Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1820 - 1813: Pre-War Address to the Troops

Chapter 1820: Chapter 1813: Pre-War Address to the Troops

The actions of the Wen Family’s Imperial Court are akin to issuing empty promises, offering the military hefty rewards. This way, Dongsheng’s army would be tightly bound to the Wen Family’s Imperial Court. Dongsheng’s army would be absolutely loyal to the Wen Family and ensure that the Wen Family’s order doesn’t collapse.

The logic is simple, because once the Wen Family’s Imperial Court falls, these hundreds of thousands of soldiers would immediately lose their vested interests, and they would declare war on anyone or any force daring to overthrow the Wen Family’s Imperial system.

But just because the Wen Family’s Imperial Court can continue, does it truly mean they can deliver on the promised rewards to the military? That is uncertain.

Up till now, the finances of the Wen Family’s Imperial Court have been in a long-term deficit, and there is no significant improvement in sight for the foreseeable future.

This essentially means the Wen Family’s Imperial Court is using future money to support the current army.

The situation is like dancing on three eggs; doing well doesn’t necessarily solve the problem, failing means immediate collapse, never to recover.

Kyushu doesn’t have a limited liability system. Once credibility is bankrupt, the Wen Family’s Imperial Court must bear unlimited responsibility, and it’s unlikely to shake off all ties just by declaring bankruptcy.

Of course, there are solutions, such as finding someone to take over the burden, shifting hatred to others, and re-establishing ties after clearing the slate.

But the question is, who would be the scapegoat?

Ziyan had no time to ponder such matters, nor would he consider them. As the frontline army, he could already see the glint of the enemy’s blades.

"Fire!"

As the enemy entered the hundred-meter shooting range, Ziyan roared loudly, swinging down his waist knife heavily.

"Bang bang bang!!!"

Amidst his roar, the array echoed with continuous and deafening blasts. Soldiers’ guns spewed white smoke from black powder, engulfing the whole array in white smoke.

The effect of the strike was astounding; with just one volley, the periphery of the enemy’s assault formation shed a layer of skin, with dozens of cavalry, horses and all, tumbling on the ground due to the momentum.

"Reload!" Ziyan shouted.

The hastily gathered line infantry were not enough in numbers to overwhelm, so one volley did not deliver a fatal blow.

Upon giving the reload command, the front row soldiers held their rifles upright and moved to the back, while the second row moved forward, leveling their gun muzzles at the still charging Yipa cavalry.

"Fire!"

Ziyan shouted the order of death again, and another deafening explosion followed. The lingering white smoke engulfed the array again, leaving those within almost unable to find their bearings.

Thankfully, their conspicuous uniforms ensured they could distinguish friend from foe, continuing reflexive fire under the blinding, choking white smoke.

The result of the second round of strikes was surprisingly effective; one volley felled over a hundred charging Yipa cavalry. The remaining forces also lost the will to fight and began to turn their horses, fleeing back to the settlement in embarrassment.

After the initial victory, Ziyan was exceptionally excited. As several thousand soldiers completed their assemblage on the grassland, he approached Jiuyun Shuang, excitedly saying, "General, the enemy is not formidable, we are certain to win this battle!"

Jiuyun Shuang looked at Ziyan, whose eyes were teary from the smoke, shook his head helplessly and said, "We attacked their rear, their combat force is not worth discussing, even if we win it’s an unearned victory."

"But nevertheless, this is a good start; the Demon Clan’s muskets are truly formidable."

Jiuyun Shuang nodded, looking at the Yipa cavalry rolling on the ground in the distance, frowning slightly, he asked, "Is this all the troops they have?"

"Yes," Ziyan replied, "just these cavalry, there should be some left in the tribe but they are not enough to be an enemy."

"Hmm," Jiuyun Shuang nodded, turning around and ordering loudly, "Send an envoy to offer surrender!"

"In this situation, there’s no need for that, we can just rush in." Ziyan said in surprise.

"Killing is not the goal, it’s a means," Jiuyun Shuang glanced at him and said seriously, "If the goal can be achieved without killing, then don’t kill."

