Chapter 726: Prestige Gradually Rising

The fifth day after the new brick kiln was completed.

The first batch of 'strange-iron' long sabers came out of the furnace.

Only seven.

The old blacksmith held one with both hands and handed it to Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang).

The blade was dark silver-gray, its edge shedding a dull gleam in the morning light, lacking the cold sheen of ordinary iron, yet it had its own substantial, weighty feel.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) took the saber.

In hand it felt thirty percent heavier than a normal saber.

He walked to the sword-testing wooden post.

He swung the saber.

There was no sound of wind being split.

The blade sliced through the air, eerily silent.

He brought it down.

The wooden post snapped at the sound.

The cut surface was smooth as a mirror.

"A fine sword." Chang Yuchun praised from the side.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang), however, furrowed his brow.

He walked to another sword-testing post wrapped in iron skin.

This time he used seventy percent of his strength.

The blade struck the iron skin.

Amid the piercing clang of metal on metal, the iron skin was cut a deep gash.

The blade was unharmed, its edge not rolled.

But Zhu Yue's (Zhu Yuanzhang's) arm went numb from the shock.

"Not enough." he said.

The old blacksmith gave a wry smile.

"Chief, this is already the limit."

"If the furnace gets any hotter, the bricks won't hold."

"The impurities in the ore, we've done our best to remove them, but some things… can't be gotten rid of."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) stared at the blade.

He knew what the old blacksmith meant by 'impurities'.

They are the associated minerals in the iron ore that glow with a faint blue sheen.

Previously, when we produced 'strange iron,' it relied on a certain mutation of these impurities under high heat.

But the impurity content is unstable; each batch of ore differs.

Thus the output of 'strange iron' still depends on luck.

"Keep testing." He returned the saber to the old blacksmith.

"Adjust the ore ratios, record the data for each batch."

"I need to know what proportion of impurities yields the best blade."

"Yes."

The old blacksmith held the saber and stepped back.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) turned and looked toward the west side of the camp.

There a new shelter area had been erected.

Over the past three days, six small rebel detachments have come successively to join.

The largest numbered fifty or sixty, the smallest only a dozen or so.

All had heard of the deeds of the 'Knife Plow Camp'—how it routed the Yuan army and slew the 'demon soldiers'—and came in admiration.

Xu Da was there organizing the troops.

Tang He hurried over.

"Elder brother, the northern scouts report."

"Speak."

"The Yuan troops at Baihe Town have recently been reinforcing their walls."

"They are also digging moats outside the city and burying anti-cavalry obstacles."

"It looks like they know we're coming to attack them."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) was not surprised.

The camp's expansion has made it impossible to keep quiet.

"Anything else?"

"Yes." Tang He lowered his voice: "The scouts say that recently, 'Black Armor Soldiers' have also appeared in Baihe Town."

"How many?"

"Not many, about twenty or thirty, stationed near the Chiliarch Office."

"What about the civilians?"

"Most have fled; the rest have been forcibly conscripted to repair the walls, and any slackness is met with execution."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) fell silent for a moment.

"Do those Black Armor Soldiers also come out during the day?"

The scouts said they occasionally appear during the day, but more often they patrol the city at night.

Their eyes are blue?

Yes.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) looked toward the north.

Baihe Town is fifty li away.

If it is truly occupied by the black-armored soldiers, the cost of a frontal assault would be high.

But if we do not attack…

"Elder brother, shall we still attack according to the original plan?" Tang He asked.

"Attack." Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) answered without hesitation.

"But the method of attack must change."

He gestured, letting Xu Da and Chang Yuchun also come over.

The four formed a circle.

"The black-armored soldiers are impervious to blades and spears, but their movements seem slower than ordinary people."

"Scout Captain Chang, in their last encounter, found they turned slowly and reacted slowly."

"Unless they are surrounded, cavalry can rely on mobility to maneuver."

