Chapter 440 – World Stage and the Returner
In July, Xu Huang marched from Beiping toward the north beyond the Great Wall, probing into the territory of Xianbei Tribes. Also, Tian Yu mobilized his 30,000 men from Xiangping eastward to the Goguryeo Kingdom, aka the ancient Korean country located on the north part of the Korean Peninsula, as ordered by Tong to finish the job that Gongsun Du had supposed to do in the other historical timeline.
Tong stressed that Tian Yu should use a pacifism policy with this neighbor while he established his military might against any possible hostile generals of Goguryeo. For the sake of gaining control of the Korean Peninsula, Tong summoned a naval specialist, whom Zhou Cang had captured to assist Tian Yu.
Gan Ning
At Ye Palace, Gan Ning was summoned to meet Tong and all officers in the throne room.
"Have you adjusted to our culture, Xingba?"
When Gan Ning had been taken to Henei by Zhou Cang, Tong asked Wei You, Zhang Liao, and Li Feihong to educate this general since they knew that Gan Ning would grow up to be another great general.
In history, Gan Ning Xingba was originally from Yi Province. He did not serve anyone at first and lived his life as a pirate, plundering, and murdering people with his gang.
He became a famous pirate leader as he was good in land warfare and naval warfare. The officials who had been sent to defeat Gan Ning was all perished by his military might and his martial art prowess.
Gan Ning's career changed as he started accepting bribes from the local officials. Those who treated him well were well-protected in Gan Ning's territory, while those who were hostile with him suffered a gruesome fate. The officials and nobles were no exception.
He ended up working for Liu Yan as a mercenary company in paper.
After Liu Yan died in 194, Gan Ning attempted to rebel against Liu Zhang, who was the successor of Liu Yan. However, he failed and retreated to Jing Province. He ended up serving Liu Biao afterward, quitting the pirate life for good.
As Gan Ning had met many politicians, he was also good at reading people. During that year, many warlords took arms to fight for the hegemony and expanding their territory. Gan Ning predicted that Liu Biao would not survive the turbulence as he was only a scholar, and the military personal of Liu Biao was not up to his standard.
Gan Ning left Liu Biao's service and moved east toward Wu, where he encountered Sun Ce, who had conquered Jiangdong.
The former pirate joined forces with Sun Ce and became a pillar of Sun Quan's forces afterward.
Gan Ning's achievements in history were abundant to the point that Sun Quan praised this general, "Cao Cao may have Zhang Liao, but I have Xingba!" as both of them were rivals in military might and tactics.
Li Feihong was aware of this and managed to coax the ruthless pirate to their side with a bit intimidating assistance from Zhang Liao, who was once his nemesis.
Now, the former pirate knelt before Tong, awaiting for his official post.
"Your soldiers are monsters, your majesty. How dafuq did you train them!?"
Gan Ning's manner was still unrefined, which caused many ministers to yell at Gan Ning in anger.
But Tong did not mind that, "I'm glad you like them. Well, I lack a general that can fight in naval warfare in Liaodong. Are you interested in leading my navy forces?"
Gan Ning laughed, "Of course! Well, as long as your soldiers aren't a wimp and follow my orders, I can beat anyone!"
"Okay? Then, I'll send you to Xiangping as a new navy commander of a new legion. You'll be working with general Tian Yu. Remember that he is actually stronger than you, so be nice to him, or your head will roll. Be warned that I've given him the authority to execute indiscipline subordinates."
Gan Ning wanted to mock that no one could be stronger than him in a fight, but he recalled what Zhou Cang did to himself. As cautious as he was, Gan Ning asked, "Between Zhou Cang and this Tian Yu, who is stronger?"
Tong pondered. Zhou Cang had one wing while Tian Yu had two. Obviously, Tian Yu's strength should be higher. However, Zhou Cang had a solid foundation in physical and mental strength, so he had the advantage over Tian Yu in raw power.
"Both are equally matched in terms of strength. Well, you will know when you spar with him."
Gan Ning had a wry smile on his face. He glanced at the soldiers and Tong's bodyguards in the throne room.
'All bodyguards here are so-so, but Zhang Liao, Li Feihong, and Zhou Cang are monsters! I guess he's a lucky emperor that has tamed good people, but I don't think he…'
The former pirate observed Tong, who had hidden his true aura of a six-winged demon.
Tong sensed that Gan Ning was probing his strength. Pranking this overconfident youth a bit, he unleashed his suppression aura on Gan Ning.
*RUMBLE*
Gan Ning's stomach churned while his sweat drops rolled upward instead of falling to earth. Goosebumps appeared on his skin, and his face paled.
Tong withdrew his aura before it broke Gan Ning's mind.
"Just for your information, among all of my generals, I'm the strongest here, and my prime consort is the second after me, followed by Lu Bu of Redhare Legion. Wanna test me?"
"N-No, your majesty!" Gan Ning gulped and kowtowed to Tong. He was scared for real.
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After Tong had sent Gan Ning off to Xiangping, he continued the meeting.
