Chapter 73: Aren't you tired?
"Ah... Roar..." The Celestial Master opened his mouth, but found he couldn't hear his own voice, so he started struggling again.
"Just stay put, I'll have someone give you some food and drink every day. Doesn't your killing formation require your personal clothing and hair? It'll be a long time before I get those things, then I'll put you down."
After saying that, Su Zhenzhen went to instruct Chunzhi, "Sister Chunzhi, I still have a use for that evil Taoist priest. Please take good care of him and make sure he doesn't die."
Chunzhi was busy distributing grain when she saw Su Zhenzhen and Hensheng walking in one after the other. She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly. "You're quite lucky. Even a god-like figure can be of use to you."
These words were obviously spoken to Hensheng. How could Chunzhi not know that all these noodles were made by Su Zhenzhen?
Hensheng remained very respectful, saying, "Sister-in-law, you've flattered me. I beg Zhenzhen for help, and I will definitely repay your kindness in the future."
These words were also spoken to Chunzhi. Sister-in-law, you have helped me take command of the army, and I will repay you in the future.
"Zhenzhen," Chunzhi murmured softly, smiled, and ultimately said nothing more.
The border region was finally settled. Hensheng was unwilling to linger there any longer. Of the 50,000 soldiers and civilians, 40,000 were temporary conscripts. He sent them back to their fields with grain, left 5,000 troops to guard the city, and took the rest with him.
Chunzhi stayed in Bianzhou, the place where she and her husband grew up. Not to mention, there were countless troubles to come as they went further south, so she decided to stay there and retire.
Before leaving, Hensheng knelt down and bowed deeply to Chunzhi, who accepted the bow without flinching.
“Sister-in-law, Hensheng will surely restore peace to the world and let everyone live and work in peace.”
Hensheng took all the remaining horses of the Northwest Army with him, and they rode at full speed, arriving at the mountain range bordering Bianzhou and Xijun in less than three days.
"Zhenzhen, I want to go to Xijun to take a look."
The Northwest Army camp has a map of its territory, and Hensheng copied it. Now, holding the map, he pointed to the mountain range on it and said, "This mountain range is difficult for cavalry to cross, so the barbarians did not come across it to attack the border prefectures, but instead chose to attack the mountain counties. We are short of men and food, so we must seize as much unclaimed land as possible."
After the Western Commandery was ravaged by the barbarians, it has been barren for the past twenty years and has been completely ruined.
The main direction of the barbarian attack at that time was the north, and the forces that went around to the west were limited. After suffering heavy casualties in the mountain county, the supply line was stretched too long, so they returned to the northern grasslands.
Su Zhenzhen didn't understand geography, but she knew a little about politics. "The western part of Xijun has no natural defenses. It's useless for you to occupy this territory. Moreover, we have no way to transfer people there to produce and work. Without troops to defend the city, the nomadic tribes that live on the western grasslands will come and plunder from time to time."
Hensheng thought about it carefully, "What if we occupy the western grasslands and use the mountains as a defensive line?"
The reason why Xijun was so easily conquered was entirely due to its unfavorable geographical environment. It was not only flat but also connected to the grasslands of the barbarians.
The barbarian horses grazed on the fattest grasses, and their cavalry had a natural advantage on flat ground.
Su Zhenzhen thought about it and realized it made sense. The plains of Xijun were like a piece of fat meat, extremely desirable. Considering the overall strategic layout of the dynasty, they either had to abandon Xijun and use Shanxian as the border, or they had to occupy the barbarian grasslands.
However, if we attack the grasslands first, not to mention the issue of troop strength, even after occupying them, how to defend them is another matter, as manpower is currently extremely scarce.
In Su Zhenzhen's opinion, it would be better to build a fortified city wall in Shanxian County, since Xijun is already deserted anyway. The nomadic tribes on the grasslands wouldn't easily venture there; they don't know how to cultivate the land, and they would also face the risk of being surrounded.
Su Zhenzhen shared her thoughts, and Hensheng's eyes lit up at first, but then he said regretfully, "The land in Xijun is extremely fertile, which is incomparable to that of the border states."
“Even the best land needs people to cultivate it. We are short-handed right now. At the very least, we need to get the generals and officers of Huzhou to obey your orders and bring Huzhou under our control before we can have surplus people to move there.”
Su Zhenzhen was just stating the facts; the final decision rested with Hensheng.
Hensheng was not one to act impulsively. Knowing that Su Zhenzhen's words made sense, he weighed the pros and cons and decided to first take his people back to Shan County, build it up, and at least have enough food to feed the people of the prefecture before looking for an opportunity to negotiate with Huzhou.
The team continued south, heading straight for Shanxian County.
With mountains high and roads long, it takes a lot of time for news to reach the capital, not to mention the current tense situation. Those who can escape have all fled south, so who would dare to go north to inquire about news?
In the imperial palace of the capital, Jiang Yichen sat listlessly on the dragon throne.
Everyone knows he's a puppet, so why pretend to invite him along to discuss state affairs? Does he even have the right to speak?
"Lord Enyi, there has been no news from the border region for a long time. I wonder how the war with the barbarians is going? Does the celestial master you sent there truly have a way to turn the tide of the war?"
The old prime minister is now over seventy years old. Having served three emperors and coming from a prominent family, he is basically the one issuing orders in the court.
Song Anbang was, after all, a student who had only studied late in life. Even though he wore a long gown, he didn't have the slightest bit of scholarly demeanor, and his speech was even more blunt.
"Your Excellency, that Celestial Master was employed by Emperor Chang for some time after the Imperial Preceptor disappeared. He helped many people in the capital and is a man of real ability. I suppose now that the war is over, the generals are busy with the cleanup work, calming the people and restoring production, which is why they have been delayed in sending the message back."
The old prime minister looked at the emperor on the dragon throne and said, "Your Majesty, Marquis Enyi said that the war at the front has been quelled."
Song Anbang skillfully concealed the emotions in his eyes. This old man was quite adept at shifting blame. If the front lines did not win the battle, then he would be accused of deceiving the emperor.
However, there shouldn't be any problems.
Jiang Yichen was already numb. "You know it yourself, why do you have to ask another unnecessary question? Is it really necessary to go through this process?"
"Yes, Prime Minister and Marquis Enyi, you have worked hard."
"It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens," the old prime minister said, bowing respectfully.
Jiang Yichen quickly ran down from the dragon throne and helped the man up, saying, "Prime Minister, there's no need for such formalities."
Honestly, what's with all this fuss every day? You're not tired of it, but I am.
Jiang Yichen mentally cursed him eight hundred times.
The old prime minister straightened up and subtly brushed the spot that had been touched, as if there was something dirty there.
Jiang Yichen acted as if he hadn't seen anything and went back to sit on the dragon throne.
"Marquis Enyi, His Majesty is concerned about the border regions. Since General Huo died in battle twenty years ago, no good news has come back from the front lines." The old prime minister looked at Song Anbang and said with a forced smile, "Why don't you, Marquis Enyi, take the emperor's place on a border inspection tour and properly reward the soldiers on the front lines?"
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