Origin Paradise!

Further north was Licheng, the capital of the Northern Wei. The Battle of Ruyang thwarted the Northern Wei's military advance, but crossing the Yangtze River was now a reality. Licheng, with the Yangtze River at its back, was like a nail driven into the head of the Southern Liang.

On the official road from Dengfeng City to Dongyang City.

Two thousand infantrymen and two thousand cavalrymen surrounded them.

At the very center of the encirclement, an elderly man in a gray robe sat on the ground, quietly enjoying the sumptuous meal delivered by the Dengfeng General.

Outside the military formation, a middle-aged man on horseback, his temples white, turned to look towards Dongyang City. Seeing Prince Yong leading his men, he turned back and said loudly:

"Elder of the Demonic Sect, you assassinated His Highness Prince Yong three months ago, and then slaughtered the Prince's residence yesterday. His Highness was frightened, and my son sacrificed himself. This fiend should be killed immediately!"

"Kill!" a lieutenant general shouted.

Several commanders turned to look at the Dengfeng general, only to see that before he could even speak, four thousand infantry and cavalry had already charged out, revealing the immense power and influence of the Pei family in Qingzhou.

The chief steward of the royal palace rose, his last meal stained with smoke and dust. As a fourth-realm sub-hero, even facing death, he maintained his composure.

Pei Yushu lightly spurred his horse forward a few steps to meet him.

"Is Your Highness satisfied? This Grand Master was ridiculous for claiming to be neutral a while ago. He received news this morning that he had returned from the mountains. The Pei family executed him to avenge Your Highness."

Jiang He remained noncommittal.

As a member of the royal household, remaining neutral would be tantamount to surrendering to the enemy, and the Grand Master of Ceremonies would be executed. However, the Pei family was equally determined to flex their muscles.

"Kill, kill, kill!"

The cheerleader, who was specifically there to cheer, shouted at the top of his lungs.

A hundred-strong cavalry unit charged ahead, lances held high.

Inside the sentry post, a dozen military strategists activated their true energy, and a dense aura of solar military energy enveloped the warhorses and soldiers.

The Grand Master of the Prince's Palace remained expressionless, his body gleaming with golden light. He thrust out his long sword, and the Sharp Gold Secret Technique formed a small tornado that shot straight out.

In the third realm, martial artists use the energy of heaven and earth to cultivate secret techniques. In the fourth realm, they must perfectly integrate with it to construct a heroic body with special properties, which is a different physique.

"How could this be the style of Xuanjin Manor?" A commander who was unaware of the situation looked bewildered.

"Sharp Metal Body, Sharp Metal Secret Technique! This fiend actually stole the inheritance of Xuanjin Manor! His crime is doubled, he should be executed immediately!" The adjutant was furious.

A tornado filled with blade energy swept out, shredding more than twenty riders into pieces of flesh and blood. However, under the invisible erosion of the Sun Soldier's aura, the blade energy quickly dimmed and eventually dissipated.

More than seventy riders charged swiftly, serving as the sentry to break through enemy lines. Everyone's face was contorted with ferocity and excitement. Killing martial arts masters was a great achievement, just like beheading generals, being the first to scale the walls, or capturing flags. Ordinary soldiers could be promoted three ranks for beheading someone.

The Grand Master glanced coldly at the Assistant General, his blade flashing like a curtain, slaying seven people in the blink of an eye. However, as the military strategists activated their military auras, the efficiency of the blade's strikes became noticeably sluggish.

Bang bang bang!

Three lances struck his chest; the ordinary spearheads left a finger-deep hole in the hero's body. A trace of legendary power from the core of the sun, insignificant, yet made it possible for ants to devour an elephant.

One troop passed by, followed closely by a second troop of cavalry.

The infantrymen stepped forward, pushing their shields and brandishing their spears.

A sharpshooter of the elite gold rank suddenly drew his bow and shot an arrow. The military strategists followed suit, and the Yang Steel Arrow flew through the air, slicing open the enemy's cheek.

Five charges, a barrage of arrows.

The Grand Master of the Prince's Palace began to be stained with blood in his gray robe. After the rain of arrows, heavily armored soldiers attacked, and a group of soldiers stood behind them, throwing out poisoned hooks and caltrop nets. Bamboo-like steel weapons thrust out in unison. This was a hunting camp in the army specifically targeting martial arts masters.

The battle raged for a quarter of an hour.

The Grand Master of the Prince's Palace killed over three hundred people, leaving the ground around him covered in knife marks and mutilated corpses. Some soldiers began to flinch, but the Vice Commander immediately led a team of elite soldiers to press forward.

"Kill them as if they were attacking a city; those who retreat will be killed without mercy!"

The offensive has returned to its peak.

The Grand Master of the Prince's Palace gradually turned pale. After unleashing dozens of strikes, his true energy was severely depleted. He desperately slashed out with two sharp golden dragon tornadoes to clear a path, blood and flesh raining down as he charged straight at the Assistant General.

