Chapter 223: Eight Gates Golden Lock, Guarding Jiangnan!

Thirty thousand?!

When Li Guanyi heard this number, his head buzzed—he grinned, but felt his smile twisting grotesquely; adding his own forces, they'd nearly reach fifty thousand, though the reinforcements from Ying and Chen states were also this number.

But across from them stood three renowned generals, each commanding over ten thousand.

On one side were three renowned generals, supported by seasoned commanders, each leading no more than a few thousand troops.

Li Guanyi felt his mind twitching.

This sixteen-year-old general, soon to be famed across the land, felt his legs growing weak—though only he knew that, from a frontline charger to now, under Yuan Zhi's aid, commanding eighteen thousand men was like walking a tightrope.

Damn, my legs are trembling.

Yet Yuan Xuanji remained composed; the Confucian scholar said gently: "May I ask, of these thirty thousand, how many are frontline soldiers, how many are logistics?"

The Furious Scaled Dragon King replied solemnly: "Thirteen thousand possess internal Qi; the remaining ten thousand or so are adept swimmers, suitable for naval logistics, plus a fleet."

Huh???

The Confucian prodigy's smile froze; he stepped forward half a pace, seized the Furious Scaled Dragon King's hand, and said: "Fleet? Old Master, you must know this term cannot be used lightly."

The Furious Scaled Dragon King said: "I dare not."

He answered calmly: "One Great Wing-class warship, one zhang five chi two cun wide, twelve zhang long; two Zha-class escort warships."

"One Chi Ma-class assault warship."

"One Meng Chong-class main battle warship."

"Additionally, the Cang Long, a treasure ship built with the highest-level Mojia mechanical arts."

"The seventy-two linked fortresses can muster another hundred seaworthy vessels, sufficient to control the Jiangnan waterways."

Li Guanyi and Fan Qing were field-born generals, but Yuan Xuanji was the Confucian school's prodigy—he had read countless classics and knew what this meant; the young strategist gripped Li Guanyi's arm and said: "My Lord, the grand plan is achievable!"

"Hahahaha, my plan is achieved!"

The usually composed strategist revealed his true nature, bursting into loud laughter, then turned and strode away; Li Guanyi helplessly watched his chief strategist depart, then turned to the Furious Scaled Dragon King Kou Yulie, seeing him still half-kneeling, half-naked.

Kou Yulie was demonstrating his loyalty.

Suddenly, a rustling of fabric—something flashed before his eyes; the young general had taken off his battle robe and draped it over the old general's shoulders, then knelt on one knee like him, locking eyes with the Furious Scaled Dragon King, lifting his hands in offering:

"Mr., please rise."

For a man like the Furious Scaled Dragon King—who had rolled through court, battlefield, and Jianghu—the gesture said everything; the Jianghu Sect master, still appearing robust, roared with laughter, seized Li Guanyi's arm, and rose:

"Good!"

Li Guanyi could only think: no wonder he's an old Jianghu hand.

He turned again toward Lei Laomeng, who was watching like it was a show, and shouted: "Lei Laomeng!"

Lei Laomeng straightened instantly: "Boss?"

Li Guanyi said: "Today we host a welcoming feast for Old Master—cook some fine dishes! Bring out your hidden monkey wine again!" Then he turned, gripped Kou Yulie's arm, and extended his hand:

"Old Master, please!"

Kou Yulie said: "Please! Please!"

As he drank and ate meat, he spoke with Li Guanyi, hoping that after victory, the seventy-two fortresses' thirty thousand men and their families could be relocated into the eighteen Jiangnan prefectures, given some means to live, and not be exploited as fishermen had been before.

Li Guanyi said: "Naturally. Do you want land?"

Kou Yulie froze.

He saw the boy extend his hand and say: "I plan to distribute land. Fishing is fine too."

"Low-caste status?"

"That kind of thing should've been wiped out long ago—I intend to abolish it."

Kou Yulie, who had come seeking a livelihood and clean status for his thirty thousand men and their families, suddenly stiffened—he couldn't speak. The thing he'd been ready to die for was granted in a single sentence; he felt dazed.

