Chapter 2067: War Calamity Approaches

Wu Ti Ju exclaimed in alarm, "Who are you people? This is a key government office, don't act recklessly!"

But the armor and equipment of this army looked strangely familiar.

The man at the front removed his helmet and even smiled at him, "Wu Ti Ju, long time no see."

"You are..." This face was a bit familiar but rarely seen; Wu Ti Ju blurted out without thinking, "Lu, Lu Second Young Master?"

Lu Zhensheng's two sons looked somewhat alike; he was used to seeing Lu the Eldest, so he immediately recognized this as Lu Qinglin, the Second Young Master of the Does Bailie family head!

Lu Qinglin went to Mou Country as a general and was granted the title "Xu General"; he is a rising star among Mou's generals. Whenever the Does Bailie family head mentioned his second son, he was full of pride.

Indeed, the armor and clothing of the soldiers beside Lu Qinglin were also Mou Country's battle armor.

"What is this about?" Wu Ti Ju, usually a smooth operator, fumbled his words, "How did you come to Dao Feng Port?"

Lu Qinglin curled his lip; he was smiling, but the smile didn't reach his eyes, "I need to borrow your port and ships for a use."

"Oh oh, like that!" Once it came to official business, Wu Ti Ju calmed down, "Please wait a moment, I'll write a letter to Wang Ting to report and register..."

A Mou Country grand general coming to his territory to handle matters, he naturally had to open the door wide with convenience. But he was merely a Ti Ju; his authority was limited. A major matter like lending out the port and ships required Wang Ting of Qing Country to decide.

He moved to pick up his brush, but Lu Qinglin stepped forward, pulled the brush holder from his hand and set it aside, "The situation is urgent, we must act with expediency; you allocate the ships to me, and it's not too late to go report slowly afterward."

"This..." Wu Ti Ju swallowed, "To mobilize ships, there should be a seal token or written order at least. Just let me have a look."

Lu Qinglin took out a tally from his sleeve and slapped it on the table, "I'm not making things difficult for you either, look."

This was his tally for commanding troops.

Wu Ti Ju said in a low voice, "Are there still mobilization orders or military dispatches?"

"Mobilization orders concern classified secrets; are they something you can look at too?" Lu Qinglin said sinisterly, "Do a good job handling this for me, otherwise the Ti Ju's seat will be taken by someone else."

The two guards behind him both had hands resting on their sword hilts.

"Good, good, I'll handle it right away, right away." Qing Country was also a vassal of Great Mou; the other party had arrived leading an army, with a strictly-business appearance. Wu Ti Ju's face wrinkled with worry like a bitter melon, "But you should at least tell me the destination, so I can have them prepare food and water according to the sea route."

There was a map right at the side; Lu Qinglin pointed at the south side of the map, "Right here. It's quite close, isn't it?"

He was the Lu family's Second Young Master, suddenly bringing troops to Dao Feng Port to forcibly requisition ships; only a fool couldn't guess what he wanted to do — across from here is the Yang Shan Archipelago, so he didn't need to hide it anymore.

Besides, in at most half a day he could set foot on Yang Shan. With a great army pressing the border, what resistance could the opponent have?

Wu Ti Ju's tone, as expected, wasn't one of surprise, "Yang Shan Archipelago?"

Under normal circumstances, if Lu Qinglin wanted to go to the Yang Shan Archipelago, he could just go; Yang Shan itself sets no thresholds and welcomes guests from all directions.

But looking at his formation, and at these fully armed elite soldiers behind him, Wu Ti Ju knew the visitor came with ill intent.

Lu Qinglin wanting so many ships was obviously to transport people — no, to transport soldiers.

What he wanted to do to the Yang Shan Archipelago, Wu Ti Ju could guess with his knees. Right now Island Master He wasn't there, and the elite soldiers and strong generals on the island had been drawn away to the Shan Jin Plains; Lu Qinglin wanted to take advantage of the void and enter, right?

