Chapter 739: The Spark Rises

On the city wall of Haozhou, the newly replaced knife-and-plow flag on the flagpole stood straight in the morning breeze.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) leaned against the crenel, his gaze sweeping over the troops assembling outside the city.

After ten days of emergency drills, the newly organized two thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry had begun to take shape.

Although their armor was incomplete and their weapons mixed, at least they had formed a battle line.

At least, when the command flag pointed, they would move.

"All are assembled."

Xu Da walked up onto the city wall, holding a freshly drafted sortie plan in his hand.

"Following the elder brother's orders, we divide into four routes."

"Northern route: Tang He will lead five hundred infantry and one hundred cavalry to attack Dingyuan Town, fifty li north of Haozhou."

"Eastern route: I will lead eight hundred infantry to take Lai'an City."

"Western route: Zhao Pusong's three hundred men will serve as the vanguard, with Fu Youde's cavalry providing support, targeting Quanjiao."

"Southern route…"

Xu Da paused.

"Liao Yongzhong will lead the newly formed two hundred river marines south along the Hao River, clearing the riverside forts and opening the waterway."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) took the plan and skimmed it quickly.

"Liao Yongzhong?"

"He defected three days ago from the direction of Chaohu Lake, claiming to be the former head of a Tianwan Army water stronghold, skilled at handling boats."

Xu Da added.

"He brought seventeen ships and over three hundred people, but only two hundred are fit for combat."

"And the ships?"

"They are moored in a river bend ten li downstream of the Hao River; all are small craft, but sufficient."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) had a flash of memory: Liao Yongzhong, who came from the Chaohu Lake navy, historically helped Zhu Yuanzhang capture Jiqing with great merit, but was later ordered to die for involvement in palace secrets.

Another figure appearing ahead of time.

"Let him go."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) drew a circle on the plan.

"But tell him, what I want is not to seize a few water strongholds."

"I want the Hao River waterway to be clear; within a hundred li on both banks, there must be no threat from Yuan troops or bandits to the supply line."

"Yes."

Xu Da noted it down.

"Moreover."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) looked toward the north.

"For the northern route to Dingyuan Town, let Tang He be careful."

"Dingyuan is less than a hundred li from Baihe Town; it may already be contaminated."

"Tell him, if he encounters anything abnormal, he must not force an attack but withdraw immediately."

"Understood."

"Go."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) waved his hand.

"Within three days, I want to hear good news."

"Yes!"

Xu Da hurried down the city wall.

Outside the city, the four routes of troops had finished assembling.

Tang He's unit was the first to set out.

The five hundred infantry formed three columns; although their steps were still somewhat disordered, at least the formation had not broken.

The one hundred cavalry were led by a squadron leader surnamed Lan from Chang Yuchun's former unit, guarding the flanks.

This unit's mission is the heaviest and also the most perilous.

Dingyuan Town is the northern gateway; if it cannot be taken, Haozhou will be directly exposed to the spearhead of Baihe Town's forces.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) watched them leave the city.

Then he turned around and looked toward the interior of the city.

In the square before the office, Liu Ji was directing several dozen clerks to sort the newly made household registers, land maps, and grain registers into categories.

In the eastern workshop district, the furnace fire burned day and night, with constant clanking sounds.

In the newly established southern market, daring merchants had begun setting up stalls, exchanging grain and cloth for iron and salt.

This city is coming back to life.

Although scarred.

Although dangers lurk everywhere.

But at least it is moving.

"Chief."

Liu Ji climbed onto the city wall, holding a freshly translated secret letter.

"Chang Yuchun's scout leader has returned with news from the north."

"Speak."

"He led his cavalry out to scout thirty li north of Dingyuan and discovered that the Yuan army was retreating."

"Retreat?"

"Yes. Dingyuan Town originally had a Yuan Army thousand‑household unit, but three days ago they began withdrawing southward; now the city's defending forces are under three hundred."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) frowned.

This isn't normal.

Dingyuan is a key northern point; the Yuan Army has no reason to abandon it voluntarily.

"Unless……"

"What else did the regular scout leader find?"

"The fields and wells around the town have begun to show bluish traces."

Liu Ji said in a low voice.

Moreover, over half the townsfolk have fled, and most of those remaining have contracted a strange illness: their skin and hair turn gray, and they cough up blood.