Li Guanyi bit into a steamed bun, dipped it in meat juice, and said:

"Are kings and generals born of noble blood?"

"To judge a person's worth by their occupation is wrong."

Kou Yulie's head buzzed; his lips trembled: "What about brothels...?"

Created a thousand years ago by an ancient state's chancellor, purely for economy and military funding.

Li Guanyi replied:

"Under my rule, there will be no brothels or gambling dens."

Kou Yulie stared at the boy before him—saw him sitting cross-legged, relaxed, chewing meat, cheeks puffing as he chewed, then frowned: "A person is a person. Wherever brothels appear, human trafficking follows."

"Especially in this era."

"Yes, it's connected. I may not achieve perfection, but—people."

The boy's eyebrows lowered; he whispered:

"People are people. They should not be goods."

"Perhaps you think it ridiculous—but this is one reason I draw my sword."

The Chaos Qilin, young as a Gold Guard, shattered the Ghost Market and was imprisoned.

Li Guanyi added casually: "By the way, with thirty thousand people, how many children? Can they read? Do they train in martial arts?"

Kou Yulie replied blankly: "Children of the poor—reading is useless."

Li Guanyi said: "Learn to read, master arithmetic, and you can qualify as an official. You can take any number of professions. It'll take many scholars to teach these children."

In this era, low-caste status was low-caste status.

If the father was low-caste, the child was born low-caste. What was this man saying? Hahahaha—what was this young man saying, what was he saying? Kou Yulie gripped his chopsticks so tightly his knuckles whitened; he lowered his head, remembering when he first came to these waters.

Men roasted fish outside the boats; children ran back and forth on deck.

Daughters and wives sold themselves inside the boats...

He had seen this happen.

The son of a noble family came here to "play" fourteen years ago; the woman he played with became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. Fourteen years later, the noble returned, once again spending the night here, and summoned the thirteen-year-old girl.

The woman eventually went mad and took her own life.

Kou Yulie lived up to the "lie" in his name—he, then hiding his identity, picked up his fists, wrapped them in white cloth soaked in water, and pounded the noble's son to death with blow after blow; yet when he returned, the man also screamed and leapt into the river.

This heartache now pierced his old Dragon King's soul like a drill.

Kou Yulie, aged yet still a mighty hero, felt a sharp, agonizing pain in his chest at this moment.

He did not know whether the young man's promise was merely a hollow dream.

But, but now he suddenly felt like crying out loud.

There was, somehow, a dream—so ethereal, so weightless, yet beautiful—that even to die for such a dream, he would be willing.

Then the warrior entered, carrying a tray; Kou Yulie frowned, but Li Guanyi smiled and extended his hand, gesturing for Kou Yulie to take it himself. The old man paid no mind—he was a martial hero, accustomed to such gestures—and reached out to wipe wine from his beard.

He pulled casually.

A flash of cold light appeared—the tray held a full set of armor.

The two beside him each held a helmet.

And a gleaming, icy sword.

Li Guanyi said: "Old General, won't you try it on?"

Kou Yulie froze.

Though before coming here, he had already resolved to make his bet, he had not expected Li Guanyi to be so direct. After years in the Jianghu, even though he believed himself immersed in its freedom and vengeance, seeing three military Captains appear bearing armor still left him dazed.

His fingers lightly touched the armor; coldness traveled up his arm. He closed his eyes and could almost hear the roaring of his youth riding across battlefields—life and death. For years, every time he woke at midnight, he had to grip his blade to sink back into sleep.

The young general merely tapped his sword hilt with his fingers, producing a clear sound, and said:

"Drunk, I lift the lamp to gaze upon my sword; in dreams I return to camps where horns sound in unison. Eight hundred miles of meat are shared among the troops; fifty strings play the sounds of the northern frontier. In autumn, the battlefield calls for troops."

"Horses gallop like Fire Qilin; bows snap like thunder. I fulfill the sovereign's quest for the realm, and win fame before and after death. Alas—white hair has come!"

