Huang Zhong successfully awakened the Dialga template, becoming another pillar of strength for Peach Blossom Spring and greatly boosting morale. His uncanny archery, imbued with the power of time, left even fierce warriors like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei marveling during subsequent internal drills. The newly recruited ordinary youths watched in fascination, their enthusiasm for training rising even higher.
However, Chen Yu and the core leadership all understood that while individual valor mattered, the group's long-term survival and growth required solid foundations and the right direction even more. The two strategies Guo Jia had proposed-"legitimizing their name" and "deepening their roots"-were placed on the agenda.
The core members gathered in the council hall. Chen Yu sat upright in the seat of honor, with the "civil administration" faction led by Liu Bei on his left and the "military achievement" faction led by Guan Yu on his right.
The atmosphere was serious yet spirited.
"Brothers," Chen Yu began without preamble, "what Fengxiao said the other day about 'legitimizing our name' and 'deepening our roots' is fundamental to Peach Blossom Spring's survival and growth. Today, let us discuss how to put those strategies into practice."
Liu Bei spoke first, his expression gentle but firm. "Elder brother, Fengxiao. Without a legitimate standing, our words carry no authority. Although we gathered to escape calamity, being regarded as bandits forever is no sound long-term strategy. I believe Fengxiao's proposals to 'borrow influence' or 'purge the corrupt from the ruler's side' are viable. Though the Flower Country's royal family is weak, its rightful authority still has some foundation among the people. If we can find an opportunity to expose corruption in Bluestone Town, or even among the Flower Country's upper ranks, directing our attacks at corrupt officials rather than the royal family, we may win some popular support and change public perceptions."
Guo Jia leaned lazily against his chair and picked up the thread. "Brother Liu Bei is benevolent, and his words are sound. But an 'opportunity' must be awaited and also created. Right now, we have one ready at hand." He looked at Chen Yu. "The deaths of Zhou Ming and Captain Qian in Bluestone Town have officially been classified as a gang vendetta. To protect himself, Wang Lang will certainly crack down hard on the remnants of the Black Snake Gang and other forces. We can quietly help things along, and even... 'help' him find some 'conclusive' evidence establishing the guilt of certain officials connected to the Happo Navy, muddying the waters. Meanwhile, we can have one or two quick-witted brothers pose as traveling merchants or storytellers and spread word through the surrounding villages and towns that 'Peach Blossom Spring' is a gathering of righteous men who punish corrupt officials and local tyrants and shelter decent people. Truth mixed with falsehood, substance mixed with illusion-given time, the people will decide where their loyalties lie."
Zhang Fei's eyes lit up. "That's a fine idea! I hate those corrupt officials most of all! Want me to take some men and slaughter a few more?"
Guan Yu glared with his narrow, upturned eyes. "Fourth brother, do not be rash! Master Fengxiao means to win hearts above all, not to indulge in brute valor."
Guo Jia smiled. "Brother Guan Yu is quite right. Our strength is still limited, so a direct clash with the authorities would be unwise. The keys to this plan are 'guiding perceptions' and 'laying the groundwork.' We must cultivate the image of men 'upholding justice on Heaven's behalf,' not rebels. When the time is ripe, someone of great virtue and prestige may rally the people with a single call, achieving twice the result with half the effort." His gaze swept over Chen Yu. Chen Yu's charisma as a leader and his miraculous abilities were central, and his reputation for benevolence had already won deep support within Peach Blossom Spring.
Chen Yu took it all in and understood. The key to "legitimizing their name" lay in the appeal of their ideals and actions. "An excellent plan, Fengxiao. You and Liu Bei will work out the details together, select reliable people, and proceed in secret. Remember, safety comes first."
"We accept your orders!" Guo Jia and Liu Bei answered in unison.
"As for 'deepening our roots'..." Chen Yu looked around at them. "Food supplies, weapons, money, and even talent all require long-term plans."
Zhao Yun spoke. "Elder brother, we can organize hunting and fishing teams and expand the cultivated land in the valley. We can become self-sufficient in food in the short term. But salt, iron, cloth, medicinal herbs, and other supplies will still have to come from outside."
Huang Zhong stroked his bow, which had grown even steadier since the awakening of Dialga's power, and said in a deep voice, "I can lead teams into the mountains to hunt. Pelts, animal bones, and even some rare medicinal herbs might be exchanged for what we need." His understanding of the mountain forests, coupled with his ability to perceive time, would make his hunting extremely efficient.
Zhang Fei thumped his chest. "Leave the heavy work of forging weapons and repairing houses to me!" Groudon's power gave him a natural affinity for earth and metal. Though he could only work them crudely for now, the future held promise.
