Martial Arts Across the Heavens: Becoming a Martial God Starting from the Big Boss in Tangshan

Chapter 162 Blood Flag Army Taiping Camp

Chen Wen's heart stirred.

Yan Zhendong is right.

Although he himself can use the system and some future technologies to play tricks in small-scale conflicts and special operations.

But when it comes to real, large-scale military battles, he was almost completely clueless.

Huang Feihong was skilled in martial arts and medicine, and his role in the militia was that of an instructor, not a true military commander.

Yan Zhendong was even worse off; he wasn't quite lucid before.

The woman in front of me, Shi Lanying, is a veteran who fought her way out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood of the Taiping Rebellion.

Even the female battalion commanders, her experience is invaluable to the Blood Flag Army's core, which is currently almost entirely composed of military novices.

Having figured this out, Chen Wen no longer hesitated. He took a half step back, solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Shi Lanying: "In that case, it was my oversight."

"I hope Senior Shi will not hesitate to offer guidance and assistance with the many affairs of the army in the future!"

Shi Lanying quickly stepped aside, refusing his full courtesy, and waved her hand, saying, "Commander Chen, please don't say that, and please don't call me 'senior' anymore."

"The Taiping Army is long gone."

"We, the remnants who survived by sheer luck, now only want to follow the Blood Flag Army, to follow you, and fight one last time!"

"Just give the order!"

Chen Wenzhi stood up, looked into Shi Lanying's open and resolute eyes, and nodded vigorously: "Very well! In that case, in the name of the Blood Flag Army Commander, I hereby order: Shi Lanying, effective immediately, shall serve as a military advisor in the Blood Flag Army, assisting in military affairs!"

"All Taiping brothers who are willing and able to continue fighting will be incorporated into the Blood Flag Army, treated equally, to work together for a great cause!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Lanying's eyes flashed with a complex expression: excitement, emotion, and a hint of relief at regaining recognition in her twilight years.

She instinctively reached for her knees in a deep bow: "Shi Lanying greets the Commander-in-Chief!"

Chen Wen reacted quickly, stepping forward and firmly supporting her arms with both hands, preventing her from kneeling down.

"Military Advisor Shi, wait a minute!" Chen Wen said sternly.

"Our Blood Flag Army has had one rule since its inception: No one is allowed to kneel!"

"Apart from one's own parents, Heaven and Earth, even before the Emperor and all the gods and Buddhas, there is no need to kneel! Everyone in the army is a brother or sister; a military salute is sufficient!"

Shi Lanying was completely stunned when she heard this.

She stared blankly at Chen Wen, then at Huang Feihong, Yan Zhendong, and the others who were standing ramrod straight beside her.

I can't help but think back to those days.

In its early years, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom also called its members brothers and sisters one family, but the hierarchy was very strict, with the Heavenly King, the Eastern King, the Prime Minister and the Generals.

The kneeling and bowing rituals were not reduced at all, and were even intensified.

The pleasures enjoyed by the upper class were no less extravagant than those of the Qing dynasty.

Having lived to such an old age and experienced so many hardships, this was the first time she had ever heard of an army that actually made not kneeling an ironclad rule.

And judging from the looks of it, the young commander and the people around him were really doing just that.

She abruptly straightened up, no longer attempting to kneel, but instead, following old military custom, puffed out her chest, raised her head, and clasped her hands above her head: "Shi Lanying, Military Advisor of the Blood Flag Army, greets the Commander-in-Chief!"

This ceremony is different from the previous ones.

Shi Lanying's initial concerns, hesitations, and sense of estrangement largely dissipated at this moment, replaced by a unique anticipation.

The Blood Flag Army might really be different; perhaps—it really can do it!

Everyone smiled, and Wong Fei-hung's eyes also showed relief.

"Military Advisor Shi, let me first give you a general overview of the current situation of the Blood Flag Army."

Chen Wen invited Shi Lanying to sit down, then sat down himself and began to introduce himself.

"The imperial court has labeled us pirates," and we are wanted criminals. The naval forces of Guangdong and Guangxi, as well as the Green Standard Army, have already received orders to wipe us out.

