To be honest, Shen Yao hadn't seen Baili Feng for three years.
Shen Yao was able to stay in Chang'an because he held a position in the Imperial Guard.
Baili Feng was a military general and had to be stationed on the frontier. If it weren't for the incident in Suizhou...
It is estimated that Baili Feng will stay on the frontier for seven or eight years before he can return to Chang'an.
The two chatted and laughed, seemingly ignoring everyone else present.
Baili Feng quickly realized what was happening and knelt down in front of Jing Ning. "Princess, please forgive me. I forgot my place when I reunited with my friend."
In fact, Baili Feng had served as a soldier under the Prince of Zhennan, which is why he was willing to keep Jingning's departure from the capital a secret.
Jingning didn't care. Her experiences during this period had shown her too much human suffering. The so-called distinction between high and low, noble and base, was nothing but a lie told by those in power.
Jing Ning simply smiled, "General Baili, you are old friends reunited, there's no need to worry about me..."
Shen Yao also chimed in, "Brother Baili, the princess isn't that kind of person. There's no need to be so reserved. Let me introduce you..."
After saying that, Shen Yao pulled Baili Feng to Su Yan's side and warmly introduced him, "This is Su Yan, the head of the Dali Temple."
Su Yan smiled and bowed to Baili Feng, "Su Yan greets General Baili."
"This is Losang, the youngest son of the former chieftain of Suizhou."
As soon as Shen Yao finished speaking, Losang immediately bowed to Baili Feng with a Qiang salute, saying, "Losang greets General Baili."
Upon hearing Shen Yao's introduction, Baili Feng looked Luo Sang up and down, his expression somewhat surprised, and asked Shen Yao, "Is he Luo Yan's cousin?"
Losang nodded and smiled at him. "That's right, I am the cousin of the current chieftain, Luoyan."
Baili Feng was surprised that Shen Yao had a connection with Luo Sang, since he had already investigated Luo Yan before coming to Suizhou.
However, he also received news of Losang's disappearance at the same time, and Baili Feng thought that he had been eliminated by Luo Yan.
Although Baili Feng was a military general, he understood that with Losang's help, he would achieve twice the result with half the effort.
"Young Master Luo has come to my camp. What brings you here?"
Losang smiled, fully understanding the meaning behind Baili Feng's words, "Naturally, we've come to surrender."
Upon hearing this, Baili Feng remained calm on the surface, but the upward tilt of his eyes betrayed his inner joy.
According to intelligence from spies in Suizhou, Baili Feng learned that not the vast majority of the Qiang people submitted to Luo Yan's rule.
Losang, on the other hand, is a valuable piece to be used, and could very well defeat Loyan with little effort.
"Young Master Luo is indeed the chieftain's favorite son. If Suizhou were under Luo Yan's rule, the people would surely suffer terribly."
“General Baili, Luo Yan and I have a blood feud for the murder of my father. Whether as a son or as a chieftain, Luo Yan must die…”
"Good..." Baili Feng gave Losang a thumbs up for his words, "No wonder he's destined for great things. At such a young age, he has the spirit of a man..."
Just as Baili Feng was admiring Losang, Jing Ning suddenly spoke up and suggested, "Why don't you stop chatting about family matters and discuss tomorrow's battle plan instead?"
With the battle imminent tomorrow, every moment of delay increases the risk.
Upon hearing this, Su Yan readily agreed, saying, "That's right. After the war, you'll have plenty of time to get together."
After saying that, Shen Yao and Baili Feng exchanged a smile.
Because of their years of familiarity, even though Baili Feng didn't say a word, Shen Yao completely understood the meaning in his eyes.
So, Shen Yao bid farewell to Su Yan and the others, and went with Baili Feng to the military camp tent to discuss the battle plan for the next day with the other generals.
Losang's position was awkward. Although he went along, he did not immediately enter the tent, but simply stood at the door waiting.
After entering the main tent, Shen Yao looked at the familiar and unfamiliar faces in the tent and felt as if he had returned to the battlefield a few years ago.
The soldiers who had served under Shen Yao greeted him warmly upon seeing him.
"General Shen, I never thought I'd see you again..."
"Shen Yao responded enthusiastically, "What? I only stayed in Chang'an for three years, and you've already forgotten me?"
"How could we dare!"
Baili Feng interrupted their pleasantries, "Alright, alright, we can talk about everything later. Let's go and decide on the battle plan first!"
After saying that, he walked towards the sand table on the table.
Above is the entire topography of Suizhou, Baili Feng said, pointing to the territory representing Luo Yan's encampment with a wooden stick.
“Although Suizhou is located in a remote area, its terrain is treacherous. If we launch a direct attack, we will have very little chance of winning and the casualties will be enormous. I propose to besiege the city and cut off Suizhou’s land and water transportation. In the same way, we will cut off their supplies and wage a protracted war. I think it won’t be long before they surrender.”
After listening, Shen Yao frowned, seemingly disagreeing with Baili Feng's plan, and retorted, "Although I have never fought Luo Yan face to face, I know that he is a very cunning and shrewd old man."
I think he's been plotting against the Great Liang for a long time, so it's impossible that we weren't on guard. If we fight a protracted war, it will actually be disadvantageous for us.
The people beside Baili Feng echoed Shen Yao's words.
"I don't think General Shen's words make any sense."
Upon hearing this, Baili Feng's eyes flashed with displeasure, and he suppressed his dissatisfaction, but it vanished in an instant and went unnoticed by the others.
But it did not escape Shen Yao's notice.
Shen Yao knew that the gap between him and Baili Feng was now enormous, and he still understood a thing or two about how to conduct oneself in officialdom.
“Brother Sun, I am just a minor general, no longer a general. Please call me Chen Yao from now on.”
The others were all seasoned veterans, so how could they not have picked up on the implication in Shen Yao's words? They immediately changed their tune.
"However, General Baili is right. There has been constant fighting on the border for the past few years, and many soldiers have lost their lives to disease. The Great Liang cannot afford to suffer even greater casualties. I agree with General Baili's plan. The battlefield is ever-changing, so we should retreat to gain the upper hand and defend to attack."
A hundred years ago, the ruler of the Great Liang Dynasty used this method to defeat the chieftain of Suizhou when he expanded his territory.
Therefore, Baili Feng's plan was not without basis.
After some discussion, everyone agreed on Baili Feng's plan.
Shen Yao was not Baili Feng's subordinate, so he did not raise any other objections, but he felt a little uneasy.
……………………
The next day, Baili Feng assembled his troops and arrived at the city gate.
Su Yan and Jing Ning stayed behind at the camp because they did not know martial arts.
Just as the vanguard of Daliang was challenging the enemy, the city gate, which had been tightly closed, suddenly opened.
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, a Qiang elder surrendered the flag in full view of everyone.
Losang, who was in the Liang camp, recognized the elder at a glance.
He looked at him with a surprised expression and said, "Elder Mueller?"
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