Cheng Qianye convened a small military meeting centered around Zhang Fu, Helan Zhen and himself.
The atmosphere of the meeting was solemn.
Cheng Qianye asked He Lanzhen: "How is it? Can the new army go into battle?"
He Lanzhen pounded the table: "It has to be done no matter what. Are we going to watch Lao Yu and the others die?"
"Mei Zang Peizhen's speed is faster than we thought. With an army of 50,000, plus the troops from Weiming Mountain, I'm afraid Xiao Sikou and General Yu won't be able to hold on for a few days." Zhang Fu lost his usual calmness and frowned.
"The new army has been hastily built, and it lacks both experience and morale. I am worried..."
Zhang Fu didn't finish his words, but everyone knew what he meant.
The army, which was hastily assembled from slaves and new recruits and has only been hastily trained for a short period of time, was going to fight against the Quanrong, an army that was famous for its ability to fight and fight well. The outcome was really hard to predict.
"This is it." Cheng Qianye made the final decision, "I will set off with General Helan, and you, Zhang Fu, will stay in Jiangcheng and be responsible for the logistics of military supplies and fodder."
Several generals present stood up to dissuade him.
"My lord, you can't do that."
"My lord, you are a man of many gold. You cannot sit still in the hall. How can you go into danger in person?"
From this we can also see that they were not very confident about this battle.
Helan Zhen clasped his fists and said, "My lord, you are the hope of our Great Jin, you must not put yourself in danger. My lord, rest assured, I, Helan Zhen, swear to do my best in this battle. If you cannot win, you will come to me with your head."
"I want to go with you because I trust you." Cheng Qianye stood up and pressed his shoulder. "I have made up my mind. If you have confidence in yourself, don't stop me."
Zhang Fu pondered for a moment and supported Cheng Qianye's decision: "The Lord's personal expedition is indeed an encouragement to these new recruits who have never been on the battlefield. At least, with the Lord accompanying them, those slaves will know that they are not being sent to die. Inspired by the new policy, they may really be able to inspire unexpected fighting power. It's just that domestically..."
"We can only rely on you, Mr. Zhang, for domestic affairs." Cheng Qianye clasped her fists towards Zhang Fu. She knew that things in the rear were sometimes more complicated than charging into battle on the front lines. If it weren't for Zhang Fu, she would really have no one to trust.
"With my prestige as a lord, it would be useless even if I stayed in the country. On the contrary, if I go to the front, my mother and the Yang family will have to do their best to support us." Cheng Qianye looked at Zhang Fu, "My mother, Yang Ji, is a hesitant and soft-hearted person. Brother Zhang, you must always pay attention to her and make her stand firmly on our side."
Zhang Fu said nothing. He bowed his head and took on this complicated and difficult burden.
Before the army set out, Madam Yang held Cheng Qianye's hand tightly and cried until her eyes were red.
"Don't be sad, mother. This is the time for me to make great achievements. I am my father's blood. I will surely inherit my father's aspirations, promote my father's prestige, and create a prosperous era for our Great Jin."
"But...but." Madam Yang was choked with sobs.
Cheng Qianye patted her hand and whispered in her ear, "I've never asked mother where my brother's coffin is buried? How will I explain my sudden disappearance to the outside world?"
Madam Yang wiped her tears and said, "Don't worry. In order to keep it secret, we could only hastily build a grave without any words or tombstone. Now, no one knows where it is except me. As for you, I couldn't bear to tell others that you were dead. I only told others that Qianye... Qianye was lost in the war."
"Thanks to mother's prudentness and hard work for me, I can have the current situation. This time I am going to the front line, and I can only rely on mother in the rear." Cheng Qianye squatted on the ground, holding Madam Yang's hands tightly, looking up at her, "I can't let go of mother in my heart. Zhang Fu, the internal envoy of Zhisu, is the person left to me by my father. He has always been loyal to me and is enough for me to rely on. If mother encounters any troubles, you can ask him."
"Okay, okay, I'll remember it, my son, don't worry."
Cheng Qianye felt relieved for a moment, and then he thought of something else, "Children are attached to their parents. Even at this age, the child still can't bear to leave his mother. Since Concubine Xu has given birth to a child, mother should spare her life. The child has already lost his biological father, and we can't let him lose his biological mother as well."
Madam Yang nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to my son."
After comforting Madam Yang, Cheng Qianye came to Yao Tianxiang's bedroom. Yao Tianxiang was dressed in military uniform and was directing the servants to pack their luggage.
