Chapter 1 Everyone Chuckled

Hearing Ye Tao mention Zhuo Xianchen's three thousand imperial guards in this way, everyone present couldn't help but chuckle. Everyone knew how Zhuo Xianchen had "escorted" the governor to the Dongjiaji camp. They had all been speculating about who had ordered such an amusing act from such an honest person. But on the way to "escort" Ye Tao here, Zhuo Xianchen had held back from saying anything. After arriving here, under the teasing, probing, coercion, surprise attacks, and bribery from a large group of mischievous friends, and even when he was drunk, Zhuo Xianchen had not revealed a single detail. Among the Blood Kirin Army officers, there was even deeper speculation. Just who was the sacred figure who could make Zhuo Xianchen keep his mouth so tightly shut? Was it someone of high status, or did Zhuo Xianchen have unspeakable difficulties that he feared would cause trouble?

Of course, everyone's speculation did not help Zhuo Xianchen get rid of the title of "Tianwangzhai" chieftain. A dignified imperial guard had somehow acquired the reputation of a bandit. Furthermore, facing Ye Tao, he had the criminal acts of "roadside robbery" and "kidnapping," but he couldn't reveal who had ordered him to do it. Zhuo Xianchen had no choice but to be constantly teased with such titles.

Ye Tao's suggestion was very attractive to everyone. The Blood Kirin Army was stationed outside Yunzhou for political reasons, while entering Yunzhou was both a political and military consideration. The Blood Kirin Army entering Yunzhou to be stationed in full force would not only be conducive to deployment and maneuver in subsequent battles, but the display of military resolve was very likely to remove the threat from the Northern Liao through diplomatic efforts. Although some defensive forces would inevitably have to be deployed along the Northern Liao line during the entire campaign, the main force could be freed up to deal with the threats from the northern tribes and the Western Ling.

"How about this? Write these opinions, along with your negotiation strategies for the Northern Liao, into a memorial. It may... have to be sent back to Danyang by express courier for His Majesty's reply... You don't object to this old man co-signing this memorial with you, do you?" Xu Jingtian said after thinking for a while.

"Not at all. General Xu has more persuasive power when it comes to matters in Yunzhou. I'm just talking nonsense," Ye Tao said modestly. He didn't care whether he signed the memorial alone or co-signed it with Xu Jingtian. Xu Jingtian's co-signature was obviously an affirmation of the feasibility of his proposed plan, and it also increased the weight of the memorial in court discussions and the possibility of it being approved. As for the credit or responsibility that would be shared after the co-signature, Ye Tao didn't care at all.

Qiu Haohui estimated the time required for military intelligence to travel back and forth and said, "Then how about this? Lord Ye suggested moving the forward camp to Gaozi Mountain, and this humble subordinate thinks it's a good idea. The Blood Kirin Army can't enter Yunzhou in full force right now, but we might as well send a portion of the logistics battalion to Gaozi Mountain to build the camp first. These leather tents may look a bit scary, but they actually don't take much time to set up... Also, should the Blood Kirin Army prepare so that we can set off immediately once the order arrives?"

Ye Tao and Xu Jingtian looked at each other. Xu Jingtian said, "Alright. General Qiu, get to work on this."

Suddenly, Dai Shikui said, "Since... the Blood Kirin Army intends to set up camp on Gaozi Mountain, how about changing the name of Gaozi Mountain as well? After the camp is built, regardless of whether or not a considerable number of troops are stationed there in the future, Gaozi Mountain will inevitably become a military stronghold and a large market in the spring and summer. Calling it Gaozi Mountain... is a bit too casual."

Ye Tao, who had always felt that the design style of the Dongjiaji camp was very talented but hadn't had time to ask who designed and oversaw its construction, felt a sense of inspiration and blurted out, "Let's call it Thunder Bluff..." As soon as he said it, Ye Tao himself was stunned. Was he really going to build all the major cities of World of Warcraft again? Where would he find suitable places to build Darnassus and Orgrimmar?

Before Ye Tao could regret and withdraw his suggestion, Dai Shikui had already expressed his opinion: "Thunder Bluff?... What a great name..." Everyone else present also agreed with the name, and Ye Tao was really a bit dumbfounded.

Feng Zi, who had only brought his ears to participate in the military conference, had the document written and ready for Ye Tao and Xu Jingtian to review in less than half an hour. Not only did it completely reproduce the core content of the military conference just now, but it also enriched it in detail. While stamping the memorial with a large seal, Xu Jingtian couldn't help but wonder where Ye Tao, who didn't care about power and influence, had found such a treasure of a talent.

Dongping's decision-making efficiency had always been very high. It took two days and four hours for the memorial to be sent back to Danyang, but the memorial that arrived in the morning had a reply by noon. And this reply was not an approval or rejection, but a rebuke... It rebuked Ye Tao and Xu Jingtian for making unnecessary moves when they had already been fully authorized, and reiterated their authority to oversee all affairs in Yunzhou. Unless Ye Tao and Xu Jingtian had major disagreements, as long as they both made a decision, it could be implemented. The imperial decree sent back by flying eagle also included two small notes, one from the Grand Canal Governor's Office and one from Tan Weixin.

