Chapter 163 The Silence Before the Decisive Battle

In the palace of Xingluo Empire, a storm finally subsided.

Brothers quarreled within the walls, and defended against external insults. After Zhu Tianxiang, the head of the Zhu family, took the initiative to take the blame for disrupting the economic environment of Xingluo Empire, Emperor Dai Yucheng announced the punishment of the Zhu family.

Dai Yucheng sat on the dragon throne, his face cold and his eyes like knives.

Dai Yucheng looked at Zhu Tianxiang who was kneeling in front of him and said in an unquestionable tone.

"Zhu Tianxiang, since you have admitted your guilt, you must accept my verdict. I now announce that there are three punishments for your Zhu family."

"The first one"

"The Zhu family must use their family business as collateral to restore the market's trust in the collapse of the gold soul coin stored value card points caused by the Zhu family's influence."

"The prince is responsible for the capital reserve and market corresponding issues."

"The second one,"

"The Zhu family will provide gold coins to supply the materials and military pay of the Silla Empire army."

"The specific matters will be handled by the old general Li Yi."

"The third one"

"The Zhu family and the royal family Dai family jointly guarantee that all biological bracelet bonds on the market will be exchanged at the issue price after the war."

Zhu Tianxiang, who was kneeling on the stage, heard the emperor's verdict and raised his head in surprise.

Looking carefully at the friends and brothers who have gone through countless difficulties together.

This kind of punishment has a lot of room for maneuver for the Zhu family. Does the emperor intend to put state affairs first?

Zhu Tianxiang lowered his head and said hoarsely, "I obey your order."

The events that followed were carried out according to the emperor's plan.

The Zhu family's caravan was like a giant dragon, slowly passing through the towns of the Xingluo Empire, causing a sensation wherever it went.

The goods carried by the caravans were not ordinary gold, silver and jewelry, but physical currency that was extremely rare at this time.

These golden currencies were like a warm current, making the originally cold market lively.

Under the arrangement of the prince, the Zhu family's merchants had a wonderful transaction with the lords who were originally stubborn and unwilling to sell their supplies.

The caravans used the physical currency in their hands to exchange for a large amount of food, weapons, medicines and other military supplies.

These supplies were quickly transported to the assembly areas of several major legions, giving those struggling soldiers a glimmer of hope.

At the assembly area, countless warriors and soul masters came from all directions.

Some of them came to serve the country, and some came for honor and interests. In any case, this made the size of the Xingluo Empire's army expand rapidly.

The new recruits who arrived received the equipment provided by the legion, put on uniform armor, and carried sharp swords.

The new recruits formed various teams according to the legion's organization, including infantry, cavalry, archers, soul masters, etc.

They carried out strict training and exercises under the command of the commander, honing their cooperation and tacit understanding with each other.

The new recruits sat around the campfire at night, sharing their stories and dreams.

The next morning, the new recruits were ready to go and set off to the front line to prepare for the upcoming battle.

On the other side, after receiving the appointment from Dai Yucheng, veteran Li Yi immediately led a team of elite soldiers to Gengxin City.

This logistics hub located in the heart of the Xingluo Empire is an important base for them to resist the enemy.

Li Yi closed his eyes and meditated on the horse, constantly simulating the terrain and topography that he had already mastered in his mind.

Analyzing the possible hiding places of the "bandits" who were destroying the supply lines everywhere.

Li Yi knew that these "bandits" were not ordinary bandits.

These guys are good at hiding their whereabouts and using terrain to carry out raids and ambushes, which has caused huge losses to the army's logistics.

The front-line soldiers and logistics officials are miserable because of this. Li Yi must find the traces of those bandits as soon as possible and catch them all in one fell swoop, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous.

Li Yi was dusty all the way, but this did not affect the veteran at all. His eyes were still as sharp as a falcon, and he scanned the surrounding environment from time to time.

Gengxin City is a large city located on the plain, surrounded by towering walls and sturdy gates.

