Chapter 1015: Pacifying Four Provinces (I)

The north.

Provinces in all of the cardinal directions shook when news of the invasion traveled. The nineteen northern provinces had been rocked with turmoil over the past year, but even so, the conflict had been limited to small skirmishes. This time, however, their neighbors sent out troops en masse!

The Near River Governor General Office.

Fan Chang was overjoyed by the news. “Well met!” He was so incredibly excited!

These days, Silver Moon had sent out troops to eliminate pirates and seize control of the North Sea. Their army was on Near River’s doorstep, instilling fear and anxiety in Fan Chang. However, there was nothing he could do apart from worry that Silver Moon would one day march up to his office and chop off his head.

He despaired when he saw the Silver Moon troops enter Near River and set course for his office, but now... Great Li had invaded!

Soldiers that neared the Governor General Office quickly turned around and withdrew from Near River. Zhao Shuguang’s desire to swiftly settle the north was disrupted by the invasion. How could Fan Chang not be delighted?

Not only that, but he set his jaw with determination. “I hold a grudge against Li Hao and his people,” he said coolly. “The others can surrender, but we cannot! This is our opportunity. Near River has dealings with Ash Mountain as well. Although we’ve only come in contact with a small portion of the mountain, it runs through more than just Silver Moon province!”

“Governor General, now that Silver Moon faces an invasion from one million Great Li superhumans, Near River will be in danger when the province falls!” intoned one of his strategists. “The Skystar Commander Office has given commands that anyone who contributes to the war effort will have their punishments for other crimes adjusted accordingly...”

“Bullshit!” snorted Fan Chang. “Accomplishing great deeds in battle leads to punishment?? Li Hao is a joke! When have crimes committed during the struggle for supremacy ever been taken to account? Only he, Li Hao, wants to pursue crimes outstanding during the old dynasty. Isn’t that ludicrous?!”

In his eyes, Li Hao was too much of an idealist and academic. Whose hands were clean when contending for sovereignty? Was he going to kill all of the overlords in the world?

If he was a wise ruler, he would let bygones be bygones for those willing to surrender. When the young man dominated the central region, Fan Chang was of a mind to pledge his fealty due to his province’s proximity to Silver Moon. But then, Li Hao announced that those who had committed crimes would be punished for them!

What a joke!

Who amongst the local tyrants had a clean slate? So this meant that death awaited them after surrender!

That order extinguished Fan Chang’s hopes for rulership. There were plenty among the four continents who wished to surrender, but all chose to stay on the sidelines and observe after they heard that additional condition.

Who had a clear conscience amongst them?

The Skystar Commander Office’s newest orders were that if they accomplished deeds of merit in the campaigns against the four nations, their punishments could be adjusted accordingly. What kind of ridiculous nonsense was this?? Any feats of valor they carried out would only prevent themselves from being executed. There would be no promotions or rewards—they would still end up in jail if that was their penalty!

They would still be judged and sentenced!

This meant that no matter how many casualties they suffered for a victory and how much they invested for the campaign, all it was good for was to prevent their heads from being chopped off! What was that to Fan Chang if not the greatest joke of all?

It was so hilarious that it wasn’t even funny!

Any overlord with their head on straight wouldn’t decide in Li Hao’s favor. Triumphing over the four nations and rendering great service would only prevent one’s death. Who would be willing to toil for that outcome?

“Governor General.” The strategist who’d spoken frowned and thought it over. “Silver Moon is dauntless and formidable, their troops capable and adept. Although the world has not yet been united as one, there is almost no resistance forthcoming in the central region. We border Silver Moon—the nine ministries and royal family have already collapsed! Near River does not possess the ability to fight back against Silver Moon. This is a rare opportunity to improve our hand...”

This was indeed an opportunity. No one had suggested helping Li Hao before because that would be sending Fan Chang to his death. No one dared put this horrendous idea on the table. But now, if they immediately marshaled their armies and helped Silver Moon defend against Great Li, whatever crimes Fan Chang were guilty of, Li Hao’s orders stood. The governor general wouldn’t be put to death. There was a chance for more so long as he lived.

Therefore, the strategist was willing to suggest this course of action at this time.

However, it irked Fan Chang.

This was a rare opportunity? What a joke, how was this an opportunity at all??

“It looks like many in the Governor General Office are scared of Li Hao. Do you really think that the ten thousand Mountain and Sea he speaks of exists?”

“Governor General...”

“Enough!” Fan Chang cut them off. “I know my limits, there is no need to speak further of this!”

“Milord, you cannot collude with Great Li!” The strategist felt quite helpless by Fan Chang’s reaction and realized that his superior might have something else in mind. “History speaks of Great Li being a barren place stuck in a barbarous time. Their civilization is broken and they worship Initial Martial gods. But New Martial replaced Initial Martial a long time ago, so they have lost again and again...”