Wu Ti Ju's heart pounded wildly; no, no, based on Lu Qinglin alone, why would he suddenly move against Yang Shan?

So, is it Mou Country that wants to deal with the Yang Shan Archipelago?

In this instant, who knows how many thoughts flashed through Wu Ti Ju's mind, finally converging on one:

Is Dao Feng Port about to suffer a great calamity?

Will he still have peaceful days to live?

Ai ya, what a headache!

Lu Qinglin asked him, "What is the current population of the Yang Shan Archipelago, and how many garrison troops remain?"

"Ah, population." Wu Ti Ju answered offhandedly, "Around four to five hundred thousand permanent residents, not counting transient merchants and laborers. Garrison troop numbers, we don't know; Yang Shan wouldn't let us know either."

He swallowed, "The Yang Shan islands are numerous; the depths of the archipelago have year-round heavy fog, and Yin Hui roam there. The islands where they station troops are completely different from the commercial islands; outsiders can't get close."

Yang Shan has Yang Shan's secrets; ever since Boss He gave him and Does Bailie a show of force, Dao Feng Port and Yang Shan have gotten along quite amicably; when there's nothing going on they don't pry blindly.

Lu Qinglin asked again, "But I heard that Yang Shan has been transporting large amounts of grain, soldiers, and people to Shan Jin. This, you should know, right?"

"Ah, yes..." Wu Ti Ju thought, how could these things fall under my management? "But we're unclear on the specific quantities."

Useless! Lu Qinglin eyed him, "Ships and crew, get them all ready for me!"

"Yes yes, how many ships do you need?"

Lu Qinglin said, "I see the port currently has thirty to forty large ships moored; just requisition them all."

It must be said, the current Dao Feng Port is much more prosperous than before,

"Ah?" Wu Ti Ju broke into a heavy sweat, "Th-those are all merchant ships transporting palm oil, they have owners and deadlines, they don't belong to Dao Feng Port..."

Lu Qinglin grew impatient, "Do you know what 'requisition' means?"

A chill rose in Wu Ti Ju's heart, yet sweat beads streamed down his forehead.

Forcibly requisition foreign merchant ships? Th-this way of doing things, won't Dao Feng Port's reputation be ruined?

Moreover, although Lu Qinglin came menacingly, he didn't have the Mou Emperor's imperial edict documents in hand. When he finishes his business and pats his butt and leaves, the rotten mess will all be thrown onto Dao Feng Port — what then?

Most terrifying is that Lu Qinglin is about to offend Yang Shan, while Dao Feng Port looks like an accomplice providing both ships and men; this...

Wu Ti Ju sighed, "Lu Second Young Master, if you want to mobilize the port's ships, I'll certainly find a way. But you must also give me a set of clear evidence; at the very least a signed document. Otherwise, I truly can't release them here; even if you kill me, they can't be released."

Without going through Wu Ti Ju, the port's vessels truly couldn't be mobilized. After all, this is Qing Country's territory.

Lu Qinglin looked at him for a good while, then nodded, "Fine, I'll write you a note and sign it."

Wu Ti Ju's brush flew like dragons and snakes, finished in one stroke, then asked him to sign.

Lu Qinglin looked at the content, saw no issue, and likewise swept his brush in a grand stroke.

Wu Ti Ju carefully put away the document, lifted his leg and walked out, "Please wait, I'll go arrange it now."

But Lu Qinglin walked beside him, "I'm going with you."

This old thing is slippery as hell; need to keep a tight watch on him.

Wu Ti Ju didn't dare voice any objection; there were so many armored warriors at his side, all with weapons at their waists. Even if all the guards in his office came out, they wouldn't be enough for the other side to slaughter.

What to do?

Once out the door, he shouted at the top of his lungs for people:

"Where is Ah Hao? Come here, Ah Hao, come over!"

The person he called out to was visibly startled, dropped what they were doing, and strode over: "Supervisor, you called for me?"