Chapter 66 of Part II

  Zhou Lun looked at me with a smile and said: "Your Majesty, the Russian envoy is now watching acrobatic performances at the Royal Grand Theater."

  I chuckled and looked at Zhou Lun, casually patting his shoulder and said: "I've told you before, when it's just us brothers, don't call me 'Your Majesty' anymore. Isn't that being too formal?"

  Without waiting for Zhou Lun to say anything, he continued: "How is the army dispatched to the Russian border?"

  "Now the weather is not very cold, the Blood Dragon Corps and the Seventh Army have arrived at several designated areas, and the Engineer Division is also selecting several hidden locations to build military camps and fortresses. The Cossack cavalry's impact force is still strong, especially their mobility is powerful, familiar with the terrain, so we must defend."

  I nodded in agreement: "Not bad, we need the whole of Siberia. So we must consolidate a solid defense line ahead, and these things will be handled by you. In addition, many military supplies need to be transported over there. It is necessary to ensure that they can survive the severe winter, and wait until next spring, I predict that Russia will not give up easily."

  As I said, I remembered something and continued: "If discovered by Russian troops, they will definitely be silenced, no matter what. Do you know?"

  Zhou Lun also nodded and said, "Don't remind me, I've already been doing this, and the Blood Dragon troops have eliminated several patrol armies. This visiting envoy is the son of Alexander, the commander of Russia's Far East region. Old Alexander is now somewhat alert. Maybe he's considering his own son being here, so there hasn't been any movement yet. I estimate that he might also use these few months to prepare for battle."

  I nodded and said, "Alright, in a few more months I should be signing a contract with this lovely little Alexander. Haha, it's really interesting. I'll make sure this arrogant hereditary noble eats his words."

  Several government officials accompanied Alexander as he strolled through the streets. Alexander held a folding fan in his hand, shaking it awkwardly, although the weather had already cooled down considerably. Alexander was still shaking it with relish. Several bodyguard-like figures were holding full hands of things.

  An official fawned: "Mr. Envoy, as the ancient saying goes, 'Above there is heaven; below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.' The beautiful women of our country's Suzhou and Hangzhou have always been famous. Mr. Envoy will surely not regret this trip."

  "Alexander said in fluent Chinese, occasionally speaking a few dialects: "Haha, does Lord Zhang also want to go? Otherwise, I'll go and talk to the Emperor."

  Magistrate Zhang hastily waved his hand and said, "No, no, I'm busy with official duties, so I won't accompany Mr. Envoy on his way." After finishing speaking, he turned to the several bodyguards behind him and said, "You must ensure the safety of the envoy. Otherwise, not only will I be punished, but even His Majesty will not forgive you."

  Seeing Alexander board the cruise ship to Suzhou and Hangzhou, he turned around with a hint of disgust in his eyes and thought: Damn Director Chen, what's wrong with asking me to do something, asking me to accompany this ignorant person.

  "Comrades, let's work hard! Strive to build the castle within five days, it's the last one. Then we'll show those long-haired devils the power of our Seven-Star Formation!" A thirty-year-old man with a rugged appearance shouted while pushing a cement cart towards the soldiers working in front.

  The warriors in front also responded with a loud shout: "Captain, don't worry. When has the Iron Blood Warrior Battalion of the First Engineer Division ever lost face for us?"

  A warrior sang while working: "Unity is strength, the Empire is strength... Let all nations that invade the Empire perish. Towards the sun, towards the world, towards the great Empire, emit a brilliant light."

  In the depths of Siberia, seven castles made of concrete and stone stood there, each about two miles in circumference. The weather in the north had cooled down, and Siberia welcomed its first snow. Each castle, spaced about three kilometers apart, formed a ring shape, leaving behind an artificial small lake inside the ring of the seven castles, covered with a thin layer of snow from the first snowfall. A small river flowed through the middle, branching into seven tributaries that entered each of the seven castles, and eventually converged back into a single small river flowing into the big river. No one could have imagined that on the basis of this famous "Seven-Star Alignment" would be built the largest city in Siberia - Qixing City.

  A young commander and a man in his thirties stood on the city wall of the main castle of Qī Xīng Lián Zhuī, looking at everything around them with binoculars. The young commander said: "Commander Zhao, our army has set up more than three hundred sentry posts near the forward outpost close to Russia, with ten people in each post. As long as there is any movement on the Russian side, I think we will definitely not let it escape our eyes."

