Lu Shang suddenly smiled and said to Meng Yuan, "Brother Meng Yuan just said that you still consider me your little sister, right?"
Meng Yuan was taken aback by her sudden question, then nodded and said, "Of course." "Then I have a favor to ask of you, Brother Meng Yuan. I wonder if you could help me?"
Meng Yuan hesitated. His younger sister's meticulousness and cunning were only matched by Li Junfang; he knew he couldn't possibly outwit her. What kind of request was she asking him for?
"Please rest assured, brother, I would never ask you to do anything that would hinder Brother Li Jun's great cause or violate Brother Meng Yuan's righteousness." Lu Shang's tone was full of resentment, as if she felt wronged that Meng Yuan hadn't readily agreed. Zuo Sijing, standing behind Meng Yuan, couldn't help but interject, "General Meng, please agree. If there's anything that General Meng can't do, I'm willing to help." Lu Shang's eyes sparkled, her infinite charm lingering on Zuo Sijing's face. She said, "Thank you, General. You're the best." Meng Yuan coldly snorted, his gaze turning stern as he glared at Lu Shang, "Little sister!" Lu Shang stuck out her tongue, her expression incredibly charming, and said, "Little sister wouldn't dare, little sister was wrong, little sister begs Brother Meng Yuan!" Zuo Sijing was completely unaware that in that instant, Lu Shang had left an indelible impression on his heart. From now on, with just a sigh from Lu Shang, he would be willing to go through fire and water without hesitation. At this moment, he was still savoring the captivating charm of Lu Shang's tender gaze, still completely mesmerized.
"Tell me, as long as it doesn't harm anyone else, I will definitely do it for you." Meng Yuan shook his head in distress. He was already troubled enough, but he also had to face this younger sister who was more troublesome than any other trouble. In the eyes of Wu Bing and Zuo Sijing, he might be someone to be envied, but only he knew the bitterness in it.
"Brother Li Jun, oh Brother Li Jun, why aren't you here?" he thought to himself.
"Please continue along this post road, brother. Ahead lies the maple forest. Outside the forest, a man will walk past you. Don't pay him any attention. Continue into the forest, and he will follow you. Please talk to him for a little while in the forest." A glint flashed in Lu Shang's eyes, his nose wrinkled slightly, revealing delicate lines, and his expression was incredibly mischievous, just like Meng Yuan had seen him six years ago.
"Are you going to play a trick on someone again?" Meng Yuan couldn't help but smile when he recalled how Lu Shang's expression used to always leave someone amused and exasperated. What used to be a nuisance now seemed like an experience worth cherishing.
"Anyway, it doesn't matter, Brother Meng Yuan promised." Lu Shang chuckled, "I guarantee it won't be a bad thing. By the way, to thank Brother Meng Yuan for his help, I'll kill Huo Kuang in a day to show him, how about that?"
She spoke casually, as if killing Huo Kuang was nothing more than a piece of cake. Meng Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "No need. It was just playing a trick on you. I've done this before. Be careful, little sister, don't take any risks." "Then I'll take my leave." Lu Shang smiled and drifted away.
Following her advice, Meng Yuan walked for about three miles. Sure enough, just outside the maple forest, a boy who looked like a farmer was walking towards them, leaning on a bamboo cane. Meng Yuan ignored him and entered the maple forest with Wu Bing and Zuo Sijing.
The post road wound through the maple forest, and Meng Yuan and his companions stopped and dismounted after traveling for a short while. After waiting a moment, the young man quickly approached and respectfully bowed to Meng Yuan, saying, "Thank you for waiting, General." Meng Yuan was taken aback. The young man had a simple appearance, and his accent was indeed from the surrounding area, but something about his expression seemed strange. He said, "I haven't been waiting long. Do you recognize me?"
The boy asked in surprise, "Didn't the general send someone to summon me?"
Meng Yuan was taken aback, vaguely feeling that he might have been tricked, so he asked, "What did the person who summoned you say to you?"
