Chapter 122 Battle (Part Two) (Added 600 words) Southwest Region...
Southwest China.
"Smack!" Without hesitation, Mo Jingchun slapped his wheat-colored arm, killing the mosquito that was sucking blood.
Another slap landed on the back of my hand, but missed. Several tiny midges buzzed and flew off in all directions.
Mo Jingchun: "..."
She finally couldn't take it anymore, "Ughhhhh! This is so annoying!"
Gu Lanying held a round fan in her hand and slapped it haphazardly around her face.
She was also frustrated. "Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, that's really true!"
Before coming, everyone knew that there were many mosquitoes in the mountains and forests of Southwest China, and that these mosquitoes could make people sick, so they made a lot of preparations.
But after arriving here, I personally experienced how harsh the climate and environment are.
Hu Dazhu asked, "Aren't the mosquito repellents and insecticides we brought working?"
Shen Jinhua from the medical camp was troubled. "It's somewhat useful, but the effect is limited, and it can't completely get rid of the mosquitoes."
This is a mountain forest, with countless trees and bushes, very humid, and lots of mosquitoes.
The most effective way is to wear long sleeves and pants to reduce skin exposure.
Xiang Yuesheng also held a fan in his hand, saying, "We need to take precautions, otherwise our own people will fall ill before we even start fighting the local soldiers."
Zhou Xuan replied, "We know. We have already reminded everyone to wear the mosquito repellent sachets, not to roll up their sleeves, and to call the doctor immediately if anyone feels unwell."
They had previously planted a batch of mosquito-repelling herbs and made them into sachets and mosquito coils.
Hu Dazhu recalled the map of this area, sighed, and said, "It will be fine once we get through this mountain forest."
Although there were swarms of midges and mosquitoes on the barren slope ahead, it was still better than walking in the mountains and forests.
He said, "Go to the front and rest for a bit, and get your wound treated."
Mosquito bites, scratches from branches and vines, and accidental falls.
Xiang Yuesheng agreed, "Okay."
The army continued its advance.
Mo Jingchun said quietly, "No wonder the history books of other worlds say that the southwest region is very difficult to conquer, and countless soldiers died in the Qing-Burmese War."
Xiang Yuesheng shook his fan. "They lack experience and their intelligence work is poor. We will never be like them."
Moreover, since we have goddesses, we don't need to carry large amounts of food, so there's no issue of food getting damp and spoiling.
Mo Jingchun looked horrified. "Don't say such things in advance!"
The book says that most men who tell their fiancées, "We'll get married when I come back," never actually do!
Xiang Yuesheng: "..." He spat on the ground, "Goddess, please help me! I didn't mean it!"
Xiang Yuesheng suddenly remembered something and asked Gu Lanying, "Minister Gu, what about the relevant publicity work in the Southwest region..."
Gu Lanying smiled and said, "Don't worry, we have already won over quite a few people. We told them about the goddess's grace and protection of Jinzhou, and they were deeply moved and are willing to believe in the goddess."
She said meaningfully, "Food is the most important thing for people."
For people who are starving, they will listen to whoever can give them a bite to eat.
In recent years, Jinzhou has expanded its business to the southwest region.
The Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the Propaganda Department, distributed porridge to the poor, hired them to work, and told them stories of the goddess.
At the same time, they bribed some people to obtain intelligence on local officials and wealthy families.
The sun was high in the sky.
A boy, with a freshly plucked blade of grass dangling from his mouth, glanced at the patrolling soldiers ahead, then his eyes darted off to a more distant place.
Several boys of similar age squatted around him, chattering and reporting the news they had heard: the local official had begun to mobilize troops, directing them to the main road leading in from outside.
"Little Chicken Bro, is it time for a war?" a boy with a missing tooth asked.
The boy corrected, "It's Ji!"
He looked completely indifferent. "Let them fight, it has nothing to do with us."
A boy with dry, yellow hair nodded in agreement. "Indeed, we're not old enough to join the army yet."
The boy glanced at him. If the adults fall, even children who are not old enough will have to go to the battlefield. How can they escape?
"Little Chicken Bro." A short boy looked at the teenager, blinking his eyes obsequiously.
