Chapter 1016: Pacifying Four Provinces (II)

Aboard the battleship.

“It probably won’t be as easy as you say,” Yao Si raised. “I know of the war in the three northern provinces. Those provinces have been unstable ever since General Kou died. It’s also said that they’ve been volatile ever since the first awakening. That might have something to do with the three great organizations. The organizations are now in the north and may very well be hidden in the three northern provinces.”

He wasn’t certain what Li Hao had in mind. It was very hard to mandate a ceasefire in the three northern provinces at present, and they might bog down the young man’s movements instead.

Li Hao nodded, but had a decision in mind. “If the three northern provinces do not obey my commands, then we will become too preoccupied to help the other three continents. But... I will pacify the north first! We will execute the strategy of cutting off the heads—the officials of the rebel armies, three provincial governments, and military affairs will all be executed! I will take over their armies and march them to Silver Moon...”

His people jerked with astonishment! Li Hao had been so mild lately that they thought he was going to rule with a saint’s hand. But today... he gave orders that he would kill everyone, no matter if they were good or bad.

“Commander, we should discuss this further...” Huang Yu said quietly.

“No!” Li Hao shook his head. “We face a national disaster and aggression from foreign enemies. Should they wish to continue and squawk at each other at a time like this, if they are unwilling to face the enemy together, or in case they prove unwilling to hand over their military command... Then there is no reason for them to live!

“Although it will cause further unrest for the immediate duration, this is when we should be ruthless! They are deeply wrong if they think I will not do anything to them now!” The young man bared his teeth. “I was gentle before because I wished for a peaceful transition between governments! If they think I am unwilling or unable to kill because of that, then that would be the greatest error of their lives!

“If I do not see their various leaders by tonight, then they can all die! We will ambush their barracks if their military leaders do not present themselves!

“Commander Yu and the others are in charge of corralling the armies. Rebels and deserters are to be killed. We cannot let the armies fall apart at this stage. We can even send them into the field as cannon fodder, but the troops cannot be scattered!”

Even as cannon fodder!

There were more than one million soldiers in the armies of the three provinces. However, Li Hao was more aware than them of how corrupt these provincial armies were. To put it bluntly, they might cause more damage than Great Li if they broke apart.

Therefore, the fighting must be over quickly. He needed to be merciless. Those people would be better off being completely slaughtered by Great Li and dying in Ash Mountain. Otherwise, they would run through land like water through a sieve and throw the entire northern continent into chaos.

“Yao Si, lead a group of experts and one thousand Demon Hunters to hunt down North Sea province’s army,” Li Hao issued a flurry of commands. “Await my orders to take command at any time! Huang Yu, you do the same for River Origin.”

These two had once led their own factions, so they would have no issues completing the mission. Li Hao looked at the rest of his people. They were strong, but not the ideal personnel for undertaking certain missions. His eyes quickly settled on Li Daozong.

“Ninth Division leader, you will take charge of the Fog provincial army and coordinate with Hou Xiaochen!”

“Me?” blinked Li Daozong.

“Yes!”

“And if they rebel...” Li Daozong nodded after a heartbeat.

“Kill them!”

That was it then. The matter would be easily wrapped up with this decision.

“There are many more troops of rebel soldiers in the three northern provinces.” Li Hao looked at the rest. “‘Some are weak, some are strong, and of course they all call themselves some sort of freedom fighter. I don’t care what they are, they’re all the same at this point. Who can take over managing them?”

Glances were exchanged among the group; everyone found it equally difficult to fulfill the request. They weren’t experienced in this field. Li Hao frowned slightly as well.

“This is a mission that focuses on killing powerhouses,” Huang Yu interjected. “We just need to also bring along some people who are skilled at managing military affairs. They don’t have to be the strongest among the group!”

He looked at the Battle Heaven troop leaders. “Troop leaders, you have varying degrees of experience managing the Battle Heaven Army. Although it’s just contingents of one thousand soldiers, that’s still experience. You should be able to handle this matter if you’re supported by some other officers!”

Li Hao fixed his gaze at the troop leaders; they looked awkwardly back at him. “Um, we...”

“The seventh troop leader said before that you can achieve something if you dare think of it!” Li Hao smiled. “It’s just a motley assortment of thugs that you’re facing. They’re not worth mention when compared to the Battle Heaven Army!

“We must take down the three northern provinces because they are the bridgehead of the northern continent. Whether we cut straight through the continent after that or convene with reinforcements, all of them need to pass through the three northern provinces.

“Additionally, there is also Near River province. Fan Chang is a vicious and brutal person. He’s blockaded Silver Moon all these years. We will exterminate all of their senior officials. I’d been worried about creating more disorder and didn’t want to move against him, but now... he will not be permitted to live!

“I want all four provinces to be within our grasp after a day. We will yank their armies away and connect Silver Moon, the three, and Near River!” After a pause, he looked at one person in particular. “Gan Wuliang!”

“Yes, sir!” The scholar of special talent immediately stepped forward with some apprehension.

