Chapter 201 – Flying General

The four warships advanced at great speed. Everyone watched as Xie Yi held the telescope tightly, tracking the warships with intense focus, his face serious and intent. They couldn’t help but feel the tension from the emperor’s demeanor, and turned their attention to the warships as well.

Indeed, upon closer inspection, they found that each nation’s troops on the warships were assembled in formation, and were exceedingly robust and fierce. Their movements, such as shouldering rifles and bayonets, were practiced with remarkable skill. Though it was known that they were selected as the most capable soldiers from their armies, seeing them now still evoked a sense of awe at the solemnity of their military might and the strict discipline they upheld. These were not the barbarians who lacked manners and virtue that they had imagined. Today’s display of cannons, torpedoes, and submarines was far beyond what they had previously considered mere lascivious techniques.

Even the much-despised Sakura Moon Nation presented a disciplined front, and carried an air of determined vigor.

The Duke of Martial Valor said, “Joint exercises offer us a rare opportunity to understand our enemies. All generals, take a look. Foreign devils cannot be trusted; their ships are sturdy and their guns powerful, which makes them difficult to resist. Their speed is swift, which makes pursuit challenging. If we continue like this, with new technologies always in the hands of others, how can we call ourselves the Celestial Empire? Now, they are probing to gauge our strength. If our naval defenses are weak, sooner or later, the barbarians and the Japanese will become a significant threat.”

Xu Chun said cheerfully, “Indeed, since they want to see, I openly invited them for joint drills to show them our current strength, so they dare not underestimate us.”

Zhuang Zhan said pensively, “But what if we lose? We didn’t even compare well in the torpedo competition, did we? Or what if the three nations join forces against us?”

For a moment, all the ministers fell silent. Zhuang Zhan’s words, though harsh, struck a chord with everyone’s underlying concerns. The emperor was present here; what would happen to the Celestial Empire’s dignity if they lost?

It seemed that although they had just defeated the Sakura Moon Nation, the Crimson Moon Nation, despite suffering a major defeat, also had ironclad warships and trained a navy. Judging by the current situation, they were not willing to remain under anyone’s shadow for long.

Where did the Marquis of Lighthouse’s confidence come from?

Before the Marquis of Lighthouse could speak, Lei Ming interjected, “Winning and losing are common occurrences in military affairs. It’s just an exercise.”

Everyone was speechless. Was this a regular exercise? Losing in front of the emperor wouldn’t just be a huge embarrassment; it would tarnish the face of the Celestial Empire. Where would the emperor’s face be placed then?

But Xie Yi suddenly spoke up in a deep voice, “If we lose, it should serve as a warning. Currently, both civil and military scholars are examined on their knowledge of classics and archery, which is insufficient to select fierce generals capable of repelling enemies or talents adept at governing the country. When one reaches a dead end, one must change; when one changes, one must adapt. We must consider how to resolve this crisis and quell the enemy’s covetous desires. All officials, since you enjoy the country’s emoluments, you should share the emperor’s worries.”

The civil and military ministers fell silent.

Therefore, regardless of winning or losing, the modern university must be established, the imperial examination system must be reformed, and the ships and guns must be repaired. If they won, it would be due to the Marquis of Lighthouse’s efforts in establishing schools and promoting shipbuilding and artillery. If they lost, it would be because the government hadn’t done enough, and the Marquis of Lighthouse’s warnings would prove valuable. Either way, the Marquis of Lighthouse would be right?

Wasn’t the emperor’s favoritism toward the Marquis of Lighthouse too obvious?

Even Fang Zijing was speechless as he glanced at Shen Mengzhen. He saw Shen Mengzhen calmly holding the telescope, focused on the sea, seemingly completely unconcerned about his apprentice.

He took the telescope and looked out, only to see that the four nations’ warships were already approaching Changle Island, and moving at considerable speed. Especially the Taiping, despite its size, showed no slowness in its pace, being equipped with four steam engines after all. His telescope turned to the nearby “Harmony,” and he suddenly exclaimed in alarm, “Not good!”

Everyone looked at him in surprise. He stood up in several quick steps, rushed to the railing, and looked out angrily. “How dare those Japs!”

Just as he finished speaking, a thunderous boom echoed!

Everyone’s expressions changed, and many crowded around the railing, and watched as the “Harmony” had somehow aimed its gun turret at the cliff below the peak opposite the Taiping and fired a shot!

Debris flew everywhere as seagulls scattered with shrill cries, and fled for the sky. After the dust settled, the small mountain peak had been shattered and collapsed, its fragments piled onto the beach below the cliff.

Each of the four warships had a beach in one of the four directions for easy landings. Although the Taiping faced a cliff, there was also a beach below the cliff and a small mountain that could be climbed to reach the highest peak and seize control of the island’s highest point, which provided a strategic advantage for capturing other resources.

However, the Crimson Moon Nation had audaciously fired a shot at the small mountain peak. This shot was extremely malicious in intent. Without the intermediate foothold for climbing the cliff, the debris from the collapsed mountain covered the beach and shallow waters, and prevented the Taiping from approaching the island’s shore. After all, the sharp-bottomed ships could easily run aground if they hit rocks or reefs, and the soldiers on board would struggle to quickly disembark on Changle Island.

After firing the shot, the “Harmony” accelerated, swiftly approached their direction and headed straight for the most obvious freshwater resource and timber resource points on the beach. Meanwhile, another group, clearly seasoned warriors, quietly sprinted towards the front of the hundred-foot cliff, quickly threw out chains with iron hooks, and began scaling and leaping.

The Duke of Martial Valor raged, “To attack our mountain peak can be seen as provocation. All generals may attack them!”