  Zhao Zhe nodded and said, "En, not bad. Li Junchang, I think our Qixing City defense can be handed over to you now. This time, your Seventh Army Group has nearly 100,000 people coming together, you have the ability to both defend and attack. Moreover, the news from within the country is that a large supply team with the same number of troops as the Eighth Army Group and your troops will arrive soon." Zhao Zhe continued, "And I heard that the commander of the Eighth Army Group is also a young general who is not inferior to you."

  Li Keming burst out laughing and said: "Commander Zhao, you just made two mistakes in a row."

  Zhao Zhe said with a sullen face: "Two wrong statements?"

  Li Keming said with a hint of irony, "Firstly, you're referring to the news from within our borders. Are we not on the territory of my Great Chinese Empire? We have never been ones to encroach upon others' lands. At least, that's what I've always thought."

  Zhao Zhe burst out laughing and said: "Oh, right, right! This is our territory. I was wrong to say domestic. What's the second thing I got wrong?" It seems that Zhao Zhe's temper hasn't changed much, always having to ask until he gets to the bottom of things.

  Li Keming smiled and said, "The commander of the Eighth Army is wrong. The previous commander of the Eighth Army was indeed someone around my age, he was Chen Xiang who trained under General Peng Ying in the Southwest Military Region, but now it's a female general." He seemed to have lingering fear as he said, "Very difficult to deal with."

  Zhao Zhe exclaimed in surprise: "For so long since the founding of the country and even before that, I've never heard of a woman joining the army. How did a female general suddenly appear?"

  Li Keming chuckled and said, "Commander Zhao, people from the Blood Dragon Special Forces like you are simply put, a wild card that can take down ten long-haired bandits with ease. Moreover, the Blood Dragon unit is not part of the regular military but directly under the Imperial Royal Guard. Your previous leader was the former Emperor Zhu Gong Ao Wen Huang. And your current leader is Commander Zhu, whom I have followed since the revolution. Am I wrong?" Li Keming still couldn't break the habit of calling him Commander Zhu after all these years.

  "This is a state secret, you little guy's information is quite timely."

  Li Keming didn't pay attention to him and continued: "So the military department's affairs and your appointments, you haven't received any news about that, right?"

  Zhao Zhe nodded in agreement.

  Li Keming continued: "This woman was a female officer disguised as a man when she entered the army. She was always brave and invincible, with outstanding military achievements. She rose to become a division commander. It wasn't until she was injured in the famous Battle of Northern Xinjiang that it was discovered she was a woman, so Commander Zhu appointed her as the commander of the 22nd Army under the 8th Group Army. Later, you also know what happened. The commander of the 8th Group Army was an old subordinate of Li Dingguo's, and after Li Dingguo failed, he retired to local life."

  Zhao Zhe took over and said, "Then this woman succeeded in becoming the commander of the Eighth Group Army." After finishing speaking, he muttered to himself: "What kind of woman is she? I really want to see what she's like."

  Li Keming smiled and said: "Commander Zhao, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'll tell you her name. Her name is Bao Xue. The soldiers in the army call her 'Violent Blood'."

  Zhao Zhe was still pondering what kind of woman Bao Xue was when he heard Li Keming shout: "Cossack cavalry, news from the front scout post. A troop of over a thousand riders is heading this way."

  Zhao Zhe also came to his senses, picked up the binoculars and took a look: "It seems that it has not yet entered our line of sight, Li Jun Chang, I think this time we should let our Blood Dragon troops practice their riding skills, what do you say?"

  Li Keming shrugged and smiled: "Then I'm happy to be idle. Everything is up to you now. Don't leave a single survivor."

  Zhao Zhe excitedly ran down, and at the same time, the main fort also blew the assembly horn. The unique horn of the Blood Dragon had no effect on other troops, only the soldiers of the Blood Dragon would gather when they heard the horn.

  Zhao Zhe looked at the soldiers who had gathered within a minute, nodded in satisfaction, and said to those below: "You young men, isn't it often said that there's no chance to practice riding? Well, today's your chance. I've found you the best teacher." As he scanned the soldiers, he continued: "The real battlefield is the best teacher. We've received news that over 1,000 Cossack cavalry are heading this way. I hope you'll all take turns going up to fight and gain experience. And for the last group to go up, I want you to annihilate all of the enemy forces. Do you understand?"