The boy took out a bag of candy from his pocket and distributed it to the boys.
He watched everyone happily eating candy, and rested his chin on his hand with satisfaction. "My brother is making me a toy. When it's finished, I'll bring it over for you all to play with."
"good!"
"Chicken Bro's brother is amazing! He made toys we've never seen before!"
"Brother Chicken is so good to us."
Not far away, in a clothing store.
The kind-looking female shop owner was showering praise on a middle-aged woman who had just changed into new clothes, "Oh my, sister, this outfit suits you so well, it looks so good on you! Look at this color, it complements your skin tone so well! You have such a great figure, this outfit shows off your best features perfectly!"
The middle-aged woman was beaming with pride at her compliment and said, "Then I'll take this one. Wrap it up for me. I'll wear this to the prefect's wife's banquet later."
The female boss nodded repeatedly and immediately instructed the other employees to pack the food.
The female shop owner chatted with the middle-aged woman for a few minutes and then recommended a newly opened jewelry store across the street to her.
"Aren't you going to a banquet? Go take a look, maybe you'll find some novel jewelry that catches your eye." The female boss smiled. "These past few days, many customers have been praising the beauty of her jewelry, calling her Mrs. So-and-so and Mrs. So-and-so. I've heard it so much that I'd like to go and take a look, but I haven't had the time."
Her words piqued the middle-aged woman's interest. "They went too? I'd better go and see, lest I be outdone by them at the banquet."
The female boss's smile widened as she continued talking with the middle-aged woman.
On the other side of the street, in a restaurant, a group of people were tasting new wine.
The much stronger alcohol content made the guest cough as soon as it went down his throat, and he gave a thumbs up as he coughed.
Seeing his reaction, the others couldn't wait to take a sip as well.
"This tastes absolutely amazing!"
"It smells wonderful, what is this made of?"
"After drinking this wine, I realized that what I drank before was not wine at all."
The guests were full of praise.
The restaurant owner looked at the crowd, suppressing his pride, and feigned humility, saying, "Do you all think it would be appropriate for me to offer this wine to..." He glanced at the roof to indicate.
All eyes turned to a young man, and they teased, "Then boss, you'd better make our Brother Lin happy."
The boss pretended not to know, "And this is..."
The young man raised his chin, listening to the others introduce him, "His brother-in-law is the registrar of the prefecture!"
The owner was both surprised and delighted, "I never imagined my little restaurant would welcome such a big shot like you!"
The boss showered the young man with praise and personally poured him wine. The young man felt very pleased and offered the boss some suggestions.
The boss was extremely grateful and promised to deliver the new wine to the young man for tasting when it arrived, and also asked him to help introduce him to the clerk.
The young man took the opportunity to ask for some benefits, which the young man readily agreed to.
The boss was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly.
A group of people were drinking and chatting when one of the men casually asked the others, "Do you know which midwife is good? My sister-in-law is about to give birth, and she's having a very difficult pregnancy. My mother wants to find her a good midwife."
An old man among the drinkers immediately replied, "My neighbor, Old Wang, has an aunt who is very good at midwifery."
The man immediately asked, "Where is she now?"
The old man said, "She came to visit relatives at Old Wang's house. Coincidentally, a pregnant woman was giving birth nearby, so she went to help. Both mother and child were safe. Other families with pregnant women also asked her to help with childbirth, and everything went smoothly."
Everyone was surprised, "Really?"
The old man said, "Of course it's true. I heard those women say that Aunt Wang's delivery was different from other midwives'. What tools did she use?"
He said to the man, "She's here to visit relatives, not to do work. If your family wants to trouble her, you have to sincerely go to her door to ask her."
The man replied, "Okay, I'll go back and tell my mother."
The registrar's brother-in-law listened to their conversation without saying a word, but he remembered it in his heart and planned to tell his brother-in-law when he got back.
The prefect's daughter, who is married out of the county, is also pregnant recently. If that midwife is really that skilled, she should be recommended to the prefect. The prefect would be grateful for his brother-in-law's favor.
In the mountains.
The army emerged from the mountains and forests, set up camp on the barren slope, and prepared to eat and rest.
