bookbashuk Page 954
Page 954
Ruan Xiaoer nodded.
"I'm waiting for your news, brother."
.....
The army returned to Liangshan.
Everything is settled in.
After depositing all the remaining jewelry and silver into the account,
Zhao Yuan then summoned the two strategists he had acquired on the mountain, Xu Guanzhong and Zhu Wu, to the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.
He told the two of Ruan Xiao'er's idea.
"The imperial court suffered a great loss this year,"
Zhao Yuan said,
"When we come back next year, the number of troops will definitely be far greater than this year."
"At that point, we might really have to hold out at the lake."
"And the imperial court will certainly not lack naval warships."
“What Brother Ruan said makes sense,”
"The navy's current number of warships is indeed insufficient."
"Either buy some warships directly, or buy some ship timber to build them."
"I've often heard that northerners ride horses, while southerners travel by boat,"
Zhu Wu said,
"Buying a boat in the south is definitely an option."
"But that south is now the territory of Fang La of the Ming Cult,"
"Our Liangshan has never had any contact with the Ming Cult before,"
"If we rashly head south now,"
"I wonder how the Ming Cult will react?"
"We're just going to buy a boat,"
Xu Guanzhong pondered for a moment and said,
"The Ming Cult shouldn't react excessively,"
"If all else fails, we might as well go there incognito."
"When it comes to sailing, the South is indeed far superior to the North,"
"In my opinion, if we're going south, we should not only buy a boat,"
"We should recruit more shipwrights who know how to build ships."
"In the future, besides building warships for use on rivers and lakes,"
“The ships from Dengzhou always need repair and replenishment.”
"Um,"
Zhao Yuan nodded.
"Both strategists have a point,"
"Then let's do it this way,"
"I changed my name and, with about ten brothers, went to Jiangnan..."
Zhao Yuan had not finished speaking when
This was met with unanimous opposition from Xu Guanzhong and Zhu Wu.
"Chief, you mustn't!"
Chapter 1176 Heading South
"Chief, you are now bound to the fate of the entire Liangshan Mountain community,"
Zhu Wu advised him.
“That Jiangnan region is Ming Cult territory,”
"If the chieftain goes, his identity will be exposed,"
"I'm afraid there might be danger."
"Chief, Master Zhu is right,"
Hsu Kuan-chung also said,
"When I traveled to the south in my early years,"
"I have also encountered Ming Cult missionaries,"
"The Ming Cult clearly has grand ambitions,"
"I fear that sooner or later they will raise the flag of rebellion in the south."
"It would be best if the chieftain did not go to Jiangnan."
"My two strategists, winter is almost here,"
Zhao Yuan said with a smile,
"By then, there won't be any major issues on this mountain,"
"It's so boring for me to stay on the mountain,"
"It's a good time to go for a trip in the south."
"Most of the brothers on our mountain are from the north,"
"But sooner or later, I'll have to go to the South,"
"We can't be completely ignorant about the south."
"But....."
Zhu Wu and Xu Guanzhong wanted to persuade him further.
Zhao Yuan, however, had already made up his mind.
“I am well aware of the concerns of the two strategists.”
"It's not like this!"
"I led a group of people disguised as a large merchant caravan heading south, numbering over a hundred!"
"As long as the Ming Cult hasn't openly rebelled,"
"We can't just randomly kidnap hundreds of people, can we?"
"Besides, our identities may not necessarily be exposed."
"this....."
Zhu Wu and Xu Guanzhong exchanged a glance.
Xu Guanzhong pondered for a moment and said,
“If the chieftain insists on going, then taking only this few men is not enough to ensure safety.”
"If you ask me, I'd suggest letting Ruan Xiaowu and Ruan Xiaoqi from the Dengzhou naval stronghold also lead the navy,"
"Let's sail south by sea!"
"Strategist Xu's idea is excellent!"
Zhu Wu agreed.
"The naval forces in Dengzhou have been training for nearly two or three months,"
"This will also be a good opportunity to test their training results."
"In addition, let Ruan Xiaowu and Ruan Xiaoqi raise the banner of Liangshan,"
"Going south openly and honestly will also attract the attention of the government and the Ming Cult!"
"At that time, the chieftain's group will not look so conspicuous."
"If the chieftain encounters trouble,"
Xu Guanzhong said,
"It will also allow Ruan Xiaowu and the others to get there nearby."
"This is like double insurance!"
"...That works too,"
Zhao Yuan nodded.
"Xiao Wu and Xiao Qi went south together,"
"Just when they come back, have them bring the timber they bought."
"If there is a suitable boat, we can have them sail it directly back."
"Besides, Chieftain,"
Hsu Kuan-chung suggested,
"I think our Liangshan should use the workshop for building warships,"
"Let's move them to Dengzhou too!"
"Why?"
Zhao Yuan inquired.
"In the next two years, there will definitely be a major battle between Liangshan and the government,"
Hsu Kuan-chung explained,
"That will definitely affect the construction of the warships."
"Secondly, if we move the workshops for building warships to Dengzhou,"
"Dengzhou is closer to the sea, and its water and land transportation is much more convenient than our Liangshan area,"
"Furthermore, even if Liangshan were to engage in battle with the government troops,"
"It won't affect the Dengzhou water fortress either..."
Chapter 1177 Ruan Xiaoqi Wants to Set Sail
"Alright,"
Zhao Yuan nodded.
"After I leave, let's arrange things this way."
"correct,"
Zhao Yuan remembered something else.
"The river that leads from here to the sea,"
"We need to clean it up more."
"We might need it next year."
"Don't worry, Chief, Master Zhu and I will take care of these matters."
Xu Guanzhong nodded and made a guarantee together with Zhu Wu.
.....
The next day, Zhao Yuan brought Jiao Ting, Shi Jin, Ruan Xiaoer, and Zhang Shun, along with one hundred personal guards.