However, the calm did not last long.
Just as the Ye Dynasty was preparing for war with all its might, neighboring countries suddenly began to stir.
The eastern sea area, which was once a prosperous trading region frequented by Yechao merchant ships, is now shrouded in dark clouds.
The unidentified vessels, like ghosts, frequently darted between the waves, appearing and disappearing unpredictably.
Under the cover of night and fog, they wantonly plundered the merchant ships of the Night Dynasty.
Those ships, laden with goods and hope, were suddenly met with pitiful cries under the attack of pirates.
The cargo was looted, and the crew members were either brutally murdered or ruthlessly thrown into the sea.
Within just a few months, the maritime trade of the Night Dynasty was almost paralyzed. The once bustling port was now deserted, with only broken planks and an atmosphere of despair floating on the sea.
Xu Ruyu and Xu Ruyan were entrusted with the critical mission of protecting the sea frontier and led the navy to patrol the sea area.
The two brothers had firm eyes, knowing that this expedition was of extraordinary significance, not only concerning the economic lifeline of the Night Dynasty, but also the dignity and prestige of the nation.
They boarded the warship, the sea breeze howling and blowing their cloaks, making them flutter as if playing a war song for them to go to war.
The vowels, on the other hand, demonstrate exceptional organizational skills from the rear.
She went deep into the workshops of artisans, discussing with them day and night to meticulously build new warships.
She personally oversaw the design of every line and every piece of wood, often arguing heatedly with the craftsmen over a single detail until the most perfect solution was achieved.
At the same time, she actively prepared supplies, and food, arrows, medicine and other materials were continuously transported to the port, providing a solid support for the soldiers on the front line.
During the transport, they encountered a sudden downpour, which made the roads muddy and caused many horse-drawn carriages to become stuck.
Upon learning of this, Yuan Yin personally led the soldiers and civilians to push carts and pave roads, enduring hardships to ensure that the supplies were delivered on time.
At sea, the Xu brothers encountered unprecedented challenges.
The enemy ships were small and agile, like cunning sea wolves, moving freely through the waves.
Their mysterious weapons terrified the Night Dynasty's navy. The powerful fireballs were like the breath of a demon; once launched, Night Dynasty's warships would instantly be engulfed in flames, with wood chips flying everywhere, screams echoing, and repeated damage.
Xu Ruyu remained calm and composed, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as he carefully observed the enemy's tactics amidst the chaos of battle.
After a long period of observation and analysis, he finally discovered that the enemy's weakness lay in the lack of coordination between the ships; their seemingly fierce attacks were actually individual efforts.
Therefore, he made a decisive decision and devised a strategy of attacking in a dispersed manner and defeating them one by one.
Following this plan, the Yechao navy broke into smaller units and surrounded the enemy ships from multiple directions. Utilizing the sturdiness of their own warships and the bravery of their soldiers, they gradually turned the tide of the battle.
After several fierce naval battles, the sea was stained red with blood, and countless wrecks floated on the surface. The Night Dynasty navy finally succeeded in repelling the invading enemy and captured their mysterious weapon.
At that moment, cheers erupted on the warship, and the soldiers, looking at the battered but still standing warship, were moved to tears.
At the same time, alarms were also sounding from the western border.
A fierce nomadic tribe amassed its forces like a surging tide and crossed the border.
They rode swift horses, brandishing long swords, leaving devastation in their wake.
The village was burned down, the people fled in terror, cattle and sheep were looted, and fields were trampled.
The billowing smoke and the pitiful cries sounded like the painful groans of the borderland.
This time, General Qi Qing, who was nearly seventy years old, personally led the Li family army into battle. He stood tall and straight, riding his warhorse, like a war god descending to earth.
His apprentice, Chi Xian, the new leader of the Li family army, took the lead in battle. He was brave and fearless, charging into the enemy ranks, wielding his long sword with a cold glint in its light, each swing bringing up a cloud of blood mist.
Inspired by him, the soldiers fought bravely against the enemy, their battle cries shaking the heavens and the earth.
They used their exceptional military skills to set up an ambush in the valley.
The soldiers hid on both sides of the valley, with the grass and rocks providing them with natural cover.
When the enemy troops charged into the encirclement like a pack of greedy wolves, Qi Qing gave the order, and immediately arrows rained down and stones rolled down, plunging the enemy troops into chaos.
Immediately afterwards, the Li family army, like tigers emerging from the mountains, launched a surprise attack and engaged in fierce close combat with the enemy.
The battle was exceptionally fierce; blood stained the valley floor, and corpses piled up like mountains.
But the Li family army did not back down. With a firm belief in defending their homeland, they fought to the death.
In the end, the nomadic tribes suffered a crushing defeat, and the remnants fled in disarray. The border land, ravaged by war, was left desolate and bleak, but it also bore witness to the bravery and fearlessness of the Li family army.
Meanwhile, within the court of the Night Dynasty, a crisis was quietly emerging.
The old minister who colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country was Zhao Qi, who once held an important position in the court. He had served as an official in the night court for many years, but due to his own selfish desires, he secretly colluded with neighboring countries.
His associates included Qian Su, who controlled part of the garrison in the capital, and Sun You, who was in charge of the distribution of provisions.
Zhao Qi attempted to use his connections and influence in the court to open the border gates of a neighboring country and offer up the empire of the Night Dynasty in exchange for his own wealth and glory under the new regime.
However, after the incident in Yuyao, Xu Qian had secretly investigated all the officials in the court and found that although the court seemed prosperous, there was actually a lot of corruption in the officialdom.
Collusion for personal gain is commonplace, but most people are very careful, outwardly appearing upright and honest, and are praised by the people.
The sheer number of officials involved forced Xu Qian to carefully consider how to purge them.
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