“You haven’t done much of anything after joining my command.” Li Hao looked at him. “The only opinion you’ve given is to ignore the three northern continents...”

“Commander, I...”

“Not everyone is on the side of good in a faction. Not everyone has a kind soul. There will always be some who are narrow-minded, conniving, or treacherous...”

Gan Wuliang swallowed hard. Was this a compliment or... a rebuke?

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

“You can see people’s hearts clearly,” Li Hao continued. “Near River is exceedingly chaotic and their army too corrupt to be described. They have more soldiers than Silver Moon—their army numbers five hundred thousand, to be exact. I will assign one thousand Demon Hunters to you and send Light Sword, Yu Luocha, and Southern Fist to help you. Can you swiftly claim Near River?”

Gan Wuliang quailed. Three Silver Moon martial masters helping him... No one was more highly placed than Silver Moon martial masters in the Skystar Commander Office. Even Lin Hongyu’s allegiance placed her lower than them.

But now, Li Hao wanted him to be in command and take down Near River! He was a bit nervous.

“Armies value speed,” Li Hao said. “So the Demon Hunter Army’s earth driller is at your disposal. Raise any other requests you may have!”

“This subordinate will naturally do my best to repay the commander’s trust.” Gan Wuliang forcefully kept his knees from knocking together and set his jaw with a rush of emotion. “Apart from these people, I would request ten million mysterious power stones and one thousand drops of Water of Life...”

His words raised angry looks from many.

“I will bring all of the resources back if I successfully complete my mission!” Gan Wuliang immediately clarified.

“Permitted!” Li Hao nodded.

Gan Wuliang was overjoyed! “In addition, I don’t need Senior Southern Fist or the other seniors... It’s enough to just have Senior Sky Sword.”

That threw He Yong and the others into a rage.

Are you looking down on us??

“Please don’t mind my words, seniors,” Gan Wuliang hastily explained. “I do not mean to belittle you, it’s just that Senior Sky Sword draws his sword a bit faster...”

That was a nonsensical reason. In reality, it was because Gan Wuliang felt that these people were not only weaker than Sky Sword, but they loved to chatter. Southern Fist, in particular, didn't readily listen to orders and loved getting into trouble.

Sky Sword was a man of few words and although he had an aloof personality, he did whatever he was asked without asking too many questions.

Having two women along for the mission was equally onerous. As opposed to three people, it was more convenient to bring just Sky Sword with him. It was Gan Wuliang’s first chance to accomplish anything, he didn’t want anything to go wrong.

“Alright then, it will be Senior Sky Sword with you!” Li Hao inclined his head. “Senior Southern Fist and the rest, please head to Ash Mountain as soon as possible. I’m going to stay here for another day, I cannot return to Silver Moon at present. Senior Southern Fist is a Battle Heaven company leader. You and Director General Wang can make a trip back to request that the city send out five thousand troops. That will make for ten thousand when combined with the forces we already have!”

“I am fine with that.” Director General Wang did not refuse his mission. “But I need a deployment order from the Ninth Division leader. He is the highest ranking officer at present.”

Li Daozong took out a medallion without a word. “Mobilize the revitalized Ninth Division and bring one thousand of the Supervisory Guard with you to make up for the previous losses.”

“Understood!”

No further words were exchanged; those with missions embarked on their journeys. When they were out of sight, Li Hao once more notified all parties that the leaders of the three provinces were to meet him before nightfall. He awaited them at the intersection of the three provinces.

There were still a few people left by his side at this time. Liu Long was present as well. The others didn’t feel comfortable enough to approach the young man when they saw that he was deep in thought. It was Liu Long who walked over and whispered, “If they don’t come... are we really going to throw the armies into Ash Mountain?”

Li Hao either didn’t take action, or took action to the tune of mountains of corpses. Who knew if these ordinary soldiers could withstand Great Li, not to mention if they were willing or not? They were almost certainly doomed to die once inside the mountain. That was more than two million soldiers from the four provinces!

It was an astronomical number that potentially meant one million fatalities! It was just a number, and not a particularly large one at that. However, Liu Long could imagine just how brutal things would be on the battlefield.

“Chief,” Li Hao said slowly. “Do you think there’s any hope left for the armies of the three northern provinces and Near River? I saw with my own eyes how they colluded with pirates to ravage the people. At least in the north, every army apart from the one in Silver Moon is rotten to the core!”

“But... not everyone can determine their own fate,” Liu Long said softly. “They have their superior officers and leaders. They’re just following orders...”

“Therefore, if we can successfully take over the reins, I won’t send them all to their deaths if they remain orderly and obey to my commands!” Li Hao nodded. “But if they don’t and continue to create trouble, then I’ll banish them to Ash Mountain. If they all die to Great Li, then they all die!”

That might result in the world hating him, but Li Hao didn’t care. He’d hoped to complete his reforms through peaceful means; there was nothing he could do if that was impossible. It was time for swift and ruthless action!