Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Luo Ningcha was somewhat discontent with the situation, but at the moment, she didn't know what the problem was. After peering at the soldiers standing in the snow for quite a while, she finally asked, "How many men do we have?"
"We have over 2,400 Iron Mountain soldiers," answered the chief, who was a former subordinate of the Big Head G.o.d. He had heard Luo Ningcha's voice both when she was a little girl and when she had grown up. However, this was the his first time seeing her in person. He praised her secretly, thinking that the Big Head G.o.d hadn't been bluffing back then.
"But why do they… look so few and… not powerful?" Luo Ningcha frowned. "You've seen the Norland army. They number in the hundreds of thousands, and I can tell that they're an army that can fight just by looking at them."
The chief laughed. "My lady, we can't compare to a powerful country like the Norland or the Central Plains. 2,400 is not a small number at all. They're a military force to be reckoned with in the Western Regions or any other small country. Besides, over a thousand of them are veterans of the Iron Mountain army, and each of them is stronger than ten enemies combined."
Luo Ningcha did some calculations, and she found that even if each of these 1,000 soldiers was capable of fighting ten enemies at a time, their total strength was merely equivalent to that of 10,000 soldiers. For a woman who had seen far larger armies, this number didn't qualify as 'big' at all. "The Dragon King frequently goes to different places with merely several thousand, and sometimes even several hundred soldiers, and his group always feels like a pretty powerful army. Why can't the Iron Mountain army be the same? Is it because you didn't train hard enough, or is it because I didn't pay you enough money?"
All the leaders lowered their heads and kept silent. Ever since the Big Head G.o.d had died, they had had a tough time. A year ago, they reunited at the Iron Mountain and thought that they could start over again and regain their former glory. But unexpectedly, they ended up becoming Golden Roc Castle's va.s.sals. Because of the Central Plains' intervention, they finally ended up returning to the daughter of the Big Head G.o.d. They didn't expect to hear such depressing words on the first day.
The chief was more familiar with this lady than the others, and he knew that she never thought twice about what she said, so he let out a couple of laughs and hoped to cover it up. "Of course money is important, but that's not the only reason why our brothers are gathered under this Iron Spear Flag-"
Luo Ningcha hadn't noticed the reaction of those people around her at all. Pointing at the big flag embroidered with the pattern of a spearhead, she seemed to have suddenly understood, saying, "The problem's the flag. It's not tall enough, and it's also not big enough. Go get me another one. I want a flag that looks mighty and dignified. And figure out a way to have it constantly flap in the wind. It makes people sleepy when it droops like this."
"Yes. I'll get another flag," the chief answered resignedly.
"In three days. This is an order," Luo Ningcha was still discontent. "Equip them with uniform armors and weapons, along with all the other stuff. Look at you. You're commanders of this army. Why are you dressed as beggars? Are you trying to embarra.s.s me? Throw all this away and get new ones."
Those leaders' heads drooped even lower. They used to be bandits, and they still had been after Big Head G.o.d's death, so they had always worn whatever they had taken from others. How could they possibly have a uniform set of armor and weapons?
The chief blushed scarlet. "That won't be easy, my lady. We have over two thousand men here. Where am I supposed to get so much matching armor and weapons? Besides-"
Luo Ningcha glared at him. "Are you suggesting that I'm not competent? List all the things you need, and I'll go get them for you."
"Yes, yes. I'll give you the list by the end of today." The chief instantly cheered up. "Of course you're competent, my lady. Otherwise, we wouldn't have come to you."
Luo Ningcha enjoyed this flattering remark. Even though it was only average, she found it more pleasant than the half-hearted pledges of her servants. "Oh, while I still remember this - you need to change your t.i.tles too. 'Chief' and 'Leader' are not decent enough. 'Marshal' and 'General' are much better. If you don't like them, 'Captain' and 'Chiliarch' are also good alternatives. They're simple, easy to remember, and also very dignified. You can consult with each other and make a decision by tomorrow."
"Yes." The chief felt this was a simple issue.
"And… And… never mind. These things give me headaches. Anyways, you have to figure out a way to make Iron Mountain Army seem more impressive. How am I supposed to take you to Jade City if you look like this?"