"You never learn, you coward!" the adjutant laughed.

In the vast army formation, the military strategists acted in unison, and the thick, invisible solar soldiers gathered towards the enemy, like a quagmire entangling the entire body of the great offering. His swift speed suddenly dropped to that of an ordinary person, and his vitality, physical strength, and energy were simultaneously depleted.

The battle raged for half an hour.

The Grand Master of the Prince's Palace had killed five hundred people in a row. His face was ashen. When he was chased by the army, unless he retreated far away in advance, once he got close, the soldiers would swallow him up like a quagmire.

"There is absolutely no way out."

The Dengfeng general, no longer resting with his eyes closed, opened them and said, "Let's see how many men this man will fight to the death before he dies."

The fourth realm, Myriad Manifestations, is named for the different physical constitutions of heroes. It is at the sub-hero level and usually represents a thousand men.

Outside the military formation, Pei Yuye turned his head and smiled, "Does Your Highness feel better now?"

Jiang He scoffed, "Ten volumes of top-tier cultivation techniques, and I also need Elder Pei's assistance."

Pei Yuye's smile gradually disappeared. He did not want Prince Yong to side with the Crown Prince's two rivals in the struggle for the throne. The mere fact that the two brothers were so close was enough to cause headaches, especially since it happened after his side had failed to kill them. However, he had already lost one of his sons because of this. If this matter was difficult to resolve, he could only let nature take its course.

"His Royal Highness King Yong..."

"The crown prince should be the ninth and fifth in the imperial family."

Pei Yuye looked completely taken aback, and instinctively said, "Deal."

Since Prince Yong sided with the Crown Prince, Pei Weidao's death was just that—death. Leaving aside the other legitimate sons, he could still be reborn.

"However, there are only three volumes of the cultivation technique. It's not that I won't give them to you, it's just that I don't have them. Besides, it's pointless to talk nonsense."

Jiang He waved his hand casually.

"I'll give you my pledge of loyalty before tomorrow."

The next moment, from among the two hundred guards, the Indian suddenly rushed out, unleashing a powerful aura, like a meteor crashing into the formation.

Pei Yuye's pupils contracted slightly. This person's strength was no less than that of the Grand Elder of the Prince's Mansion; he was also a fourth-level expert.

The Grand Priest had slain eight hundred men, his body covered in blood. Nearly exhausted, his final frenzy caused the casualty figures to skyrocket, and the heavy shield-bearers were pierced through more than three layers.

"No retreat allowed! Anyone who disobeys will be executed on the spot!" the adjutant shouted angrily.

boom!

A figure charged straight into the center of the army formation. The Indian man spun around in mid-air with great flair before throwing himself into the enemy's arms. He activated his bone power, and his sturdy and extremely sharp bone spear pierced through his body.

"The hedgehog is coming!"

Whoosh whoosh!

The great deity was riddled with wounds all over his body, and he looked up and cried out in grief.

"I have failed Your Highness, and I deserve to die ten times over!"

Outside the military formation, Pei Yuye looked at Prince Yong.

“Humorous,” Jiang He said calmly.

The Indian man had a flippant expression, but his eyes were filled with disgust as he looked at the traitor. He clapped his hands together and smashed the enemy's head.

The encirclement and slaughter is over.

Jiang He said, "Don't forget that you've been promoted three ranks."

Pei Yuye was speechless. "Princes of vassal states are not allowed to command troops."

“Then I’ll support the Crown Prince with my head.” Jiang He narrowed his eyes: “I won’t directly lead him, but I’ll just be friendly with some outstanding generals who look good to me.”

“It’s also a serious crime.” Pei Yuye caught a glimpse of the murderous look in the other person’s eyes and changed his words, “But it can be done.”

"Ah."

Chapter 555 War Horn

Three-quarters of an hour before and after.

Dengfeng Town paid the price of 800 dead in the battle, but managed to kill the chief retainer of the Prince's Palace.

This operation was essentially a "private job," and in principle, the imperial court would not provide any compensation or reward. The responsibility should fall on the commander personally, and he might even be guilty.

However, given that Grand Secretary Pei served as Minister of War, and that the Southern Liang royal family controlled the Gu Diao, one of the nine sacred beast envoys, as well as a large number of subordinate cloud eagles, communication between various regions was extremely rapid, and everything was in the process in the blink of an eye.

Jiang He demanded the remains of eight hundred soldiers and their shattered weapons, saying he intended to bury them under the altar of the land and grain to create a cemetery.

Pei Yuye interpreted this as a signal of goodwill from the other party, and he readily agreed without refusing. The suggestion to destroy the location where the plot to assassinate the prince was made by the Prince of Yong undoubtedly relieved him of a major worry.

Prince Yong and the head of the Pei family reached an agreement, and the Dengfeng general, who was practically sidelined, simply clasped his hands in a fist salute and said goodbye.

