Transmigration begins with archery training

"Even so, the Northern Liang army's food and supplies are already insufficient. Within ten days, the Ministry of War will definitely force us to retreat."

"Food supplies are a major problem..."

"Years of fighting have indeed taken a toll on our resources."

Qi Cheng chimed in, "Moreover, the imperial court issued a new decree last year, requiring the planting of half-full spiritual grains starting this year. There are uprisings happening everywhere now, although they are not very big, they are still a troublesome matter."

"Xiao Chengzi."

Xu Wencai pointed to the map hanging on the wall, then changed the subject, saying, "How's your thinking about the test I gave you last time?"

"Sir, I dare not speak presumptuously."

Qi Cheng lowered his head, somewhat apprehensive.

The "exam question" was rather frightening; it asked how he would seize power if he started a rebellion in Liangzhou.

"What are you afraid of!"

Xu Wencai rebuked him, saying, "A military strategist must dare to think. Only by daring to think can one continuously hone and improve the ability to lead troops into battle. With your timid and hesitant nature, when will you ever become a great talent?"

"Well... I'll dare to say a few words."

Qi Cheng arrived in front of the map and was about to speak when a loud voice came from outside.

"The imperial edict has arrived!"

"Xu Wencai, receive the imperial decree!"

"..."

"Imperial decree?"

Qi Cheng quickly said, "Sir, please go quickly."

When Xu Wencai and his apprentice arrived outside the tent, they saw a eunuch holding an orange-yellow scroll in both hands, followed by four or five guards, waiting quietly.

"Your subject Xu Wencai."

"Your subject is Qi Cheng."

"Obey the decree."

The two lifted their robes and slowly knelt down.

then.

The supervising eunuch had just opened the scroll when his shrill voice became unusually loud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Mr. Xu Wencai, the Crouching Dragon, has fought many battles and made numerous merits. He is diligent and conscientious and is truly a pillar of the court. Therefore, he is hereby conferred the title of Marquis of Wuxiang."

Marquis!

Qi Cheng looked at the old scholar, feeling happy for him.

In fact.

Xu Wencai's initial conquest of the Wei Kingdom was a great achievement, but because he had only been an official for a short time, he was not excessively rewarded. Now, after several years, his numerous merits have accumulated, and although they are not large in number, they add up and are considered reasonable.

The bestowal of rewards is not yet over.

The eunuch continued reading:

"Furthermore, he is granted the title of Grand Master of the First Rank and appointed as the Commander of the Liangzhou Military Command, in charge of the Zhenbiao, Beifu, and Hongze camps, to assist Marquis Lü Ji in governing Liangzhou."

Command...

Hongze Camp!

"Your subject Xu Wencai kowtows to express his gratitude for the Emperor's grace."

"Long live my emperor! Long live!"

Xu Wencai was overjoyed and kowtowed to express his gratitude.

After the formalities were completed, he feigned a sudden realization and said, "Eunuch Liu, please wait. I suddenly remembered that the 'Hongze Camp' is not Chen Sanshi's personal guard in white robes. Why is it being handed over to me to command?"

"Oh, this."

Eunuch Liu explained, "You don't need to overthink it. Commander Chen is still a commander, but he will need to go to the capital for recuperation. After that, he should become a government official in the capital, which is a great step forward!"

He didn't elaborate further, simply explained the situation, and then turned and left.

"gentlemen."

Qi Cheng cautiously asked, "Will Commander Chen not return to the border this time he goes to the capital? Will he only be temporarily appointed as commander-in-chief in case of war?"

"I think the imperial court..."

"It is aimed at Governor Chen."

"Moreover, an imperial edict was issued ordering you to take over the 'Hongze Camp,' clearly intended to escalate your conflict! I wonder which minister in the court came up with this idea; it was truly malicious."

As a trusted confidant, he was naturally different from the others; he was the only one who knew that there was no enmity between Wolong and Baipao, but rather a mutual gratitude for each other's kindness.

The court's arrangement was clearly intended to sow discord between the two once again.

