The Northern Territory remained as it was, its construction and layout unchanged, still exuding a desolate and stern aura.
However, many of the faces around had changed, especially among the officers at or above the rank of captain; most were unfamiliar.
Xiao Yunlong knew that the Northeast Tiger must have conducted a major reshuffling after taking over the Northern Territory Grand Camp. As the saying goes, a new ruler brings new officials; this is an eternal truth.
The Northern Territory Grand Camp originally had a standing army of five hundred thousand, controlled by five Banner Lords, in addition to Xiao Yunlong's thirty thousand Dragon Blood Guards.
When Xiao Yunlong was stationed at the Northern Territory Grand Camp, the five Banner Lords were under his command, and the Northern Territory was united and harmonious. But everything changed after the ambush outside the capital.
First, Yongzheng Banner Lord Lan Yongzheng chose to betray, directly going to the capital to pledge his loyalty. It was precisely because of this that Lan Yongzheng had now entered the Celestial Strategy Mansion!
The key was Lan Yongzheng's son, Lan Mingyu, who had previously been Xiao Yunlong's adjutant and close follower, even like a brother. Few people knew the specific itinerary and timing of Xiao Yunlong's enfeoffment in the capital, and Lan Mingyu was one of them.
Therefore, Xiao Yunlong had sufficient reason to suspect that Lan Mingyu was secretly behind the leak of the capital route.
As for the other four Banner Lords, Zheng Lan Banner Lord Ye Wentao, after the Northeast Tiger Zhang Qingyun took over the Northern Territory, chose to surrender and had now become a dog at Zhang Qingyun's side.
Among the remaining three Banner Lords, Zheng Huang Banner Lord Chu Tianxiong had passed away, and the Zheng Huang Banner territory had fallen into disarray, almost becoming a scattered mess. The remaining two Banner Lords had seized the opportunity to observe and partition, becoming carefree and unfettered lords within their own jurisdictions!
Overall, the Northern Territory Grand Camp now had only two hundred thousand troops, all under the control of the Northeast Tiger Zhang Qingyun.
As he was thinking, Xiao Yunlong stepped into the council hall of the Northern Territory Grand Camp.
The Northeast Tiger Zhang Qingyun and several important trusted confidants, including Zheng Lan Banner Lord Ye Wentao, were present. It seemed they had been waiting for a long time.
"King Xiao Bei, you have finally returned!" Zhang Qingyun stood with his hands behind his back at the head of the hall.
Upon closer inspection, the Northeast Tiger was not old, around thirty-five years old, in the prime of his life. He was tall and slender, with piercing eyes filled with authority, and his upright, spear-like posture exuded an imposing aura.
Men like Zhang Qingyun were, in a way, similar to Xiao Yunlong, both possessing strong personal charisma and a grand vision.
Xiao Yunlong walked directly to within three meters of him and stopped, looking at him calmly, asking, "Why, from your tone, do I not seem to be welcome? Or perhaps my return this time has disappointed you?"
"You truly should not have returned!"
Before Zhang Qingyun could speak, a burly, bearded general beside him snorted coldly, "King Xiao Bei, do you know how chaotic the situation in the Northern Territory Grand Camp was a year ago? The major Banner Lords and generals fought amongst themselves for control of the camp, causing it to fall apart. If our Tiger King hadn't swiftly taken over and turned the tide, the Northern Territory Grand Camp would have been finished long ago!"
"Almost everyone in the Dragon Kingdom says that our Tiger King seized power for personal gain, taking control of the Northern Territory Grand Camp. But who can understand the Tiger King's good intentions? Now that the entire camp has finally restored order under the Tiger King's governance, you, King Xiao Bei, have returned. Tell me, should you have returned?"
"Nonsense!" The hot-tempered Tu Fu could not stand it and roared, "Don't try to portray your master as so noble and righteous. Firstly, this Northeast Tiger's entry into the Northern Territory Grand Camp was not authorized by the capital; it was entirely his own doing. As the saying goes, without proper authority, one's words are not legitimate. To put it bluntly, this is theft, taking advantage of someone's misfortune, and a fraudulent grab for power!"
"That's right, the control of the Northern Territory Grand Camp was clearly stolen by this Northeast Tiger. The most direct proof is that the Northern King's Order is still in our Northern King's hands. Now that our lord has returned, you should immediately get lost!" Zhuque General Nangong Qingzhu also stated coldly.
