The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

"Da da da!!!!"

Armed soldiers, clad in armor and armed with weapons, surrounded the baggage wagons, with banners at the front and rear, and mounted retinues at the front and rear. The procession of seven or eight hundred men headed east along the main road.

Their military bearing was impeccable, and their imposing presence was awe-inspiring.

The team was quite eye-catching.

"Sichuan is at peace, and our elite troops are all stationed at the border. How come elite troops have suddenly appeared in Chengdu? And whose army is it?"

Someone asked in surprise.

"You're blind. That's a golden carriage, the chariot of a feudal lord. Judging by the banners, they're the guards of the King of the North. Judging by this, they're probably going hunting in the Dragon Spring Mountains." The speaker shook his head before adding, "Rumors say the King of the North hunts without restraint, and it seems there's some truth to it."

"So it's the Northern King's army," one of the men exclaimed in realization.

Liu Chen sat cross-legged inside the Jin Gen carriage, his eyes slightly closed, ignoring the surrounding chatter.

Under Zhang Sheng's command, the group followed the main road to the edge of the forest.

Liu Chen's golden carriage couldn't enter, so it was guarded by some of his attendants. Liu Chen then rode a fine horse and entered the forest with his soldiers.

Topographically, Dayi Prefecture is divided into several parts by mountain ranges.

Among them, Bashu consists of Ba and Shu.

Before the Qin Dynasty, there were the ancient Shu Kingdom and the ancient Ba Kingdom, both of which were later annexed by the Qin Dynasty.

Compared to Bazhong, the Chengdu Plain in Sichuan is more fertile and is the heart of the Land of Abundance.

Between Sichuan and Chongqing, there is a mountain range running north to south, which is two hundred miles long and more than ten miles wide, along with the forests extending from the mountain range.

Separate Bashu.

To connect Sichuan and Chongqing, one must either bypass the Longquan Mountains or take the Yangtze River waterway.

Liu Chen and his men took a secluded path, rarely traveled by. The soldiers advanced, wielding their machetes and cutting through the brambles.

They walked very slowly.

The weather wasn't too cold yet, and the air was full of mosquitoes. Liu Chen, who was used to a life of ease, suddenly felt the hardship of marching.

"Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei fought battles all their lives, from south to north and from east to west, and dominated the world. Their perseverance is truly remarkable." Liu Chen was drenched in sweat and took out a handkerchief to wipe it away.

It's both itchy and hot.

The eunuchs around him, as well as the "warriors" such as cavalry and tiger warriors who had been given to Liu Shan, were also in great distress, their faces pale.

Zhang Sheng's soldiers and accompanying laborers were all accustomed to this, their expressions resolute. This revealed the difference in their circumstances.

Mid-afternoon, Zhang Sheng ordered a halt to the march. He sent scouts to investigate the water source, and after receiving intelligence, Zhang Sheng ordered a change of direction, heading towards the water source.

Zhang Sheng, riding half a step behind Liu Chen, explained, "Your Majesty, the most important thing in an army is to set up camp."

"To set up camp, there must be a water source. Although it is still early, the soldiers need to cut down trees and prepare the camp. It will take a long time."

"Hmm." Liu Chen nodded, then said, "You don't need to explain, I also read military books and know about military affairs."

"Your subject has been rude," Zhang Sheng said. Then, Zhang Sheng turned to look at Liu Chen's face and found that there was no reluctance on Liu Chen's face, only firmness and determination, so he was relieved.

He was actually not comfortable with Liu Chen coming along, nor did he think Liu Chen would be of any use.

He knew that Liu Chen harbored ambitions to seize the throne, and if he succeeded, Liu Chen should stay in Chengdu and consolidate his power.

When it comes to launching a northern expedition and charging into battle, these warriors are all we need.

Now, seeing Liu Chen drenched in sweat, his exposed skin covered in bites, yet he didn't utter a single complaint, he felt admiration.

The prince grew up in the palace from a young age, where he was pampered and spoiled by women.

Hunting is hunting.

Military hunting is military hunting.

Different.

Under Zhang Sheng's command, the army reached the water source.

Zhang Sheng carefully selected a place to set up camp.

At his command, laborers and soldiers took machetes and began cutting down trees around the camp.

Level the camp.

Large trees were felled, and most of them, regardless of size, were used to build fortifications.

The camp had gates opened to the north and south, and watchtowers were built.

The banners bearing the characters "Liu" and "Zhang" were raised. The character "Liu" was larger, and the character "Zhang" was smaller.

Outside the military camp, laborers continued to cut down trees, which could be used for timber reserves, firewood, and cooking, as well as for making arrows.

Deer antler barrier.

At the same time, the cleared area outside the camp also provided excellent visibility for the troops. If the enemy attacked, the soldiers on guard would be able to quickly spot and warn them.

In addition to leveling the land and setting up tents, the camp also had a granary and a latrine.

North-south road.

Central command tent.

The general's tent.

They also set up defensive fortifications such as chevaux-de-frise. If the enemy attacked the camp, the soldiers could rely on the fortifications within the camp to fight back to the death.

The sparrow is small, but it has all five internal organs.

Zhang Sheng was also a novice at setting up camp. But he did a very good job, giving correct orders and doing things in an orderly manner.

If the general's orders are well-ordered, the soldiers and laborers will be able to work diligently.

Soon a large camp was erected from scratch.

Liu Chen didn't interfere; he simply watched from the sidelines. By the time the camp was completed, it was almost dark.

The time is just right.

Outside the main tent, Liu Chen looked around the camp, then turned to Zhang Ren with delight and said, "Sheng, you are truly a talented general!"

Liu Chen had always known that Zhang Sheng was a talented person, but seeing Zhang Sheng set up camp today, he realized just how talented Zhang Sheng truly was.

"I dare not. Your Majesty flatters me." Zhang Sheng shook his head and bowed. This was a general's basic skill, nothing special.

"The food looks ready. Let's eat together." Liu Chen smelled the aroma of the food.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Please take a seat in the tent. I will first lead my personal guards to inspect the camp before we eat," Zhang Sheng said, shaking his head again.

"Good." Liu Chen nodded with a smile and turned to enter the main tent.

Zhang Sheng clenched his wrists and stamped his feet, then placed his hand on his sword hilt and led more than ten elite armored soldiers to patrol the camp.

His plan was to praise diligent soldiers and whip cunning ones as a warning to others.

However, he was good at raising strong soldiers and his military discipline was extremely strict. The soldiers both feared and respected him, and none of them were lax or negligent.

Zhang Sheng led his personal guards on a patrol and returned to his main tent. He found no soldiers who were lax in their duties.

He ate with Liu Chen.

Liu Chen usually ate his own meals, which were exquisite. But Wang was also a general in the army.

The general eats what the soldiers eat.

Of course, there will be prey if we come hunting. But it's only the first day, and we haven't caught anything yet.

The army only had salt and millet.

However, the eunuch brought eggs.

Liu Chen ate millet rice with boiled eggs and finished four large bowls.

Zhang Sheng was even more decisive than Liu Chen, refusing even the eggs. He insisted on eating whatever his soldiers ate.

After the meal, Zhang Sheng left.

Liu Chen went about his business alone. He should have taken a bath, but that was a luxury. Liu Chen fetched some water, wiped his body, and that was it.

I was too tired to read, so I went straight to the back tent to sleep.

"Whoa!!!!"

In the desolate wilderness, the roars of tigers and the cries of monkeys were quite thrilling. The soldiers on guard were all in high spirits, taking turns to keep watch at night.

It's just like being on a real military campaign.