Chapter 684: Understanding

Chapter 684: Chapter 684: Understanding

Recently, Wu Lake has opened a new military camp, unlike the previous ones—it is specifically set up to collect injured soldiers sent back from various regions.

Commonly called the Wounded Soldiers’ Camp.

This idea didn’t come from Shen Hao, but from Chen Zifang. After carefully compiling feedback from each unit regarding the centralized treatment and care of the wounded, Chen Zifang believed this method was effective and deserved greater attention.

So, Chen Zifang first approached Shen Hao to discuss whether it was feasible and necessary to establish a dedicated wounded soldiers’ camp at Wu Lake, which served as a major rear area.

Shen Hao endorsed Chen Zifang’s proposal and agreed to co-sign the official document. Subsequently, Chen Zifang actually managed to persuade Zuo Yuliang to allocate a plot of land and set up a camp capable of accommodating over a thousand wounded.

The outcome excited Chen Zifang and seemed only natural to Shen Hao.

Standardized management, treatment, and care—these would unquestionably boost efficiency in medical work, which was already within Shen Hao’s expectations. However, he was quite surprised at Chen Zifang’s ability to extrapolate and innovate. Now, ninety percent of the camp’s affairs were handled by Chen Zifang, including the transfer and improvement of all the "flush latrine array," "boiling water heating array," "separate care for light and serious injuries," and so on—rules and devices previously devised by Shen Hao.

Another reason for establishing such a camp was that recently, the number of wounded soldiers sent back from the front lines had multiplied compared to before. Many were in critical condition, which had barely happened in the past.

This not only attested to the fierce battles on the front lines, it also showed that the rescue teams, battlefield treatment, and various new measures had greatly improved the survival rate of the wounded, allowing them not to die pitifully among the cries on the battlefield but have a chance to be saved and delivered to the rear.

Such changes, in the eyes of generals throughout the military, were certainly on par with or even exceeded the two great victories at Jianchuan.

War equals death, and personnel are the key to victory. If the enemy loses ten and I lose only one, how could I ever lose such a fight?

And that’s only considering the casualty ratio; if you add the concept that "after being wounded, you will receive treatment, and with reasonable luck, won’t die"—then soldier morale is transformed. The impact on actual combat is "bravery," providing a significant boost to fighting strength.

Faced with this event destined to be recorded in military history, Shen Hao felt little emotion, because these "novel ideas" were not his own inventions; he was just a porter. Besides, military reputation had little meaning for him, and lately, his attention was not on southern war affairs, but on domestic matters.

As for the offensive at White Head Gorge in the south, from Shen Hao’s perspective, it was still at an early contact phase; despite intensifying, there would be no major shifts in the short term, requiring time to temper. Meanwhile, the Barbarian Race would likely determine the ownership of the Royal Court before the battle at White Head Gorge reached its critical stage—whether it would be Frost Moon or Red Earth. Unless they wished to annihilate themselves, they couldn’t stall any longer. At that point, the situation might change again.

Aside from this, the news from within the Dynasty made Shen Hao’s scalp tingle, chaotic to the extreme.

The Prince Jin, a figure barely mentioned in any historical record, was somehow still alive?!

Not only alive, but he’d become a Profound Sea Realm Cultivator and had returned to the Imperial City? At such a sensitive period for the Dynasty—what is he planning?

And then there’s Yang Yansi, who should have faded from sight. These two are now like shit-stirrers, making the already chaotic, foul, and dangerous domestic situation even more unstable. Even the Xuanqing Guard, who had been content to spectate, now found it impossible to remain on the sidelines.

After receiving Wang Jian’s message, Shen Hao had been contemplating the possible ultimate trajectory of the domestic situation. Half a month later, he realized that whether it was the Emperor, Prince Jin, Yang Yansi, or the mounting tension nationwide, ninety percent could be traced to one event: the Imperial Examination.

Otherwise, why would Prince Jin abruptly return after years of exile? He must have set his sights on this Imperial Examination. There must be some purpose behind it.

That said, Shen Hao was convinced that Prince Jin’s objective centered on the "Imperial Examination," but he didn’t believe Prince Jin intended to seize the throne for himself.

Because, in the history of the Jingjiu Dynasty, no Emperor’s Cultivation ever surpassed the Middle Stage of Qi Refining Realm. Moreover, judging by Prince Jin’s current appearance in portraits—he looked bizarre enough. According to Shen Hao’s experience, anyone capable of turning a man into such a ghastly state was not practicing any proper Cultivation Method. What basis does such a person have for usurpation? Would the Dynasty’s ministers abandon their vested interests to follow a washed-up madman?

Then, there was Yang Yansi, the Dynasty’s National Pillar General. In the past, he had secretly participated in "raising bandits for his own power"—though lacking direct evidence, he was suppressed by the Emperor and forced from the core of power. Presumably at the time, with war looming, the Emperor kept Yang Yansi alive to prevent turmoil within the military. But in hindsight, he left behind a potential disaster.

Perhaps, back then, Yang Yansi’s secret mischief had other purposes beyond raising bandits for his own strength. Maybe even provoking the war between the Jingjiu Dynasty and Barbarian Race was merely preparation for Prince Jin’s involvement now?

Therefore, Shen Hao’s instruction to Wang Jian was: observe Wu Village from a distance, never approach recklessly; investigate details indirectly, such as changes in villagers’ outings, purchases, routines, etc., instead of directly snooping in the village to dig up info on Yang Yansi—that’s too risky and likely to alert him, not worthwhile. Keep Prince Ling under surveillance, and likewise investigate Moon Shadow Tower.

Prince Jin and Yang Yansi are both Profound Sea Realm figures. Shen Hao would never let his Black Water operatives, as inexperienced as newborns, come into contact with such dangerous individuals. But Prince Ling and Moon Shadow Tower are different. Prince Ling is currently overwhelmed and highly active, making investigation easy; just from Bai Changqing alone, a wealth of intelligence on Prince Ling can be acquired.

As for Moon Shadow Tower—Shen Hao had once had dealings with them, due to his connection with Lian Xiang, though he hadn’t pursued it deeply. Now it was time to probe their depths.

And through Lian Xiang, he unexpectedly found an opening; now, Moon Shadow Tower wasn’t so mysterious in Shen Hao’s eyes—they had patterns that could be traced. Moreover, as turmoil intensified in the Dynasty, the number of scouts multiplied—Black Water agents could blend in without standing out.

Finally, Wang Jian brought two other pieces of news. First, that Liu Hengyi, Master of Hengshun Carriage and Horse Company, had secured a direct connection with Celestial Wings Trading Company, the top player in the Weak Water domain. From now on, Hengshun Carriage and Horse Company could operate supply transshipment along the shores from Weak Water to the area of Gorge River under the Celestial Wings Trading Company.

Simply put, Celestial Wings Trading Company would handle water transport; when shifting to land routes, they’d use Hengshun Carriage and Horse Company’s manpower and carriages.

This was the good news Shen Hao had long awaited. Now, Hengshun Carriage and Horse Company could officially begin utilizing this convenient route to gradually infiltrate City of Unjust Death.

The other was a private message relayed by Wang Jian from Zhu Shou, Master of the Dental Practice in Fengri City, asking whether Shen Hao had any Barbarian slaves, and wanting to sound out whether Barbarian slaves would be abolished and entirely eradicated after the war, or merely be kept in captivity?