You have truly caused me great suffering!

In his first battle in Japan, he beheaded Taira no Mitsumori, the last remnant of the Taira clan, and killed Fujiwara no Yoshishige of Mutsu Province in battle.

They annihilated 3,000 enemy soldiers, including more than 1,000 cavalry.

Such a record is already quite remarkable.

When Chen Shao saw the report in the palace, his mood inexplicably improved.

He was also very willing to share, and he started talking to the eunuchs with a smile.

Although these people might not understand, Chen Shao had a strong desire to share.

The eunuchs who had been by his side for a long time also came to the conclusion that His Majesty was particularly happy whenever war reports came from Japan.

This amazed them.

Because Japan was not a major enemy of the Central Plains in the traditional sense; the northern border was.

Moreover, as battle reports from the Southern Wilderness continued to arrive, His Majesty remained calm.

It was drizzling near the Onsen Palace today; the rain was very gentle.

Chen Shao stood up and handed the report to Chen Chong, saying, "Tell this report to be kept safe."

Chen Chong quickly took it and sealed it in Chen Shao's cabinet.

There were many reports there, all of which he believed to be major events that would benefit future generations.

Chen Shao intended for his descendants to be buried in his tomb after his death.

These things in Japan may not seem like much in themselves, but they held a very important and special significance for him.

After reading the report, nothing else seemed important, so Chen Shao stood up and began strolling around the Hot Spring Palace.

As a temporary palace, the Hot Spring Palace was usually only used from late autumn to winter. Chen Shao rarely stayed at the palace for long during the warm spring season.

At this time, due to the light rain and overcast sky, white mist swirled around the valley, reflecting the pine forest and bamboo shadows, creating a scene resembling a fairyland.

Wild cherry blossoms bloom all over the mountains and plains, and clear mountain streams flow into the Jiuxiang River, their waters gurgling softly.

Not long ago, I heard that Huanhuan wanted to take them to climb the Calabash Cave, but Chen Shao refused.

There are karst caves in Tangshan, which the locals call Dragon's Lair. Inside the caves, stalactites hang down, water drips to form pools, light and shadow change, and bats often roost there.

It is named Gourd Cave because its shape is winding and resembles a gourd. According to folklore, an immortal once refined elixirs here.

There were originally two other theories: Dragon's Lair and Ghost Cave. But since Chen Shao built his palace here, the name Dragon's Lair has been completely sealed off.

After taking a stroll around the palace, when I returned to my bedchamber, Huanhuan happened to be there as well.

Seeing him return, she smiled and went up to him, asking, "Where have you been?"

"I took a trip around the mountains."

"Aren't you afraid of getting wet in the rain?" Huanhuan knew how to care for people, so she went over to take off his clothes, which were indeed a bit damp.

"The apricot blossom rain threatens to dampen my clothes, while the willow breeze is gentle on my face," Chen Shao said with a smile.

Zhong Lingxi's eyes lit up.

Chen Shao quickly replied, "I heard a minister recite it, and it's very fitting for the occasion."

"What is the whole poem, and who wrote it?"

"Under the shade of ancient trees, I moor my small boat; leaning on my cane, I cross the bridge to the east. The apricot blossom rain threatens to wet my clothes, but the willow breeze is gentle on my face." Chen Shao laughed and said, "I've forgotten who it was. I heard it at the banquet. I guess it was a lucky coincidence when they were reciting the poem, and maybe they forgot it after they sobered up."

"I really envy these talented people."

Chen Shao saw that she looked cute and charming with her pouting lips, and couldn't help but lean down and kiss her.

The two sat together, and Zhong Lingxi suddenly said, "You seem especially happy today."

"Can you tell?" Chen Shao asked, somewhat puzzled.

Zhong Lingxi tilted her head and thought for a while before saying, "When you're happy, your eyes look different."

Chen Shao chuckled and wrapped his arms around her slender waist, then closed his eyes and lay back on the chair.

Beautiful scenery, delightful moments—it's truly a wonderful day.

Chen Shao thought to himself.
-
Li Yanqi achieved a great victory in his campaign, and the imperial court issued an edict to reward the meritorious generals and soldiers.

They also sent a thousand new flintlock muskets and more than twenty craftsmen.

They were instructed to teach the Jing troops at the front how to use firearms, and to observe and record their use on the battlefield.

Today, the Institute of Engineering and Chen Shao are constantly testing firearms on various fronts.

Moreover, the power of this weapon and the problems that may arise during its use were tested in various environments, including the southeast, northwest, grasslands, islands, and hot and cold climates.

In Chen Shao's plan, Japan must be taken over this year.

Therefore, the intensity of the fighting is greatest in Japan, and the war there is expected to be the most fierce.

To be honest, Chen Shao hadn't expected the fierce resistance from the powerful clans of Guandong.

During his several wars with foreign powers, he discovered that there weren't actually that many tough guys in the world.

Most small countries, seeing they couldn't win, were more submissive than anyone else and surrendered quickly.

In his post-incident analysis, he felt that the methods used to eliminate the Emperor were too obvious.

