"..."
The once bustling city walls fell silent again, as if everyone's voices had been suddenly choked!
Everyone instinctively held their breath and stared wide-eyed at what was below.
Nearly half of the cavalrymen were wearing lamellar armor; the iron plates gleamed silver in the morning light, like a river draped over their bodies.
The rustling of the armor blades mingled with the sound of the horse's hooves as it moved up and down.
Almost all the powerful figures turned pale and their legs went weak!
Even at the height of Mist Hidden Temple's power, they never had so many cavalry and so much armor!
Nearly three hundred cavalrymen lined up in a row, standing in front of a column of more than two thousand men.
A chilling light flashed, and the aura of clashing swords and galloping horses soared into the sky!
Wu Shuangren looked at the troops outside and felt a surge of pride.
"Kill--"
He suddenly activated his Internal Skill and shouted loudly towards the outside of the city.
More than two thousand men stood at attention, and all the cavalrymen drew their swords from their waists and pointed them to the sky.
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
The crowd roared in unison, shaking the heavens and the clouds!
On the city wall, many people were so frightened that they sat down on the ground, their faces pale.
With this, the 'military parade' came to an end.
Wu Shuangren turned to the crowd and said with a smile, "Please excuse my poor manners. Let's move to the restaurant and sit down to talk."
After saying that, he took the lead and walked down the city wall.
The lobby on the first floor of the restaurant.
The local powerful figures returned and sat down, their mindset now completely different from when they first entered.
Wu Shuangren was still wearing the same simple black martial arts uniform as when he was on the city wall, but at this moment many people didn't even dare to look him in the eye.
Wu Shuangren didn't beat around the bush. He stood up from his seat, looked around, and said:
"I've gathered you all here for one thing. Although the Mount Liang rebels have been driven back, their main force remains, and they are very likely to make a comeback! When that happens, tens of thousands of troops will be pressing in. If Yi Province wants to resist, we must unite everyone's strength."
"Yi Prefecture City will undoubtedly be the first target of the Mount Liang army. As long as the city remains unconquered, the Mount Liang army will not turn their attention elsewhere. Therefore, I hope that all counties and regions can send their troops here for unified training and command to defend the city together."
After hearing Wu Shuangren's request, everyone fell silent.
In fact, before they came, most of the powerful figures from various places had already guessed Wu Shuangren's purpose.
Everyone was definitely unhappy, worried that the other side would covet their troops.
Having just watched the 'military parade' from the city wall, everyone present suddenly felt that their own small force was really nothing.
The difference in equipment, morale, training level, and so on is like the difference between a beggar and a millionaire!
Would a wealthy person covet the meager sum in a beggar's bowl?
Seeing that no one spoke, Wu Shuangren continued:
"If everyone continues to guard their own places, we'll just be eaten one by one when the Mount Liang army arrives—it's pointless. Only by uniting can we have the strength to fight against Mount Liang!"
Everyone understands the logic, and many people are already considering it.
"Here, I, Wu, can assure you all that as long as you send people to join us, we'll all be in the same boat. If we're ever persecuted by the Mount Liang rebels, I, Wu, will definitely help! But if you're unwilling to join, and Mount Liang attacks your doorstep, don't blame me for not coming to your rescue!"
Wu Shuangren threw out another chip.
Guo Jiwang stood up immediately and said, "Everyone witnessed the military parade outside the city today, and you all know how capable Militia Commander Wu at training troops. Send your men here for unified training, and perhaps one day you can have a similar lineup!"
Now everyone was on edge.
If the soldiers under my command could be trained to the same level as the militia outside the city today, it would greatly enhance my own strength!
Their soldiers are all locals, and their families are all in their hometowns. Why would they be afraid of being abducted by Wu Shuangren?
The hall fell silent for a moment before a representative from the county militia stood up.
He was a dark-skinned man in his forties. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wu Shuangren and said, "Militia Commander Wu, our Li County Militia is willing to send men to the prefectural city. We are at your command!"
After he started, everyone else stood up and expressed their opinions, vying to be the first to speak:
"Our Liu County Militia is also willing to send people; we'll all listen to Militia Commander Wu!"
"Our Wang Family Village can produce over a hundred strong men!"
"Us..."
In an instant, representatives of powerful local figures all stood up and spoke, agreeing to send someone to follow Wu Shuangren's command!
The atmosphere inside the restaurant was lively.
Wu Shuangren and Guo Jiwang exchanged a glance, both with smiles on their faces.
"Good!"
Wu Shuangren raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
Everyone fell silent, their gazes fixed intently on Wu Shuangren.
"I, Wu, would like to thank you all for your trust! With so many of us gathered here, we need a reason to do so, otherwise it could easily lead to misunderstandings. Prefect Feng of the prefecture, along with several other officials, have already agreed to establish the Yi Province Militia!"
Wu Shuangren said without changing his expression.
"Yi Province Militia?"
The group exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.