The young man's voice rang clear; he clearly understood music—even with his fingers tapping, his emotion was genuine. Kou Yulie, a notorious bandit, whispered softly: "Drunk, I lift the lamp to gaze upon my sword; in dreams I return to camps where horns sound in unison…"

"Alas—white hair has come!"

These two lines were like a sword cut from his own youth.

Even Kou Yulie could not help but feel his nose sting; he looked up and sighed long and deep. The world was hard—he seized the armor.

Li Guanyi said: "Left and right!"

"Armor the General!"

"Yes!"

The old man with tangled hair extended his arms, donned a cloth undergarment, then the inner armor, then the heavy plate—layer by layer. His hair was tied back again; a long blade was placed before him.

Kou Yulie caressed the weapon, lifted it, and stared at the young man before him.

The young general stood in the shadow, smiling as he extended his hand: "Then, General Kou, welcome. If you will, I hope we are comrades chasing the same dream."

Thus, the Fire Qilin shared its grand dream with its followers.

Kou Yulie took half a step forward, bowed his head, and knelt lightly upon the ground, whispering:

"I pay my respects… General."

The seventy-two-linked stockade boats had originally been headed for Dongdu City, but Yuan Zhi vetoed it; this young strategist chose a steadier yet more aggressive plan—

Namely, at Chen's original ferry crossing, he openly purchased many old boats.

Fifty to sixty vessels, all extremely dilapidated.

Chen's elite scouts observed this and reported to Chen's current Southern Commander. After continuous reconnaissance, they discovered that the Fire Qilin Army was even selling its warhorses to prepare these boats—and reached a direct conclusion.

"Li Guanyi's Fire Qilin Army excels at traversing mountains and rivers; its core troops come from the Yuwen family's northern army. Hmph—they suddenly appear here, and though they've taken advantage of the chaos to seize many ferry points…"

"Their foundation is still too thin. They lack a navy. They lack ships."

Another day passed. Yuan Zhi ordered Yuwen Tianxian to gather all troops at the ferry points during their rotation, assembling outside Dongdu City—flags spread across the land, a chilling, massive display. When Chen's general first saw this, he instantly understood.

They assumed the fierce Fire Qilin Army was about to strike again, as before.

So they mustered their troops, readying for battle.

But the Fire Qilin Army merely rotated positions. Yuwen Tianxian uttered a flat "Dismissed."

After the scouts reported back, Chen's generals nearly turned red with rage.

Yuan Zhi then ordered Nangong Wumeng to lead the Yin-Yang Wheel Sect disciples who had joined the Fire Qilin Army to spread rumors: in Chen territory, say 【Li Guanyi has allied with Ying State—look, even the Great General Mingwang Zun is in his ranks】.

And in Ying territory, say 【Li Guanyi is still a Chen man—he plans to ally with Chen and drive Ying out of the Jiangnan region】.

Afterward, every time the Fire Qilin Army rotated positions, it made a grand show. Chen's soldiers gradually grew accustomed to it. Yuan Zhi then ordered Lei Laomeng to lead the Beast Army and casually hunt near the opposite city. At first, Chen was extremely alert; slowly, they grew lax.

Though they still appeared vigilant, it was merely performative.

Sometimes, during midnight hunts, the enemy on the other side wouldn't even bother rising.

After more than a month, Yuan Zhi informed Li Guanyi: the time had come.

The young strategist smiled: "With a large army and a river system, victory is ours—how could we lose? And what cost could possibly matter?" The supreme strategic mind of his generation finally bared his fangs.

On this day, Yao Guang observed the stars, studied the celestial patterns, and divined a night of pitch darkness, high wind, and no light.

Outside Dongdu City, flags still spread wide and sounds thundered—but Chen's troops in Chunyang City had grown accustomed to it. Even elite soldiers, after a month of daily drills like this, could not maintain nightly vigilance. No one knew.

A fleet passed through Dongdu City.

Down the river, it arrived at Chunyang City before sunrise.