"Sir, what should we do?"

Qi Cheng's expression was somewhat solemn.

But when he turned around, he saw that his husband's expression was not worried at all, but rather a complex mix of excitement, seriousness, and determination.

"Send the order!"

Even though Xu Wencai tried his best to control himself, his voice still trembled slightly: "My army has entered Liangzhou!"

"gentlemen?"

Qi Cheng asked, "Do we really have to do as you say?"

"Xiao Chengzi, we're about to do something big!"

Xu Wencai looked towards Liangzhou and did not answer directly. He simply said, "Alright, go and withdraw your troops as I instructed. Before you leave, I need to prepare something for something important."

"Oh?"

Qi Cheng even asked curiously, "Sir, could you reveal a little something?"

"Dongqing Silk is made from the silk of the mythical white jade silkworm. It is smooth, delicate, and incredibly light, making it the finest silk in the world!"

Xu Wencai shook his head and said, "Before leaving, how can we not buy some spares?"

"Silk? Sir, you want to make clothes?"

Qi Cheng was even more confused, not understanding what important matters had to do with clothes. Before he could ask any more questions, Xu Wencai had already disappeared into the distance.

……

Just after the troops on the Dongqing border withdrew, the Beiliang army stationed in the eastern border also returned home in an orderly manner. Together with Xu Wencai's two battalions, there were a total of fourteen battalions, more than 200,000 men, distributed in the three prefectures of You, Liang, and Yan.

The commanders of the fourteen battalions all received different orders and, in accordance with the Ministry of War's deployment, were to block the border between Youzhou and Liangzhou, and the border between Liangzhou and Yanzhou, thus forming a trend of encircling Liangzhou.

These fourteen battalions.

They are the Black Tortoise Camp, Vermilion Bird Camp, White Tiger Camp, Azure Dragon Camp, Heavenly Lion Camp, Heavenly Wolf Camp, Town Marker Camp, Northern Prefecture Camp, Flying Bear Camp, Heavenly Strategy Camp, Tiger and Leopard Camp, Halberd Camp, Anshan Camp, and Hongze Camp.

After Sun Xiangzong's death, the structure of the Northern Liang army did not change much, and it remained in the state after the expansion of the camp.

The Tian Ce Camp, led by Commander Yu Linxing, is from the Central Plains and comes from a family of military generals.

The three battalions—Xuanwu, Baihu, and Tianshi—were each led by Lü Ji, Nie Yuan, and Dou Jiachuan, with Lü Ji as the supreme commander.

The commander of the Tianlang Camp is Guan Xin, a native of Beijing, whose father was a former cabinet minister.

The Flying Bear Camp is led by General Gu Yongzhou, a native of the Central Plains and a former martial arts champion.

The Tiger and Leopard Battalion was led by General Lou Zizheng, a native of the capital and a former member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The commander of the Great Halberd Camp is Pan Luo, a native of the Central Plains and the son-in-law of the Cao royal family.

Anshan Camp, commanded by Shi Yukuan, a southerner who once served under the Prince of Zhennan.

Qinglong Camp.

Originally, Fang Qingyun and Meng Guangxin were in command together, but after Fang Qingyun went to the capital, a new commander was immediately transferred in, named Yu Heqing, who came from the east and was from a prominent family.

Vermilion Bird Camp.

Rong Yanqiu and Ye Fengxiu remained as the commander and deputy commander, respectively.

The second senior brother, Cheng Wei, was still serving in the Liangzhou Military Command, but he had virtually no real power.

When the army passed through Youzhou and was preparing to enter Liangzhou.

The Azure Dragon Camp and the Vermilion Bird Camp were stopped.

"The Ministry of War has issued an order!"

"The Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird battalions shall set up camp and rest on the spot. All commanders shall proceed to Liangzhou to await orders!"

"What did you say?!"

Meng Guangxin flew into a rage and grabbed the eunuch by the collar: "My Qinglong Camp is originally the garrison of Liangzhou. What do you mean by not letting us enter the pass?"