Just as Jiang Huaisheng finished speaking, they saw a team of fast horses galloping from a distance. Leading them was a delicate young woman in narrow-sleeved riding attire, her bearing heroic and spirited. She rode fast until reaching the camp entrance before reining in her horse. Seeing so many returning naval veterans outside the camp gate, the young woman leaped down from her horse, gripping her riding whip, and approached the camp with a team of guards, showing her command token and declaring: “Go summon Naval General Liu Shucheng!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Shucheng glanced at Jiang Huaisheng and hurried toward the entrance. Seeing the upright, heroic woman before him, he roughly guessed, based on her age, that this must be Prince Gaoyi, who had once attacked Hancheng, the capital of Great Liang.

“This subordinate Liu Shucheng…” Liu Shucheng saluted Bai Jinzhi, “Greets My Lord!”

Bai Jinzhi held the command token but hadn’t revealed her identity, so Liu Shucheng’s address of “My Lord” was appropriate.

Bai Jinzhi put away the token and cupped her hands toward Liu Shucheng: “His Majesty commands: summon the soldiers who left the navy when Great Zhou was established to return to camp before the twenty-sixth of September to jointly destroy Dongyi. General Liu Shucheng is charged with handling all matters regarding welcoming naval soldiers back to camp, with strict verification to prevent recruits from going to battle!”

“This subordinate Liu Shucheng receives the command!”

Seeing Liu Shucheng kneel and kowtow, Bai Jinzhi quickly helped him up: “Please rise, General Liu. Elder Sister said that fishermen understand sea conditions best, so she went to inquire among the fishermen. This place is entrusted to General Liu. Later, Elder Sister will come personally to meet with all the generals! Elder Sister also said… since Dongyi dares to stab Great Zhou in the back, dares to kill the Prince of Hancheng and our Great Zhou elite soldiers, we will destroy their nation! Please prepare for battle, General!”

Looking at Prince Gaoyi before him and hearing her words, Liu Shucheng finally realized that the Emperor… had truly come to the coast, truly intended to lead the imperial expedition personally to retrieve the Prince of Hancheng’s remains and avenge the Prince of Hancheng and the naval soldiers!

The Emperor had not, because of the national wager, made the Prince of Hancheng and their naval forces swallow their anger, nor had she disregarded the Prince of Hancheng’s remains.

Liu Shucheng clenched his jaw and solemnly bowed to Bai Jinzhi, suppressing his choking voice as he declared loudly: “Please assure His Majesty and Prince Gaoyi! Once His Majesty gives the order, wherever the sword points, the naval soldiers will sacrifice themselves completely, and none dare disobey!”

Only now did Liu Shucheng understand why… the Prince of Hancheng had been so loyal to the Great Zhou Emperor, a mere woman!

The Great Zhou Emperor had not left the naval soldiers feeling betrayed, had not failed the Prince of Hancheng’s loyalty!

Bai Jinzhi clenched her fists at her sides, maintaining a composed appearance as she cupped her hands toward Liu Shucheng: “Everything is entrusted to General Liu!”

“Prince Gaoyi, rest assured!” Liu Shucheng bowed again.

Bai Jinzhi leaped onto her horse, pulled the reins to turn her horse around, and galloped toward the Bai Family Army camp.

Later, many former naval soldiers whose families were in Jinwan also came to the naval camp to report. They all spoke of the Emperor’s appearance before the government office, saying they were willing to serve such an emperor loyally, willing to fight alongside such an emperor who truly cared for the people and had both spirit and backbone.

When Bai Jinzhi reached the Bai Family Army camp and informed the soldiers that Bai Qingyan had arrived and was determined to destroy Dongyi, the entire Bai Family Army was almost boiling with excitement.

To the Bai Family Army, Young Marshal Bai was a symbol of invincibility. With Bai Qingyan’s arrival, the Bai Family Army could already see Dongyi’s destruction.

Cheng Yuanzhi was the happiest, having long been eager to go to Dongyi to retrieve the Prince of Hancheng’s remains. When he heard from Bai Jinzhi that Bai Qingyan had arrived, his eyes immediately filled with tears.

“With Young Marshal Bai’s arrival, those Dongyi bastards’ death day has come!” Cheng Yuanzhi gritted his teeth, his heart surging with towering hatred.

The naval camp had become lively. The soldiers were boiling with excitement because of their comrades’ return and the Emperor’s determination to personally lead the expedition to destroy Dongyi, wishing they could go to battle immediately.

After the initial excitement, the naval generals gathered together, though some inevitably worried.

“His Majesty has never been involved in naval warfare. The imperial expedition certainly boosts our morale, but coming to command… might that be inappropriate? Should we offer a reminder? Otherwise, citing that imperial commands cannot be disobeyed, if we lose… it could greatly damage our morale!”

The naval generals had changed how they addressed Bai Qingyan, from “Great Zhou Emperor” to “His Majesty.”

After serious consideration, Liu Shucheng said: “His Majesty has never been defeated, winning every battle. Even defeats were feigned retreats to lure enemies in.”

“But naval warfare is different from land warfare!” A naval general frowned deeply. “His Majesty excels at land combat, and… in land warfare, there’s often terrain to utilize, but on this vast ocean… His Majesty may not be able to use troops like a god.”

Jiang Huaisheng looked at the large sea chart, thought for a moment, then spoke: “After leaving the navy, I once heard about former Duke Zhenguo Bai Weiting’s affairs. I know Duke Zhenguo was someone who could listen well to his subordinates’ opinions and suggestions. His Majesty inherits the old Duke Zhenguo’s character, so she should not be stubborn and should be able to listen to our suggestions regarding naval warfare.”

“Didn’t Prince Gaoyi just say His Majesty went to understand the situation from fishermen?” A burly naval general spread his hands. “If she wants to know about sea conditions, we in the navy understand best! Is there a need to ask fishermen? Does His Majesty not trust us to deceive our people?”

“You’re wrong about that. Our Majesty… is more capable than I imagined!” Jiang Huaisheng looked at the sea chart with a slight smile, curling his right hand fingers and tapping on the chart. “Fishermen spend much more time at sea than our navy. Some places they know might be unknown even to us—their experience is very rich. His Majesty is right to ask fishermen about sea conditions! Perhaps… there might be unexpected gains.”

The sky gradually darkened. The naval soldiers gathered together without dispersing, thinking that Bai Qingyan would come later. They all tensed up waiting, as this was the first time they would see their emperor. Though they had heard much through hearsay, none of the naval generals truly understood this emperor, so they naturally felt uneasy.

“I estimate that if His Majesty returns from the fishing village, she might visit the Bai Family Army camp first!” a naval general said.

After all, the Bai Family Army was considered the Emperor’s direct troops.

There was a distinction between inside and outside—it would be reasonable for the Emperor to visit the Bai Family Army camp first.

“General…” a soldier outside reported, “General Cheng of the Bai Family Army has arrived with several other Bai Family Army generals!”

“Go out to greet them!” Liu Shucheng went out first to welcome them, seeing from afar Cheng Yuanzhi walking with an imposing bearing, leading the Bai Family Army and General Liu Pinggao’s group.

In the fire basins set up high around the naval camp, flames danced chaotically, reflecting cold light off the silver armor of the twelve Bai Family Army generals.

“Generals, Master Cai!” Liu Shucheng cupped his hands toward Cheng Yuanzhi and the other generals and Cai Ziyuan.