Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 115, First Analysis, Fierce as a Tiger

"Sanlang, I heard from the captured Anguo prisoners that you know demonic... Taoist magic, is that true?"

"Rumors! Slander! They're just trying to maliciously smear me because they lost the fight and are unwilling to accept it!"

After saying that, Shen Qing gave a live demonstration of her amazing light-footed skills, such as leaping across rooftops and scaling walls.

"Clap clap-"

The soldiers watching applauded enthusiastically, exclaiming, "What superb kung fu!"

Later, when the soldiers were inspecting the prisoner camp, they heard the surrendered soldiers shouting again.

"A monster! He really is a monster!"

The soldier immediately struck him with a stick. Bah! How dare this defeated underling spread rumors and slander our brave warrior!

The reason for this information gap is that when Shen Qing was finally beheaded, he was fighting alone, surrounded by enemy troops. The scene was chaotic, and his own soldiers were too far away to see clearly.

Therefore, after the mission escorting Jingchuan was ambushed at the border of Qi Kingdom, the situation once again arose where the enemy paid more attention to Shen Qing than their own side.

Gao Shun's arrival was still significant. When the Andi allied forces devised a plan, they removed the insignia of generals at all levels and used flag signals and whistles for command. In addition to shield and pistol soldiers, archers were also added to the generals' sides to ensure a tight defense!

When the Xuan Kingdom's army besieged the city again, they were already able to fight them head-on.

"Let's retreat," Zeng Xiong said helplessly. They had already missed their chance. Their original plan was to launch a surprise attack and achieve a quick victory. As long as they captured Yucheng and then took Yiyang Pass, they could obtain sufficient supplies.

Xuan State now has enough troops to defend the city. They cannot afford to fight a protracted war. An State cannot supply the allied forces for too long. Transporting supplies by sea from Di State is not cost-effective, as it will take a long time and waste manpower.

The allied generals remained silent; they knew that the plan to attack Xuan had completely failed.

Damn it! I was so close to succeeding! I'm so unwilling to accept this!

Zeng Xiong made a note of Shen Qing and went back to inform the strategist that this person must be taken into account in future plans.

Yucheng

"Report—"

The messenger jogged into the government office to report, "The An and Di allied forces have retreated!"

Lu Zhen felt half relieved. He had long anticipated that the Di army, having come from afar, would not be able to wage a protracted war. However, to prevent them from launching a counterattack, Lu Zhen still sent scouts to infiltrate the border of An Kingdom to gather intelligence.

Two days later, after receiving accurate information, Lu Zhen finally felt relieved.

Seeing that the enemy had retreated, Gao Shun led the Qingzhou army back home. This trip was just a formality, as if they had come for a picnic.

For some reason, Yu Lian was not in a hurry to leave Yucheng. As for the future close minister of the emperor, Lu Zhen only asked his subordinates to treat him well and did not interfere in any other way.

Following this, Yucheng embarked on a vigorous post-war reconstruction effort, including helping residents whose houses had been demolished to rebuild. The dead are gone, but the living must continue to move forward.

I heard that left forward Mu Qi has also returned. Shen Qing went with Shen Che to visit Lu Zhen and inquire about the situation in Yancheng. If everything is alright, they can go back.

On the way to the government office, Shen Qing saw the scene of soldiers and civilians being as close as family on the street, and his impression of the Lu family army was elevated again. It was not easy to do so in this era.

Shen Qing had previously inquired and learned that border armies generally had military brothels, but Lu Zhen abolished them after taking over Pingshan Pass.

The existence of military prostitutes stemmed from the monotonous and tedious life in the military camp and the immense pressure accumulated from marching and fighting; they existed to soothe the restless soldiers.

If not, more effort would be needed to find ways to manage the army and release the soldiers' excess energy and psychological problems, which shows that Lu Zhen was indeed very good at managing the army.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the government office. After reporting their arrival, they were quickly informed that they had come at the right time. Mu Qi had just finished reporting to Lu Zhen and had not yet left.

