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Sun Zhao's tone became more conversational, and in just a few words, he laid out the division of power and future directions with clarity.
At this moment, Sun Zhao was still standing with his wine glass in hand, waiting for Lu Chen's response. He held Lu Chen in high regard and was very skilled at winning people's hearts; Lu Chen understood his intentions very well.
Behind him stood the Strategist, who had been continuously observing Lu Chen, noting his expressions. Lu Chen was aware of this as well.
"Alright, if Brother Meng Zizhao does not mind my humble origins and still values me, then I will agree to help Brother Zi Zhao achieve his goals. In the future, we will share glory and suffer losses together."
Lu Chen quickly thought it over and then agreed to Sun Zizhao's request. If he didn't respond quickly to such matters, he feared that this opportunity to earn Merit Points would slip away and he might be stifled here.
This thought flashed through Lu Chen's mind but did not show on his face. He believed that Sun Zizhao was not the type to be extreme in character, preferring to be shattered than to remain whole.
"Good! With Brother Lu Chen's assistance, our chances of success will increase. Come, let us toast to our brotherhood; we will share glory and suffer losses together."
"Sure, let's toast to our brotherhood."
Sun Zizhao's tone unexpectedly carried more passion, becoming fervent and bold. Even Lu Chen was infected by this enthusiasm and immediately raised his glass with Sun Zizhao, drinking it all in one go.
This brotherhood was not about forming bonds like those in the martial world; rather, it signified that the Descendant Sun Zizhao and Lu Chen were beginning to establish a connection, meaning they would be on the same boat from now on.
After finishing their drinks, Sun Zizhao whispered to the Strategist behind him, "Go fetch the item."
Upon hearing this, the Strategist nodded and promptly left the Side Hall.
Everyone sat back around the table as Sun Zizhao said, "Brother Lu Chen, since this is our first meeting, I don't have much to offer you. However, there is one item that you might find useful."
"Oh? What is it?" Lu Chen immediately became interested upon hearing Sun Zizhao's words.
The Strategist was gone for a while but soon returned through the door, carrying a sword sheathed in Wolf Pelt.
Sun Zizhao took the sword from the Strategist and presented it to Lu Chen, saying, "This sword is called the Demon-Slaying Sword. It was offered to the court as a tribute by a sect during the previous dynasty. It is an extraordinary sword that can slay even demons and monsters with a single strike."
"Slaying even demons and monsters with a single strike? That’s comparable to Prince Fu's Deep Dragon Sword, which can kill Yin Spirits," Lu Chen thought to himself as he gently drew the sword from its sheath. Instantly, a cold light flashed, causing him to blink.
The chilling radiance emanating from the blade was unlike any ordinary weapon. He could faintly sense that this sword indeed posed a threat to Yin Spirits; merely looking at it made him feel uncomfortable.
The value of such a sword was immeasurable. Some ordinary Qi Masters spent their entire lives hoping to possess a suitable weapon. Even within large sects like the Five Element Sect, there were very few renowned magical weapons.
Lu Chen had read in recent books that the era of Divine Weapons began around three thousand years ago.
The prosperity of that time was comparable to today's Qigong era, where almost everyone practiced weapon forging. However, for some unknown reason, the Refining Era suddenly declined, and after thousands of years, the recipes for creating Divine Weapons had long been lost, with very few finished products remaining.
In Lu Chen's view, the decline of the Refining Era might be due to the principle that all things must decline. When something reaches a certain level, it attracts jealousy from the Dao and is subsequently altered by it. For instance, today’s Qigong might one day be replaced by practices related to Yin Spirits; everything must decline according to the Dao, and no one can escape it.
Indeed, royal products are extraordinary; even a starving camel is bigger than a horse. Lu Chen inserted the sword into its Wolf Pelt sheath and silently praised it.
Sun Zizhao's family was formerly part of the royal court, so it was normal for them to collect such items.
Sun Zizhao then said, "This sword not only serves as protection but also has other uses. Currently, various factions are desperately accumulating power, especially entrenched vassal kings like the King of Qi and Korean King. However, as a descendant of the previous dynasty, how could I not be prepared? The largest anti-Zhou force in the East Sea region is the Red Robe Sect, which is affiliated with us. Over these years, they have been continuously infiltrating various places including the fourteen southeastern states, Qi Kingdom, Yushan Kingdom, and more; all have branches of the Red Robe Sect."
At this point, Sun Zizhao smiled and said, "The reason I mention this is that I hope Brother Lu Chen will show mercy if he encounters disciples of my Red Robe Sect in the future. They are all valiant heroes who have long contributed to our efforts to restore the Han Dynasty. Of course, Brother Lu Chen can also contact them for assistance if needed; this Demon-Slaying Sword serves as a token."
