Fang Xiongfei stood to one side, his tone solemn.
Over the past few days, Su Fei had been teaching him how to allocate provisions and reassure the people. He had even assigned him some of the Palace Guard's weapons and equipment, telling him to patrol the coastal regions more often and keep a closer watch for the Japanese pirates from the Fusang Kingdom.
Fang Xiongfei would forever remember this immense kindness shown to him, the commander of Yuezhou.
Su Fei nodded, his gaze sweeping over the troops nearby.
Thirty thousand Palace Guards stood in square formations, clad in orderly armor.
At the very front were two prison carts.
Hojo Ogi and Takeda Nobuo were bound in iron chains, their heads drooping. Wooden placards stood inside the carts, bearing large vermilion characters: "Commanders of the Fusang Kingdom's invasion of Great Xuan's Yuezhou."
Passing townspeople stopped to look. Some threw vegetable leaves, while others cursed incessantly, yet neither man even had the courage to raise his head.
"It's getting late. Time to set out."
Su Fei turned and spoke to Pang Junhao.
"Stay alert on the road. Don't let anything go wrong."
"Rest assured, Commander Su."
Pang Junhao, commander of the Palace Guard, cupped his hands in acknowledgment, then gave a loud order.
"Form up! March!"
"Wait!" Fang Xiongfei suddenly called out to stop them. Behind him, Yuezhou Army soldiers hurried over, carrying two wine jars and holding large bowls.
"Commander Su, Commander Pang, this rice wine was brewed by the people of Yuezhou. It isn't strong, but it holds everyone's heartfelt wishes. We're seeing you off today, so you must have a bowl!"
Seeing the earnestness in Fang Xiongfei's eyes, Su Fei did not refuse.
The soldiers opened the jars, and a rich wine fragrance instantly spread through the air. Fang