"The words of the people of the Western Continent cannot be entirely trusted." Ziyan said somewhat defiantly behind him.

"What, are you planning to go against me?" Jiuyun Shuang turned to look at him, expressionless, and asked.

"This subordinate dares not, I only follow the General’s orders!"

Ziyan was startled, suddenly reminded that even though he and Jiuyun Shuang are sworn brothers, in battle, the hierarchy must be clear.

Jiuyun Shuang gave him a sidelong glance, turned and commanded loudly, "Tell them, no harm will come to those who surrender!"

Under his orders, an envoy from Dongsheng rode forth with a white flag towards the settlement to convey Jiuyun Shuang’s terms.

After about ten minutes, the envoy returned safely, conveying the message from the Yipa: "They hope to negotiate with us."

"Alright, I’ll negotiate with them," Jiuyun Shuang nodded calmly.

"Let me go, the General’s safety is crucial to the battle." Ziyan volunteered.

"No need, I am also a practitioner, why fear fools." Jiuyun Shuang confidently declined.

After a while, a Yipa elder, about fifty years old, stout in stature, wearing distinctive Yipa armor with a warm felt hat on his head, slowly rode out from the tribe towards Dongsheng’s army. Jiuyun Shuang saw and mounted a tall horse to meet him.

The two continued to approach until they stopped about ten meters apart. The elder cupped his hands and asked in Kyushu language, "May I ask the General’s name?"

"I am Jiuyun Shuang," Jiuyun Shuang replied slowly.

"Oh, from the Jiuyun Clan of the Northern Province. Our tribes have a connection with the Jiuyun Clan. May I know why the General has raised troops to invade?"

"To raise troops to invade?"

Jiuyun Shuang squinted, showing a hint of displeasure on his otherwise expressionless face.

"The three Yipa tribes have not been civilized, nor see themselves as officials, repeatedly invading. Now, by Emperor Wu’s decree to punish crimes, if you do not surrender quickly but instead use ’invasion’ as an excuse, your intentions must be destroyed!" Jiuyun Shuang said coldly.

"What does the General mean?" The elder appeared shocked, gesturing as he explained, "The three tribes wish to surrender and serve the Heavenly Dynasty, seeking to trade livestock for salt and iron. Yet the Heavenly Dynasty refuses and calls us barbarians. My loyalty is evident to heaven and earth; I hope the General understands, and Emperor Wu discerns."

"I’m afraid that’s not it," Jiuyun Shuang sneered, "You know I am a member of the Jiuyun Clan, so you must know I have heard most at home about the evil your invasions cause. Such attitude and action, claiming loyalty, could it be that as barbarians, you are unaware of Kyushu’s sense of shame?"

"If the General insists on offending, I have nothing to say. But in the tribe are women and children. I beg the General to engage in a duel. If I win, the General retreats without difficulty. If I lose, let the old and young of the tribe be at the General’s disposal, just spare the innocent."

"A duel, at this point, still thinking of such tactics? Either surrender or die, there’s no need for complications."

"So, the General does not intend to spare our tribe?"

"I’ll say it again, your only way out is surrender. Beyond that, I accept no conditions!"

"In that case, I must offend!"

The elder said, bending to draw a bow and arrow, about to aim at Jiuyun Shuang.

But clearly, Jiuyun Shuang reacted much faster.

He drew a firing gun from his waist, cocked the hammer, and aimed at the elder, firing a shot.

As the shot rang out, the gun smoke quickly dispersed by the wind. The elder fell from the horse with a cry, unable to rise again.

"The times have changed, fool!" Jiuyun Shuang said coldly, looking at the corpse cooling on the ground.

He held a limited edition rifled firing gun, a replica of the Demon Clan’s cavalry rifle made by Kyushu craftsmen, a rare officer’s handgun not widely equipped yet.

Most musket soldiers still used the relatively easier-to-produce smoothbore muskets.

Jamming the white smoke-emitting firearm into his belt, Jiuyun Shuang glanced at the distant and agitated Yipa crowd.

His eyes showed no luster, shadows clouding over them. Taking a deep breath, he commanded loudly, "Everyone, attack!"