"This must be Shen Sanlang, the one who single-handedly carved out the enemy lines. Heroes have always emerged from among the young."

"I dare not accept such praise. Without the soldiers' desperate cover, I would not have been able to complete the decapitation mission."

"Young sir, there is no need to be modest. Taking the enemy general's head amidst ten thousand troops is something to be proud of."

"General, you flatter me."

After another round of mutual flattery, Shen Che found an opportunity to steer the conversation to the main topic.

"Now that General Mu has returned, Yancheng must have been unsealed, right?"

"It's quite a strange story," Mu Qi said with a sigh. "About half a month ago, I received an anonymous letter offering a solution to the plague. The prescription was very effective. Just as I was about to return to Pingshan Pass, I saw smoke rising from Yiyang Pass. The military situation was urgent, so I went to Yiyang Pass to provide support first."

"When we arrived at Yiyang Pass, we found that the military situation was not actually that urgent. Jingguo would harass the border from time to time, and then retreat after each attack. At the time, we couldn't understand it, but now it seems that it was a plan to lure the tiger away from the mountain."

After recalling the events, Mu Qi suddenly noticed that Shen Che's expression was not good, and Shen Qing's expression was also somewhat strange.

Is something wrong?

"General, are you saying that on the day the smoke signals rose at Yiyang Pass, Yancheng was already passable?"

"There are no major problems anymore. The King of Xiangnan is working on post-disaster recovery."

Shen Qing turned her head away, unable to bear looking at Shen Che's expression. That day outside the post station, he had given a fierce analysis, but the result was utterly ridiculous.

Faced with three choices, Shen Che chose the most dangerous path...

"Sanlang, with your skills, have you ever thought about joining the army?"

Lu Zhen's question interrupted Shen Qing's thoughts. Before he could answer, Shen Che gave him a three-part refusal.

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Lord Marquis, but my clan has already made arrangements, so I can only decline your good intentions."

"I see..." Lu Zhen seemed somewhat regretful. "Then I will not force you to do it."

Mu Qi also felt sorry, but he also knew that the aristocratic families were proud and noble, and besides, given the status of the Shen family, they would not put a prodigy like Shen Sanlang in a dangerous situation.

"Sanlang was exhausted when he broke through the enemy lines. Did he suffer any hidden injuries? Perhaps I should have the army doctor take your pulse."

“There’s no need for that,” Shen Qing said, refusing the offer since Shen Che wasn’t needed this time.

"Just consider it a routine check-up. Young people never know how to take care of their health; they'll understand when they get older," Lu Zhen advised.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency, but there's really no need," Shen Qing patted his chest. "I'm in excellent health!"

Seeing that Shen Qing was determined to do so, Lu Zhen did not try to persuade her any further.

Shen Che also bid farewell to Lu Zhen at the appropriate time. After such a long delay, it was time for the delegation to set off.

Lu Zhen nodded. "After returning to Xuandu, remember to give my regards to Patriarch Shen."

"I will definitely bring it."

Shen Qing bowed in return and then left with Shen Che.

As they turned around, Lu Zhen stared intently at Shen Qing's retreating figure.

"It's a real pity that Shen Sanlang didn't join the army."

“Yes, but not necessarily…” Lu Zhen said meaningfully.

Mu Qi assumed Lu Zhen meant that Shen Qing would have a better future, so he didn't think much of it.

"Then I shall take my leave."

"Go."

After Mu Qi left, Lu Zhen asked, "Have you found out anything about Shen Qing?"

Lu Zhen wasn't the only one investigating Shen Qing; at this moment, Yu Lian was also getting along very well with the Xuan Kingdom delegation.

"Speaking of Brother Shen, we could talk about him for three days and three nights and still not finish!"

"Oh~" Yu Lian refilled his glass, "Tell me in detail, tell me in detail."