Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

More than 20 warships belonging to the river pirate Lin Shi Hong appeared on the Yangtze River, extending his influence down to the lower reaches. Cao Shi Qi, Lin Shi Hong's second-in-command, led a patrol and encountered a fleet from Qingzhou transporting resources. Despite his greed for the nine merchant ships, he decided to retreat, understanding the risks involved. Meanwhile, Zhang Xuan and Fang Xuan Ling traveled to inspect new recruits amidst heavy snowfall, discussing military logistics and the impact of drought in Nakahara. They contemplated a trade with the Jiangnan Association, balancing ambition with caution regarding Lin Shi Hong. Zhang Xuan's army had grown to nearly 90,000 soldiers, but sustaining such a force was a challenge. He recognized the need for a stable food source to avoid the pitfalls that befell other bandit armies. The chapter concludes with their arrival at the new recruit camp.

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