"That man said the general has some questions for me, and if I answer a few questions, I can get a reward from the general." Meng Yuan laughed heartily. He thought Lu Shang was going to play a trick on the boy, but he didn't expect that he would be the one being tricked in the end. He said, "Alright, alright, you can go now." "But the general hasn't given me the reward yet..." Meng Yuan turned back with a wry smile and said, "Wu Bing, give him the money." Wu Bing couldn't help but smile as well. Lu Shang had been acting mysterious, tricking Meng Yuan into coming here just to get some money from him. This wasn't really a bad thing, and it was quite relaxing for Meng Yuan when he was feeling down. So he took out a small bag from his pocket and handed it to the boy.
The boy left with profuse thanks, and Meng Yuan smiled as he left the maple forest and headed back to his camp. A moment later, several farmers carrying hoes came, caught up with the boy, and surrounded him.
What did you just say?
A farmer asked.
"He didn't say anything." The boy looked surprised.
“Let’s take him back first. Meng Yuan looked worried when he entered the woods, but he came out all smiles. I don’t believe he didn’t say anything,” another farmer said.
The boy's expression changed drastically. He reached into his pocket with one hand and gripped the bamboo cane tightly with the other, saying, "Don't even think about taking my money! Don't come any closer!" The farmer sneered, "Kid, if you know what's good for you, don't ask for trouble. If you come with us obediently, we won't take your money; we'll even give you a tip." The boy considered his options for a moment, then seemed resigned and deflated, letting the farmer search him. When the farmer found the money in his pocket, he shouted, "That's mine!" The farmer laughed, "Keep it with me for now, I'll return it to you later." A moment later, the boy was led away by the farmers, heading straight for Fenglin Ferry Town.
"What!" On the large ship, the Japanese chieftain asked the returning spy in surprise. The spy's bewildered expression made him realize that the reconnaissance mission had brought back bad news.
"Many ships have moored at the port of Xizhou City at some unknown time," the spy said, still shaken. "At first glance, these ships look no different from ordinary vessels, but upon closer inspection, I found that they are arranged according to Sun Lou's Eight Extremes Formation." The Japanese chieftain gasped. Sun Lou, a famous general from China a thousand years ago, was known as the God of War in Japan, and his compiled military strategies and formations were essential reading for Japanese warriors.
"I didn't expect there would be someone in Shenzhou who is proficient in the Eight Extremes Formation. No wonder Date Fuyuki-sai-dono wiped out his entire army in Kuanglan City a few years ago." The Japanese chieftain muttered to himself. If the garrison commander of Xizhou is proficient in the Eight Extremes Formation, he must be a master strategist. Although he led nearly 20,000 Japanese to plunder this time, he was afraid that he would have difficulty gaining any advantage in Xizhou City.
"Someone must have leaked the information!" a Japanese soldier beside him said angrily, his triangular eyes glaring around as if the person who leaked the information was right next to him.
"Don't look at others, it's all about yourself!" another Japanese said. "We all agreed beforehand to be careful and not to plunder passing ships, and everyone did as we were told. But you were the only one who seemed to want everyone to know. Tell me, how many ships did you plunder?"
The Japanese pirate was speechless. The Japanese chieftain said discontentedly, "What are we arguing about now? The five of us are joining forces to do this great thing. We should all work together. Now that Xizhou is well-defended, we will go elsewhere. As for the Great Divine Continent, do you still have any worries about where the defenses are not lax?"
Upon learning that the Japanese pirates had indeed hesitated briefly outside Xizhou before turning north, Luo Yi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, but his heart remained heavy.
"Send someone to inform Tang Peng to return to the city immediately!" he ordered. The Japanese pirates were heading north along the coast and would surely harass and plunder along the way. Tang Peng was leading more than a thousand Peace Army soldiers to patrol the counties under Canghai Prefecture, and it was highly likely that he would encounter the Japanese pirates.
His urgent letter arrived in Tang Peng's hands a day later. Tang Peng smiled when he saw it. If he had intended to return it, he would have returned it two days earlier when he received Luo Yi's first letter.
"Go back and tell Commander Luo that since I am here to inspect the counties of Canghai, how can I retreat without a fight when bandits attack?" He spoke calmly, but deep down he was puzzled by Li Jun's decision to leave him in Canghai County. He had only been defeated by Dong Cheng by chance and was abandoned here. Now that Japanese pirates were attacking, this was his chance to show his talents. How could he miss it so easily?