The powerful clans of Kanto saw through their scheme. They knew that the Jing army had no good intentions. Rather than being driven to their deaths step by step by the Jing army in fear of not being able to fight, like the Emperor and the Regent, they thought it better to fight to the death. In fact, their thinking was not wrong.

From the very beginning, Chen Shao had no intention of letting them live, and the mob incited by the White Lotus doctrine also had to be eliminated.

These are all unstable elements.

If these people are overlooked when we rule Japan in the future, they could become a hidden danger.

As for ordinary Japanese people, there's not much to worry about; they don't even have names.

They are a group of born cattle and horses, whose mission is to be exploited by nobles and temples. It would be very easy to change them.

Moreover, Japan's vast wealth also requires a huge workforce.

Now that they refuse to surrender, Chen Shao's position becomes even more legitimate. He secretly hopes these people will fight to the bitter end so he can completely annihilate them.

As for those further east, the Ainu people, like the barbarians of the extremely cold northern lands, are still considered uncivilized barbarians.

Just digest it slowly.

In his secret letter to Li Yanqi, Chen Shao explained his thoughts in detail, giving Li Yanqi a clear understanding of what to do.

Ideally, all the main offensive tasks should be completed before September this year to avoid the heavy snow that would close the mountains in Ouyu during the winter.

If it is not completed before September, then patiently wait until next spring and do not underestimate the challenge or act rashly.

Underestimating the enemy and advancing rashly is what the Japanese want to see; it is what they believe to be their only chance to turn the tide.

However, the Jing army at the front underestimated the enemy and did not advance rashly. Their tactical arrangements were even more patient and cautious than the enemy's.

This is the most despairing thing.
-
In April, Li Yanqi received a list of rewards and honors from the imperial court, along with new equipment.

By this time, his army had crossed Junwa Province and was preparing to seize the Fuji River defense line and cut off reinforcements from Kanto.

The Japanese allied forces are now preparing to defend Fuji River to the death.

They were also constantly summarizing their experiences and lessons learned. The previous ambush was too risky, and Jingjun was not an opponent who would easily fall for the trap.

If all else fails, they plan to disperse into the mountains and continue to resist attacks.

This is also what Chen Shao is worried about, because there are too many mountains in the area of ​​Japan.

But Chen Shao was overthinking it. Frontline officers like Li Yanqi weren't afraid at all. Because even if you hide deep in the mountains, what will your soldiers eat?
The imperial court's rewards were very generous, and with the soldiers seizing the spoils themselves, this battle was destined to be a money-making affair.

His men whispered and pointed at the new flintlock muskets.

Li Yanqi also picked up a handful and weighed them in her hand.

When he corresponded with his former friend, Li Shiyan, who was now in Champa, the latter had mentioned this weapon.

This weapon is very powerful when facing enemies with thin armor, but it also has many flaws.

Li Yanqi instinctively felt a sense of resistance; he was already used to archery, horsemanship, and spears. If he were to be fully equipped with these strange weapons, he would have to abandon his previous skills and relearn how to fight.

But since it was strongly recommended by His Majesty, Li Yanqi felt that it must have its unique merits.

Perhaps future wars will be simpler.

When His Majesty introduced cannons, it made warfare much easier.

"Chen Jun, equip your men first."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jun was immediately displeased, but dared not disobey.

His close friend, Commander Han Dong, nudged his shoulder, a hint of schadenfreude in his voice.

Chen Jun glared at him fiercely, then gathered his men to distribute the new flintlock muskets.

Someone from the engineering college came forward and explained it to him.

Li Yanqi was curious, so she asked them to demonstrate it on the spot.

A group of people pushed over a dozen prisoners who stubbornly refused to surrender. Their hands were tied behind their backs, and their faces were bruised and swollen, yet they still occasionally roared a few words.

With a series of thuds, these people fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

Looking at their bloody wounds, Li Yanqi felt that this weapon might actually have a lot of potential.

Many of the originally stubborn prisoners were terrified when they saw how this strange thing was used to beat people.

They might not be afraid of death, but they were afraid of this ghostly thing, thinking that the white smoke emanating from it was very likely the shattered soul.

The Jing people are indeed evil. They are no longer satisfied with killing their own bodies with swords and knives; they also want to use this evil weapon to destroy their own souls.

The Japanese generally believe in gods and Buddhas, and all sorts of mountain spirits, ghosts, and strange legends are very popular here.

Because of its extreme isolation and backwardness, this place has always been a land of extreme superstition.

Li Yanqi seemed to have noticed this as well. Seeing the Japanese prisoners of war looking extremely frightened, he immediately had an idea.

It seems we need to use more artillery and muskets to break their will to resist.

Although they won this battle, if they continue to be so stubborn, they will eventually pay a heavy price.

His Majesty wanted him to complete the major combat mission before September, and Li Yanqi already considered this the latest possible time for victory.

The Dingnan Army is always eager to be at the forefront; how could Li Yanqi possibly delay until next year? Wouldn't that disappoint His Majesty? (End of Chapter)