After staying in the Nanlin Mountains for four full days, Xu Mucai was still not satisfied and was ready to return to Chengdu.
Although the more than 60,000 surrendered soldiers have been conquered, they still need to be careful in everything. Calmly, Xu Mu first dispersed the fifty thousand mountain camp in the name of guarding, and then gathered it again when the war started next year.
As for the other Shuilong Third Battalion, Xu Mu planned to take them back to Chengdu and train them as part of his own army to march from Chengdu.
"Shen Chang, go and send orders to the Shuilong Third Battalion to prepare to return to Chengdu with this king."
Veteran Shen Chang has helped with a lot of things in the past few days. Although he is a little older, no matter what, the military formation in Xishu will eventually need some experienced veterans to lead the younger generations to fight.
"Lord Shen Chang's order."
Shen Chang raised his hands and clasped his fists seriously at Xu Mu.
"Go back to Chengdu!" Xu Mu said happily while riding on his horse. This trip into Nanlin County was completed. Sixty thousand surrendered troops joined Xi Shu. They would have a strong army for next year's war.
…
"Did the recruitment succeed?" In a side hall of Changyang Palace, Chang Sheng frowned and looked at Yan Pi beside him, as if he wanted to get an accurate answer.
"Little military advisor, it is indeed...the iron torture platform in Chengdu, and several similar pieces of information came from it."
Chang Sheng frowned.
Whether it is Beiyu or Xishu, they will understand that after next year, the two will face a greater level of duel.
"Sixty thousand people, King Xu Shu's methods reach the sky."
Next to him, not only Yan Pi, but also Huang Zhizhou, who had returned to Beijing to report on his work, also stood silently.
Chang Sheng was barefoot and thinly clothed, but at this moment, his body started to tremble a little. He suddenly discovered that one thing seemed to be getting more and more difficult.
"Although we could not be considered defeated in the winter battle last year, we, Beiyu, have already lost too many things."
"Little strategist... there is still a chance next year."
After listening, Chang Sheng raised his head and looked at the speaker.
"Zhizhou certainly has a lot to do next year. But King Xu Shu is making preparations step by step, and we, Beiyu, should have made preparations early."
Huang Zhizhou had no chance to participate in the previous high-level military meeting.
"Zhizhou, what do you suggest?"
Huang Zhizhou thought for a while and said, "If I am correct, next year Xishu will keep Lizhou, and Beiyu will take back Lizhou. It will inevitably be a life-and-death battle. There is no chance that it will be a decisive battle."
Chang Sheng looked pleased. This rebel general from Western Shu was conquered by him and conquered Beiyu. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is a direct descendant, and he is quite talented. Given time, it is impossible to say that he will become a famous general like Jiang Meng.
"Zhizhou, are you feeling better?"
Huang Zhizhou's face was moved, "Little military advisor, you are much better. In the past two days, you can hold a tea cup in your shoulders and arms."
Chang Sheng smiled and nodded.
He had some doubts about this matter. Later, a great doctor was specially invited to diagnose Huang Zhizhou. It was discovered that the wound was half an inch closer to the heart, and it was almost certain that he would die.
"Zhizhou, Madam is about to give birth."
"Thank you, Military Advisor, for asking. It's time. The government has invited a nanny to come and take care of her day and night." Huang Zhizhou raised his head and smiled excitedly, with a yearning look on his face.
"If it weren't for the military advisor... I, Huang Zhizhou, would have died in the hands of the Shu people."
"No need to be polite." Chang Sheng consoled him, "In next year's war, just make more contributions."
"Don't worry, military advisor! I, Huang Zhizhou, will never disappoint the little military advisor."
…
Huang Zhizhou, who came back from the palace and returned to the mansion, took off his armor with the help of two maids.
"Master, Madam asked you to come over."
"I know." Huang Zhizhou smiled.
But when the maid left, he did not move. He sat down silently and poured himself a cup of tea. Last night, he dreamed that when he returned to Chengdu, he would stand at the Seventy Miles Cemetery outside Chengdu, offering incense and worship to his father.
But when he woke up from the dream, he found that he was still staying in the General Protector's Mansion in Changyang.
"Huangqiu."
"Master." A figure walked in from outside.
"Has there been any letter from the Zhang family recently?"
"No, it seems that the servants of the Zhang family cannot go to the streets or deliver letters. Master also knows that as the New Year approaches, the security becomes more and more strict."
"Understood. If you meet a servant of the Zhang family, think of some way to disguise him as a doctor and please come into the house."
"Isn't it too dangerous... I'm afraid there are still hidden stakes at Commander Chang's side."
"My wife is about to give birth. It's normal for the doctor to enter the house. Just bury the plan. This winter, I have some things that I need to discuss with the head of the Zhang family."
The Zhang family does not have the surname Zhang, but the compound surname Dongfang.
While the two were talking, footsteps and laughter came from outside.
"Huangqiu, go."
The confidant left with fists in his hands.
Huang Zhizhou exhaled and stood up again, with a smile on his face again. He walked out and held the hand of a gorgeous woman.
"Madam, it's snowy and cold in winter, so please go back to the house and rest quickly."
Under the snowy scene, the world around him seemed to be white. Even the royal road outside the palace was also covered with a thick layer of white velvet.
"One year and one winter, I always win, but another year has been wasted."
Standing on the pavilion of the palace, Chang Sheng looked out at the scenery outside the palace and his voice was deep. Last year, he had determined to tear apart Xishu's defense line, but until now, there was still no progress.
Instead, he asked the lame man Dongfang Jing to take Dayuan Pass by chance.
"Military advisor, I'm back." Yan Pi came over.
Chang Sheng, whose thoughts were interrupted, was not angry.
"how."
"General Huang went home without making any diversions. This has been the case for the past few days."
"Where's the stake?"
"The same is true for the information about hidden stakes."
For some reason, Chang Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
"When the war starts next year, I will go and ask my lord for orders to let Huang Zhizhou lead the army. Jiang Meng died in the battle, and I always feel that other people in Beiyu, except Huang Zhizhou, are not up to the task."
"Little military advisor, it's time to promote General Huang again."
"I have this plan. You also know that according to Huang Zhizhou's ability, apart from Shen Tu Guan and Jiang Meng, there is no third general who can surpass his military strategy."
"I'll see you soon, little military advisor."
Chang Sheng was silent for a while, then spoke in a solemn voice, "But no matter what, Huang Zhizhou's wife and children in Changyang are like hostages in Beiyu. They cannot leave the inner city at will. Find some close people to do this."
"It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I always win and can never afford to lose again."
"Beiyu, Beiyu, when will the world be unified?"
…
