Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Quanhai Guard Commander Qian Manyi, Hai State Left Guard Commander Wu Kai, and Hai State Guard Commander Zhang Man were all officially appointed as Guerrilla Generals.

The five people gathered in the government office hall, where Yang Zhenshan shared the news he had just received from Ning Qi.

"Star Moon Sect is making moves, what do you think they will do?" asked Yang Zhenshan.

Zhang Man, Qian Manyi, and Wu Kai were not yet familiar with Yang Zhenshan and were afraid to speak rashly upon hearing his question.

Their unfamiliarity was one thing, but more importantly, they were somewhat fearful of Yang Zhenshan.

They had been here for several days, and just a few days ago, Yang Zhenshan had hundreds of their soldiers executed, right in front of the majority of their troops.

To intimidate these soldiers from the Four Guards, Yang Zhenshan showed no mercy and very neatly executed hundreds of them.

The reason it was Four Guards instead of Five Guards was naturally because the remaining one was Tenglong Advanced Guard.

As for the Tenglong Advanced Guard, Yang Zhenshan did not need to say much, as the soldiers under that guard were the ones he personally selected and trained back in the days.

While the three commanders stayed silent, Yu Tonghai thought for a moment and said, "Marquis, they certainly are not planning to attack our naval forces!"

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

Yu Tonghai said, "I think they may attack somewhere else!"

"Somewhere else?" Yang Zhenshan's expression shifted slightly. He instructed a personal follower beside him, "Go get the maritime charts!"

A moment later, the follower spread out the maritime charts on the blue brick floor, and they all began contemplating the map.

Yang Zhenshan asked, "Somewhere else, where might they attack?"

Yu Tonghai looked for a long time and shook his head, "Not sure, it seems they could attack anywhere, and it would trouble us!"

Quanhai Guard Commander Qian Manyi hesitated for a moment, then cautiously glanced at Yang Zhenshan before whispering softly, "Marquis, no matter where they attack, as long as we hold Dongyang Island, that should be sufficient!"

Quanhai Guard was the nearest to Zhao Wu Guard and the only Navy in Fuhai Province, therefore they knew the East South Sea Domain the best.

Yang Zhenshan glanced at Qian Manyi. He wasn't very satisfied with these three commanders, not to mention even Xue Chang'an didn't satisfy him.

Although the Xue family was related to the Yang family by marriage, in terms of military management, Xue Chang'an's capability was quite weak, and the combat strength of Jin Hai Guard was also low, its only advantage being that it had sufficient soldiers.

Simply put, Jin Hai Guard had enough soldiers, but they were all soldiers lacking in training.

Compared to Jin Hai Guard, Quanzhou Guard, Hai State Left Guard, and Leizhou Guard even lacked the full quota of soldiers and warships, possessing only about two-thirds of the required personnel and ships.

This was merely a rabble.

If it weren't for the lack of time, Yang Zhenshan really wished to straighten these fellows out.

"Why?" Yang Zhenshan asked.

Qian Manyi said, "Because the sea route from Star Moon Island to enter our Dynasty's coast must pass Dongyang Island!"

Sailing in the sea cannot be done recklessly, as it is easy to lose direction.

Usually, sea routes follow along the coast or island chains, so they can accurately reach their destination.

Yang Zhenshan, looking at the maritime chart, asked, "Where is Dongyang Island?"

"Here!" Qian Manyi pointed on the map.

Dongyang Island was located east of Zhao Wu Guard, positioned between Fuhai Province and Star Moon Island, and was relatively closer to Fuhai Province, approximately more than two hundred li away.

Moving east from Dongyang Island, it was evident that there was a chain of islands. The islands on the chain were sparse, but could still serve as landmarks for navigation.

"If we were to attack Star Moon Island, would we also need to go through Dongyang Island?" Yang Zhenshan asked.

Qian Manyi's mood slightly relaxed as he replied, "Correct, if we want to head towards Star Moon Sect, we would also have to follow this sea route and travel from Dongyang Island eastwards, passing through Twin Islands, to reach the territorial waters of Star Moon Sect!"

Yang Zhenshan looked at the maritime chart again and asked, "Is there anyone on Dongyang Island?"

He could see that Dongyang Island was an extremely important place, essentially serving as a link between the East South Sea Domain and Da Rong.

"There are people; Dongyang Island belongs to Earth Fire Island, with over a thousand sailors from Earth Fire Island, and there is also a small town on the island, roughly housing about four to five thousand people," Qian Manyi said.

Yang Zhenshan slightly nodded; he also knew about Earth Fire Island, a force in the East South Sea Domain not weaker than Star Moon Sect, but it had little contact with Da Rong, focusing mainly on the Lv Sheng Dynasty where it was said Earth Fire Island also held significant influence.

"So, if we want to guard against a sudden attack from Star Moon Island, we must hold Dongyang Island?"

Qian Manyi replied, "Not necessarily, if they are willing to take risks, they could also detour around Dongyang Island, or even directly pass by Twin Islands!"

He dared not be too certain, fearing not the ten thousand possibilities but the one that might happen.

If Star Moon Sect truly disregarded losses and risked bypassing Dongyang Island, then he would have to face harsh questioning from Yang Zhenshan.

Circumventing Dongyang Island was feasible, although there was a risk of losing direction, but as long as they could determine their general direction, people from Star Moon Sect could always approach the coast of Da Rong.

After thinking for a moment, Yang Zhenshan said, "Tonghai, you lead the Tenglong Advanced Guard to Dongyang Island, secure that sea route first, and if you spot any enemy movements, immediately return to report!"

He didn't yet know Star Moon Sect's plans, but that didn't prevent him from taking precautionary measures.

"Understood!" Yu Tonghai responded without hesitation.

Yang Zhenshan then looked at Qian Manyi, Zhang Man, and Wu Kai, "You each select an elite force and take turns patrolling near Zhao Wu Guard! Remember, without my command, do not allow any foreign messenger ships to approach the coast of Zhao Wu Guard, understand?"