Zhu Zhaozhou's pupils dilated in shock: "Isn't this Kuishan Village? I visited this place a few years ago, but it was definitely not like this. How could it have changed so much in just a few years?"
Nie Yun was already angry, and when he heard Zhu Zhaozhou say this, he couldn't help but feel a little smug and said, "Couldn't Vice General Zhu use some nicer words? What do you mean by 'major change'? This was clearly accomplished in just one year."
Upon hearing this, the people around gasped in astonishment that the city had risen from the ground in just one year, and their eyes were filled with awe as they looked at the city walls.
When they looked at Lü Tu again, their eyes were filled with even more awe. Through this incident, they could clearly see that Lü Tu was not just a brave warrior as they had thought.
At least in terms of domestic affairs, unless one is exceptionally outstanding, it would be absolutely impossible to build a city of this scale, let alone within a year; it's simply a pipe dream!
Zhu Zhaozhou was at a loss for words upon hearing this. He had never felt so awkward before. He had previously given Lü Tu a hard time because he had more soldiers under his command, but he never expected that this young general, whom he thought was just a relative, would have such strong abilities.
"Deputy General Zhu, please!"
Just as he was hesitating, Lu Tu's gentle voice came, warming the heart of the veteran general Zhu Zhaozhou: "All soldiers, listen to my command! After entering the city, you must not harass the people. Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with by the warlord!"
Upon hearing this, all the soldiers present shouted in unison, "Yes, sir!"
After reading it, Lu Tu nodded secretly. As the saying goes, old people are shrewd. Zhu Zhaozhou was able to serve as a deputy general under a petty person like Yun Tian for decades and still have so many soldiers under his command. It seems that his emotional intelligence is still very high.
At least in the situation just now, it was most suitable for him to say these words. If it were Lu Tu who said them, people would probably only have a deeper sense of awe towards Lu Tu. It's not that it's bad, but it would slow down the process of winning people's hearts.
As soon as they entered the city, they encountered Xiao Zhong and Song Yuxi waiting there. From a distance, Song Yuxi and Lü Tu exchanged a deep look. With just that one glance, Song Yuxi knew that Lü Tu's group must have gained a great deal.
Lu Tu looked at Xiao Zhong and said, "Thank you, Mr. Xiao, for arranging a place for these new brothers to stay."
He then introduced Zhu Zhaozhou, saying, "This is Mr. Xiao Zhongxiao, my strategist."
Upon hearing the title "military advisor," Zhu Zhaozhou naturally dared not be negligent in the slightest. After all, in an army, apart from the commander-in-chief, the military advisor wielded the most power.
The main reason is that Lü Tu never gave Xiao Zhong any real power, only the empty title of military advisor.
Zhu Zhaozhou stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, strategist. If you have any questions in the future, you may directly give me your orders!"
Xiao Zhong's emotional intelligence was naturally exceptional. He would never give Zhu Zhaozhou any attitude because of his lowly position. On the contrary, he very amiably stepped forward to help him up: "General Zhu, I have long admired your name. With you joining the lord's ranks, how can we not achieve our great cause?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhaozhou and the other man exchanged a smile. With the higher-ups having made their decision, the soldiers below naturally had nothing more to say.
Other matters were left to Xiao Zhong to handle. Lü Tu believed that no one could arrange internal affairs better than Xiao Zhong, including Lü Tu himself.
However, Lu Tu still gave Nie Yun a look: "Take your men and keep a close watch today. Don't let the newcomers harass the people. If they do, you can take action."
Lu Tu directly handed over the power of life and death to Nie Yun in order to cultivate Nie Yun. After all, although he punished Nie Yun in front of so many people today, Lu Tu greatly appreciated the combat power that Nie Yun showed today.
Nie Yun said seriously, "Brother, I will know my limits."
Lu Tu patted him on the shoulder, signaling him to take his men down. In any case, these were nominally his soldiers, and friction was bound to occur. Rather than taking direct action, it was better to let his men provoke friction in their own way first, so as to demonstrate his authority.
He took Zhao Qingyao back home, and left the task of storing the grain to Ban Yingying and Liu Yang.
Song Yuxi poured Zhao Qingyao a cup of tea: "Qingyao, how did things go? Did anything go wrong along the way?"
When Zhao Qingyao saw that Song Yuxi was asking her instead of Lü Tu, she knew it was a gesture of goodwill and naturally wouldn't refuse. She then briefly explained to Song Yuxi the matter of Zhang Shirong's family raising private soldiers and colluding with Zhao Wuyou of Huai Shuo.
Song Yuxi nodded after hearing this: "That was really dangerous. Cuiguo, go to the warehouse and get 200 taels of silver to give to those brothers who died in battle."
After Cuiguo responded, she ran out. Zhao Qingyao asked in confusion, "Sister Yuxi, didn't my husband give us a pension?"
Song Yuxi patted the back of her hand: "We are all women. Those orphans and widows are so pitiful. If we give them more money, they can raise their children."
Zhao Qingyao trembled upon hearing this, then gave Song Yuxi a deep look: "Sister Yuxi, you come from the family of the Eight Pillars of State General, yet you still manage to be considerate of the people's plight. Qingyao admires you!"
Song Yuxi shook her head slightly: "No need to admire me, actually my husband taught me this too."
Nangong Huiyu smiled and said, "You're just starting out. If you spend more time with her, you'll also become a kind-hearted person."
Wang Miaoling nodded: "What does this mean? It means that my husband is the best person in the world!"
Lu Tu, listening from the side, blushed and said, "Actually, it's not as exaggerated as you all say. I'm just doing what I should do. I can't let my brothers risk their lives with me, and then I can't even take care of their families, can I? Otherwise, who will be willing to fight alongside me, Lu Tu, in the future?"
"Let's eat, my husband, I'm hungry." Jiang Wanyu's stomach rumbled. After spending more time with Lü Tu, she had lost her initial shyness.
For the next three days, Lü Tu spent his time handling military affairs.
We were all hot-blooded young men, and it was impossible for us not to have conflicts when we suddenly came together like this.
Fortunately, they were all minor conflicts, and Lu Tu usually didn't bother with them. He would just discuss with Zhu Zhaozhou, Xiao Zhong, and others what areas needed improvement.
General Zhu Zhaozhou, a veteran general from Wuchuan, was highly respected by Lü Tu, as the old general had been the one supporting the crumbling Wuchuan before.
These past few days haven't been idle either. Nie Yun has been leading the newly joined soldiers in high-intensity training. Although a few days won't change anything, even last-minute preparation can be effective.
Days passed by, until the tenth day, when Liu Hong, who was guarding Luanshigang, sent someone back with news: "The Red Turban Army has sent 8,000 men and they are heading towards Luanshigang!"
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