Starting with helping Zhao Kai ascend the throne in the snow

The walls of Kuaiji.

After everyone left the city, Shen Qing and Zhao Kai stood on the city wall, waiting for news that night.

Man proposes, God disposes. Although Shen Qing had made thorough arrangements, even bringing out the trebuchet, he still felt uneasy until the very last moment when everything was settled.

Tonight, he and Zhao Kai have staked everything they have on this. If something unexpected happens tonight, their foundation in Yuezhou will be destroyed, and the situation they face will be more than ten times worse.

As the night passed, the two fell silent after exchanging a few words. Clearly, neither of them was truly present, yet both were worried and dared not go to sleep peacefully.

It wasn't until a towering fire erupted in the direction of Ershilibao that the two men became excited. They looked at each other and burst into laughter, all their worries vanishing with the flames.

Sure enough, not long after, a local militia sent by Pan Yang reported that everything was progressing smoothly, the barbarian soldiers outside the city had suffered countless casualties and were in complete disarray, and various tribes had begun to pursue them. Thus, the crisis brought about by Chi Yuehu's tribe had been largely resolved.

"Brother Shen, that's wonderful! We won..." Zhao Kai exclaimed with a beaming smile upon hearing the news. Yuezhou was his vassal state, and he was the biggest beneficiary, so he was naturally even happier.

"Calm down, the little Chi Yue Tiger Tribe is easy to handle, everything is under control," Shen Qing said, feigning composure.

"Tch, you're just pretending. Next time, try to hide that smile on your face first." However, Zhao Kai saw through his barely suppressed excitement at a glance.

After exchanging a few banter, Zhao Kai regained his composure and asked, "Brother Shen, the battle is over tonight. What are your plans for the next step?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing pondered for a moment and said, "From the invasion of 60,000 barbarian tribes to the defeat of the Chi Yue Tiger Tribe tonight, I believe such achievements are enough to deter the surrounding Baiyue tribes. The battle in Kuaiji City is considered to be over in the short term. Therefore, our next focus should be on taking over the entire Yuezhou territory as soon as possible. Currently, apart from Kuaiji and Yuzhang counties, we haven't had time to send people to take over other places. This won't do; it will make it easy for others to take advantage of the situation."

"Does Brother Shen have any specific plans?"

Shen Qing shook his head and said, "I haven't thought of a specific plan yet, but we can first draw soldiers from Yuzhang and Kuaiji, sending 200 men to each prefecture. We can use this as a standard to take over the city defenses of the other four prefectures. We don't need to do anything spectacular; just maintain basic order." "In addition, the military examination needs to be put on the agenda. This time, He Zhu's spread rumors have attracted many people from the martial arts world. We need to attract their attention as soon as possible, otherwise, these people themselves are a huge destabilizing factor. Besides, the issue of money and provisions is urgent. Without money, nothing can be accomplished..."

Shen Qing paused abruptly as he noticed Zhao Kai's embarrassed expression. After a moment's thought, Shen Qing understood. For example, if Zhao Kai planned to invite Shen Qing to dinner, but after sitting down at the table discovered the food and drinks were too expensive for him, he would feel awkward and insecure about offering to treat him.

The current situation is similar. Zhao Kai, once an illegitimate prince, has suddenly become the Prince of Yue. While gaining immense benefits, he also bears the responsibilities that come with it. However, his wealth and resources are simply insufficient to support such a scale all at once, leaving him feeling utterly ashamed. Without external intervention, Zhao Kai can at most maintain the current situation, occupying Kuaiji and Yuzhang. Only after gradually establishing a foothold, acquiring profitable businesses, and accumulating sufficient troops can he then take over other territories in Yuezhou.

However, the downside of this approach is that if Zhao Kai abandons the other four prefectures, various unscrupulous forces will emerge over time, eventually seizing these territories. Reclaiming them later will be extremely difficult. Moreover, these newcomers won't be as merciful as Zhao Kai; they will exploit the people under their rule. Even if these areas are eventually recovered, it's uncertain how much of their former strength will remain. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, such a laissez-faire approach is absolutely unacceptable.

