Chen Ping's Sword

"Where is the Cyan Dragon General? Relying on the Black Tortoise General alone might not suffice."

Fang Qingzhu shook her head, causing Gui Yun and all the generals under her command to be filled with anger.

Being underestimated wasn’t a problem for them, as they didn’t care.

But being looked down upon by a woman of noble birth, as beautiful as a True Immortal, made them feel uneasy.

"Fairy, don’t underestimate us. Isn’t it just a joint attack on Yan Beifei’s army? Facing them head-on might be difficult, but harassing them from the side and launching surprise attacks, why not?"

"Fairy Fang, just tell us how to proceed. We, the East Wood Army, wouldn’t have been ambushed by Yan Beifei if we hadn’t been dispersed in all directions, preventing the generals from gathering in East Sea City."

"Joining forces to attack Yan isn’t a bad idea, but I’ve heard that King Ping is notorious for his harsh methods, distributing land equally yet dealing brutally with rebel armies. Disobedience means death, and his actions are extremely severe. If it succeeds..."

The last speaker was a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, who spoke hesitantly.

His words calmed those who initially wanted to agree impulsively.

Indeed, Yan Beifei represents the Great Li court, uniting noble families and clan and gang, and is not of the same kind as us rebellious folks who have no choice but to revolt.

Meeting him, you’re either conquered to become expendable as a dog.

Or your head is chopped off as a warning for others.

But King Ping, who occupies Xingqing Prefecture and Liiyang Capital City, isn’t a good-natured person either.

It’s said he is kind to ordinary, honest, and poor people who can’t afford to eat.

Those rebels who, using the name of the people, wield swords and spears, attack cities mercilessly, are considered the same as the court soldiers in his eyes, receiving no preferential treatment, and he kills without hesitation.

"This matter, you all may be overthinking it. Though King Ping isn’t fond of bandits using the name of the rebel army to loot and pillage, he does show leniency occasionally.

If the opposing force has merit and isn’t exceedingly cruel or violent, King Ping offers them a chance to reform."

Fang Qingzhu didn’t deny Chen Ping’s approach.

Although she sometimes felt Chen Ping was asking for trouble with certain actions.

Others would make fewer enemies and more friends.

But he seemed to offend almost every powerful force in the world.

The recruitment notices were sent out, but few were interested.

The ones who came to pledge allegiance included ordinary poor people, who couldn’t read, along with those who were wronged, had nowhere else to go, or carrying deep grudges wanting to make a last stand.

If he were more lenient and turned a blind eye.

King Ping’s Army might not only be fifty thousand strong.

Considering his display of formidable strength sweeping Jiangnan... Expanding the army to eighty to one hundred thousand more wouldn’t be difficult.

Of course, this might lead to mixed quality among the troops, with issues in discipline and uncertain combat power, but that’s a separate matter.

Fang Qingzhu hadn’t studied governance strategies, so she didn’t understand them well.

However, no matter how little she understood the ways of the world, since she took on Chen Ping’s task of recruiting the remaining East Wood Army, she didn’t want to mess things up.

She was determined not to be outdone by Ji Mingyue and Han Xiaoru.

Currently, Han Xiaoru is commanding fifty thousand troops stationed at Liiyang, echoing with Xingqing Prefecture, and fortifying the rear like a steel barrel.

Guarding against Beizhou’s surprise attack.

And what of Ji Mingyue?

Celestial Heart Pavilion has taken root among the grassroots, from merchants to farmers and even wandering merchants and refugees.

Millions of eyes form a massive network, covering Jiangnan, Southwest, and extending to Jiangdong...

Wherever the army marches, her intelligence network spreads.

Countless funds have been poured out like water, yielding gratifying results.

Before Fang Qingzhu set off, she learned that this Little Commandery Princess Mingyue has already found traces of the elite forces of Beizhou’s Black Dragon Platform and might even pinpoint the Grand Commander Shui Wuyan.

But having conquered Heaven-Reaching Tower, and being a Soul Emergence level person, her True Qi Cultivation is above those two.

Given her background from the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest, famed for the Three Immortal Islands overseas.

To be overshadowed by these two would not just be losing face personally, but disgracing the Purple Bamboo Forest.

Remembering the earnest teachings of Uncle Mr. Bamboo from the islands.

Fang Qingzhu, feeling ashamed, firmly pursed her lips, her gaze like icy water sweeping across everyone, and said solemnly: "You may not believe it, but this has a precedent.

Among East Wood Army’s forces, the same Four Spirits and Eight Generals as Xiao Tong, along with Mei Yu and Yu Hanshan, are now serving in King Ping’s Army.

Currently, these three each command a military brigade on their own and are deeply trusted by King Ping.

This matter isn’t hidden, so if you’re well-informed, you should know it’s true."

"No need for more words, we trust you."

The Black Tortoise General Gui Yun leapt off his horse, hung his weapon on its back, and saluted, marking a formal greeting.

"Fairy Fang, what instructions do you have? We have just suffered a heavy blow, and we’re weak, but we can still offer some help where we can."

The Black Tortoise General seemed a rough giant man, yet his speech was surprisingly refined.