Chang Yuchun nodded.

"That makes sense."

"So, the cavalry will be responsible for containing the black-armored soldiers."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) drew a schematic on the ground with a twig.

"When the battle begins, the cavalry will harass from the flanks, luring the black-armored soldiers into pursuit."

"Draw them out beyond the city walls, into open ground."

"Then——"

He looked toward Xu Da.

"The main force of infantry will assault the gate."

"Once the gate is breached, they will rush straight to the garrison headquarters, burn the granary, and seize the armory."

"Upon success, they will retreat immediately, avoiding entanglement with the black-armored soldiers."

Xu Da frowned.

"Elder brother, this tactic is too risky."

"What if the cavalry gets entangled by the black-armored soldiers…"

"So the cavalry must not clash head-on." Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) said, "Strike and withdraw immediately, never linger in battle."

"If the black-armored soldiers pursue, we lead them in circles."

"When they turn back, we bite again."

He looked toward Chang Yuchun.

"Scout Captain Chang, can you do it?"

Chang Yuchun grinned.

"Chief, rest assured, we're skilled at walking dogs."

"Good."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) stood up straight.

"In three days, the new batch of 'strange iron' swords should be ready, about twenty pieces."

"All will be issued to the cavalry."

"The infantry will use ordinary swords and spears, but each will be issued a can of fire oil; when encountering the black-armored soldiers, they will splash the oil and set it alight."

"Will fire work?"

"I don't know, but we have to try."

The four then discussed some details, after which each went off to prepare.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) returned to the barracks and spread out a map.

Baihe Town's location straddles the vital route from Huai Xi to the north.

Capturing this place is tantamount to driving a nail into the Yuan army's hinterland.

But more importantly, it is the granary inside that city.

The scouts reported that Baihe Town's granary holds at least five thousand shi of grain.

That is enough to feed the camp's two thousand people for more than half a year.

With this grain, he can finally let loose and expand the army.

Only then can he cope with the growing threat from the north.

As he was pondering, Guo Rong's voice came from outside the door.

"Chief, among the newcomers who have defected, there is a scholar who wishes to see you."

"A scholar?"

"Yes. He claims to be from Qingtian, surname Liu, given name Ji, courtesy name Bo Wen."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang)'s charcoal pencil paused in his hand.

Liu Ji?

That name…

It seems I have heard it somewhere before.

Couldn't recall at the moment.

"Bring him over."

"Yes."

Moments later, Guo Rong led in a scholar in blue robes.

About thirty, his face gaunt yet his eyes bright.

Seeing Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang), he clasped his hands in salute.

"I am Liu Ji, I have paid my respects to Chief Zhu."

"No need for excessive courtesy, sir," Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) gestured for him to sit.

"I heard you came from Qing Tian, a long journey; why join my modest Blade-Plow Camp?"

Liu Ji sat down calmly.

"Having traveled far and wide, I have seen that many so-called righteous armies plunder the people, while few merely hold fast to mountain strongholds."

"I have only heard that the chief raises the Blade-Plow banner, with the will to farm and fight, to break the might of the demon soldiers."

"Therefore I have come specially to join, willing to contribute my modest ability."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) sized him up.

"What are your strengths, sir?"

"I am somewhat versed in the classics and history, have a rough knowledge of astronomy and geography, and have also studied military strategy."

"Oh?" Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) became interested.

"Then, sir, what do you think we should do with this camp now?"

Liu Ji answered without hesitation.

"We should take Baihe Town."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Why?"

"Baihe Town is the throat of Huai Xi; taking it allows control of all directions."

"Its granaries hold grain, its arsenals hold iron, enough to supply the chief for expanding the army and feeding the people."

"More crucially—" Liu Ji paused, "this place borders demonic vapors to the north and faces Jianghuai to the south. Seizing this town, we can erect a barrier to protect the populace of one region."

"What if we cannot take it?"

