An unexpected "gift"

"System, are you playing with me? This punishment is basically a death sentence!"

"Host, if you don't expand your strength to a level where you can contend with Toungoo before they react, you might as well go back home and farm sweet potatoes early."

Although he really wanted to complain, Gao Yuan had to admit that this damn system made a lot of sense.

If he didn't rapidly expand his strength, he would be at a dead end once Toungoo wiped out the other countries.

But looking at the rewards again, they were quite enticing—two thousand permanent Martial Soul Cards, and S-rank at that. This was equivalent to being given two thousand elites directly.

And they were the kind that could be recycled after death and reused repeatedly.

Swallowing hard, Gao Yuan asked,

"System, is there a time limit for this mission?"

"According to the system's evaluation of all parties' strengths, it will take no more than three years for Toungoo to destroy Ayutthaya."

"Three years? That's enough. The first stage event is already this insane; I really don't know what the second stage will be like."

Gao Yuan comforted himself, sat back down, and spread out a map to begin planning.

Strengthening his power was naturally better done sooner rather than later.

Since Thăng Long had already suffered a heavy blow, it was naturally the softest target now.

He originally wanted to call Liu Rengui back to discuss it, but thinking about how busy he must be right now, Gao Yuan dropped the idea.

To seize territory, the most important thing was to have people.

He only had three generals at the moment, and there was no immediate way to expand that number.

As for soldiers, he had nearly eight thousand City Defense Forces and over one thousand six hundred elites, which was definitely not enough.

But how much to expand the army was also an issue; he had to consider whether he could afford to maintain them and whether it would affect production.

After three days of contemplation, Gao Yuan issued his first order:

Transfer personnel from the City Defense Forces to expand the First Division to between 2,000 and 2,200 men, and expand the City Defense Forces to 8,000 men.

As soon as the order was issued, everyone understood one thing: Gao Yuan was about to stir things up.

So, although they didn't say anything, the women kept staring at him during meals.

Those looks, those expressions, clearly said,

"You're going to war again, you're setting out on a campaign again. You're not keeping your word, hmph!"

Since they didn't say it outright, Gao Yuan played dumb and enjoyed this beautiful, leisurely time.

Expanding an army wasn't as simple as just recruiting people; preparing weapons and equipment and training new recruits were sciences in themselves.

Thanks to the high benefits of the Nanzhou Army—plenty of food, meat every few days, military pay, and high pensions—the recruitment process went very smoothly.

Especially the major families, who had bought some slaves at low prices and tasted the benefits, naturally expressed their full support for Gao Yuan.

Over a dozen young men of C-rank or higher were sent into the Nanzhou Army, bolstering Gao Yuan's strength.

To Gao Yuan's even greater surprise, one day in May, a group of several hundred people arrived in Dehong.

The leader of the group bowed deeply upon seeing Gao Yuan.

"Ma Song, Left Langjiang of the C-Battalion of the Gao Family Army, greets the Third Young Master."

"C-Battalion? You are Uncle Bing's subordinate?"

Gao Wu's direct Gao Family Army had twelve fierce generals known as the Twelve Heavenly Stems, also called the Twelve Protectors.

These Twelve Protectors led troops along the northern border, each commanding an army of about ten thousand men.

Combined with Gao Long and Gao Hu holding the rank of Great General in the Sixteen Guards of the Southern Palace Imperial Guard.

The Gao Family effectively controlled nearly 180,000 troops, which was exactly what Emperor Zhao Che feared the most.

This Ma Song was a Langjiang of the C-Battalion of the Gao Family Army, originally stationed in Shuofang.

His rank reached the lower fourth grade, a high-level military post with real power, and according to the system's evaluation, he was a B-rank talent.

"General Ma, please rise."

Gao Yuan helped Ma Song up, patted his shoulder, and asked,

"Why have you suddenly come to this borderland?"

The leaders of the group cupped their fists in salute together.

"This humble general and the others have come to assist the Third Young Master by the order of Generals Gao Bing and Gao Gui."

It turned out that everything started from Shituo Ridge.

Ever since their secret meeting during the New Year festival, Gao Bing and Gao Gui had been determined to give Gao Yuan a helping hand.