There are bustling streets and lively markets inside the city. There is a huge material warehouse and a huge military camp in the center of the city.

This is one of the most important logistics bases of the Xingluo Empire and a heartbeat for the front-line soldiers.

As long as this logistics node remains operational, any enemy who attempts to directly attack the Xingluo Empire's defense line will return in defeat.

Li Yi felt a tense atmosphere as soon as he entered Gengxin City.

The city is full of transportation of troops and materials. There are densely packed soldiers and arrow towers on the city walls.

There are strict inspections and registrations on the city gates.

There are various alerts and patrols inside the city.

Li Yi knew that this was because Gengxin City had entered a high alert mode due to the previous supply line harassment.

After all, if this place is lost, the Xingluo Empire will lose the initiative in the entire war.

Li Yi did not stay for long and took his elite soldiers directly to the military camp.

The military camp is located in the center of the city. The huge military camp makes this once bustling city more solemn.

There are tents like clouds and soldiers like rain in the military camp. The soldiers who are constantly patrolling and the well-organized military camp layout show the ability of the person who controls the camp.

Li Yi couldn't help but ponder. The general who is so strict in military discipline cannot be a mediocre person.

What kind of bandit can force him to this point? With doubts, Li Yi walked to the big tent in the center.

Li Yi walked to the big tent and was stopped by two guards. "Password and token!"

Li Yi was more curious about the generals here. He took out a golden token from his arms.

"I am General Li Yi sent by His Majesty Dai Yucheng to support Gengxin City. I want to see your commander."

The two guards carefully checked the token and quickly opened the door of the big tent after confirming that it was correct.

Li Yi nodded and walked into the big tent.

The inside of the big tent was very spacious and luxurious. The floor was covered with thick carpets, and the walls were hung with brocade embroidered with various patterns and texts.

There was a large table in the center, on which was placed a map of the surroundings of Gengxin City and various documents and letters.

Behind the table sat a middle-aged man, wearing armor and a red brocade robe, holding a feather pen and writing something.

This man was the commander of Gengxin City, Grand Duke Gengxin Dai Jinglie.

Dai Jinglie heard someone coming in and looked up.

When he saw Li Yi, his eyes lit up, he put down the pen in his hand and stood up.

He smiled and said, "It's General Li. I've heard a lot about you. Welcome to Gengxin City."

Dai Jinglie motioned Li Yi to sit down, and then asked the servant to pour a cup of tea for Li Yi. Dai Jinglie said, "General Li, please have some tea."

Li Yi took the teacup and took a sip. He said, "Duke, there's no need to say more polite words. I want to know what the current situation in Gengxin City is like."

Dai Jinglie sighed.

"General Li, I won't hide it from you. Gengxin City is in danger now. Since those bandits began to harass our supply lines, we have fallen into a passive situation."

Dai Jinglie pointed to the map on the table.

"Look, these red marks are our supply lines, and these black marks are the places attacked by the bandits.

The constant attacks of the "bandits" have almost cut off all our supply lines."

"Not only can we not deliver supplies and personnel to the front line in time, but we also have to be on guard against sudden attacks by the bandits at all times.

We have lost a lot of soldiers and carriages now. If this continues, we will be gradually weakened and consumed by the enemy."

Li Yi frowned, and he carefully observed the map and found that what Dai Jinglie said was not wrong.

Li Yi asked: "Who are those bandits? Why did they do this?"

Dai Jinglie shook his head, and a trace of confusion and anger flashed in his eyes.

"This is what I don't understand the most."

"Those bandits are not ordinary bandits or rebels. Their equipment and tactics are very advanced and sophisticated."

"This team has a precise grasp and judgment of our supply lines."

"They don't seem to be robbing property or rebelling, but more like disrupting our strategic deployment and plan."

Li Yi pondered for a while and said, "Could it be that these are spies or assassins sent by the enemy country?"

Dai Jinglie nodded.

"This is my initial suspicion."

"But the scouts I sent out didn't find any useful signs, and how could such a large number of spies pass through the defense line and reach the rear?"

