Ye Tian moved swiftly.
After recruiting the laborers to his cause, he rapidly dispatched troops to occupy the areas surrounding the port and properly settled the families of the laborers, ensuring they had no worries holding them back.
"Young Master, your strategy was absolutely brilliant." Zhou Long entered Ye Tian's temporary office, his face beaming with excitement.
"As soon as we spread the news about joining the volunteer army and receiving grain rations, we gained a massive influx of refugees seeking to join us!"
"At the port's temporary barracks, we've already recruited three thousand soldiers."
Ye Tian chuckled softly: "We brought twenty thousand sets of armor with us this time. Continue recruiting soldiers—don't stop."
"Also, don't neglect their training."
"Yes!" Zhou Long walked out with excitement written all over his face.
"Elder Zhou." At that moment, Thirteen walked over holding a letter, passing by Zhou Long as they crossed paths.
As the head of intelligence operations for the Heavenly Strategy Army, Thirteen had not come with the fleet initially.
Instead, he had secretly infiltrated the Star Luo Empire's heartland to plant spies and gather intelligence.
Thirteen handed the letter to Ye Tian: "Young Master, this is intelligence from Spirit Hall's Pope Bibi Dong."
"Spirit Hall's army has already launched an attack on the Star Luo Empire from the direction of the Balak Kingdom."
"They've penetrated over two hundred miles into Star Luo's heartland and are currently blocked by the Heaven Soul Mountain Range."
"The Star Luo Emperor has mobilized two hundred thousand troops stationed at the Heaven Soul Mountain Range for defense. It's estimated that Spirit Hall won't break through anytime soon."
Ye Tian took the letter and examined it carefully.
Then he raised his head and spoke slowly:
"As long as Spirit Hall's army can tie down Star Luo Empire's main forces, we'll have the advantage."
"Are we going to wreak havoc in Star Luo's heartland?" Thirteen inquired.
Creating chaos in Star Luo Empire's interior to keep their army running ragged would undoubtedly be the most prudent approach.
But Ye Tian shook his head firmly, laughing as he said: "The Star Luo Empire must be thinking the same thing."
"But all's fair in war—we must attack where the enemy is unprepared, not follow conventional patterns."
Ye Tian spread out the map on his desk, pointing at Star Luo City:
"Heaven Star Port is 400 miles from Star Luo City."
"If we advance gradually, to capture Star Luo City we'd first need to take the surrounding four provinces and over ninety cities."
Thirteen sighed: "Those four provinces, counting regular troops, irregular forces, and local militia, would total five hundred thousand men."
"Without a year and a half, it would be difficult to capture Star Luo City."
"Therefore, we use a risky military stratagem." Ye Tian appeared calm and composed as he picked up a brush and drew a line between Heaven Star Port and Star Luo City.
"The Star Luo Empire has natural barriers to the north where they can deploy their army to confront Spirit Hall."
"But they have no such protection to the south."
"Once we've recruited twenty thousand troops, we'll abandon all heavy equipment and march directly west, striking straight at Star Luo City!"
"Ten thousand Heavenly Strategy Army soldiers are worth a hundred thousand of Star Luo's elite troops."
"Isn't this too risky?" Thirteen was stunned, his eyes widening.
This plan was absolutely insane!
If the strike at the heart succeeded, the Star Luo Empire would instantly crumble.
But if it failed, the Heavenly Strategy Army would suffer devastating losses.
Yet this mission could only be accomplished by the Heaven Strategy Army.
Ordinary armies might collapse when casualties exceeded ten percent.
Only elite forces like the Heaven Strategy Army would have the courage to fight to the death.
"Just carry out the orders." Ye Tian's eyes blazed with battle intent.
This wasn't merely a risky military gambit.
In terms of high-level combat power, he had Gu Yuena, Sea Witch, Bo Saixi, and others by his side.
In terms of regular forces, who would dare clash with the Heavenly Strategy Army?
So this was confidence in their strength, not arrogance.
Seeing Ye Tian's determined gaze, Thirteen finally nodded, accepting Ye Tian's choice.
He knew the Young Master's strategic vision far exceeded his own.