Upon hearing the words "take you to Jade City," all of the leaders raised their heads and their faces lit up.
A maidservant galloped over and whispered something in Luo Ningcha's ear. Luo Ningcha raised her arm and walked towards the carriage with the support of her personal maid. With one foot on a stool, she turned her head back around and said, "Oh, what's your name?"
The chief's face was filled with embarra.s.sment. He had met her several times, but she still didn't remember his name. "My name is-"
"Never mind that. Just put it on the list. And theirs as well. Put all of their names on the list. I'll reward them according to their ranks. From the generals to the soldiers, there'll be something for everyone."
"Travel safe, my lady!"
"Hail Iron Mountain!"
When Luo Ningcha left the camp, the atmosphere was very warm. She was satisfied with herself since she believed she had shown both competence and generosity in front of the troops. In her opinion, even Servant Huan wouldn't have found any flaws in her performance.
The encampment of the Iron Mountain Army was almost right next to that of the Central Plains' army. Luo Ningcha's carriage stopped in front of the doorway of the main tent. After getting off the carriage, she glanced at the Dragon King's guards, thinking that she should also select a hundred guards for herself from her own soldiers. Also, her guards should be as tall and strong as those swordsmen of the Big Snow Mountain, and their weapons should also be different from the common soldiers' so that she would get a sense of security once she set eyes on them.
She lodged this issue firmly in her mind and said to the maidservant beside her, "Go inside and inform them of my arrival."
The Dragon King had come here to negotiate with Prince Xiao, and she had to be present because she also had an army at her command now. No longer was she some other man's va.s.sal.
Prince Xiao was not the kind of person who preferred to get straight to the point and talk business. So, when Luo Ningcha entered the tent, he was still exchanging his usual pleasantries with the Dragon King, making a lengthy comment on the winter in the Western Regions. "You're also from the Central Plains, Dragon King. I guess that you've never seen such heavy snow in your hometown, have you? Heavy snows and the desert - these two things alone stop most outside enemies from coming. In the Central Plains, there are actually people who think that it's very easy to lead an army of over 100,000 men to the Western Regions. Alas, their idealistic opinions are really detrimental to our country… When did you return, beauty?"
Luo Ningcha entered the tent before the maidservant. Unprecedentedly confident, she smiled and said, "And the tents, too. It's winter, and there are no walls here. Can you Central Plainsmen get used to living in tents?"
Prince Xiao was very familiar with Luo Ningcha's personality. He burst into laughter. "Common Central Plainsmen live in houses, but soldiers still have to live in tents. They get used to it even if they can't. You see, I've been in the army for quite some time now, and I actually like tents."
Luo Ningcha nodded gravely, as if he had just explained something very important. After glancing at the Dragon King, she said to Prince Xiao, "Everybody says that winter is not the right season for fighting battles. If so, then why don't we hold the kung fu compet.i.tion ahead of schedule? Besides, there's n.o.body in charge of Jade City, and it needs a lord right now. What're we waiting for?"
Prince Xiao also glanced at the Dragon King and saw that he was indifferent to the four words "there's n.o.body in charge," so he explained patiently to the beauty, "We can't rush into this. I'm still waiting for the emperor of the Central Plains to make a decision. The kung fu compet.i.tion can only be held when I have His Majesty's backing."
"Then hurry up. Aren't you the emperor's uncle? Does he dare disobey you?"
Prince Xiao smiled happily. This was the Western Regions, and Luo Ningcha was the kind of woman whose beauty went hand-in-hand with her stupidity. Thus, he didn't have to worry that these slightly disrespectful words would spread to the royal palace. "Of course the emperor will listen to me. However, we still can't skip these necessary formalities. Let's wait for another two or three months. During the spring of next year, the Dragon King will fulfill his wish and become the Lord of Jade City."
Luo Ningcha took a deep gaze at the Dragon King, indicating that the t.i.tle "Unique King" should be saved for her son. "Two or three months? Do we have to wait that long?"
"It's quick enough, beauty. There are numerous mountains and rivers between Jade City and the capital of the Central Plains. A round trip between the two cities will take at least two month to travel, even with a fast horse."