The generals were equally enraged. “Your Majesty, we wish to go! Let us subdue these rebels!”

“Your Majesty! Please give the order!”

But Xie Yi looked at Xu Chun, whose face, though somewhat pale, was still holding the telescope, his expression serious as he stared intently at the Taiping.

Xie Yi asked, “What does the Marquis of Lighthouse think?”

Xu Chun turned to look at him. “Your Majesty, although unexpected, it hasn’t violated the rules of the military exercise. Indeed, before the landing points, each country’s teams responsible for seizing the beach can utilize the power of their warships to approach the landing points. Although firing at the mountain peak was unexpected, isn’t war about using any means necessary?”

“Although we could attack them for destroying our mountain peak, this exercise was originally intended to showcase our national prestige. To abruptly stop it now and accuse a vassal state would only make other observing envoys and merchants from various countries think we lack the demeanor of a great nation, as if we couldn’t accept defeat and were lashing out in anger. That would likely play right into the Crimson Moon Nation’s hands.”

He Zhiqiu said, “Your Majesty, the Crimson Moon Nation is as cunning as wolves, skilled in scheming. Even during a simple exercise, they resort to any means to secure victory. If we really stop the grand review, it would suit their intentions. Even if we declare war on them, with eagle-lion-bear barbarian enemies who were lurking nearby, it could provide them with a handle, or perhaps others are waiting for just such an excuse.”

Fan Mukun stepped forward urgently. “His Majesty is here; we cannot start a war lightly!”

Suddenly, all the ministers came back to their senses. His Majesty was here! How could they really engage in battle? Down below were warships that could turn their gun turrets and fire a shot at them in a moment!

The ministers, as if awakened from a dream, had civil officials step forward and say, “Please, Your Majesty, immediately move to a safe place!”

Others angrily rebuked Xu Chun. “The Marquis of Lighthouse failed to consider all possibilities, and placed Your Majesty in danger. Hurry up and protect the emperor and find a proper solution!”

But Xie Yi raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. He slowly said, “Indeed, they used any means necessary—the best strategy is to conquer through tactics. Today, my officials have witnessed firsthand that a vassal state that was defeated by our empire just a few years ago, a tiny territory, could fire a single shot during an exercise and cause all the ministers to panic and lose their composure.”

The officials’ faces showed a hint of shame, and were momentarily calmed by Xie Yi’s composed demeanor.

Xie Yi said, “I am blessed by Heaven’s mandate; there’s no need to panic. This is just an exercise. What does the Marquis of Lighthouse think?”

The civil officials were in heated discussion. Zhuang Zhan said, “But if we continue, won’t our empire lose?”

Xu Chun looked below. “No… the Jianrui Camp has already switched to small boats and approached. They haven’t given up. Let’s watch.”

Everyone picked up their telescopes to take a look. Sure enough, several small boats had been lowered from the Taiping, and the vanguard team quickly boarded, carried their equipment and rowed the small boats forward to seize the beach. They were likely the elite of the Jianrui Camp, each strong and muscular, and rowed swiftly. In a matter of moments, the small boats had crashed onto the shore, propelled by their speed and force, with half of each boat’s body landing on the sand.

As soon as the boat stopped, the vanguard team rushed onto the coast. The coastline was lined with jagged rocks, and all paths were blocked by debris from the collapsed mountain peak. However, there were about a hundred vanguard team members, each gripped and stepped with their hands and feet as they climbed over the extremely treacherous cliff to clear a path.

The watching officials were filled with excitement. Someone exclaimed, “Indeed, climbing cliffs is like walking on flat ground!”

Another worriedly said, “There are too few people.” They looked at the other nations’ ships, concerned. “The Lion Kingdom has already landed and seized the stronghold at the valley entrance. They left a team to guard it while the rest went in to plunder resources.”

“The Lucian Empire met the Crimson Moon Nation on the beach and started fighting!”

“The Crimson Moon Nation fled! It turns out weapons were limited to sticks and clubs, yet they could still beat them to a pulp! Cowardly bastards!”

“They’re all spineless cowards! Only capable of underhanded tricks! If they have the guts, let them fight with swords and guns!”

A general had barely cursed twice before he was stomped on hard by someone. He grunted in pain, not realizing what had happened, but then he noticed the eunuchs standing nearby. Chilled to the bone, he secretly glanced at the emperor and saw that Grand Eunuch Su Kuan was smiling at him. He hurriedly turned to look innocuously at the sea, beads of cold sweat broke out on his back.

Someone said, “There’s movement on the warship.”

Everyone saw that indeed, under the wide mast of the Taiping, a ladder had been erected, and a group of three hundred Jianrui Camp soldiers quickly climbed up, just like in the previous exercise they had observed. They climbed to the top of the mast and unfolded their kite wings.

The officials felt their hearts leap to their throats. Someone exclaimed, “There’s no support ahead. What if they land in some dangerous place?”

The Duke of Martial Valor took a hair and tested the wind direction. “The wind is in the right direction. Heaven protects our empire.”

Lei Ming said solemnly, “There are chains!”

The officials saw the team that had climbed up the cliff earlier. It turned out that they had been holding onto chains as they landed. Now that they were atop the cliff, they firmly hung the chain hooks on the large trees on the cliff!

And the other end of the chain was undoubtedly securely locked onto the mast, and numerous chains firmly connected the warship to the cliff. The Jianrui Camp soldiers were now gliding towards the island, aided by their kite wings and the chains!

In the azure blue sea and sky, with the sea breeze blowing, hundreds of soldiers wearing white kite wings and wielding long staves descended like heavenly soldiers amidst the wind’s roar!