"Next agenda, I heard from senior Sima's agents that Cao Cao, Sun Ce, and Liu Bei are forming a coalition against me in secret. I need all forces to be ready for a country-wide scale war. What's our status on all fronts?"
Lu Zhi stepped forward.
"Henei's Monster Legion, 50,000 men, 70,000 warhorses, 30,000 fully geared, 20,000 basic geared. Training evaluation, above average. Provision supplies, 6 months."
"Jibei's Demon Legion, 50,000 men, 20,000 warhorses, 15,000 fully geared, 25,000 basic geared, and 10,000 lacks equipment. Training evaluation, subpar. Provision supplies, 3 months."
"Ganling's White Horse Legion, 50,000 men, 80,000 white horses, 20,000 fully geared, and 30,000 basic geared. Training evaluation, average. Provision supplies, 5 months.
Lu Zhi stepped back as he only had the intel of the three legions.
Tong chuckled, "Do our blacksmiths can't keep up with our production demand?"
"It's not that they can't keep up, your majesty. We don't have enough blacksmiths that understand about steelmaking. Most of them are still refusing to forge steel weaponry."
Tong sighed, "Send my decree. Tell all blacksmiths that a new commission from me is coming this year and next year. Switch all city's policies into war economy policy. Haste all productions for the future country wide war."
All officers looked confused and surprised that Tong used this mandate, and his reaction toward the fight was somewhat exaggerated. In past conflicts, Tong did not seem to panic or fluster. However, this time, Tong was cautious.
Xun Yu, Sima Fang, Lu Zhi, and Cai Yan did not understand why Tong declared a wartime policy, but Te Langpu had a suspicion.
'Are you going all-out, or are you planning something? Why are you obstinate in letting your men fight when you can destroy the entire country by yourself? Are you training them for a bigger war or something?'
Tong could read Te Langpu's expression. He explained, "Unification of our country isn't everything. Mr. President, did you know that an envoy from the Roman Empire visited the Wu Kingdom in the year 226?"
Te Langpu's face changed. He forgot about the threat from neighbor powerhouses.
Had they had a short lifespan like ordinary humans, they would not have to worry about this as it was something for the later generation to take care of. However, they were immortals, and the other countries should also possess a few immortals with many wings.
This changed everything!
'I forgot that there are still the Parthians and the Roman! Fudge!'
Xun Yu and others did not understand Tong's hint, but Te Langpu knew that they were far from ready to square against these two powerhouses in the west. Should one of them alter historical events and invade China, they might be in trouble, especially if they had 8-winged angels or demons.
Seeing that Te Langpu understood, Tong nodded, "We're training these legions with real combat. Through hardship and bloodshed, they will get stronger and be ready for the world stage."
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The year 193 passed peacefully on the surface, but all politicians knew that a decisive battle was coming.
Liu Biao, the only warlord that was excluded from this conflict, was observing the situation with a headache. It was not like he did not get involved in this civil war since Cao Cao had also invited him to join the coalition.
As Lu Bu and Zhang He's 100,000 men were protecting Jing Province's Capital, Xiangyang City, Liu Biao could not afford to offend Tong. Thus, he refused to join the coalition.
Instead, he formed an alliance with Tong through the connection with these legions.
Rewarding Liu Biao's loyalty, Tong secretly sent supply convoys to Yi Province and Jing Province by hiring merchants to transport goods, avoiding Cao Cao's eyes and ears.
With Tong's support, the economy in Yi and Jing Province improved. The people and Liu Biao's subordinates were also grateful for their help and were in favor of joining Tong's side.
Although Liu Biao was a pacifist, his subordinates were not.
In Jiangxia, Huang Zu stirred trouble.
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December 25th, 193 AD
Jiangxia City.
Huang Gai visited Huang Zu, the governor of Jiangxia, to request a departure permit again.
"Idiot Zu! Give us a departure permit already! We got stuck in your godforsaken city for half a year now, and we want to move to Xiangyang!"
Huang Zu shook his head, "That's no good. Lady Wu Guotai has not given birth yet. Are you going to risk miscarriage? Please think of your lady."
Huang Zu had been ordered by Zhou Yu, forbidding Wu Guotai and others from heading to Xiangyang. Thus, this governor-general used the excuse of Wu Guotai being pregnant to stop their caravan from heading further west.
Huang Gai and others were helpless about this since they also worried about their lady's health. The physician said that she should have delivered her child last month, but it was already a new month. The baby could come out any day, and they were not ready to travel with a newborn baby or a pregnant woman.
"Okay. When can we move then?"
"Let's ensure your lady and the baby's health first. Then, we'll have to wait for the child to grow up a bit to ensure his or her education and upbringing."
"Are you telling me that we'll have to wait here for years!?"
"No, no. I didn't say that!"
Huang Gai felt like killing this junior who had the same surname.
Before he could put his imagination to reality, Han Dang rushed to both of them.
"The lady's water broke!"
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December 25th, 193 AD, a new baby was born.
Sun Shangxiang, aka Hua Shi in the previous life, returned to this world.
