Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 182 Deploying Troops, Northern Frontier

The next morning, Lu Ming accompanied Li Yan and headed towards the palace.

Something seemed to have happened; the palace was solemn today, and there were many more palace guards present.

When I walked outside the Phoenix Dance Gate, a large number of officials had already gathered there, and they all seemed a little nervous.

Clearly, they didn't know what had happened either.

After all, the increase in palace guards must mean something major has happened.

As the eunuch's shrill voice rang out.

The officials began to file in.
Lu Ming is no longer the unknown figure he once was.

At this time, he was a second-rank duke of the Great Yu.

He also controlled the troops in the southern border region, which was close to a quarter of the imperial court's military power.

He was definitely a powerful minister.

It was precisely because of his relationship with the Empress that he was not suspected by the court.

Otherwise, they will definitely be feared.

The officials in the court would never dare to provoke such a powerful figure.

Therefore, when he first entered the main hall...

People couldn't help but come up and greet them.

Lu Ming nodded and stood in the front position.

"Did something happen today?" he asked the Seventh Patriarch beside him in a low voice.

The other officials all held these patriarchs of the imperial clan in the highest esteem.

Only Lu Ming dared to ask that question.

Even Li Yan and Lin Hong, who were standing next to him, couldn't help but prick up their ears.

Now, with the return of the royal family.

Once they obtain firsthand information, the elders will usually review it.

"I knew you'd ask. Great Xia is up to its old tricks again. They're preparing a sacrificial ceremony and have invited the Dao disciples and holy maidens from various sects to watch. It's going to be quite a spectacle."

His Majesty was furious upon receiving the news yesterday.

The Seventh Patriarch lowered his voice.

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow.

"His Majesty has arrived!" Just then, the eunuch's voice rang out.

The Empress entered from behind the palace and sat on the dragon throne.

The officials dared not be negligent and immediately bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The sound traveled through the main hall, sounding quite magnificent.

The Empress's gaze fell upon the assembled officials. "Rise, all of you."

He then continued, "Yesterday I received an urgent report from the border that the Great Xia Dynasty intends to launch a sacrificial ceremony in my twenty-three prefectures, with the aim of completely extinguishing the power of humanity. I wonder if any of you ministers have any opinions?"

After pondering for a moment, the Minister of Revenue said, “Your Majesty, our Great Yu is in dire need of reconstruction. The already meager funds and grain have all been distributed to local authorities to help the people resume production. We really cannot afford to spend any more money.”

To supply the army's expedition.

The northern Xinjiang region is particularly harsh and cold.

The consumption of supplies is even greater.

The Minister of Revenue was a civil official named Du Xuan. He had always disliked going on expeditions, and after experiencing the internal turmoil in the Great Yu, he longed for stability even more.

They did not want to cause any more trouble.

They belong to the absolute peace faction.

As his voice rang out, many more officials stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, we also agree with Lord Du's opinion."

At this moment, Hu Yun, the Minister of Personnel, also said, "Our imperial army has just been reorganized and has not yet formed a formal combat capability. The Great Xia is a true tiger and wolf country with a large army and many generals. I'm afraid our Great Yu army may not be a match for them."

Just as the ministers were talking amongst themselves.

The faces of the elders of the imperial clan also turned grim.

Even though I know these people are telling the truth, I still feel bad.

After all, this is the last chance for the Great Yu, as the humanitarian power of the twenty-three prefectures has not yet been completely extinguished.

Even those at the Transcendent Realm cannot set foot here.

This is the last chance for the Great Yu.

If another sacrifice is made, the twenty-three states will be guarded by powerful Dao Lords.

It's simply impossible for the Great Yu to seize it.

At this moment, although no one could see the Queen's face, her expression must have been unpleasant.

Because the temperature in the entire hall was dropping involuntarily.

Within this Chaotian Palace, only the Empress could accomplish this.

Apart from her, even if a Dao Lord were to descend, he would not be able to exert even a trace of his power in this imperial palace.

It is clear that the royal family still wants to reclaim the twenty-three states.

However, they had to take the opposition from their ministers into consideration.

As for the military officers, most of them dared not speak.

After all, their cultivation levels had improved considerably with the help of the royal family.

However, the strongest one right now is only at the Nascent Soul stage.

Moreover, most of them were raised to their current level by elixirs.

They were no match for the generals of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Therefore, although he was seething with anger, he was helpless.

The Empress couldn't help but shake her head at this sight.

They're still too weak. If they were strong enough, these generals would have jumped out long ago.

