ship stood out among them like a crane among a flock of chickens, attracting envious gazes from the soldiers on the nearby ships.
However, there was no point in being envious. Hong Yi didn't hide his strength. It was an unwritten rule that the descendants of the Da Qian nobles would bring their own elites when they joined the army. The stronger one's strength was, the more one would be respected and feared by others.
"I originally thought that this Hong Yi was just a bastard who wasn't well received by the marquis's household and came out to seek refuge with Prince Yu. I didn't expect him to be so strong!"
At this moment, on the huge official warship in front, a well-built general dressed in pitch-black python scale armor said as he looked at the five iron-armored flyships that Hong Yi was drifting at the edge of the army's fleet.
This official warship was the true core of the entire army. The commander of the entire army resided on it.
The official warship was a large ship with hundreds of people. Just below the deck, there were two hundred people rowing. The small boats drifting around the official warship were obviously twice as sturdy as the other ships. It was obvious that this was the army's elite fleet.
The entire army had a total of ten thousand people, divided into twenty battalions. Apart from the five core battalions, the rest were all like Hong Yi's Green Battalion.
The commander of this army was Yan Zhen's trusted subordinate, Deng Yuantong. He was highly skilled in martial arts and had a wealth of combat experience. He had fought on the water countless times.
At this moment, Deng Yuantong stood on the deck of the official warship, looking at the neat formation of his fleet.
Beside him stood a few of his trusted aides. There were also a few people dressed like Daoists. They wore green Daoist robes with yellow belts around their waists. They were Fang Xiandao's Daoists.
The Da Qian's official Daoists were Taishang, Zhengyi, and Fang Xian. Taishang never appeared. Zhengyi had a purple belt around his waist, while Fang Xiandao had a yellow belt. They were the easiest to identify.
Before setting off, they had to worship the Sea God, observe the weather, water ripples, treat difficult diseases, and guard against water demons. All of these required Daoists to accompany them.
"Yes, these iron-armored flyships were secretly made by silver merchants. I wonder how Hong Yi got them?" One of Deng Yuantong's aides said.
"The governor's son, Wei Lei's red ivory ship is not bad either." Deng Yuantong pointed to a dozen red ivory ships on the other side.
These red ivory ships were dark red in color and shaped like sharks. There were planks on all sides, and ballistae were fixed on the planks. When two ships approached each other, the ballistae would fire fiercely, enough to pierce through the enemy's hull and flood it. Apart from this, there were also catapults that could fling large rocks into the air and strike the enemy ships from afar.
These red ivory ships were clearly larger and sturdier than the ships around them. They were clearly private ships. There were a total of eighteen ships, more than three times the number of Hong Yi's ships.
"It looks like this governor's son, Wei Lei, wants to fight for credit. This time, our army will first conquer Whale Island and gain a firm foothold. We still need to join up with the other armies in the depths of Soul Bewitching Bend. We need to uproot Yun Meng's strongholds in Soul Bewitching Bend one by one. We need to move as fast as lightning. It just so happens that we have two more vanguards. "
Deng Yuantong's aide said, "Let Hong Yi and Wei Lei take the lead. In any case, they're surrounded by elites, and the credit belongs to the commander. Why wouldn't I? "
"No! The credit belongs to them. Both of them have strength, especially that Hong Yi. He's hidden his strength so deeply that he can even get his hands on the Flywheel Armor. Apart from Prince Yu, there's probably someone else behind him. You should know that the silver merchant works with the prince. Could it be that the two sirs have joined hands? "
Deng Yuantong shook his head. "The Pacification Navy is an independent army that isn't under the control of Nanzhou's seven provinces. I'm not afraid of that Wei Taicang, but I can't afford to offend the Fourth Master and the Eighth Master. Pay attention. Pass down the order to keep a close eye on Wei Lei. I know some information about this person. I'm afraid he'll make some small moves against Hong Yi. Hong Yi has hidden his strength deeply. If he retaliates, it'll be disadvantageous to Wei Lei. In short, I want both sides to be even. I don't want to offend either Wei Taicang or this Hong Yi. "
"Commander is wise. I'll go prepare right away. It's been a long time since the children of noble families have played dirty in order to fight for merit. It's not a small matter that affects the commander." The aide beside Deng Yuantong hurriedly complimented him and hurriedly retreated. It was obvious that he was going to pass down the order.
