Late that night, Tie Xiaosheng returned excitedly to the Eastern Wharf of Xiushui Commandery City.
He had been overseeing preparations in Shangliu County for battle against the Imperial Court's army, working conscientiously every day, so busy his feet barely touched the ground.
At noon that day, however, Chu Xisheng had sent word that he had returned to the Iron Banner Gang Main Headquarters, asking Tie Xiaosheng to bring the Outer Hall masters back to the Eastern City Eastern Wharf for a meeting as soon as possible.
Tie Xiaosheng was delighted.
Chu Xisheng's safe return to Xiushui Commandery was truly wonderful news for the Iron Banner Gang.
Recently, although Chu Yunyun had been directing the gang's military operations and all its affairs, Chu Xisheng was its spiritual pillar.
No matter how well Chu Yunyun handled the gang's business or how brilliantly she managed its battles, she could not replace Chu Xisheng's place in the eyes of its members.
If that spiritual pillar fell, the Iron Banner Gang's morale and resolve would collapse.
Now that Chu Xisheng had returned, every member of the Iron Banner Gang could rest assured.
Since Tie Kuangren's death, he had been the white jade pillar holding up their sky, the purple-gold beam spanning their sea.
Thus, upon receiving the news, Tie Xiaosheng immediately set aside all his duties and hurried back to the Iron Banner Gang.
What puzzled him was headquarters' demand that every Outer Hall master return as well.
This is sheer nonsense, Tie Xiaosheng thought.
At that moment, sixty thousand Provincial Army troops from the Eastern Province were encamped sixty li west of Shangliu County.
There was also the Jiangnan Commandery Naval Camp. Although they had dealt that fleet a heavy blow, it still retained some fighting strength.
They still needed a few capable people