My Cultivation Starting from Archery-Chapter 686 - 220: The Yellow Robe, Planning_2

"Provisions, that's a serious issue..."

"Indeed, continuous campaigning has led to severe depletion."

Qi Cheng chimed in, "Moreover, the court issued a new decree last year, starting from this year, another half the production of Spiritual Grain will need to be planted. Now rebellions are breaking out everywhere, and although none are too significant, they're still troublesome."

"Little Chengzi,"

Xu Wencai, pointing at the map hanging on the wall, suddenly changed the subject, "How have you been getting on with the test question I left you last time?"

"Teacher, I dare not speak rashly."

Qi Cheng bowed his head, somewhat anxious.

The "test question" was daunting: it was about how, if he started a rebellion from Liangzhou, he could seize the world.

"What is there to fear!"

Xu Wencai rebuked, "A Military Family must dare to envision; only with daring ideas can one continue to hone and improve the ability to lead troops in battle. With your timidity, when will you achieve greatness?"

"Then... this junior will boldly spout some nonsense."

Qi Cheng approached the map, about to speak, when a loud voice came from outside.

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

"Xu Wencai, receive the decree!"

"..."

"Imperial edict?"

Qi Cheng hurriedly said, "Teacher, please go."

Xu Wencai and his disciple stepped outside the tent, only to see a eunuch holding an orange yellow scroll in both hands, with four or five guards standing silently in attendance.

"Your servant, Xu Wencai."

"Your servant, Qi Cheng."

"Attend to the decree."

The two lifted their robes and slowly knelt down.

Then,

the supervising eunuch opened the scroll, his sharp voice particularly loud:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Mr. Wo Long, Xu Wencai, has campaigned repeatedly and achieved numerous merits. Diligent and dedicated, he is truly a pillar of the court. Henceforth, he is conferred the title of Marquis Wuxiang."

Marquis!

Qi Cheng looked towards the old scholar, feeling happy for his teacher.

In fact,

when Xu Wencai had conquered Wei Country, it was already a deed worthy of Heavenly Merit. However, since his time in the court had been short, he was not excessively ennobled. Now, after several years, with many accumulated merits, though small individually, it was reasonable when added together.

The rewards were not yet over.

The eunuch continued reading,

"Furthermore, he is bestowed the rank of Standard First Rank and appointed as 'Commander of the Liangzhou Commanding Department,' in charge of the garrisons, North Prefecture, and Hongze Camps, assisting Marquis Lv Ji in governing Liangzhou."

In command...

Of the Hongze Camp!

"Your servant, Xu Wencai, expresses gratitude for the grace of Heaven."

"Long live, long live, long live our Emperor!"

Xu Wencai was overjoyed and kowtowed to express his thanks.

After the formalities were concluded, he pretended to be surprised and said, "Mr. Liu, stay a moment. I just remembered, isn't the 'Hongze Camp' the personal guard of Chen Sansi in white robes? Why is it under my command now?"

"Oh, that."

Mr. Liu, the eunuch, explained, "Don't overthink it. Supervisor Chen will still be supervisor, but he now needs to come to the capital for convalescence, and he will likely be a capital official in the future. This is a great promotion!"

Without elaborating further, he promptly turned and left after informing them of the situation.

"Teacher,"

Qi Cheng carefully said, "When Supervisor Chen comes to the capital this time, does it mean he will no longer return to the border? And only be sent temporarily as commander in times of war?"

"The junior thinks... the court..."

"Is targeting Supervisor Chen."

"And now, with the imperial decree assigning you to take over the 'Hongze Camp,' it's clearly meant to inflame the conflict between you two! I don't know which court official hatched this plot, but it's a malicious scheme."

As his close confidant, he was naturally not like other people; he was the only one who knew that not only was there no animosity between Wo Long and the White Robe, but there was also the grace of recognition.

The court's arrangement this way was clearly intended to instigate trouble between the two again.

"Teacher, what should we do?"

Qi Cheng's expression was heavy.

But when he turned back, he saw his teacher's expression was not of worry, but rather a mix of excitement, seriousness, and determination.

"Send orders!"

Despite Xu Wencai's attempt to restrain himself, his voice still trembled slightly, "My army, move to Liangzhou!"

"Teacher?"

Qi Cheng asked, "Are we really going to do it?"

"Little Chengzi, we are about to do something great!"

Xu Wencai looked towards Liangzhou, not directly answering, but instead said, "All right, follow my orders to withdraw the troops. Before leaving, I still have to prepare something important."

"Oh?"

Qi Cheng, even more curious, asked, "Could Teacher reveal a hint?"

"Dongqing Silk is made from the silk of the Exotic Beast White Jade Silkworm, smooth, delicate, light as air, and incomparable across the world in silk-making!"

Xu Wencai shook his head and said, "Before leaving, how can we not purchase some to keep in reserve?"

"Silk? Teacher, are you making clothes?"

Qi Cheng was even more puzzled, failing to see the connection between a significant endeavor and clothing. Before he could ask further, Xu Wencai had already disappeared into the distance.

...

After the forces on East Qing's border withdrew, the Beiliang Army stationed in the Eastern Territory also orderly made their way back. Along with Xu Wencai's two camps, a total of fourteen camps and over two hundred thousand soldiers were spread across the states of You, Liang, and Yan.

The fourteen main generals of the camps each received a different order, and in accordance with the Ministry of War's arrangements, they took positions at the junctions between You and Liang, and Liang and Yan, forming an encirclement around Liangzhou.

These fourteen camps.

Were respectively the Black Tortoise Camp, Vermilion Bird Camp, White Tiger Camp, Azure Dragon Camp, Heavenly Lion Camp, Sky Wolf Camp, Zhenbiao Camp, North Prefecture Camp, Flying Bear Camp, Heavenly Strategy Camp, Tiger and Leopard Camp, Great Halberd Camp, Anshan Camp, and Hongze Camp.

After the death of Sun Xiangzong, the structure of the Beiliang Army did not change much, still maintaining the state of expansion.

Heavenly Strategy Camp, Main General Yu Linxing, from the people of the Central Plains, from a Military Family.

Black Tortoise, White Tiger, Heavenly Lion, three camps commanded by Lü Ji, Nie Yuan, and Dou Jia Chuan respectively, with Lü Ji as the highest commander.