"I don't agree!"
In the meeting hall of Yun An County, Ruan Ping was the first to stand out and oppose Buddha He's suggestion. "Our army is already at the upper hand in the war, why should we increase the risk?"
Although Ruan Ping did not know why Buddha He suggested to increase the number of troops, and what was the reason behind it. Based on his intuition, Ruan Ping knew that he definitely could not let Buddha He achieve his goal.
If not, Buddha He's influence in the [Southern Alliance] would be like the sun in the sky.
"Lord Ruan is right. Please give us an explanation, Alliance Master."
After the battle in Tian Shuang County, Ruan Ping's influence in the [Southern Alliance] could not be underestimated. He also had a group of allies that supported him, and within the alliance, they were already able to contend against Buddha He.
The opposition of his allies was within Buddha He's expectations. He looked around, and repeated Di Qing's judgement of the battlefield, and then said: "Everyone, this is a rare opportunity. Once we defeat the Shanhai City army, the alliance will not only be in the Lingnan Province, but the entire China region. "
"Other than that, the entire Southern Zhaoqing County will be in the Alliance's pocket. In this way, not only will all of you be able to make up for the losses you suffered during this expedition, you'll even be able to make a profit. So, why not? "
Buddha He wanted to use his fame to drag his allies down.
"This is only General Di Qing's judgement, what if we fail? Alliance Leader, have you ever thought about mobilizing so many troops, if we fail, the entire Lingnan Province will be in a precarious situation, and there will be no peace. "
Ruan Ping saw that someone was tempted, and jumped out again.
It had to be said that Ruan Ping, this young master of an aristocratic family, had a very accurate grasp of the human heart.
Ordinary lords did not have Buddha He's boldness. Compared to advancing, the lords subconsciously placed self-preservation as their priority. In this battle of Zhaoqing, if not for the Shanhai City army that was about to reach their doorstep, the [Southern Alliance] might not have been able to move.
"Everything has risks, how can we be 100% sure?"
Buddha He was unhappy with Ruan Ping's unreasonable pestering.
"Since there are risks, Alliance Master, you can't drag us down with you for your own benefit."
Ruan Ping did not let go, and had the intention to continue arguing.
Seeing this, Buddha He knew that it was meaningless to continue arguing with Ruan Ping. He simply bypassed Ruan Ping and said directly, "In that case, the increase in troops this time is entirely voluntary. However, after victory, the distribution of spoils of war will be determined by the number of troops dispatched by each territory. What does everyone think? "
"Good!"
Buddha He's suggestion was a compromise and was immediately accepted.
Those who wanted to take the risk would send more troops; those who didn't want to take the risk would stay put.
Riches and honor came from danger. No one would force anyone.
As it turned out, there were many greedy lords. In the end, the second increase in troops had reached a total of sixty thousand people, which had already exceeded Di Qing's previous expectations.
Ruan Ping's expression turned awkward when he saw this. He had lost again in this battle.
After the meeting was adjourned, the lords sent letters to their territories and began to mobilize their troops. By tomorrow afternoon at the latest, all the divisions would be able to gather at Yun An County.
Hearing this, Di Qing directly announced that there would be a truce tomorrow. After the second batch of reinforcements had gathered, they would launch a fierce attack on Cang County the day after tomorrow, which was the 22nd of August.
Of course, Di Qing would never relax his surveillance of Shanhai City's army.
August 20th, Wulong County.
The night was as dark as ink, and the stars were dim.
There was a side courtyard on the west side of the lord's residence. It didn't look eye-catching, but it was tightly guarded by armored soldiers.
This side courtyard was where Ouyang Shuo was staying.
In the entire courtyard, other than the Divine Martial Guards, there wasn't even a maid or servant. Ouyang Shuo's daily life was taken care of by his personal guards.
From Ouyang Shuo's point of view, he was fighting a war. Naturally, everything would be done according to the rules of the army. If he arranged for maids to serve him, it wouldn't look good for the soldiers to see him.
Although the soldiers might not say anything, Ouyang Shuo still had to set an example. During his stay in Wulong County, he didn't even touch a drop of alcohol.
Whether it was aristocrats or merchants' invitations, Ouyang Shuo also rejected them all.
Ouyang Shuo spread the word that since it was wartime, everything should be kept simple. If they wanted to celebrate, they would have to wait until after the war ended. At that time, he would definitely invite everyone to a banquet, and they wouldn't stop until they were drunk.
It wasn't just Ouyang Shuo himself. Although the tens of thousands of soldiers he brought with him had already taken over the defense of Wulong County, they didn't do anything to the commoners and merchants in the city.
The soldiers of Shanhai City were all professional soldiers, and each of them received a generous salary. If they were to commit any acts of arson, murder, or looting to earn some 'extra income', Ouyang Shuo would definitely execute them.
This was especially so for the Imperial Guard Division. As the Marquis' personal army and the trump card, their military discipline was even stricter.
The commoners of Wulong County felt that after the Shanhai City army was stationed here, they felt more secure.
Just based on this point, Ouyang Shuo had made a good name for himself in Wulong County.
The huge courtyard was quiet, as if it was a tranquil place, unaffected by the clamor of the mortal world.