Guo Jia added, "For 'trade,' we must find a reliable channel. We can have Zhao Yun or some quick-witted brothers take the valley's specialties, such as the high-quality medicinal herbs, fruits, and vegetables grown with our lord's power, and secretly approach small merchant caravans that travel between the Flower Country and its neighbors, have clean backgrounds, and value their reputations. At first, we should seek security rather than profit, exchanging our goods for necessities such as salt and iron. We can also use this channel to establish an intelligence network and gather news of the outside world."
Chen Yu nodded in agreement. "Agreed. This concerns our livelihood, so we must be cautious. Liu Bei, you are attentive to detail. You will oversee internal affairs and distribute supplies, ensuring fairness and putting everyone's abilities to use. Fengxiao, you will handle external intelligence and planning. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Zhao Yun-the four of you will be responsible for military training, security, and special operations, such as hunting and reconnaissance."
"We will obey your orders, elder brother-my lord!" everyone answered in unison, their responsibilities clearly divided, each with his own duties.
With their strategy settled, Peach Blossom Spring began operating at full speed like a tightly wound mechanism.
Under Liu Bei's direction, internal administration proceeded in orderly fashion:
Agriculture: Chen Yu regularly used his [Life Creation] ability to gently nourish the valley's soil over a wide area, shortening crop growth cycles by nearly half and greatly increasing yields. A medicinal garden was also established specifically for growing commonly used herbs.
Construction: Led by Zhang Fei, a group of youths used Groudon's power, though faint, to quarry stone from the mountains, fell timber, and build more sturdy barracks and storehouses, as well as a simple workshop, where they began trying to forge and repair weapons and farming tools.
Institutions: A simple contribution system was established, distributing rewards according to work performed and encouraging production and training. Liu Bei's benevolence and fairness earned everyone's affection.
Education: At Guo Jia's suggestion, Liu Bei and Guo Jia began setting aside time to teach the youths reading, writing, and arithmetic, and explain basic principles, improving their overall capabilities.
On the military front, combat strength steadily improved under the strict training of Guan Yu and the others:
Physical conditioning, hand-to-hand combat, and weapons drills continued every day without fail. Guan Yu incorporated Rayquaza's power into his saber techniques, making his moves even fiercer and faster; Zhang Fei incorporated Earth Power into his fist techniques, giving them tremendous weight and force; Zhao Yun incorporated Reshiram's power into his spear techniques, making them swift and precise; Huang Zhong began selecting youths with a talent for archery and personally instructing them, incorporating the rudiments of time perception into his teaching. Though he could not awaken their powers, he could greatly improve their anticipation and accuracy.
Zhao Yun took charge of forming an elite reconnaissance squad, using Reshiram's Eye of Truth and extraordinary speed to handle perimeter security and intelligence gathering. Huang Zhong formed a sniper squad specializing in long-range attacks.
Spurred by high-pressure training and life-or-death combat, every member's physique, reaction speed, and combat skills steadily improved, laying a solid foundation for the higher-level powers they might awaken in the future. The core members' mastery of their own divine beast template powers also grew increasingly refined, but the more advanced power of Haki still required further experience and opportunities.
Under Guo Jia's planning, external activities began without a sound:
Several quick-witted youths posed as street children or peddlers, spreading tales of the "righteous men of Peach Blossom Spring" through various means in Bluestone Town and the surrounding villages. Though no one took them seriously at first, the seeds had already been planted through their subtle influence.
Zhao Yun personally led a team, disguising themselves as mountain villagers on several occasions and using superb medicinal herbs and animal pelts to establish initial contact with a reputable small merchant caravan. They exchanged these for urgently needed salt, iron, and other goods, and brought back the latest news from outside: power was changing hands in Bluestone Town, Wang Lang was vigorously eliminating his opponents, and the situation was chaotic; the Flower Country's upper ranks seemed to be losing their grip on the nearby waters, and pirate activity was growing increasingly rampant across the region.
One day, Zhao Yun brought back an important piece of news.
"Elder brother, according to the caravan leader, a detachment of the Flower Country's Happo Navy will soon patrol the West Blue to eliminate pirates. Its destinations seem to include our waters. Leading it is a young officer of the Happo Navy named... Gan Ning."
Gan Ning! The Jinfan Bandit, Gan Xingba!
Chen Yu and Guo Jia exchanged a glance, each seeing the gleam in the other's eyes. A crisis? Or perhaps... an opportunity?
"Gan Ning... This man is fierce in battle and fiery in temperament, but he seems to be frustrated in the Happo Navy," Guo Jia mused. "Perhaps... this is an opportunity."
Chen Yu's gaze was deep. "Keep a close watch on Gan Ning's movements. Perhaps this 'Jinfan Bandit' will be a key figure on our path to 'legitimizing our name.'"
Peach Blossom Spring was like a mighty dragon concealed in the depths, silently gathering strength and honing its claws and fangs. It refined its administration within and deployed eyes and ears without, advancing in both civil and military affairs. It only awaited the convergence of wind and cloud to soar into the heavens! And Gan Ning's arrival might well be the first thunderclap to stir that storm.
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