"That Hong Yi actually has the Flywheel Armor Armor? Where did he get it? "
Wei Lei stood on the red painted ivory ship and looked at Hong Yi's five ships on the other side. His eyes emitted a sharp light. "This ship is sturdy. It can sail on the water like it's flying. It won't be easy to deal with."
"Young Master doesn't need to worry. There will be plenty of opportunities to deal with him." An old man in his sixties with a long face and a beard that was half a foot long said.
"Of course I know. However, I can't make things too obvious. Dealing with Hong Yi this time is only a small matter. What I truly want to do is something else." Wei Lei's clothes flapped loudly in the sea breeze. "The pirates on Giant Whale Island aren't ordinary pirates. There might be remnants of the Great Zhou Dynasty among them, as well as martial monks who escaped from the Daizen Temple. Daizen Temple has three supreme scriptures. Past, Present, and Future. They were obviously taken away by martial monks. If I can obtain one of them, I'll immediately become a peerless expert and establish an unparalleled achievement! Moreover, those pirates have plundered Giant Whale Island for many years. There are a lot of treasures. These treasures can't fall into the hands of others. "
"Mm, treasures and scriptures are the most important things." The old man nodded.
"I've brought so many experts this time and made such ample preparations. I'm determined to win! If anyone stands in my way, I'll kill them. If gods stand in my way, I'll kill them. "Wei Lei clasped his hands behind his back, a grim smile on his face.
"Brother Hong, what are you thinking about?"
The army's ship sailed forward. Chi Zhuiyang saw Hong Yi standing at the bow of the ship, looking at the eighteen red-painted ivory ships on the other side. Chi Zhuiyang had a pensive look in his eyes. It was unknown what he was thinking about, so he went forward and asked.
"I'm thinking that Wei Lei really can't get along with me. First, he bribed the five Dutou Chiefs. This time, he must have some conspiracy to deal with me. After all, we're all in the same army," Hong Yi said slowly.
"That's right. He is the son of the Southern State's seven provinces' governor. He has great power and a special identity. He's not easy to deal with, so be careful. The Wei family is on the crown prince's side, while you are on Prince Yu's side. Furthermore, in this mission to exterminate the bandits, you will be vying for credit. You might even want a share of the pirates' treasures, gold and silver. He must be scheming against you. "Chi Zhui squinted his eyes," Brother Hong, how are you going to guard against him? "
"How …" Hong Yi raised his head to look at the sky. "The sky is about to brighten. Benevolence does not command troops, righteousness does not conduct business …"
After muttering a few words, he suddenly grasped the Shark Slaying Sword's hilt. "Since ancient times, in the history books, it is impossible to guard against schemes and schemes. Don't be afraid of thieves stealing, but be afraid of thieves remembering! You need to strike first to gain the upper hand, and strike later to suffer! "
"Strike first to gain the upper hand, and strike later to suffer?" Chi Zhuiyang said, "Don't tell me you want to kill him first? But his identity? "
"It's precisely his identity. I want to strike first! Right now, the Commander in Chief, Deng Yuantong, is indecisive. By killing Wei Lei, I can secretly force the Commander in Chief to fall out with Wei Taicang, forcing him to lean towards Prince Yu's side. Benevolence and righteousness are for the common people of the world. To these high officials and noble young masters, killing them is benevolence and righteousness. Sunchaser, listen up! When there's a chance, use Penetrating Rainbow to shoot an arrow and kill Wei Lei! "
With a clang, Hong Yi drew out half of the Shark Slaying Sword.
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