Luo Ningcha frowned. She had been to the Royal Court before, and she felt disgusted at the thought of a weary journey. "Fine. What were you talking about previously? Maybe I can offer some advice."
Smiling without saying anything, Prince Xiao turned to look at the Dragon King.
Gu Shenwei simply said, "The army of Iron Mountain has arrived at Jade City."
"Um. They arrived yesterday. I just came back from the camp. All of them miss my father very much, and they showed great respect to me. I promise that they'll become a powerful army after a little training. I'll recruit more soldiers and buy more horses. The troop number of my army should at least be the same as that of the Second Consort's army and reach 10,000. Prince Xiao, my soldiers lack uniform armors and weapons. You can solve this issue for me, right? I've bragged to them, and I'm counting on you."
"Sure. No problem." Prince Xiao threw out his chest in a generous manner. "My beauty shall have as many as she wants. If there isn't enough armor here, then I'll have them deliver more from the rear."
Luo Ningcha smiled like a blooming flower. Suddenly, she realized that the Dragon King was in the tent. "This is what you came here for? The Iron Mountain is mine. It has nothing to do with you."
"Of course. I just wanted to remind Madam Luo that more than half of the over 2,000 Iron Mountain soldiers are from an unknown background. And many of them are killers of the Golden Roc Castle. For safety concerns, I hope that Madam Luo won't go to the Iron Mountain camp again, and that you also won't let Iron Mountain soldiers enter the Central Plains army camp."
Luo Ningcha was stunned. The Iron Mountain Army used to be under the command of Golden Roc Castle. How could the troops of this army still be as loyal as they used to be? After thinking for a while, she turned around and left directly without saying another word.
Prince Xiao's face was full of amazement. After the beauty left the tent, he shook his head, smiling. "The Western Regions is so different from the Central Plains. We could never find such a looker in the Central Plains. What do you think, Dragon King?"
There was a tacit expression on Prince Xiao's face. He had always been hoping that Luo Ningcha would become a "little secret" between himself and the Dragon King. He had made many insinuations towards the Dragon King many times, but the Dragon King had never responded, and this time was no exception.
"The news of electing a lord through a kung fu compet.i.tion has been disclosed." The main reason why Gu Shenwei had found an excuse to send Luo Ningcha away was not to chat with Prince Xiao.
Prince Xiao had no choice but to give up yet another attempt. "There's nothing we can do. More and more people are finding out about this. It's impossible to keep it a secret. But I heard that the residents of Jade City are still unaware of it. Everybody says that the four armies outside the city are going to have a final showdown. Hha."
"That's not true." Gu Shenwei shook his head. "The Unique King knew about it even before Prince Xiao proposed it to me."
"How is that possible?" Prince Xiao was astounded. "At that time, the plan solely existed inside my mind, and I hadn't told anybody yet. Do you have any proof, Dragon King?"
"About a year ago, Golden Roc Castle started downsizing its killers and sending them to the Heavenly Mountain Sect. Originally, the Heavenly Mountain Sect didn't have much contact with Golden Roc Castle, but now, it's under the complete control of Golden Roc Castle."
"I know about this. Back then, the Unique King made solicitations towards the Central Plains and hoped that the Central Plains would acknowledge his t.i.tle. However, the royal court felt that killers were too dangerous and not easy to control, so they demanded the Unique King to dismiss all of his killers…"
"At first I thought that that was the reason as well. However, one of my subordinates was bribed by the Unique King, and she told me that the Unique King had asked her to rebuild a sect that had been eradicated many years ago. Additionally, the Unique King also said that this sect would soon be of great use. I'd like to ask you this, Prince Xiao - did the plan that you submitted to the emperor specify that only sects are allowed to partic.i.p.ate the kung fu compet.i.tion?"
Prince Xiao was transfixed with shock. After quite a while, he said, "Yes. Actually… Actually my suggestion was that only 'forces in the Western Regions' should be allowed, including those sects. But how could the Unique King learn of it? That was a secret memorial 1 , and the emperor is the only one who could have read it."
"The Unique King's in contact with someone close to the emperor."
Gu Shenwei was positive that it was someone from the Central Plains who had hired the killers of Golden Roc Castle to kill the Gu family.
