The evening arrived.
The grand ceremony of enfeoffment and appointment on Purple Cloud Mountain finally concluded, and everyone returned to their respective territories to resume their duties.
Lin Zhao, along with Shu Zhi, Lin Zhujie, and Yu Wan Ning, also returned to the villa on the mountain peak. Although he was now the commander of the human race, matters still had to be handled step by step. Thus, while Dong Zang and Liu Liying prepared dinner, Lin Zhao was already in his study drafting specific troop deployment strategies.
After dinner, he summoned Huang Tingyu and Shu Zhi.
Huang Tingyu then drew his sword, and they departed for Yanmen Pass.
Before long, a majestic fortress appeared in the afterglow of the setting sun. Yanmen Pass was one of the scattered passes on the northeastern coast of Lingbei, garrisoned by nearly 300,000 Dinghai troops. It had always been a formidable stronghold where the human race defended against the East Sea Dragon clan, guarding the eastern gateway for hundreds of years without a single loss.
Currently, the East Sea Dragon clan had been subdued by Lin Wanhua, their strength greatly depleted. They would certainly not make any moves in the short term and would likely remain inactive during the 'Fall of the Divine Mountain' event, as the price to pay would be even greater.
"Commander Lin!"
Inside Yanmen Pass, the old marshal Bei Minghai bowed respectfully.
"Marshal Bei Minghai."
Lin Zhao, accompanied by Huang Tingyu and Shu Zhi, entered Bei Minghai's command hall. Under the escort of the assembled generals, he took the commander's seat, while Bei Minghai stood respectfully, awaiting Lin Zhao's orders.
"Commander Lin, issue your orders!"
Bei Minghai clasped his fists and said with a deep voice, "We, the generals, are destined to die for our country. As long as it is Commander Lin's command, Bei Minghai will not flinch from death!"
"Old Marshal, there is no need for such extreme declarations."
Lin Zhao said, "The first military order in response to this great calamity is being issued to your Dinghai army. I hope the old marshal will handle it with utmost care."
"Yes!"
Bei Minghai, along with the generals, knelt on one knee.
Lin Zhao declared in a deep voice, "The order is for Bei Minghai to lead 250,000 elite Dinghai troops to prepare immediately, depart from Yanmen Pass, and proceed to Shanhaiguan to assist Marshal Han Yetang in defending the pass. All provisions and equipment are to be prepared independently. The speed must be swift; arrival at the designated defense zone is required within four days."
"Yes!"
Bei Minghai's voice was low, "This old general obeys the order!"
Saying this, the old marshal looked up and asked, "Commander Lin, upon arriving at Shanhaiguan, will this old general be in command with Han Yetang as subordinate, or will Han Yetang be in command with this old general as subordinate?"
Lin Zhao replied without hesitation, "Han Yetang will be in command, and you will be her subordinate. All actions must be coordinated with Han Yetang."
Lin Zhao then explained, "Old Marshal, it is not that Lin Zhao doubts your command and capabilities. It is because Shanhaiguan is too important. Once the demon and fiend races breach Fusang Great Wall, their forces will surely head straight for Shanhaiguan."
He paused and continued, "Although Han Yetang is young, her command talent is among the top of all marshals. Furthermore, Han Yetang is a woman, her thoughts are meticulous and delicate. Moreover, she is already the Marshal of Shanhaiguan and is more familiar with everything about Shanhaiguan than you are. Therefore, I ask the old marshal to condescend to temporarily serve as Han Yetang's deputy at Shanhaiguan."
At this point, Lin Zhao smiled slightly, "As the battle situation evolves, it is very likely that not only the old marshal, but even Marshals Chen Xi and Lin Ruo, will have to take orders from Han Yetang."
"Yes!"
Bei Minghai said solemnly, "This old general obeys the order, please rest assured, Commander Lin!"
"Alright."
Lin Zhao presented the old marshal with a golden token from the Great Shang Dynasty, and then, with Huang Tingyu and Shu Zhi, he departed.
...
Lanxi City.
