Chapter 924

Zhu Sansi looked at the steam locomotive before him, his expression somewhat excited. Behind him, a division of soldiers was awaiting his order to board.

The Grand Council had just issued an order, instructing him to lead a division northward, responsible for clearing out the Tsarist Russian bandit groups in Guandong and simultaneously controlling the entire Siberia.

Having worked his way up in the army for eight or nine years, he had risen from an ordinary soldier to his current rank of division commander. Now, leading troops on his own for combat, his experience was quite legendary in the military.

However, he had never become arrogant because of this, always maintaining his simple and honest demeanor.

“Board the train!”

He took out his pocket watch from his pocket, checked the time, and confirmed it was time. He then gave the order to board. Today, they would depart for Guandong on six separate trains.

Upon receiving the order, the soldiers, carrying backpacks and armed with Falcon Rifles, boarded the train in an orderly fashion. Most of these soldiers had never ridden a train before, only having read descriptions in newspapers.

Now, seeing the real thing, they all looked excited.

As the soldiers boarded, the army’s logistics loaded boxes of ammunition and canned goods into the last carriages. At the same time, field cannons were hoisted onto special platforms at the back, accompanying the soldiers.

“Division Commander, can this really reach Guandong in two days?” Sitting on the steam locomotive, a brigade commander asked with some surprise. Previously, it would have taken them at least over twenty days to reach Jianzhou.

Zhu Sansi said, “Is that false? It only takes six hours from Qingzhou to Dengzhou. Two days to Jianzhou is certainly enough.”

“That’s truly amazing! No wonder many people are now venturing into Guandong. With this, returning is also very convenient,” the brigade commander exclaimed in admiration.

Zhu Sansi himself had not yet ridden this steam locomotive, only having heard relevant news from Niu Ben and others.

This railway line, connecting Qingzhou Province to various cities in Guandong, had just opened not long ago. After being published in newspapers, it quickly became a hot topic.

Because it meant that people of the Great Yu Empire could travel to more places in a short time. The fact that the formerly deserted Guandong was now attracting many merchants was proof of this.

Looking out the glass window of the steam locomotive, Zhu Sansi felt a slight thrill in his heart. He was a native of Qingzhou Province and had personally witnessed the changes in Qingzhou Province over the years.

It was for these beautiful changes that he chose to join the army. Now, he still did not regret his original choice. For the Emperor, he was willing to go through fire and water.

After a moment of reflection, Zhu Sansi withdrew his attention. At this time, a group of brigade and regimental commanders surrounded him. He spread out the map of the area near Jianzhou and said, “In these past few years, taking advantage of the lull in fighting between the Great Yu Empire and the Golden Tent Khanate, the Tsarist Russians from the west have occupied land that rightfully belongs to us. Our purpose this time is to destroy Tsarist Russia’s power in the Far East.”

After a pause, he continued, “According to news from Jianzhou, these Tsarist Russian bandit groups are very cruel. They enjoy plunder and are very cruel to the tribes living in Siberia and north of Jianzhou. They often kill on a whim. Now, they have even appeared near Jianzhou. Some Guandong people living alone outside the city have been plundered and killed.”

The officers pricked up their ears. They had fought the Golden Tent Khanate, and also Goryeo and Japan, but they had never fought these Westerners.

“They’re truly birds of a feather with the Golden Tent Khanate, all bandits,” a regimental commander said angrily.

Zhu Sansi chuckled, “You curse well, but don’t underestimate them. Although these Tsarist Russians are few in number, their ability to fight all the way here from the distant West shows that they are also skilled fighters.”

“Yes, Division Commander,” the officers said in unison.

Nodding slightly, Zhu Sansi and the officers began to discuss how to act after arriving in Jianzhou. After settling on a specific plan, he began to look at the scenery continuously slipping past outside the window.

Looking at the trees and flowers speeding by, Zhu Sansi felt his confidence surge. Fighting an army that could rapidly deploy would result in a terrible defeat for Tsarist Russia.

“Chug, chug…”

The steam locomotive continued its advance amidst the soldiers’ anticipation. After a full forty-eight hours of travel from Qingzhou Province to Jianzhou, they stopped at Jianzhou Station.

Zhu Sansi disembarked from the steam locomotive at this point, and couldn’t help but shiver. Compared to Qingzhou Province, Jianzhou’s climate was much colder. Fortunately, they wore thick winter uniforms, otherwise, it would truly be difficult to fight in such weather.

On the platform, Yin Cheng, the commander of the Ever Victorious Regiment stationed in Jianzhou City, was awaiting their arrival. This was a regiment of a thousand men.

After Lu Fei captured Jianzhou, this regiment remained to guard it. News of Tsarist Russia came from them.

“Division Commander Zhu,” Seeing Zhu Sansi, Yin Cheng saluted him. According to regulations, Zhu Sansi now held the highest position and would temporarily oversee Jianzhou’s military affairs.

“Commander Yin,” Zhu Sansi patted Yin Cheng’s shoulder firmly. “How are things? Anything unusual near Jianzhou recently?”

“It’s still that group of Tsarist Russians. They are continuously harassing us southward from Morgan, killing many local Guandong people. I once requested the Grand Council for permission to lead troops to attack Morgan, but it was rejected, alas!”

At this point, Yin Cheng sighed.

Zhu Sansi said, “The General was worried that your attack on Morgan would deplete Jianzhou’s forces, allowing the Golden Tent Khanate’s cavalry to exploit the opportunity. After all, the Golden Tent Khanate is restless now and seems to have intentions of reclaiming Guandong.”

Yin Cheng nodded. Just as Zhu Sansi said, the grasslands had been quite restless recently. Qi Guangyi had also dispatched more cavalry to hunt down small groups of Golden Tent Khanate cavalry.

“Division Commander Zhu is right, but seeing these Tsarist Russians act so brazenly is truly infuriating.”

Zhu Sansi chuckled. He pointed to the soldiers disembarking and said, “No need to worry. I will make these Tsarist Russian bandits return obediently.”

With that, he and Yin Cheng walked into Jianzhou City.

Unlike the prosperity of Qingzhou Province, Zhu Sansi could still see traces of war on the shattered city walls of Jianzhou. However, ever since many Guandong people settled here, the city was gradually healing its past wounds.

Under Yin Cheng’s guidance, the two arrived at the Ever Victorious Regiment’s camp. After hearing Yin Cheng’s more detailed intelligence report, Zhu Sansi decided to rest for three days before setting off for Morgan.

The Grand Council’s order to him was to defeat the Tsarist Russians and at the same time sign a series of treaties to stipulate land ownership. So, he didn’t need to concern himself with the Tsarist Russians’ objective; he only needed to achieve his own objective through war.

Three days later, Zhu Sansi personally led his troops towards Morgan City. After three days of reconnaissance, he confirmed the situation of the Tsarist Russian soldiers entering and leaving Morgan City.

It had to be said that these invaders were very arrogant. Next, they might attack Jianzhou.

The novel has already been fully translated up to the final chapter. You can access it on my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/caleredhair