CHAPTER 815: CHAPTER 498: THE ARRIVAL OF ZHAO DOUAN (PART 2)

What? Reinforcements have arrived?! Yuan Feng suddenly stood up, both surprised and delighted. The speed at which the reinforcements arrived far exceeded everyone’s expectations.

The arguing military officers were also stunned, their expressions varied, unable to believe it.

"Follow me, see for yourself!"

Yuan Feng strode out of the tent first, leading a group of military officers on horseback towards the rear of the camp.

Behind the camp, there was a mountain obstructing the view. The group circled around the hill, lifted their eyes, and felt invigorated.

They saw on the road ahead, concealed by trees, indeed military banners approaching. However, the infantry halted about two or three miles away.

Immediately, a small group of riders broke away from the main force and swiftly approached.

When two armies meet, they won’t get too close without greeting each other first; it’s the rule.

"Commander Shi?! It’s indeed comrades from the Divine Mechanism Camp!" exclaimed the young general advocating for an attack, happily surprised.

Yuan Feng, with a square face, also showed a cheerful expression, laughing as he dismounted to greet them: "Brother Shi, you’ve finally arrived, haha."

Thud, thud, thud... The burly, yet meticulous Commander Shi Meng of the Divine Machine Camp reined in his horse, dismounted, and walked over with a laugh, extending his fist to bump against the older Yuan Feng’s, grinning: "Brother Yuan, our Divine Machine Camp has come by imperial orders to assist our brothers and annihilate the rebel army. Haha, it seems we’re not too late."

After breaking camp, their Divine Machine Camp was intercepted halfway by Flying Eagles dispatched from the direction of the Capital, learning of the defeat of the Five Army Camp.

Yuan Feng smiled wryly. Time was of the essence, and he had no mood for small talk, subconsciously ignoring the words "by imperial orders," assuming it referred to a mobilization order.

Beside him, a general urgently asked, "Commander Shi, may I ask how many troops the Divine Machine Camp has mobilized this time?"

The others felt anxious because the Divine Machine Camp had arrived so swiftly!

Based on the timeline of the distress signal, for the Divine Machine Camp to arrive so quickly, the most likely scenario was that Shi Meng brought only elite troops, abandoning supplies and marching swiftly.

Perhaps he brought only a portion of the cavalry.

But if it was only that, it would hardly resist the Qingzhou Rebel Army, like a drop in the bucket.

Shi Meng smiled, seeing through their thoughts at a glance, with a mysterious smile on his face: "Haha, rest assured, everyone, this time, I’ve emptied the Divine Machine Camp’s arsenal. See for yourselves."

Everyone looked where he pointed, only to see another unit hastily approaching, hidden amidst the distant forested mountains.

Leading the group was a man, lean and proud, exuding the pride of a craftsman, none other than Chen Gui, the Chief of the Firearms Bureau.

"It’s Fire God Chen?!"

"Did they bring firearms?"

Yuan Feng and others were overjoyed. The appearance of Chen Gui meant Shi Meng surely brought a large quantity of firearms, which was undoubtedly good news.

Chen Gui reined in his horse and grinned as he clasped his hands in greeting: "Commander Yuan, long time no see. I heard the Qingzhou Rebel Army hides Evil within? Caught you by surprise? I’m curious how those things withstand my cannons."

Yuan Feng held deep respect for this craftsman who, though not of high rank, held a special status. He recalled vividly the shocking scene of the mock battle that day.

He replied solemnly: "With Fire God Chen’s involvement, this front line should be defensible. At the very least, it can withstand the Qingzhou Army for a while longer."

Shi Meng, Chen Gui, Tang Ping, and other Divine Machine Camp generals exchanged a glance but kept silent.

Clearly, Yuan Feng’s words acknowledged the capabilities of the firearms but didn’t believe the addition of the Divine Machine Camp could overturn the situation and defeat the rebel army.

Yuan Feng, having witnessed the power of new firearms, was no ignorant fool... though the weapons he saw then were outdated and belonged to a past generation...

But that Yuan Feng could make this judgment suffices to demonstrate the rebel army’s strength beyond expectation.

Chen Gui chuckled, initially wanting to boast but held back, with a mysterious smile instead: "No rush, everyone. This time, there’s one more with us, far weightier than Shi Meng and me combined. Surely enough to sweep away the decline and uphold the court’s might!"

Ah? Who do you mean? Someone more significant than Shi Meng? Could it be that the Minister of War has joined the expedition?

The Five Army Camp officers exchanged glances. Shi Meng was a third-rank military general, and few in the Capital could claim to have a higher position except for the handful in the Privy Council like Xue Shence.

But Xue Shence had long since taken people south to Linfeng.

Surely, a civil servant who doesn’t know warfare wouldn’t come to cause trouble?

But with Fire God Chen’s temperament, he didn’t seem like someone to publicly flatter... The crowd was left in suspense, eagerly looking towards the main road.

At this moment, a third group came galloping, led by a person clad in bright armor yet without a helmet, with a blood-red cape trailing behind him, extremely conspicuous.

The person had not yet arrived, but the voice was heard first.

"Commander Yuan, it’s been months. Do you still recognize Zhao?"

A familiar yet unfamiliar voice drilled into everyone’s ears. Though not shouted aloud, it was as clear as if it were right beside.

The horseback rider was extremely handsome, with a high nose bridge, moderately thick lips, and eyes that shone brightly under thick, brush-like brows.

A confident, faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

One hand loosely grasped the reins, the other gently supporting the handle of the antique Chasing Saber at his waist.

Siiiiigh...

Zhao Douan reined in his horse before the assembled generals, facing them with a smile: "What, you truly don’t remember?"

Boom!

At that moment, all the Five Army Camp generals’ pupils dilated as if thunder had struck in their minds, leaving them blank-eyed, expressions frozen, and uncontrollably showing incredulous looks.

Zhao...

Zhao Douan!?

The Junior Guardian of Great Yu, the Imperial Consort, nicknamed "Yama Zhao"?