Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

The seventy-first day of the Great Chaos.

On the training ground, the sound of drums filled the air, the drums and gongs resonated in the sky.

Hour of Si (9-11 AM).

The new Emperor Zhao Chong, Empress Dowager Xiao Yunxi of the Eastern Palace, and the Lord of Anyang, Xiao Yunqi, came with civil and military officials to send off the great army.

The Emperor and Xiao Yunqi personally offered a toast to Chen Mo, celebrating in advance the triumphant return of the army.

On the parade platform, Chen Mo donned the Celestial Spirit Heart Guard Armor, with a red plume fluttering in the wind. Standing nearly 1.9 meters tall, he appeared exceptionally gallant, with a longsword at his waist, silent but seemingly commanding the presence of the 200,000 soldiers present.

Beside him, Deputy General Dai Xishan and the First Grade Martial Artist Li Yang, sent by Xiao Yunqi, along with two Second-Grade Martial Artists, Feng Ji and Wind Well, seemed merely as background figures.

The old eunuch slowly ascended the high platform, holding the Holy Decree, and loudly read out the oath written by several academicians.

The words stirred the blood of the generals and soldiers, even causing the warhorses beneath them to neigh.

All eyes present focused on Chen Mo after the oath was read, with war swords and lances held high, morale soaring, and under the blazing sun, the gleam of blades shone like snow.

Although Chen Mo was young and previously unknown, not yet a famous general, he rose to fame through a single battle during the martial examination.

A nineteen-year-old First Grade Martial Artist, defeating several Second-Grade Martial Artists in a single move, such bravery was astonishing. Moreover, he was the younger brother of the former Deputy Commander of the Infantry Division, Chen Hong, whose performance in Nanyang was well-known, so his brother’s military prowess was not doubted.

Thus, the men had no objection to being led by Chen Mo.

Historically, the most important aspect of conducting warfare is ”morale.” With high morale, even with rusty spears and blunt armor, victories are assured.

If morale is low, and the soldiers lack confidence, even the finest warhorses and weaponry won’t prevent collapse at the first blow.

Having a First Grade Martial Artist as the main general greatly boosts morale.

Casting his gaze over the generals and soldiers below, Chen Mo was satisfied. He drew the Tianwen from his waist, pointing it towards the sky, the sword’s cold light reflecting in the sunlight.

Chen Mo’s brows furrowed: ”March out!”

At his command, the sound of drums surged again, command flags waved, and the 200,000-strong army rose simultaneously to conquer the Eighteen Bandit Forces.

The sound of metal clashing resounded, and the observing ministers were both solemn and surprised.

A nineteen-year-old lad, never before leading troops, suddenly commanded an army of 200,000, yet the cooperation between officers and soldiers, from top to bottom, was seamless.

What they didn’t know was that in the military, the greatest skill prevails.

At the Martial Arts Training Ground, Chen Mo also displayed his formidable prowess.

Although his performance in the first three events was modest, the soldiers believed this was Chen Mo’s ruse.

After all, prior to the martial examination, Chen Mo had showcased his skills in the military camp; whether in horse riding or archery, he was splendid and impressive.

Standing behind Zhao Chong, Xiao Yunxi’s eyes sparkled, and her heart trembled slightly.

Atop a tall building in Bianliang City, Zhao Fujin watched Chen Mo mount his horse, her eyes turning red and moistening: ”Junior brother, I will miss you.”

”Let’s go.” Lin Su Ya flicked her duster, and the two disappeared from the rooftop.

Inside the Imperial Palace.

Upon hearing her subordinates’ reports, Hu Mei’Er dismissed everyone, muttering to herself:

”Though that old fox promised to help me restore Nan Zhou, now most of the Imperial Guard in the capital is under his control. If Chen Mo truly quashes the rebellion of the Eighteen Lords, those rebellious Yellow Turban Army will be nothing more than chickens and dogs at that time.

If it truly comes to that, it’s uncertain whether the old fox will keep his promise. This battle, Chen Mo must lose.”

”Bring someone here.”

”At your command.” A black shadow stepped in from outside the hall, kneeling before Hu Mei’Er.

”Summon Master Shi Si to see me.”

”Yes.”

...

Although Chen Mo, as the main general, could lead a few family members when heading out to war, following the practice, he still had Jiang Ruoqing wear a sturdy set of battle armor, accompanying him as his personal guard, without preparing a separate carriage for her.

Despite her identity as a woman being recognizable, its impact was limited.

Li Yang, seeing this, didn’t comment.

It was rumored that Chen Mo competed for the courtesan in a brothel, indicating a love for beauty; hence, taking a woman on a campaign was unsurprising.

Feng Ji and Wind Well, being brothers, exchanged a glance and both smiled faintly.

After all, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the responsibilities at hand.

...

The army of 200,000 appeared in the countryside outside Bianliang City, stretching beyond visibility, continually gathering and strengthening, causing even the earth to tremble slightly.

Bianliang City harbored spies from various factions, who, upon witnessing the army marching out, withdrew to report back to their masters.

And while the army was on the move,

Nanyang County, having experienced disasters, rebellions, and suppressions, had not yet recovered its civil affairs, nor fully established its military governance.

Zhao Jiang attacked with two million troops, which the beleaguered Nanyang County could not withstand.

In merely a day, the majority fell.

Fortunately, Zhao Jiang aimed to be the master of the world, desiring the people’s support; he did not plunder Nanyang’s people or resources like the former Yellow Turban Bandits, engaging in the strategy of waging war to sustain war.

He even restrained his subordinates from trampling the hard-earned farmlands cultivated by the people.

Yet despite this, among the near-million troops, some were inevitably unruly, with bandits and brigands among them, craving to vent their pent-up urges upon reaching the central plains, a mere few hundred li from the capital, without an outlet was like facing death.

At midnight, these men broke into civilian homes, indulging in their bestiality.

The Eighteen Lords’ army, although allied, was not genuinely united, not a single cohesive force.

When incidents occurred, the lords naturally protected their own men, approaching Zhao Jiang, claiming it was an accident, and promising it would never happen again, pleading for forgiveness.

In fear of his hard-won allied army disbanding, Zhao Jiang had no choice but to consent.

But this led to even more tragic events.

Previously, after their beastly actions, they would at least spare the civilians’ lives.

Now to prevent them from reporting, they killed to silence them after indulging their instincts.

The people of Nanyang dared not voice their anger, sowing the seeds of fury in their hearts.

As for Chen Mo’s side,

Chen Mo went out with a million taels of silver notes, intending to recharge the simulator.

Through simulation, upon learning Zhao Jiang had reached Nanyang,

he initially intended to march through the night, but as it grew dark, he ordered the army to camp.

Marching at night would severely deplete the army’s strength and morale, putting them at a disadvantage against Zhao Jiang’s troops in Nanyang.

Preserving strength was the better course.