Chapter 42: Undercurrents

  Baiyar gathered all the departments to gather in Longcheng, and announced that after a detailed investigation into the case of the Ann Bone tribe being annihilated, it was confirmed that it was caused by the Dingzhou border army sneaking out of the pass. He also showed everyone a series of evidence, and even found several slaves who had escaped from this massacre, and these slaves could even say the name of the general of the Dingzhou army.

  The grasslands were in an uproar, with everyone filled with righteous indignation and shouting for another invasion of the pass, to annihilate the Dingzhou army without leaving a single piece of armor behind. Wanyan Bulu and Wanyan Jidai even fell to the ground crying, begging the wise Khan to send troops to avenge Anchu's death.

  Baiyar is very satisfied with the current situation, not only did he successfully resolve this crisis, but also took the opportunity to bring the various departments closer together. Looking at the young leader of the Qing department with a hint of uncertainty on his face, Baiyar couldn't help but reveal a faint cold smile. You want to fight me? You're still a bit tender. The Qing department is the second most powerful department on the grasslands, after the White department, and has always been tirelessly seeking the position of Great Khan.

  Get up, Bayar loudly announced that next year he will again gather all the tribes, send troops to Dingzhou, and hope that all the tribes will be well-prepared and wait for next year. At the same time, he appointed Wanyan Bulu as the Left King of the White Tribe, and gave him a thousand elite soldiers. In the eyes of many small tribal leaders, Wanyan Bulu was grateful and tearfully kowtowed to the ground, loudly swearing that he would go through fire and water for Bayar without hesitation.

  The grasslands are in an uproar, the soldiers are eager to fight, and the horses are strong. They will wait until next year when the fine horses are robust, then they will again go to Dingzhou, plundering and looting on a large scale. After this year's battle, everyone has already looked down on the Dingzhou army, it's just that simple. The old soldiers of Dingzhou, who have been accumulated over the years, have almost been swept away, some new recruits, how can they withstand the 100,000 iron cavalry of the grasslands, the tiger and wolf-like soldiers?

  Dingzhou's surface is calm, but secretly it's turbulent. Xiao Yuanshan's military reform plan has been leaked through different channels, and the entire Dingzhou army is in a state of anxiety. Especially Right Assistant General Lu Dalin, whose anger is rising, and his whole person looks somewhat haggard. Those with discerning eyes can see that this reform will harm him the most, as he is currently the strongest.

  Holding the military order summoning all generals to gather in Dingzhou, Li Qing laughed and said: "A moment's pause can bring a burst of wisdom. Xue Yuanshan's move has indeed hit the nail on the head, concentrating military power in one person's hands."

  Shang Haibo sneered, "There are pros and cons to everything. Although this is beneficial for him to control the army, it will push some capable generals to one side, opening up a gap in the military line. People like Lü Dali, who have rich experience from fighting against the barbarian army for a long time, will certainly be transferred to the Military Commander's Office after the reform. They can only be temporarily appointed to lead troops during wartime, and their control over the troops will be greatly reduced. It is unknown how much combat effectiveness they can exert during wartime."

  Li Qing smiled and said: "In short, Xiao Yuanshan's plan is still effective. From now on, the Dingzhou army can be renamed as the Xiao family army. Hehe, I just don't know if this adjustment will involve our Changsheng camp?"

  Shang Haibo shook his head and said, "No, our General's family property is not something that can be taken lightly by Xiao Yuanshan. He has left us here to fend for ourselves. Don't worry, General, just go ahead and enjoy the wine and the show. As for Dingzhou, I'm afraid it will bring joy to some families and sorrow to others."

  Xiao Yuanshan's actions were drastic, the Dingzhou army was reorganized into three brigades, and a large-scale reshuffle of battalion commanders took place. Soldiers from each battalion were even transferred en masse to other battalions. The original strongest right brigade was disbanded, its veteran soldiers dispersed among various battalions, resulting in roughly equal combat effectiveness across all battalions.

  Lü Dalin was transferred to the Military Governor's Office, serving as Deputy General of Dingzhou, with a promotion in rank, but he no longer had direct command over the troops and could only be temporarily appointed during wartime. His mood was extremely low, having fallen from being one of the most powerful generals to becoming the most awkward role in the Dingzhou army. The frustration in his heart can be imagined. Fortunately, his younger brother's elite camp did not undergo any major adjustments, and the old soldiers under his command were not transferred away, which could be considered a small consolation given by Xiao Yuanshan to himself.

  Yuán Zhōng Xié Piān Jiàng Dài Chè Zuì Wèi Huān Xǐ, tā bèi wěi pài dào le zhèn yuǎn jūn sài, bù jǐn máo xià zhí jiào zhì lǐng zhèn yuǎn de pán shí yíng, gèng yǒu quán jié zhì qí tā sān zuò jūn sài.