The former capital of the Great Chen Dynasty, located in Yan Prefecture, the fiefdom of the Grand Executioner Li Chunyang.
When Lin Zhao, accompanied by Huang Tingyu and Shu Zhi, arrived at Lanxi City, Li Chunyang, leading the generals of the northern regions, came out to greet them. After escorting Lin Zhao into the marshal's mansion, he and all the generals knelt down in unison.
"Grand Executioner."
Lin Zhao looked at Li Chunyang, a renowned general of Western Shu. Time had taken its toll, and Li Chunyang appeared somewhat aged, no longer possessing the youthful vigor of the past. He frowned and said, "I have come to deliver a military order to you, which may be quite arduous. Could you dismiss everyone else? I wish to speak with you privately."
"Yes!"
Li Chunyang waved his hand, "Brothers, please withdraw from the council hall and wait for me for a moment."
"Yes, Grand Executioner!"
Everyone withdrew. Lin Zhao also waved his hand, and Huang Tingyu and Shu Zhi walked out, standing guard outside like two sentinels.
"Commander Lin..."
Li Chunyang knelt on one knee, his expression somewhat anxious.
"Li Chunyang."
Lin Zhao looked at this former subordinate and said, "Back then, in the command tent at Snow Region Tianchi, I didn't speak much with you, so I didn't understand you deeply. But I also know that later, in the strategic deployment of the Heavenly Furnace plan, you, Li Chunyang, led the Western Shu cavalry with bravery and skill, and commanded effectively, rendering great service to the Great Shang Dynasty. This is how you earned the title of Grand Executioner."
"Commander Lin..."
Li Chunyang gritted his teeth and said, "Please, Commander Lin, speak directly of Li Chunyang's faults."
"Hmph~~~"
Lin Zhao smiled faintly and said, "To be honest, after I returned through reincarnation, when I saw you, Li Chunyang, again, I was filled with disappointment. The Li Chunyang who cared only for the world and justice seemed to have died. The current Grand Executioner Li Chunyang has become a man steeped in petty political dealings, a man who can tolerate scoundrels like Yu Rang!"
"Marshal Li..."
Li Chunyang frowned, "This subordinate also has his own difficulties. It truly is... it's just that many things were done out of necessity. For the sake of the current situation, for the greater good of the empire, Li Chunyang has endured much. If not for Li Chunyang, Zhao Qiyang and Lin Yan would have already seized control of the three armies!"
"I know."
Lin Zhao slowly stepped forward and helped Li Chunyang up. His eyes were clear as he said, "Therefore, I, Lin Zhao, hope that the renowned general Li Chunyang of Western Shu from the past will reawaken and shoulder an incredibly heavy and arduous task."
"Please, Commander Lin, issue your order!"
Li Chunyang clasped his fists, his head bowed deeply. Tears welled up in his eyes, and drops of them fell. Who didn't wish for a life of integrity? As a warrior, did he, Li Chunyang, not aspire to become a renowned general comparable to Lin Baiyi?
He dreamed of it, but the world was chaotic, and the bureaucracy was corrupt. Even if he didn't want to, he had arrived at this point step by step.
"Li Chunyang."
Lin Zhao stood tall and said in a deep voice, "Your order is to mobilize all three armies of Yan Prefecture and lead your Lin Lu Legion north to Yangping Pass, to replace Lin Ruo's Rock Solid Legion and switch positions."
"Ah?!"
Li Chunyang was taken aback, "Switch positions with Lin Ruo?"
"Precisely."
Lin Zhao stated, "Once the Fusang Great Wall is breached, the demon and fiend races will have only two paths south: one is Shanhaiguan, and the other is Yangping Pass. However, Yangping Pass is located in a remote area, and it is difficult to mobilize troops from other prefectures. Only the forces in Yan Prefecture can be utilized."
Li Chunyang was somewhat stunned, "Then... then what about Lin Ruo?"
"Lin Ruo will replace you and garrison Lanxi City."
Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly, "Lanxi City is well-supplied with resources and is a strong city. If a scorched-earth policy is implemented, it will be even harder to breach than Yangping Pass. The Rock Solid Legion is the best defensive legion in the world. With Lin Ruo leading the Rock Solid Legion to defend Lanxi City, they will be sufficient to halt the advance of the demon and fiend races."
