The two armies faced each other, gazing at each other across the river.
A thin layer of fog blocked the view. Because the intelligence indicated that the fog was strange, even though it had become so thin, none of the soldiers brought by Yuchi Peng dared to approach it. They all tried to stay away from the river and set up camp.
Soldiers on both sides of the river could see each other's campfires lit at night; this feeling of looking at each other across the river was quite unique.
Most of the soldiers on Yuchi Peng's side were in a relatively relaxed mood, especially those who were his blood relatives.
Although most of the veterans had been sent to the northern battlefield, and most of the soldiers here were new recruits going to the battlefield for the first time, they were not afraid. The stories of their elders and their confidence in their bloodline gave them full confidence in facing an army that was said to be composed of villagers!
This kind of thing has happened many times in the Great Jin. They have also heard many elders say that the Great Jin Dynasty has a large population, and there are often gatherings and disturbances in some remote areas. These often eventually escalate into rebellions, but the court will soon show them what iron-fisted suppression is!
For many soldiers of the bloodline, going to the northern battlefield was a dangerous and high-level training opportunity, while those who went to suppress rebellions by civilian organizations were there to gain military merits, and these merits were earned for nothing.
In the twenty years since the dynasty was founded, they had never heard of any suppression resulting in the death of any of their own bloodline members.
Therefore, the soldiers who were selected to suppress the rebellion seemed very relaxed, and many ambitious young people even felt that it was a waste of their time!
"Isn't Jiangnan supposed to be a land of plenty? How come there's a rebellion here?"
A soldier used a knife to cut a large piece of meat from the thigh of a cow on the grill, slicing off the charred parts and tossing it to the bloodless auxiliary soldiers behind him. The auxiliary soldiers gratefully accepted the beef, but the soldier didn't bother to turn around and pay them any attention. He sat down and asked a few of his comrades, who were also from the same bloodline, a question.
"Taking advantage of the chaos to stir up trouble." A soldier next to him chuckled coldly and cut off a piece of meat. The auxiliary soldier behind him watched longingly, but since he had only cut off the tender meat inside, he had no intention of sharing with his subordinates.
"Some people are just born restless, taking advantage of the chaos to think they're heroes," the soldier said while eating meat. "They're nothing but bullshit. Let me tell you, anyone who's ever served in the military would never join this kind of mutineer organization. Those who actually dare to rebel are just ignorant bumpkins. They'll only realize how stupid they are when their whole family is being executed!"
The soldiers beside them smiled and nodded. Although they had never fought in a war, they had all heard their elders talk about their experiences in suppressing rebellions. Most of the uprisings and rebellions were committed by ignorant country folk who did not understand the difference between the armies of blood-line families and ordinary militiamen!
If we don't consider physical exertion, on the battlefield, even an army of eighth or ninth-rank martial artists could easily annihilate a hundred times more militia!
As a top-tier legion, the Golden Dragon Guard has experienced militia members supporting each bloodline soldier. The militia ensures their stamina and provides orderly cover for their retreat before they become exhausted. After all, every bloodline soldier is precious, while ordinary civilians can be recruited at any time.
The Golden Dragon Guard has been established for over fifty years, and its ranks have long since developed a highly skilled system of pairing militia members with their blood relatives, ensuring that the blood relatives can exert their maximum strength. Such an army is absolutely no match for the soldiers of a peasant uprising, let alone now that the dynasty is unified and the world is at peace.
In the past, when warlords controlled the country and the common people were exploited to the point of starvation, ordinary laborers would be committing suicide if they revolted against the regular armies of the warlords!
"I originally planned to go north with my uncle, but I wasn't chosen. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had time to come here and play house with those commoners." A young man ate beef, looked at the campfire on the opposite bank, and said with disdain, "I really don't know where you got the guts?"
When the militiamen gathered around the campfire not far away heard the word "commoners," their faces stiffened.
The term "commoners" wasn't new to some of the veterans, but many of them, having spent a long time on the battlefield, knew some social etiquette and wouldn't say it to their faces. What they feared most were these greenhorns, who were all arrogant and didn't take them, the auxiliary soldiers, seriously at all.
On the battlefield, these new recruits are the most difficult to deal with. They are the least likely to listen to the advice of the auxiliary soldiers, and they are also the ones most prone to causing trouble. Whenever something happens, it is usually these auxiliary soldiers who risk their lives to cover it up. Yet, despite all this, these guys have never shown them any respect.
The militiamen looked at the cornbread and porridge in their hands, then at the young men across from them who were eating large chunks of beef without even glancing at them, and their expressions were not very pleasant.
Actually, in terms of food, having thick rice porridge and enough flatbread is already considered pretty good. But people are afraid of comparisons. Why is it that everyone is working so hard, while others are eating and drinking lavishly, they can only gnaw on these sour cornbreads?
"Hey, boss, there's a smell of wine?"
