Total war has begun.
This time, Xu Mu did not go, but stayed at Lingjuguan's base camp to respond to military reports at any time.
"In a few days, Chai Zong defeated many city gates. Of course, this should be related to the matter of the young master of Bingzhou. I guess it won't be too difficult to appease Bingzhou after the war."
Xu Mu nodded. The orphan son left by King Dingshu of Bingzhou now became the helper of the expedition against Liang. According to the original discussion with Jia Zhou, this orphan will be established as the king of Bingzhou. Of course, it's just a name, a name to stabilize Bingzhou.
As for Chao Yi, Xu Mu was not worried. Seriously speaking, the relationship between the Croats and Bingzhou is not a master-subordinate relationship, but more like a repayment of gratitude. The kindness of these seven buckets of mutton soup has been repaid eightfold.
"The Dong family has been operating in Liangzhou for many years and has raised many wealthy families. Not to mention the Dong family's branch clan members, there are also many other clans who will defend the counties and counties in Liangzhou, hoping to fight back."
It should be easier to merge the two states. But on the Liangzhou side, the resistance will be greater. But Xu Mu is not worried. Without the main force, the Liangzhou clan is like a mess and cannot become the mainstay.
What we need to be careful of are the forces outside the west.
Xu Mu only hoped that Yu Wen's army could move faster and return to Muyunzhou as soon as possible.
"Lord." A captain came from outside, "There is news from the patrol camp in Juguan. There are some cavalry outside and they want to enter the pass."
"How many people are there?" Xu Mu was startled.
"Said he came from Dingzhou."
"Dingzhou! Please enter the checkpoint quickly."
Dingzhou is also the place of Xu Mu’s ambition. Although Dingzhou is barren, it has a unique advantage. It is connected to the inner city for 200 miles to the south, and to the northeast, after passing through a section of desert, is the land of Hebei.
If Shuzhou wants to look up to the world in the future, Dingzhou is the best bridgehead among the western states.
Thinking he was an envoy, Xu Mugang was sitting in the central military tent when he saw a general with a weathered face, wearing broken armor, stepping in with steady steps.
Behind the general, there were several personal guards who were also wearing broken armor, but there was a hint of perseverance in their eyes.
"this--"
"Dingzhou Lu Xiu, pay your respects to the lord!" Lu Xiu, who was entering the tent, knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists without any pretense.
"Lu Xiu? You are Lu Changling!"
Xu Mu's eyes were startled, and he stood up hurriedly, held Lu Xiu's shoulders, and helped him up.
From Chai Zong's mouth, he had heard a lot about Lu Xiu. The country was in ruins, but it happened that such a person did not declare himself king and gather troops, but defended Dingbei Pass to resist the barbarians and horse bandits outside the pass.
Previously, Dingzhou was too far away. If not, Xu Mu would have already thought of a way to take Lu Xiu under his command.
"Thank you, my lord."
"Chang Ling, please call me... my lord." Xu Mu's face was vaguely excited. This Tiger of Dingzhou has already sounded like thunder.
Jia Zhou, who was next to him, followed him, with a rare expression of joy on his face.
“I’ve heard about the reputation of Dingzhou’s tiger, but when I saw it today, it was indeed extraordinary.”
"Mr. Poisonous Eagle is ridiculously complimentary."
Lu Xiu exhaled and rushed all the way, a journey of five or six days, but seeing the Lord's eagerness, he arrived at Lingju Pass in just over four days.
"Excuse me, take your seats."
Lu Xiu returned the favor again and sat firmly on the chair.
"Chang Ling, if I'm not mistaken, this is the first time you and I have met."
When he rejected Beidi and passed through Dingzhou, Lu Xiu happened to lead his troops out of the customs, and the two did not meet each other.
"We have been friends for a long time." Lu Xiu said, with a trace of sadness on his face, "To be honest, my lord, the old Marquis once left me a letter."
"The letter said that if one day, the lord becomes a heroic leader, he will let me lead the army and people of Dingzhou and join him under the lord's command. The lord's expedition to Liang this time is the general trend. I, Lu Xiu, am eager to worship the lord, so I will go there non-stop. Came here."
Listening, Xu Mu was moved.
Whether it was the young Marquis or the grandfather Li Rucheng, these two national saviors could always leave him with passion and welfare time after time.
"It is a great joy for me to receive a long-term order."
"Excuse me, you and I will drink tea instead of wine and toast the old Marquis together."
"As it should be."
This white-haired marquis who was promoted through military exploits did not let down the Central Plains throughout his life. The soldiers left behind in Dingzhou formed a long wall of flesh and blood, and the country was shattered, but they still defended Dingbeiguan and refused to give in.
After offering wine.
For a time, in the Chinese military tent, the relationship between Xu Mu and Lu Xiu seemed to become more cordial. In fact, Lu Xiu could have a second, better choice, such as Chang Shiro.
But Lu Xiu still chose Shuzhou.
"Chang Ling, I declare that you are the general of Fuyuan in Dingzhou, and you will still stay in Dingzhou to take charge of the overall situation. In addition, the military pay and food for the Dingbei Army will be supplied by Shuzhou from now on. When Liangdi San is pacified, Zhou, I will go to Dingzhou again to see this tiger army in Dingbeiguan."
The number of people is small. According to intelligence, there are less than 15,000 troops. It was this disadvantaged team that showed the majesty of the Central Plains.
Deep down in his heart, Xu Mu valued the Dingzhou Army extremely. The eight thousand men and horses previously taken from Li Rucheng gave him great help in the early stages of starting his business.
"In addition, in Dingzhou, like other states, a military merit system is implemented. If you kill barbarian bandits and promote military merit, I will have a big reward."
In the military tent, upon hearing this, not only Lu Xiu, but also several of the following guards had expressions of excitement.
It's not because of the big prize, but because they know that someone in the world finally understands them. Why should we defend Dingbeiguan and block the bandits without retreating?
"The final general will take charge of the Northern Army... Many thanks, lord."
"It's a long order, no need for courtesy."
In Xu Mu's heart, there is actually another problem. To conquer the three prefectures of Liangdi, plus Dingzhou, he needed generals to guard him.
Yu Wen and Dongfang Jing want to stay in Muyun State to guard against the Demon Queen.
As for Chao Yi, he didn't want to let it go. Cavalry generals were too scarce. Someone like Chao Yi will definitely become the head coach of the riding camp in the future. Wei Feng, as for Wei Feng, has basically been finalized and will become the leader of the White Armor Cavalry.
Others, such as Fan Lu and Han Jiu, were too rough and reckless to become generals in the state.
Of course, Xu Mu can also move the capital to the three states of Liangdi. But this plan is tantamount to picking up sesame seeds and throwing away watermelons. The real core of the western states can only be Shuzhou.
The land of granaries, the state of spread wings.
There is no direct lineage of the clan, no generals who have been loyal to generations of people, there is only a kind of trust. He was more willing to believe in the vision of the old Marquis Li Rucheng.
Xu Mu already had an idea in his heart.
"Jiang Ling, how many miles is Bingzhou away from Dingzhou?"
Lu Xiu was stunned for a moment, not understanding what Xu Mu meant.
"My lord, it's not that far away. If Guan takes the official route, he can go back and forth in less than a day."
"Very good."
"Lu Xiu listens to the order. From now on, in addition to Dingzhou, I will hand over Bingzhou to you, and you will be the general of the two states."
"The tiger of Dingzhou, Lu Changling, why dare not to become famous all over the world!"
