Chapter 196 - 147: Unifying the Buffer Zone
Chapter 196: Chapter 147: Unifying the Buffer Zone
"To just give all that away... How many Bone Forging Realm experts could that train?"
"Young Master, His Majesty has always placed great importance on the buffer zone. It’s a springboard for attacking the Northern Barbarians. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have turned this place into an arena for the princes to fight amongst themselves. This isn’t just about selecting a Crown Prince; it’s also about training an army.
This large army in the buffer zone is being cultivated to fight the Northern Barbarians.
Do you really think the Seventh Prince could procure so many elixirs on his own?
A while ago, many people from the palace came here under the guise of merchant caravans, all to deliver these elixirs," Helian Shang’s teacher said softly.
Admiration filled his eyes.
’Dayong is truly more powerful now than ever before.’
’Not only are its territories vast and its resources abundant, but it has also cultivated countless elite soldiers over the years.’
’Take these seven hundred thousand Border Soldiers Beyond the Passes. After going through the war with the Northern Barbarians, I’m afraid they’ll become another elite force comparable to the Imperial Guard.’
’This is the foundation being left for the Seventh Prince.’
’The rumors are true after all. The Yong Emperor’s doting on the Seventh Prince has reached an unreasonable level.’
"Heh, the big shots really are in a league of their own. The resources they command are things we’ve never even seen. They can show just a sliver of it, and it’s enough to make my jaw drop. Back then, a single veto from the Seventh Prince forced Brother Lu Yuan to leave for the land of the Northern Barbarians.
I wonder how he’s doing now," Helian Shang said softly.
Lu Yuan had saved his life, and the two had kept in touch ever since, so they were on good terms.
"Young Master, be careful with your words," the old man beside him said hastily.
Helian Shang shook his head helplessly. "It’s pointless. If you want to rise through the ranks in Dayong, you have to cozy up to these Celestial Emperor’s Nobles. Look at that stronghold—it rose to power in the blink of an eye. If the Border Army wants to get ahead... I’m afraid it’s impossible in this lifetime."
After speaking, he descended from the city walls and headed toward the brothel.
The old man watched him go, a helpless look on his face.
This was how the court operated; it was the way of the world. Dayong was currently like a raging fire fed with oil—blazing with immense power.
Who would dare to be a troublemaker?
Everything was under the control of the Yong Emperor in the palace.
Attacking the Northern Barbarians was now the established grand strategy.
Although the buffer zone was the most critical piece on the board, the armies of the Northern Border were also destined to get some of the spoils.
Helian Shang was still young and hot-blooded and couldn’t see the full picture, but his father understood it very clearly.
He had sent him here early on to advise Helian Shang and help him strategize.
Another five days passed in the blink of an eye.
These past few days, the Celestial King Stronghold had been incredibly busy, retraining the new recruits who had come to pledge their allegiance.
Because Wu Han came from a military background, the Celestial King Stronghold was the most disciplined and combat-effective force compared to the other two strongholds.
At the very least, they wouldn’t rebel easily.
Therefore, this retraining was essential.
At the same time, the supplies from all three strongholds were gathered and brought back.
On this day, Lu Yuan was drinking in the main hall when Wu Han walked in, carrying a large pile of account books with Fan Chen in tow.
"Village Chief, here are the spoils from the two strongholds, along with their personnel rosters."
Wu Han bellowed as soon as he entered.
His voice was a bit loud, causing Lu Yuan to frown helplessly. He then put down the Military Array Map in his hands and said, "I won’t look at the details. Just give me the summary."
"From the two strongholds, we seized a total of seven hundred million taels of silver and countless medicinal herbs—enough to supply all our Village Soldiers to reach the Entry Level. The Seventh Prince also sent over tens of millions of Bone Forging Pills.
Before long, the stronghold will have a large army of Bone Forging Realm cultivators.
Also, we now control all the trade routes in the entire buffer zone. The estimated annual income should reach five hundred million taels of silver.
As for the experts in the stronghold, we now have one at the Divine Origin Realm, eight at the Divine Palace Realm, thirteen at the Pill Gathering Realm, one hundred thirty thousand Warriors at the Entry Level, fifty thousand Warriors at the Bone Forging Realm, and ten thousand Warriors at the Muscle Refining Realm."
When Wu Han finished, the excitement on his face was completely unconcealed.
Such a massive force could already be described as terrifying.
Even the imperial court wouldn’t dare to attack them rashly.
They would only choose to appease them.
This was a case of the times creating a hero. A buffer zone had given rise to a behemoth. Of course, the biggest reason for this was Lu Yuan. Without him, they would never have grown to their current state.
"Mm, not bad. Is there anything else?"
"Actually, there is one more thing. We found one of the Northern Barbarians locked in the dungeon at Tianya Village. He’s very strong, probably at the Divine Origin Realm. Fan Chen said his aura feels even more powerful than his own.
It felt like a waste to kill him, so we brought him back for you to decide his fate," Wu Han said in a low voice.
A curious expression appeared on Lu Yuan’s face. "Bring him up. I want to see him."
After he spoke, Fan Chen exited the hall.
CLANG!
Then, the sound of rattling chains echoed as a figure walked in. He was tall and broad-boned.
Iron chains were pierced through his collarbones as he shuffled forward, step by step.
Blood dripped down along the chains.
When Lu Yuan saw the man clearly, he found it somewhat amusing. He never expected it to be Mantuo.
The former Chief of the Mantuo Tribe, whose tribe he had annihilated.
And now he had been reduced to this state.
"Kneel!" Fan Chen roared.
He kicked the back of Mantuo’s knees.
THUD!
The tall body instantly fell to its knees, but his face was filled with defiance.
"Damn you, Yong People! Capturing me with tricks doesn’t make you heroes! If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one!" Mantuo roared defiantly, struggling violently, but ultimately failed.
"Seeing as you’re an expert from the Northern Barbarians, why were you in Tianya Village? I’m not with them. In fact, it’s because I destroyed Tianya Village that you’re able to stand here now. If you tell me the truth, I might consider letting you go," Lu Yuan said calmly.