In the mansion, Bai Yan, Yao Jia and Xun Shuo, followed by Zhang, came to the courtyard. There were already more than ten men wearing commoners and holding sharp swords standing in the courtyard.
"Master Yao, these are the elites in the scout camp! They will escort you on this trip to investigate Zhan's whereabouts!"
Bai Yan looked at the dozen or so people in the yard, turned to look at Yao Jia and said.
This is Bai Yan selecting skilled soldiers from the scout camp. Since Yao Jia has come to Zhongwu City, Bai Yan will naturally not stop Yao Jia from searching for people. However, as for the matter of Yunzhong Academy, it concerns the world's scholars.
Yan will not tell Yao Jia.
The most difficult thing to guard against is the human heart! The human heart is sinister, which is why Bai Yan set the academy in the Yunzhong Mountains instead of the fiefdom of Luoyin.
"Thank you, General Bai!"
Yao Jia bowed his hands to Bai Yan, full of gratitude.
Although the news about Wang Ben has come, leading troops to fight is not something Yao Jia is good at. Last night, Yao Jia thought about it and was always worried about Qi. He really found the old man and persuaded him to return to Qi.
Therefore, Yao Jia made up his mind to track down Zhan's whereabouts.
"Master Yao, this trip is dangerous. There are soldiers with all kinds of martial arts here, so be careful! Bai Yan has sent orders to the generals everywhere. If Master Yao needs it, the garrison generals of each city will send troops!"
Bai Yan returned the gift with his hands in hand.
This time it is not that Bai Yan is reluctant to give more people, but that there are too many people for Yao Jia, and Yao Jia cannot use them. Yao Jia is here to investigate clues and trace the whereabouts of the Zhan family, not to fight, and besides, various places in Eastern Chu
There was a shortage of food. The more people Yao Jia brought, the higher the supply of grain and millet he would need, which would make it inconvenient to investigate.
"Thank you, General Bai! Yao Jia is a small person, but he is a general. Beware of Xiang Yan. Xiang Yan leads the troops and is not weak to General Wang Jian!"
Yao Jia nodded, looked at Bai Yan, sighed, and shook his head.
Seeing Bai Yan worried about his own safety, Yao Jia was even more worried about Bai Yan. Although he didn't know Bai Yan's plan, based on Yao Jia's understanding of Bai Yan, he vaguely guessed that with the arrival of Wang Ben's bamboo slips, Bai Yan and Bai Yan
Xiang Yan's decisive battle will definitely happen soon.
Thinking of this, Yao Jia was very worried. It was not that he underestimated Bai Yan, but that Yao Jia knew Chu General Xiang Yan too well, not to mention that this was the territory of Chu State!
"Bai Yan, remember this!"
Bai Yan cupped his hands and nodded.
Yao Jia sighed and raised his hand.
"The battle between General Bai and Xiang Yan this time is related to the dispute between Qin and Chu. If the general wins, the king's wish to rule the world will not be long! Yao Jia is here, and I hope the general wins as soon as possible!"
After Yao Jia finished speaking, he looked at Bai Yan.
"Farewell!"
Yao Jia and Bai Yan saluted each other, bowed slightly, and then turned around and walked out of the yard. When the scouting general saw Yao Jia leaving, he looked at Bai Yan and raised his hand to salute. After seeing Bai Yan nod, he
He led the soldiers and left behind Yao Jia.
"Yao Jia is different from the impression!"
Xun Shuo watched Yao Jia leave and said to Bai Yan.
As a descendant of Xun Shuo and a member of the gentry clan, whether in Chu State, Qi State, or Zhao State, Xun Shuo's impression of Yao Jia was actually not very good, not only because of his background, but also because of Yao Jia's previous experience.
What Wei and Zhao did, and what they did after Qin gained power, they traveled around the country, and finally they persecuted Han Feizi.
"I thought Yao Jia would be assassinated last night!"
Bai Yan heard Xun Shuo's words and looked at Xun Shuo beside him.
