In the dilapidated tavern, the two lost their desire to speak. They sat opposite each other, drinking wine and quietly gazing at the night outside the window.
"This is quite dull. Let's go home..."
After finishing a pot of old wine, Fan Zhengguo suddenly sighed, stood up unsteadily, and walked out the door without looking back.
"Uncle, the wind is strong here. Let my carriage take you back!"
"No need. The road ahead is long, and your path won't necessarily be much easier..."
With a double-edged remark, Fan Zhengguo burst into laughter and walked into the night.
Hearing his hearty laughter, the drowsy attendants outside the tavern hurried to catch up...
"Once in officialdom, one is no longer free..."
With a self-deprecating bitter smile, Han Mo also slowly stood up and walked into the long street against the biting cold wind...
The cold wind of Bianliang was bone-chilling, while the night in Nanyang was charming and captivating...
"Sir, everything is prepared. We are just waiting for your command!"
Outside Haifang City, on a large ship, Zhe Shijiu said respectfully to Shao Bowen.
"The bright moon at sea really has a unique charm..."
Shao Bowen did not answer his question. Instead, he raised his wine cup and looked at the moonlight outside the window with an expression of intoxication.
"Sir..."
After nearly a quarter of an hour, Zhe Shijiu quietly reminded him again.
"You fellows from military families, why are you all so impatient? Never mind, since everything is ready, let them begin..."
His mood interrupted by Zhe Shijiu for the second time, Shao Bowen lost the desire to admire the moon. He waved his hand with some irritation and said directly.
"Yes!"
With his command, Zhe Shijiu immediately clapped his hands forcefully. Then, a crisp sound came from outside.
A flare shot up into the sky, leaving a long trail before flying directly into the clouds...
"Kill—"
Accompanied by the beautiful flare ascending into the sky, the gate of Haifang City suddenly opened. Then, 1,500 soldiers in black armor, brandishing their long sabers, charged directly into Haifang City!
Although it was named Haifang City, it had not experienced any warfare for nearly a hundred years.
The cities in Nanyang were inherently incomparable to those in the Central Plains. The low city walls, a large portion of which were not even rammed earth, were merely a few logs with some broken wooden planks sandwiched between them.
As for the so-called city gates, they looked even more shabby. The vast Haifang City was defended by less than 500 soldiers.
When the soldiers in black armor killed their way into the city, most of them had just woken up from their sleep.
Compared to the refined equipment of the soldiers in black armor, the things worn by the soldiers of Haifang City could not even be called armor.
Short and stunted, they were all malnourished and sallow. Years of labor made them look more like farmers than soldiers.
Under such circumstances, the moment they came into contact, they were already routed.
This couldn't even be called a war; it was a one-sided massacre. Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, except for those who were clever and reacted quickly, having already dived into the darkness, the remaining people were reduced to corpses.
The soldiers in black armor did not seem to have any intention of lingering. After rushing into the city, they immediately split into several groups and headed straight for the main targets within the city.
Although dividing forces in the dead of night is a major taboo in warfare, under the suppression of absolute strength, the entire Haifang City fell completely in less than an hour...
When the last living soul in the City Lord's mansion fell in the bloody fire, Haifang City plunged into the deepest darkness.
Countless soldiers in black armor began to loot and set fires in the city. Their actions were very targeted. They disdained ordinary civilian homes. Holding maps, they, in groups of dozens, charged directly into the homes of the wealthy families in the city and began to loot frantically.
For a full two days and one night, when they retreated, more than half of Haifang City had turned into ruins.
"Sir, I never realized such a poor place could hold so much wealth!"
Fifty li east of Haifang City, on a large ship, Zhe Shijiu excitedly held a piece of jade the size of a human head and said to Shao Bowen with a look of intoxication.
"Alright, put it away. Look at your pathetic appearance. Why are your eyes so shallow? It's just some gold and silver, isn't it? Such things are nothing in Nanyang!"
After a long stretch, Shao Bowen glared at him unceremoniously.
Compared to the gold, silver, and jewels looted by these soldiers, he was more interested in the grain in the granaries.
Of course, no matter how interested he was, he understood that if these soldiers only sought grain during the looting, it would truly reveal their identities!
"That's enough. This is not a place to linger. Let the brothers retreat. Take a few people, and we should go ashore!"
Glancing one last time at the looted goods on the ship, Shao Bowen slowly said, facing the rising sun.
"Sir, if we do this, can that fellow become the City Lord?"
After conveying Shao Bowen's order, Zhe Shijiu asked curiously.
"If that still doesn't work, then we'll do it again!"
Sensing the slightly salty sea breeze, Shao Bowen said casually.
"And if that still doesn't work?"
"Then we'll stop at nothing!"
For someone who was so persistent in asking questions, even Shao Bowen lost some patience. He glared at him unceremoniously and then directly returned to the cabin.
The vast blue sky and the boundless sea, such beautiful scenery. This fellow insisted on asking such spoiler questions. If it weren't for the fact that the boy's martial arts were quite good, he really wanted to kick him into the sea right now.
"Sir, we meet again!"
As it was getting close to evening, Liu Siye, who had lost a lot of weight, finally met Shao Bowen again.
"Looking at Your Excellency's spirited appearance now, I presume you have achieved your wish?"
Seeing the joy on Liu Siye's face, Shao Bowen smiled.
"I am currently only a staff officer in Haifang City, not yet the acting City Lord..."
"Then where is the acting City Lord now?"
After a slight pause, Shao Bowen asked meaningfully.
"This acting City Lord is holding a banquet at the original City Lord's mansion tonight, inviting the local gentry to discuss important matters..."
"Then please, Staff Officer, have a good night's sleep tonight. I believe that tomorrow morning, you will be the new acting City Lord!"
"Then I'll take your word for it!"
"You're welcome!"