"You'll get all the benefits later too."
"For example, the wind-killing artillery, which is even more powerful than the New Tianjing 94 wheel cannon."
Upon hearing this, Yelü Wen immediately looked up, touching the flintlock pistol in his hand. His eyes became even more eager, filled with a desire for power.
Soon, the eight generals, who had been living in constant fear, suddenly received large amounts of food, firearms, and silver.
Ship after ship of military supplies, including gold and silver, were delivered by Hu and Xiongnu merchants to the eight generals. This instantly extinguished any sympathy the eight generals might have for their compatriots.
The eight generals began to lead the charge, charging even more fiercely. In the past, when they encountered resistance from the Hu people, they would offer a few words of advice; now, when they encountered resistance, they only saw them as obstacles in their path.
Bei Luo never expected that the eight generals and his second son would openly defy his orders.
In a fit of anger, he issued a punitive order against Yelü Wen, denouncing him as a traitor and a butcher's lackey of the Northern Regions.
The Yelü clan members who remained in Luerqu had long been held hostage by Yelü Wen and were unable to communicate with the outside world.
When Wu Shang learned that the Second Prince had rebelled, he was so angry at his residence that he vomited blood on the spot.
People from the Mu clan came to take Wu Shang back to the northern desert. They then joined forces with the royal family to put pressure on Bei Luo, forcing Bei Luo to bite the bullet and organize the barbarian troops to fight back against Yelü Wen.
When Yelü Wen heard that his father, the Khan, was going to send troops against him, he dismissed it with disdain and said, "Father Khan, don't blame your son for not helping you. It's just that you are too greedy for short-sighted and ignorant of the big picture. You've only ever thought about immediate gains."
"Don't blame me for taking his place, son!!"
Dan Yuhou praised Yelü Wen from the side: "If it weren't for the King's appreciation, your father Khan probably wouldn't have noticed you."
He did not forget to emphasize that Yelü Wen was valued because of King Aqina.
In his early years, Yelü Wenzi took over the military power of the Eight Generals because of his mother's status. He took a gamble on Huang Mang, but unexpectedly lost everything.
Even Beiluo looked down on him and began to secretly suppress Yelü Wen. Wanting to seize military power, they set their sights on the Crown Prince, whom they had wanted to abandon years earlier. If it weren't for Crown Prince Li Li's talent and his subsequent establishment of a strong border military force to resist the Xiongnu, making him untouchable by the Xiongnu for the time being...
Perhaps Li Li had already been controlled by Bei Luo.
Yelü Wen thought of his elder brother, whom he had initially envied for his talent and for currying favor with Xie Zhu. Now, considering that he was about to possess a military force even stronger than Xie Zhu's, he began to feel disdain for Xie Zhu.
What about the First Female General of the Late Jin Dynasty, the Benefactor of the Southern Region, the Grand Marshal of the New Heavenly Capital! The Ruler of the Nine Jin, the Heir Apparent of the Jin Kingdom, the Young Enlightened Ruler of the New Heavenly Capital, Feng Ning! The Overlord of the Southern Central Plains! They will all become his slaves.
When Xie Lanzhi heard that Yelü Wen had led the enemy to rebel against her home.
She burst out laughing on the spot, not because she was being unkind, but because it was impossible not to laugh. She had known all along that Aqina had his eye on things. In addition, the Hu Xiongnu had been trading in Luerqu for a long time, and this port had recently fallen into Yelü Wen's hands. Yelü Wen was a man who admired strength above all else, and had long since bowed down to the Hu Xiongnu's powerful strength.
This man not only admired strength but also harbored great ambition; it's hard to believe that someone would willingly help an enemy persecute their own country. Yet Yelü Wen did just that.
The allure of firearms has become irresistible. Those who were originally ineligible for the Khanate of the Northern Region now have it within their grasp.
There's also Wu Shang.
Xie Lanzhi had already won against him. Naturally, she would no longer pay attention to him.
Luochuan will definitely fall within five days, and then things will be dangerous. Xie Lanzhi thought of Little Phoenix's advance preparations. It seemed that she had already made the worst-case scenario plan.
Soon, Xie Lanzhi received another notification from Zhang Changle.