This approach must have its reasonable aspects.
As a subordinate, he only needed to execute faithfully.
Over the next half month,
Zhou Long accelerated the pace of soldier recruitment.
He dispatched numerous laborers to spread propaganda everywhere.
During this time, the Governor of Heaven Star Province, learning that rebels had occupied the port, dispatched two thousand troops to eliminate the 'insurgents.'
But in just one encounter, the two thousand Star Luo soldiers were utterly routed by the Heavenly Strategy Army.
If not for Ye Tian deliberately allowing some soldiers to escape to spread the word,
These two thousand Star Luo soldiers would have all met their doom.
...
Heaven Star City.
Governor's Mansion.
"Two thousand men, all dead? Are you joking?!"
Governor Lake was furious upon hearing his subordinate's report.
"It seems I've been too lenient with you in peacetime, that you dare fabricate such lies!"
"Governor, it's absolutely true!" The deputy general knelt on the ground, responding in terror.
"This general led the soldiers, and before we even saw the enemy's shadow, brothers all around were falling in droves!"
"If not for this general's swift escape, you would never see me again, Governor!" The deputy general wept bitterly, prostrating himself on the ground.
As Governor, Lake understood how to read people's expressions. Seeing the deputy general's genuine fear didn't seem feigned, his expression grew grave as he scrutinized: "Is it really that terrifying?"
"Absolutely true!" the deputy general said decisively.
"Then what are you waiting for! Prepare horses immediately—this Governor must personally report to the imperial capital!"
Lake tried to compose himself, but panic still showed on his face.
He couldn't stay in Heaven Star Province any longer, or he wouldn't even know how he died.
The deputy general was first stunned, then quickly understood: "Yes, yes!"
...
Star Luo City.
Hall of Political Affairs.
The Star Luo Emperor's expression was dark, but he continued listening to Heaven Star Province Governor Lake's words.
"These rebels are well-trained and supported by a massive logistics fleet. In a short time, they've recruited tens of thousands of troops! Including their navy, they number over a hundred thousand! I beseech Your Majesty to dispatch troops immediately! Don't let them grow stronger!" Lake knelt in the court, his voice heavy.
He was naturally referring to the rebels at Heaven Star Port.
As for the numbers, Lake had fabricated them to avoid responsibility.
After all, if the enemy forces were small, his hasty return to the capital would be a grave offense.
After Lake finished speaking,
The court immediately buzzed with discussion.
"With Spirit Hall's army in the north and now rebellion in the south, what are we to do!"
"When soldiers come, we'll resist; when floods come, we'll build embankments. Our Star Luo Empire hasn't reached a dead end yet!"
"In my opinion, this is purely Lake fabricating military intelligence to escape responsibility."
"The disaster only happened a few months ago—how could there possibly be over a hundred thousand rebels in the south?"
The ministers had differing opinions.
Some agreed to dispatch troops.
Some suggested investigating first.
Some even proposed simply ignoring it.
"Silence!" The Star Luo Emperor raised his hand, commanding without anger, and the court instantly fell silent.
His gaze turned to Lake: "What slogan do these rebels use?"
"Your subject is terrified." Lake dared not speak, kneeling down.
"We absolve you of guilt first!"
"The rebels propagate... propagate that their leader is Your Majesty's niece, named Dai Ya! And they also say Your Majesty... you..."
Hearing the name 'Dai Ya,' the Star Luo Emperor's expression suddenly froze, but he concealed his emotions well, saying to Lake: "Continue!"
Lake gritted his teeth, prostrating on the ground, trembling as he said: "They commit treason, saying Your Majesty killed your father and brother!"
Boom!
With these words, the court instantly fell deathly silent.
The bloody incident from over ten years ago, though known to all, had never been mentioned by any minister.
Now the rebels were actually using the banner of the late Crown Prince's descendant to rebel against Star Luo!
And claiming that even the late Emperor was killed by the current sovereign.
The implications were simply too shocking.
"Bang!" The Star Luo Emperor, furious to the extreme, smashed the desk before him to pieces.
"Outrageous words! These rebels must be eliminated!"
(End of Chapter)