Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 274: Returning Once More to the East Sea of Jin Kingdom
Chen Zhongping gave a start, sprang up, and rushed out of the temporary rest tent; looking up, he saw that two planes had already started to return northward. Chen Zhongping estimated that the planes were flying very high, at least 1,200 to 1,300 zhang in altitude (around 4,000 meters). Even if he risked his life, he couldn’t catch up.
Watching the planes quickly disappear into the distance, and thinking of the related information obtained during interrogation, Chen Zhongping’s face immediately darkened.
“All troops, hear my command—dig three feet into the ground, and hide on the spot!”
…………
Xian Dai River, Cui Yan Lake, once a beautiful and gentle land, was now silent as the grave.
The flames of war had not spread here yet, but the nearest frontline was only about ten li away. The distant rumble of artillery, the sounds of battle and shouting, could be heard clearly at night. But starting yesterday, this place was requisitioned to become the site for negotiations among Anyang, Nanyang, and Dongyuan Counties.
Anyang County was represented by Yan Zhengqing, who attended the negotiations as a plenipotentiary representative.
Dongyuan County was represented by Yuan Yong. As for Nanyang County, it was naturally Kong Donglai who took part in the talks.
After a night of three-way negotiations, an agreement was finally reached:
First, all past enmity among the three parties would be written off, and they would temporarily “become brothers,” jointly resisting the invasion of Jin Kingdom.
Second, the border between Anyang and Dongyuan would be defined by Xian Dai River. The southern side of the river would belong to Dongyuan, and the northern side to Anyang. From then on, Lüliang County would cease to exist and would become part of Anyang.
Third, prisoners of war from Dongyuan and Nanyang, including Yuan Zhong, who were captured by Anyang, could be returned, but these soldiers must swear—never to take up arms against Anyang again. Kong Donglai and Yuan Yong had no choice but to accept this with a sour face.
However, Yuan Yong, upon hearing that Yuan Zhong would be released, showed a brief flash of awkwardness on his face.
Fourth, Anyang would hand over one unit each of rifles, 47mm cannons, and 57mm artillery paper to Nanyang and Dongyuan, along with a set of matching (obsolete) machine tools.
Fifth, Nanyang and Dongyuan would provide “friendly compensation” for Anyang’s military expenses—in truth, it was simply war reparations dressed up with a nicer name.
During this period, Yan Zhengqing originally did not intend to hand over the method of producing bullets and shells. But Kong Donglai and Yuan Yong were no fools. After consulting Li Xian, Yan Zhengqing handed over a bullet manufacturing blueprint. As for artillery shells, they were still withheld. But in reality, once you know how to make bullets, shells are only a step away.
Sixth, when the three parties attack Jin Kingdom, the land and population would go to Dongyuan and Nanyang, while all wealth, materials, and books would belong to Anyang.
Seventh, Anyang had suffered significant losses in this war. Dongyuan and Nanyang would have to prove themselves—otherwise, Anyang would never sell them arms again, and might even launch attacks against them. (This was an encouragement for the two to invade Jin Kingdom, to loot and plunder.)
Finally, the three parties agreed to organize an army of 500,000 troops to march south within three days. Of these, Anyang would provide 100,000 troops, and Dongyuan and Nanyang would each provide 200,000. In addition, Dongyuan and Nanyang would also contribute 500,000 laborers.
Anyang’s ironclad warships would continue to harass Jin Kingdom’s eastern coastal regions. Anyang’s planes would provide air support.
After finalizing the agreement, the three parties sealed the documents and swore an oath; they also agreed to a three-year alliance (though it was assumed it would be void after three years).
But sometimes fate is full of coincidences. Just as the alliance was concluded, reconnaissance pilots returned with news from Jin Kingdom.
“General, we’ve indeed spotted Jin Kingdom’s main army in the south—mighty and vast, stretching for 50 to 60 li. Estimated strength: 500,000 to 600,000.”
There were two pilots—one from Anyang, and one from Nanyang.
After receiving confirmation, Kong Donglai was overjoyed: “Jin Kingdom’s reinforcements have moved along the route without causing any disturbance, which shows they are still unaware of Li Lisong’s situation. Here’s our plan: my Nanyang army will feign defeat and retreat, while Anyang forces chase from the rear.
Some of our men will wear Jin Kingdom’s uniforms and mix in with the fleeing Nanyang soldiers.
Dongyuan will play the traitor and join Anyang’s troops in pursuit—it will all look more convincing this way.”