  "Understood! Mission will be accomplished!" All the soldiers shouted out loud.

  "Mount up, let's go!" Zhao Zhe shouted with a wave of his hand.

  The Blood Dragon Squad people excitedly jumped up with neat movements. Rushed out of the castle. Bringing up the remaining snowflakes on the ground. Li Keming stood on the city wall, watching the excited and rushing Blood Dragon Squad, sighed and said: "A group of ferocious wolves, fortunately, they are our empire's army." After finishing speaking, he muttered to himself again: "It seems that I also need to increase the training volume for these rabbits in the Seventh Army Group. Well, it can't be compared with the Blood Dragon Squad, so let's make it half of their training volume."

  All the soldiers of the Seventh Army were chilled to the bone at this time, and one soldier said to another soldier next to him: "Brother, why do I feel so cold? We are sitting by the fire pit."

  Bao Xue looked up at the sky, which was about to turn gloomy, and frowned. He ordered the guard: "Pass down the order, the entire 8th Army Group will march hastily, the engineering corps will solidify the road surface in front, to prevent the wheels from sinking. We only have more than 20 miles left, everyone, let's speed up! The brother units are still waiting for our cotton-padded jackets!"

  All the soldiers also quickened their pace.

  Zhao Zhe rushed out first and said, "Li Feng, Li Yun, you two dare to compete with me? Who has the most excellent riding skills." (In the revised version, new characters appear, which may be confusing for readers who think this is too sudden.)

  Li Feng and Li Yun, the two brothers who had been following Zhao Zhe at the base all along, smiled and said: "Afraid of you? Not a man. Speak up, Captain, what's the comparison method."

  "Let's see who can make the most dashes inside without getting hurt or with the least injuries, and that person will win."

  Li Feng and Li Yun looked at each other after hearing the distant sound of horseshoes and feeling the earth shaking, then charged forward on horseback.

  At this time, Zhao Zhe and Li Jia, the two brothers, had been watching the soldiers bullying these poor cavalrymen on the side for a long time. The continuous movement of nearly three hours made these cavalrymen really unbearable. Their physical strength was also almost exhausted.

  Bao Xue looked ahead and saw a pair of troops watching from the side, with over 500 people in between, dodging back and forth among the cavalry, one sword strike and one person fell. She furrowed her small brow and ordered the soldiers behind her: "Full alert, follow me to take a look." As they walked forward, Zhao Zhe's army had just finished killing the last cavalryman, with over 1,000 war horses circling within Zhao Zhe's encirclement. Bao Xue looked at the blood flowing down the slope and shouted: "Who is your commander? Call him out to see me." Introducing herself, she said: "Commander-in-Chief of the Eighth Army Group, Bao Xue." She thought to herself, Who told you to be so ruthless this time? I'll make sure you can't get away with it.

  Zhao Zhe had just heard about the legendary Bao Xue a few hours ago, and a mischievous thought arose in his heart. He walked over and saluted, saying: "Seventh Group Army Li Keming's subordinate, newly established cavalry division. Acting Division Commander Zhao Zhe."

  Bao Xue looked at the ground and said, "Clean up the battlefield. After returning to the base, give me a report. Why be so cruel? You could have just killed them."

  Zhao Zhe solemnly said: "Sorry, we can't follow your orders. This is what our commander told us to do when training."

  Bao Xue glanced at the soldiers below, starting to see how easily they killed those cavalrymen. Now a strong killing aura was revealed. She muttered to herself: "When did that devil Li Keming train such a good team? No way, I'll catch up too." Thinking about it, she said to Zhao Zhe: "I will ask your commander to personally call you to write the report."

  After finishing speaking, he led the troops into the city. Zhao Zhe looked at the soldiers below and, imitating the tone and singing style of Peking Opera, said: "My sons, let's return home!"

  Zhao Zhe walked into Li Keming's office and saw Bao Xue sitting in Li Keming's tent, talking about today's events. Seeing Zhao Zhe coming in, Bao Xue said without waiting for Li Keming to speak: "You, who dares to enter without being summoned! You have no respect for authority, write a self-criticism for me."

