On December 27th, a sudden heavy snowstorm struck Ryukyo City.
Overnight, the entire Ryukyo City was covered in a glistening white.
In the early morning, Yun Changfeng walked out of his tent. At this time, soldiers wearing thick tunics and cotton-padded military coats were clearing the accumulated snow in the large camp.
He gently let out a breath. The white mist seemed to instantly condense into ice crystals. Yun Changfeng sighed, “Goryeo’s winter is truly cold.”
It had to be said that previously, the Great Yu Empire’s army would certainly have been unable to garrison Goryeo in such cold weather, because warm clothing was very scarce at that time.
But now it was different. The development of Qingzhou Province’s industry had allowed private textile factories and garment factories to take root everywhere. Their dark green military overcoats were purchased from civilian garment factories.
It was said that to supply the army, the owners of over thirty garment factories almost got into a fight. Ultimately, a garment factory with good quality and low prices was chosen. After all, the military’s logistics department dared not be careless on this matter.
As he was lamenting, a hunter cavalryman on horseback rushed in from the entrance of the grand camp. He stopped before him, pulled out a letter from his bosom, and said, “A letter from Haigucheng.”
Yun Changfeng frowned. Ever since he was stationed in Ryukyo City, he rarely received letters from Haigucheng, because the war in Goryeo was basically over, and they didn’t need him.
It could be said that he was completely idle here.
Tearing open the letter, Yun Changfeng glanced at it, and his face immediately changed. Putting the letter away, he called for his adjutant and said, “Have all the generals come to the tent. Something big is about to happen.”
Seeing Yun Changfeng’s grim expression, the adjutant dared not delay and immediately ran off.
Soon after, three hundred generals, large and small, gathered in the camp.
At this moment, Yun Changfeng’s expression was serious, mixed with excitement. Looking at the assembled generals, he said, “His Majesty has now appointed Army Commander Ye Qingyun as the Governor-General of Goryeo. That means he is now the highest official in Goryeo, and we must obey his orders. The hunter cavalry just delivered Governor-General Ye’s first order: from now on, all soldiers must be armed with live ammunition, ready for any sudden situation. The situation in Goryeo is very dangerous now. War could break out at any moment. And we, being in Ryukyo City, are in the most dangerous position. It can be said that this is a test for us, and also an opportunity to achieve military merit.”
After a pause, he continued, “So from now on, you must all remain vigilant and be ready for battle at any time.”
A monotonous life was also a torment for the generals. Upon hearing that there was a battle to be fought, the generals all looked excited, rubbing their fists, not showing any nervousness at all.
Yun Changfeng thought not only about the battle itself. He bore the lives and fortunes of these ten thousand soldiers. This matter could not be taken lightly. Moreover, he was an imperial relative, and he could not bring shame upon his family.
Thinking of this, he immediately sent someone to summon Hwang Ja-man.
Ever since his return from the Great Yu Empire, Hwang Ja-man’s status had steadily risen. He was now clearly Goryeo’s most powerful official.
“Division Commander Yun, what important matter do you have in calling me?” Hwang Ja-man asked humbly. He understood Yun Changfeng’s background and dared not offend him even more.
“Recently, the voices of opposition against the Great Yu Empire among the Goryeo common people have grown louder, yet you, the State Councilor, show no tension at all. If we leave, will you still have a good life?” Yun Changfeng asked tentatively.
Hwang Ja-man’s face changed. He said, “I also find this matter very strange. In court, I repeatedly demanded they quell this matter, but now it seems to be getting more chaotic. Division Commander Yun, rest assured, I will definitely pressure His Majesty when I return.”
Yun Changfeng had been staring into Hwang Ja-man’s eyes. Seeing this, he said, “No need. I’m afraid your King is no longer of the same mind as you. To be frank, we have received news that the current chaos among the Goryeo common people is deliberately instigated. One of the instigators is Left State Councilor Kim Hyun-sung, and the other is the ingrate Li Cheng-jae. And the King of Goryeo is playing a role in fanning the flames. It is estimated that they will soon make their move.”
Hwang Ja-man’s face changed. He said angrily, “Kim Hyun-sung! I knew he wasn’t a good person from the start! He has always feigned compliance with me and colluded with other nobles. That’s right! This must be his doing!”
After murmuring to himself for a while, Hwang Ja-man said, “Division Commander Yun, what should we do now?”
“You are to immediately mobilize everyone to monitor the situation in Ryukyo City. If there’s any unusual movement, notify us immediately. Goryeo is probably about to undergo a major change. If you cooperate well, your rise to prominence will be just around the corner.”
Hwang Ja-man was overjoyed. He nodded repeatedly.
Having finished this matter, Hwang Ja-man left the grand camp. He immediately had his servants notify everyone under his command to monitor every move around Ryukyo City.
Although the Great Yu Empire army was powerful, they were still new to Goryeo and greatly needed the cooperation of locals like them.
Having given these instructions, he returned to his residence. He didn’t expect to see someone being escorted by his household servants as soon as he arrived.
“Lord State Councilor, this person was caught red-handed trying to poison the Great Yu Empire army’s water supply channel. If not for Lord State Councilor’s timely instructions, something terrible would have happened,” a servant said, as if claiming credit.
Hwang Ja-man had been somewhat skeptical of Yun Changfeng’s words, but the facts suddenly sent a chill from his head to his toes. He vaguely felt that something big was about to happen.
Thinking of this, he said, “Immediately go to the Great Yu Empire military camp. Any later, and it might be too late.”
The servants hurriedly prepared a palanquin for him. Hwang Ja-man had his entire family board the carriage and at the same time dispatched personnel to notify officials of his faction to prepare in advance.
Hwang Ja-man returned, bringing his entire family. Yun Changfeng’s heart tightened. He asked, “Has it already begun?”
Hwang Ja-man said, “We caught a commoner who was trying to poison the military’s water supply channel.”
Yun Changfeng’s eyes immediately narrowed. He said to his adjutant, “Immediately order everyone to stop drinking spring water!”
After they settled in Ryukyo City, Hwang Ja-man, to curry favor with them, specifically built a canal from the mountain to the city. This canal carried spring water from the mountain.
For Yun Changfeng, since the poisoner was caught, the water could no longer be used, because someone might have already poisoned it before this person, after all, one person alone could not contaminate the entire canal.
“I didn’t expect this matter to be so serious. Poisoning the water is truly cruel of them. This is tantamount to taking the lives of all our soldiers,” Yun Changfeng’s body exuded a dangerous aura.
Looking at the military officers gathering around him, he said, “You all heard! Now, someone is using despicable means like poisoning to try and kill us. So, we will make them pay a heavy price!”