The militia group, all near the riverbank, were munching on their flatbreads with heavy hearts when, as they ate, they suddenly smelled the aroma of wine!
Some veterans frowned. The Golden Dragon Guard's military regulations were quite strict. Even though those bloodline members received various preferential treatments, they were still not allowed to drink alcohol before battle.
"Where's that smell of wine coming from? It smells so good!" Some of the young men stood up, their stern eyes sweeping over the militiamen. "Bringing wine without permission is a capital offense! Are you all crazy?"
A group of militiamen raised their hands and shouted in a commotion, "It wasn't us!"
Upon hearing this, the sons of the bloodline soldiers frowned and stepped forward to carefully inspect them. They were joking; they themselves didn't even have alcohol to drink, yet these commoners dared to drink?
If they catch them, they'll give them a good beating. The main problem is the aroma of this wine; it's too tempting. Where did these commoners get it?
After searching around without finding it, a group of soldiers were preparing to attack when suddenly someone pointed to the opposite side and said, "General, it seems to be coming from the other side."
"Opposite?"
Upon hearing this, a group of people looked over, and some of the drinkers couldn't resist leaning over to the water's edge and taking a deep sniff!
"It really is the other side!"
The group of people stared in stunned silence at the ever-growing campfire across from them.
These ignorant bumpkins actually dare to drink before the battle?
"A rabble!" Some of the bloodline disciples sneered, but a strange envy lingered deep in their eyes.
This wine smells extraordinary. I've heard that the fine wines sold in the major restaurants in the capital all come from Jiangnan. These peasants from Jiangnan who are rebelling might really ruin those good wines!
The thought of this gave the group of bloodline disciples a surge of motivation. If they could break through, aside from everything else, everyone could at least snatch some of this fine wine, right?
In the capital, only high-ranking officials of the Third Rank rank and top-tier wealthy merchants could afford such fine wine. Even if they managed to snatch it up, they wouldn't drink it themselves; they could probably make a good profit by selling it to restaurants.
Thinking this way, their motivation suddenly increased significantly. The young men who had initially complained about not being able to go to the north were now eager to go!
I wish I could rush over there right now and wipe out those bumpkins who are wasting good stuff!
Perhaps many people thought this way, and heaven actually granted their wish.
That thin layer of mist, amidst the jealousy of a group of bloodline soldiers, was actually blown away by a gust of wind!
In an instant, the two sides, who were not far apart on the river, could see each other clearly. Especially the bloodline members on this side, who had good eyesight and were fed lean meat on a daily basis, could see much farther than half of the militiamen.
On the opposite bank, countless bonfires were littered with all sorts of meats, a bizarre array of dishes, their fat sizzling under the flames. Though the aroma was too faint to be smelled from a distance, for some reason, the young men on the other side suddenly found their own beef less appealing when they saw the meat.
Their strong physical sensations made them clearly realize that the meat being eaten across from them was different from what they were eating, and even from a distance, it aroused a craving in their bodies!
And those bottles of wine.
The strong aroma of various wines wafted over after the mist dissipated, making even some well-educated scions of prominent families unable to resist swallowing hard!
These bastards are really living a life of luxury!
Are Jiangnan really that wealthy?
You know, even ordinary militiamen can eat such good food and drink such fine wine?
Thinking of this, their fighting spirit intensified.
But this idea didn't last long, because soon the other side realized the fog had lifted, and the soldiers stood up from the campfire.
A strange feeling suddenly welled up in the hearts of all the Golden Dragon Guard.
Are people from Jiangnan really that tall?
One by one, the soldiers stood up. Each of them was broad-shouldered and burly, with waists as thick as buckets. Many soldiers were not even wearing armor because of the heat. As soon as they stood up, their majestic figures were revealed, causing a group of young men to subconsciously take a few steps back.
The tall soldiers looked at them without any fear. After the initial astonishment, their eyes gleamed like wolves eyeing chicks!
As they walked step by step toward the shore, their imposing presence, like a mountain pressing down on them, forced those on the other side of the river to retreat repeatedly!
Instantly, a burst of laughter erupted from the opposite bank!
"These lowly people are asking for death!!"
After the group of bloodline disciples realized what was happening, their faces turned bright red with shame. Then, a surge of overwhelming anger welled up inside them, and one by one, they activated their bloodlines, causing their surging blood energy to soar into the sky!
If they hadn't remembered the military regulations, a group of furious, blood-blooded soldiers would have wanted to rush over right now and tear those guys who dared to mock them to shreds!
But while the bloodline soldiers of the Golden Dragon Guard were collectively enraged, some ordinary civilian veterans became serious.
"Those soldiers on the other side... something's not right!!"
I was a little delayed during the day, so this update is a bit late. Sorry!
There will be two more updates tonight. We made it onto the featured page today, and I hope for good subscription results. Thank you all again for your support; without you, Mofang wouldn't have made it onto the featured page so quickly. Thank you everyone!!