Only then, after being harassed for over a month by the wearying tactic, did Chen's city defenders raise their heads—and through dim firelight, saw the terrifying naval force upon the water. The scaled Dragon King, clad in armor, soared into the sky.

The army's momentum coalesced into a formation; the Dragon King's serpent spirit surged into the heavens.

A Master-level commander personally led the charge.

The massive Mo-Jia siege crossbow mounted on the 【Azure Dragon Flagship】 shattered the city's defenses. Generals Ling Pingyang, Fan Qing, and Yuwen Hua charged from three sides, exploiting surprise against unprepared foes. At sunrise, the crimson battle flag was planted atop Chunyang City's walls.

The Fire Qilin Army, beyond a ferry-town, seized a major city.

Generals Ling Pingyang led cavalry in pursuit and encirclement; Chen's forces broke through the encirclement but were forced to retreat.

Chen's territorial control shrank; in southern Jiangnan, only 【Qushui City】 and surrounding key towns remained. Chen Dingye flew into a rage, issued an imperial edict, and raced through the night, ordering the three generals to capture Li Guanyi without fail.

The imperial decree from Ying State also arrived.

Ying State's famed generals instantly assessed the situation: they kept a portion to defend their cities, while the main force marched directly into Jiangnan's land territory, abandoning waterways to fight a decisive land battle and avoid being attacked by the enemy's terrifying navy.

Though powerful, Ying State was not skilled in naval warfare.

Thus, the Fire Qilin Army's strength stood as follows:

Land infantry and logistics: eighteen thousand five hundred men.

Navy: thirty thousand.

Warship corps: one.

They gathered their forces, numbering six hundred thousand, their might unmatched in the southern realm; both Chen's famed generals and Ying's famed generals simultaneously chose similar strategies—or rather, were forced into them: abandoning waterways and stepping onto land.

They all abandoned their cities, for as famed generals, they recognized a deadly truth: with the enemy firmly controlling the waterways and possessing the world's premier warship corps, remaining in cities within the water zone meant waiting passively for death.

Two spearheads advanced—one from the north, one from the south.

It seemed a tacit understanding among famed generals, subtly converging into a pincer formation, now called a hundred-thousand-strong army, aiming to swallow the Fire Qilin Army, whose land infantry numbered only twenty thousand. All who knew of this shift watched as if it were a farce.

This was the counterattack of two great states.

Only Lu Youxian flew into a rage and submitted a midnight memorial demanding immediate withdrawal from city defenses: "The enemy is merely probing us—this must have a specific purpose: to lure us into abandoning our defenses and disrupting us. This is a grave military blunder!"

This premier city-defense general, now, because of the matter of Yicheng, had been dismissed and sent home.

This proposal ultimately received insufficient attention.

Chen and Ying's spearheads surged directly into the land territory; the navy's role was rendered useless—or rather, this was precisely Yuan Zhi's plan. But at this moment, the humble-born strategist hesitated slightly.

He fell silent for a long while, then asked Li Guanyi: "My lord, if we retreat now, we can still hold the cities and endure for a time. But if I follow my plan… I am merely a scholar. I have never implemented such a strategy before…"

"If we fail…"

Li Guanyi answered without hesitation: "It's no different from the beginning!"

"Trust the man you appoint; doubt the man you trust. Mr. Yuan, issue your plan!"

Yuan Zhi gritted his teeth, looked at Li Guanyi—the young famed general—and the equally young strategist. The fire of youth burned through this world; they nearly adopted an absurd strategy, sending generals to challenge both Ying and Chen's spearheads.

Yuan Zhi rose, holding the Strategist's Seal, and declared loudly:

"This time, Chen and Ying's famed generals subtly coordinate to encircle us. Total annihilation is impossible—our goal is decisive victory!"

"They are great states; we hold this critical pass—they will inevitably strike back. Only by meeting their counterattack with even greater resolve and directness can we crush it utterly and achieve our first strategic goal: seizing all eighteen prefectures of Jiangnan, and remotely controlling the remaining seventeen."

"Extend our influence over a thousand li."

"The enemy underestimates us—this is our first opportunity for victory."

