Zheng Hongfang followed Shen Xi out.

"Commander."

Zheng Hongfang didn't know what to say. Indeed, he hadn't been able to help the leader in any way this past month, and now the leader had to deal with his affairs. He felt deeply guilty.

Shenxi said frankly, "Since you're going to be siblings, wait until she recovers, then formally recognize her as your sister and let everyone know that you have a younger sister."

"yes."

When Li Xiaoyu firmly declared that they wanted to be siblings, Zheng Hongfang's resolve crumbled instantly.

Since she wants to be her brother, then he will be the most responsible older brother to her.

"This matter has been completely resolved. You should hurry back to Qiaozhen. The army there has almost finished assembling. You need to oversee the follow-up matters and prepare to attack Linchuan County."

"Okay, I'll get ready right away."

"Then, what are the arrangements for Xiuyan?"

"It's not about how Xiuyan arranges things, but about you going there to be Xiuyan's assistant. Xiuyan has done a great job this past month, but she's been so busy that she's probably lost weight."

assistant?

Unexpectedly, after only a month back, he went from being a town mayor to an assistant.

"If you don't become an assistant, are you going to become the person in charge?"

Are you clear about how things were arranged there, how the military's supplies were mobilized, and how the grassroots civil servants were resettled?

I really don't know!

Zheng Hongfang felt deeply guilty because his superior had worried about his personal affairs and had even dragged Xing Xiuyan into it.

Zheng Ankang almost burst out laughing. Zheng Ankang, who was usually just a background figure, had a better relationship with Zheng Hongfang.

Both of them were among the first to fight alongside Shenxi. Zheng Hongfang also served as Zheng Ankang's bodyguard for a period of time at the beginning.

The two have compatible personalities and temperaments, so they get along very well.

Seeing Zheng Hongfang looking so downcast, he couldn't help but want to offer him a few words of comfort.

But as the head guard of Chenxi, he couldn't leave at will. He could only pat Zheng Ankang on the shoulder as he was leaving and say, "Brother, do a good job. The commander values ​​you a lot."

Zheng Hongfang resignedly carried his luggage and went back to Qiaozhen to be Xing Xiuyan's assistant.

As Chenxi watched Zheng Hongfang walk away, she thought to herself: Xiuyan, it's your turn to work hard.

Whether they can get together depends on whether they are a good match. Chenxi has given them a chance, but he can't force it.

Thinking of Linchuan County, Chenxi summoned Gu Beitian.

"In the north, Linchuan County is adjacent to Yuhe County. The magistrate of Yuhe County, Wu Aidao, is a good person. During the Great Famine, he did his best to protect the lives of the people in the county. His county had the fewest people fleeing."

After we capture Linchuan County, should we also attack Yuhe County?

Gu Beitian looked at the map and shook his head: "Chief, Yuhe County is a long strip, sparsely populated, and directly borders the edge of Yonghe Prefecture."

"Look here, sir." Gu Beitian pointed to the map: "This place is right next to the territory of Yonghe Prefecture. It's flat as a pancake. If we occupy Yuhe County now, we will inevitably have to face the army of King Wen directly."

Our strength is insufficient to confront King Wen; let Wu Aidao hold the line for now!

Wu Aidao was Wu Aimin's cousin and held considerable influence within the Wu family. As a result, his county was protected by the Wu family, and thus had a significantly larger military force than other areas.

However, he and Wu Aimin were completely different people. Wu Aidao was truly capable, but he was relatively young, only in his early twenties, so naturally he could not become a high-ranking official.

Shenxi nodded in agreement: "Besides, Wu Aidao is loved by the people. If we attack Yuhe County, we will inevitably clash with the people. Even if we take it, it will be difficult to govern him."

Often, the key to victory in war lies not in the size of the forces and resources on both sides, but in the support of the people.

Gu Beitian pointed to the map again: "So, on our side, we only need to attack Linchuan County. Linchuan County and Yuhe County are separated by a mountain, so we can set up defenses there."

Shenxi nodded and pointed to the map, saying, "Our main strategy now is to fight our way through Fuyun County and Yichun County, and then take Jianming Prefecture as our capital."

If Zhao Peng can coordinate with us from within and without, taking Jianming Prefecture will be just around the corner.

Gu Beitian pointed to Tongxian, which is next to Fuyun County: "The two townships of Juxian that we captured are next to Tongxian, and next to Tongxian is Qingshui County. You can see the geographical location of Qingshui County."

Gu Beitian lightly traced the path through Qingshui County with his finger, connecting Jianming Prefecture's capital city on one end and Kangjian Prefecture on the other, before diagonally entering Qiongan Prefecture.

Chen Xi's heart raced: "Beitian, are you sure you want to attack like this?"

Gu Beitian nodded: "Qingshui County is flat and open. If we don't take this place first, once the three families divide up Kangjian Prefecture, they will definitely come to attack Qingshui County directly and then march straight to Jianming Prefecture City."

"If we do that, we'll be too passive. Instead, while they're attacking each other, we should occupy Qingshui County, connect it to Jianming Prefecture, and prepare for defense against the enemy."

Chen Xi hesitated slightly: "Beitian, if we do it this way, it will take us much longer, possibly several months longer than if we directly take Jianming Prefecture City."

Furthermore, the reconstruction of Qingshui County after its capture will require a huge investment and will take even longer.

Gu Beitian, however, believed: "It doesn't matter. Taking steady steps is the most basic approach. In today's chaotic world, one wrong move can lead to total defeat."

Let's let Zhao Peng perform well in the prefectural city; perhaps there will be unexpected results."

Shen Xi finally adopted Gu Beitian's suggestion: "Alright, since Beitian wants to set this route, he must have a plan in mind. As the leader, I will naturally give my full support."

"Okay." Gu Beitian and Shen Xi spent half a day discussing their next steps. When it got dark, Shen Xi asked Gu Beitian to stay and have dinner with them.

Gu Beitian didn't stand on ceremony. Now, Shen Xi's subordinates were all competing to see who could dine with their leader as an honor.

Clearly, Qi Xiuwen's victory has aroused jealousy, envy, and hatred among many of his subordinates.

The next day, since Shen Xi had formulated a plan with Gu Beitian, he would inevitably have to seriously discuss with his subordinates how to attack.

Qi Xiuwen was skeptical of Gu Beitian's bold suggestion: "Chief, if we do this, we may be even more short of money. Qingshui County is a large area, not our Bian'ai County."

Qingshui County is larger than three border counties combined. If we were to build more border defenses, all our current funds wouldn't be enough.

Yunnan Ze also raised a different opinion: "Sir, Qingshui County has been severely affected by the disaster and has a small population. Even if we want to recruit soldiers, it will be difficult to have enough soldiers to guard the border."

Gu Beitian said frankly, "That's why we need to occupy Qingshui County first. Otherwise, after we painstakingly occupied Jianming Prefecture, we'll probably be targeted by several other powers."