Choosing Great Li’s side would be the most unwise of all.

“Those of Great Li think nothing of us...”

“Enough!” The look in Fan Chang’s eyes was cold. “I said that I know my limits! Are you telling me what to do, Director General Han?”

The strategist sighed to himself and stepped back into the ranks of the rest, not saying anything else.

“Milord,” said a stern general. “There’s no need to listen to the personal prejudices of paper pushers like Han Yang. Near River’s soldiers are strong. If Li Hao really was a wise ruler, he would’ve sent people to consult with us a long time ago and promised us certain benefits. He wouldn’t be blathering on about showing no mercy!

“We can step aside and observe Great Li’s invasion for a while. The central region will certainly send reinforcements. If we prevent them from reaching the battlefield...”

Fan Chang coughed slightly. Now that was a matter to not even joke about.

The general also knew his proposal was unfeasible, he just wanted to raise it. “Silver Moon is certain to be gripped by unrest with Great Li’s invasion,” he quickly changed the subject. “If we... at a critical moment...”

“Do not mobilize the army yet,” Fan Chang responded after some thought. “Have the Near River Guards assemble and make helping Silver Moon our rallying call. Gather our troops in one location and do not take brash action. We watch and wait first!”

......

Some movement rose from the various provinces in the north. A couple sent out their armies to Silver Moon, others gathered their troops and didn’t make a move. There were also those who completely stepped aside to wait for the right timing.

They’d given up all hope when Li Hao conquered the central region so quickly. But now that Great Li was invading and Silver Moon pulling its armies back, opportunities were at hand.

......

At the same time, the shores of the North Sea.

A battleship flew through the sky. The Li flag rippled in the wind, a bloodthirsty ferocious tiger snarled from it. Li Hao stood on the deck and looked out over the North Sea. Once they were past it, they would be in northern territory.

He’d returned a few times after leaving Silver Moon, but each trip had been a quick dash in and out. The young man never stayed to look after the affairs in the north. Today, he returned at the head of an army because war was about to break out.

Being well versed in history, he knew that all sorts of characters would make an appearance at a time like this. Doing right by the people and defending their homeland was empty talk. Who knew how many were willing to open the gates to invaders in order to triumph over their political enemies or to pursue becoming an emperor themselves?

Forfeiting land or becoming a vassal was nothing to them. They could pay annual tributes if required.

Li Hao looked around him; he was surrounded by martial blockheads. No one could tell what he was thinking. The young man was tired—his heart was tired. He didn’t want to think too much sometimes, but there was no one who could devise plans and schemes for him.

Lin Hongyu and Deputy Zhou were good enough, but they were needed in the central region to prevent any accidents from developing. He was on his own for this campaign. Silver Moon had risen too quickly; he lacked talent.

The young man looked out over the sea—it was frozen solid. The three northern provinces could be found on the other side. They were the provinces of North Sea, River Origin, and Fog. They stabbed into the sea as if a sharp blade from the north, forming the northern continent’s bridgehead.

The central territory of the northern continent could be found behind them. Near River bordered Cloud River, and a branch of the North Sea flowed into Cloud River. After that was Silver Moon.

Disquiet had rocked the three northern territories all this time and displaced the citizenry, making them wander around for shelter. Now with Great Li invading the north, people streamed out of the three northern provinces. Desperate with need, they crossed the frozen sea with all of their belongings.

The ice was not as thick as it had been in the dead of winter. Cracks formed in some places. Once they split open and dumped the refugees into the icy water, there would be no hope of survival for them.

It was a chance they had to take in order to escape the north.

Li Hao’s battleship soared overhead. Some raised their heads and saw the flag waving over it.

“It’s Commander Li!” Excited shouts rose from the crowd.

“Yep, I know the tiger flag!”

“Commander Li’s come back to the north, do we still run? I hear that he’s going to lead the army against Great Li marching through Silver Moon...”

“We should still try to escape. Great Li is filled with beasts that eat people. Commander Li... might not win.”

A burst of frosty intent flared with a wave of Li Hao’s hand. The ice over the North Sea thickened.

“Northern citizens can head to the central region. There are residences and jobs there. You can help the local supernaturals in their infrastructure construction. There will be no lack of food! The north will be at peace again in three months at most. Spring will be at hand and a warm breeze blowing through the flowers. You can return home then!”

The battleship soared past the sea waters. His voice was so resonant that it spread through the North Sea province. What few canopies there were in the north displayed his figure.

“All conflict is to stop immediately in the three northern provinces! Your leaders of the provincial government, military, Inspectorate, and Night Watchers are to convene with me as soon as possible! Citizens who have risen up for justice can send your leaders to meet me. The nation sways with uncertainty and faces peril. We should work together to jointly fend off the external enemies!”

Various heavyweights in the three northern provinces received his message, but... this was far easier said than done. Was war over so easily?

Absolutely not!