I Can Strengthen Infinitely

Chapter 546: Chapter 314: Central Plains March North, Aiming for Chang’an

Yuan Huangzhong is the Grand General of the South of the Great Tang, holding a rank of the third official grade. He has won resounding merits for the Great Tang in his campaigns against the southern barbarian lands.

In these recent months of rebellion across the realm, as a veteran general of the Great Tang, Yuan Huangzhong naturally could no longer bear to stand aside. Were it not for the imperial order yet to be given, he would have already led his troops out, marching to quell the traitors.

Upon the ascension of the new emperor and the issuance of an edict to suppress the rebels, Yuan Huangzhong was delighted. He put on the battle robe and armor he’d worn on many campaigns, gathered his army, and promptly marched south to strike out at the southern rebels before anyone else.

Jiangnan, situated near the Central Plains, naturally became Yuan Huangzhong’s first target. Yet awaiting him there were not the Liu, Cao, and Wu families, but rather the King of Jiangnan, Sanhuang, who had unified the region.

Yuan Huangzhong led fifty thousand crack troops, every man among them personally trained by him over the years. Among their ranks were no shortage of externally-forged Martial Artists; once let loose on the battlefield, their power would be nothing short of extraordinary.

Carrying this confidence, Yuan Huangzhong led his soldiers ahead with provisions trailing behind. In but a few days, his army was already at Jiangnan, and Yuan Huangzhong’s first target was the foremost city of Jiangnan: Yangzhou Prefecture.

This happened to be the headquarters of Sanhuang’s army; thus, Yuan Huangzhong had flung the torch upon the powder keg, setting up a standoff with Sanhuang’s forces.

Yuan Huangzhong’s command tent.

"What young yellow-haired brat dares shamelessly call himself King of Jiangnan?" Yuan Huangzhong, clad in armor, sat magnificently upon his wooden seat. Even at fifty-six years of age, one could still feel the chilling air of slaughter about him—like a tiger lying in wait, ready to pounce and hunt at any moment.

On either side below him stood his most capable subordinates.

All of them were martial generals of vast battlefield experience; the souls sent to their graves numbered perhaps a hundred thousand, or at least fifty thousand.

"General, I request the honor of the first battle. I will surely rout that yellow-haired brat and send them fleeing in panic." A middle-aged general with a brush mustache stepped out of the ranks. By his bearing, his spirit was keenly restrained—he was surely a master in the martial arts.

"Fang Wendan, Yangzhou Prefecture is the greatest city of Jiangnan, easy to defend but hard to attack. This first battle is bound to be exceedingly tough. Do you truly have absolute confidence to win and grant me a triumphant opening? If not, step down and we will discuss this later," said Yuan Huangzhong sternly.

Yuan Huangzhong had fought barbarians, men of the Western Regions, seafolk; in the northern snowy plains he had even led troops to butcher thousands of Exotic Beasts. To Yuan Huangzhong, the likes of Sanhuang—some new power risen from commoners—were little more than feeble chickens and stray dogs, utterly lacking in fighting strength.

Against his seasoned veterans, no matter how many the enemy, they were no match. After all, those conscripted commoners, once thrown into the chaos of war, were no comparison to soldiers drilled and blooded by years of battle.

Yet for every campaign, Yuan Huangzhong demanded total victory in the first clash—to open with a resounding success—so he was always extremely rigorous in choosing his attacking general.

At these words, Fang Wendan wished to protest, but before he could speak, Yuan Huangzhong turned directly to a tall general standing at the end of the line: "Wendian, you go for this one. What say you?"

The man named looked forward—his shoulders were as broad as his height, almost defying the shape of a human, more like a monster. His hair stood upright, his lips were thin and long, and when he spoke, razor-sharp teeth showed inside his mouth.

If one had to describe him, he was just like a wild beast.

"This subordinate requests the honor," the man stepped out, cupping his hands and spoke in a deep, muffled voice.

Fang Wendan was indignant, but seeing Yuan Huangzhong had named Wendian, could only swallow his resentment. All knew Wendian was Yuan Huangzhong’s greatest warrior.

Born with boundless strength and a hide like armor, he could storm a city single-handed and was unstoppable even without armor.

On top of years spent practicing martial arts, he was now an expert of Inner Strength—already the strongest spear in Yuan Huangzhong’s hand.

Wherever he struck, nothing could withstand him—unbeaten, unrivaled.

"Very well. Take charge of ten thousand men and go issue a challenge to the enemy camp." With a sweep of his hand, Yuan Huangzhong tossed Wendian a Tiger Talisman.

The Yuan Army numbered fifty-six thousand. Yuan Huangzhong had specially forged five Tiger Talismans, each giving command of eleven thousand troops. With one in hand, Wendian could mobilize the elite at will.

Under the gaze of all, Wendian strode out of the tent directly.

In Yangzhou Prefecture, Sanhuang was deeply troubled.

All he possessed today had come thanks to his master. Yet now his master had gone to the Central Plains, whereabouts unknown. Standing atop the city walls and seeing the dense ranks of enemy troops afar, Sanhuang’s heart could not help but grow melancholy.

Without his master by his side, could he really win today?

Just then, as Sanhuang brooded, suddenly two men came up the stairs beneath the city walls.

The others on the ramparts, seeing the pair, did nothing to stop them and allowed them to approach Sanhuang unhindered.

"You seem troubled, my Lord," Fu Bo said with a smile.

Changqing stood beside him, palm on his sword hilt, gazing coldly at the army outside as if indifferent.

Both had been sent from the Central Plains by Qin Yuesheng to Jiangnan, pledging themselves to Sanhuang. Learning they were sent by his master as helpers, Sanhuang treated them with the highest regard, welcoming them as honored guests.

The two had now lived in Yangzhou Prefecture for some time, but since they had never spoken of their true strength to anyone, no one knew just what they were truly capable of.