“Excellent idea!”
Kong Donglai’s plan immediately won the approval of both Yuan Yong and Yan Zhengqing. Faced with the colossal force that was Jin Kingdom, the three sides had no time for scheming or holding each other back—especially Nanyang and Dongyuan, who had no retreat left and dared not play any tricks.
After further discussion of some details, the three forces immediately reorganized their current troops and began to “perform their act.”
…………
It is said that the Jin Kingdom commander, Li Lisong, fled in a panic and made his way back in one breath to the border between Jin Kingdom and Dongyuan Country. The border guard stationed there had heard of Li Lisong’s name but had never seen him in person; it took Li Lisong an enormous amount of effort—swearing oaths, citing examples, and showing his personal seal and command token—before the officer was finally convinced.
Afterward, Li Lisong acted with caution and actually lit the beacon fire. Beacon fires could not be lit carelessly, but Li Lisong used his command token and seal as proof before proceeding. Once the beacon fire was lit, it immediately spread along the border like a winding flame. Thick black smoke rose high into the sky—no one knew what materials were used, but the smoke columns could reach over three hundred meters and remain dense and undispersed.
After lighting the beacon fire, Li Lisong left a message to be passed along by the border post, then immediately flew toward the imperial capital—both to confess his faults and to report the battle situation and actual conditions.
……
The tide of battle began to shift, as battles on land and sea intersected.
On the vast sea, five ironclad warships were sailing rapidly. Their sharp prows cut through the waves like swords, heading south.
Beichen Yuqing was in command and strategy, while Admiral Chang Lin personally led the fleet; all around were generals and officers, constantly learning. This time, the stationed cultivator was Master Feiyu, as Guo Sifang had gone to rest.
Farther out at sea, Princess Long still sat aboard the Dragon Palace’s ironclad warship, observing. Although Princess Long had already decided to form an alliance with Anyang, that would have to wait until after the war ended; for now, she would continue to watch.
Beichen Yuqing pointed at the somewhat roughly drawn sea chart, “Jin Kingdom’s coastline is about 2,100 kilometers long. Last time, we attacked 500 kilometers of it from north to south, starting at Baize Town near Dongyuan Country, and eliminated all major military strongholds along that stretch. We estimate about 30,000 enemy troops were wiped out.”
“According to typical tactics and traditional thinking, the next step would be to continue attacking from the broken point or nearby. Since Jin Kingdom will want to stabilize morale in the affected areas, they will definitely station heavy troops there.
“But we will head straight for the southern part of Jin Kingdom from the sea and launch another attack from the south. That will catch the enemy completely off guard.”
Chang Lin had a different opinion, “After the last attack, Jin Kingdom will surely reinforce its southern defenses. It may not be easy to break through.”
Beichen Yuqing laughed, “Strengthening the defense is good. It’s a great thing, actually. How do you strengthen a defense? By increasing troop numbers. And if they gather more troops, that just means we can wipe them all out in one go! After all, we have the advantage with long-range attacks from the sea.
“At worst, we just hammer one city with a massive bombardment for half a day, then pat our backsides and leave.
“We’re here to wreak havoc anyway. Ha! I really like that line.”
“I like it too,” Chang Lin chuckled foolishly. No doubt that line came from Young Master Li Xian.
The vast sea was the best cover for the ironclads; this was Chang Lin’s second time coming to the “coastline near Liu Kingdom and Jin Kingdom,” and he was well familiar with the route—last time, he had picked up the talent “Gongsun Wushang.”
The ironclads crashed through the waves, heading south. Chang Lin climbed the mast to look around. He even borrowed a telescope to observe. Although he was a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator now, on the vast sea, he still needed the telescope to see farther.
The waves rolled endlessly, as if there was no end in sight; Chang Lin wasn’t in a rush and simply ordered the fleet to continue forward. Suddenly, he gave the command to turn right, and after the fleet sailed for about another hour, the color of the sea gradually changed from dark blue to deep blue, then to azure blue.
“We’re getting close to land.” The seasoned sailors were thrilled in their hearts—they were about to go wild again.
Soon, Chang Lin saw the coastline and adjusted the fleet according to it. An hour later, the ironclads finally reached their intended destination; through the telescope, a large stone stele with the words “Dongguan Town” could be vaguely seen.
Dongguan Town was a military town in Jin Kingdom that guarded against Liu Kingdom; its function was similar to Baize Town, which defended against the Great Xia Kingdom (Dongyuan County).