Over the next several days.
Instant noodles were promoted throughout the new army.
This large-scale force of a full 20,000 men had been designated by Ye Tian as the Thorn Legion.
Zhou Long served as the legion commander.
While eating instant noodles frequently could become tiresome.
But for this group of soldiers who once couldn't even get their fill of food.
It was simply a delicacy.
"Commander Zhou, such delicious food is really going to be our rations?"
Several officers who had tasted it asked Zhou Long.
Zhou Long stroked his beard with a smile. "When has the Great General ever deceived you?"
He had originally worried that the soldiers wouldn't be accustomed to instant noodles.
Now it seemed his concerns were completely unnecessary.
Zhou Long said confidently, "These instant noodles can only be considered low-grade delicacies in East Sea City. The good stuff is yet to come. You all just train well, and when peace is established throughout the realm, this general will personally host a banquet for you all!"
Hearing this, the officers exchanged glances, their faces showing delight.
Before enlisting, their greatest wish had been simply to eat their fill.
Who would have dared to think about eating delicacies?
Now, having joined the National Protector General Ye Tian's army for barely a month.
Not only did they have land, but their daily meals all included meat!
Even the rations for marching and fighting could be called fine cuisine!
Everyone bowed in admiration. "The National Protector General should rightfully be emperor! This Star Luo's heavens should have changed long ago!"
But Zhou Long glared at them all:
"Remember clearly! Our leader is Princess Dai Ya!"
These soldiers had little education and didn't understand the benefits of proper titles and legitimacy.
But Zhou Long understood that Dai Ya's identity was worth 50,000 elite troops.
To the common people, Ye Tian, who distributed land to them, might be the universally acclaimed savior.
But to those established forces in Star Luo, only Dai Ya was qualified to serve as their representative.
Making Dai Ya the rebel army's leader could reduce many obstacles.
If Young Master Ye Tian had ambitions to compete for the realm.
Zhou Long certainly wouldn't deny what these officers said.
Unfortunately.
Young Master Ye Tian's heart wasn't set on this at all.
Zhou Long was clear in his heart.
Once the Star Luo Empire fell.
Ye Tian would probably transfer power to Dai Ya.
Under these circumstances.
Helping Dai Ya establish authority became necessary.
After all, Young Master Ye Tian couldn't stay by his sister's side for a lifetime.
"The legion commander's lesson is correct." The officers bowed their heads in acknowledgment.
Zhou Long clasped his hands behind his back, speaking with some anger:
"I don't want to hear such talk again."
"All of you, go back and continue training."
Zhou Long waved his hand dismissively.
...
The beach.
"Young Master, we've got a big fish!"
Thirteen came walking over joyfully, clutching a piece of intelligence in his hand.
Ye Tian sat on a small folding stool, leisurely fishing by the sea.
With the capable political assistant Liu Wenxuan around, he finally didn't need to handle government affairs and could spare some time.
Thirteen approached and handed Ye Tian the letter, smiling broadly:
"The Star Luo Crown Princess is leading a team to Tianxing Province to gather intelligence!"
Saying this.
Thirteen scoffed. "This Crown Princess is too bold. She really thinks our intelligence work is for show."
"This Crown Princess has no idea that her every move is under surveillance by our North Star Squad."
Ye Tian took the intelligence and glanced over it roughly, his brows furrowing. "Zhu Zhuqing?"
"...She really is quite a big fish."
That Zhu Zhuqing would come personally.
It seemed the Star Luo Empire took their rebel army very seriously.
Let her investigate all she wants.
Although Ye Tian had always used the title of National Protector General to attack cities and seize territory.
He hadn't deliberately concealed his identity either.
"Does the North Star Squad have confidence they can capture her?" Ye Tian asked lightly.
"There are several experts by her side, so we'd probably encounter considerable trouble, but overall it can still be done," Thirteen answered after thinking briefly.
"Then just keep her under surveillance for now." Ye Tian smiled slightly. "After all, you have to cast a long line to catch big fish."
If they captured Zhu Zhuqing now.
Whether for the sake of face or to accommodate the Nether Civet family's feelings, the Star Luo Empire would send heavy troops.
This contradicted Ye Tian's customized surprise attack plan.
The supplies Bo Saixi was transporting would take another week to arrive.
Ye Tian could wait this one week.
...
At the same time.
Tianxing Province.
Eaton City.
A hotel.
"Miss, you should go back."
"If you stay any longer, I'll have a hard time accounting to the Duke."
A beautiful woman in palace attire pleaded with furrowed brows.
"Aunt Tang, I'm not currently the young miss of the Nether Civet family, nor am I the unbetrothed Crown Princess of the Star Luo imperial family."
Zhu Zhuqing, dressed in black commoner's clothes, her eyes resolute, corrected her.
"I am now an intelligence officer of the Southern Expedition Army. Please don't disturb my work."
Although dressed in plain clothes, it still couldn't conceal Zhu Zhuqing's cold and aloof temperament and excellent figure.
At this moment, with a trace of anger on her face, she appeared even more aloof.
Aunt Tang sighed softly and placed a hand on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder:
"Miss, stop being temperamental, all right?"
"Your being in a safe location is truly helping Duke-daren."
"Moreover, with Miss's appearance, this fair complexion, hands without any wear."
"And wearing common clothing, it's hard for people not to see that you're in disguise!"
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned for a moment and pursed her lips. She really hadn't thought of this.
"Aunt Tang, as a member of the Star Luo Empire, am I really only suited to be a vase?"
Zhu Zhuqing remained somewhat defiant.
"If I'm only a vase, what was the point of all those years of hard cultivation?"
Aunt Tang was momentarily at a loss for words.
She knew this was having the opposite effect.
The Duke had arranged for Zhu Zhuqing to serve as his secretary by his side to protect his daughter.
But how could Zhu Zhuqing be someone content with leisure?
Seeing her companions all busy with the war, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't sit still and secretly slipped out of the Marshal's headquarters under the guise of being an intelligence officer, coming to enemy territory to gather intelligence.
"Since we're here, we might as well make the best of it." Zhu Zhuqing instead began to console Aunt Tang.
"All along our journey, haven't we gone undetected?"
"Moreover, Aunt Tang, this time you brought two Contra-level warriors, and with your Titled Douluo cultivation, Aunt Tang, self-preservation is completely assured."
Aunt Tang clicked her tongue and didn't want to argue.
As a Titled Douluo, she should have been executing higher-level missions.
Not serving as a bodyguard, following by Zhu Zhuqing's side to gather enemy intelligence.
After all, this kind of intelligence work could be competently handled by third or fourth ring Spirit Masters, and even if discovered, the loss wouldn't be significant.
Zhu Zhuqing was ultimately too impulsive.
Aunt Tang sighed softly. "Since things have come to this, I won't hope that you'll obediently return with me, Miss."
"But don't go into the heart of Tianxing Province."
"The enemy army likely has Titled Douluo stationed there as well. If you fall into enemy hands, the entire Star Luo Empire will go mad."
"I have my own judgment. Don't worry, Aunt Tang." Zhu Zhuqing felt like her energy was hitting cotton.
If it weren't for Aunt Tang being here, she would have already thoroughly scouted all of Tianxing Province.
(End of Chapter)