The World Online

Huo Qubing led the Guards Legion Corps into Lion City and took over its defenses. As for the specifics, Ouyang Shuo did not interfere. After all, with Huo Qubing’s abilities, he could easily handle this matter.

Along with the Guards Legion Corps was also one thousand divine martial guards.

Under the leadership of Zheng He, the voyage squadron had returned to Xingzhou Bay and started to patrol the nearby ocean region. At the same time, the two divisions of the Beihai Bay Squadron had started to travel to Shanhai City; they would teleport to Lion City shortly after.

He replenished both the Divine Martial Guards and the sailors.

Ouyang Shuo took these measures because he did not plan to stay for long. When Xingzhou Prefecture got back on track, the voyage squadron would set off once more. This voyaging journey was immensely important to Shanhai City, and it would not be stopped.

The first and second divisions of the Beihai Bay Squadron that formed the voyage squadron had suffered heavy casualties and only ten thousand remained.

As such, the 3rd and 4th divisions were shifted over.

With that, only the 5th division remained in Beihai Bay. Ouyang Shuo ordered Pei Donglai to return to Shanhai City and recruit new troops to replenish the Beihai Bay Squadron.

Pei Donglai had become the first navy general to break away from the voyage squadron.

Of course, he would not be the last one. That night, Ouyang Shuo summoned Yanhuo Yaonie.

”Lord!”

Yanhuo Yaonie hurried overed; he thought he would be chided, he felt extremely anxious.

During this country war, his strategy of hitting east and attacking west was mostly brilliant. However, in terms of execution, there were some mistakes. The person to blame was naturally Yanhuo Yaonie, who came up with the plan.

Zheng He had led the east troops, and their results were far better than expected; they nearly wiped out the player army in a single day. On the contrary, the middle troops were in chaos, not only did they fail to take down Lion City, he also dragged the entire squadron into a land battle, causing them to suffer heavy casualties.

Yanhuo Yaonie’s first performance was an utter failure. Luckily, in the end, they had won. If not, Yanhuo Yaonie would really have to commit suicide.

As a result, he was under a lot of pressure now.

In truth, Yanhuo Yaonie had thought too much. Be it Ouyang Shuo or Admiral Zheng He, they did not blame him. Based on Zheng He’s words, it was already a miracle for a navy general to achieve such results on their first mission.

These were not fake words.

Think about it, which general in history, apart from the freakish Huo Qubing, had not experienced numerous battles and failures before growing?

Even Huo Qubing was taught for many years by the Hanwu Emperor before he led troops. Hence, there truly was not an accomplished general in history who was able to be a talent without learning or without having a teacher.

Without mentioning the historical generals, even the native Pei Donglai possessed a vast amount of experience. On the contrary, Yanhuo Yaonie had used his own talent to climb up in the navy. Considering everything, it had been less than a year since he had entered the navy.

To possess such skill in just a year, what more could one ask for?

Didn’t Ouyang Shuo favor Yanhuo Yaonie because of the latter’s potential and room for growth?

Hence, this war was undoubtedly the best training opportunity for him. Ouyang Shuo wanted to see this general to grow; he wanted Yanhou Yaonie to transform from all this and not sink down.

”The surrounding oceans of Xingzhou Prefecture need to be defended. I think there’s a need to build a strong navy here.” Ouyang Shuo looked gently at Yanhuo Yaonie, smiling as he asked, ”What do you think?”

Yaohuo Yaonie was obviously shocked. TheLlord’s current words ran completely contrary to his expectations. Luckily, his mental strength was good; he would not have dared to directly target the home of the enemy on his first mission if it wasn’t.

Thinking about it, Yanhuo Yaonie replied, ”I think so too. The strategic position of Singapore is really important. Without a strong navy protecting it, sea trade would never be able to start.”

When Ouyang Shuo heard these words, he smiled widely.

Yanhuo Yaonie’s advantage as a player was instantly revealed. He obviously saw through the strategic goal of Ouyang Shuo in taking down Singapore. Hence, he used that to analyse the question.

Such a strategic mindset was something that even Zheng He did not currently possess.

Hence, Ouyang Shuo had a firm belief in him and said, ”Well said. I’ve discussed with Admiral Zheng He about preparing four squadrons under the Nanyang Navy. This 4th squadron will be housed in Xingzhou Prefecture, and it will be called the Xingzhou Squadron.”

”Lord is wise!” Yanhuo Yaonie’s heart jumped. His intuition told him that the Lord wanted him to build the Xingzhou Sqaudron.

As expected, Ouyang Shuo continued, ”The Beihai Bay Squadron 3rd and 4th divisions have teleported over to Lion City. The new squadron will include the 10 thousand surviving troops as their core, forming 1 division. The remaining 30 thousand will form the skeleton of the squadron.”