The liveliness of the outside world seemed to have nothing to do with this place.
In the main room of the side courtyard, a faint orange light shone through the paper-covered window. It was warm and tranquil. The Divine Martial Guards on night watch inadvertently caught a glimpse of the rays of light, and they felt warm in their hearts.
Through the shadow of the wall, they could faintly see a straight figure, who was still writing vigorously.
Ouyang Shuo sat in front of his desk, handling the official letters that were sent to him.
Among the official letters, there were Zhao Kuo's battle report from Jade Buddha County, Bai Qi's battle report from the frontlines, and even the Chili Strip Young Master's latest decision to send more troops.
Buddha He would never have thought that within the alliance, there were still eyes of Ouyang Shuo. Every move of the [Southern Alliance] was reported to Ouyang Shuo through the Chili Strip Young Master's secret letter.
If necessary, Ouyang Shuo would send some of the information to Bai Qi, for him to make decisions. For example, the matter of the [Southern Alliance] sending more troops, and Di Qing's plan, Bai Qi was very clear about it.
Other than that, there were also Xiao He's requests regarding the territory's affairs, which required his approval.
The official letters on the desk were piled up to a foot high.
Other than the official letters, there were also secret letters from the Shanhai Guards and the Black Snake Guards, as per usual.
Due to his busy schedule, Ouyang Shuo could only work through the night.
Too many things had happened today, and the situation had changed.
Ouyang Shuo was in Wulong County, and although it looked like he was far away from the center of the storm, in truth, he was the heart of the entire battle. Not even the slightest rustle of grass could escape his eyes and ears.
The current Ouyang Shuo was no longer the domineering leader of the past, but a true feudal lord. No matter how shocking the situation was, it would not cause a ripple in his heart.
His heart was as still as water, and he had everything planned out.
Regardless if it was Bai Qi, Zhao Kuo, or Xiao He, they were all chess pieces in Ouyang Shuo's hands.
The chess pieces were placed on the chessboard, and victory was decided a thousand miles away.
The fall of Jade Buddha County was within Ouyang Shuo's expectations. But Buddha He's response was somewhat out of his expectations. This person had given him more than three "surprises".
He was truly an interesting opponent.
In this chess game, Buddha He had bet everything. Unfortunately, he was not a chess player.
This morning, Du Sijing had already followed Ouyang Shuo's instructions, and sent out the signal that his territory was under attack. According to the secret letter from the Black Snake Guards, the fifty thousand armored cavalry were already on their way to Wulong County.
At the latest tomorrow afternoon, the army would arrive outside of Wulong County.
Buddha He's arrangements were still a step too late. He just didn't know what kind of expression Buddha He would have when he learned that his backyard was on fire, and how he would deal with it.
Ouyang Shuo was unable to see through such a gambler.
But it didn't matter. The general situation of the battlefield was already in Ouyang Shuo's hands, because he was the one playing chess. No matter how Buddha He struggled, he could not escape from the palm of his hand.
At this moment, the Tiger General, Lin Yi, asked to see him outside the door.
"Come in!"
Lin Yi entered the door, bowed, and said, "Marquis, everything is ready!"
After a few battles, this Tiger General had become more and more mature, and he had a faint air of a great general. This young general was in the process of completing his transformation.
"Got it!"
Ouyang Shuo nodded and continued to deal with the official letter.
Lin Yi heard this, quietly left the room, and quietly closed the door, disappearing into the night.
"Quick, follow him!"
Dust flew on the official road to Wulong County.
The fifty thousand armored cavalry galloped past, and from time to time, the shouts of officers could be heard from the troops.
Qu Yi rode at the front of the troops on his precious horse.
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Qu Yi was a general under Yuan Shao's command. In his early years in Liangzhou, he was proficient in the Qiang people's tactics and had led Yuan Shao's elite troops.
Later, because of his arrogance and arrogance, he was killed by Yuan Shao.
In the game, Qu Yi was summoned back into the world through the summoning talisman, and was once again put in an important position. This time, the task of guarding the rear and sweeping up the enemy troops fell to Qu Yi.
For the next few days, the entire northern part of Zhaoqing County was calm and peaceful.
Qu Yi was extremely sullen, and he wanted nothing more than to rush to the main battlefield and fight.
When he received the distress signal from Wulong County, Qu Yi's spirits rose, and he immediately gathered his troops and rushed to Wulong County. He wanted to see which blind person dared to behave atrociously in his territory.
"Faster!"
Qu Yi whipped his horse and shouted to the back. He had been leading cavalry for many years, and he had a lot of experience fighting cavalry. Such a rapid march was nothing to him.
But Qu Yi had forgotten that he was only leading a normal army, not the elite troops under Yuan Shao's command.
Rushing through the night, some of the cavalry soldiers were starting to feel a little tired.
Qu Yi didn't feel any pity for them.
During the Three Kingdoms Era of the Eastern Han Dynasty, soldiers were the private property of the general. There was no such thing as caring for them. If one group died, they could just recruit another. In a chaotic world, there was no lack of strong soldiers who wanted to join the army. At the very least, they could solve the problem of food and clothing in the army.
At ten in the morning, Wulong County was already in sight.
Qu Yi had brought it forward by two hours. (To be continued.)
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