This is no longer the so-called military accompanies the people, people follow the military, but has formed a surging momentum, a short-term population migration, consuming much time, with seven out of ten people in the Seventeen States of Jiangnan returning to the Eighteen States of Jiangnan.
Marquis Qin Wu was seventeen years old at the time.
The armies of each state city had long been prepared, they collectively protected the major cities and important fortresses to prevent them from being taken by the Qilin Army, yet the Qilin Army did not approach the major cities, nor did they attack the cities and fortresses.
They only took the people, not the lands.
The noble families wondered.
The City Lords defending the cities of Chen Country breathed a sigh of relief, yet remained somewhat puzzled.
Even if they could keep the cities, looking back, the citizens they governed were reduced by seven out of ten, leaving the City Lords and major noble families with no choice but to temporarily use the dependent people from their own families to fill the gaps in citizenry.
Naturally, it was impossible to completely fill the gaps, but at least someone had to be present in the village.
Otherwise, there would be no way to explain to Chen Dingye when he pursued the matter.
In the first state city of Jiangnan, the City Lord finally relaxed and went to feast with the noble families. During the feast, a beauty played the zither, and discussing the matters of recent times, he could not help but be overcome with grief, tears streaming down his face:
"Marquis Qin Wu, how tyrannical."
"Relying solely on military force, forcing our state city’s people, carrying them to those Eighteen States of Jiangnan. Alas, this year is mid-winter, with strong winds and snow; who knows how many citizens will suffer and die tragically."
"As their governor, merely thinking of such dire situations, I cannot help but be overwhelmed with sadness and discomfort in my heart."
But just as the noble families were condemning Li Guanyi, writing letters, and recording instances.
Intending for Li Guanyi’s name to stink for a thousand years, suddenly, a military colonel rushed in, just as the City Lord was about to scold him, he saw the colonel’s armor stained with blood, the mixture of the snow and blood scent stirred, causing the City Lord and the intoxicated noble officials to change their expressions in shock.
The City Lord looked forward hurriedly and said:"What happened!?"
The colonel, panicked and distraught, said:
"Qilin Army, Qilin Army, has returned again!!"
The City Lord Qu Qingshan’s expression changed dramatically:"They have already taken so many people away, is that not enough?! What are they here for?!"
The colonel’s face was deathly pale:"It’s the Qilin Army."
The City Lord’s face froze, slowly looking forward:
Two hundred miles from this city, the last batch of people left, they looked back at the young man who led them here, Li Guanyi waved them goodbye with a smile, saying they’d meet again later.
Behind Li Guanyi, the killing intent was surging and flying, pressing down the heavens.
The originally gentle young man inexplicably had an indescribable aura.
The Qilin Army, which had been prepared early everywhere, had already interspersed into the Jiangnan area, converging behind Li Guanyi, their expressions solemn, their armor no longer the ragtag ones from before.
They wore black armor with a strand of Qilin cloud pattern.
Their expressions were stern and sharp, they stood straight there, the young man in armor, cloak rolling in the wind, he smiled at the Qilin Army before him, seeing those familiar faces, he smiled and said:
"Gentlemen, do you know who I am?!"
The voice carried far away, it was the initial question he posed to the Qilin Army. At that time outside Zhenbei City, initially, the Qilin Army was composed of bandits, thieves, and forced villagers. But now, it’s different.
Wen He didn’t know the weight of the question for the Qilin Army.
Thus, they didn’t anticipate the Qilin Army’s response.
These warriors stepped forward in unison, and then the soldiers behind them stepped forward in unison, interlinked in Qi Mechanism, in an instant, the clashing sound of armor was stern and sharp, they uniformly and simultaneously raised their hands and struck their chest.
A terrifying aura of killing intent spilled outward.
Wen He’s pupils contracted dramatically.
Feng Xiao only felt his hackles rise, awakened from his liquor by the indescribable soldier’s evil spirit,
Li Guanyi extended his hand and said:"Gentlemen, it’s time to stand side by side again."
The Qilin Army raised their weapons high, responding with killing intent:
"Wansheng!! Wansheng!!!"
Finally, the young man with a smile on his face, said:
"Gentlemen, did you miss me?!"
The frozen momentum paused, and then the Qilin Army eased, loudly said:"Yes!"
Wen Lingjun, moving his gaze from the stern military force, looked at the young man over there, pondered silently, and softly said:"Lord, most of today’s plan has been implemented, afterward, we leave it to the Lord..."
Li Guanyi donned his armor and said:"What sir spoke of, truly powerful."
Wen Lingjun shook his head, replied:"I never anticipated the Lord’s reputation to be so high, never anticipated the people’s sentiment to be so strong, I think it’s because the internal politics of the Eighteen States of Jiangnan is excellent, leading to the Jiangnan people originally envying there, coupled with previous virtue’s name."
"Thus able to respond to a call unanimously, all of which are indispensable."
Li Guanyi said:"Does Sir think it’s necessary to use war to take the Seventeen States of Jiangnan?"
Wen Lingjun said:"No, use Zheng He, use Ying to win."
"Today, what the Lord spoke of is Zheng, Ying lies ahead."
Li Guanyi laughed heartily:"Then, just wait for Sir’s [nine-tenths]."
Li Guanyi put on his helmet.
He turned, sleeves rolling, right hand extending, the Fierce Tiger Sky Shouting Halberd slowly emerged, achieving the people without taking the cities, the lands, it’s not impossible, but waiting for the opportunity.
Previously these state city defenders, officials all thought Li Guanyi would seize their cities.
At that time, they were the most vigilant, but Li Guanyi didn’t go.
The defenders’ optimism had waned.
They all thought Li Guanyi’s troops had returned, with no guard in heart.
But the Qilin Army, under Yuan Zhi’s stratagem, had early penetrated this place.
Strike while the iron is hot, then decline, finally exhaust.
It’s been twice, now noble families and officials drink, soldiers hold the line, fighting spirit weakened, while the Qilin Army waits with bated breath, reuniting with the Lord, it’s surging with momentum.
This moment, it’s time to take the land!
This is Feng Xiao’s tactic.
Li Guanyi rode upon the Qilin, raising the halberd high in hand:
On this day, the Qilin Army launched a surprise attack on the Seventeen States of Jiangnan, capturing three cities.
Not a single hair was harmed.