We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 639: Dalian Port, Li Che inspects the generals

Li Che said in person that seven days later would be an auspicious day, so even if that day was not an auspicious day, it would definitely be an auspicious day.

The people in the Tianshi Department do have some sense.

A few days ago, the garrisons stationed in various parts of Feng State had already set off, leaving only the troops directly under Li Che, including the Shenji Army, the Dongfeng Army, the Solon Tribe, and the Royal Guard Battalion.

While Li Che was gathering his troops, he was also writing a memorial to the court, mainly to explain the situation to Emperor Qing.

Today, Fengguo has long been an independent vassal state. The imperial court and Emperor Qing are well aware that Daqing's laws do not apply to areas outside the Great Wall.

Even if Li Che closed the door, rewarded his meritorious officials, and called himself "I", the court could only pretend not to know.

After all, Emperor Qing himself has no objection, so what if other people don’t like it?

After all, given the current political situation in Feng State, only by handing it over to Prince Feng can a peaceful and stable transition be achieved.

However, for Li Che, he still had to observe the necessary etiquette, so as not to give people a reason to criticize him for being disrespectful and unfilial when he succeeds to the throne in the future.

Emperor Qing had told Li Che before that if he ever went to war against Japan, he must inform him.

So Li Che took up his pen and wrote several long memorials in a fluent and elegant manner.

First, it was explained that Japan had interfered in the affairs of Fuzhou and wanted to cut off the maritime lifeline of Daqing, which was intolerable.

Your Majesty also knew about and agreed to the plan to conquer the world through the ocean and turn Daqing into the empire on which the sun never sets.

Now that our daily life is ruining the destiny of Daqing and the future of our nation, there is nothing wrong in beating it up, right?

Of course, this reason may not be sufficient, after all, the Japanese have not yet extended their hands to the Feng State fleet.

Li Che then put forward another point of view, that is, as the strategic position of the ocean becomes increasingly prominent, the importance of this string of islands in Japan becomes increasingly prominent.

From a geostrategic perspective, the Japanese archipelago stretches from Hokkaido to the Ryukyu Islands, forming a natural island chain, which just happens to control Daqing's access to the sea.

Li Che called it the "first island chain."

This island chain is like a sword of Damocles hanging over Daqing's head, and its strategic significance is self-evident.

If Daqing controls this island chain, the Japanese islands will become the best maritime fortress and springboard.

When the enemy attacks from the sea, they can only strike the island chain first before threatening the mainland.

Daqing can also use these islands as springboards to sail its fleet to all parts of the world.

But if this island chain is in the hands of the enemy, Daqing will fall into a passive situation where it can only defend but not attack. Through the geographical advantage of this island chain, foreign enemies can easily implement a maritime blockade on Daqing.

Therefore, Li Che concluded:

If we conquer Japan, our future will be limitless.

If we let Japan go, there will be endless troubles.

Li Che believes that Emperor Qing will make the best choice.

After all, for a person like Emperor Qing, you can doubt his morality, credibility, and thoughts, but the only thing you cannot doubt is his vision.

The memorial to Emperor Qing was rushed to the imperial capital at full speed.

Li Che naturally would not just sit there and wait. After saying goodbye to his wife and children again, he led the last of his direct troops to Dalian Port.

Dalian Port at this time.

The armored cavalry from the Central Military District (Yueyun Tribe), the grassland light cavalry from the Northwestern Military District (Yelü He Tribe), the barbarian soldiers from the Northeastern Military District (Wang Sanchun Tribe), the firearms army from the Southwestern Military District (He Conglong Tribe), the mixed elite from the Southeastern Military District (Yang Xuan Tribe), and the brave soldiers from the Southern Military District (Xue Wei Tribe) who rushed here day and night, were like seven raging rivers coming from different directions, and finally merged into a boundless ocean with flags covering the sky at the designated assembly area outside the Dalian Port.

Nearly 100,000 combat soldiers, plus an even larger number of auxiliary soldiers and civilian laborers, turned this land into a melting pot of war ready to erupt at any time.

The deep-water berths at Dalian Port have long been fully packed.

The warships of the First Fleet and the Fourth Fleet surrounded them like a group of sharks.

In addition to these main battleships, there are also an astonishing number of large transport ships docked in the port.

These transport ships were specially modified with wide hulls, extremely deep drafts and flat decks.

There were no extra gun positions on the ship, only separate warehouses and rooms, enough to accommodate a large number of soldiers, horses, artillery and supplies.

On the sea, masts are like a forest, sails block out the sun, and the sound of anchor chains colliding can be heard one after another.

The dock area was also filled with flags flying and soldiers standing in formation, turning the outskirts of the port into an endless sea of ​​military camps.

In the afternoon, a clipper ship flying the royal flag slowly approached the specially designated royal dock.

The planks were lowered, and a team of powerful elite soldiers from the Black Armor Guard Battalion stepped ashore first and quickly formed a security passage on both sides of the dock.

Then, Li Che appeared at the bow of the ship.

He was not wearing royal robes, but rather the dark black goose-feather armor and a dark red cloak embroidered with golden python patterns.

His cloak rustled in the sea breeze, making his figure stand out even more tall and straight.

The commanders of the Fengguo Military Region, who had been waiting at the dock for a long time, couldn't help but have their eyes light up.

Some of the more sensitive ones couldn't help but have tears in their eyes.

It's back, it's all back!

His Highness's attire reminded everyone of the time when they fought bloody battles outside the Great Wall to establish this immortal foundation.