"My generals, fierce and valiant—this is our second opportunity for victory."

"Behind us lie our cities; the waterways can transport troops. We already stand on ground where defeat is impossible. From this unbreakable position, we seek victory—this is our third opportunity for victory."

"General Ling Pingyang, lead a elite detachment to Ying State and issue a challenge."

Ling Pingyang said: "I shall not fail your trust, sir."

Yuan Zhi said: "In this battle, you are permitted to lose—but not to win. Lure the enemy forward into our camp."

Ling Pingyang hesitated, then bowed and accepted, leading his troops away. Yuan Zhi then said: "General Kou Yuelie."

The Furious Scale Dragon King stepped forward half a pace: "Present!"

Yuan Zhi said: "You were originally in command of the navy, but only a commander of your realm can succeed in this deception against Chen's spearhead. Just as General Ling Pingyang, lead your troops here!"

Kou Yuelie glanced at Li Guanyi, then said: "Yes!"

He too led his troops out. Yuan Zhi fell silent for a long while. Li Guanyi, clad in armor, sat atop the Fire Qilin at the main camp. This time, not only land infantry but elite naval troops also joined the defense.

Yuan Zhi's plan was dangerous—and ruthless.

【Borrowing Troops】!

The rumors had already been spread: Chen believed Li Guanyi allied with Ying; Ying suspected Li Guanyi conspired with Chen. They did not fully believe—but at a critical moment, even a single seed of doubt was enough to succeed.

Yuan Zhi's plan, in essence, was to make Chen and Ying's spearheads slaughter each other, while the Fire Qilin Army focused on defense and self-preservation. The young strategist, fresh from obscurity, bold and audacious, spoke as if he meant to overshadow the world.

Yet this plan received Li Guanyi's support.

The main camp had transformed entirely; during this time, Yuan Zhi trained the troops.

The only requirement: they must understand the banners' commands.

The main camp consisted entirely of combat troops: twelve thousand five hundred men—this was the Fire Qilin Army's entire strength. They would fight to the death. But if Yuan Zhi's plan succeeded, their losses would be drastically reduced, and they would terrify the four directions, fully swallowing Jiangnan.

The sound of hooves faded. Within the main camp, even breathing seemed loud.

Ling Pingyang and the Furious Scale Dragon King both perfectly executed the feigned retreat to lure the enemy.

Only their elite heavy cavalry and the Furious Scale Dragon King's men could trust their commander to execute a feigned retreat without it turning into a real rout—turning deception into collapse. In history, feigned retreats were among the most difficult battlefield maneuvers to execute.

Scouts returned: "Report!"

"General Ling Pingyang's unit is within ten li! The enemy has deployed over ten thousand troops."

"Report!"

"General Kou Yuelie's unit has drawn Chen's forces near! The enemy has deployed over ten thousand troops."

Yuan Zhi could almost hear it: Ling Pingyang's heavy cavalry, forming a wedge, charging headlong into Ying's battle lines—the thunder of hooves and steel. He closed his eyes, face pale. Ling Pingyang returned to the main camp. The Furious Scale Dragon King returned to the main camp.

Several thousand Ying iron cavalry, combined with infantry, entered the main camp.

Chen's forces drew near—

The voices of those assisting him, calculating and estimating, never ceased.

The sound of hooves, the clatter of sword hilts, breathing, roars—all merged, then mingled with the scent of blood, entering Yuan Zhi's nose. The young strategist opened his eyes. Before him, a great wind howled; crimson banners flapped wildly.

A golden eagle soared over the vast battlefield.

Yuan Zhi drew his sword; beneath his feet lay an impossibly complex diagram of the Sixty-Four Hexagrams. The Fire Qilin Army was no longer in its original formation. The young strategist closed his eyes—everything dark—then suddenly rippled. The ripples swept across the immense expanse.

One army consists of twelve thousand five hundred men, organized into one thousand two hundred and fifty fire units of ten men each.

A tent sixteen feet long accommodates ten men; each man occupies one foot six inches of ground. Ten units form a surprise force, with three thousand seven hundred and fifty men as the surprise troops, the remaining eight thousand seven hundred and fifty divided into—

【Eight Arrays】!