To reduce the size of the voyage squadron was part of the voyage plan that Zheng He had set up. These measures were necessary because after the squadron left the Malacca Straits, it would be more difficult to obtain supplies.

A squadron with too great numbers would be unable to last till the Straits of England.

”Apart from this, tomorrow, there will be a large number of technical talents who will teleport over to Lion City to build a large-scale shipyard and a steelmaking factory. With that, the troops and warships are all available. The Xingzhou Squadron is lacking a fleet commander, and Zheng He recommended you to me. Are you confident?” Ouyang Shuo gazed at Yanhuo Yaonie.

When Yanhuo Yaonie heard these words, he felt rather complicated. He did not expect that he would not be scolded, and he would even be promoted to fleet general.

It was Zheng He’s recommendation and the recognition of the Lord.

Such a fortuitous event could not be described with words. As he thought these things, he knelt on one knee and solemnly proclaimed, ”The Lord treats me so well, I’ll serve the country well!”

”I’ll look forward to it.” Ouyang Shuo nodded.

The most legendary figure in Shanhai City’s navy history had taken his most crucial step. Hence, the curtains to his legend had opened up.

This story of the trust between Lord and general was spread down to future generations.

With an army taking charge, Ouyang Shuo could swing his knives and deal with Xingzhou Prefecture.

4th month, 23rd day, the 2nd day after the country battle ended, the officials sent from the Nanjiang Governor-General House teleported over and made changes to the Xingzhou Prefecture based on the Shanhai City structure.

Thanks to the game settings, the natives would not have too strong attachment to their country. As a result, when they were occupied, these people were basically model citizens, and they would follow the rule of the new ruler.

As for the biggest uncertainty - players - they had already disappeared.

Hence, there would not be too much of an obstacle internally for their rule over Xingzhou Prefecture. On the contrary, the obstacle was on the outside - ASEAN.

Ouyang Shuo’s choice for governor had to be all rounded. The choice must be able to run the territory and be able to do as they wanted in the stranglehold of the ASEAN.

Out of all the governors and directors, Ouyang Shuo settled on Pei Ju.

Firstly, since he had settled Lingnan, his results with the Turks had shown his all rounded skills. Especially the way he came up with the economic strategy for the western region, which was a similar situation to what Xingzhou was currently facing.

Secondly, out of all the governors, he was the only one that was not at work. Guilin Prefecture was still under the rule of Chuanbei and the Wannan City State. This Guilin Prefecture Governor could only hide in the stronghold and spend time with the Leopard Legion Corps.

They had finished the construction of the Withered Flower Stronghold, but who knows when they would take down Guilin Prefecture.

Ouyang Shuo naturally could bear to let such an able minister remain in such a temporary job. As for in the future when he occupied Guilin Prefecture, he would just choose another governor.

Pei Ju had already received the imperial decree. For him to come over from the Withered Flower Stronghold, it would take three to four days even when using the formation. For this period of time, all administrative matters would be handled by Ouyang Shuo.

This time, apart from the military, officials, and the technical talents, there were also four secret groups. They were the Shanhai Guards, the Black Snake Guards, the Military Intelligence Division, and the Honglu Temple forces.

These four sneakily took root in Lion City, and they built their own intel stations and started work. Amongst which, the most special group was the Black Snake Guards, who had Black Snake personally taking charge.

When he reorganized the three intel organizations awhile ago, Ouyang Shuo had decreed that the Black Snake Guards would take up the bulk of overseas intel. With Xingzhou Prefecture as the diving board, they would spread to the various ASEAN countries.

Hence, Black Snake personally came over to lead the work.

With that, in less than two days, the number of people who teleported over was more than 120 thousand people, which cost 120 thousand gold in teleportation fees alone.

Of course, all of this was worth it.

……

Lion City, imperial palace.

Ouyang Shuo could not bear to tear down the beautiful palace. He immediately ordered people to modify it into the Governor House. Ouyang Shuo would temporarily stay within one of the palaces within the house.

”Lord, the treasury tabulation work has been done, please take a look.” Secretary Bai Nanpu, who had been specially moved over, handed Ouyang Shuo a list.

When Ouyang Shuo saw the list, his smile grew wider and wider.

After occupying a country, not only did he obtain land and population, he also obtained a massive fortune. The core of this was naturally within the treasury of the country.

Estimates put the gold at 1.7 million, and there were 20 boxes of jewellery, 10 thousand sets of guard armor, spears, arrows, and other normal military resources.

The overall value was no less than four million.

With that, all their losses had been recuperated, and they had earned a huge sum. The teleportation costs were not even worth mentioning.