C17 Get out of My Sight!

Liu Shaan was appointed as the Chief of Staff for the King Protector Army's First Infantry Regiment.

An army is incomplete without a Chief of Staff, and upon assuming his role, Liu Shaan didn't exchange pleasantries with Gao Shaoyi. Instead, he promptly sought out previously recognized talents. To relegate such individuals to the ranks of ordinary soldiers would be a grave underutilization of their abilities.

Zhao Gang, the former artillery commander of the King Protector Army.

Qian Bolun, the former leader of the King Protector Army's cavalry regiment.

Faang Hanye, the former logistics chief of the King Protector Army.

...

In no time, a dozen skilled individuals were brought back into the fold. These individuals harbored no grievances about past assignments, subscribing to the belief that true talent shines in any setting.

With Liu Shaan's initiative, the King Protector Army was poised for accelerated growth.

Gao Shaoyi found Liu Shaan's approach inconsequential, noting the current lack of artillery and cavalry units. For the time being, these two would have to settle for the roles of company commanders.

Gao Shaoyi scoured the system but found no trace of artillery. It appeared the time to unlock such capabilities had not yet arrived.

"Ten bullets, ninety-one points."

"Ten bullets, eighty-eight points."

As dusk approached, Gao Shaoyi surveyed the training grounds and observed the exceptional marksmanship of the troops.

Their tactical maneuvers were equally impressive, marking them as a seasoned and elite force.

In the system, bullets were priced at two hundred for one merit point, and Gao Shaoyi eagerly made exchanges for them. The expense was trivial compared to the combat readiness they were achieving.

Neither Liu Shaan nor his colleagues could fathom the extent of the Imperial Court's funding. How could there be such an abundance of new rifles and an unlimited supply of bullets? Perhaps the Imperial Court was indeed intent on military reform.

When questioned, Gao Shaoyi would adopt an air of mystery and simply gesture upwards, implying that certain information was beyond his remit to disclose, which silenced further inquiries.

"Marquis, there's someone outside with a gift to deliver."

Third Wang's men, tasked with patrolling the camp, had stumbled upon a group of suspicious characters at the perimeter and detained them. Initially suspected of espionage, it turned out they carried credentials and were envoys from the Sixth Country, bearing gifts for Gao Shaoyi.

Boots?

Gao Shaoyi eyed the six pairs of boots arrayed before him.

Now an Imperial Censor poised to oversee the Embassy Area, it was customary to receive gifts from these individuals. But six pairs of boots? What was the meaning of this?

"This is utterly outrageous!"

Liu Shaan, upon seeing the boots, slammed his fist on the table in indignation.

Gao Shaoyi hadn't initially grasped the situation, but witnessing Liu Shaan's fury, how could he remain oblivious? Clearly, the envoys from the six nations were telling him to don the boots and scram.

They're trying to intimidate me!

"To hell with this, I'll thrash you..."

Third Wang rolled up his sleeves, ready to throw punches.

"Send them back with a message. Express my gratitude to the Lord Ministers and inform them that at eight o'clock tomorrow morning, I will be entering the Embassy Area. I expect their attendance. Any delay, and they will answer for it."

After Gao Shaoyi spoke, the faces of the shoe-bearing messengers turned ashen. In the entire Qian Empire, not even the reigning emperor would dare utter such a challenge!

"Master Gao, is that a threat?" inquired a traitorous-looking fellow, the translator for the Windsor Dynasty's envoy.

Though the Windsor Dynasty was but an island nation, it had seized the advantage in two industrial revolutions and now surpassed the Qian Empire as the world's preeminent power. It held vast territories globally, including significant leased lands within the Qian Empire itself.

"Return with my words. Stick to your duties and avoid stirring up trouble that would embarrass your superiors. Otherwise, I assure you, you won't be leaving this military camp today."

Gao Shaoyi regarded the translator with a dismissive glance.

It was clear he held the man in low regard, a sentiment that wounded the translator's pride.

Since working for the Windsor Dynasty, he had been afforded respect throughout the capital city, welcomed as a distinguished guest in royal households. And now, to be slighted by a mere City Censor...

As the man was about to protest, the translator from the Galru Empire tugged at his sleeve.

The man they faced was no ordinary court official; he was a man of action, one who didn't even consider the likes of Ryoji Otomo worth his attention. How could they possibly stand against him?

The interpreters shared a knowing look. Arguing here was pointless, especially with the Young Marquis's fiery temper. If they ended up on the receiving end of his wrath, it would be their own misfortune. Better to watch him embarrass himself tomorrow. The envoys from the six empires were ready and waiting for his expected blunder.

"I shall take my leave now. Remember, Young Marquis, you must keep your word tomorrow. We'll be awaiting your arrival in the Embassy Area."

With sly grins, they departed from Gao Shaoyi's tent.

"What a disgraceful lot," Liu Shaan muttered, his voice tinged with contempt. "They're citizens of our great Qian Empire, yet they grovel like dogs before others, taking pride in their servitude."

Liu Shaan, a man of traditional values, had no tolerance for traitors. It was bad enough they didn't seek the welfare of their own nation, but to aid foreigners in oppressing their compatriots was utterly reprehensible.

Noticing the shared anger among those around him, Gao Shaoyi surmised that the citizens of the capital likely felt the same. It was clear that he needed to let these interpreters show their true colors tomorrow, or else how would he gain more worship points?

"All troops, heed my command: rest at 10 PM tonight. Rise at 6 AM tomorrow, depart at 7 AM, and proceed to the Embassy Area by 8 AM."

Gao Shaoyi checked the time, his mind already on tomorrow's confrontation.

If he could gain entry to the Embassy Area without incident, it would mark the beginning of his campaign. Currently, he wasn't in a position to take on the great empires, but he doubted the small military presence in the Embassy Area could hold its own against him.

Moreover, Gao Shaoyi had been studying the global political climate. With the recent resolution of the economic crises, no country was poised for major military action—at least not for a few years. And by then, would he have any reason to fear?

That night, a sense of peril loomed over the capital city. The Embassy Area was typically guarded by 1,800 allied troops tasked with ensuring its security. But with Gao Shaoyi's resolute stance, the empires began to rally their forces along the capital's transit routes, amassing over 3,000 soldiers. It appeared they were prepared to use military pressure to force Gao Shaoyi's hand come morning.

Rebirth is never easy, and Gao Shaoyi was well aware of that truth.

The impoverished Qian Empire, seeking to rise again, would have to confront innumerable challenges. Perhaps decades from now, they would look back and see that tomorrow was merely a minor episode...