At this moment, the two of them were in the council hall, a newly built administrative district. Li Xin had built it in a style and decor that Qin Che was most accustomed to.

The supplies were all transported from Leopard Court.

"The first two batches of supplies have been delivered, and then they returned. We don't have roads, so the transportation route is very difficult. It will take more resources to transport these two batches of supplies to the border of the ice field."

"So all those strangers you see in the village are from Leopard Court."

Qin Che asked, "Slave?"

“That’s right, using slaves for transportation is the most cost-effective method.”

Qin Che laughed: "Princess Sa really knows how to save me money."

Li Xin rubbed his forehead and said, "There's no way around it. First, the Beiyuan Special Zone is being established, and money is being spent everywhere. Various projects are starting one after another. The cabinet plans to build a highway from Dashan City and Feishi City in Beiyuan to connect all the surrounding areas, and then build a straight highway in Wumen Fort to reach our outpost. So the consumption is quite high."

Qin Che nodded without saying anything more.

"Leopard Court has taken over Northern Plains. Are they going to establish a third special zone?"

"That's right."

Li Xin continued, "Moreover, the team at the hot spring resort was also reorganized and transformed into the Special Administrative Region's Executive Yuan. Yang Lingkong made significant contributions to this and has been promoted to the cabinet by Princess Sa."

"The Leopard Court is currently stationing a large number of troops in Kitahara. The cabinet has made it clear that it needs to obtain the right to station troops in important cities such as Oyama Castle and Borosi Castle in order to change the world, seize the political foundation of Onsensha, and completely transform Kitahara into a special zone of the Leopard Court."

"However, there is good news. With the arrival of two batches of supplies, Princess Sa sent my deputy, Li Zhanhuo, with 20,000 soldiers and tens of thousands of slaves. The current resources are enough for the whole village to live on for a few years."

Qin Che nodded.

Twenty thousand soldiers is quite a lot; they can help defend the outposts and repel those restless mountain tribes.

“With these 20,000 men, and even more slaves, the survival problem of the outpost can be easily solved.” After Li Xin finished speaking, he hurriedly asked him, “What exactly happened to you two on the ice plains? You look much more haggard.”

Qin Che shook his head and smiled: "There are many... creations of the ancients, glaciers and cliffs, and armies."

"A massive army?" Li Xin was taken aback.

Qin Che told Li Xin about their experience in detail, and said, "I don't plan to take Xiao Shitou with me next time. There are Leopard Court troops stationed at the outpost now, so you won't be of much use here. Come with me next time."

Little Stone isn't here, otherwise she would definitely object.

Li Xin didn't say much, but simply nodded: "You still think my role is more important than that stone, right?"

He looked like a victor, but Qin Che rolled his eyes: "It's not like that. It's just that you've completely entered the second stage and can help me more. You're more cost-effective than Little Stone."

Value for money...

Li Xin was speechless.

How could you describe him like that?

But Li Xin was still very surprised.

Qin Che actually encountered that kind of army in that icy plain—extraordinary Yin soldiers, who had no flesh and blood, only bones, yet could live by relying on spiritual energy as if they were living beings.

I wonder if they have the ability to think.

But thinking about it, if it doesn't even have brain matter, it probably can't think.

It's very strange.

There is no scientific basis for this.

"We will first write down your experience and submit it to the Land of Sages for them to study. Do not miss any details. We need to complete this as soon as possible before we set off again."

Qin Che nodded, agreeing that it made sense.

...

He rested at the outpost for a few days.

Since Xiao Shitou learned that Qin Che would be taking Li Xin but not her next time, she has been feeling down.

The master probably felt that she was no longer useful, but he didn't say much and could only acquiesce.

After all, the next time he enters the ice field, the master might have to climb the cliff.

Bringing her along would only be a burden.

But Little Stone was also very worried. Although her premonition was only for one day, if the master climbed the cliff, he might not be able to come back.

Nobody knows what's up there.

Even the wise men of the past failed, didn't they?

Qin Che organized their adventure logs and handed them to Li Zhanhuo. Experts from the research institute and the academy would arrive at the outpost later, and Li Zhanhuo would be responsible for handing over the Regent's adventure records.

These are all valuable experiences.

If they can study and observe the ice sheet, they will eventually no longer fear its dangers and the unknown.

On this day, Qin Che decided to set off again.

He also disregarded Li Zhanhuo's objections.

Li Xin told him, "I'm entrusting the outpost to you. Don't forget what I said: it must be managed like a military force. These slaves are not of our race. The mountain tribes are still stirring up trouble. Your 20,000 troops must not enter the ice plains. Once you go there, you never come back. Even the Regent almost didn't return. Do you understand?"

Li Zhanhuo looked solemn.

This was his first time in this icy plain; the weather was freezing and supplies were extremely scarce.

Apart from this outpost and the supplies brought from Leopard Court, hunting and fishing alone could not support so many people.

Leopard Court needs a continuous supply of resources.

This would put a lot of pressure on the cabinet.

Li Zhanhuo's concern was the uproar that would ensue if the Regent really didn't return. As a deputy military minister, he couldn't afford to bear that responsibility...

Seeing Li Zhanhuo's hesitant expression, Li Xin patted him on the shoulder: "If I don't come back either, then you will be the Minister of the Army in the future."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!