Fang Er walked up the gangway to the Zhenyuan, standing at the ship's side and looking at the soldiers of the Fifth Battalion below.
This was their first time heading to the battlefield, their eyes filled with longing.
A longing to achieve merit and establish a career.
Chai Yue, with her two maids, stood behind Fang Er.
Chai Shao was surprised by the military formation of the Skyfire Army: "Boy, your soldiers are well-trained!"
Amateurs watch the fun, but professionals see the skill.
The neat and orderly formations of the Skyfire Army, though silent, exuded confidence and a wild spirit.
As a former military officer, he immediately recognized their exceptional quality.
Fang Er didn't answer his question, instead watching as the Fifth Battalion began their pre-departure speech.
Eight hundred years ago, the First Emperor sent Xu Fu to sea to find the elixir of immortality, accompanied by three thousand boys and girls.
Since then, the bloodline of the Old Qin people had spread across that island.
They were all descendants of the Qin Dynasty, and it was heard that their lives were not good at the moment!
The current Emperor, in his compassion, could not bear to see them living in dire straits.
Therefore, he specifically ordered this marquis to rescue the descendants of our Old Qin bloodline and bring them back under the Emperor's glory!
These words may not have much practical meaning for you.
So, listen carefully to what I have to say next!
Legend has it that there is countless gold and silver on that island! Bring it back! Five years of tax exemption!
After speaking, Fang Er stopped and looked at the Fifth Battalion below, as well as the civilians who had come to see them off.
Indeed, when he first mentioned the Qin bloodline, people still looked bewildered.
But as soon as the words "five years of tax exemption" were uttered, their passion ignited instantly.
Nothing was more practical than this!
Zhang Tian raised his arm and shouted: "Bring it back! Tax exemption!"
The soldiers of the Fifth Battalion echoed in unison: "Bring it back! Tax exemption!"
Tax exemption!
Tax exemption!
Tax exemption!
Even the accompanying civilians began to shout along.
Chai Shao stared at Fang Er, dumbfounded. Why not just say they were going to rob them? Why mention that ridiculous Qin bloodline?
It's been 800 years, that bloodline must have been assimilated by the savages on the island by now, right?
Fang Er no longer wasted words and waved his hand: "Board the ships!"
Yes!
Zhang Tian received the order and, under Fang Er's command, began to direct the Fifth Battalion to board the ships according to the prior arrangements.
The three large ships, Zhenyuan, Dingyuan, and Zhiyuan, easily accommodated over a thousand people.
After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, everyone was on board.
As the Zhenyuan led the way, sounding its steam whistle, the three large ships slowly began to move.
May the Marquis of Liaodong achieve victory!
May the Marquis of Liaodong achieve victory!
May the Marquis of Liaodong achieve victory!
The civilians on the shore shouted again.
As the ships sailed further and further away, Fang Er took Chai Yue and Xiao Qing to the lodgings that had been prepared in advance.
The top floor, where Li Shimin and others had visited before, had five rooms, which Fang Er had specially reserved for himself.
Just enough for five people, one room each.
After settling in, Chai Yue and the other two began to explore the Zhenyuan with curiosity.
Fang Er sat by the bed and asked for boiled water and flatbread.
He hadn't eaten enough at home, so he had to fill his stomach.
The green flatbread was soaked in water, and then a small piece of hot pot base was added, making it incredibly fragrant.
Chai Shao, seeing this, couldn't help but drool and shouted towards the stairs.
"Someone, make me a bowl of instant noodles!"
What followed was the monotonous and boring journey by ship.
After reaching the Yellow River from the Wei River, they sailed north along the Yongji Canal from Luoyang, which is the Grand Canal.
When the ships reached Zhuo Commandery, five days had passed.
Fang Er and Chai Shao were lying on the deck basking in the sun when Fang Er's peripheral vision caught sight of many laborers on the riverbank ahead.
He took out his telescope and looked closely. They were indeed building a cement road.
The workers were not ordinary laborers, but captives from the three kingdoms of Goguryeo.
And the supervisor leading them was none other than Cheng Chumo.
He was seen riding a warhorse, with a wine pot in his left hand and a whip in his right, followed by a squad of personal guards.
Seeing that the captives were working slowly, he rode over and whipped one of them.
Just after whipping someone, Cheng Chumo heard someone report that a large ship had entered the Yongji Canal. He looked towards the Zhenyuan in surprise.
Upon seeing the Skyfire Army flag flying high on the ship, he became excited.
He spurred his warhorse and charged towards them.
Fang Er saw Cheng Chumo's actions and called Zhang Tian over using the walkie-talkie.
He pointed in Cheng Chumo's direction and said,
"Lower a storm boat and go get that fellow."
Zhang Tian walked to the side of the ship, called a few craftsmen, and they worked together to lower the small boat hanging on the outside of the Zhenyuan.
Then, a rope was lowered.
Gurgle gurgle gurgle!
A sound of the diesel engine was heard, and the engine of the small boat started.
It then headed towards the shore.
Before long, Cheng Chumo, with Zhang Tian's assistance, arrived on the deck of the Zhenyuan. Upon seeing Fang Er, he lunged forward.
He hugged Fang Er tightly: "Hahaha, Big Brother, I've missed you so much!"