simple and crude: just collect seawater and let it evaporate in the hot season, and natural coarse salt would be obtained. As for sedimentation, filtration, and secondary distillation, there was none...Zhang's family's power in the north was effectively gone. The Duan family had become the most prominent military warlord, seizing the initiative before smaller factions could react. Some astute individuals also perceived the shift in power.

If Zhang Xuetao wasn't so foolish, the Zhang family wouldn't have fallen so quickly. Previously, the Duan and Zhang families had already joined forces to eliminate some small factions. In fact, they were already in the preliminary stage of merging their troops. Now, this situation has presented a perfect opportunity for the sleeping Duan family. They can now rightfully take over the troops that had previously pledged allegiance to the Zhang family.

Just as Duan Zongqing was following the lead and busy suppressing the infiltration of third-party forces into Xia Kingdom, something happened in the north. A businessman from Country D said that their people were detained by the Zhang family, and the next day, the person died on the Zhang family's territory. These people carried the corpse to the Zhang family to seek justice, but they were beaten back.

On the third day, a well-equipped army surged into Xia Country like a torrent, igniting the war. Duan Cheng, leading Zhang's army that had surrendered, met them head-on and temporarily halted their advance.

Meanwhile, the south also came under attack, but the attackers hadn't made much headway before being crushed by the Duan family army.

From this incident alone, it can be seen that the Duan and Zhang families have a different level of control over their respective spheres of influence. The Duan family is clearly more dominant.

Duanzongqing looked at the map in front of him, frowning and said to Lianyi:

"The ripples, it seems the people of D nation came prepared. The Zhang family's influence hasn't been fully consolidated yet, so this situation arose. Looks like you need to take a trip north to command."

"Yes, Father, I will depart tomorrow."

Ripples answer.

She had long been mentally prepared for enemy invasion. Thankfully, they were not completely unprepared now, and at least right now, the Duan family, on the surface, was the first military warlord in Xia Guo, capable of organizing an effective resistance, so there weren't too many dissenting voices as before.

"Father, we must fortify the port. The D nation will definitely land there, and it cannot be lost. Our navy must also be deployed to show our strength. We can't just train without real combat experience."

The ripples continued.

"I know, it took a lot of money to build this place. Before, I was reluctant to use it, but now is the time for them to shine."

"You have to be careful even in the North. There are still a small number of Zhangjia Army soldiers who haven't surrendered. Be wary of them playing tricks behind your back. Also, be careful of air raids from Country D. Our air force is not yet complete and we're at a disadvantage in this area."

"I understand, Father! Before I leave, it's best to invite all the reporters from Nanning's newspapers. The Duan family needs to issue a statement welcoming the battle, encouraging everyone to resist the enemy. This isn't just a matter for the Duan family army; it concerns the entire Xia Kingdom!"

"Alright, tomorrow you and I will attend together. As the commander of the Northern Army, it's also time for you to stand before the people."

Duan Zongqing said in a deep voice.

The next day, Duan Zongqing, accompanied by Lianyi, issued a declaration of war at the gate of the Grand Marshal's Mansion. He firmly expressed the determination of the Duan family army to fight against the invaders to the end, and pushed his daughter forward.

"General Duan, are you sure your daughter has the ability to command an army"

A reporter immediately asked.

Of course, my daughter studied in Country Y for four years at the Royal Military Academy and graduated with honors from the Combat Command course. Of course, she has that ability.

But I heard that Miss Duan went there to attend a bridal school.

"As you said, it was hearsay. Have you seen my daughter attending a bridal school She's a graduate of the military academy."

Journalists looked at each other, realizing that the Duan family had long prepared for this. It's no wonder they were able to swallow the Zhang family whole. It can only be said that time, location, and people were all on the Duan family's side.

But war is not just talk on paper, without practical combat experience...

"As for my abilities, and whether I can drive the enemies out of Xia Kingdom's territory, just wait and see. I will speak with facts, thank you all!"

Rian Yi wore the same military uniform as Duan Zongqing, but hers was a lieutenant general's uniform. She proactively stepped forward to answer the press's difficult questions.

That day, Lian Yi immediately led people to the north at top speed to take command and begin resisting D country's all-out invasion.

And the ever-teetering clouds of rain actually held on, because both the young and old masters of Dashaofu had gone to the front lines to fight, with a significant reduction in guards and servants. Only Chunxiao remained behind.

Xia Xin, Qiu Chan, and Dong Qing all received tasks to gather military funds, food, and medicine in the rear. No one would care about Yun Si Yu, as Chun Xiao directly swept her out of the mansion. The General's Mansion doesn't keep idle people.

This four-year battle against the enemy saw ripples wreak havoc with her unorthodox tactics and ruthless methods, leaving the D nation in shambles.

Especially her elite special forces squad of a thousand, were elusive and struck fear into the D nation's defenses. They even set up ambushes to try and trap the entire squad in the Daxing mountain forests in the north, leading to a fierce battle there.

The special forces unit used the advantage of the forest to hold off D nation's main force, successfully stalling them for ten days with their 20,000-strong army. They were eventually rescued by Ripple leading a large force, but suffered losses of two-thirds of their personnel in the process.

Ripples was heartbroken, her heart was bleeding. This was the team she had painstakingly built and trained, equipped with the most advanced weapons, yet they had suffered such heavy losses. She personally led a group of people to bite onto the tails of D Country's three main forces, then ordered flanking attacks on both sides. She herself led a team, relentlessly pursuing them for three days without rest, driving them into a siege and wiping out their entire main force, not accepting surrender at all.

Ripple's ruthlessness led the people of Nation D to call her "The Hell Demoness." Ripple simply smiled after hearing this, not caring at all. In her next battle, she remained just as ruthless.

During the four years they fought against Ripple, they learned how difficult she was to deal with. They also knew that only by leaving Xia Guo's territory would they have a chance of survival. So, as soon as they lost a battle, they wouldn't choose to surrender but would quickly escape instead.

Although Ripple fought bravely, she wasn't unscathed. On the eve of her final battle, she was blown up by a bomb, resulting in hearing loss and temporary blindness. This nearly caused her personal guard to panic.

This is the time for Xia Guo to launch a full-scale counterattack. As the commander of the northern battlefield, Lianyi cannot falter; this concerns the morale of the entire army.

Liàn Yī herself knew this time she probably injured her head, pressed on her optic nerve, which caused such a result.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine in a few days. I will definitely appear on the battlefield three days later for the general attack."

Ripple said with certainty.

The army doctor strongly disapproved, advising her to rest, but she dismissed him. Now is not the time for her to recuperate.

"Is the mortar here"

"In."

"Can my eyes recover in the shortest possible time"

"Yes, but it comes at a price."

What price

"In the future, you will go blind. If you rest now, there's still a chance to recover your sight. All I can do is stimulate your potential, which is like drawing on your power in advance."

The stone mill was also helpless, feeling that the tasker didn't need to be so desperate. She had already fulfilled all the wishes of her original self.

"Deal, I can't lose this battle, Xia Guo cannot lose!"in this way and constantly grows stronger. Once it's powerful enough, it can replace the world consciousness.If it replaced the world consciousness, it could still maintain the interface's operation,...