Each array has one thousand ninety-three men, seven parts and five zhu, occupying seventeen hundred and fifty feet of ground.

The total area of the eight arrays is fourteen thousand feet, amounting to two thousand three hundred thirty-three steps with two feet remaining, totaling six li.

The remaining one hundred seventy-three steps and two feet, multiplied by the four sides of the encampment, yield one side with an area of one li plus two hundred twenty-three steps and two feet; within the encampment, the land acquired is—

【Fourteen qing, seventeen mu, plus one hundred ninety-seven steps, four feet, six cun, and six fen】!

A falcon soars over this ground; the stern aura of battle armor surges to the heavens, the formations intricate and complex—this land has clearly transformed into a battle array covering fourteen qing, with rows of heavily armored, heavily shielded soldiers swiftly maneuvering within, the vast martial energy of the military already rising.

Yuan Zhi stepped forward, his long sword pressed against the ground, his eyes still closed.

Yet he seemed to sense the entire vast battlefield!

The Heaven Array occupies Qian as the Heaven Gate; the Earth Array occupies Kun as the Earth Gate.

The Wind Array occupies Xun as the Wind Gate; the Cloud Array occupies Kan as the Cloud Gate.

The Flying Dragon occupies Zhen as the Flying Dragon Gate; the Tiger's Wing occupies Dui as the Tiger's Wing Gate.

The Bird Soaring occupies Li as the Phoenix Soaring Gate; the Snake Coiling occupies Gen as the Snake Coiling Gate.

Heaven, Earth, Wind, and Cloud are the Four Correct!

Dragon, Tiger, Bird, and Snake are the Four Surprise!

Outside the encampment, mobile troops secure the two ends; ahead lies the charge, behind the axle, and at each corner, outposts stand ready for emergencies.

The remaining three thousand seven hundred and fifty men form the Central Encampment, occupying six thousand feet of ground, totaling two li in area.

Right First General Fan Qing, follows Water, carries black banners, emblem: bear, white forehead, blue feet.

Right Second General Yuwen Hua, follows Fire, carries red banners, emblem: eagle, white forehead, yellow feet.

Right Third General Lei Laomeng, follows Wood, carries green banners, emblem: bear, white forehead, red feet.

Right Fourth General Changsun Wuchou, follows Metal, carries white banners, emblem: wolf, white forehead, black feet.

Left First General Yuwen Tianxian, follows Water, carries black banners, emblem: bear, white forehead, blue feet.

Left Second General Elder Murong, follows Fire, carries red banners, emblem: eagle, white forehead, yellow feet.

Left Third General Generals Ling Pingyang returns to formation, follows Wood, carries green banners, emblem: bear, white forehead, red feet.

Left Fourth General Nulin Long Wang returns to formation, follows Metal, carries white banners, emblem: wolf, white forehead, black feet.

This is the army destined to decide victory; Yuan Zhi, eyes closed, sensed the entire force—the thunder of hooves surged forward, yet he suddenly recalled his childhood home, his mother's gaze, and those shouts of reprimand, which dissolved into his youth, when he saw the scions of noble families ride past beneath ornate canopies.

His mother had proudly said.

"My child is no worse than they are."

"Isn't that right?"

Finally, it became his mother's reddened eyes, the warhorse's hooves shattering all memory.

The previously gentle strategist opened his eyes; beside him, the young commander held the Tiger Roaring Heaven Battle Spear, seated at the very center of the array, commanding this vast and magnificent formation.

My lord.

I will use this array to let you see fully one corner of this world.

His long sword pressed against the ground; the battle flags around him whipped violently. From the position where the Grand General of the Central Army took his stand, orders spread outward in layer upon layer, and the intricate and immense battle array began to rotate and shift rapidly—

Yuan Zhi's sword tip rested on the ground; he spoke, his once gentle voice now hoarse as smoke.

"Feng Hou's Surprise Tactics, Eight Gates Golden Lock."

"Open the Array!!!"

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