Jiang He led the guards back to the Prince's mansion, and a faint smell of blood wafted towards them.

The purge, from top to bottom, has clearly been completed.

The little girl in white stood at the doorway, sword in one hand, head held high, waiting for praise with a calm expression.

"You've been a huge help to us," Jiang He said, praising him generously.

Zhuang Ya snuggled into someone's arms, then sheathed her Imperial Sword and turned to stroll with a few maids. The fact that she could slaughter at will in the palace and remain unharmed was enough for everyone in the palace to understand her status.

"Old Hei, please reorganize the guards. From now on, the guard command will be entirely staffed with salaries without actually working. Focus on building up the royal palace's ceremonial guard."

"clear."

All local garrisons were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War. The commanders of each garrison only had the power to command troops, not the power to deploy them. However, the rules were only valid when they were effective. According to Pei Yuye, ninety-nine percent of things in the world could be done.

Jiang He returned to Chengyun Palace. Wu He had delivered the goods and disappeared somewhere. However, he could easily find out about the military system of Southern Liang by asking any officer.

During the previous dynasty, the military system was divided into camp troops and local troops, which were considered two separate systems. As aristocratic families moved south and wars broke out frequently, the two systems gradually merged into one.

Xiao Qi – leading 10 people – Rank 9.

General Flag Officer – Leading 50 men – Rank 8.

Hundred-household commander – leading 100 men – seventh rank.

Garrison commander – leading 500 men – sixth rank.

A commander of 1000 men – a fifth-rank official.

Lieutenant General – leading 3000 men – fourth rank.

Guerrilla General/Guard Commander – leading 5000 men – Rank 3.

Pacification Commissioner – leading 10000 men – third rank.

General – leading 30000 men – second rank.

In the military system of the Southern Liang Dynasty, considering the threat posed by江湖客 (jianghu ke, wandering swordsmen) to officers, the actual pay was relatively higher. For example, a full-strength chiliarch (千户) was actually 1120 men. The court was also responsible for the pay and supplies of the chiliarch's private guards.

"Qingzhou has three prefectures, each with two or three garrisons. Ah San has been promoted three ranks, but he can probably only become a sentry officer of the eighth rank, responsible for a portion of the daily patrols."

Jiang He sat in the large chair, deep in thought. He requested that his subordinates be assigned to the Dongyang Garrison in the suburbs outside the city, so that the Pei family wouldn't bother him with such trivial matters in the early stages of their cooperation.

The three evil generals will all be in charge of the army in the future. This world war is obviously a war, and the early stage of the war is a precious time for players to develop.

Jiang He couldn't help but sigh slightly. Military strategists need to be well-versed in military tactics and have strategic thinking. Both the Northern Wei and Southern Liang dynasties had military examinations that were as important as the imperial examinations. He could create vicious soldiers, but asking these guys to study military books was a big problem, not to mention whether they could succeed, just the time involved would be a major issue.

This was almost the only reason he didn't relentlessly pursue the Pei family. Pursuing efficiency meant making appropriate compromises, but of course, the Pei family, whose eldest son had died, wouldn't consider this a compromise.

at dusk.

The Cloud Eagles from the Imperial Court and the Pei Clan's Chongyue Iron Cavalry arrived at the same time.

This time, the cavalryman responsible for delivering the message dismounted in front of Duanli Gate and only cautiously entered the gate after receiving notification.

The chief secretary, a former disciple and friend of the Pei family, had already left the dungeon. Despite receiving notification from the Pei family, he still inevitably contracted a strange illness—heart palpitations whenever he saw a woman in white.

In this respect, Zhuang Ya completely inherited someone's killing style, destroying enemies like objects.

"Your Highness, these are three volumes of cultivation techniques."

The cavalrymen, clad in armor, were not permitted to enter the palace according to protocol. The chief clerk presented three volumes of cultivation techniques. The most advanced cultivation techniques in the world of Zhulu were all at the immortal level, but due to the limitations of the world and the divine court, no native creature had ever explored the realm above the terrestrial immortals.

"Give me ten bolts of silk," Jiang He said casually.

The Prince's Mansion is not short of money, at least not for the individual. He receives 10,000 taels of silver from the imperial court every year, and the surplus from the tens of thousands of acres of fertile land under the Prince's Mansion is also a similar amount.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."

The cavalryman was overjoyed at the reward of twenty taels of silver, but the chief clerk's expression changed. It wasn't that he cared about the two hundred taels of silver, but rather that once the initial reward was set, it would be difficult to lower it later.

Jiang He flipped through the three volumes of martial arts manuals. One was called the Huanglu Sword Manual, another was called the Juyue Fist Manual, and the last one was the Divine Silkworm Scripture, or the Undying Divine Silkworm Scripture.

“Use the evil as silk, and use the silk to create a cocoon.”

“Use the power of soldiers to nourish your body; killing five people increases your strength by one.”