What can we do now that we lack confidence?

However, just as the discussions in the imperial court were gradually tilting towards the peace camp...

Lu Ming slowly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this humble general is willing to lead my troops to recover the twenty-three prefectures!"

The next moment, all the ministers' eyes fell on Lu Ming.

Just as Du Xuan was about to speak.

Lu Ming continued, "The money and provisions used by the army will all be paid by the Southern Frontier!"

Then, Du Xuan shut up.

Now that things have come to this point, what else can be done?

You can't expect people to contribute money and effort to fight for the Great Yu, and then you're the one who stops them.

The main hall fell silent at this moment.

"The General is determined to recover the lost territories for our Great Yu, and is truly a pillar of the nation."

However, the general cannot bear all the burdens alone.

"I have decided to personally lead the Imperial Guards on this expedition to assist the Grand General in recovering the twenty-three prefectures."

The Empress's clear voice rang out.

Just as Du Xuan below was about to speak.

The Seventh Patriarch stepped forward first and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" The patriarch of the imperial clan spoke, and the other ministers, of course, dared not be negligent, and all stepped forward respectfully.

Seeing this, the Minister of Revenue could only sigh and shut his mouth.

“One month from now, the Great Xia will offer sacrifices to the people of Jizhou. Time is short, and the army will depart in ten days. Can the Duke of Jiuding manage to do so?”

After all, Lu Ming's army was still in the southern border region.

It is far from Beijing.

"Your Majesty, I think the Imperial Guards can set off as soon as possible and join up with the troops in the Southern Frontier in the Northern Frontier."

Both sides should arrive at roughly the same time!

Lu Ming said slowly.

Although Beijing is much closer to northern Xinjiang than southern Xinjiang.

However, the soldiers under Lu Ming's command are all at the Qi Refining level or above. If they march quickly, they should be able to reach the Northern Frontier within ten days.

"The Imperial Guards will set off for the northern frontier in three days!"

The Queen's voice rang out again.

When he saw that none of the ministers had anything else to say.

He simply said, "Court adjourned!"

The next moment, it disappeared from the spot.

The courtiers then slowly withdrew.

As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, Lu Ming looked at Zhang Meng who was coming to greet him and said, "Notify all the generals to lead half of their troops to the northern frontier to join me. They must arrive within ten days."

"As ordered!"

Upon receiving the order, Zhang Meng naturally dared not neglect it.

They took out the communication jade talisman and began transmitting messages.

The communication jade talisman in his hand kept lighting up.

Li Yan, who had already boarded the carriage, leaned out and looked at Lu Ming, asking, "Are you confident in this battle? The strength of the Great Xia is not weak."

After all, the Great Xia was a formidable force even in the outer regions.

In their encounters with Dayu over the years, they have repeatedly gained the upper hand.

Even so, it was only with the support of humanitarian efforts.

They've mostly been fighting defensive battles. If they ventured beyond their own territory, they wouldn't stand a chance.

"We'll do our best. As long as there's no Dao Lord level expert, we can still give it a try," Lu Ming said slowly.

Li Yan said worriedly, "There are rumors that some disciples from various sects will also be going. They have some grudges against you, and they might secretly make a move. Don't be careless."

Lu Ming nodded.

After they returned to the Prime Minister's residence.

The news has spread throughout the entire mansion.

Zhang wiped away her tears as she packed her things.

He muttered to himself, "We've only been reunited for a few days, and now there's going to be war in the northern frontier again. Damn the Great Xia, why don't they all just die?"

Li Xirou comforted Lu Ming while cleaning his armor.

The servants were running around in circles.

Yu Muyun was unusually absent.

In the southern borderlands, generals from various units gathered their soldiers and prepared to depart.

Large armies began to converge.

Baili Fei personally led a team, escorting grain, elixirs, and spirit stones, to the northern frontier ahead of schedule.

He and Li Xun were in charge of transporting the supplies for this mission.

In an instant, everyone sprang into action.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Lu Ming bid farewell to his family at the Prime Minister's residence, led his personal guards, joined the Imperial Guards, and headed towards the northern frontier.

The million-strong army stretched as far as the eye could see.

Lu Ming's army did not arrive.

However, as the Grand General, the Imperial Guards were nominally under his command.

Therefore, Yu Kun certainly dared not be negligent.

He personally dispatched an army to guard his left and right, and a large army to clear the way.

In the middle of the procession was a chariot, completely bathed in golden light.

The Empress sat upright.

Majestic and unfathomable.

Lin Hong and other experts from the royal family were also by his side.