"Reporting to the General, the former magistrate of Hunxian County, Ren Qian, requests an audience." Just as Tang Peng was discussing matters related to the defense against Japanese pirates with the officials of Hunxian County, a guard suddenly came to report.
“Ren Qian?” Tang Peng raised his eyebrows and pondered for a while. Ever since the Peace Army completely took control of Canghai County, all the officials, big and small, appointed by the Su Kingdom have been temporarily suspended from their posts. These officials have been sending their calling cards to the Peace Army’s garrison commanders every day, hoping to be reinstated as soon as possible. However, he has not seen Ren Qian, the magistrate of Hun County.
"Please let him in." A moment later, a man around forty years old, who was rather thin and whose skin was much darker than that of the other officials, walked in. The officials of Hunxian County around him quickly stood up and bowed respectfully to him.
“As expected, everyone is here.” Ren Qian returned the greetings one by one. Everyone stood up and bowed, which made Tang Peng also stand up. He had been sitting in the magistrate’s hall, but when he stood up, he made way for them.
Ren Qian walked over very naturally, nodded slightly to Tang Peng, and sat down. This made Tang Peng stand up not so much to greet him, but rather as to return the position of county magistrate to him.
Tang Peng was stunned for a moment, then a surge of anger welled up in his chest. How dare this corrupt official from the State of Su be so rude! He took a big step forward, but Ren Qian's words made him pull back.
"We have heard that the Japanese pirates are invading from the north. Our county town is small but its people are wealthy, so they must be coveting it. Do any of you have a good plan to repel the enemy?"
The official acting as the acting magistrate stood up and said, "I was just discussing this matter with General Tang. The county has over ten thousand soldiers and able-bodied men, and the local militias can also muster over twenty thousand men. However, apart from the soldiers, most of them are unarmed and will find it difficult to fight the enemy." "I already have a plan for weapons," Ren Qian said. "The only problem is that even if the civilians outnumber the fierce Japanese pirates tenfold, they will still find it difficult to win."
“We all want to defend the city, gather the people in this county town, and implement a scorched-earth policy.” “Hunxian is not a strategic location, and its city walls are low and difficult to defend.” Ren Qian shook his head and said, “We must urge the people to raise the city walls overnight and have them remove the door panels from their homes to reinforce the city’s defenses.” “I have already given the order, but no matter how much I urge them, the progress of reinforcing the city’s defenses is still not up to schedule,” the acting magistrate said.
Ren Qian frowned and said, "How can we be so careless in fighting the Japanese? The Japanese are different from the Peace Army. The Peace Army not only wants the land, but also the people, so they won't slaughter the civilians. The Japanese only want wealth, and they have no mercy." Hearing the subtle sarcasm in his words towards the Peace Army, Tang Peng, who had intended to observe the situation, frowned and asked, "Mr. Ren, what good plan do you have?"
"Oh, I do have a plan to speed up the construction of the city for the people." Ren Qian smiled slightly and said, "The problem is that even after the city is built, we can't strike the Japanese pirates hard. They will definitely go elsewhere to plunder. In my opinion, we must make the Japanese pirates suffer greatly here, so that they will never dare to enter or leave our Divine Continent at will!" "If you really have such a plan, then I can guarantee the position of magistrate of Hun County." Tang Peng smiled coldly, "But if you speak wildly and endanger the lives of the people of Hun County, then don't blame me for being merciless with my sword." "Haha, the position of magistrate of Hun County originally belonged to me. You warriors can only take away the seal of office, but you can't take away my heart." Ren Qian pointed to the officials around him. The officials all looked quite uneasy, but surprisingly, none of them objected.
Tang Peng glanced at the people around him, thinking to himself, "Could it be that Ren Qian truly possesses some extraordinary ability? Otherwise, why would everyone rise and bow to him upon his arrival? Such a natural bow is only performed by those who are truly loyal to one." "Hmm," Ren Qian said to the officials, ignoring Tang Peng's thoughts, "about two miles north of this city, there is a hill called Qilipo (Seven Mile Slope). Hui County is located by the sea, with scarce springs and mostly salty well water. Only the fresh water here is of excellent quality. The Yangjiao Spring at Qilipo is truly the best spring in our county. Tea brewed with its water is said to have the effect of clearing the eyes and brightening the mind. Who among you is willing to lead the local militia to ambush here, waiting for the Japanese pirates to arrive so we can strike in one fell swoop?"
