novelSusiti Chapter 20 Recruitment Order Issued, Four Parties Moved
Chapter 20 Recruitment Order Issued, Four Parties Moved
"Not for now," Jiang Ce said, waving his hand dismissively.
After all, his territory is not large, at most just Laiyang County. Even if he summons powerful generals, it won't be of much use.
It would be better to keep it and use it in a critical moment.
After summoning Chen Qing and seeing his implanted identity, Jiang Ce suddenly had a new idea.
His two years of training in Laizhou were not wasted; he got to know many generals. Although Laizhou had now been taken over by the Eastern Yi army, Jiang Ce did not believe that all his former friends had died on the battlefield.
Perhaps now is the time to bring them together.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ce immediately asked Tian Yan to ask Zhao Gao for some information.
"promise."
Tian Yan immediately accepted the order and left. In less than half an hour, he returned with a scroll of secret reports, the scroll still bearing the unique sealing wax mark of the Luowang.
Jiang Ce took the secret report, flicked off the sealing wax with his fingertips, and unfolded the yellowed hemp paper. Dozens of names were listed on it, with each name accompanied by a note about its current status.
Some joined powerful families, some hid in rural villages, and others led their remaining troops to join Chen Yun, surviving by plundering the grain and provisions of the Dongyi army.
"These men are all my brothers who fought alongside me on the battlefield back then."
Jiang Ce traced the names with his fingertips, a sharp glint in his eyes: "The Eastern Barbarians occupied my cities and killed my people. Their anger is probably even greater than mine."
Tian Yan lowered his head and replied, "If Your Highness wishes to gather your old troops, it is not difficult. The Luo Wang can send messages to secret agents in various places. However, most of the troops in Laizhou now belong to the Dongyi army. It will probably not be an easy task for them to reach Laiyang safely."
Jiang Ce gripped the secret report tightly, a cold smile curving his lips.
"With Chen Yun around, there's basically nothing to worry about. My only concern right now is whether these people still have the same passion they once had."
"Have Zhao Gao prepare the warrant, and I will personally draft another edict. Anyone who is willing to follow me, Jiang Ce, to recover Laizhou will share wealth and honor with me."
When Jiang Ce got to this point, he immediately began drafting the imperial edict!
"I am Jiang Ce."
In the past, we fought side by side on the battlefield, drank Laizhou wine together, and vowed to protect the peace of the people with our blood and flesh. Now, the iron hooves of the Eastern barbarians trample on our land, destroy our cities, and slaughter our compatriots. The elders of Laizhou are trapped in water and fire, and their cries of sorrow fill the fields.
Although I have been exiled by the emperor, I have never forgotten the oath we made. Now I have established a foothold in Laiyang, and my soldiers are ready to fight at any moment, waiting for you all to answer my call!
All those who have served under me, whether hiding in the marketplace, concealed in the mountains, or besieged in a dilapidated camp, may come and join me with this edict.
I hereby swear: all who follow me in recovering Laizhou will be rewarded according to their merits and share in the glory. If there are any who retreat and refuse to advance, who are willing to become the lackeys of the nobility or the Eastern Barbarians, do not blame me for turning my sword against them!
When the smoke of war rises, a true man should take up his three-foot sword, cut down the barbarians, and reclaim our land!
Jiang Ce of Laiyang Prince's Mansion
Today! "
After the edict was drafted, Jiang Ce picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and signed his name with the grace of a dragon, snake, or phoenix.
The ink was dripping, exuding an undeniable majesty.
Tian Yan watched from the side, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. After the ink dried, he carefully rolled up the edict and put it into a specially made brocade pouch.
The outer layer of this brocade pouch was coated with waterproof wax oil, and the inside was lined with soft satin, so that even if it was carried over mountains and valleys, the edict would remain intact.
"Your Highness, rest assured. The Luowang network has spies all over Laizhou. Within three days, this edict will be delivered to everyone on the list."
Tian Yan said softly, her tone full of certainty.
Jiang Ce nodded, looked out the window, his gaze seemingly piercing through the streets and alleys, landing in the direction of Laizhou.
He could imagine the flames that would ignite in the eyes of those dormant brothers when they saw the imperial edict.
Which of those men who fought alongside him didn't have passionate hearts, and which didn't yearn to one day lead their troops eastward and drive the Eastern barbarians out of their homeland?
"The Eastern Barbarians occupied my Laizhou, plundered my grain and fodder, and killed my Cangming people. It's time to settle this score properly."
Jiang Ce's voice was deep yet powerful, as if he were talking to himself, or as if he were making a declaration to the entire world of Laizhou.
Three days later.
Deep in the Kunwu Mountains, the campfire crackled.
A handsome and refined-looking general slammed the wine flask to the ground, his rough fingers gripping the rolled-up edict tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
He was none other than Chen Yun, the Tiger General of the Laizhou Army in the past. His father was the Great General Who Destroyed the Barbarians of the Cangming Dynasty. He was truly a tiger cub from a military family. On the day the Eastern Barbarians breached the city, he led his remaining troops out of the encirclement and has been lying low here ever since.
This period of dormancy lasted for two years!
In the two years that followed, he continuously recruited scattered troops and relied on the mountainous terrain to fight against the Dongyi army. In just two years, he built up an army of 20,000.
Moreover, just a year ago, he unexpectedly encountered the remnants of Divine Blade King Mu Yu's forces, who had also been forced to hide in the deep mountains and forests due to the fall of Laizhou.
Mu Yu is a true god-level general, and his leadership ability is also quite strong. Now that Chen Yun has finally encountered him, how could he possibly let him go?
Moreover, Chen Yun's deceased father and Mu Yu were longtime friends. With such a relationship, Chen Yun naturally persuaded Mu Yu to merge the two forces into one.
Only then did Chen Yun have more than 20,000 men.
"Qingzhi, when His Highness first arrived in Laiyang, you wanted to lead your troops to join him, but you chose to wait and see due to some concerns!"
"Now that His Highness has sent a personal letter expressing his ambitions, we should naturally follow him," a middle-aged man beside Chen Yun immediately said.
This person was only in his thirties, with bright and piercing eyes, and his blood and energy were incredibly vigorous.
This person was none other than Mu Yu, the Divine Blade King.
Speaking of which, Mu Yu's ability to reach the Divine General realm is also closely related to Jiang Ce's mother. If it weren't for Jiang Ce's mother saving him, he would have died from his injuries long ago. How could he have broken through the barriers and successfully entered the Divine General realm?
Although Mu Yu looks like he's only in his thirties, he's actually over fifty.
The reason for this is that he broke through to the Divine General level, which instantly boosted his internal energy and blood, resulting in a youthful appearance.
At that moment, around the campfire, more than twenty men gathered around upon hearing the noise, their weathered faces instantly radiating a fiery glow.
Some of them were former generals from Laizhou, while others were generals recruited and subdued by Chen Yun. Naturally, they had heard about Jiang Ce's deeds from their commanders.