The Beautiful CEO’s Dragon Blood Bodyguard
Chapter 1383: Little People Gathering

Chapter 1383: Chapter 1383: Little People Gathering

Outside the Prefecture Princess Mansion, there was a bustling crowd.

The newly established Collaborative Defense Army recruitment office was conducting selection, registration, and enlistment here.

The minimum requirement was a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation, with robust health, and no gender restriction.

Three days passed, and the place remained bustling.

Recruiting male soldiers was unquestionable, normal in this world.

However, recruiting female soldiers caught everyone whispering; they felt the Princess was being reckless, how could women possibly fight in battles?

The key was that the treatment for male and female troops was the same.

Each day, it’s ten taels of silver, three hundred a month, much better than farming at home.

Ordinary small businesses didn’t have such high profits.

A large portion of the enlistees were from Linjiang City.

They had been plundered by the Water Bandits, had no food or drink, and joining the military here was a way to earn some bread.

The key was that everyone harbored a desire for revenge.

In the Governor’s Mansion, Yi Zhongcheng looked at the gathered news from all directions with a troubled expression.

He was suspended from his duties by Ji Wanrong, idling at home, while waiting for news from the Capital City.

Currently, the two factions of the Third Prince and the Crown Prince were locked in a stalemate; the court’s factions were in conflict, yet remained in a temporary balance.

As long as the Third Prince doesn’t ascend, the Yi Family cannot act freely.

Moreover, the situation in South Yangtze was special.

Ji Wanrong had the support of the Lei Family from the Military Strategists; Yi Zhongcheng couldn’t recklessly rely on force for now.

After a while, the steward came to report.

He mentioned that the Military Strategists’ Wei Guoliang and Sima Yuan had arrived for a visit.

"These old guys are even more anxious than I am!"

Yi Zhongcheng muttered discontentedly, instructing the steward to invite the guests to the reception hall outside.

He allowed the maid to tidy up his attire before heading over.

Despite losing his official position, he could not abandon his dignity.

The South Yangtze Prefecture’s Five Generals included Sima Yuan as the former general and Wei Guoliang as the latter general.

Sima Yan was Sima Yuan’s own son, with the father and son being part of the Great Xia Army and the City Defense Army, wielding significant influence in South Yangtze.

As Yi Zhongcheng arrived, a group of leaders donning military official regular attire immediately bowed with fists clasped.

Besides Wei Guoliang and Sima Yuan, there were also several deputy generals from the Great Xia Army, along with staff officers in attendance.

Great Xia Country was founded on the principle of water, with civil officials wearing white regular attires, girded with red belts.

Military officials wore white as well, but girded with black belts.

Everyone took seats on either side according to their rank and position.

Sima Yuan, known for his fiery temperament, was a direct descendant of the Eight Sects of Military Strategists, with authority and prestige that exceeded that of Yi Zhongcheng.

He drank a mouthful of strong liquor, slammed his cup down, and questioned Yi Zhongcheng, "Governor, whose rule is it over South Yangtze Prefecture now? How could you allow a bratty girl to meddle, even removing my son’s post? What does Wang Xun count as, getting impeached and wanted in the Capital City, yet in South Yangtze Prefecture, he’s riding over my son’s head?"

Wei Guoliang chimed in, "That’s nothing, Governor, aren’t you aware that Her Royal Highness The Princess is recruiting an army for defense? What’s her intent, does she think South Yangtze Prefecture is insufficiently guarded by us, resorting to organizing a defensive force?"

Faced with reproach from the two generals, Yi Zhongcheng only responded with a smile, "Dear brothers, don’t be angry. I’m also suspended at home, victimized by the same game of children playing house. No matter how much turmoil she tosses around, as long as the Great Xia Army remains in our hands, when changes arise in Chang’an City, we can immediately seize control."

Having heard this, Sima Yuan and Wei Guoliang calmed down.

Sima Yuan remarked, "True as your words are, but prolonged waiting breeds uncertainty; we mustn’t allow this bratty girl to grow unchecked. She might still be a wolf cub now, but who knows what could happen in the future?"

