The armies originally stationed here were from the Chinese region. They carried a large amount of supplies intended to support the esper abilities from the sea. Therefore, strong capabilities were necessary to guarantee their presence and survival on the edge of Siberia was not a simple matter. Only a majority of the troops could ensure that operations proceeded smoothly.
It was a pity that these armies were also quite dispersed and did not trust each other. Thus, they built ice cities along the coast according to their respective factions. These ice cities were constructed in the style of their former regions, and inside were tents of various sizes and numerous supplies.
These armies were originally assembled temporarily, and their coordination was inevitably in a state of disarray. It could be said that if Shen Feng had not put immense pressure on them, they would never have united.
Consequently, when they came under attack for the first time, these armies immediately faced a crisis. When confronted with the endless onslaught of crabs and lobsters from the sea, they had no good means of coping. Even though they possessed some firearms, they lacked weapons with wide-area destructive power, and could only fight defensively. Just as the front lines were about to collapse, three espers appeared, saving the situation.
When the three achieved victory, strong cheers erupted from the human castles, as many had witnessed the earth-shattering battle from the city walls. Battles between espers were mysterious and unpredictable, as ordinary people could not interfere and would even be harmed if they were near the battlefield.
It could be said that this battle made countless people present understand one fact: when gods fight, mortals suffer. Espers were absolute deities to ordinary people. If casualties occurred among them, these wars would be absolute disasters for ordinary people.
"They are all cheering for us. Should we go over and say a few words to them?" Yue Cangshan couldn't help but ask.
Du Fansheng replied, "Let them continue cheering. We still need to clear the battlefield. The evolution crystals within the bodies of these sea beasts are good things. If we don't get our hands on them quickly, someone else might snatch them away when they clean up the battlefield!"
Song Nanxi also said, "Let's extract the evolution crystals now. We still have a plan to carry out later. You've already told my master about the plan, right?"
Yue Cangshan quickly said to Du Fansheng beside him, "Big Brother, my senior brother is absolutely reliable. My master said before that he would turn the tide, and my senior brother is one of the candidates. If I hadn't arrived here in time, he would have stepped in to stop those people from acting recklessly. With my senior brother's help now, things will be much simpler!"
Song Nanxi said while dissecting a starfish, "After we arrive at these cities later, we will find an excuse for a celebration to gather all the major figures from these factions, and then prepare to act. If there are those who agree with our plan, they can stay and lead their soldiers away. If they disagree, we will kill them directly without mercy, regardless of whether they are good or bad people. Now, we only distinguish by stance, not by good or bad!"
Du Fansheng quickly nodded. Wasn't this so-called plan just the Hongmen Banquet described in history books? It was such a simple matter, of course he understood.
There were many famous banquets in history, and the most well-known was naturally the Hongmen Banquet. The scheming and plotting that occurred at the Hongmen Banquet were also vividly clear, but the most regrettable thing was that Xiang Yu failed to kill Liu Bang. If he had acted then, the history of the Chinese nation would likely have changed.
However, this matter was later learned by many people, and often people would ambush outside the banquet with fifty swordsmen, who only needed to signal by dropping a cup to be called in for slaughter.
Song Nanxi's current approach was similar. To control such a vast army, especially when these armies had no coordinated relationship, the simplest method was to control the generals within these armies. If they did not obey, they would be killed directly. If they obeyed, then everything would be fine.
When everyone arrived at the ice city in Yan Jing, it was the old man Chen Yide who came out to greet them.
After hearing about Du Fansheng's true identity, he said sarcastically, "Young Master Du, I believe you have traveled thousands of miles to this battlefield not to rescue us, but to continue fighting for your father. However, your father is now very cowardly, hiding in some cloud in the sky and not daring to show his face. Can you tell him to quickly participate in the competition? If you're any later, you might not have a chance to snatch the meteorites!"
Clearly, Chen Yide had already heard about the battle in the Arctic Ocean, which was why he spoke with such sarcasm.
Du Fansheng thought angrily in his heart, "You old scoundrel, you're clearly full of malice, yet you're still mocking me. Just wait for the Hongmen Banquet later, and you'll be the first one I kill!"
However, Du Fansheng could not afford to fall out with him now, so he said, "My father has great ambitions and foresight. I believe that every decision he makes will surely bring the greatest benefit to our side. Furthermore, he is now the leader of China. Are you questioning the leader's decision? If I didn't trust my father, a man in his prime, and instead trusted some old man on his last legs, that would be truly ridiculous!"
Chen Yide naturally understood the sarcastic tone in the other party's words, but he did not get angry. At his age, he would no longer fly into a rage over a few words from others. Instead, he said indifferently, "This is just a small place, and we won't be able to accommodate you. Please leave! Young Master Shen!"
It was clear that he knew Du Fansheng's status, but he deliberately called him Young Master Shen, precisely for the effect of sarcasm, to mock the fact that this young man was not Shen Feng's biological son and had no blood relation.
Yue Cangshan interjected, "This exciting battle has now ended. Let's quickly hold a celebration banquet, otherwise, the morale of the troops will be unstable. I also plan to entertain the commanders of the armies in these cities, as the meat from the sea beasts we killed has very strong evolutionary effects. Ordinary people will become espers on the spot after eating it, and even espers will evolve further. Such good things, we three cannot finish them all, so let's all enjoy them together!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yide had no way to object. After all, after a fierce battle, there had been casualties of varying degrees among the subordinates, and the morale was not stable. The simplest way to stabilize morale was to reward those below, and the most common method was to reward them with food and drink.
