Chapter 585 I wish I could kill her right now!
(Thanks to Lin for casting 3 monthly votes.)
The people along the coast discovered that those ferocious Japanese pirates were not only easy to defeat!
Even worse, they could turn around and "rob" the Japanese pirates!
The battle outside Snake Coil Island directly established Li Shiyue's dominant position in Jian'an and even the entire East China Sea!
In October, Li ordered that the heads of all Japanese pirates be hung on tall poles on the beach for public display, and that the most heinous prisoners be publicly executed to bolster the show of force.
However, this victory against the Japanese pirates did not go to Li Shiyue's head.
She knew full well that these victories had only scratched the surface of the Japanese pirates' power, while the real beneficiaries behind them remained completely unscathed.
Their real battles in Jian'an are yet to come.
The Japanese pirates, having suffered a loss, will surely realize what's happening.
Although Li Shiyue won a great victory this time, three years of peace is not a lifetime of peace.
The next Japanese pirates coming from the east will probably not be these easily defeated pirates.
Being mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace is an attitude that a general should have.
However, beneath this spontaneous surge of worship, a carefully orchestrated undercurrent is quietly brewing.
Inside the governor's study, Li Shiyue listened to Sun Xiaoliu's report on public opinion, a barely perceptible smile appearing on his lips.
"Well done."
She said calmly, "The title 'Goddess of Justice' sounds much more approachable and carries more weight than titles like 'Female Rakshasa' or 'Female Demon.'"
Sun Xiaoliu respectfully said, "General, your strategy is brilliant. Our men only gave a little guidance at a few key points, and the people spontaneously spread the word."
In Jian'an today, no one dares disobey you.
Li Shiyue walked to the window, looking at the port gradually recovering in the distance, and listening to the hawkers' cries on the street outside the governor's mansion. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.
[Finally, we bought Jian'an these three years!]
Yes, the title "Queen of Justice" was spread by Sun Xiaoliu at Li Shiyue's request.
Manipulating public opinion and consolidating power are necessary means.
In times of chaos, the support of the people is the greatest asset.
More importantly, before the people are enlightened, a deified leader is more likely to unite the people and reduce internal friction.
Now, Li Shiyue doesn't need the people to understand complicated military and national affairs; she only needs them to know that if they obey the "Upright Lady," they can survive and live a better life.
To oppose her is to be an enemy of a deity who brings peace to all, and to ruin one's own good life.
After hearing this, Li Shiyue spoke again.
"How are the prisoners being handled? Are there any problems at the mines and the canals?"
Li Shiyue asked, and the topic shifted to practical matters.
"Reporting to the General, everything went smoothly."
Dozens of the Japanese pirates who were captured died, but the rest were all very obedient.
The soldiers overseeing the work were ruthless; they dared not resist.
Mineral production on the mountains increased by 30%, and the construction of the new canal has also progressed significantly.
Sun Xiaoliu replied, "The problem is that the consumption of grain is enormous. The spoils we've captured, plus what we've obtained in exchange for from Madam Yan, probably won't last long."
Li Shiyue nodded; she had expected this.
Supporting the army and prisoners of war, as well as subsidizing the people, was an expense that seemed bottomless.
"The salt production cannot stop, even if the sunlight is reduced in winter. We must not stop and let those Japanese pirates work in the salt fields!"
We need to sell better salt than others to get more grain in return.
She instructed, "In addition, the Zhenjun and Xuanjiajun must not slacken their efforts; their expansion and training must continue."
The East China Sea is vast; there is far more than just Shepan Island.
Although the main force of the Japanese pirates was lost, some scattered remnants remained, and it was hard to guarantee that no new forces would emerge.
Winter is almost here, but who knows what these bastards might get up to!
Li Shiyue's gaze once again fell upon the huge nautical chart spread out on the table.
The victory at Snake Coil Island was just the beginning; it was the foundational battle for her foothold in the East China Sea.