  All the other battalion commanders have basically changed their nests, only Li Qing of the Changsheng Battalion seems to have been selectively forgotten by Xiao Yuanshan. During the entire military meeting, he became a spectator. And his colleagues also ignored him, of course, who would envy his small family property in a birdless and eggless Chong County with over a thousand people?

  "Gentlemen! " Xiao Yuanshan smiled and raised his wine cup, "After adjusting the military system, our army's combat effectiveness will be greatly enhanced, and command will be more flexible. This will lay a solid foundation for us to sweep away the barbarian thieves and bring prosperity to our great Chu for ten thousand years. Come, let us drink together!"

  The generals rose with a loud noise, raised their cups solemnly and said: "May our great Chu prosper for ten thousand generations."

  After finishing the cup, Xiao Yuanshan raised his cup again. "The New Year is approaching, but I have summoned all of you generals here to discuss official business, which has delayed everyone's preparation for the new year. This is indeed a sin. With this cup, let me first wish everyone an early happy new year on behalf of myself, and wish that everything goes as desired in the new year."

  "Thank you, General! Wishing you an early victory over the barbarian rebels."

  When the banquet was over, it was already late at night. As he walked out of the general's mansion and took a breath of cool air, Li Qing couldn't help but feel a little amused. It was already late, and he still didn't have a fixed place to stay in Dingzhou, so where would he go?

  Just as he was thinking, suddenly he saw Lv Dalin walking out with the support of Lv Dabing, stumbling and staggering. This time, the most disappointed one is probably Lv Dalin, who has just been promoted to deputy general.

  "I'll be waiting for your promotion, Lord Lü!" Li Qing smiled and clasped his fists in respect to Lü Dali.

  Lü Dalin stopped in his tracks, his eyes, which had been somewhat dazed from drinking, fixed on Li Qing. A sharp glint suddenly flashed across his eyes as he coldly sneered: "Li Canjiang, are you mocking me?"

  Li Qing shook his head, "I don't dare, Deputy General's mood at this time, Li Qing felt the same way."

  Lü Dalin burst out laughing, thinking of Li Qingwu in Chong County, who was neither dead nor alive. His situation was similar to his own now. However, compared to himself, a commoner, Li was from a noble family and would still be a superior person even if he couldn't survive here. As for Lü, having lost his army, he became an empty-headed deputy general, and his lifelong ambitions were washed away like flowing water. The honors of being enfeoffed as a marquis or appointed as a general had become mere illusions, and in the future, he would completely degenerate into a follower of Xiao Yuanshan.

  He glanced at Li Qing with a slanted gaze, and Lü Dalin smiled: "What you said isn't wrong either. The two of us can indeed be considered to be sympathizing with each other's misfortunes. Alright then, let's just forget about it. In the future, we'll take on some easy jobs in Dingzhou, and every day will be a carefree one, not bad at all."

  Li Qing smiled and said, "Since Deputy Lu wants to indulge in romance every day, why not let me treat you today? Let's go to Taoran Pavilion for a romantic adventure."

  Lü Dalin rolled his eyes: "Tao Ran Ju? This rough and unrefined warrior won't be able to enter the sight of Miss Qingyan, and will probably get kicked out. Forget it, let's just go to Hong Lou instead."

  Li Qingyi pulled up Lü Dalin and said: "Lü Deputy General has been promoted today, the Red Mansion is not worthy of the deputy general's identity. Let's go to Taoranju, with me there, where will they dare to drive out the deputy general?"

  Lü Dali suddenly enlightened, "I remember, I remember, Li Canjun once used a poem to win over the Flower Queen, and Meiyan girl was impressed, good, let's borrow Li Canjun's east wind, and go take a look at what kind of person Meiyan girl is?"

  A group of people walked towards Tao Ran Ju with laughter and conversation.

  Lü Dalin wasn't as drunk as he appeared, but rather felt suffocated in his heart and didn't want to talk to anyone, so he used wine as an excuse. Unexpectedly, Li Qing caught up with him, with a drunken expression on his face, but his mind was clear. He knew what kind of person Li Qing was - someone from the Li family who had always been at odds with the Xiao family. Since he had suffered losses in the hands of Xiao Yuanshan, Li Qing immediately came over to win him over. If it were usual times, Lü Dalin would have avoided him, but now he didn't need to avoid suspicion anymore.

  Li family, Xiao family, can't afford to offend either. Although Xiao Yuanshan has wronged him, Lv Dalin doesn't think much of Li Qing's attempts to win him over. Dingzhou is not as good as Yizhou; if he were in Yizhou, he would be eager to get close to the Li family, but here, even if Li Qing were a dragon, he would have to coil up, and even if he were a tiger, he would have to lie low. He doesn't think the young Li Qing can outdo the cunning and experienced Xiao Yuanshan.