Qi Xiuwen and Gu Beitian disagreed on whether to attack elsewhere.

Qi Xiuwen believes that the priority should be to stabilize these territories, since they already comprise several prefectures.

Then, by training the soldiers, they can fight better.

Gu Beitian, however, believed that they should press on and seize more territory before many people realized the new weapon.

As for consolidating territory, that can be done simultaneously; training soldiers can also be done simultaneously.

It won't delay our expansion at all.

Qi Xiuwu supported Gu Beitian's words, saying that the first effort should be made to seize the opportunity while morale is high, as the second will decline and the third will exhaust the strength.

Dou Yong frowned and said, "Taking over territory is easy, but we can't use the same officials and grassroots civil servants. We lack a lot of talent. If we continue to take over territory, we will definitely be even more short of them."

This is indeed a problem. Without suitable and trustworthy people to govern these territories, the consequences will be endless. The larger the territory, the bigger the problem.

Simply pointing the finger at Qi Xiuwen is like trying to support a tree on its own.

Neither side was willing to back down, and after much arguing, they both looked towards Chenxi.

Chen Xi smiled and said, "You can continue arguing, I'm listening."

Everyone: ......

They just wanted the leader to make the decision, so why is the leader just watching the show?

They couldn't figure out what Chenxi was thinking, and after the argument, there was no word from Chenxi for several days.

Qi Xiuwen came twice, and Gu Beitian came three times.

But they still couldn't get a definite answer from Chenxi.

Qi Xiuwen and Gu Beitian were both asking Di Yingxue for information; how could they not be anxious?

Di Yingxue said directly that the leader did nothing but take Shen Yue and Shen Qing fishing.

fishing?

They were all in a great hurry, but the leader was leisurely going fishing.

Well, there's nothing particularly urgent right now. Even if we were to attack another place, it would take a long time to prepare.

Regardless of whether we fight or not, we must prepare our supplies in advance, and our soldiers need to undergo more rigorous training.

The musketeer battalion, in particular, was highly sought after.

Why did Shenxi go fishing? Actually, her purpose wasn't really to catch fish.

She is waiting for someone.

She has already visited this person twice.

This man was a recluse, over sixty years old, who was originally unassuming and kept a low profile. Who knew that he would become such a close friend to Shen Qing, who loved to travel around?

Shen Qing went back and boasted to Shen Xi, who keenly sensed that this person was not simple.

The words he spoke to Shen Qing were extremely profound yet full of philosophical meaning.

Moreover, judging from Shen Qing's words, this person seems to have quite a few disciples.

If he were truly such a recluse, he must be a learned man who has read extensively and seen much of the world.

Shen Qing was very willing to bring his elder sister to see the hermit, but after two visits and two fishing trips, Shen Xi still failed to meet the hermit.

The hermit had a young attendant who always mentioned that his master was sleeping.

Is he the reincarnation of the god of sleep?

Then I slept until evening, by which time Shenxi had already gone back.

Shen Qing pouted. The hermit wasn't like this before. Whenever she came, she was always very welcome and would teach Shen Qing a lot about military strategy and warfare.

He also taught her some esoteric arts.

Seeing the various formations the other side had set up on the sand dunes, Shen Qing said, "No matter what formation they have, my eldest sister's muskets and explosives will break them all in one go."

The hermit, enraged, simply blasted her away.

Shen Xi laughed and lectured Shen Qing, "Qing'er, neither muskets nor explosives are omnipotent. In military campaigns, the cooperation of the army is still necessary, and these formations are very useful."

"Really? I thought we could just push straight through from now on."

Shen Xi tapped Shen Qing's forehead and said with a smile, "How could that be? Nobody is stupid. These things are just aids. Real battles still depend on people."

"If you have these things, there's no guarantee that others won't have them in the future. Ultimately, everyone will have them, so learning various military skills is essential for fighting a war."

Shen Qing nodded in shame. As a candidate for general who often fought on the front lines, she was actually less insightful than her older sister when it came to these matters.

Shenxi stroked her head and smiled.

If she hadn't come to know these things in later generations, she naturally wouldn't have been able to say them.

The boy then relayed Shenxi's words to the hermit.

The hermit pondered for a moment and said, "If you come again tomorrow, please come in!"

Shenxi did intend to come back the next day, but who knew that Shenyue would develop a fever that night.

Shenxi personally took care of the little girl and was unable to visit the hermit for the time being.

Just as Shen Xi had settled Shen Yue in, someone came to report that Shen Qing's old friend had come to visit.

Shen Qing's eyes lit up when she heard that.

She hadn't seen this friend, who was much older than her, for some time.

Hearing this, it must be him.

Shen Qing jumped three feet high and rushed out.

Shenxi smiled softly. Had Buddha been moved by her prayers?

Then, without her ever going to pray, Buddha appeared to her directly.

Haha, she has such great prestige!

Shenxi's narcissism was unconsciously revealed, and Di Yingxue smiled as well.

That's how the leader is; he never shows any girlish side in front of her.

Shen Xi followed Shen Qing directly to see the hermit.

The hermit was sixty-four years old, but judging from his appearance, people would believe he was forty-six.

Shenxi would like to ask, do you have any health and wellness secrets?

It's clear that this isn't the time to ask.

The hermit was pestering Shen Yue for roast chicken; he didn't seem like a wise man at all.

He's clearly just a gluttonous old man.

Shen Qing directly instructed Shen Xi's "personal chef" to quickly bring out his best dishes and let him eat his fill.

Li Qin looked at Shen Xi, and Shen Xi nodded to her.

Seeing that the hermit had no desire to talk to her for the time being, he directly handed over the territory to Shen Qing. She then instructed her men to keep a close eye on the hermit and not allow him to leave quietly.

Shenxi will certainly not let go of talented people.

Li Qin personally took charge of the cooking. In the past two years, apart from cooking for Shenxi herself, all other people's meals were cooked by others.

Shen Xi tacitly agreed, after all, there were so many people, it would be exhausting for Li Qin to do all the work.

Shen Xi did not go up to disturb Shen Qing and the hermit's time together.

She could tell that the hermit admired Shen Qing and probably wanted to take him on as a disciple.

She had previously learned from Shen Qing's words that this hermit loved good food, which was probably why Shen Qing was able to get close to him.

Shen Qing happily accompanied the hermit, calling out to him, "Old man, why haven't you seen me for several days?"

The hermit flicked her on the head. "You said my formation is useless, so why would I see you?"

"Then what brings you here today?"

"Uh," the hermit said, slightly embarrassed, "I just wanted to see how you were doing, and you seem to be doing well."

"Of course not, with my older sister around."

Just then, the food was served, and the hermit sniffed it, his eyes filled with longing for the food.

He swallowed hard. "Since it's a gift from you, then I won't be polite!"