Chapter Twenty-Three: The Landing

Such a large-scale military operation went completely unnoticed by the colonial governor of the British Empire—not because the British spies were lazy or incompetent, but because the Song Empire’s national system was something of an anomaly in this world.

In the Song Empire, information was strictly withheld from anyone below first-class citizens. Newspapers, books, and similar media were off-limits to lower-class citizens. Of course, some might manage to obtain outdated copies, but nobody bothered to inspect the impoverished districts thoroughly.

One had to admit, the imperial system’s ability to produce obedient commoners was truly extraordinary. These civilians, whether placed in modern society or any historical period, would be exemplary citizens—loyal and unwilling to betray national interests for money.

This made espionage by European nations within the Song Empire an arduous task—so difficult that even the empire’s own military strength remained a mystery to them.

Other European countries simply gave up upon realizing the Song Empire’s peculiar system was too difficult to penetrate; after all, such a distant minor power was not worth the effort. But due to geographic reasons, the British Empire persisted, only to suffer from severely delayed intelligence even after Victoria executed several chief spies.

The Song Empire, propped up by its extraordinary system, enforced strict lockdowns on the lower classes. Beyond essential living and production zones, many areas were strictly off-limits to them—even barren wastelands. Lower-class citizens were not expected to ponder useless matters; their role was simple: work hard to serve the upper class and the state, and above all, beware of the formidable military strength of the Song Empire—avoid foolish actions for their own safety.

Thus, under the harsh lessons of iron and blood, the Song Empire’s territories on the Beastman Continent remained stable. The lower classes were blissfully oppressed and exploited, while those who were unhappy simply became the draftees of Sun Li.

Sun Li’s current landing operation was the first tangible reward of this system. The strict restricted zone policies kept the lower classes and foreign spies utterly unaware of the Song Empire’s troop movements. Or rather, anyone outside the Song Empire who knew was already dead in the secret police’s dungeons.

The governor of the Caracas region, witnessing no hostility from the Song Empire, naturally maintained peaceful relations.

This was why Sun Li could now stand unscathed on Mexican soil. And it was not just him and a handful of followers—no, a full 40,000 troops were busy unloading supplies and forming ranks at the docks.

The wood elves watched as the Song Empire’s vast fleet darkened the skies, ships streaming continuously into the harbor. Rows of soldiers, expressionless and disciplined, marched down gangways. Their gleaming bayonets dazzled the wood elves’ eyes; their crisp uniforms stirred the hearts of the rustic elves.

This was a true iron-blooded army! Their uniforms alone were far superior in appearance to the British Empire’s mercenaries.

Well, the wood elves’ aesthetic sense did differ somewhat from humans...

Su Yun initially believed Sun Li had brought only a few thousand Song troops, but this overwhelming vista told a different story. These elite soldiers could not merely be the empire’s auxiliary forces. Who was Sun Li really? How did he command such power?

Sun Li smiled warmly as he approached Su Yun. The proud beauty, with her alluring figure and exposed navel, stared in shock at the relentless stream of soldiers disembarking and forming ranks.

“Su Yun, forgive me for previously concealing some minor details due to special circumstances. Now, let me formally introduce myself. I am Sun Li, the first emperor of the Great Song Empire, and the supreme commander of the 40,000-strong Song army here in Mexico. I believe the friendship between the Song Empire and the wood elves will shine as brightly as the sun and moon,” he said, meeting her eyes steadily.

“Details... such concealment is called details? I knew he never told me the whole truth!” Su Yun thought bitterly.

Yet on reflection, she understood Sun Li’s sensitive position could not be casually revealed. The interests at stake for a national leader were immense, and his formidable combat prowess misleading. Who would have guessed that a master knight hailed from a remote minor empire?

Wasn’t an emperor supposed to be a plump, rotund figure sitting on a throne giving orders? Well, Su Yun admitted she had read too many novels...

Indeed, many foolish knightly tales existed in this era to entertain young ladies and nobles.

“Are you really the emperor of the Song Empire?” Su Yun cautiously inquired, half afraid he was joking and that a marshal might suddenly appear to command orders behind him.