When the Yuan Army withdrew, they locked all the infected inside the city, taking none with them.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) felt his heart sink.

This is to use Dingyuan Town as a quarantine zone.

Or rather, as bait.

"Issue the order immediately to Tang He."

He shouted.

"Dingyuan Town may have an epidemic; before entering, send a small team to scout and confirm safety before proceeding."

"If the situation is bad, burn the city and withdraw immediately."

"Yes!"

The messenger rode out of the city on horseback.

But Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) knew it might already be too late.

Tang He's unit set out this morning and should now be approaching Dingyuan.

Whether the message can catch up depends entirely on fate.

He turned to Liu Ji.

"Sir, how are the town's medicinal herb stores?"

"It's adequate, but if a true epidemic breaks out on a large scale……"

"Not enough."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) cut him off.

"Immediately send people to the surrounding hills to gather mugwort, atractylodes, and realgar."

"Re‑inspect all wells; fill in any that show abnormalities immediately."

"Starting today, the city will implement a meal‑rationing system, and the shared use of utensils is strictly forbidden."

Liu Ji noted them all down.

"There is one more thing."

He hesitated for a moment.

"Ji observed the heavens and saw the North Star dimmed, with Mars guarding the heart."

"My lord…… a great plague will arise, and warfare will not cease."

"Scope?"

"I fear it is not limited to Haozhou alone."

Liu Ji looked toward the northeast.

"All of Huai Xi, and even Zhongyuan, may be affected."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) remained silent.

He recalled the plague that, in his past life's memory, swept the world at the end of the Yuan dynasty.

The histories record: "Great plague, the dead litter the mat."

But that plague ought to have broken out only several years later.

Yet now it has come early.

Is it because of Yuneng Pollution?

Or is it because this twisted world can't wait even for heavenly disasters?

"Do what we can."

He finally said.

"All we can do is hold this city and protect these people."

"As for the world……"

He paused.

"Let's talk about it when we have that capability."

Liu Ji became solemn.

"Ji will exert his utmost effort."

He hurried down from the city wall.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) remained alone on the city wall.

Gazing out over the fields.

To the east, Xu Da's unit's banner had already disappeared behind the hills.

To the west, the allied forces of Zhao Pusheng and Fu Youde were swiftly marching along the official road.

South, on the Hao River, boat sails could be seen moving faintly.

Attack from all sides.

A single spark can start a prairie fire.

This should have been a good time for expansion.

But the northern clouds grew ever thicker.

He recalled the news sent back by Chang Yuchun.

Yuan Army voluntarily abandoned Pacify the Distant.

Lock the infected inside the city.

This tactic is not the Yuan army's usual style.

But rather...

Someone is commanding from behind the scenes.

Using a city to test what.

Or, to cultivate what.

"Report—"

Another scout rushed onto the city wall.

"Leader! There's movement in the direction of White River Town!"

"Speak!"

"This morning, the gate of White River Town stood wide open, and a large force marched out."

"About eight hundred in total, of which three hundred are black-armored soldiers, the rest are conscripted civilians."

"They... are coming south."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang)'s pupils contracted sharply.

"Target?"

"Judging by the marching direction, it is... Pacify the Distant."

"As expected."

"Pacify the Distant is a bait."

"What is being fished for is Tang He's six hundred men."

"It is also the northern defense line of Haozhou."

"Issue the order to Chang Yuchun."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) spoke extremely fast.

"Immediately lead the cavalry to reinforce Pacify the Distant, at any cost, to meet and withdraw Tang He's unit."

"Tell him, if we cannot meet up, then hold the enemy to buy time for Haozhou."

"Yes!"

The scout flew down the city wall.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) gripped the sword hilt tightly.

His fingernails sank into his palm.

It hurt.

But this pain is trivial compared to the possible cost.

Tang He.

Chang Yuchun.

And those six hundred brothers.

They might not return.

He must give this order.

Because Haozhou cannot be lost.

Because this newly raised flag cannot fall.

In the distance, the northern horizon faintly showed rising dust.

Like a gray-blue curtain.

Slowly being drawn open.

A bloodier play.

About to begin.

And he must stand on the stage.

Perform until the end.

No matter how many people below will bleed.

No matter how many people above will fall.

This play must continue.

Until—

Curtain falls.

Or, change heaven.