In addition to the Korean prince, Han Feizi also had another identity. He studied under Xunzi and was a disciple of Xunzi. Han Feizi was imprisoned because of Yao Jia and was eventually killed.
"Yao Jia knows that Shuo will not kill him!"
Xun Shuo shook his head, then looked at Bai Yan: "I sent Jiuding to Xianyang in the past, and then visited Li Si. If he wanted to avenge Han Feizi, Xun Shuo would not go to Li Si's mansion!"
As he spoke, Xun Shuo's eyes looked a little sad.
Bai Yan could see that even if he let go of Han Feizi's death, it would still make Xun Shuo uncomfortable, and why he let go of his prejudice against Yao Jia probably had something to do with Li Si.
"If the general didn't know, how could he have said those words yesterday!"
Xun Shuo looked at Bai Yan helplessly.
Xun Shuo didn't believe that Bai Yan couldn't notice it. If Bai Yan didn't know, how could he have said what he said yesterday.
"I asked Xunzhou before!"
Bai Yan shrugged and did not deny it.
A long time ago, when Xunzhou followed Tian Ding as an envoy to Xianyang, he also went to see Li Si.
"General, are you really determined to stay in the city? But General Wang Ben has already led his troops south!"
Xun Shuo seemed to not want to mention the sad thing anymore, and then looked at Bai Yan and asked, with some worry on his eyebrows. After all, as Wang Ben entered the battlefield, the entire situation had changed drastically.
Qin once again became the attacking party.
And if Bai Yan defends during the attack, this situation will not only be dangerous for Wang Ben, but also Bai Yan will be in danger. Even if the army is defeated because of this, Bai Yan will bear the blame.
"Yao Jia is right. Xiang Yan leads the army and is not weak to Wang Jian. If it is a head-on battle, Bai Yan is not sure!"
Bai Yan heard Xun Shuo's inquiry, shook his head, explained softly, and told Xun Shuo that despite his previous battles with Xiang Yan, he had never been at a disadvantage, but in fact, he had always been passive.
Not only did Xiang Yan have 200,000 Chu troops under his command, but more importantly, he was still unsure of fighting Xiang Yan head-on.
"We need to wait until Xiang Yan leaves!"
When Bai Yan said this, he looked at Xun Shuo who was still confused: "Do you remember that Bai Yan gave Lord Changwen's head to Lord Changping before?"
After Bai Yan finished speaking, he looked towards the sky in the distance.
"Changpingjun rebelled against the Qin State because the king placed him in Yingchen, and he had a lot of resentment. However, Changwenjun served as a general in the Qin State, and the king never relinquished his power. Because of Changwenjun's prestige in the Qin State,
Due to his role in protecting the king and his long absence from Xianyang, Lord Changwen should know that the king will not do anything to him, but Lord Changwen has rebelled against Qin in the end!"
Bai Yan explained, turning his head and looking at the thoughtful Xun Shuo.
"Chu people hold grudges. In ancient times, Wu Zixu dug up graves and whipped corpses to take revenge. Bai Yan wants to see if Lord Changping is like this!"
Xun Shuo listened to Bai Yan's words and after reacting, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. However, after understanding Bai Yan's thoughts, he felt relieved.
"Why didn't you tell Yao Jia?"
Looking at the courtyard where Yao Jia had just left, Xun Shuo looked at Bai Yan with some curiosity. After all, Bai Yan did not seem to inform Yao Jia about this matter.
Bai Yan heard Xun Shuo's question and looked at the sky above the yard.
"Yao Jia is old! Yao Jia also knows that when the Chu State is defeated and the Qin State dominates the world, it will be at your fingertips. At that time, what you have learned in your life will no longer be put to use. Today's status and the king's favor will eventually be lost. Just then
Can you see the melancholy in Yao Jia's eyes as he speaks?"
Bai Yan turned his head to look at Xun Shuo, looking at the empty yard under Xun Shuo's gaze.
"The old man Qi is looking for is one of the few Yao Jia who can share the king's worries about important matters!"
When Bai Yan said this, there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Thinking back to the first time I met Yao Jia, he was still in Korea. He was just a general who escorted Yao Jia on his envoy to Xinzheng. But under the city of Xinzheng, what kind of person did Yao Jia look like?
