019
Uqi Camp
"This is truly heaven's help!" Upon hearing the news of a sudden outbreak of epidemic in the three southwestern prefectures of Jin, Jimu jumped up excitedly. "Prepare for battle immediately! We'll catch them off guard!"
"General, please wait a moment!" The man beside him stepped forward to stop him. "General, why don't you send someone to investigate first?"
"What do you mean?" Jimu looked at him questioningly. "Is there something wrong?"
Because this man had fulfilled his promise and helped him get promoted to commander, Jimu still had some trust in this man's abilities.
"General, think carefully. The reason why Hunyi suffered a great defeat last time was because he fell into the trap of the Southwest Army. It can be seen that there must be a mastermind in the Southwest Army now." Yun Yuzhi coaxed, "General, why don't you send someone to investigate first, plan carefully before you act, and don't fall into the trap again?"
Jimu looked at the other two advisors, "Do you think so too?"
One of them, who advocated a conservative approach to warfare, readily agreed. The other, though looking down on Yun Yuzhi as an outsider, had to admit that his concerns were not unfounded.
"General, why don't you send someone to investigate first?" suggested the dark-faced advisor with a thick beard.
Jimi paced around in place for a few moments, then impatiently tugged at his hair and pointed at two of his bodyguards, saying, "You, and you too."
"Go and find out immediately, then come back and report!"
"yes!"
Meanwhile, Song Ling, at the prefectural governor's residence, frowned, looked at a man sitting casually to the side drinking tea, and asked, "When are you leaving?"
"Leave?" The man raised an eyebrow slightly and scoffed. "When did I say I was leaving?"
The man, dressed in pink and white, with his collar slightly open, leaned lazily against the chair. With his red lips, white teeth, and sparkling eyes, he was more alluring and captivating than even some women who were used to the ways of the world.
Song Ling couldn't stand this person deliberately showing off like this, and her brows furrowed slightly. "Sit up properly!"
"It's only been a few days, and Seventeen is already being so fierce to me~" The man's eyes flickered, and he immediately glanced at her.
Although he was still complaining, he obediently sat up straight, and his delicate demeanor disappeared. Upon closer inspection, he was just a slightly more refined young master.
"I heard that Shi Yu came here?"
Song Ling raised an eyebrow. "Who told you this? No matter who's in the news, it never escapes your ears."
"That's..." The man pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his fingers, "Did he cause you any trouble?"
"No, why would Brother Jinzhi cause me trouble?" Song Ling was puzzled. What could be so difficult for these two grown men to sit down and talk things out? What deep-seated grudge could lead them to constantly insult each other after all these years?
"Him?" The man rolled his eyes. "A beast in human clothing! A hypocrite! Seventeen, don't be fooled by his appearance."
“If you’re really free…” Song Ling had a sudden inspiration, “how about I find you a job? I guarantee it’ll be easy… and you won’t be in the sun.”
The man slightly raised his hand to fan himself, "It would be best if you could sit down, not too hot, and not too tiring..."
Fifteen minutes later, the man, holding up the hem of his clothes, stared dumbfounded at the row of medicine pots in front of him.
"Come on," Song Ling instructed the two soldiers behind him, "just put it here."
Two soldiers each carried a large jar of ice to the side of the bench, clapped their hands, and stood behind Song Ling.
“There are benches and ice,” Song Ling said, glancing up at the dense eaves overhead. “There’s shade.”
"This task of preparing medicine for the soldiers... I'll leave it to you."
"You... seventeen!" the man exclaimed angrily. "You lied to me again!"
But the person making the accusation had already led two soldiers away in a hurry. She still had to go to Anjifang, so she didn't have time to waste her time here with him.
However, Song Ling was stopped as soon as she reached the entrance of the prefectural governor's mansion.
"Where...are you going?"
Who else could this be but their general?
“General,” Song Ling said, then suddenly remembered something, “this morning, seeing that you had not returned for a long time, I decided to expedite the situation and requested some soldiers from Deputy General Shi to assist in the control.”
"If I disobey military orders, I will bear the responsibility alone. I beg you, General, not to implicate the soldiers."
Seeing that she was about to bow again, Yu Baizhou strode forward, gently grasped her wrist, and pulled her up, saying, "There's no need for that."
"Am I not a person who doesn't understand reason?"
“I have dispatched troops with the governor’s order to various prefectures to assist the prefects in controlling the epidemic. As you predicted, the epidemic in Shannan Prefecture is the most severe, and also… the most inactive.”
"The governors of the other two prefectures have already begun to take action. There are too many refugees outside the city, so I have no choice but to send troops to seal off the city."
As Yu Baizhou spoke, he looked at her and said, "We will directly send troops to assist Shannan Prefecture. What if the other two prefectures are dissatisfied?"
Song Ling shook his head slightly. "Even if the general were to ask for instructions, based on your many years of experience in the southern frontier and your understanding of Governor Wang of Yunzhou and Governor Yu of Cangwu Prefecture, do you think they would grant your request to send troops?"
Governor Wang was an extremely decisive and shrewd man, full of suspicion, and naturally dared not and absolutely did not want such a thing to happen.
In contrast, the governor was not wise but timid and cautious, always seeking stability. Unless he himself was in danger, he would never grant his request.
Only Prefect Lin of Shannan Prefecture, lacking both strategy and courage, ascended to the position of prefect by relying on his sister, who was a concubine in the palace, but he was also cowardly and easily swayed...
This is also why Song Ling only told Yu Baizhou to consult Prefect Lin in the brocade pouch.
