You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 63 Sword in a Box, Lantern in a Curtain
The war is imminent.

Han Shizhong had already searched through all the places nearby where people could hide.

The goal is to ensure that when the Xia thief arrives, not a single survivor will be seen.

The Western Xia Qiang people continued their method of using war to sustain war, because without the manpower and material resources of the Central Plains dynasties, they were destined not to be able to simply transport grain to satisfy the needs of their soldiers at the front.

As dusk fell, Chen Shao ordered the slaughter of pigs and sheep, and the entire army planned to get drunk together.

As everyone knows, this may be the last night for many people.

Chen Shao and Han Shizhong didn't bother analyzing the battle situation anymore; they had already analyzed it to death.

Just like before a big exam, it's useless to study and memorize questions. At this time, the most important thing is mindset.

Morale and morale in the military may sound mysterious, but they are actually traceable.

After Chen Shao returned, he felt that the troops of the five strongholds had a certain momentum and their morale was high.

The vanguard of the Xia army was less than twenty li away, and the cavalry would arrive quickly with a single charge.

Their army will arrive in just one day and one night.

Although Chen Shao had never fought a war, he knew just how enormous an undertaking it was to organize a large army to penetrate deep into enemy territory.

Gathering and preparing supplies is important, but it's even more crucial to prepare rewards to boost morale and unify their will.

He didn't think the Western Xia had the necessary conditions; this group was definitely taking a gamble.

Perhaps it was because the Western Xia was in dire straits that they had no choice but to march forward, hoping to alleviate the pressure on their own country through a great victory.

As long as we hold on, there's always a way!
As long as we hold on, we'll win!

From the village came a commotion, starting with a series of unpleasant songs, especially Han Shizhong's loud voice.

Chen Shao's ears were ringing from the shock.

After finishing his song, Han Shizhong shouted at the top of his lungs:
"We're lucky! We were born in this era, there's so much we can do! Follow me and charge... Commander, brothers, this time we must make a name for ourselves, secure our wives' and children's futures, and bring glory to our ancestors!"

This fellow showed absolutely no fear of war; his eyes were filled only with a desire to rise to prominence and amass wealth.

The soldiers, who were initially worried and fearful, gained more courage upon seeing Han Shizhong's optimism.

Chen Shao didn't drink much. He looked at the drunken Han Shizhong and, unusually, he was sincere. He didn't put on an act or try to win people over.

He just sat there, holding a pot of wine, watching them.

In this era, on the eve of the Jingkang Incident, stumbling and faltering, he finally began to truly influence a war.

This battle has so much significance!
Like a butterfly flapping its wings, he hoped to prevent the impending catastrophe on the land of China.

When a person is doing something great, they can cast aside all worries, immerse themselves in it, and fully realize their ambitions. At this point, their spirit and ambition have reached their peak.

This feeling is really great.

The soldiers sat on the ground, chewing on pork and mutton. Each person received only a small amount of cheap wine, but they still fought over it with great enthusiasm.

In this turbulent world, struggling to survive, it's rare to have such a chance to relax!
Not long ago, they marched into the heart of Western Xia territory, only to be defeated and routed.

Now that they've gathered again, although I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong, it just doesn't feel the same as before when they were working for their generals and commanders.

It's probably because they don't deduct wages here; they just give you whatever amount they say you'll receive.
Moreover, they don't serve meals only once a day; they serve meals whenever it's time to eat.

The two commanders were not from military families in the Western Army; like them, they were ordinary military households who had worked their way up.

Especially Han Shizhong, who in the Western Army didn't know him? He made so many contributions, but in the end he was still just a common soldier.

Now look how well he's made it. Following this young commander might really change his fate! What he says is also agreeable; instead of talking about loyalty to the emperor and serving the country, he talks about sharing wealth and status, and securing titles and privileges for his wife and children!
Never underestimate the desire of these Western Army soldiers to establish merit. They may have been cowardly and afraid to fight in the past because the merits they worked so hard to earn could be claimed by others, which eventually chilled their hearts.

Even under these circumstances, there were still many battles, and the Western Army fought to the death.

If one could change the fate of their family through military achievements, who would be afraid of death?

Back then, when Chen Shao said "Let's change our way of life," four fearless men from the small Chen Family Village came out to follow him out of the mountains.

This is Zhulu in Shaanxi!
The homeland of the Qin people!
-
Inside the main tent of the Shengjie Army on the outskirts of Yanzhou City.

Tong Guan looked at the map and pointed to one of the places. Upon closer inspection, he saw that it said Qingping Pass.

How many troops are there here?

The clerk standing next to him immediately said, "Commander Xuan, this is Chen Shao's garrison, and he says there are five thousand men here."

Tong Guan nodded and said, "Chen Shao is honest enough; he can't be drawing too many salaries without working. I think he has at least three thousand men!"

In his view, it was already quite honest of the commander of 5,000 men to be paid the salary of 2,000 men without actually working.

Tan Zhen stepped forward, shone the oil lamp on the ground, and said, "There are only three fortified villages here. Are there really three thousand people?"

"Let's see how long he can hold out."

Tan Zhen hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Commander Xuan, aren't our own troops going to provide support?"

Tong Guan was clearly waiting for the Western Army to give out.

If Chen Shao were here, upon hearing this, he would know that the zither was not given away in vain.

That one sentence alone is worth it.

Even if Tong Guan doesn't transfer his trusted guards because of this, he will still feel somewhat guilty.

Sure enough, Tong Guan looked rather strange. He sighed and said, "We have too few troops. If we fight Richard to the death, it will be difficult to control these troublemakers in the Northwest in the future."

He had been in the Northwest for over a decade, and it had taken him a long time to gather these troops; each one was a source of confidence for Tong Guan.

Chen Shao's men were recruited by Chen Shao himself, and strictly speaking, they could not be considered part of the Shengjie Army's core group.

They could have gradually developed their presence, but this sudden war may very well leave them all stranded in Yokoyama.

To be honest, Tong Guan wasn't lamenting the loss of those few thousand men. Those three thousand men were destined to die in the heart of Western Xia; he had already paid the price for their defeat.

Liang Shicheng's help in concealing this matter was not without reward. Tong Guan had given up a lot of power in Bianjing, including several important positions in the Privy Council, which he valued most.

He was afraid that if Chen Shao and his men couldn't stop them, the generals and commanders of the Western Army would use this to blackmail him again.

“Master Zhong said it would take ten days, right?” Tong Guan muttered to himself, as if confirming with Tan Zhen.

Tan Zhen nodded without speaking, sighing inwardly for Chen Shao.

Ten days?

In Tan Zhen's view, it couldn't be held for even a day.

Liu Fa's Xihe Army was known as an elite force, and Liu Fa himself was a fierce general of the dynasty, yet he was still defeated by Richard.

Chen Shao, a small landlord who bought his way into office, and Han Shizhong, a rogue soldier, led three thousand defeated soldiers in a rout. What could they possibly use to resist?

Tong Guan slammed his fist on the table. "If they don't send troops in ten days, I will not give up!"

(End of this chapter)