359: Chapter 359 The Great Battle Begins

His mission was complete, and it was time to leave, but during his time at the Yunmeng Marsh Water Stronghold, he had received much care from Song Jiang.

However, he then remembered that Song Jiang was, after all, a Yunmengze Water Bandit; to oppose Great Qin, he had even joined the Water Ghost Camp and become a minor leader.

In the end, they were in an adversarial relationship.

After letting out a sigh, Sheng Tao spoke: "Let's go."

"Understood."

The leading Shadow Guard nodded, and they left the place.

Once they left Yunmeng Marsh, the Shadow Guards immediately sent the news to Xianyang via carrier pigeon.

Inside the Imperial Study, Zhao Fusu received the intelligence sent by the Shadow Guards.

"Zhang Liang!"

Zhao Fusu was somewhat surprised, but also not entirely so.

Only Zhang Liang could stir up such a massive commotion!

This was Zhang Liang, the man known as the Sage of Strategy!

It would certainly be a lie to say that Zhao Fusu didn't fear Zhang Liang.

Zhang Liang still put a lot of pressure on him.

He had long ago ordered the Shadow Guards to secretly search for Zhang Liang's whereabouts, but there had been no results; it turned out he had fled to Yunmeng Marsh and was secretly plotting to attack the train.

Zhang Liang was determined to set himself against Great Qin.

If there were an opportunity to kill Zhang Liang, he would certainly show no mercy!

Zhao Fusu's eyes were filled with a cold glint.

Before long, those two old fellows, Wei Liao and General Wang Jian, arrived at Zhao Fusu's Imperial Study.

They had also received word that the Yunmengze Water Bandits were forming a Water Ghost Camp.

Wei Liao sneered, "Forming a Water Ghost Camp? What a pipe dream! Does he think a ragtag bunch of people gathered together can pose a threat to my Louchuan Soldiers? Utterly ridiculous!"

"Indeed."

General Wang Jian said, "My Louchuan Soldiers' aquatic defenses are tight; how could they be easily shaken by his so-called Water Ghost Camp? Zhang Liang is merely at his wit's end, resorting to such low-handed tactics in a desperate struggle."

"Still, he must not be underestimated."

Zhao Fusu said, "The person we are facing is Zhang Liang. This man is resourceful and often comes up with ingenious strategies; his intellect must not be underestimated."

"We must despise our opponent strategically, but we must take them seriously tactically!"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty the Paramount Leader."

The two old fellows, Wei Liao and General Wang Jian, were quite familiar with Great Qin's Louchuan Soldiers.

He said, "When fighting against the Baiyue, they would often try to scuttle our ships."

"To prevent the ships from being scuttled, every vessel is equipped with water ghosts who stand ready beneath the hull."

"Your Majesty, we have the water ghosts carry Oxygen Tanks, wear rubber Diving Suits, and use glass Diving Masks, allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods."

Wei Liao said, "If the Yunmeng Marsh Water Ghost Camp dares to sneak over, they shouldn't blame us for being ruthless!"

After hearing this, Zhao Fusu said no more.

In military affairs, the two elders, Wei Liao and General Wang Jian, were far more capable than he was.

In the battle to suppress the Yunmengze Water Bandits, both elders were involved in formulating the tactics.

Zhao Fusu naturally trusted these two military giants.

The Great Qin Lou Chuan Soldiers completed their assembly; in addition to the Louchuan Soldiers from Nan Commandery, those from various commanderies along the river were also gathered.

This included Hengshan Commandery, Lujiang Commandery, Changsha Commandery, and Zhang Commandery.

Even the Louchuan Soldiers from Kuaiji Commandery rushed to Yunmeng Marsh.

The number of assembled Louchuan Soldiers reached fifty thousand.

Tens of thousands of warships, large and small, were deployed along the perimeter of Yunmeng Marsh, forming a containment net.

The great battle began.

The steam ironship sailed into Yunmeng Marsh, flanked by three thirty-meter-long Tower Ships as it headed toward the water stronghold.