He stood in front of the carriage in high spirits, holding a staff and looking at the Han generals and soldiers in Xinzheng City without any fear. At that time, Yao Jia had black hair and long beard, without a trace of white worry.
At that time, Xi Yuan did not die in battle, and neither did Zhao Yang. Jiang Shang, who never liked to talk much but liked to draw his sword, was still alive. There was still plain wilderness under the Gaonu Mountains, and the four thousand soldiers did not sleep there...
"Yao Jia was not the one to lead the army. Now that the decisive battle is imminent, why should we know too much? After all, the fall of Chu is a foregone conclusion, even if we are defeated!"
Bai Yan looked at Xun Shuo, who was in a daze beside him.
In Yao Jia's heart, was he really willing to see the Chu Kingdom perish? No one dared to say 'unwilling', but no one dared to guarantee that he was 'willing'.
Maybe some choices should not be left in Yao Jia's hands, but it would be a good thing for Yao Jia.
Bai Yan thought of this, turned around and walked towards the study.
"..."
Xun Shuo looked at Bai Yan's back as he turned to return to the study. He thought of Bai Yan's words and Bai Yan's actions. Xun Shuo knew clearly that Bai Yan's actions seemed to be a villain, but he did what a general should do.
!
But for some reason, looking at Bai Yan's back, Xun Shuo could feel at this moment that there seemed to be many things behind this young figure, things that neither he nor anyone else could see.
Inside Zhongwu City.
In a room, obscene sounds were heard one after another, and messy armor and women's clothing were everywhere on the floor, and could be seen everywhere next to the bed.
At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door, which immediately silenced the room.
"General Cai! General Bai Yan, let the general pass!"
The voice of the soldiers came from outside the door. After a while, as the door opened, Cai Yu, with a little messy hair and shortness of breath, hurried out of the door. After taking a look inside the room, he turned to look at the soldiers and frowned.
"Didn't General Bai say that everyone is resting in the city today to recuperate?"
Cai Yu asked curiously.
When Qin soldiers heard this, they shook their heads at Cai Yu, indicating that he didn't know either, and the person who came to report didn't say anything.
"Ready your horse!"
Upon seeing this, Cai Yu asked his newly promoted confidant to prepare his horse. After all, it was Bai Yan who asked him to go there. Although he didn't know what was going on, Cai Yu didn't dare to delay.
That night in Zhongli's mansion, Cai Yu will never forget. He was held by a cavalryman with a sword on his neck. He watched other generals who disobeyed Bai Yan's orders at all and were killed and fell to the ground, turning into corpses.
What makes people feel sad is that Bai Yan already knew about Zong's rebellion.
Now, seeing that he followed Bai Yan, led troops to encircle and destroy the Chu army, achieved great success, and killed Jing Qi and the traitor Chang Wenjun, Cai Yu felt even more grateful that Bai Yan had let him go.
If it weren't for Bai Yan, how could he be where he is today.
"Stay here, I'll go see General Bai!"
Cai Yu looked at the pretty woman coming out of the room and said softly that it was not strange for a general to have fun in the city. Moreover, this pretty woman was a gift from Zhongli, so she was already his woman.
"General, come back quickly!"
The woman's cheeks were somewhat rosy, her watery eyes, and her charming appearance made Cai Yu's heart feel hot and he cursed secretly. If Bai Yan hadn't been looking for him, Cai Yu would have stayed away all day.
After asking the woman to wait here, Cai Yu calmed down, turned around and walked towards the outside of the small garden.
Half an hour later.
In the city guard's mansion, Cai Yu followed the cavalry officers in the mansion all the way to the study room, where he saw Bai Yan sitting on his knees in front of the wooden table, handling bamboo slips.
"Cai Yu, meet the general!"
Cai Yu saluted Bai Yan and looked at Bai Yan curiously, wondering why Bai Yan suddenly called him over.