"However, they haven't really figured out our strength and capabilities yet, so they haven't taken us particularly seriously."

He paused, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Moreover, we used some tricks to obtain a formal establishment for the Jing'an Battalion from the Nine Gates Admiral in Guangzhou."

"In other words, officially, we are also an official army registered by the imperial court."

"As long as this identity remains hidden, we can do a lot with it."

Shi Lanying's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but slap her thigh: "The imperial court's organizational structure? Brilliant! The imperial court is truly—utterly stupid!"

She shook her head, a gesture that was both poignant and sarcastic.

"This identity must be kept well hidden; it could be very useful in a critical moment!"

Leung Foon then stepped forward and reported to Chan Man: "Mr. Chan, Pork Wing and I have been busy lately. We have firmly taken control of Cheung Po Tsai's former main territories, including Cheung Chau Island, a total of thirteen islands of varying sizes."

"Flying Ape and his gang are continuing to recruit other pirates."

"Zhang Baozai—" Shi Lanying murmured the name, her eyes looking somewhat distant.

"When I was young, he was at the height of his fame, dominating the seas and even daring to touch the gunboats of the Japanese—I never imagined that his empire would fall into the hands of the Blood Flag Army."

She looked at Chen Wen, her eyes filled with genuine admiration.

"With Foshan and its surrounding areas on land, and a chain of islands at sea, it has both offensive and defensive advantages. Its foundation is already established, which is excellent!"

Chen Wen nodded and continued, "There is also a newly acquired force—the White Lotus Sect."

"The White Lotus Sect?" Liang Kuan and Yan Zhendong were both taken aback.

They were busy working outside, but they didn't expect things to progress so quickly at home.

"Yes," Huang Feihong replied, his expression slightly complicated. "Just before you came back, Brother Chen and I went to their altar."

"The White Lotus Sect is now under our control and temporarily incorporated into the Blood Flag Army, known as the Blood Lotus Sect." However—" He looked at Chen Wen.

Chen Wen continued, "However, these people are deeply superstitious and have been deceived too much by the Nine Palaces Master. Although they are subdued for now, their minds are not yet enlightened."

"It can be used, but it should never be trusted lightly; it must be kept firmly under control."

Liang Kuan clicked his tongue in amazement: "The White Lotus Sect has followers all over Guangdong and Guangxi, and their numbers are huge, even in our Meixian County. Although most of them are ordinary people and not good at fighting, with these people secretly supporting us, it will be much easier to obtain soldiers, money, food, and information!"

"Mr. Chen, you guys are amazing!"

Upon hearing the name "Master Jiugong," Yan Zhendong's expression shifted slightly, and he asked, "Sir, what about the leader of the White Lotus Sect?"

Chen Wen turned to look at him and said calmly.

"He's dead. He faked divine protection by padding his chest with iron plates," deceiving countless believers and causing their families to be ruined. He deserved to die."

Yan Zhendong sighed and nodded: "To be honest, he and I are old acquaintances—he even tried to recruit me, hoping to use my name to promote his miraculous kung fu."

"Though I was foolish at times, I would never stoop to associating with him. It's better that he's dead, so I won't have to use those tricks to harm others and myself again."

"By the way, sir, the Taiping Army brothers brought back this time number 473. However—" He looked at Shi Lanying.

Shi Lanying's expression darkened, and she took over the conversation, her voice heavy but clear: "Commander Chen, our men want to continue fighting, even at the cost of their lives, to avenge our foes."

"But at most, there are only fifteen who can still fight."

"The others were either old and frail, or riddled with injuries and illnesses, or women and children who had never been to the battlefield."

Fifteen.

From 300,000 to several hundred, and then to 15.

The air in the room grew even heavier.

Chen Wen was silent for a moment, then raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Shi Lanying and Yan Zhendong, his tone resolute: "Fifteen is enough! Even one more would be a tremendous honor for us, adding to our strength and ensuring the continuation of our legacy!"

He looked at Shi Lanying: "Military Advisor Shi, you will lead these fifteen old brothers. They will be incorporated into the Blood Flag Army's combat unit, and their unit name will be—the Taiping Battalion!"