"Grand Commandant, His Majesty has issued an imperial edict!"
At the gate of the Grand Commandant's residence, the Imperial Attendant, holding a secret edict, loudly proclaimed: "The First Emperor decrees: Hearing of unusual activity in the Baiyue region, Grand Commandant Efu is ordered to lead troops south to inspect the area!"
The wicked man accepted the imperial edict, a slight smile playing on his lips.
This was a wish he had painstakingly pursued for some time, and now he had finally received Ying Zheng's approval.
"Pass down the order," he said, turning to Zhang Erhe, "Summon the commanders of the Nanyang and Jiujiang armies to the mansion immediately for a meeting!"
Before long, the council hall was filled with generals.
The wicked man stood in front of the map, his finger moving back and forth across the southern region.
"Gentlemen," he said in a deep voice, "His Majesty has ordered us to travel south for an inspection tour. On the surface, it seems like a routine matter, but in reality..."
"What does the Grand Commandant mean?" asked the commander of the Nanyang army.
"The Baiyue have been quite restless lately," the wicked man said, turning around. "Not only are they building fortresses in the south, but they've also sent people to spy on our Qin army. Even more dangerously, they seem to have discovered a secret sea route."
"Route?" The commander of the Jiujiang army looked puzzled.
"Indeed!" the wicked man sneered. "The Baiyue have become increasingly arrogant in recent years, making a fortune off this sea route. Now they even want to seize the entire South China Sea; they dare to challenge our Great Qin!"
Upon hearing this, the generals began to discuss among themselves.
Some said we should send troops immediately, some said we should probe their strength first, and others said we should send people to infiltrate.
"Please, everyone, don't rush." The wicked man waved his hand. "This time, our journey south must proceed step by step. First of all..."
He pointed to several strongholds on the map: "The Nanyang Army is responsible for advancing along the river; they need to gather a clear understanding of the garrison situation along the route. The Jiujiang Army will encircle us from the east; they must control the key coastal routes."
"And what about you, Grand Commandant?" someone asked.
"Me?" The wicked man chuckled. "I'll lead the central army and press forward head-on. Once we reach Nanhai Commandery, we'll show our fangs!"
"However, Grand Commandant..." the Nanyang army commander hesitated, "we only have land forces, but the Baiyue seem to have considerable naval strength. If we really have to take action..."
"Who said we were going to take action?" the wicked man interrupted him. "We're on official inspection duty, understand? Inspection duty! Besides..."
He turned and wrote several secret orders on his desk: "Isn't the South Sea Commandery here? I've already ordered them to requisition fishing boats and build a naval force. When we coordinate with the army, we can catch them completely off guard!"
Everyone suddenly realized. This Grand Commandant was indeed a master strategist; he had already devised a plan.
"I have another question," said the commander of the Jiujiang army. "Shouldn't we have a reason for going there?"
"That's easy." The wicked man smiled mysteriously. "Didn't someone send you a big gift?"
Just then, Chu Ping and his men burst in: "Grand Commandant! Good news!"
"explain!"
"A secret report just arrived," Chu Ping said smugly. "A merchant caravan from Baiyue was trying to sneak through the checkpoint. Our men caught them red-handed and found a lot of contraband!"
"What contraband?" the wicked man asked, feigning ignorance.
"Weaponry blueprints!" Chu Ping lowered his voice, "And their naval deployment maps. These people are clearly plotting something sinister!"
"Good!" The wicked man slammed his hand on the table. "Now we have a pretext. The Baiyue are harboring treacherous intentions, secretly stockpiling weapons and plotting rebellion. To maintain stability in the southern border, His Majesty has specially ordered a large army to march south for inspection..."
The generals exchanged bewildered glances. This Grand Commandant was truly something else; such a flimsy excuse... he might as well not have said anything at all!
"Grand Commandant, you are wise!" Zhang Erhe laughed. "Now, even if the Baiyue people had ten mouths, they wouldn't be able to explain themselves."
"Of course!" Wang Pen chimed in. "Don't they like to play dirty tricks? Let's see how they explain themselves this time!"
Just then, another spy rushed in: "Reporting to the Grand Commandant, the Baiyue seem to have noticed something. They've begun strengthening their coastal defenses, and..."
"And what?"
"Furthermore, they dispatched a large number of merchant ships heading south along the sea routes. It seems they intend to relocate something."
"Haha!" the wicked man laughed. "Isn't this perfect? The more anxious they are, the more suspicious it is. Send the order to have the South Sea Commandery send men to keep a close watch. Also..."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes: "Keep a close watch on that shipping route. Once we're at the city gates, that's when we'll begin the search!"
"Grand Commandant," one of the generals asked, "what if they won't allow the investigation?"
"You won't let me investigate?" the wicked husband sneered. "That's disobeying orders! And then..."
He made a throat-slitting gesture. The others smiled knowingly. This trip south was likely to be fraught with a fierce battle!
"Chu Ping!"
"exist!"
"You, Wang Pen, and Lao Dong take some men to Nanhai County first. Gather a good understanding of the situation, especially among the fishermen; find out as much as you can about the conditions on the water."
"Yes, ma'am!" The three of them went off excitedly.
"Zhang Erhe!"
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Follow me along the central route. Remember, spread plenty of rumors along the way. Keep the Baiyue people on edge!"
"yes!"
As night fell, the wicked man dismissed the crowd. Standing alone before the map, he studied the terrain carefully once more.
The Baiyue people live far in the southern borderlands and have a navy to rely on. Taking them down will definitely take some effort. However...
"Someone come here!" he suddenly shouted. "Prepare pen and ink for me. Also, bring all the recent reports from Nanhai County!"
Once the clerk had everything ready, the wicked man began to write furiously. This was a plan he had been preparing for a long time, and now it could finally be put into action.
In the dead of night, several riders galloped out of the city, each heading in a different direction. These were all secret orders from the wicked man, to prepare for the army's southward march.
"Grand Commandant, you must be worried about matters on the water, right?" Zhang Erhe asked when he saw that the Grand Commandant had been silent for a long time.
"Indeed," the wicked man sighed. "The Baiyue people spend most of their lives at sea and are extremely familiar with naval warfare. Although our Great Qin has a strong and well-equipped army, we really have little experience on the water."
"What should we do?"
"So..." the wicked man smiled mysteriously, "we need to plan ahead. What do you think I sent Chu Ping and the others for? The fishermen in the South China Sea are all skilled. As long as we offer them substantial rewards..."
Zhang Erhe suddenly realized: "The Grand Commandant wants to..."
"Excellent!" the wicked man nodded. "Once the army arrives, these fishermen will be our guides. With the help of the land forces, even if the Baiyue have extraordinary abilities, they'll have no choice but to submit!"
Zhang Erhe couldn't help but sigh: This Grand Commandant is truly a master strategist!
"Go and prepare." The wicked man stood up. "The army will march in three days!"
Gazing at the distant horizon, a cold smile crept across his lips: Yi Yusong, Yi Yusong, this time you can't play tricks!
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