Xie Lanzhi looked a little confused. Had Zhang Changle informed her?
Zhang Changle did not stay in Lanzhang Palace for long; he simply handed over His Highness's imperial edict and a whole tiger tally to Marshal Xie.
Xie Lanzhi rarely received such formal treatment from Xiao Fenghuang. It was as if a ruler-subject relationship had already been established. Although she had accepted retirement and reduced her presence, Xiao Fenghuang's actions clearly aimed to draw her into the public eye.
"She wants me to go to the battlefield?" Xie Lanzhi put away the military token. She planned to talk to Little Phoenix. Actually, she could go to the battlefield, but she was too popular.
This wasn't the first time Xie Lanzhi considered the Yue Kingdom her final battlefield. Her time fighting An Shan in Weidu was also the last time she worked behind the scenes for Little Phoenix.
She really shouldn't be getting involved now.
As a military officer, she couldn't sit still in the palace every day.
Xie Lanzhi was a little worried. She went to Jianzhang Palace but did not see Little Phoenix. Instead, Xie Ergou, a guard at Jianzhang Palace, reminded her: "Marshal, His Highness has recently been discussing with various countries in the Tianbao Hall about a joint strategy to resist the North."
"The Heavenly Treasure Hall is filled with rulers from all corners of the country, or princes and dukes. Your status is really not suitable for such a place."
A mere guard certainly wouldn't dare say such a thing to Xie Lanzhi. Xie Lanzhi knew that Little Phoenix had asked her to relay the message. And Little Phoenix was doing it on purpose.
She sensed that she still wanted to go to the battlefield, so she reminded her in this way that she couldn't participate in the war.
Finally, Xie Lanzhi made her decision at noon.
Even if it's not the main battlefield, she'll still go. This time, not as the Grand Marshal Xie.
Instead, it was the Imperial Guard.
As the marshal under Little Phoenix, it is only natural for her to assist Little Phoenix.
Xie Lanzhi soon received wrist guards from Wei Zhao. The wrist guards were made of leather with steel plates inside, and they were still comfortable to wear. There was also armor; Xie's old black armor was now replaced with a silver-white armor.
A young general in silver robes? Xie Lanzhi was both amused and exasperated. It seemed that not only she, but even people in ancient times had a fascination with the image of a white-robed warrior on the battlefield.
After she was dressed, Wei Zhao provided her with a flintlock pistol, which cost dozens of times more than a regular flintlock pistol. It was said to be an upgraded version of her father-in-law's flintlock pistol. Applying the gunk and pulling the trigger were both much faster.
There was also a holster tied around her waist.
Xie Lanzhi couldn't help but ask, "With this equipment, you think I can even fight in close combat?"
Wei Zhao said, "Grand Marshal, the battlefield you went to is no longer the main battlefield. Although your division of labor with General Ma is different, it is still an extremely important battle."
Xie Lanzhi realized she needed to intimidate the Northern Xiongnu from the rear of Huayin and Lu. She could indeed play a role, making Huayin, Lu, and other states aware of her presence in the rear, which would provide them with some sense of security.
Wei Zhao saw that she understood his role. He said tactfully, "Marshal, the battlefields you have fought over the years have won the respect of all nations."
"Now the Second Prince of the Northern Region has gone mad, disrupted the balance of power among nations, plunged the Northern Region into injustice, and caused panic among the people of the world."
"If you, as the overlord of the Southern Region, were to stand behind and support them at this time, it would actually boost their morale."
Xie Lanzhi was somewhat speechless, suggesting she go to the front lines as a mascot to relieve boredom. Only Little Phoenix could come up with such an idea. However, Wei Zhao and the others seemed to accept this suggestion. It was undeniably a gamble.
"Please tell His Highness that I'm leaving this afternoon," Xie Lanzhi said. "The Ministry of Works will have to rely on Lord Wei."
Wei Zhao nodded.
When this news reached the Tianbao Palace, Si Xitong specially instructed Wei Zhao to announce Marshal Xie's departure for battle in front of all the rulers of the small countries.
Marshal Xie is about to go into battle. How exciting! The heads of state of all countries unanimously support him.