When Bai Yan saw Cai Yu arriving, he stood up slowly, holding a roll of bamboo slips, and asked Cai Yu to follow him to the hanging cloth map.
"I have an important responsibility, would you like to take a trip?"
Bai Yan looked at Butu, turned around, looked at Cai Yu and asked.
"Cai Yu dare not disobey General Bai's order!"
Cai Yu was a little surprised, but then he saluted Bai Yan and said seriously that this was not a joke. He would never hesitate to kill anyone Bai Yan asked him to kill.
"Go to Daliang!"
Bai Yan looked at Cai Yu's actions and handed the bamboo slips in his hand to Cai Yu.
Seeing Cai Yu take the bamboo slips, Bai Yan turned around, raised his hand, and pointed at the place where Wei had been.
"Just now I have ordered people to send letters to Dang County to recruit large armies from various cities and towns. Remember, go to Daliang, recruit soldiers and horses, and then disperse them. If you recruit 100,000 people, you will spread the news, saying that only
Recruit 50,000! If we recruit 150,000, we can only say 70,000!"
After Bai Yan finished speaking, he turned to look at Cai Yu.
"As soon as you get the order, lead your troops southward!"
Bai Yan ordered.
After the fall of the Wei Kingdom, Ying Zheng established 21 large cities, including Chenliu, Yongqiu, Daliang, and Shanfu County, as Dang County. However, he has not yet dispatched ministers to serve as county guards in Dang County.
When Cai Yu heard this, he looked at Bai Yan with shock in his pupils. He never expected that Bai Yan would hand over such an important matter to him. This was almost a free effort. Normally, it was usually used for
Promote confidants.
Cai Yu thought for a while, if he could do this well and add on his previous achievements, he might be a general when he returns to Xianyang one day.
General!!!
This is something he would have never dared to think about in twenty years, or even in this life, under his command.
"No! Cai Yuding will live up to the general's order!"
Cai Yu's face was full of shock, and he looked at Bai Yan with a moved expression. He raised his hands, knelt on the ground with both legs, and bowed to Bai Yan.
Perhaps only those who have gained a new life after experiencing despair can understand Cai Yu's gratitude to Bai Yan.
"I believe you!"
Bai Yan looked at Cai Yu who was kneeling down, helped Cai Yu up, looked at Cai Yu's excited eyes, and asked Cai Yu to leave earlier.
a moment later
Bai Yan watched Cai Yu leave the study, looked away, and looked at the location of Pengcheng on the map.
It was also time to see the results of letting those Wei soldiers who had made meritorious service go back. In the cold winter, people everywhere were short of food. Not to mention the Wei generals who had made meritorious service and were rewarded with titles at the beginning, but later all the Wei soldiers were rewarded.
It is hard not to be tempted by the reward for the people who are short of food and have difficulty surviving the winter.
Bai Yan didn't care whether those people could fight or not.
At this time, in Bai Yan's eyes, the situation was completely different from before. Naturally, the soldiers did not have to be elite. At this time, the more soldiers, the better.
Bai Yan didn't tell Cai Yu just now. In addition to the letter sent to Daliang to Rui Wei, Bai Yan also wrote another letter and ordered it to be sent to Pengcheng and handed over to Huipu. He ordered Huihui to immediately collect all the clothes and armor and try every means
, secretly made Qi Jia.
Regardless of whether he dismantles all Wei Jia, or finds a way to bribe Qi officials and exchange Wei Jia's armor for Qi Jia, Bai Yan must at least see no less than 100,000 Qi troops appear before the decisive battle with Xiang Yan.
On the battlefield, the 30,000 soldiers led by him must at least be able to withstand the Chu army's offensive.
It is not difficult to recruit 30,000 soldiers who are good at fighting. We can just secretly summon the old Wei generals. In Suiyang City, those generals have already shown their momentum and are not afraid of the Chu army at all. The real difficulty is Qi Jia.
"Whether we can win a decisive battle with Xiang Yan and defeat Xiang Yan will probably depend on whether these 100,000 Qi troops can appear!"
Bai Yan looked at the map, thinking about all the changes that would happen in the future.
