The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

"Hey, Sanlang, don't you think our journey has been too smooth? After crossing the Yellow River, it took less than two months and we captured 21 cities along the way," Zhao Renzhi said while chewing meat.

Although he was born into a family of military generals, he took the path of imperial examinations and experienced many ups and downs. As a result, he had the mind of Cao Cao and was very suspicious. He always felt that his journey was too smooth and there seemed to be something wrong, but he couldn't figure it out.

Liu Sanlang usually wouldn't easily deny others. After thinking it over carefully, he couldn't figure out what was wrong. In the end, he could only frown and say, "Anyway, let's both pay more attention. It's better to be cautious in everything!"

Seeing Liu Sanlang frown at his words, Zhao Renzhi suddenly felt that he might have been overthinking it and laughed, "That's right, eat meat, eat meat, autumn rabbits are fat and strong, it's the best time to eat them, don't be restrained!"

Ever since he was able to hunt some wild game from time to time to supplement his meals during the march, he finally understood Liu Sanlang's real appetite. No wonder he was so tall and strong, and ate so much!

There were quite a few roasted rabbits, so Liu Sanlang didn't hesitate to tear off a rabbit leg and eat it. He smiled innocently and said, "Of course it's meat, it's delicious, but roasting it with this honey is a bit extravagant."

"Just tell me whether it tastes good or not?" Zhao Renzhi asked back.

"Of course it's delicious!" Liu Sanlang replied with a smile.

"It's enough as long as it tastes good. What's a little honey and a little meat? There are so many good things in this world. It just depends on whether you dare to ask for them," Zhao Renzhi said meaningfully.

Although Liu Sanlang's behavior seemed petty to him, he was reluctant to give up this or that, and even took the time to wash the rabbit skin and save it. He had never seen the world.

But I can't help but feel that he is very capable.

On the battlefield, he charged into battle with a good bow and a long spear, and was invincible and extremely brave. He also saved him twice. He was simply a natural-born military general.

Just based on this, he was able to look at him with new eyes. People with real abilities are always looked up to.

Otherwise, he would be impatient to make friends.

People with different family backgrounds, different childhood experiences, and different perspectives will naturally have different views on things.

Liu Sanlang did not completely agree with this statement, but he did not refute it either. He was not the kind of person who would argue with others for a momentary verbal advantage.

For some things, it's enough for him to know the answer himself.

After finishing another roasted rabbit, Zhao Renzhi asked again tentatively, "Brother Liu, what do you think the emperor means by leaving the 50,000 troops deployed to the front lines in Lu County? What is he planning? I just can't figure it out!"

This was the truth. Zhao Renzhi thought to himself that he was well-versed in military books and had experience in leading troops, and was not a person who only talked about military affairs on paper. However, he could not understand Zhou Ziming's intention in doing this.

It shouldn’t be!

Lu County does not have an important or special geographical location.

Zhao Renzhi couldn't figure it out, so Liu Sanlang naturally couldn't figure it out even more.

But he was very clear about one thing: "Don't think about it. Although I'm not as smart as you, nor as well-educated as you, I do understand one thing: His Majesty is the true dragon emperor. He is more knowledgeable than you and I. He has his own reasons for doing this. Let's just do our part."

"That's right!" Zhao Renzhi nodded thoughtfully.

I didn't expect that Liu Sanlang, who looked like a good-for-nothing and simple-minded, could actually perform Tai Chi so effectively. I underestimated him.

Liu Sanlang didn't know what Zhao Renzhi was thinking at the moment, otherwise he would have really cried out for injustice. What he said was the truth, and it was what was in his heart.

But Zhao Renzhi didn't have as many twists and turns in his mind.

At this time, the outpost returned to report: "Your Excellencies, a small group of enemy troops was spotted fifty miles to the northeast."

"Northeastward?" Zhao Renzhi took out a map. "Isn't that near Jing County?"

"Yes, it's not far from Wuqiao," Liu Sanlang nodded in response.

He had already memorized the map of the three northern provinces, and as soon as Zhao Renzhi said that, he knew the approximate location.

"Well, Brother Liu, what do you think, should we keep our troops in place or send them to pursue for a while?" Zhao Renzhi pondered.

"We don't have much food left, and the main force is still in the rear. Commander Yang repeatedly told us not to advance deep into the enemy's territory alone. If you ask me to come and take a look, I'd better let the scouts keep a close eye on it. It's best to keep our troops in place for the time being. Brother Zhao, what do you think?" Liu Sanlang thought for a while and replied.

"Well, what you said makes sense," Zhao Renzhi nodded and gave the order: "Keep a close eye on them first, and report back anytime you have any news!"

"Yes!" After receiving the order, the scout bowed and went down.

Zhao Renzhi pinched his eyebrows, and the feeling that something was wrong came back again.

"Brother Liu, to be honest, I'm starting to feel uncomfortable again!"

"what happened?"

"Before the Xin Dynasty was established, I followed His Majesty into battle, fighting countless fierce battles, both large and small. The Tatars and the White Nest people we encountered at that time were all extremely vicious and completely disregarded their lives. They were like maggots in a toilet, disgusting and numerous. Killing one group only brought another. It really took a lot of our energy and we lost many lives. But somehow, this time was different from the past.

Logically speaking, the troops in the heartland of the Central Plains should be more concentrated and the most difficult to deal with, but now it's the exact opposite. It's too smooth, we're really too smooth! This isn't right! But I can't put my finger on what's wrong, I just feel like it shouldn't be like this," Zhao Renzhi said slowly.

"But there are more than 200,000 troops marching along the way, and these recaptured cities are real. This can't be fake, right?" Liu Sanlang understood what Zhao Renzhi meant and asked back.

"That's why I feel uneasy. Unknown enemies are the most terrifying. I'm afraid this is a trap," said Zhao Renzhi.

"We have an old saying in the countryside: you'll know whether it's a mule or a horse by just taking it out for a walk. Never mind the conspiracies and plots. In front of the overwhelming power, they are just pieces of paper and can't withstand a single blow," Liu Sanlang said slowly and calmly.

"Haha, yes, it's good to have a simple mind like you. At least you won't have so many worries," Zhao Renzhi shook his head and laughed.

Then he stood up and said, "I'm going to sleep first. You'll be on duty for the first half of the night, and I'll be on duty for the second half."

"Okay!" Liu Sanlang nodded.

Although he looked calm, Zhao Renzhi's words made Liu Sanlang somewhat more alert.

When leading patrols in the middle of the night, people are more diligent and serious.

He didn't know that there were several pairs of eyes in the darkness watching every move in the camp.

One of them was an acquaintance of his.

"Who is it?" Liu Sanlang suddenly waved his hand to stop the patrol team and shouted loudly towards the darkness behind him.