Si Xitong held a meeting in Tianbao Hall for a whole day, and rushed back to Lanzhang Palace in the afternoon to see Xie Lanzhi.
I don't know how many days it will be before I see her again after she leaves.
Xie Lanzhi was also waiting for her. After Si Xitong entered the palace, Xie Lanzhi had already prepared dinner.
The two ate their meal in silence. Today, Si Xitong did not remind her to eat more fruits and vegetables, but let her eat whatever she liked.
A note from the author:
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2022-02-11 20:17:27 and 2022-02-12 19:39:28!
Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Hongyan (1);
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: 38076442 (5 bottles); EVA (1 bottle);
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 208 Xie Lanzhi will be ordered to fight
Xie Lanzhi put down her rice after finishing two bowls. In the past, she would have needed to eat three bowls of rice because she practiced martial arts every day and got hungry quickly.
Since returning from Weidu, her activity level has decreased. Even her appetite has decreased significantly.
After she put down her chopsticks, Si Xitong had almost finished eating. She had only eaten half a bowl of rice today and couldn't eat anymore.
"No matter how hard you work, you still need to eat." Xie Lanzhi noticed that there was still half a bowl left in hers. Unlike her, who usually finished every last grain of rice.
Si Xitong wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, then got up to brew a pot of tea.
She placed a teacup in front of her and poured water, which was steaming hot. After a while, a few tea leaves floated on the rim of the cup.
Seeing that she seemed a little absent-minded, Xie Lanzhi took the initiative to pick up her teacup and blow on it: "I plan to take five thousand Imperial Guards with me."
Huayin State has 10,000 newly recruited troops under Yang Wei, 100,000 official troops from Huayin, and the women of Anyi are also in charge. There should be no problem. There's also Lu State.
Si Xitong said, "Lanzhi, you just accept my arrangements for you so readily?"
Lanzhi always seemed so optimistic, which made Lanzhi feel both sorry for her and helpless.
Xie Lanzhi was indeed very optimistic. If it were an ordinary person, they probably wouldn't be willing to relinquish their military power and weaken their own to benefit someone else, even their lover.
In this era, the supremacy of power is paramount to the world.
She seemed to have no such worldly desires, which inevitably seemed strange to others. Rumors circulated that she loved beauty more than power. But this reasoning was illogical.
It seemed like she was delegating power, but to others, Little Phoenix's power appeared to be something she was bestowing upon them. In reality, only the two of them, and a few close advisors, knew the truth.
How many corrupt officials have died recently? Si Xitong's henchmen are spread throughout the entire Southern Central Plains, and even extend to the Northern Regions.
These are all hidden, unseen forces.
The increasingly improved public security in the area is one of Xiao Fenghuang's achievements.
Xie Lanzhi said, "At this moment, you need to prove that the Beijing Guard's organization is the most successful."
"Lanzhi, I've thought it over," Si Xitong said calmly. "The battlefield is the only solution."
Xie Lanzhi did not refute her.
Now Little Phoenix needs to figure things out step by step on her own. But for her to suddenly say this to her now, combined with her previous attitude towards her, is it perhaps... an implication?
Si Xitong just stared at her.
Xie Lanzhi took a sip of tea, already sensing something was being hinted at. There were some things she couldn't say, and it was better not to. But Little Phoenix had a habit of laying the groundwork beforehand, then repeatedly revealing clues to her so she would know.
It would be difficult for her not to know, even if she wanted to. And if she pretended not to know, she would remind her. After being reminded, she would have to tell him the truth.
Xie Lanzhi put down her teacup, and Si Xitong's eyes were fixed on her.
“Sometimes you act like a child trying to get candy from me,” Xie Lanzhi said, “even though you are no longer.”
Si Xitong's brows were gentle, and her features radiant. Let's wait for her to continue.
Xie Lanzhi said, "We both have a general idea about what happened at Luerqu, but I don't think I'm so good at predicting things that I can always guess right."
This time, it was clearly Little Phoenix who made the move, prompting the Northern Hu and Xiongnu of Luerqu to act ahead of schedule.
And that trick was something Little Phoenix had done by sending 30,000 troops from Xieji to cause trouble in the Delta.