Sun Li smiled but did not answer the somewhat ridiculous question.

Naturally, he took Su Yun’s hand and led her to a makeshift platform where the first wave of landing troops was already assembled.

As Su Yun passed soldiers standing at attention, she felt as if in a dream—perhaps she truly knew someone extraordinary.

At that moment, a muscular man exuding a grim aura approached Sun Li. Su Yun noticed the soldiers’ faint fear of him.

“Your Majesty, the secret police scouts have confirmed that the British Empire has yet to detect our landing. The landing site chosen by our wood elf allies is excellent. We can fully reorganize and launch a direct assault on the nearby Guatemalan military stronghold. Once captured, we will hold a reliable forward base, firmly controlling the surrounding gold mines for the glorious Song Empire!” the Gestapo officer said respectfully.

“Very good. You may leave,” Sun Li nodded calmly.

“As you command, Your Majesty,” the officer bowed deeply, ignoring Su Yun entirely before disappearing into the crowd.

This exchange confirmed Sun Li’s identity in Su Yun’s heart—everything he had said before was true.

She had foolishly thought she was advising him for his own good. Reflecting on her naïveté, she laughed at herself, realizing she was the greatest fool. But why did Sun Li help the wood elves without any compensation?

Su Yun knew well that the wood elves’ guerrilla forces were nothing compared to the regular troops the Song Empire now displayed—a group of armed rabble at best. Aside from harassing British supply lines, they were hardly cannon fodder on the battlefield.

Her thoughts then turned to the promise she and Sun Li had made. Her beautiful face flushed crimson, as if begging to be bitten.

What a stunning woman, Sun Li admired silently, watching her blush.

What could she be thinking about to blush so fiercely? He was curious but didn’t dare ask. This proud little beauty was not so easily tamed.

“First Division has completed formation, Your Majesty requests to address the troops,” General Robin reported to Sun Li.

“Jinzhou is a fertile land. Since our Song Empire’s army has arrived here, we shall become its masters. From here, we will gradually conquer the world!” Sun Li declared. With an utterly loyal army, there was no need for morale-boosting speeches—just a clear objective sufficed. How convenient.

“To serve and die for Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live Great Song!” nearly ten thousand men shouted in unison.

Watching the synchronized cheers, Su Yun deeply felt the fighting spirit of these troops—true iron-blooded, loyal elite soldiers.

She glanced back at Sun Li standing beside her and suddenly saw him towering, his once wild and unrestrained demeanor melding with the image of an iron-blooded emperor. Perhaps this was his true self—the embodiment of a real man.

Thinking this, Su Yun’s heart began to pound faster, a subtle flutter growing quietly within her. She recalled the embarrassing promises she had once made to him...

Sun Li, full of heroic zeal, was oblivious to Su Yun’s delicate mood. Nor did he know that the proud wood elf princess was only now truly opening her heart to him. Perhaps it was because his stature had grown grander, or because the hope of rebuilding their homeland was now within reach. Su Yun’s burdens lightened, and she unconsciously began to contemplate her future—a poor princess who ought to think more of herself.

“By the way, why didn’t Su Lulu come today? I miss my little fiancée very much,” Sun Li said, chatting with Su Yun after organizing the expedition.

“That little girl would have cried uncontrollably if she saw you here. You don’t mind embarrassing yourself, but I do. Besides, such an important occasion isn’t for that girl to meddle in. Once you’re settled, I’ll arrange for you two to meet. Su Lulu is so happy that you and the wood elves have reconciled; she keeps telling me you’re a great hero, not a traitor. She’s always had good judgment…” Su Yun replied.

Sun Li masked his embarrassment. With battle imminent, it was hardly the time for romance.

The arrival of Sun Li’s 40,000 troops completely dispelled the wood elf allies’ doubts and further solidified Su Yun’s position as queen. When Sun Li’s army gained renown, her status would surely rise—if not naturally, then by Sun Li’s own making.

Though the wood elves formed a vast allied force, Sun Li preferred to keep his allies firmly under his control. With a transcendent imperial system, the Song Empire needed no compromises; absolute control was paramount.