The doctors in the medical camp distributed mosquito coils to the soldiers, instructing them to light them inside their tents. "Light one more when it's finished burning; if it goes out, you'll get bitten by mosquitoes."
They then took some medicine and sprinkled it in the grass around the tents to drive away snakes, insects, and rodents.
Hu Dazhu and a group of military officers sat in the main tent to discuss military matters.
The propaganda department staff received the pigeon that flew in from afar, took the note, and immediately took it to Gu Lanying.
Countless messages were laid out on the table.
Mo Jingchun picked up a few papers, looked at them, then raised her hand to her forehead and said helplessly, "I finally understand the difference between ordinary people and genius generals."
The firearms battalion captain, Meng Wang, asked, puzzled, "Difference? What difference?"
Mo Jingchun said, "Ordinary people like us might be confused by so much intelligence. But a genius general can extract the most useful information and make the right decisions."
Having a lot of intelligence is useless; being able to use intelligence well is what determines the course of a war.
All eyes turned to Hu Dazhu.
Hu Dazhu was dumbfounded. "What do you mean by this?" He raised one eyebrow and teased, "What, are you trying to test me?"
Cavalry Battalion Commander Jiang Xin laughed, "How could that be? We just want to learn from you!"
Infantry Battalion Commander Pi Baoshan chimed in, "Yes, yes, General, please teach us how to make good use of intelligence."
Hu Dazhu was generous; he went through all the information and then looked at everyone, beginning to share the intelligence he found useful.
Gu Lanying listened, occasionally offering a few additional comments and explanations.
The captains listened attentively, raising their hands to ask questions whenever they didn't understand something, and Hu Dazhu patiently explained.
The next morning.
Amidst the chirping of birds, the soldiers swiftly donned their uniforms and armor, packed their blankets and pillows, and folded up their tents, stuffing them into their duffel bags before handing them over to their comrades in the supply battalion.
Xiang Yuesheng walked around the campsite and reminded everyone to clean up their trash and take it with them.
As he walked, he saw several soldiers surrounding a packed-up tent, seemingly talking to each other, and he walked over.
"What's wrong?" Xiang Yuesheng asked. "Hurry up and pack your things, we need to have breakfast!" After breakfast, everyone continued their journey to the prefecture in the southwest region.
Several soldiers turned around, and a tall, thin man showed Xiang Yuesheng the tent cloth in his hand, "Strategist, birds are pooping on our tent."
Xiang Yuesheng: "..."
"Yes, yes, quite a lot."
"What's wrong with these birds? Do they particularly like our tent?"
There are quite a lot of bird calls.
Other soldiers walked by, glanced over, and laughed, "It's not just you guys who are unlucky. Two tents in the vanguard battalion were also soiled by bird droppings."
"This is a mountain forest, with lots of mosquitoes, ants, snakes, and birds."
"Put it away first, and wash it when you get to a place with a river or stream."
There isn't even a ditch around here.
Xiang Yuesheng nodded, "Pack your things separately and take them with you for now. You can get another set from the supply depot tonight when you go to bed."
Several soldiers looked at the tent with disdain, then packed it up and put it in a cloth bag.
One of the soldiers thought for a moment and said, "Make a note of it on a piece of paper, so that it won't be taken apart again at night if we don't notice."
“Okay,” my roommates agreed.
The breakfast provided by the goddess was very lavish.
If you want to drink porridge, you can have vegetarian porridge, meat porridge, or seafood porridge. If you want to eat noodles, you can have soup noodles with meat and vegetables. If you don't like either of those, you can also have steamed buns, mantou, eggs, or soy milk.
We ensure that everyone can eat the food they like.
The soldiers quickly finished their breakfast, packed their belongings, and continued on their way.
The medical team kept an eye on the roadside plants, looking for any medicinal herbs.
Gu Lanying discussed with her colleagues as she walked.
Mo Jingchun then discussed her proposal from last night with Hu Dazhu and Xiang Yuesheng.
The captains kept a close watch on their soldiers, ready to receive news from the scouts ahead.
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Author's note: I ate some unclean spicy hot pot yesterday and got diarrhea QAQ
The list is still 6700+ words short. I'll try my best to finish it. [crying emoji]
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