The patrol leader said resolutely, "I am willing. As long as you give the order, I will not hesitate to lie in ambush here, or even go to the seaside to fight the Japanese pirates." He did not even look at Tang Peng when he spoke, but Tang Peng could tell that his last words were clearly directed at him.
“Alright, you’re the best choice. Remember, the people have no weapons, so have them cut down wooden sticks and nail dozens of long iron nails to one end. These sticks can then be used like maces.” “The only suitable place for the Japanese pirates to land is Baisha Beach. They will definitely land there in small boats, which will be moored at the sea. Who is willing to ambush them at Baisha Beach and cut their boats when the smoke rises over the town? This is the most dangerous task, and the timing needs to be perfect. If you all think it’s not feasible, then I will go myself,” Ren Qian added.
“How could I possibly let you go, sir!” The acting magistrate was originally a scholar with considerable prestige in the area, which is why Tang Peng had recommended him for the position. Upon hearing Ren Qian’s words, he stood up and said, “It is most suitable for me to go.” “Very well then. You shall immediately go to the city and recruit fifty brave warriors. Find a very secluded place on White Sand Beach to hide. Under no circumstances should the Japanese pirates discover you. When you release the Japanese pirate boats, do not let them all go. Leave a quarter of them behind.” The acting magistrate cupped his hands and said, “I would not dare to delay your affairs, sir.” He then strode out the door without asking Tang Peng’s opinion at all.
"Who will go outside the city, bring all the villagers from the surrounding villages into the city, and then poison all the wells?"
After these arrangements were made one by one, almost every official present had a task. Only then did Ren Qian turn to Tang Peng and say, "Now I have a matter to trouble General Tang with." Tang Peng, seeing how well Ren Qian handled things and how effectively he knew how to use people, and how these officials were willing to serve him, was initially filled with anger and surprise, then with delight. Seeing that Ren Qian had asked, he quickly replied, "Please speak, sir." Ren Qian, oblivious to Tang Peng's change from "sir" to "sir," smiled and said, "Please grant me a rope, General, and have a soldier tie me up in the city." "What!" Tang Peng's delight turned to suspicion. This Ren Qian was actually asking to be tied up? Had he lost his mind?
"I have served as the magistrate of Hunxian County for ten years, and both times my transfers were stopped by the officials and people of the county," Ren Qian said calmly. "Over the past ten years, I have done a great service to the people, so they are all willing to serve me. Now, the situation is urgent, and the general has bound me in the marketplace, claiming that the failure to repair the city is all my fault. If the city is not completed within three days, I will be punished. The people remember my small kindness and will surely find a way to build the city." "Build the city in two days!" Tang Peng gasped. The Japanese pirate ships came from Xizhou, and with the wind and current, it would only take two days. With reconnaissance and preparation, they would attack in three to five days. He originally thought he would repair as much as he could, but he did not expect Ren Qian to dare to say that the city could be built in just two days.
"In our county, there is a Shuyue tribe that can complete a project in two days that would take an ordinary person ten days," Ren Qian revealed, then smiled and said, "Men go to the city, and women and children shouldn't be idle either. General, you can strictly order all the people near the city gate to build earthen walls higher than their eaves, leaving only a gap for one person to squeeze through. When the Japanese pirates come, women or boys can hold machetes behind the walls, and kill each pirate who gets through!" Hearing his arrangement, Tang Peng was already convinced and said, "It is a waste of your talent that you, sir, have condescended to be a mere county magistrate. After the pirates are defeated, I will recommend you to Commander Li Jun. With your wisdom, you are more than capable of helping Commander Li conquer the world!" As Ren Qian predicted, the Japanese pirates landed on Baisha Beach in small boats on the fourth day. After landing, they searched the surrounding area but found no suspicious people, so they left only a few people on the large ships. The rest of the pirates were eager to plunder and rushed to the county town.