Chapter 354

Great Chen, northern front, the forward outpost camp of the Zhenbei Army.

This outpost, built relying on the mountain terrain, is like a stubborn stone nailed to the border line, vigilantly watching day and night for any movement beyond the light curtain.

On the watchtower, the duty officer Wang Quezi (who had become lame in his leg from early battles with the Northern Han and transferred to scouting) narrowed his eyes, which had weathered countless wind and frost, and, through a specially made Thousand‑Li Scope inlaid with thin crystal slices, carefully observed the opposite side.

His nickname came from his leg injury, but his eyesight was universally recognized as sharp throughout the army.

The tube of the scope moved slowly, sweeping over the distant huge light curtain that seemed to join heaven and earth, its light slightly distorted, and finally settled on the side of the False Song‑controlled area beneath the curtain.

There, it had originally been rolling hills and scattered villages.

But over the past half month, the situation has clearly changed.

First, large numbers of laborers were driven to the vaguely visible area behind the hills, where they built new camps and fortifications on a scale far surpassing before.

Then came an endless stream of convoys, loaded with unknown grain or military supplies, which, under heavy guard, drove into those new camps, often not stopping all day.

What most set Wang Quezi's alarm bells ringing was the occasional sight, over the past few days, of some "figures".

Those figures wore standardized armor, but its color was deep, almost ink‑black; as they moved they seemed taller and stiffer than ordinary soldiers, and even at such a distance one could faintly feel an uncomfortable chill.

They were few in number; each appearance was like a ghost flashing by and quickly vanishing deep into the newly built fortifications.

But Wang Quezi, relying on a veteran's instinct, sensed an extremely dangerous aura.

"Something's wrong…… very wrong."

Wang Quezi lowered the Thousand‑Li Scope, rubbed his slightly dry eyes, and whispered to his deputy beside him.

"Those False Song bastards are probably holding in a big fart."

He licked his somewhat chapped lips and said, "Go, record in detail the abnormalities observed these past few days, especially the situation of those black‑armored monsters, and send it by the fastest carrier pigeon to the headquarters of the Zhenbei Army Commander, and directly report to the Bian Liang Jing'an Office!"

"Yes!"

Similar abnormal observation reports were not only from Wang Quezi's outpost.

Along the long northern front, several key outposts, border prefectures and counties, and even deep‑behind‑enemy‑lines Jing'an Office secret posts have recently sent back urgent reports with similar content.

All the clues point to one conclusion: the False Song is conducting, in the border area it controls, an unprecedented large‑scale, high‑efficiency mobilization of troops and supplies.

Its goal goes without saying.

Bian Liang, Jing'an Office headquarters.

The atmosphere was so heavy it seemed water could drip from it.

Qian Gui stood before a huge border map covered with countless symbols and lines, his brows furrowed.

In his hand he held a thick stack of the latest intelligence summaries just delivered from all sides.

"The Commander's headquarters, Xiongzhou, Bazhou, and three first‑class outposts all reported discovering the False Song's large‑scale camp construction and stockpiling of supplies."

A thousand‑household officer in charge of intelligence analysis reported rapidly.

"The estimated capacity of the newly built camps is at least fifty thousand combat troops, not counting auxiliary forces and laborers."

"The number of transport convoys has tripled compared with last month, and the escort is tight, making it difficult for our scouts to approach and verify the exact supplies."

"Most importantly, multiple locations have reported sightings of a small number of troops wearing specially made dark armor with abnormal aura, suspected to be… the False Song's secretly forged 'Divine Martial Army'."

Qian Gui's finger pressed heavily on the map at the several newly built camp locations that were heavily marked.

"It's not just suspicion; we can basically confirm it is the 'Divine Martial Army'."

His voice carried a slight hoarseness; after days of processing massive amounts of intelligence, his eyes were bloodshot.

"Emperor Zhao Kuangyin and the Iron Crow Army have run out of patience."

He turned his body and looked at the core subordinates inside the office.

"All signs indicate that the False Song's mobilization this time is far from ordinary border friction or intimidation."

"Its scale of mobilization, speed of materiel deployment, and the early appearance of the 'Divine Martial Army' as an elite unit all point to one goal——"

He paused, then said word by word:

"Strategic offensive."

"They are likely preparing to launch, in the near future, a full‑scale offensive aimed at breaking through our northern front line, striking straight into the heartland, and even threatening Bian Liang."

A sound of drawing in cold breath filled the office.

Although they had been mentally prepared, when this judgment was clearly spoken by Qian Gui, everyone still felt a huge pressure wash over them.

"Grand Councilor, we……" an official blurted out instinctively.