Until Li Che's figure came closer, everyone knelt on one knee in unison.

I only heard the clang of the armor leaves, the sound shaking the sea and sky:

"Your Highness, we welcome you!"

"I respectfully welcome Your Highness!"

"Your Highness, long live, long live, long live!"

Li Che walked down the deck steadily and stepped onto the solid ground of the dock: "Everyone, please stand up!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Everyone stood up and stood solemnly on both sides.

Li Che's eyes swept over these loyal ministers who had followed him through life and death and laid the foundation for the country, and his heart was filled with excitement.

His eyes first fell on the figure wearing bright silver chain mail and a white brocade robe, and a faint smile appeared on his face: "Zilong!"

Yue Yun immediately stepped forward, clasped his fists and bowed: "I am here!"

Li Che walked up to him, raised his hand and slapped his solid shoulder armor hard, making a crisp sound of "clang". "It's been only ten months since we last met in Fengtian City, and your murderous aura has become even more concentrated."

"Will the 20,000 black-armored cavalry under your command disappoint me?"

Yue Yun straightened his back and said in a firm voice, "Don't worry, Your Highness! Twenty thousand men are delighted to hear about the battle, and are all ready to fight, just waiting for Your Highness's order!"

Li Che laughed heartily and patted him hard again: "What a man who is happy to hear the battle!"

This intimate gesture made several veterans around smile knowingly, and the atmosphere suddenly became much more relaxed.

Everyone knows that the armored army under Yue Yun is the sharpest sword in His Highness's hand, and Yue Yun is also one of his most trusted generals.

Although Li Che looked cheerful and talkative as usual, he sighed slightly in his heart.

I'm afraid Zilong will be disappointed with this expedition against the Japanese pirates.

Japan is a mountainous country with small islands, which is not suitable for heavy cavalry to gallop and operate. He will only bring a small number of armored cavalry to land.

As for the other armored cavalry, they have other uses.

After greeting Yue Yun, Li Che turned his gaze to the heavily armored general next to him:

"General Xue, thank you for your hard work all the way from Shanhaiguan to Dalian Port."

Xue Wei clasped his fists and said in a steady and powerful voice, "Serving the country and sharing His Highness's worries is my duty!"

"When the soldiers heard that His Highness was personally leading the attack on Japan, they all rushed to the front, marching day and night, not daring to delay even a moment!"

He paused, then added, "It's just... I feel a little sad that my brother can't lead the troops here."

Li Che naturally understood what he meant, and his eyes narrowed slightly: "Don't worry, the contributions of the two Generals Xue are all remembered in my heart."

"After this battle, the world will see a new outlook. Your army at Shanhaiguan may yet become famous!"

The situation of the army at Shanhaiguan was somewhat embarrassing.

In name, they were not Li Che's soldiers, but soldiers of the imperial court. They came here to help purely to show their loyalty to Li Che.

Once you have made military achievements, the court will definitely not reward you.

It's fine that you, a Shanhaiguan defender, are in collusion with Prince Feng. After all, Prince Feng's succession to the throne is a foregone conclusion, and everyone will turn a blind eye.

But you have made great contributions and still want the court to reward you. Do you think the court is taking advantage of you?

Therefore, Li Che also made his own promise: If the court does not reward you, I will!

It is just to tell everyone in the world that there are only benefits to following me, Li Che!

After receiving Li Che's promise, Xue Wei replied with a flushed face: "All the officers and soldiers of the Shanhai Army are willing to die for Your Highness!"

Li Che nodded approvingly and moved his gaze to the next person:

"Yelühe, you, the eagle of the grassland, are you still accustomed to the smell of the sea?"

Yelu He strode forward, touched his chest with his right hand, and saluted in a grassland salute. His voice was loud and clear:

"Your Highness! The eagle of the grassland is a majestic eagle wherever it flies! Though the sea is vast, it cannot stop our determination to die for Your Highness!"

"Hahaha!" Li Che pointed at Yeluhe, looked at the others, and joked, "Look, after all these years of hanging out with me, I haven't learned anything else, but I've become more and more talkative."

Yelu He had previously committed a crime by beheading Yelu Daha in anger, and it was Li Che who saved him. He nominally demoted him to a groom in the palace, but in fact he kept him by his side to teach him.

After several years of working together, Yelu He's loyalty and ability were recognized by Li Che, so he was sent to be the commander of a military region.

The commander of the military region is already the highest military position in Feng State, and Li Che is very fond of Yelu He.

Yelu He did not let Li Che down. He was very loyal and efficient. Those unruly grassland cavalry never caused any trouble in three years.

"Your Highness, that brat, Hallehan, is here too. He's running faster than the wind, afraid he'll miss this big battle!"

Yelu He pulled a big man to his side.

"Halhan..." Li Che looked at the person who came and raised the corner of his mouth.

When facing Li Che, Halakhan was not as casual as Yelu He.

He quickly knelt on one knee, his voice filled with fear as he said, "Your Highness."

"Get up, get up, don't be so polite!" Li Che smiled and helped him up with both hands. "You, the fierce tiger of Liao, are you really back now?"

Halehan immediately replied, "Your Highness, I will never let you down for your kindness in saving my life!"

"Alright! If you achieve great success in this battle, I will generously reward you and bring honor to our family!"

Upon hearing this, Hallehan was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace!"

Li Che was just about to say a few more words of comfort when a voice like a broken gong rang out:

"Your Highness! I, the old king, miss you so much!"