"Those bandits are just constantly destroying and harassing. Those people seem to want to put us in trouble, not to directly eliminate us."

Veteran Li Yi looked at the map, and a strategy was generated in his mind.

Li Yi decided to use his numerical advantage to encircle and suppress those "bandits".

Li Yi knew that although those "bandits" were good at concealment and ambush, they were no match for the army in a head-on confrontation.

As long as the trace of that team can be found, they can be completely eliminated with iron, blood and fire.

Li Yi immediately summoned the generals of the four major defense corps.

The four major defense corps are the Bogard Corps in the northeast, the Wang Corps in the southeast, the Lou Corps in the southwest and the Warwick Corps in the northwest.

Each corps has about 20,000 people, including cavalry, infantry, archers and soul masters.

Li Yi laid out his plan for them in the big tent.

Let these generals lead their corps to guard the main traffic routes, forming a huge encirclement to prevent any "bandits" from escaping.

Li Yi also ordered to strengthen vigilance and reconnaissance and report to Gengxin City at any time.

And be ready to deal with possible attacks and breakthroughs launched by the enemy at any time.

With the support of Grand Duke Gengxin, Li Yi's plan was successfully unanimously agreed and supported by the generals of the four major defense corps.

Li Yi summoned his confidants in the military camp and assigned detailed tasks to these elites.

Li Yi needed these soldiers to lead a team and disperse in various directions around the city to find the traces of those "bandits".

Li Yi himself stayed in the barracks and commanded the entire battle.

Li Yi believed that as long as they could find the location of those "bandits", as long as they quickly mobilized troops and surrounded these cunning guys, they could be wiped out in one fell swoop.

Li Yi's reaction was not slow, but his judgment had long been seen through by Colin of the enemy's rear corps. At this time, Colin had already planned how to jump out of the encirclement and carry out the second phase of the mission.

A day later, Li Yi received an urgent intelligence in the big tent. He opened it and his face changed suddenly.

Li Yi handed the intelligence to Dai Jinglie who was standing aside, and Dai Jinglie quickly read the content.

The intelligence said that the camp of Marquis Wang Jialie, who was responsible for defending the southeast direction, was raided by a mysterious army.

Marquis Wang Jialie, who was defending the city, was seriously injured and unconscious, and the defense facilities in the city were destroyed.

The intelligence emphasized the presence of the Sharp Blade Squad in the battle.

"Old General, it seems that we have all guessed wrong. The appearance of the Sharp Blade Squad confirmed that the mysterious army was the infiltration force sent by the Tiandou Empire."

Dai Jinglie said,

"Although Marquis Wang Jialie was attacked, fortunately the loss was still controllable, and Marquis Wang Jialie was just in a coma."

"As for the infiltration force, there is no strategic target worth paying attention to in the Western Wasteland. We only need to strengthen the defense around Queqiu City."

Dai Jinglie's words did not comfort the frowning veteran. Li Yi sighed and said,

"I hope so, Your Highness the Duke. Based on my many years of experience, they spent so much money to infiltrate the heartland of the Xingluo Empire that they can't give up so easily and continue to cause us trouble."

"I plan to continue to strengthen the defense next, and I can't let the Marquis Wang Jialie's incident happen again."

Dai Jinglie looked at the veteran's heavy expression and felt a little worried.

Dai Jinglie knew that Li Yi was an experienced and cautious general, and his judgments were often correct.

Li Yi continued: "Your Highness, I have ordered the four major defense corps to reorganize and deploy and strengthen defense in all directions."

"I also sent more scouts and soul masters to search and patrol around the city and the western wilderness."

"I want to make sure that those infiltrating troops have not left any hidden dangers and backhands."

"So we also need to strengthen contact and support with the front line and Gengxin to ensure that we can mobilize troops and supplies in time to deal with any possible situation."

But all this is in vain, and the changes in the situation will soon exceed the imagination of Li Yi and Dai Jinglie.