Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1583 - 497: Lu Yang’s Schemes, Yang Fa Pays a Visit (2)

Although the combat strength of the Beishuo Town Defense Army is not as good as our Great Xia, the sheer number matters. If your ten thousand troops were all Numbered Army, there might be hope, but with only three regiments, it’s too few. Without my help, it’s practically impossible to quickly take Zhongyang and Linya!"

After hearing Lu Yang’s words, Mu Qinghe’s eyes filled with admiration, and he couldn’t help but nod repeatedly, saying, "I only figured it out on my way here, but Lord Lu came to this conclusion so quickly, truly impressive..."

Though these words had a hint of flattery, they were also the genuine thoughts of Mu Qinghe at that moment. He paused before getting straight to the point, continuing, "This time, the conflict in the Northern Land is likely to involve the two vassal towns of Chen Cang and Cai Qiu, and it might not end quickly. East Ridge is our only supply line, so taking Zhongyang and Linya is crucial. Otherwise, we won’t be able to send military supplies to East River City.

According to Lord Lu, taking the Dongchuan Camp is no longer a problem, so my father should immediately lead the army to attack Zhongyang. Lord Lu has been lurking in Beishuo Town for nearly a decade, so I assume you have a plan in mind. Is there any message you want me to take back?"

Not many in Great Xia know about Lu Yang’s infiltration in Beishuo, other than those stationed with him in East Ridge and some high-ranking officials.

Mu Qinghe only learned about it last year when he brought the newly established Yellow Armor Army to garrison East River City, and it took him by surprise.

The reason was simple: in recent years, the reputation of Beining Sword Master Lu Yang had become enormous.

A few years ago, Lu Yang was merely a leader of a village-level camp with the nickname Beining Sword Master. He had some skills, but was ultimately just Cold Resistance Level, and his reputation was confined to the Beishuo Jingxi District.

What truly made Lu Yang’s reputation spread throughout Beishuo was an incident two years ago. In June of year 134 of the Moao Calendar, Yang Xuan, grandson of Yang Rong, the Inspectorate Dean of Beishuo and one of the Six Horses, was spurred to cause trouble in East Ridge and ended up being taught a lesson by Lu Yang’s chief disciple, Lu Yun.

A youthful rivalry shouldn’t have escalated, but Yang Xuan felt humiliated by losing to a village camp leader’s disciple and thus returned to the town to gather reinforcements.

However, East Ridge wasn’t to be underestimated; several men from Beishuo Town sent as reinforcements were defeated and humiliated, thoroughly antagonizing East Ridge.

The situation escalated to the point where even the Dean Yang Rong had to come in person.

In a dramatic turn, the 83-year-old Yang Rong, with 49 [rank?] strength, was defeated by Beining Sword Master Lu Yang in broad daylight.

Even the Town Chief Yang Fa couldn’t stay idle and summoned Lu Yang to the town to meet.

Everyone assumed Yang Fa wouldn’t let him off, but contrary to expectations, not only did Yang Fa spare Lu Yang, he also promoted him to the position of Beishuo Inspection Office Dean, replacing the aged Zhu Yang and entrusted him with overseeing the entire Jingxi District.

Though Lu Yang still held the title of Beining Sword Master, his reputation had already spread throughout Beishuo.

The most astonishing event was in August last year when another disturbance occurred in East Ridge, this time involving someone even higher in status than Yang Xuan: Luo An, son of Luo Yuan, the Great Xia Hunting Department Director.

In brief, Luo An committed acts of bullying, inciting Lu Yang’s wrath, leading to his detention. Lu Yang demanded that Hunting Department Director Luo Yuan personally come to retrieve his son, threatening to execute Luo An if he didn’t arrive within a month.

Since the Battle of Hongmen, Great Xia’s dominance over Moao South Slope has been irrefutable, and as one of the Eight Departments Directors, Luo Yuan’s rank needed no further elaboration.

Even so, Lu Yang detained such a person’s son and threatened to kill him!

The uproar that ensued from this incident was imaginable.

The outcome was that Luo Yuan arrived, successfully rescuing his son but was also severely humiliated by Lu Yang;

Luo Yuan refused to swallow the insult and sought retribution the very next day, accompanied by Yuan Cheng, the Great Xia Garrison Department Director, who had already reached Xianyang Level.

Then, a fierce battle unfolded between Lu Yang and Yuan Cheng, ending in a stalemate. Only then did everyone realize that Beining Sword Master Lu Yang had advanced to Xianyang Level.

The news shook Beishuo, prompting Lord Yang Zhun and Town Chief Yang Fa to personally visit East Ridge, openly supporting East Ridge and Lu Yang, thus dealing Great Xia’s prestige a heavy blow.

Since year 132 of the Moao Calendar, when Xia Hong hosted the Hongmen Banquet on the East Bank of the Heng River, Great Xia had never suffered such a setback in over three years.

Who would have thought that a mere East Ridge could force a Great Xia retreat!

The exploits of Lu Yang in East Ridge quickly spread across Nine Towns, especially in the Northern Five Towns, which were determined to undermine Great Xia’s standing, and endeavored to portray Lu Yang as a heroic figure resisting Great Xia. Thus, the title of Beishuo Sword Master began to circulate.

......

Of course, on recalling these events now, Mu Qinghe’s face bore an odd expression. If he wasn’t mistaken, in the Great Xia Inner City, the homes of Lu Yang, Yuan Cheng, and Luo Yuan were no more than a hundred meters apart.

Meaning, Luo An was clearly akin to Lu Yang’s nephew, and as for Director Yuan Cheng, he was a childhood friend of Lu Yang.

Lu Yang orchestrated this play with the cooperation of Great Xia’s people, successfully misleading the entire Northern Five Towns, not to mention Beishuo, where Yang Zhun and his brother probably still bask in satisfaction over having such a powerful figure within their domain.

Mu Qinghe shook his head, casting aside useless thoughts from his mind, and seeing Lu Yang still deep in contemplation, he refrained from interrupting.