The burly, bearded general threw his head back and laughed, "This is childish. Since ancient times, who was born a king or emperor? Did they not all fight their way to the top through bloodshed? Furthermore, after our Tiger King took over the Northern Territory Grand Camp, he first quelled the chaos with an iron fist. Moreover, for more than a year, he has managed the Northern Territory in an orderly fashion. His abilities are evident to all, so he is the undisputed Tiger King of the North!"
"So you are stubbornly refusing to leave? If that's the case, then there's only war!" Tu Fu roared.
"War it is, do you think I'm afraid of you?" The bearded general also roared, his eyes like copper bells.
The atmosphere in the hall immediately became tense.
Xiao Yunlong then asked coldly, "Northeast Tiger, do you also mean to go to war with me directly?"
Zhang Qingyun first turned and waved, dismissing the burly general, then said, "First, I want to make one thing clear: I do not wish to go to war with you at this moment. But this is not because I fear you, but because the external situation is tense. The three northern countries have already mobilized their troops. If we were to fight amongst ourselves at this time, the Northern Territory would be in danger!"
Xiao Yunlong sighed, "For you to have such a broad mind and vision, you are indeed worthy of the title Northeast Tiger King!"
The burly, bearded general grunted dismissively, seemingly displeased with Xiao Yunlong's assessment of his master.
Zhang Qingyun said loudly, "King Xiao Bei is peerless, a legend of the Dragon Kingdom, that is beyond doubt. But I, Zhang Qingyun, am not inferior. I have always felt that I am no worse than you, and I can even do better than you!"
"I understand, you are unconvinced!" Xiao Yunlong said indifferently.
Zhang Qingyun did not immediately confirm this, but said solemnly, "As the saying goes, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. I have always thought that one day I would truly compete with you, to see who is more formidable, King Xiao Bei, or I, the Northeast Tiger King!"
Xiao Yunlong was also infected by his generous spirit and said loudly, "In this world, you are one of the few who are qualified to be my opponent. Since that is the case, I will truly compete with you!"
Zhang Qingyun immediately asked, "How do you wish to compete? Perhaps a direct fight in the arena?"
Xiao Yunlong shook his head, "Fighting in the arena is merely the action of a warrior, not what a king does, nor does it truly measure one's capabilities!"
"Then how does King Xiao Bei wish to compete? I, the Northeast Tiger, will accompany you to the end!" Zhang Qingyun said solemnly.
"It's very simple. The three northern countries, led by the Snow Wolf Kingdom, have launched a large-scale invasion with a total of five hundred thousand troops. Once they enter Jiaguan Pass, they will inevitably divide into two routes, attacking from the east and west respectively. At that time, you and I will each face one enemy force. Whoever can defeat the enemy or achieve the most kills will be the winner!"
Xiao Yunlong pointed to the map on the wall.
"Good, this method of competition is simply brilliant. It not only resolves the problem of foreign invasion but also allows us to truly compete at a king's level. I will compete with you!" Zhang Qingyun said loudly, with a hint of unconcealed excitement.
He had been worried about how to resist the invasion of the three northern countries, as he only had two hundred thousand troops, while the three northern countries had mobilized five hundred thousand troops. The disparity in strength was too great. Now, Xiao Yunlong's method was perfect.
Xiao Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "Since it is a competition, there should be stakes. If you win, the Northern King's Order belongs to you, and from now on, you will be the Northern Tiger King!"
Zhang Qingyun nodded and said, "No problem. If I lose this competition, I will leave the Northern Territory immediately and never set foot here again!"
"It's not that easy. The Northern Territory was originally mine. Do you think you can get something for nothing? If you lose, you will submit to me and become my subordinate!" Xiao Yunlong said.
Zhang Qingyun was taken aback. After a slight pause, he said solemnly, "Then, as you say, if you can defeat me this time, I will obey you. However, I have one condition: you cannot touch these two hundred thousand troops in the camp!"
"Agreed!" Xiao Yunlong nodded.
"Then it's settled. A promise made is like a chariot drawn by four horses!"
Zhang Qingyun said, his expression filled with unconcealed excitement, as if victory was already beckoning him.