Nothing had happened at the Grand Canal Governor's Office. Shi Xiu was currently acting as the governor, following the old rules and continuing to advance the Grand Canal excavation work. He also expressed great interest in the supporting construction plans for agriculture, forestry, and commercial tourism along the Grand Canal and hoped that Ye Tao could appoint reliable personnel to coordinate matters that Shi Xiu was not familiar with. And Lu Dan expressed in his message his great indignation that Ye Tao had suddenly left without taking him along.

Tan Weixin's letter was even simpler. She explained that Tan Xiaopei was dissatisfied with his unwillingness to contribute and his passive and lazy attitude, so she had taken this action. She had seriously "negotiated" with her father and obtained his guarantee that he would never act like this again. In addition, she also told Ye Tao to pay attention to his safety.

Since he had come, he would settle down. After entering a working state, Ye Tao did indeed begin to play a role. His role was indeed that he could look at problems with almost no prejudice. After the Blood Kirin Army set off and he listened to detailed introductions from Dai Yong, Qiu Haohui, Zeng Zining, Chi Lei, and others on the road, he had a better understanding of the various aspects of Yunzhou. He learned that Dai Yun and several reliable members of the Dai family, along with the Blood Kirin Army's hundred guards and some of the Dai family's clan soldiers, had gone north to promote a tribal alliance to unite the originally scattered tribal forces. Perhaps because the enemy they faced was too powerful, this tribal alliance might not be very smooth. At least, this was the case based on Dai Yun's visits to several tribes so far.

During discussions with Dai Shikui, Ye Tao gained a deeper understanding of the habits and concerns of the northern tribes. He also suddenly understood that the reason why the tribes gathered around Snow Wolf Lake during the summer were either because some tribes had to stand with the Yunzhou Dai family to resist the invasion of the northern tribes, or because they might become the beginning of the chaos in Yunzhou by some tribes who had concerns or had even already defected to the Korka faction... But around Snow Wolf Lake, the Dai family was unable to spare troops to guard against them in the current situation. Therefore, the Dai family wholeheartedly agreed with Ye Tao's suggestion to set up camp on Gaozi Mountain. As for the tribal alliance in Yunzhou, it must have a good outcome. Although some tribes would have concerns, as long as they could reach a consensus in the alliance, all tribes would definitely abide by the contents of the alliance and never say a second word.

And at this moment, Ye Tao, who had convened a small-scale military conference in the carriage, suddenly raised a very strange question: "What's wrong with the Blood Kirin Army taking the initiative?"

Ye Tao's idea was that they should at least achieve a significant victory first so that they could take the initiative at the tribal alliance and make negotiations with the Northern Liao easier with the presence of deterrence. Naturally, the first opponent to choose would be the Western Ling.

The Blood Kirin Army was not afraid of Jiang Xujing, who was much younger than Tong Bingwen, whom they had fought before. Perhaps because the cavalry of the Western Ling was not as strong as that of Yunzhou, Jiang Xujing, although the number one cavalry general of the Western Ling, had his best record only in leading 30,000 cavalry to raid Xie Mengtan and pacify the Zero tribe in the northern part of the Western Ling, completely stabilizing the northern border of the Western Ling. After Ye Tao raised that possibility, everyone began to imagine whether it was possible for the Blood Kirin Army to take the initiative and achieve key battle results in this battle.

"Emergency military situation!" A Dai family clan soldier brought a document. The cavalryman didn't even stop but directly handed the military intelligence document into the moving carriage, only slightly bowing to Dai Shikui, who was conducting a military conference in the carriage, as a sign of respect before leaving.

Dai Shikui opened the document, glanced at it, and said with a solemn expression, "The situation has changed a bit. The Gasa tribe has gone through the relationships of several tribal elders to participate in the alliance, and they have persuaded the elders to advance the alliance by half a month. The Gasa tribe has always been ambiguous with Yunzhou. Now it seems that they are very likely to side with the Korka tribe. Yun'er can't hold on much longer, but she can't withdraw now. I'm afraid someone is waiting to ambush her on the road from the alliance site to Ningyuan... Although she is now under the protection of the Bloodhoof tribe and has enough guards, Yun'er hopes that we can find a way to influence the outcome of the alliance... Otherwise, the situation in Yunzhou will definitely not be able to withstand the full-scale attack of the coalition forces gathered by Korka."

Ye Tao decisively pulled open the car window and shouted to Zhou Zhi, who was sitting next to the coachman: "Zhou Zhi, order the entire army to stop advancing and rest in place. Get everyone on the military conference list here."

Zhou Zhi responded loudly, and Wu Ping'an, who was in the carriage behind, immediately ordered several subordinates to help set up a temporary military tent.

The core of the meeting was simple: what to do?

"They don't have the confidence to fight against the Korka tribe, we give them confidence; they are afraid that there is not enough military force, we go to flaunt our force to prove our strength; they are worried that we can't cope with the pressure from all sides, then, negotiations with the Northern Liao and victory over the Western Ling must be achieved as soon as possible, before the tribal conference; what else are they worried about? Are they worried that the Dai family has a way out and no longer cares about their life and death? Good, we will prove that Dongping will continue to stand with them," Ye Tao said. He took a deep breath and said decisively.

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Another one... I guess many people are familiar with the place name.