………………
After Yao Jia and Cai Yu left.
In the next five days, Bai Yan stayed in Zhongwu City and never left again.
During this period, good news also came from Hongcheng. The Chu army, which had "more than 100,000 soldiers and horses," was all defeated and fled. Countless "subjugated soldiers" were captured, and they had more than 10,000 pieces of armor.
When Bai Yan saw the news, he immediately led Guan Shou to disguise himself and went to Hongcheng to secretly send all the clothes and armor to Pengcheng.
Inside Zhongwu City.
Outside Zhongli's mansion, a dense crowd of men lined up, waiting to receive the reward.
"After decades of living, this is the first time I see Zhongli making money!"
"No! It's a pity that this is the first time I've encountered such a thing. If I could thank you for the opportunity, I would be willing to run a few more times!"
All the civilian men queuing up were all the more than 30,000 people of Zhongwu City who had left the city before. For the reward in front of them, all of them ran to Zhongwu City desperately a few days ago. No one dared to fall behind on the road.
It is an exaggeration to say that no army in the world can run faster than them.
"It's all there, it's all there, don't worry!"
"What's your name?"
In front of the mansion, behind the wooden tables, Zhongli's servants were busy holding pens and ink, verifying the names registered on them. Whenever someone received the reward, the servants would take the pens and ink and cross them out.
The name above has a special mark, so anyone who pretends to claim it will be discovered.
If you forget where the special mark is, then whether you claim it in person or by pretending to be someone, you will miss out on the reward. Who dares to cause trouble? There are Qin soldiers guarding boxes full of coins behind them, and the sharp swords on their waists are all used to kill people.
.
"How much is left?"
Zhong Lihao stood under the gate of the mansion, looking at the countless noisy and excited people outside the door, turned to look at the old servant, frowned and asked.
"Sir, we are almost out of distribution! There are not many left!"
The old servant said to Zhong Lihao.
Hearing this, Zhong Lihao took a deep breath and looked at the boxes of empty wooden boxes in the distance, discarded like a mountain. He sighed, with some despair in his eyes.
Seeing the Zhongli family's wealth dispersed before his eyes, Zhonglihao said it was a lie if he said he wasn't heartbroken, but Zhonglihao, who was already tied to Bai Yan, had no choice but to make any effort. If Bai Yan was defeated,
, not to mention family wealth, it is difficult for everyone in their clan to save their lives.
At the moment, I just hope that Bai Yan can defeat Xiang Yan. If there is a chance, when the Qin Kingdom recovers and they conquer Shouchun, the capital of the Chu Kingdom, they will find a way to repay him.
"Go to the castle guard's mansion!"
Zhonglihao looked heartbrokenly at the wooden boxes that were previously filled with money, but now there was nothing. Finally, he decided that it would be better not to look at them.
In the city guard's mansion.
When Zhonglihao saw Bai Yan, he saw a beautiful woman standing timidly beside the wooden table in the study room, looking down at Bai Yan, holding the corners of her clothes with both hands.
"General Bai!"
Zhonglihao stepped forward and saluted Bai Yan.
"Hao Junzi!"
Bai Yan looked at Master Xu, sighed, and then bowed his hands to Zhong Lihao.
Bai Yan had never thought that when he saw him losing his mind that day, he would take the decision without permission and order the soldiers to tell Master Xu about the matter. As a result, Master Xu, who had already left long ago, hurriedly returned to Zhongwu City.
"How about the reward?"
After Bai Yan asked Zhongli Hao to take a seat, he asked.
Zhonglihao nodded, and then told Bai Yan that the rewards had been distributed, but as he spoke, Zhonglihao's wry smile and the distress in his eyes could not be concealed.
This is real heartache, 30,000 people!
Even though the Zhongli family is a century-old wealthy family in Zhongwu City, with shops, restaurants, land, etc. that are unparalleled by ordinary noble families, after such squandering, their savings have been basically wiped out, not to mention that no one in the family line has saved money before.
host.
"Don't worry, Mr. Hao, for today's loss, the king will definitely not treat the Zhongli family badly!"
