Chapter 43: The Old Man and the Big Girl

  "It's all because I didn't think it through." Qian Buduan shook his head gloomily: "If only I could have left some infantry in Xueyuan City..."

  "How can this be blamed on you?!" Jia Tianxiang sighed: "Who would have thought that under the avalanche, Zhamuhe could still save so many people."

  Ji Shengqin pulled on Qian Buli's arm: "Qian Buli, are we going back to Xueyuan City?"

  Qian did not leave and was silent for a moment, then said firmly: "No way!"

  The top priority now is to control Liancheng Pass, send out the news of Xueyuan City, and then transfer a batch of troops from Jiajiguan to defend Xueyuan City. In addition, the gold mine production in Xueyuan City has been abandoned and must be restored as soon as possible. To re-recruit a large number of miners, it is still necessary to go through Liancheng Pass. No matter what, they cannot retreat!

  Du Bing, who was eavesdropping outside the carriage, heard that Qian Buli had made the right decision and felt a little relieved in his heart. However, he soon felt a chill run down his spine. From an official perspective, Du Bing knew that continuing to advance was the correct thing to do, but from a personal perspective, he hoped that Qian Buli would turn back to rescue Snowy City. He had lived in Snowy City for five years and had deeper feelings for it than Qian Buli did. Although Qian Buli's decision was correct, it seemed somewhat cold-blooded!

  "But... if we don't help, my conscience will never be at peace again!" Qian Bu Li sighed: "Earl, do you know of any place where a large number of refugees can be hidden?"

  Jia Tianxiang pondered for a moment, his eyes suddenly lit up: "In the past, in order to preserve the gold, Your Majesty had ordered the construction of a large secret room, just near the gold mine! However... ...although the secret room is very large, it's impossible to accommodate all the residents of Snowy City, what about the rest?"

  "What if they hide in the mine?"

  "It can be done." Jia Tianxiang nodded: "However, Commander, do you think they can deceive Jamukha?"

  Qian didn't leave, instead he lowered his head and sank into thought for a moment. Suddenly, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "You can't fool me!"

  Jia Tianxiang exclaimed: "You... also know that you can't deceive? Then why..."

  Money didn't leave, and with a wave of his hand, he interrupted Jia Tianxiang's words: "In my opinion, Jamukha is an extremely suspicious person. Don't you think so?"

  "Could it be... You want to use the tactic of feigning troops?" Jia Tianxiang had some superficial knowledge of military strategy, but unfortunately he could only utter the four words "feigning troops tactic", and didn't know how to actually implement it.

  "No, no! For someone like Satō Kumi, it's better to let him deceive himself rather than trying to deceive him with all one's might!" Qian Bù Lí clearly had a plan in mind during this short period of time, and his face was radiant with inspiration.

  "Let him deceive himself..." Jia Tianxiang, on the other hand, had a bewildered expression. He understood how to use cunning and deception on others, but how to make others deceive themselves was beyond his comprehension.

  "Du Bing." Qian Bu Li lifted up the car curtain.

  "Yes." Du Bing hastily replied.

  Money waved his hand: "You go find a small team leader to come over, want to be meticulous, so and so...so and so..."

  "Yes sir." Du Bing replied and quickly went to find someone.

  "General Ren."

  "In."

  "Pass the order throughout the army, march double time for ten miles!"

  Ren Shuai was taken aback: "Sir, isn't the formation in disarray?" Ren Shuai couldn't remember anything else, but he always remembered to keep the formation tight and orderly no matter where or when.

  "I'm going crazy!" Qian glared with one eye: "Go down and pass on the order!"

  Ren Shuai ran away with a confused look, while Ji Shengqing and Jia Tianxiang were staring at Qian Buli in surprise, wanting an explanation.

  Qian smiled and said: "Although I have already made arrangements, but I need time, can't let Zhamuhe go to Xueyuan City now, hmm... need to give him some hope."

  "Just now I heard that you dispatched a cavalry squad." Jia Tianxiang gazed at Qian Budili: "Your meaning is, relying solely on that one cavalry squad, can guarantee the safety of the Snow Plain City residents?"

  "Almost." Qian nodded: "I'm 90% sure."

  "Alright, alright!" Jia Tianxiang smiled and closed his eyes: "Then I'll wait with bated breath to see how General Tong creates a miracle." Among all the people, Jia Tianxiang was the one who missed Snowy City the most. He had managed it for twenty years, and he was already here when Snowy City was born in the wilderness. Fortunately, his worrying days were finally over, and Jia Tianxiang believed in Qian Buli's abilities.

  Qian Buli thought of something at this time: "Earl, aren't you worried that the gold in Xueyuan City will fall into Zhamuhe's hands? I thought you had brought all the gold out, but yesterday when I inspected the convoy, they were all carrying heavy loads. Could it be... the gold wasn't stored in Xueyuan City?"

  "You want to know?" Jia Tianxiang revealed a sly smile like an old fox.

  "Think!" Qian hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

  "I also want to know why you dare guarantee that a small team can ensure the safety of the Snowy City residents." Jia Tianxiang blinked his eyes: "Can we make an exchange? You first, after you finish, I will also reveal some secrets to you."

  "It's not that I don't want to say it, but rather that I'm having trouble putting it into words for the time being."

  "Ah, I don't blame you." Jia Tianxiang sighed and put on a headache expression, tapping his forehead with his hand: "However, my age is getting older, and my memory is far inferior to before. I will always forget some things that should not be forgotten. Can you give me some time to think carefully? Of course, if you have thought of it first, you can come find me at any time."

  Isn't this blatant coercion? Don't ask anymore, it's not done yet! Anyway, when I need the money, just hand it over with both hands, that's all. The money is not separated from Jia Tianxiang, who stretched out a big thumb and then lifted the car curtain to get off the bus. The army's emergency march has begun, and he needs to sit in the rear.

  "Ha ha, my earl, I didn't think you'd also throw a tantrum like a child!"

  "Yes, this world is getting more and more wonderful, I, an old man, have become like a child." Jia Tianxiang looked at Ji Shengqing with a gaze full of ambiguity: "And some children have become charming young ladies in the blink of an eye."

  Ji Shengqing's tender smile suddenly stopped, her cheeks instantly turned bright red.