"In that case, Young Master Shen should leave after finishing the celebration banquet. Rest assured, we are not heartless and unrighteous people, and we will not make a move against you!" Chen Yide said, feigning magnanimity.
Du Fansheng sneered and said nothing.
Afterward, this celebration banquet was held simultaneously in several smaller military gathering points, as commanders in other areas were also rewarding their subordinates.
Song Nanxi took the opportunity to invite commanders from other areas to attend the banquet. Originally, these people would not have come; they still needed to stabilize their troops in their own camps. However, upon hearing that they could eat the meat of a seventh-tier mutated beast, they all became excited. This was because by consuming such good things, they might evolve again and become even stronger.
Thus, a large number of commanders were invited to one city, where a large amount of delicious food had been prepared.
However, as soon as everyone was seated, Song Nanxi announced, "Everyone, I have something to tell you. From now on, the people of Yan Jing and the Northeast are preparing to change their allegiance and defect to Shen Feng. If you agree now, we will all remain colleagues. If you disagree, you are enemies. Now, make your decision!"
As this news was announced publicly, there was an uproar among those present. Many people placed their hands on their lower backs, where they wore their pistols, ready to draw them and fire at any moment if the situation turned unfavorable.
Chen Yide then directly said, "What nonsense are you children spouting? I am the supreme commander of Yan Jing. The city lord and deputy city lord are not here, so I should have the final say. You..."
Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, the tip of a blade pierced through his chest. The officer behind him slowly stepped forward and said, "Senior Brother, I have been waiting for you for a long time, but you are only arriving now!"
Chen Yide looked at the blade tip in front of him with disbelief and said, "Are you planning to rebel now?"
Song Nanxi then said, "You old scoundrel, ever since you came to Yan Jing, you have spread many rumors. Not only did you sow discord between us and Yu Zhou, but you also placed my master under house arrest. For years, I have been enduring hardship. In normal times, I had no power and could only train my students. But don't forget that our students have long since taken up positions in the army!"
Chen Yide fell to the ground with difficulty. He was just an ordinary person. When he saw his lifeblood flowing out, he knew that his time was limited.
Song Nanxi continued, "Everyone, please don't mind. We are not rebelling, but rectifying the wrongs. If you understand this, please listen to me. Do not draw your pistols from behind you, otherwise, I guarantee I will roast you alive immediately. Next, I have many heartfelt words to share with you all. It would be impolite if you interrupt me!"
The commanders of the other armies also became hesitant, knowing the power of these espers, and thus dared not launch a preemptive attack, as they would likely be killed themselves.
Song Nanxi said earnestly, "Everyone, please think carefully. What will you gain by participating in this war without reason? Will your lives become better from now on? You will only receive insignificant rewards, such as gold, silver, or grain, but these will be consumed after a while. However, if you think carefully, if such a world does not end, it will surely pass on suffering to your descendants, and you yourselves may not have any descendants!"
At this moment, the commanders remained motionless, waiting for the situation to change. They hoped someone would resist these three espers, but others had the same idea, so no one dared to make a move. They all listened patiently.
Song Nanxi then said, "This world is full of killing and offers no hope. Even if it continues, you will all be miserable for eternity. It is better to end this doomsday early. But the choice is now in your hands. If you do not act, you will be wasting this opportunity. Mr. Shen's plan is to send the meteorites to the moon. Once the Earth's temperature rises, everyone can farm again, develop industry again, and rebuild their homes. Then everyone will have a bright future. But now, if you continue to follow the old plans, even if you manage to snatch the meteorites, you will eventually vaporize each other, and there will be no peace!"
Many people nodded in agreement after hearing this, feeling that what was said was correct.
However, some opposed. A dozen people simultaneously drew their pistols and said, "You three are complete traitors who have betrayed our cause, and now you want to deceive us with sweet talk! Do you want to listen to them and rise up in opposition!"
"Crack!" Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, and then these dozen people instantly fell to the ground, convulsing violently. However, their eyes had rolled back, and their faces were ashen, clearly having suffered a powerful electric shock and then died.
Du Fansheng then said unhurriedly, "There was no chance to act just now. Now the opportunity is before you. If you still don't know your place, then wait for death!"
Yue Cangshan did not adopt his elder brother's method of coercion but appealed to their reason and emotions. He said, "Everyone, please think carefully. Although the Chinese factions are dispersed, everyone has been nurtured by the same culture, so they should have the same ideas. Now, we should not engage in infighting, as this will play into the hands of others. Instead, we should unite. Shen Feng is also an elder uncle to me, and I know he has always taken the world as his responsibility. Moreover, he is the nominal leader of China. Isn't it only right for us to unite around him?"
"Everyone, think carefully. The choice is now before you. If you make a mistake, you will doom yourselves and your subordinates along with you. Moreover, in my opinion, many people desire a peaceful life. I estimate that as soon as I announce your orders, they will choose to return to their hometowns rather than continue fighting in an unfamiliar place!" Song Nanxi said.