Chapter 178: A small measure cannot make a true lord; without poison, nothing can be accomplished!
He traversed the Three Rivers region all the way to Xiangfan, crossing dozens of prefectures and counties. Now, if he were to return, all these conquered territories would vanish like a dream. He had expended so much effort to reach this point; how could he so easily lose them?
Two hours later, the army was fully assembled.
The King of Dongliao sat in the main seat and, after a long while, said, "A man of limited capacity is no true ruler; without ruthlessness, nothing can be accomplished!"
The subordinates understood: the King of Dongliao was going to abandon his wife and children!
"Continue the attack on Xiangfan!"
"yes!"
Liu Yan rushed as fast as she could and finally arrived in Yonglin Prefecture before the New Year!
When she arrived, Shen Lanxi almost didn't recognize her!
Liu Yan's face was frostbitten!
"My lord, I'm back!"
Shen Lanxi stepped forward and solemnly helped him up with both hands!
"It's good to be back, no need for formalities!"
Liu Yanhui hadn't expected the snow to be so heavy in Dongchuan; he practically crawled back through the snowdrifts!
"You did a great job. Go back and get treatment. I'm giving you five days off to rest. Come see me again when you're well!"
Liu Yan smiled and replied, "Yes!"
The other person returned shortly after Liu Yan!
"General, Zhou Xingyan has accepted the gift!" Wang Songbai wrapped his thick fur coat tighter around himself. He was in better shape than Liu Yanhui. Although he had frostbite on his face, it was much better and he was not as frightening as Liu Yanhui.
"It's good to accept it. This old fox hides back in his den at the slightest sign of trouble. He's been holding back until now, waiting for others to fight to the bitter end so he can reap the benefits. How can I, a junior, let him have his way?"
New Year's Eve passed amidst Shen Lanxi's cold laughter. Just as the ice and snow were about to melt, the fifty-person team arrived in Yonglin Prefecture!
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Zhao Chengkai be appointed as the supervising officer of the army to quell the rebellion, and Wu Tong as the deputy supervising officer, to assist the Grand General in governing the army and suppressing the rebellion!"
Shen Lanxi calmly accepted the imperial edict. She had long guessed that Zhou Chengqian would not so easily allow the army that was suppressing the rebellion to roam freely.
I didn't expect the control to come so quickly!
These two were Zhou Chengqian's spies planted within the army!
"You two supervisors, go and heal your wounds first!" Shen Lanxi said, putting away the imperial edict.
Wu Tong: "No rush, let's inspect the army first!"
Shen Lanxi glanced at Wu Tong and said to Wei Dongzhu, "Go and make the arrangements!"
"yes!"
Wu Tong was a nephew of Wu Yanzhi, the Left Chancellor. Shen Yuanjing had met him when she was engaged to Wu and when they got married.
The other Zhao Chengkai, judging from the people behind him, some of them look like imperial guards. Could he be from the imperial guards? Is he Zhou Chengqian's personal guard?
Zhou Chengqian really doesn't trust her!
Wei Dongzhu returned shortly afterward.
"General, everything is ready!"
Shen Lanxi looked at the two supervisors and said, "My lords, let's go!"
Zhao Chengkai and Wu Dongfei exchanged a quick glance and followed behind Shen Lanxi all the way to the training ground!
Dongchuan was colder than they had expected. After spending some time in the heated tent, coming out felt like falling into an ice cellar.
The sudden change from cold to hot made my chilblains start to itch.
The soldiers were training, and Wei Dongzhu simply asked them to remove some of the things that were in their way, and everything else continued as usual!
"Why are there women here?" Wu Tong frowned and pursed his lips as he looked at the people training on the other side.
Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow, displeased, and said, "Can't there be women?"
Whether Wu Tong was oblivious to Shen Lanxi's displeasure or deliberately ignored it, he said in a reproachful tone, "How can a woman appear in the military camp? This is a major taboo!"
Shen Lanxi said coldly, "Does Deputy Military Supervisor Wu mean that I shouldn't be in the military camp?"
Wu Tong's original intention was to give Shen Lanxi a warning and make her understand the proper role of a woman.
Seeing that she had made it clear herself, he was spared the trouble of explaining.
"That's not what I meant. What I meant was, with so many women in the military camp, what if the soldiers don't train properly?"
Shen Lanxi: "You mean I'm here, and I'm disrupting their training?"
Wu Tong frowned. Why couldn't Shen Lanxi understand what he meant?
He was talking about those women, not her. Why did she have to make such a big deal out of it and invite criticism? She's so stupid!
“I’m talking about those women, not you. Don’t get me wrong!” Wu Tong said arrogantly.
Shen Lanxi sneered: "You mean you want them to leave?"
Wu Tong raised his chin arrogantly and said, "Of course, don't you even know this is a place for women?"
"Women should stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children; fighting and killing should be left to men!"
Shen Lanxi remained expressionless, her eyes extremely cold.
"I wonder if this is your intention, or His Majesty's?"
Wu Tong froze, not expecting Shen Lanxi to dare to use the Emperor to pressure him.
"...Of course, that's not His Majesty's intention."
Shen Lanxi's gaze swept over him: "So that's what Deputy Supervisor Wu meant?"
Wu Tong's heart skipped a beat under his gaze. He quickly composed himself and said with a stiff head, "This is how things are in accordance with natural law and ethics. I am simply following ancient customs."
Shen Lanxi: "Deputy Military Supervisor Wu, do you mean to have those women leave the military camp?"
Wu Tong: "It's not me, it's just the ancient custom!" He wasn't stupid; he wouldn't fall into the trap set by Chen Lanxi!
Shen Lanxi raised the corners of her mouth: "Female guards, listen to my command, disband on the spot!"
"yes!"
The drill ground, covering hundreds of acres, was half empty in the blink of an eye!
Wu Tong's eyelids twitched.
Why are there so many female security guards?
Wei Dongzhu said in a low voice, "The entire Dongchuan army has been mobilized by the King of Dongliao, leaving only women, the elderly, and children. Women make up half of the army that quelled the rebellion."
Wu Tong's mind went blank for a moment, and he couldn't think straight.
Come back! We must bring those women back!
They're gone, so who will attack the King of Dongliao?
But he couldn't say that. Today was his first day in office. If he made a mistake, how could he supervise the army in the future?
"General Shen, I did not order them to disperse!"
Shen Lanxi said without blinking, "I heard that. They are just following ancient customs."
Wu Tong was dumbfounded, as if someone had grabbed him by the neck.
Shen Lanxi is too cunning; she actually used his words to shut him up!
Zhao Chengkai stepped in to smooth things over.
"Deputy Military Supervisor Wu, we've had a long and tiring journey. Let's rest for a few days to recover from our injuries before dealing with official business!"
Wu Dong was about to retort when he turned around and saw Zhao Chengkai giving him a wink, so he shut his mouth again.
"General Shen, Deputy Commander Wu and I have just arrived and are unfamiliar with the situation here. If we have offended you, please forgive us for being colleagues!"
Shen Lanxi: "I see that your frostbite is quite severe. It will probably take at least a month to heal. During your recovery, it's best to avoid sun exposure and wind!"
Zhao Chengkai's eyes flashed; Shen Lanxi was going to put them under house arrest!
"Lord Shen is absolutely right. Dongchuan is freezing cold, and we won't be able to set off for another month or two. This is a good opportunity for the two of us to recuperate!"
Shen Lanxi: "It seems that Lord Zhao is familiar with the climate of Dongchuan!"
"Someone, take the two military supervisors to a quieter courtyard to recover from their injuries!"
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