Even a hero can be brought down by a lack of funds. Zhao Kai has no money to support his territory, and Shen Qing has no money either. It seems like an unsolvable dead end.

Just then, Shen Qing suddenly thought of the One Piece world. Their current predicament could be easily resolved with the help of the One Piece world. However, once they borrowed the help of the One Piece world, many things would no longer be able to be hidden from Shen Qing. He could still claim that Doflamingo and Hawkeye were just friends he had met before.

Once they actually start using the aid of the One Piece world, Zhao Kai isn't stupid. He'll inevitably discover something's amiss eventually. What will happen then? If they don't tell Zhao Kai, it will definitely create a rift between them, causing internal strife, and they might not even be able to remain friends.

But if Zhao Kai is informed, the Black Ship will be exposed. Such a treasure that can travel between worlds is something that no one would not be tempted by. People's hearts cannot withstand the test, and how many people can be as noble as the old sword god?

Just as Shen Qing's mind was filled with countless thoughts, the black ship suddenly stirred slightly within his body, and a message was transmitted to his mind: the black ship had recognized its master, and no outsider could take it away.

The sudden news startled Shen Qing for a moment, but he then smiled with relief. It seemed that the Black Ship had already made the choice for him.

...

Seizing the opportunity, Xuan Yuan Qingfeng bypassed Sha Keliang and the others' obstruction and rode off in a cloud of dust. Sha Keliang and the others were powerless to stop him and could only watch helplessly as he sped away.

Seeing Xuanyuan Qingfeng charge forward, Hong Biao immediately ordered the remaining cavalry to disengage from the barbarian soldiers. However, this charge resulted in the loss of three more cavalrymen, bringing the total to eight in just a short time, a loss that deeply pained Hong Biao. He had invested considerable effort in training each of Xuanyuan's fifty riders, and they shouldn't be wasted in this way.

However, compared to Hong Biao and his men, Sha Keliang's side was no better off. Of the original hundred or so barbarian soldiers, half had been killed in this short exchange, and most of the remaining men were wounded. If they hadn't been determined to die, they probably would have collapsed from the casualties long ago. (Fun fact: In the era of cold weapons, armies generally collapsed after suffering 20% ​​casualties; even elite troops couldn't withstand a 40% casualty rate.)

Just as Hong Biao was worried that Xuan Yuan Qingfeng might be in danger if he chased after him alone, he suddenly saw the old sword god Li Chungang gracefully flying over his head on his sword. He immediately felt relieved, knowing that with this great god around, nothing unexpected would happen.

Once he came to his senses, Hong Biao glared at Sha Keliang and the others with a ferocious expression, and said, "Now that the patriarch is alright, let me settle accounts with you properly."

Without Xuanyuan Qing's restraint, Hong Biao immediately led the remaining dozen or so cavalrymen, changing their previous tactics. They used the mobility of their warhorses to make quick attacks and retreat, not giving the barbarian soldiers a chance to fight back. They killed one or two of them and then retreated, using a slow and steady approach to kill the barbarian soldiers bit by bit.

In about fifteen minutes, the barbarian soldiers were reduced to only a dozen or so men, and it was only a matter of time before they were all wiped out. On the other hand, Hong Piao's side did not lose a single person.

"Lord Chi Hu, I have done my best, but I must go first." Sha Keliang looked at the heavily wounded barbarian soldiers around him, and then at the hundreds of warriors rushing towards him from not far away. He smiled bitterly and chose to commit suicide. The remaining dozen or so men were all loyal followers of Chi Hu. After seeing Sha Keliang's actions, they all followed suit and rushed off one by one.

"These barbarians, though enemies, deserve respect. Men, give them a proper burial and forbid anyone else from touching their bodies." Hong Biao looked at the barbarian soldiers who had committed suicide before him, his tone carrying a hint of respect, and ordered his men to give them the proper courtesy.

True warriors deserve everyone's respect.