"Tianxiang," Cheng Qianye called her, "Do you really want to go with me?"
Yao Tianxiang turned around and smiled, "Of course, how could I not accompany my husband to the battle?"
"Do you want to leave me alone with your lover?" She walked over, tapped Cheng Qianye on the forehead, leaned in and whispered, "If I'm not here with you, if you encounter any problems again, you won't even have someone to cover you up. How inconvenient is that?"
"This battle is extremely dangerous, and I am not completely confident. I really don't want you to take the risk with me."
"Qianyu. You said we are friends." Yao Tianxiang rested her chin on Cheng Qianye's shoulder, "Not only do you consider me a friend, I also consider you as my best sister."
If Cheng Qianye hadn't seen Sima Tu's sour expression, he would have wanted to reach out and hug Yao Tianxiang's shoulders.
Sometimes, she showed kindness to others simply out of a natural love for beautiful colors, without thinking about what she might get in return.
But often these people with pure hearts and distinct personalities will inadvertently give her greater warmth and surprises.
…
The bright battle flags covered the sky and the army set out.
Mo Qiaosheng rode a horse behind Helan Zhen.
"Xiao Mo, you have to work hard," He Lanzhen said, "This new policy is your chance. You will definitely be able to stand out and soar to the sky. I am very optimistic about you."
Mo Qiaosheng: "Thank you for your kindness, General."
"Not only me, but the lord also has high expectations for you." He Lanzhen looked at Mo Qiaosheng and smiled, "The lord really has a keen eye for talent. How did he spot a rough diamond in you at first sight?"
Mo Qiaosheng lowered his head.
"I know there are a lot of gossips. They say the lord favors you." Helan Zhen was in the mood to chat, so he slowed down his horse and rode side by side with Mo Qiaosheng. "But I know that's not the case. The lord values your talent and your combat ability. You will definitely shut up those gossipers in this battle. Fight for the lord."
Mo Qiaosheng's face turned slightly red.
"Haha, those people are all fools. You go to the training ground before dawn every day and stay there until the moon is high in the sky before returning. You are so energetic and vigorous that no one can compare to you. It is obvious that you can never serve the lord at night."
The men in the army were rough and forthright, and when they chatted, they kept telling dirty jokes. He Lanzhen realized that he had gone too far in his jokes, so he quickly tried to make amends.
"Xiao Mo, you like women, right?"
Mo Qiaosheng's face turned even redder.
"Could it be... that you are still a virgin?" He Lanzhen laughed and punched him on the shoulder. "It's okay. After the battle, I will take you to have some meat. The women in Tianxiang Pavilion in Bianzhou are all very beautiful."
"Woman..." Mo Qiaosheng was silent.
He has always liked women, and he has vaguely hoped to have a woman of his own. He likes the softness and gentleness of women, and has fantasized about the soft and beautiful body of women that is completely different from that of men.
Mo Qiaosheng remembered the kiss.
At that moment, he forgot everything, regardless of gender, identity, status... All his concerns were wiped out in an instant.
That extreme feeling turned his entire world upside down.
He pursed his lips slightly and said, "I can give everything to get this."
but if…
He curled his fingers.
Outside Bianzhou city.
General Yu Dunsu, who was guarding the city, was seriously injured and was carried off the city wall while unconscious.
Ah Feng stood on the city wall, holding his bow, looking at the dark enemy camp in the distance.
The enemy troops that have just retreated are likely to organize a new charge immediately.
"Feng, Ah Feng."
There was a crisp voice calling him.
Ah Feng turned around and saw Xiao Qiu's usually fair and tender face, which had been smoked by the wolf smoke and looked like a tabby cat.
Her little hands tried their best to hold a basket of food, and she took one out and held it in front of her, "Come on, eat something."
"Why are you here?" Ah Feng frowned, "It's very dangerous here, where is your sister?"
"Sister is also busy, everyone came to help." Xiao Qiu stuffed the food in her hand into his arms, stuffing one and then another, "Sister said that the lord is a good lord, Bianzhou is a good place, Bianzhou can't be lost, if we lose it, everyone's land will be gone."
Ah Feng stared at the city wall. A leg of the wall was missing, and countless civilians who came to help spontaneously were working to repair it.
In the distance, Wei Mingshan, the enemy general who had seriously injured General Yu, organized a team of cavalry and was galloping towards the city gate with great momentum.
"Yes, Bianzhou cannot be lost."
Ah Feng took a bite of the food in her hand, picked up her □□, and walked down the city.