Upon hearing this, Lu Chen nodded. So this sword was also a means to contact the Red Robe Sect. It seemed that remnants of Han forces had been secretly developing their power in the East Sea region over these years and had gathered quite an elite group while waiting for an opportunity.
"Thank you very much for your generous gift, Brother Zi Zhao. I will accept this sword," Lu Chen replied decisively, indicating his determination to follow Sun Zizhao into action.
Lu Chen hung the Demon-Slaying Sword at his waist and said, "Brother Zi Zhao shows great respect by gifting me such a precious sword. Since I currently have nothing worthy to return your kindness with, why not take this opportunity to capture the flower thief together and let you witness a grand performance? Consider it borrowing flowers to offer Buddha."
"Alright! I will gladly accept Brother Lu Chen's grand gesture," Sun Zizhao and Prince Fu both laughed heartily.
Next, Lu Chen recounted what he had seen and heard during his visit to the seaside, and then borrowed a dozen boats and two hundred elite soldiers from Governor Wang Qiao.
At first, everyone was puzzled by Lu Chen's actions. In their view, capturing the flower thief only required strict control within the provincial city and deploying a large army; this matter did not need Lu Chen to speak up, as Governor Wang Qiao would naturally arrange everything properly.
However, when Lu Chen emerged, the boats were secretly arranged at a seaside more than twenty miles away. The two hundred elite soldiers also had specific requirements, including fifty archers, fifty Spearhands, and one hundred broadsword wielders.
After Lu Chen finished speaking, Governor Wang Qiao was taken aback and said, "There is no problem with the elite soldiers. Our Fishing Yang Province has a total of six thousand Garrison troops; there are two thousand in the provincial city, and the remaining four thousand are stationed in various counties. As long as I issue a document, they can all be summoned."
"Two thousand Garrison troops will be enough," Lu Chen replied confidently.
At this point, Wang Qiao appeared troubled and said, "The issue is with the boats. Our Fishing Yang Province does not have any boats equipped within its system. The fourteen southeastern states only have two Navies, both directly managed by the court. To requisition boats requires an imperial decree. The Navy commander stationed in the East Sea, Liang Guobing, is quite inflexible; it would take at least ten days for an imperial decree to arrive. The most direct and quickest method is to borrow them, but my official position is lowly, so I might not be able to borrow them. However, perhaps I can ask my teacher to give it a try."
Governor Wang Qiao's teacher was naturally Liu Fang, the Governor of Wu Prefecture.
At this moment, everyone turned their gaze toward Governor Liu Fang, who took a deep breath and looked uncomfortable. "Don't look at me; I have never gotten along with Liang Guobing. In the past, my troops clashed with his due to his poor management. Fortunately, Imperial Historian Zhang Yan intervened behind the scenes to settle the matter; now we keep our distance from each other."
Hearing this, everyone showed disappointment on their faces.
Lu Chen was also somewhat anxious; his plan required boats.
Suddenly, Governor Wang Qiao's eyes lit up as he said, "What about fishing boats?"
"Where?" Lu Chen asked.
Wang Qiao explained, "Our Fishing Yang Province does not have boats equipped within its system, but it is coastal and has many fishermen. I can requisition them in the name of the court; that should not be a problem. I just don't know if land routes will work."
Lu Chen considered for a moment; there really was no other option at present, so he could only make do.
"Alright then, fishing boats will do. I will trouble you with this matter, Governor Wang Qiao," Lu Chen said with a cupped fist gesture and then conveyed some additional requests to Wang Qiao.
Wang Qiao patted his chest and said, "I will arrange it immediately, I guarantee there will be no problems."
At this time, it was already quite late. The guests dispersed from the Side Hall and returned to their rooms.
The military mobilization began intensively within Fishing Yang Province.
At Lu Chen's request, Wang Qiao withdrew fifty skilled archers, fifty Spearhands, and one hundred Strong and Powerful melee fighters from the Garrison, secretly heading to the seaside.
Then, using an abandoned house in the city as a base, Lu Chen employed Yin Spirit to Disembodiment, observing the terrain from above and dividing the remaining more than one thousand Garrison troops into numerous teams, each assigned suitable ambush positions.
Next, Lu Chen sent Old Mu to find the honor guard and selected a courtesan of exceptional beauty from a brothel, hiring her with Silver Coins to create an atmosphere by making an appearance.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.
Finally, as darkness fell, the honor guard was dismissed, and various soldiers hurried to their pre-arranged ambush positions. Sun Zizhao and Prince Fu were arranged by Lu Chen to stand together on the street, appearing as if they were overseeing the situation. A small number of soldiers armed with spears patrolled the street, deliberately exposing vulnerabilities as a large net was being cast over Yuyang City.
By midnight, under the bright moonlight and with a gentle night breeze, all shops and taverns in Yuyang City had closed. The streets were empty except for the sound of armored soldiers patrolling, creating an exceptionally tranquil atmosphere.
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