Winter comes, plus a temporary truce. In the past few days, many generals who are away from home have returned to Chengdu to report on their duties.
In the direction of Dingzhou, Chen Zhong, who was the deputy general of Dongfang Jing, also hurried back and entered the palace immediately without going home.
"That's it. After the little military adviser made a plan, he made a surprise attack on Dayuan Pass. But on the other side of Beiyu, the sheepherders and Shen Tuguan also stationed their troops at the border of Lizhou and stepped up the repairs of the city gate in the winter. The little military adviser said that after next year, , it is very likely that the Beiyu people will try their best to recapture Dayuan Pass."
When Dongfang Jing steps into the inner city, the people of Beiyu will definitely not give up.
"In addition, the young military advisor also said that in the area outside Lizhou, which is different from the dense forest buffer area in Dingzhou, the cavalry camp can be used to kill the enemy."
Xu Mu understood clearly. After setting foot in Lizhou, if there is a war next year, there will probably be a mounted battle. Judging from the current situation, after acquiring Yanzhou, Beiyu's cavalry has become an organized force.
Of course, there are also horses produced in Liang in Western Shu. There is no doubt that there will be a fight between the two. At that time, Wei Feng's three thousand heavy cavalry should also make a move.
Xu Mu even knew that in order to defend Dayuan Pass, Dongfang Jing had sent people to recruit troops in winter. The military strength and armor are not as good as those of Beiyu. This has always been a big problem in Western Shu.
"Chen Zhong, when you go back, bring a letter to the little military advisor for me." Xu Mu thought for a while and spoke. The current front lines of Xishu are almost all located in Dingzhou. It is conceivable that Dongfang Jing’s mission is very important.
Xu Mu had a plan to transfer several powerful generals, such as Fan Lu and Yan Yong, who was preparing to return to the Central Plains, to Dongfang Jing's side and listen to his orders. That's why I wrote a letter first to make an announcement.
After handing over the letter and a few more instructions, Xu Mucai smiled and waved, letting Chen Zhong go and reunite with his family.
Sitting in the palace, in just one day, many generals came back one after another to report on their duties. But among them, Xu Mu did not wait for the person he was most looking forward to.
"Sun Xun, Brother Tiger is coaxing you again?"
"indeed."
"Where is my long bow?"
"My lord, I forgot. General Xu got married this year and is probably staying at home."
"Where's Dog Fu?"
"I went to Qishili Cemetery, probably to pay homage to the old military advisor."
It can't be said that he was disappointed, but in fact, in Xu Mu's heart, there was still a lot of joy. Starting from Wangzhou and following his old brother all the way, he finally fulfilled his promise and gave these people a good life.
Even Xi Niang has now become the eldest nanny of the palace, equivalent to the head of internal affairs.
"Sun Xun, come with me for a walk."
…
Under the cold air of Chengdu, Xu Mu left the palace, and not long after, he took Sun Xun to the back mountain where the General Hall was located.
Under an old tree in the back mountain, there was a young man whose hair had just been tied up. He was silent at first, but when he saw Xu Mu approaching, his eyes turned red from crying.
"Matthew...meet my lord."
"Get up." Xu Mu sighed.
In front of him was Lao Huang's second son. Although Lao Huang liked to send out many protons during his lifetime, in fact, there were only three real sons of flesh and blood.
Huang Zhizhou, Huang Zhixiu, and a child died young.
The Huang family lineage is of extraordinary significance to Western Shu. In other words, in the end, Huang Zhixiu was the only one left in the Huang family.
"With my Xu family in Western Shu, neither I nor the young master Xu Qiao will treat the Huang family badly in the future."
"Thank you, King Shu..."
"You don't need to be a general, go through life and death, your father has already made great achievements in heaven——"
"Lord, I want to be a general." Huang Zhixiu shook his head firmly, "Let me study in the general hall. I am willing to uphold my father and brother... uphold my father's legacy and serve Western Shu."
"If Master Huang hears your mood, he will smile." Xu Mu consoled him. Deep down in his heart, he was unwilling to agree and let such a single Huang family member go to the battlefield where life or death was uncertain.
His old friend is dead, and his son should enjoy the blessings left behind.
"My lord, my father once left me a message to pass on to my lord." After a pause, Huang Zhixiu suddenly spoke again, "My father said that if he goes to Kezhou and cannot come back, he asked me to tell him on his behalf."
"Please say."
"My Huang family has a merchant army. My late father's intention...is for me to hand it over to my lord. In addition, there is a map with twenty-seven grain burial places marked on it."
Xu Mu was silent for a moment. Didn't he know what Lao Huang meant? He was worried that Huang Zhixiu couldn't control it and would get into trouble in Xishu in the future by relying on these things. But handing it over at this time is tantamount to making another great contribution.
"No, Zhixiu, you keep it." Xu Mu shook his head. It goes without saying much about what Lao Huang left behind, but now he doesn't want to do anything unjust.
"My lord, my late father said that if my lord doesn't accept me, then let me...leave Chengdu, leave Xishu, and become a wealthy man in a remote place from now on."
"How can I rest assured in this world?" Xu Mu's face was bitter. Lao Huang had settled everything and tied his family firmly to the ship in Xishu.
"I'll keep it for you for now. When you get older, I'll give it back to you."
"That's not the case." Huang Zhizhou shook his head again, "The grain burying land is okay, but this merchant helmsman army may be of great use, my lord."
"How can I say rest?"
In Western Shu, there are also many officials and businessmen. In order to help Xi Shu make money, these officials and businessmen traveled to almost thirty states in the world.
"He is a business rudder in the open, but a spy in the dark."
Xu Mu was shocked. Most of the time, Lao Huang could always get first-hand information. He even found out about the four slaves in the world back then. It can be seen that this business rudder army is not simple.
"Although there are only three thousand people, the farthest outpost has already reached the sea of sand."
"I have heard that the Rong people of the Shahai tribe do not like the Central Plains people and have always regarded the Central Plains people as their formidable enemies."
"That's true. But in fact, my Huang family has an acquaintance in Shahai. That acquaintance is a distant relative of my Huang family, the same generation as my father. Originally, in the tribe of Shahai Rong people, they were depressed and frustrated. With my father’s secret support, I slowly began to take power in Shahai.”
"Your Huang family's distant relative is from the Central Plains. Why would he go to the Shahai Sea?" Xu Mu was puzzled.
"My father's intention was to wait until the matter was successful before telling the lord... But he went first and asked me to tell him. He said that this matter was not very sure. If he said it casually while he was still alive, it would make the lord Suspicious."
Xu Mu was silent for a while. For him, although Lao Huang was not as good as Jia Zhou, he would never become suspicious casually. Unless it is, there's something confusing about this thing.
"Zhixiu, can you tell me the name of your uncle Huang?"
Huang Zhixiu nodded, "My lord must know him, and my father has already found out about it. Refuse Beidi, Beidi State Master Huang Daochun."
"Huang Daochun... Master Zaozao?"
As worthy of his peers, Lao Huang is called Huang Daochong.
Xu Mu raised his palm and really wanted to scratch his ears.
