Yunzhou City Street, once a place where the Yunzhou Garrison Army was rarely seen, now had the troops stationed along both sides of the street.
Under Ye Chen’s orders, the Yunzhou Garrison Army rested and stood by along the street.
Occasionally, they would greet familiar townspeople with a smile and a wave.
The people of Yunzhou had never seen such a garrison army before. Rumor had it that the increase in taxes was due to the rising military expenses, but seeing the soldiers in person, they were surprisingly amiable.
Soon, Bai Ju found Lao Huang and said, “Captain Huang, His Highness requests that you, along with Zhang Zhi, Zhao Yun, and Xu Da, immediately go to the state office to discuss the bandit suppression.”
“So soon?” Lao Huang immediately stood up. The idea of suppressing the bandits was a good thing, and it was even better that His Highness was eager to do it. He quickly left with the others to the state office.
At the state office, Ye Chen sat opposite them, discussing the detailed plan for tonight’s bandit suppression.
Halfway through, Chen Xing paused and said, “Your Highness, while the bandit threat in Yunzhou is imminent, is it necessary to act so hastily tonight?”
Ye Chen looked up, and Chen Xing continued, “If we act hastily and fail to capture them quickly, we might end up alerting the bandits.”
Ye Chen smiled. He was too excited to wait.
With ten thousand bandits in Black Wind Village, he was overjoyed. If he could annihilate all ten thousand bandits, it would be ten thousand points, and additional points if there were any special individuals among them. How could he not be thrilled?
Ye Chen waved his hand, rejecting Chen Xing’s suggestion, and said, “No! The people of Yunzhou are closely connected to our Yunzhou Garrison Army. As long as I, Ye Chen, am here, I will not stand by and watch as the bandits harm the people of Yunzhou!”
Chen Xing was moved to tears, his eyes glistening. He unconsciously expressed his gratitude to Ye Chen, “Thank you, Your Highness, for your great kindness and virtue towards the people of Yunzhou. Chen Xing will never forget this. If Your Highness ever needs my help in the future, I will do my utmost, even at the risk of my life!”
At this moment, Lao Huang arrived hurriedly, his face showing excitement.
He asked, “Your Highness, shall we set off to suppress the bandits now?”
Ye Chen looked at the detailed map of the mountain on the table and nodded, saying, “The plan is almost complete. You should immediately notify the troops to assemble at the state office within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Tonight, we will go up the mountain, launch a surprise attack on Black Wind Village, and wipe them out completely!”
Hearing this, Lao Huang hurriedly ran out.
Chen Xing and Bai Ju bowed deeply and said, “We wish Your Highness a triumphant return.”
The Yunzhou Garrison Army, in peak condition, assembled in front of the Yunzhou state office.
Such a display of military might was impressive, raising the prestige of the state office and reminding the people of its authority.
The soldiers, learning that it was Ye Chen leading them to the mountain to suppress the bandits, showed admiration and excitement.
Their admiration was because this was the first battle led by Ye Chen, and in the eyes of the soldiers, Ye Chen was like a deity descended from heaven. Serving him had become their ideal.
Their excitement was due to the long-standing bandit problem in Yunzhou. Previously, General An Lushui showed no intention of suppressing the bandits.
As Yunzhou locals, they were naturally anxious.
Now that Ye Chen had taken command and was immediately addressing the bandit problem, it showed his concern for Yunzhou and the people.
At this moment, Ye Chen, dressed in resplendent armor and holding a golden sword, looked majestic.
The sight of him instantly stirred the soldiers. Once they had calmed down, Ye Chen spoke:
“Soldiers, Black Wind Village’s bandit menace has disturbed Yunzhou’s peace. Today, we must eradicate them and restore tranquility for the people of Yunzhou!”
His voice was powerful and resonant, stirring the soldiers’ fighting spirit.
The soldiers shouted in unison, “Eradicate the bandits, defend our homeland!” The roar was deafening and reached the heavens.
Ye Chen mounted his horse, brandished his golden sword, and commanded, “March!”
In an instant, the five thousand-strong army surged like a torrent toward the Yunzhou mountain.
The dust raised by the horse hooves covered the sky, like a giant dragon winding its way across the land.
Once a beautiful landscape, Yunzhou Mountain was now occupied by Black Wind Village and other bandits, no longer serene or picturesque.
A gloomy atmosphere hung over the mountain, with trees felled, leaving only barren slopes.
As the Yunzhou Army approached Yunzhou Mountain, the soldiers’ faces were filled with anger and sorrow.
An old soldier with a bearded face stared wide-eyed, gripping his spear tightly, and said with a tremble, “Is this still our Yunzhou Mountain? In the past, when I collected firewood here, the trees were tall and lush. Now it’s become so desolate!”
A young soldier beside him, tears in his eyes, clenched his teeth and said, “I used to hunt here with my father. There were mountain chickens and wild rabbits everywhere, but now there’s nothing left. It’s all because of that vile Black Wind Village!”
The front-line general also gazed at the scene and sighed deeply, “This mountain has nourished us Yunzhou people. Now that it’s been ravaged by these bandits, we must make them pay the price!”
“Your Highness, let me lead the first assault with my brothers!”
Ye Chen looked closely and saw that the front-line general’s face was slightly flushed, clearly angered by Black Wind Village. Ye Chen, undeterred, responded, “I will personally enter and open the gates of Black Wind Village. Then, the entire army will charge and flatten Black Wind Village!”
What? His Highness will personally take action?
The entire army was surprised. Although they knew Ye Chen’s strength, it was still astonishing for him to single-handedly open the heavily guarded gates of Black Wind Village.
The mountain path was rugged, with thorns and traps on either side. Black Wind Village stood atop the mountain, surrounded by sentries and heavily fortified.
The Black Wind Village sentries, bored, looked ahead and yawned. “So boring. We’ve almost run out of supplies in the village. When will the boss take us down the mountain again?”
Another replied calmly, “Why worry? We can just rob those pigs and dogs from Yunzhou.”
While the two were chatting, they did not notice a nimble figure swiftly moving through the forest below. It was Ye Chen.
In the darkness, Ye Chen’s eyes gleamed with a fierce light, filled with killing intent, as he observed silently.
Soon, the sentries relaxed and turned their backs. Ye Chen took this opportunity to strike!
Under the moonlight, Ye Chen’s figure resembled a majestic eagle spreading its wings. With a sharp shout, Ye Chen, the God of Death, descended!
“Die!”
Before the two sentries could react, Ye Chen’s hands had already seized them, and with a slight twist, he extinguished their lives.
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