Upon receiving the news, Yu Baizhou immediately went to the governor's office, naturally understanding this situation. His current concern was that Shannan Prefecture was situated between two other prefectures; what if the other two governors suspected them of harboring disloyal intentions…
"That's because Governor Lin has some ulterior motives. What does that have to do with our Southwest Army?" Song Ling said with a smile. "Or is it that the general has changed his mind?"
Yu Baizhou's thoughts suddenly returned, "I didn't think that!"
Song Ling smiled slightly and shook her head, "If there's no one, then there's no one."
“You two…” Song Ling suddenly looked at the two soldiers not far away, who were the two that Yu Baizhou had left to protect her before he left. “Now that the general has returned, you may go with him.”
Even as she said this, Song Ling still felt a slight pang of reluctance. He was efficient and clean in his work, and had plenty of strength. Wasn't he an excellent candidate to be a subordinate?
It's a pity... these are all soldiers on the register, otherwise she would definitely have hired these two.
Song Ling walked up to the two men, looked up at their tall, imposing figures standing upright, and became even more reluctant to let go.
"Here you go," Song Ling said, handing the two men two silver dollars. One tael of silver was almost equivalent to their monthly salary. The two men were stunned for a moment and then shook their heads, not daring to accept it.
"This is thanks to the two of you for helping me all day long," Song Ling said, looking at Yu Baizhou beside her. "This is money I personally contributed, and your general is here to witness it."
The two glanced at the general, and only after receiving a look of approval did they accept the gift, their eyes shining. "Thank you, strategist!"
Song Ling's eyes flickered slightly, a smile playing on her lips. "Now that you've taken my money, do you think you can just run away?"
Her scheme was completely undisguised. Yu Baizhou watched from the side, wanting to say something but holding back. Only these two big, simple-minded guys were secretly delighted, completely oblivious to anything amiss.
"Go and help Vice General Shi," Song Lingwen instructed.
"yes!"
The two answered in unison, then suddenly realized something was wrong and looked at General Yu with some embarrassment and guilt, "General..."
"Go, go..." Yu Baizhou waved his hand, "Remember military discipline, don't disturb the people!"
"yes!"
Yu Baizhou's face was tense. These were his two best bodyguards. Where had their usual quick wit gone? They had only been with him for less than a day, how could they have become like this... Yu was stunned.
“General,” Song Ling leaned closer, “you know you’re famous in the Southern Frontier, and many people want your head… Zhi Ning is so young now, don’t you think… we should send two people to protect her?”
"No need for more, two is enough, I think..."
Yu Baizhou stared at her expressionlessly, but upon closer inspection, there was a hint of grievance in his eyes.
Song Ling's eyes flickered slightly, and she wanted to look away from his gaze, after all, it was a bit unethical to poach someone from someone else's company so openly.
But in the end, he was the first to give in. "I'll ask them later. If they're willing, I'll have them come and protect you."
"I'll send two more people to Zhi Ning's side."
“I don’t need it,” Song Ling frowned slightly. “I know martial arts.”
"You use it."
"I..." Seeing that he was going to take it seriously, Song Ling didn't know how to argue anymore. "Fine, then use it."
"Then thank you, General."
Of course he should be grateful; having two of his most capable bodyguards suddenly transferred out must have been heartbreaking for him.
There was silence for a moment. Seeing that it was getting late, Song Ling also prepared to leave. "General, you must be tired from your journey. You may go to the mansion to rest first. I need to go to Anji Ward."
“I’ll go with you,” Yu Baizhou knew that he couldn’t dissuade the girl from doing what she was going to do, but there were many infected people quarantined there, and there was no guarantee that some people might do something terrible in an extreme way.
“No,” Song Ling paused slightly, “If the general falls ill, what will happen to the Southwest Army? What will happen to the people of the Southwest?”
As Song Ling spoke, he walked to the side and mounted his horse, saying, "You are the only commander in the Southwest, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes."
"If you can go, why can't I?" Yu Baizhou couldn't stand hearing such things. With his physique, how could he easily catch a disease? On the contrary, she didn't care about her own health at all.
Song Ling smiled indifferently, "There are plenty of strategists, why would I be missing one?"
"drive--"
Having said that, he rode away.
There are many strategists, but there is only one Miss Song. For some reason, this thought suddenly popped into his mind. Yu Baizhou pursed his lips and spurred his horse to catch up.
Then... they were stopped outside the gate of Anjifang.
"Who am I? Don't you recognize this face?"
“I know, General…” the soldier who was blocking the way said confidently, “But you still can’t go in.”
"Who said that?" Yu Baizhou said, hands on his hips. "Bring the person out here!"
“I,” Shi Qing, wearing a face mask, walked over from the side, clasped his hands and said, “General, please forgive me, you cannot go in here.”
She handed him a bag, saying, "This is what the strategist asked me to give you. She told you to take good care of yourself. She's been in contact with patients now, so she won't be coming out to see you."
The bag contained a stack of special protective face towels and some wrapped lime powder.
Is there anything else?
"And..." Shi Qing was also somewhat surprised. Although he didn't understand Song Ling's meaning, he still relayed the message truthfully, "The strategist also said that you should immediately lead your men back to the camp to prevent the Southern Barbarians from launching a surprise attack. If you encounter any special people on the way, please send someone to bring them to the prefect's office."
That's all.
Yu Baizhou was puzzled, but it was clear that Shi Qing was not someone who knew more about the inside story.
"Shouldn't someone be around the strategist to know this? To protect her?"
Only after receiving Shi Qing's repeated affirmations did Yu Baizhou mount his horse and set off.
It wasn't until they actually ran into these slightly familiar people halfway through that they understood what Song Ling really meant.
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