Qian Gui raised his hand to cut him off, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

"Immediately send our assessment, at the highest secrecy level, as an urgent report to the Emperor, the Council of State, and the Military Council!"

"At the same time, order all northern front armies and prefectures to raise combat readiness to the highest level (Class A) immediately, closely monitor the enemy opposite, strengthen fortifications, clear fields of fire, and make full preparations to defend against a large‑scale enemy assault."

"Order all armies: commanders may not leave their camps without permission, send out scouts to a range of a hundred li, I need to know every move of the opposite side!"

"Yes!"

The orders were swiftly disseminated, and the entire Jing'an Office, as well as the related military command system, sprang into high‑speed operation like a wound‑up machine.

Qian Gui once again turned his gaze to the map, looking at the winding border line and, beyond it, the vast territory representing Great Chen's domain.

The wind fills the tower before the mountain rain comes.

He could feel that the murderous aura, mixed with madness and despair, coming from beyond the light curtain, was growing denser.

Almost at the same time, a military report from the headquarters of Zhenbei Army Commander Shi Dun was sent to the Bian Liang imperial palace at the speed of a six‑hundred‑li express.

The judgment in the military report was exactly the same as Qian Gui's.

Shi Dun even stated bluntly at the end of the military report: "This time the False Song has come with all its might, its momentum tumultuous, not a mere skirmish."

"Pressure on the northern front has suddenly increased; I have already ordered all units to be on alert, but if the enemy truly uses the 'Divine Martial Army' as its vanguard, the court will likely need to devise comprehensive measures in advance and request the Emperor's supreme decision."

Inside the Hall of Supreme Reverence.

Chen Wen finished reading the emergency reports that Qian Gui and Shi Dun had almost simultaneously delivered.

His face showed little surprise, as if he had long anticipated this day's arrival.

The mighty Fortune Momentum vortex within his body also seemed to sense the approaching war clouds, its circulation speed quietly quickening, exuding a steady and weighty power.

"What was bound to come has finally come."

Chen Wen set down the military report, his gaze calmly sweeping over Zhang Cheng and Wang Ru, who had been urgently summoned to the palace, and Zhao Lao Nian, who had rushed back to Bian Liang overnight via special channels to report his duties.

"The False Song has bared its fangs; the Divine Martial Army is massing at the border, and a great war is imminent."

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an indisputable resolve.

"Officials, following the previously agreed plan, each fulfill your duties and prepare to meet the enemy."

Zhang Cheng solemnly said: "I have ordered the Ministry of Revenue to coordinate all grain and supplies, prioritizing the northern front, and can at any time activate the wartime conscription mechanism."

Wang Ru replied: "The Ministry of Personnel and the Bureau of Peace and Security will ensure rear stability, strictly guard against spies, and public opinion guidance is also ready."

Zhao Lao Nian then patted his chest; despite his heavy eye bags, his spirit was somewhat excited: "Your Majesty, rest assured! A batch of newly trial-produced Soul-Dispelling Crossbows and an enhanced version of Heart-Guarding Talismans from the Ministry of Works have been urgently dispatched to the northern front!"

"The Investigation of Things Institute stands ready to be dispatched at any moment!"

Chen Wen nodded.

He walked to the huge map of the territory hanging in the hall, his eyes falling on the long northern defensive line.

"Convey my imperial decree."

"All military affairs of the northern front are to be fully commanded by Zhenbei Grand General Shi Dun, who may make decisions on the spot without needing to report every matter."

"Order him to rely on fortified cities and perilous passes to blunt the enemy's edge and ascertain the reality of the Divine Martial Army."

"I, for my part, will soon head north."

"Your Majesty, will you personally lead the campaign?" Zhang Cheng exclaimed in slight surprise.

Chen Wen turned around, a flash of sharpness passing through his eyes.

"Since Zhao Kuangyin has brought his full force, how could I remain at ease in Bian Liang?"

"Moreover, the Divine Martial Army is no ordinary foe; though Shi Dun is brave, he may also need my 'arm's aid'."

The "arm's aid" he spoke of naturally refers to that unique "Ability Granting".

Upon hearing this, no one offered further advice.

They knew that when the enemy employed such extraordinary power, only the Emperor's personal presence could steady morale and turn the tide.

The decree was issued swiftly.

The entire war machine of Great Chen began to roar with unprecedented efficiency.

Grain, arms, and troops from all regions began to gather toward the northern front.

Along the border, the beacon fires burned day and night without cease, and the scouts' horse hooves sounded thick as drums.

A oppressive atmosphere of impending war hung over the northern borders and slowly spread inward.

Mountain rain, already about to come.

The wind was filled with the taste of iron rust and gunpowder.