With this victory, she won both time and popular support.
Next, she would use all of this to build a more solid foundation for her future—more provisions, more elite soldiers, and a stronger fleet.
A cold wind rushed in through the window, ruffling the hair on her forehead and also stirring the nautical chart on the table marked with more unknown islands and routes.
Sweeping the near seas is only the first step; her journey extends to the far reaches of the East.
But in Jinzhou, which is not close to Jian'an, the scene is quite different.
Jinzhou, the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion.
Compared to the vibrant and lively atmosphere of Jian'an Port, which is filled with the scent of the sea, the atmosphere here is like a gloomy winter sky, somber and tense, with calculation and unease everywhere.
Liu Tan sat at the head of the study, his fingertips lightly tapping the secret letter from Jian'an, delivered by Li Shiyue's golden eagle.
Beneath this secret letter lay news sent back by Liu Tan's spies in Jian'an.
It's quite interesting to compare these two secret letters.
His face betrayed no emotion.
The two people standing at the bottom of the study were Zhao Da, whose face looked slightly haggard but whose eyes were sharp, and Ma San, who stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, not daring to breathe loudly.
"Heh," after a long while, Liu Tan let out a soft, ambiguous laugh.
He handed the secret letter to Ma San, saying, "Take a look. Li Shiyue has caused quite a stir in Jian'an."
'The Goddess of Justice'?
"How imposing and intimidating!"
Ma San carefully took two steps forward and took the two secret letters. He quickly glanced at them, and the more he read, the more serious his expression became.
In the end, a barely perceptible hint of fear even appeared on his face.
Ma San was not shocked by Li Shiyue's achievements; Li Shiyue's record in the Turkic Khaganate already demonstrated her ability to lead troops.
Ma San was shocked by the ruthlessness and speed of her actions, and... that uncontrollable, powerful force that seemed to leap off the page.
"Dozens of ships were burned, over a thousand were beheaded, and nearly a thousand were captured... He established the Zhenhai Navy, which dominated the East China Sea..."
Ma San put down the secret letter, his voice hoarse, "Li Shiyue is truly no ordinary person."
The more capable and powerful Li Shiyue is, the more she becomes a double-edged sword for Jinzhou.
Especially for Liu Tan, Li Shiyue could defend against external enemies, but naturally she could also... turn against him from within.
Although Li Shiyue currently only has four thousand soldiers under her command;
However, her achievements made Liu Tan, who was already suspicious of her, even more wary... Now he wished he could kill her!
"Yes, extraordinary."
Liu Tan repeated, his gaze sweeping over Ma San, "When we sent her to Jian'an, we wanted to keep her away from Jinzhou, away from the Princess, away from this... center of power."
Now, she has become a dragon battling across the four seas.
Ma San was filled with mixed feelings. Ten years had passed. Who could have imagined that the little girl who fled famine would become a female general with four thousand soldiers under her command?
The greater Li Shiyue's contributions, the more distressed Liu Tan felt.
Ma San tried to force a smile at Liu Tan, but he really couldn't manage it.
Liu Tan snorted, "She's formidable; she's managed Jian'an like an iron barrel, impenetrable."
The sea salt that Sun Xiaoliu sent is now back in General Ben's warehouse. There's a lot of it, and the sincerity is evident.
The secret letter delivered by the golden eagle addressed me as "Your Highness" in every sentence, and she knew in every word that I was the true ruler of Andong.
I gave Sun Xiaoliu my warrant, granting her the authority to "act arbitrarily and report later," but she just went ahead and killed Cai Hua...
The study fell silent for a moment.
All three present understood that Li Shiyue, with his outstanding military achievements, had already gained the power to bargain with Jinzhou, no, with Liu Tan, and even had some ability to stand on equal footing with Liu Tan.
She was no longer the person who had to slink away from Princess Jiang Huijun's sharp edge and leave Jinzhou in disgrace.
Now, Li Shiyue is a powerful general in Jian'an.
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