The crowd poured into the city, with many people from River West County and Ding Prefecture following behind, creating a massive procession.
Oliver Sheng had returned to hold the city-building ceremony for River West County and then move in to officially begin the era of the River West Protectorate governing this grassland.
Standing atop the city walls of the Protectorate, Oliver gazed at the army, the common people, and the merchant caravans.
“Everyone, we lost this land for a whole century, but today, it finally returns to the embrace of Great Wei.”
“All of you here will witness this historic moment.”
“The River West Protectorate is officially established. From now on, Great Wei will rule this grassland. We will graze cattle and sheep, raise warhorses, and create a brilliant pearl on this grassland, forging a beautiful future,” Oliver declared passionately.
“Yes!!”
“Long live! Long live!”
“Great Wei is mighty!”
“King Shengwu is mighty!!”
On the streets below, the army and the people cheered continuously.
Wesley Hu and the others took out the prepared plaque and hung it up!
The words “River West Protectorate” came into view, adorned with red flowers.
“At the same time, I announce that one month from now, there will be an auction for the shops in River West City. Those interested can come to participate,” Oliver also announced publicly.
The eyes of the merchants lit up upon hearing this.
Finally, the day had come. They had long wanted to buy shops in River West City, but it had never been open for business. They had silver but nowhere to spend it.
That night, the entire River West City was brightly lit, like a pearl on the grassland.
Tonight, they celebrated the establishment of River West City, with the military and civilians reveling together.
River West City now had mostly soldiers and slaves.
The soldiers and slaves did not enter the city; only some willing common people who had migrated were given free housing, attracting some to settle down.
After all, the grassland was not suitable for farming, and many people were farmers with no knowledge of herding.
Oliver stationed only five thousand troops inside the city to maintain peace and order.
The remaining two hundred thousand troops were stationed outside the city, guarding the grassland.
The trade route to the Western Regions had not yet been opened.
Therefore, not many merchant caravans had arrived.
The next step was to open the trade route to the Western Regions, which required eliminating the Hu Jie occupying the plateau between the River West grassland and the Western Regions.
The Hu Jie occupied the land of Zhangye, cutting off the trade route.
The River West grassland had once been occupied by barbarians, severing commercial ties between the Western Regions and Great Wei a century ago.
The next morning!
Oliver sent Wang Zhan to notify Qin Lin, Wesley Hu, Harrison Zhou, and others to come to his military tent for a meeting.
Once everyone had gathered, Oliver looked at his subordinate generals and said, “Everyone, I have called you here today for two reasons. First, we will march on Zhangye to eliminate the Hu Jie on the plateau and open the trade route to the Western Regions.”
Hearing this, everyone was delighted at the prospect of another battle.
“Second, to assess the results of your recent training,” Oliver said, emphasizing the importance of the army’s combat effectiveness.
The troops had been training tirelessly.
With ample food, pill supplies, and the cultivation method Flood Dragon Devouring Technique, if they still couldn’t become strong, they would be relegated to logistics and auxiliary troops, unable to join the River West Army’s combat units.
“General, my troops have not stopped training for a moment and are ready to fight at any time,” Wesley Hu immediately stood up and said loudly.
This was a prime opportunity to vie for a chance to go to war. If not now, then when?
After all, with so many generals under Oliver’s command, not all of the two hundred thousand troops would have the chance to go to war.
“General, my swords and blades are sharpened and ready to drink the enemy’s blood,” Harrison Zhou quickly stood up and said.
“General, I…”
Felix Wu, Sawyer Shangguan, Lin Jiang, and Xiao Chuyi all stood up to request to join the battle.
Qin Lin and Zheng Fang were stunned by their enthusiasm. Were they all this eager?
“Zheng Fang, take your troops and my military order to Peace Pass, relieve General Calvin Yang, and have him bring the Peace Army to River West to join me in the campaign,” Oliver ordered.
Zheng Fang wanted to say he also wished to join the campaign, but he couldn’t defy Oliver’s military order.
“Yes, General!”
“Zane Wang, lead the scouts to Zhangye to gather military intelligence.”
“Yes!” Zane Wang stood up and saluted.
“Wesley Hu, Harrison Zhou, Felix Wu, Xiao Batian, Chi Tiansheng, gather the troops and prepare for the campaign.”
“Yes!”
The four of them accepted the orders with joy.
“And me, General?” Qin Lin couldn’t help but ask.
“Your troops will also join the campaign,” Oliver said.
“Yes, General,” Qin Lin replied happily.
“Sawyer Shangguan, Lin Jiang, you two will lead the troops to guard River West City,” Oliver instructed.
“Yes, General!!”
Although they were disappointed not to join the campaign, they would strictly follow Oliver’s orders without question.
After issuing the battle orders, Oliver’s generals began their preparations.
Zheng Fang led thirty thousand troops to Peace Pass to take over its defense.
Finn Chen, the prefect, quickly gathered provisions to supply the campaign.
Upon receiving the order, Calvin Yang did not hesitate and handed over the defense of Peace Pass to Zheng Fang.
He led fifty thousand Peace Army troops to River West City to report.
Oliver, bestowed the title of King Shengwu, commanded all military forces in the Northern Frontier, including the General Who Guards the North at Deny North Pass, who had to follow his orders.
With provisions ready and Calvin Yang’s troops arrived, Oliver prepared to set out.
“Oliver, are we marching on Zhangye to attack the Hu Jie again?” Calvin Yang asked excitedly.
Oliver smiled and nodded, noting the increasing strength in Calvin Yang’s aura. Perhaps in just a month, Calvin Yang could reach the realm of Great Grandmaster.
“Yes, Uncle Yang, the Hu Jie on the plateau occupy Zhangye and block the trade route. This campaign aims to eliminate the Hu Jie and restore the trade route to the Western Regions,” Oliver said with a smile.
“Indeed, such an opportunity to expand our territory, and you still call on your uncle. On behalf of my subordinates, I thank you,” Calvin Yang said sincerely.
Taking Zhangye would be a significant achievement.
“There’s no need for such formality between us. Besides, Uncle, you are close to breaking through to Great Grandmaster. We need a strong presence to hold Zhangye after we take it,” Oliver said.
This was his intention: to take Zhangye and have Calvin Yang guard it.
Without a Great Grandmaster to hold it, taking it would be in vain.
He couldn’t personally stay in Zhangye.
“I see!” Calvin Yang nodded.
“Alright, the troops are ready. Let’s set out,” Oliver ordered, and the army began to move.
Harrison Zhou led thirty thousand barbarian slave troops and ten thousand cavalry, Qin Lin led thirty thousand troops, and Calvin Yang led fifty thousand troops.
Additionally, Wesley Hu, Felix Wu, and Xiao Chuyi each led ten thousand troops, and Chi Tiansheng commanded five thousand heavy cavalry.
With twenty-five thousand logistics and auxiliary troops, a total of one hundred eighty thousand troops set out once again.
“March to punish the Hu Jie!”
A loud shout echoed through the army.
“Woo woo!!”
Seeing Oliver lead the troops out, the people of River West City cheered:
“Wish the army a triumphant return!!”
“Wish the army a triumphant return!!”
The army’s campaign would surely sweep away the foreign tribes and uphold the might of Great Wei.
Finn Chen, the veterans, Sawyer Shangguan, Lin Jiang, and others watched the army set out.
The sound of the campaign horn resounded across the grassland!
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