As for how to help, the two had also thought about it for a long time.

Transferring the troops under their command directly—not to mention whether the soldiers of these Zhechong Garrisons would be willing...

Such a large movement would likely be known by the Emperor very soon, and their heads wouldn't last until summer.

As for weapons and equipment, they were all registered and inventoried, and the equipment of these Zhechong Garrisons in Jiangnan was also a bit too poor.

After much thought, the two decided to support Gao Yuan with some military officers, especially the core strength from the Gao Family Army like Ma Song.

The two made a careful selection, picking one Langjiang, twenty Brigade Commander, and over fifty low-ranking Xiaowei.

They had these people voluntarily resign and return home, then brought their families along in a single wave to the Southwest.

Hearing that the officers of the Gao Family Army wanted to collectively resign and return home, the Emperor naturally agreed readily.

He practically sent them off with drums and gongs, not expecting it would benefit Gao Yuan.

Dozens of experienced officers—this wealth was even more abundant than the spoils from the Huo Nian wave.

Gao Yuan was overjoyed. Since Liu Rengui, Huo Jun, and the others were also present, he called them all over to begin assigning positions.

Those grassroots Xiaowei were all assigned to various regiments to continue serving as Xiaowei.

The military system of Great Qian was very similar to the Tang Dynasty: five men made a Huo, and two Huo made a Dui.

But changes began at this level: in the Tang Dynasty, ten Dui made a Lü, while in Great Qian, ten Dui made a Tuan.

The commander of a Tuan was usually a Xiaowei of about the eighth rank, and above that was the Brigade Commander, generally of the seventh rank.

Five Lü were called a Division, and the commander was a Division Commander. Usually, at this level, they would hold honorary military titles like Youji General.

These people were all experienced; leading one or two hundred men was no problem for them.

As for the remaining middle and high-ranking officers, Gao Yuan assigned a few Brigade Commander to the City Defense Forces and stuffed the rest into the First Division.

Only Ma Song was appointed by Gao Yuan as the chief clerk of the Nanzhou Governors Office, while Liu Rengui was promoted to Left Governor.

After settling these officers and their families and waiting for them to integrate into the army, time reached the period after the autumn harvest.

In ancient times, troops were generally raised after autumn, not only because the heat affected combat effectiveness but also because of the autumn harvest.

After the autumn harvest, young and strong men would be free to be conscripted as laborers, and there would be a guaranteed supply of grain and fodder.

While the autumn harvest was in full swing, Gao Yuan had already gathered his generals to announce the combat objectives.

"For this campaign, in addition to the entire First Division, seven Lü will be drawn from the City Defense Forces, and ten thousand laborers will be conscripted;"

"This time, the goal is no longer simply to reap some benefits, but to expand our territory."

Hearing these words, the group of bloodthirsty warriors began to itch for action.

"Lord, the target this time is..."

"East Pass, Cao Bang, Coastal Defense, and Guangning."

Even though Liu Rengui had already guessed, Gao Yuan's answer still left him pale with shock.

Gao Yuan had actually changed his nature, uncharacteristically wanting to occupy four places all at once.

Before Liu Rengui could react, Gao Yuan issued another order.

"I appoint Liu Rengui as the Grand Commander of the Marching Army, and Huo Jun and Xia Luqi as Deputy Grand Commanders;"

"I don't care about the process; I only care about the final result."

Gao Yuan had originally planned to let Ma Song serve as Deputy Grand Commander, but in the end, Huo Jun submitted a request to volunteer for battle.

As for the new talent Ma Song, he was stationed in Menge just in case.

Everyone took their orders and left. Only then did Gao Yuan go to Zhao Xiyao's small courtyard to tell her about his decision.

"Don't worry, this time I'm only staying in Luang Namtha to oversee things; everything else is left to them."

Although Zhao Xiyao was still a few months away from turning eighteen—in later generations, she would still be a student...

...she was, after all, a child raised by the imperial family, very sensible and understanding.

After hearing what Gao Yuan said, the girl nodded.

"Go and do your work with peace of mind; I will handle the matters at home."