Even the Second Ancestor and the Third Ancestor, who were not often seen, were among them.

Only the Grand Master of Ceremonies remained to oversee the capital.

Traveling is tedious, especially during a forced march like this.

However, the army's speed was indeed not slow.

On the first day, it was about to leave the central area.

After all, these imperial guards were all at the Innate Realm.

It's still no problem for marching and traveling.

As night fell.

Lu Ming sat around a campfire.

Zhang Meng, along with his personal guards, stood watch around the area.

However, at that moment, a figure slowly walked over.

She moved with light steps, wearing a thin golden armor.

Her stunningly beautiful face flickered in and out of focus in the firelight.

When Lu Ming looked up, he found that it was Yu Muyun.

Why are you here?

He raised an eyebrow and said.

Now that the two are quite familiar with each other, they are naturally not as estranged as they used to be.

Lu Ming simply said some things directly.

“Why can’t I come? As a member of the royal family, it is my responsibility to reclaim lost territory,” Yu Muyun said, looking at Lu Ming.

However, there was always a hint of coquetry in her voice.

"This war is very dangerous. The opponent is not the rebels, but the elite of the Great Xia."

It will kill people.

No one can guarantee their own safety. What are you doing here? I'll have someone take you back right now.

Lu Ming stood up as he spoke.

The other party was Li Yan's student, and had a good relationship with him and Li Xirou. He didn't want to see Yu Muyun die on the battlefield.

The other person beside him smiled and said, "I can't go back. This expedition was approved by His Majesty, and I came with His Majesty's carriage. If I want to leave, I have to say hello to His Majesty."

while talking.

So I found a place to sit down.

At the same time, he gestured for Lu Ming to sit down and talk.

But the other party shook his head and said, "I'll go find His Majesty."

"His Majesty will not agree," Yu Muyun said again.

Then, he raised his head and said, "You don't think this battle will go well?"

“It’s very dangerous, and many people will die,” Lu Ming said in a deep voice.

"Then why did you submit a memorial requesting to come?" Yu Muyun asked.

"If we hadn't come to the Twenty-Six Provinces, they would have been completely wiped out, and even more people would have died," Lu Ming said calmly.

Then, looking at Yu Muyun, he continued, "Stay close to His Majesty. If war breaks out, I won't be able to take care of you."

"Are you in danger?"

"Once you're on the battlefield, who can guarantee they won't be in danger?" Lu Ming said calmly.

However, Yu Muyun could hear the thrilling atmosphere in the other person's voice during their repeated battles.

From a centurion in a chaotic era to his current position, he must have gone through countless trials and tribulations.

The two then talked for a long time.

Until dawn.

Yu Muyun then left.

The army continued its journey the next day.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye during the march.

When Lu Ming arrived in the northern frontier.

Gazing ahead at the village, now reduced to ruins and littered with withered bones.

A murderous glint appeared in his eyes.

The people suffer so much in this world.

Zhang Meng stepped forward and said, "My lord, Wu Han and the others have arrived and have already begun setting up camp nearby."

Lu Ming nodded and walked towards his camp.

The camp was located opposite the imperial guards, allowing them to support each other.

As soon as they entered, a group of generals came to greet them.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

They were full of energy and their strength was indeed much greater than before.

Especially Wu Han, Xiao Lin and the others, they should all be restraining themselves from breaking through their cultivation levels.

It seems the war needs to begin as soon as possible.

"You're all doing well, your cultivation is progressing very quickly. Let's go inside and talk," Lu Ming said with a smile.

Then we walked inside.

However, just as he entered the camp...

A messenger rushed over from the side.

"Reporting to the General, His Majesty summons you to the central army for a meeting."

Lu Ming knew in his heart that something must have happened.

After all, his army had just arrived and had not yet rested. Even if they were to be called up for an expedition, they wouldn't summon him now.

He turned to the messenger and asked, "Has something happened?"

"The Great Xia has assembled a million-strong army and is already approaching us," the other side hurriedly said.

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow.

I didn't expect them to arrive so quickly.

Then, looking at his subordinates, he slowly said, "You all rest first, I'll be right back."

Then, they headed towards the central army of the Imperial Guards.

The Empress's tent could be described as luxurious, as it was entirely covered with the belly skin of a ferocious beast and adorned with gold and jade, resembling a grand palace.

Outside, elite members of the royal family personally stood guard, their swords held high.

When Lu Ming arrived.

The guards immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Lu Ming nodded and walked inside.

(End of this chapter)