  Zhao Zhe glanced at Li Keming, signaling him not to reveal his true identity. However, Li Keming misunderstood and said: "Commander Bao Xue, this is Commander Zhao Zhe of the Blood Dragon Special Forces."

  "It's a pleasure to meet you in such a scene. I am Zhao Zhe, Commander of the Blood Dragon Special Forces of the Chinese Empire, Major General Second Class."

  Bao Xue still looked like she hadn't reacted, pointing at Li Keming and then at Zhao Zhe. Li Keming nudged her before she woke up with a start, saying: "Bao Xue, Commander of the Eighth Army Group, First-Class General." After finishing speaking, he saluted in the manner of a subordinate to a superior.

  Zhao Zhe bowed and said: "General Bao, I'm really sorry. I played a small joke on you. Hope you don't mind."

  Bao Xue's rare gentle expression smiled and said: "What are you talking about? I should be the one saying sorry."

  Li Keming said beside him, "Alright, alright, stop going back and forth. Hurry up and give me the military supplies. My soldiers are almost frozen to death. They're not like Commander Zhao's troops, who don't fear cold or heat."

  "Alright," said Bao Xue with a smile, handing Li Keming a list. "There are 1.5 million cotton quilts, 200,000 boxes of medicine, and 1.5 million tons of food. The military supplies include 1,000 new Type-63 recoilless guns and corresponding ammunition, 1.5 million military tents, and other military supplies that can sustain you for 30 days of combat. There are also 2 million cotton coats and 2 million military overcoats." After finishing the list in one breath, Bao Xue said, "That's all. The leader said to burn your own charcoal and grow your own vegetables, but he still brought a corresponding number of vegetable greenhouses for you."

  Li Keming nodded in satisfaction and said, "Alright then, thank you. Commander Bao, your troops can head back early tomorrow. It's not urgent today anyway."

  Bao Xue looked at Li Keming's complacent expression and said, "Li Keming, I received the commander's order to station separately here with you. I am in charge of the western front, and you are in charge of the eastern front. The commander means to use this place as a breakthrough to open up Russia's territory. Once the situation at the gap is stabilized, then let you go and capture old Alexander on the eastern front."

  Li Keming heard this and rubbed his hands, saying: "That's great." He looked at Zhao Zhe and said: "Commander Zhao, ah, you can stay here to accompany Miss Bao Xue. I'm going to prepare for the Eastern Front war ahead of time. You don't have to follow me around anymore. Staying behind to fight on the Western Front might even allow you to capture Moscow." After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for any response from Bao Xue and Zhao Zhe before rushing out immediately.

  Zhao Zhe looked at the legendary female commander, General Bao Xue, and rubbed his left hand with his right hand, saying: "General Bao Xue, this...this thing that just happened is a bit...a bit..."

  Bao Xue looked at the highest commander of this legendary Blood Dragon Special Forces, who was now in a difficult situation, and smiled: "Commander Zhao, are you thinking of saying sorry?" Looking at Zhao Zhe nodding desperately in front of him, he said: "It's nothing, I'm not usually bothered by these things. So, are you going to invite me out for dinner to make up for today's mistake?"

  It's said to be a legend mainly because the Blood Dragon Squad had never participated in any formal battles, and apart from a few core members, even high-ranking officials of the military department were unaware of the existence of the Blood Dragon. This was because it was a direct imperial army, so when the Blood Dragon Squad suddenly appeared in the battle to quell the rebellion, many brother squads did not take their appearance seriously. After several comparisons, they discovered that their own field troops and the Blood Dragon were simply incomparable. Thus, the Blood Dragon gained its reputation throughout the entire military.

  Zhao Zhe didn't hesitate at all and said straightforwardly: "No problem, I'll cook it myself for you to eat."

  At this time, Li Keming walked in and said with a deliberate tone: "You two are developing really fast. You've only just met and you're already deciding to cohabitate."

  The two people at this time heard their old faces red, unexpectedly did not oppose, but with that can kill the eyes staring at Li Keming, that look as if to say: 'Want you to talk more, do not everyone see it?'

  Li Keming hastily covered his mouth and said, "Consider my previous words a mistake. Let's study the defense and troop deployment of the Eastern Front, as well as the main resettlement points for those who have already migrated."

  Announcement: There are more than 50 tickets for "Blood Sea" to be added, I hope friends can write some good reviews that help or seriously read the content of my book, and "Blood Sea" will add them one by one.