Bai Yan could also see Zhonglihao's helplessness, raised his hand and said, draw cakes for Zhonglihao.
Bai Yan had nothing to do before. Even if he didn't pay, even if he chased him with a knife, the people would not run as fast as they could. They would even find an opportunity to disperse in a hurry. If there was the slightest flaw, Chu General Xiang Yan, Fan Zeng and other staff would definitely be killed.
Abnormalities will be detected.
Only if the people themselves are willing to fight to the death can the Chu army not doubt it.
"As long as the general defeats the Chu army, Hao doesn't ask for anything in return, just money!"
Zhonglihao raised his hands and said.
Conversation room.
Bai Yan turned around and saw Master Xu with his head lowered, carefully holding tea and pouring it for him and Zhong Lihao.
Looking at Master Xu's appearance, Bai Yan didn't know what to say at this moment. Not to mention that he would lead his troops to leave soon to fight the Chu army. There were assassins everywhere in Zhongwu City. Master Xu was good and vicious, but the face
Master Xu was powerless against assassins.
During this period of time, no fewer than ten servants have been killed in the mansion. All servants were killed by assassins, even the Zhongli family's mansion was no exception.
Knowing that the servants of the city guard were all brought back from the Zhongli clan, the assassins all wanted to become servants and get closer to him. Those assassins were ruthless and knew that the Zhongli clan could not do without their servants. For the slightest chance, they almost wanted to kill everyone in the city.
The governor and hundreds of Zhongli's servants.
As for the battlefield, let alone how dangerous it was, Master Xu not only couldn't ride a horse, but the situation on the battlefield could change instantly. Even a warrior who was good at fighting would be devoured by the enemy and hacked to death with random swords.
"General!"
Bai Yan looked at Master Xu. Master Xu buried his head deeper and did not dare to look at Bai Yan. Fortunately, at this time, a soldier hurriedly came to the study.
"The scouts came to report and found that the Chu army seemed to have withdrawn from Boshan!"
The soldiers came to Bai Yan and reported to Bai Yan.
Zhong Lihao was startled when he heard this, and then looked at Bai Yan.
"Why did the Chu army withdraw?"
Zhongli Hao was full of doubts.
When Bai Yan heard the soldiers' report, he moved his eyes away from Xu Shi's pretty face and heard Zhong Lihao's words.
"General Wang Ben has led his troops and marched south from Yingchuan! A few days have passed and Xiang Yan is anxious!"
Bai Yan said to Zhong Lihao.
Hearing this, Zhonglihao's breathing quickened, and then he looked straight at Bai Yan, but there were some words that Zhonglihao didn't dare to say, because he didn't dare and couldn't bear the responsibility.
"Xiang Yan..."
Bai Yan could naturally see Zhong Lihao's thoughts, his expression was thoughtful, but after a few breaths, Bai Yan shook his head.
"At this time, Xiang Yan must still be waiting for Bai Yan to send troops. If Xiang Yan wants to leave, how can he let the scouts know about it?"
Bai Yan judged that he was not in a hurry.
After confirming that Lord Changping would definitely want revenge, and letting go of Xiang Le and Xiang Quan, the two sons of the Xiang family, Bai Yan was not worried even if Xiang Yan had really led his troops to leave. As long as there were Chu troops left in the east of Chu
, Xiang Yan wants to defeat Wang Ben, it is not that simple.
He Bai Yan was inexperienced and did not dare to fight Xiang Yan head-on without preparation. But Wang Ben was different. As the son of the old general Wang Jian, not to mention the military books he had read since childhood and the familiar teachings he had learned over the years.
, accompanying the old general Wang Jian in the siege and battle. Wang Ben was very experienced in formation battles.
"Keep exploring!"
Thinking of this, Bai Yan turned his head and gave instructions to the soldiers.
"promise!"
After the general led the troops, he turned around and left.
Master Xu knelt down and sat aside, secretly looking at Bai Yan's side face, looking at the confident and calm Bai Yan, and then his beautiful eyes couldn't help but look at the scarred area on Bai Yan's hand.