This was somewhat different from what they had expected. They thought this was just a temporary gathering, and that once they had stopped the Mount Liang rebels, they would all go home.
Are they really going to form a formal militia?
It's clear that Wu Shuangren's appearance doesn't seem fake.
This leads to a series of related events—
The local Bo County Militia came with their officials to inform them.
Wu Shuangren opened the city gates of the prefecture at will, clearly indicating a close relationship with the government.
This is most likely true!
"Your willingness to send representatives here signifies your agreement to join the Yi Province Militia. From now on, we will stand together through thick and thin, and defend the land of Yi Province!"
Wu Shuangren didn't give anyone time to think, and immediately clasped his hands in a salute, "On behalf of the Yi Province Militia, I, Wu, welcome everyone!"
Next, Wu Shuangren instructed the restaurant to start serving the dishes and drinks.
He led Guo Jiwang to toast each table, and those who were toasted were all very humble and respectful.
Many people cautiously inquired of Wu Shuangren about the specific regulations governing the Yi Province Militia.
Wu Shuangren simply said that everyone would know once they arrived with their men, and that the benefits they were entitled to would definitely not be lacking!
He hinted to everyone that joining the Yi Province Militia would not only save them money, but would also provide them with a sum of money and provisions.
This immediately put everyone at ease and dispelled many of their concerns.
The banquet was a great success, with both hosts and guests enjoying themselves immensely.
Representatives of local powerful families left the capital that very day to return to their respective regions and deliver the news.
Thus, Guo Jiwang's first strategy for Wu Shuangren was...
By using someone else's name to carry out their plans, they've succeeded!
Over the next few days, local militias and powerful clansmen from various regions arrived in Yi Prefecture City with their own forces.
Wu Shuangren arranged for people to deliver food and various supplies to the arriving troops, allowing them to set up camp outside the city.
In fact, most of the local militia under his command and the militia in Rong Province were also camped outside the city and were not arranged to stay in the city.
The militiamen who entered the city took turns guarding it.
The local militia in Rong Province were initially quite dissatisfied with this, but seeing that Wu Shuangren had arranged for his soldiers to live outside the city as well, and had also given them rewards, they eventually obediently cooperated.
The same applies to the troops that have come from all over Yi Province. They see that Wu Shuangren's own troops are also camped outside the city, so they have no objections.
The twelfth day after Ciwen was killed.
The last powerful force arrived Yi Prefecture City.
Outside the west gate of Yi Province, the camps stretched out in a continuous line, with people coming and going, and the swords and armor reflecting a cold glint.
Wu Shuangren himself had more than 2,500 men under his command.
The Rong Province Militia numbered over 2,300.
More than 4,600 people came from all over Yi Province.
In total, nearly ten thousand soldiers!
After the last group of soldiers arrived, the militiamen of Bo County Militia were the first to put on their armor, pick up their weapons, and walk out of their tents to line up in the open space in front of the city gate.
Seeing this, the rest of the men also sprang into action.
More than half an hour later, nearly 10,000 troops lined up outside the north gate of Yi Province, a dark mass of people, and a great deal of noise!
Inside the city, at the state government office.
Feng Guanglu, Shen Jingchuan, and a group of other officials of rank gathered together.
"My lords, those people outside the city are all shouting for a reward!"
A minor official came to report.
"Nonsense!"
Shen Jingchuan's face was full of anger, "We haven't even fought a battle, what reward do you want?"
Feng Guanglu's expression was also grim. "Where is Wu Shuangren? He called these people here, can't he do anything about it?"
The minor official said cautiously, "Those people outside say they came to join the Yi Province Militia because the lords promised them a reward for joining."
"Nonsense!"
Feng Guanglu slammed his fist on the table. "When did I ever say I wanted to establish Yi Province Militia?"
Shen Jingchuan pointed at the minor official. "Have you found out what happened?"
The clerk, with a mournful face, said, "Reporting to you, sir, many of us have gone out of the city to inquire. All the local militias are saying the same thing: they've come to join the Yi Province Militia, and they want a reward..."
"This..."
Feng Guanglu looked at Shen Jingchuan.
Shen Jingchuan was also somewhat flustered, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Immediately send someone to invite Militia Commander Wu over, say you have important matters to discuss!"
"Yes."
The minor official withdrew from the main hall.
"This must have been orchestrated by Wu Shuangren!"
Shen Jingchuan angrily cursed, "You have the ambition of a wolf!"
"Wild ambition!"
He originally thought that as long as he gradually put Wu Shuangren on the pedestal, with the government backing him up and letting him take charge in front of everyone, giving him a nominal title would suffice, without actually establishing any Yi Province Militia.
Once Wu Shuangren has tasted success, and they've further manipulated him, will he really be willing to give up the power he's gained?
Next, by secretly winning over and bribing local powerful figures to counterbalance Wu Shuangren, the situation can gradually change.
All the officials present knew exactly what to do with this series of tactics. How could an eighteen-year-old possibly outmaneuver them?
But to my surprise, the opponent checkmated me right at the start of the game!