"Then what about me?"
Li Chunyang's eyes reddened, "Commander Lin, in your heart, am I, Li Chunyang, considered a second-rate soldier, destined to die at Yangping Pass?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao looked directly into Li Chunyang's eyes and said, "Li Chunyang, you must ask yourself if your current combat strength and prestige within the army truly match Lin Ruo's. I believe they do not. However, you are not a second-rate soldier. In my heart, you are still that renowned general of Western Shu. Yangping Pass might be lost, or it might not be. If you can hold Yangping Pass, then you, Li Chunyang, will be the foremost hero on the western front."
"Understood."
Li Chunyang knelt on one knee again, "Li Chunyang accepts the order and will certainly defend Yangping Pass to the death, until death do us part!"
"Li Chunyang..."
Lin Zhao frowned and handed a Great Shang gold token to Li Chunyang, saying, "Do not die, and you are not allowed to die. If Yangping Pass is indeed breached, then lead your remaining troops to retreat to Yan Prefecture. Whether you return to Lanxi City or go to Yun Prefecture to reinforce the Tianji City battlefield, that will depend on you. I am not an immortal and cannot foresee everything, so you will have to judge the battlefield situation yourself at that time."
"Commander Lin..."
Li Chunyang frowned, "What do you mean by that? At that time... will you no longer be commanding the human race's battlefield?"
Lin Zhao smiled, "The location where the Divine Mountain fell is in the vicinity of Panyun Mountain. Snow Region Tianchi is the most difficult initial battle. I do not know if I can survive until later. Therefore... I can only inform each of you commanders of the situation and its implications beforehand. As for any subsequent changes, you will have to deliberate on them yourselves."
In an instant, Li Chunyang's eyes turned red again.
"Alright."
Lin Zhao gently patted Li Chunyang's shoulder and said, "I hope to see the Li Chunyang from those years again, that renowned general of Western Shu who fought alongside me, Lin Zhao, for the human race. Farewell for now."
He walked directly towards the entrance of the marshal's mansion.
Li Chunyang stood up and looked at Lin Zhao's retreating back, just as he had looked at the young commander's back on Snow Region Tianchi years ago. At that moment, Li Chunyang's heart was filled with a myriad of emotions, and he had already made his decision.
He would defend Yangping Pass to the death. As long as Li Chunyang was here, Yangping Pass would stand. If Yangping Pass were breached, what remaining forces would there be?
If even Lin Zhao could die, what right would he, Li Chunyang, have to live?
...
Yangping Pass, a formidable fortress in the northwestern direction of the human world.
Inside the pass, in the conference hall.
The firewood in the brazier crackled and burned, warding off the chilling winds from outside.
"Switching positions with Li Chunyang?"
Lin Ruo frowned, "Is it truly decided?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao said, "You have many tasks to undertake. Leading the 150,000 Rock Solid troops to defend Lanxi City is the first. After that, you will be responsible for the scorched-earth policy within Yan Prefecture, relocating all civilians south, only garrisoning large cities, and stockpiling grain and supplies within these large cities. Once a city is breached, it is to be set ablaze, leaving not a single morsel of food for the demon and fiend races."
He glanced at Lin Ruo and continued, "Stockpile vast amounts of grain and supplies within Lanxi City and relocate all civilians. I want you and the 150,000 Rock Solid troops to be prepared to defend Lanxi City for six months."
Lin Ruo gritted his teeth, "Just defending Lanxi City?"
"Mm..."
Lin Zhao said meaningfully, "Lanxi City is the capital of the Great Chen Dynasty, the hometown of Lin Zhao, and the place where our Lin family first put down roots. Lin Ruo, you must hold it. You absolutely must hold it. If Lanxi City is not lost, then Yan Prefecture is not lost, and the northern three prefectures are not lost..."
"Yes!"
Lin Ruo took several steps back and knelt on one knee, "Lin Ruo will certainly not fail this mission!"