Lux Year 415, February 27.
Ice and snow began to melt, and all things gradually revived.
The blazing Flame Magic in the Sailuomen Plain marked the end of the Beastmen's winter offensive.
Unlike previous years, this year's Beastmen assault on the Feng Mang Region concluded with a hard-won victory.
Humans had adopted various strategies this winter that greatly hindered the Beastmen's advancing pace, nearly destroying their efforts.
Thanks to the remaining Beastman Army making the right decisions, they barely avoided a complete collapse.
However, just as the Luo Ze Empire had calculated, even with the Winged Hand Clan joining the battle and the Central Strategy Army fighting bravely, conquering several cities, the Beastmen ultimately failed to fully reclaim the Sailuomen Plain.
The cities near the border line of the Luo Ze Empire and Wansheng Country in the North remained firmly in the hands of the Luo Ze Empire.
If coordinated with supplies from Yenodore, those northern cities would inevitably become human springboards for launching spring and summer offensives.
This year, perhaps, might be the most challenging year for Wansheng Country's troops stationed in Sailuomen Plain.
Now, the Beastmen still in Sailuomen Plain were reinforcing the reclaimed cities in their own way, hoping to delay the human troops' onslaught in the spring and summer offenses.
While fierce battles ensued on the Sailuomen Plain, Wansheng Country's rear was also bustling, preparing for the spring and summer defense strategies, and many intricate matters required attention.
For instance, calculating military merits and promoting talents.
As the defensive constructions were vigorously built, Ajiket and other generals gathered with officials from Baihua City, spending nearly three days roughly planning for the future.
In this war, Yang Yu's name was repeatedly mentioned, and his illustrious military achievements naturally led to a promotion and salary increase. His military rank jumped from General to Grand General, just one step away from becoming a true General.
This pace of promotion was rare in the past eight years, the last such treatment was given to the Lu Hua Army.
Yang Yu's general highly praised and affirmed Yang Yu's performance in this war.
After becoming a Grand General, Yang Yu soon faced a crucial decision.
To prepare for the winter offensive, Wansheng Country had reassigned many people from other fronts, where other regions of Wansheng Country did not have the same natural advantages as Sailuomen.
The Beastmen on other fronts, familiar with the terrain, barely managed to resist the Luo Ze Empire's attacks.
As winter slowly passed, human troops defending the Sailuomen Plain would gradually withdraw and be redistributed to other fronts.
If Wansheng Country did not tacitly redeploy troops to confront the Luo Ze Empire, they risked losing more inland territories, thereby threatening Baihua City.
Now, Ajiket and the Lu Hua Army presented Yang Yu with two options:
One, to stay in Sailuomen Plain to defend against human attacks.
Two, as a Grand General deemed capable of executing significant tasks, he could choose to perform defense and offensive tasks inland.
Pretending to ponder, Yang Yu presented a prepared answer,
"I am not skilled in defensive battles; I think instead of having me guard a city, it would be better for me to shine elsewhere."
Ajiket and the Lu Hua Army respected Yang Yu's choice.
As humans launched attacks during spring and summer, the Beastmen on Sailuomen Plain would only fall into passive defense.
This winter's troops from Luo Ze differed from the past, and it was unknown what kind of offense humans would initiate this spring and summer.
A commanding officer with vast potential should not be tied down by a few doomed cities but should get more opportunities to prove themselves and demonstrate their strength.
Despite not having spent a long time together, the Lu Hua Army and Ajiket still gave Yang Yu great affirmation and expectation.
Before the Luo Ze Empire's spring and summer offensive officially began, there was a very important matter that both the Luo Ze Empire and Wansheng Country had to attend to.
After each quarter's war, the two sides would conduct a prisoner exchange.
In these few days, there would also be a temporary ceasefire.
This prisoner exchange took place under the watchful eye of a giant dragon.
Attempting any sneaky tricks was merely self-deceiving.
Yang Yu did not request troops from Ajiket, but instead contacted Dorena, who represented Ming Dalak, through the newly established communication network, making his intentions clear.
"I have some questions about the rules I want to confirm with the giant dragon, so I want to go to the site of the prisoner exchange to see the giant dragons that will appear.
Additionally, I want to participate in the negotiations for the prisoner exchange. In the army, I've noticed that the current rules of prisoner exchange have some loopholes that are disadvantageous to our side.
I also want to select some ability users from the prisoners to form my troops, which will facilitate the execution of future plans."
On the camp's Crystal Ball, an elf with a half-fringe hairstyle appeared, expressionless as she spoke, "I understand. I will pass on the message to General Potato."
A few hours later, Dorena contacted,
"Minister Ming Dalak and His Majesty Qian Xialan completely agree to let you participate in the prisoner exchange. The following are the precautions...."
To ensure the smooth progress of the prisoner exchange, Dorena systematically explained the matters needing attention to Yang Yu. She spoke for an hour, and Yang Yu took notes in a notebook, ensuring he didn't miss any key points.
"I have remembered everything carefully. Also, I would like to ask if Miss Dorena is available?"
"If you want to invite me for tea, let's talk after the war is over."
"It's not that; I just have a favor to ask of you..."
After obtaining approval from Ming Dalak and Qian Xialan, Yang Yu and Bai Jin boarded Lotcar and headed towards the site of the prisoner exchange.
When Yang Yu contacted Dorena again, it was already three days later.
"General Potato, His Majesty Qian Xialan and Minister Ming Dalak asked me to remind you again, never try to provoke the giant dragon and the opposing envoy team. Under this premise, you must strive to obtain more benefits for our country."
Sitting on Lotcar, Yang Yu spoke solemnly, "As previously discussed, the soldiers exchanged from the prisoner camp will form my new troops, and I naturally want to choose carefully."
"Given your outstanding performance in the winter offensive, His Majesty and Minister Ming Dalak gave you a great deal of trust, please take this seriously. Additionally..." Dorena pulled out a green digital camouflage uniform, "The apparel you ordered has arrived."
"How is it? Can you replicate it?"
"This garment is a bit peculiar, but on the whole, it's not too difficult to make. However, General, if you want to equip all staff with this type of apparel... manufacturing will take time, which is common sense."
"About how long will it take?"
"I can't be certain, but at least two weeks."
"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you."