"We must take it." Liu Ji spoke firmly, "The chief has newly won the people's hearts, morale is high. If we do not take it now, waiting for the Yuan army to gather great forces, or for demon soldiers to receive reinforcements, we will regret it too late."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) fell silent.

This scholar, his vision is surprisingly sharp.

"Do you know, sir, that there are black-armored demon soldiers inside Baihe Town?"

"I have heard a little." Liu Ji nodded, "Although the demon soldiers are fierce, their numbers are limited. By meeting force with force and striking with the unexpected, we can defeat them."

"What is the unexpected?"

"Fire attack, flooding, traps, feigned surrender... all can be the unexpected."

Liu Ji said calmly.

"Since demon soldiers are not ordinary bodies, they must have a weakness; find that weakness and strike, and the effort will yield double the result."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) stared at him for a long time.

Then, he suddenly laughed.

"Since you have come, sir, please stay temporarily in the camp to assist with military affairs."

"In three days our army will attack Baihe Town; please also accompany us to observe the battle."

"If you have any observations, speak freely."

Liu Ji rose and gave a solemn salute.

"Liu Ji accepts the order."

After he withdrew, Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) sat alone in the barracks.

His fingers lightly tapped the tabletop.

Qing Tian Liu Ji...

He always felt that behind this name lay something hidden.

But now he had no leisure to investigate further.

The pressing matter is Baihe Town.

It is those black-armored soldiers.

It is the ever-thickening shadow from the north.

He rose and walked to the wall.

There hung a simple wooden shield.

At the shield's center was carved an interlocking blade and plow pattern.

He reached out and touched that pattern.

"Blade-plow..."

He murmured softly to himself.

"If this world truly becomes a hell where demons and monsters run rampant..."

"then my blade must carve a path of survival."

The night grew deeper.

Throughout the camp, lights blazed.

The artificer camp is rushing to produce swords and spears.

The infantry are intensively drilling formations.

The cavalry are inspecting their saddles.

The newly arrived righteous troops have been assigned to squads, with veteran soldiers leading them to familiarize with the rules.

Outside the camp walls, mobile sentries have doubled.

Hidden sentries lurk in the grass thickets and treetops, eyes fixed on the darkness.

And fifty li to the north.

On the walls of White River Town.

Several dozen black-armored soldiers stand silently.

They face south.

Their faintly blue eyes pierce the night.

As if gazing at something.

Beneath the walls, inside the Thousand Household Office.

Yuan army Thousand Household Hala bows respectfully to a black-robed figure.

"Envoy, will that 'Knife-Plow Camp' down south really come to fight?"

From beneath the black robe's hood came a hoarse voice.

"Yes."

"And... those black-armored divine soldiers, can they hold the city?"

"Hold?" the black-robed figure chuckled, "Thousand Household Hala, you've got something wrong."

"What the envoy means..."

It's not defending the city.

The black-robed figure turned, gazing southward.

"We are waiting for them to come."

"Then we will turn them all into... new divine soldiers."

Hala shuddered.

He lowered his head, not daring to ask further.

The black-robed figure slowly raised a hand.

In the palm, a clump of azure light slowly rotated.

Within the light, countless tiny black shadows struggled and wailed.

"Soon..."

He murmured.

"Wait until enough of the town's people have died..."

"Wait until resentment gathers thick enough..."

"Wait until the living flesh from the south walks right in..."

"Then the ritual can be completed."

The azure light flared bright.

It illuminated the half-rotted, metallic‑sheen face beneath the black robe's hood.

And the eyes, completely filled with that blue light.

Outside the town.

The night wind wailed.

Like countless spirits weeping.

Further north.

Toward Fortified Town.

Another squad of black‑armored soldiers marched out of the gate.

This time numbering over a hundred.

They stepped in unison, heading south.

Toward White River Town.

Marching in silence.

Moonlight fell upon them.

Reflecting a cold, azure glow.