Wei Guoliang added, "Right, we can’t solely rely on the Third Prince in the Capital City; we need to be proactive. We must find a way to counterstrike, not letting her evolve uncontrollably."

With a cunning expression, Yi Zhongcheng drank his wine and said, "Dear brothers, the method, I’ve already long thought of it. This incident occurred suddenly; the Princess relied on popular support to create a pit for me. I’ve devised a strategy to use her methods against her, seizing her through popular sentiment."

"What do you mean?"

"Brother Yi, let’s not beat around the bush here?"

Wei Guoliang and Sima Yuan’s eyes shone with interest.

Yi Zhongcheng answered, "It’s like this; Her Royal Highness The Princess is still too green, thinking she can turn the world upside down. She boasted on the city wall to the citizens, promising to eliminate the Water Bandits within a month. Everyone knows the ferociousness of the Yunmeng Marsh Snake Island Bandits. Not to mention the purported million-man army, they have thousands of warships. Plus, there’s a Soul Ascension Stage expert holding fort. Forgetting about a month, even striving hard for a half-year would be praiseworthy. By then, we’ll counter her with this reasoning, invoking popular sentiment to pressure her, utterly dismantling the renown she’s established among the people."

Sima Yuan furrowed his brow but laughed loudly, "A fine tactic! Undermining her foundation can expel this bratty girl from the political stage with a single blow."

Wei Guoliang laughed, "Sima Brother, I told you, Brother Yi has strategies and means."

Sima Yuan raised his cup repeatedly, "Indeed, we can only fight and kill; how could we compare to Brother Yi."

The other generals breathed a sigh of relief since they relied on the Wei Family and Sima Family for sustenance.

If the two families were ousted, they’d lose their livelihood as well.

A staff officer raised an objection, "What if General Zuo, Lei Shicheng steps in to provide assistance? Wouldn’t that increase the Princess’s chances of winning?"

Some agreed, "Indeed, the Lei Family boasts ten thousand elite troops; if they fight wholeheartedly, it’s quite possible."

Yi Zhongcheng waved his hand, "Don’t worry, I’ve already sent a confidential letter upward, for the court to issue decrees temporarily deploying the Left Route Army and Right Route Army to Southern Ridge to assist the allies in suppressing bandits there. While our water bandits run amok in South Yangtze, Southern Ridge has rampant mountain bandits. The five mountains of Southern Ridge, Yuecheng Ridge, Dupang Ridge, Mengzhu Ridge, Qitian Ridge, Dayu Ridge, the notorious bandits reportedly are merging, also numbering in the millions. Should Lei Shicheng dare defy orders, he’d be deemed a rebel, easily apprehended. If he follows orders, then the Princess has no chance."

Sima Yuan raised his thumb toward Yi Zhongcheng, "You literati have way too many cunning schemes. This move was played well indeed! Relying on that bratty girl’s newly formed Collaborative Defense Army, a motley crew crusading against bandits is a path to self-destruction."

Wei Guoliang laughed heartily, "Brother Yi’s comprehensive planning suggests we can sit back and enjoy the show."

Yi Zhongcheng chuckled proudly, saying to the pair, "Dear brothers, there’s still some assistance needed from you two. Her Royal Highness The Princess established the Collaborative Defense Army, certainly seeking aid from the Military Strategists’ Logistic Camp for ships, swords, and weapons. I can only have people delay, preventing them from receiving supplies. The logistic matters of the Military Strategists, you must handle."

Sima Yuan patted his chest, "Rest assured, Old Wang from the Logistic Camp was promoted by our Sima Family. If he dares build a warship for the Princess, I’ll slap him dead."

Wei Guoliang echoed, "I’ll go back and ensure people won’t supply them with a single blade or spear. Let me see how she tackles bandits without food or weapons."

"Then I’ll heavily rely on you two, dear brothers."

Yi Zhongcheng clasped his hands with a smile and lifted his cup, drinking heartily along with all the present generals.

They feasted on wine and meat amidst lively dancing girl performances, lasting the whole day.