Lord Shi on Confucianism, a Stroke in the History Books

Having been stationed on the frontier for many years, Xiao Lan naturally knew the importance of his stronghold. This time, he was determined to send troops and seize the opportunity to defeat the Left Wise King's Tribe. However, he still made contingency plans when he launched his campaign.

At that time, his army had been on its way for two days when he sent letters to other military garrisons. Regardless of the attitudes of the other military garrisons, it was at least a way of communicating with them.

In fact, because the Left Wise King died suddenly, Xiao Lan believed in Qiu Yan's judgment and, based on his own deductions, decided to send troops.

Therefore, when the news of this troop deployment reached the surrounding military towns, even Pang Yi, the Anyang Marquis who was quite close to him, was greatly surprised and felt that this move was not advisable.

This is akin to a general suddenly announcing an attack on a powerful enemy country during a period of peace in later times. Not only is it completely unexpected, but it is also highly likely that victory will be difficult to achieve, and the general will suffer the consequences instead.

Upon receiving the letter, the military governors of the nearby Ande Army, Zhaode Army Baoyi Army Zhongyi Army Dingnan Army immediately wrote back to oppose it, urging Xiao Lan not to act rashly. Unfortunately, by the time their letters arrived, the Dingchang Army had already set off.

However, although he left, in order to prevent the enemy from cutting off his retreat and to guard against enemy traps, Xiao Lan still left a contingent of troops in the city, commanded by Yang Zhong.

In this way, the situation becomes clear.

Xiao Lan notified the other military towns not in the hope that they would join the advance. This raid was about moving swiftly and decisively. Too many troops would only be a burden, and the pressure on logistics and the division of command would cause problems.

Xiao Lan's report served two purposes. First, it informed friendly forces of his whereabouts, ensuring they could provide support and share the risk should their base be attacked unexpectedly. Second, it concerned the distribution of military merits. While it would be desirable to monopolize the rewards, it would ultimately isolate him from his comrades. Therefore, he informed them beforehand; if others didn't follow, they couldn't blame him. Later, when he achieved merit, even a few words in the report would be enough to curry favor.

The credit for defeating the Left Wise King's Tribe's forces would not be shared much by those who did not participate in the campaign; it was a sure win.

Even military generals who reach the position of regional military governor are rarely single-minded warriors. Most are well-versed in the rules of officialdom and know how to advance and retreat flexibly. After all, the officialdom is not about temporary victories or defeats.

Listening to Yang Zhong's account, Lord Shi quickly understood Xiao Lan's plan and nodded. "Xiao Lan is quite shrewd; he hasn't been blinded by the favorable situation. It seems his so-called pursuit of the fleeing soldiers is likely just a smokescreen to buy time for his retreat. You said he didn't bring many supplies? This move is a bit risky, so he can't afford a prolonged battle. He chose cavalry, and they've been gone for several days. The recapture should be today or tomorrow."

Everyone had disembarked from the carriages. A cultivator tucked a group of carriages into his sleeve, leaving the soldiers nearby dumbfounded, but no one offered any explanation.

It was clear that Yang Zhong held Lord Shi in high esteem, yet he remained neither servile nor arrogant throughout the journey, calmly and unhurriedly recounting the events before and after. He spoke only briefly, saying just the right thing at the right time, revealing his shrewdness, which contrasted sharply with his rather serious and wooden expression.

As he spoke, Lord Shi said with considerable regret, "Xiao Lan seized this opportunity, acting swiftly and decisively, defeating the Left Wise King's Tribe. Once he returns, the victory will be complete. However, the Tulang Tribe has launched a counterattack on Dingchang indicates that the Hu people have also made arrangements. If the court cannot make a swift decision, the Rouluo people may quickly quell the internal strife due to external pressure..."

His words revealed a sense of melancholy.

"The imperial court is dominated by Confucianism scholars, who are notoriously slow and hesitant. Not only are they inefficient, but they also tend to be soft-hearted, wasting their energy on meaningless things. If we miss this opportunity, who knows when we'll get another chance? Grandmaster of classical texts are not easily found."

At this point, Lord Shi glanced at Qiu Yan.

After getting off the car, Qiu Yan remained silent, pondering the name Yang Zhong had mentioned. However, the generals, including Yang Zhong, showed Qiu Yan considerable respect, even deliberately slowing their pace to avoid walking alongside him.

Xiao Lan's attack this time took away generals including Elder Xu, Yuan Xing, and Lu Jiang. The ones left behind to guard the area were not incompetent either. They also knew some inside information and knew that Qiu Yan was a Military Canon. In the near future, Qiu Yanshu's status in the Military School might be very high. It would not hurt to show respect now.

At the rear of the procession followed Pang Qianru and the royal retainer. She was not originally a member of the envoy delegation. The reason she left was because she sensed the change in the Military School Order and the congratulations from Hundred Schools. That's why she left the city and rode north, which led to all the subsequent events. Now that the matter in Three Rivers has been settled, she naturally returned with the caravan.

In fact, from the decision of the Great Rui to establish diplomatic relations, to the dispatch of envoys, and now Qiu Yan's return to Dingchang, the entire process has been referred to by later Historians' School as the "Northern Desert Diplomatic Mission" event. Pang Qianru is also mentioned in that historical record, but her name is not mentioned; she is only referred to as "the daughter of the Anyang Marquis," and she played a certain role.

According to the official titles of envoys, Meng Qingbin was the chief envoy. At this time, he was still in Three Rivers discussing the details with others, and the diplomatic mission was still ongoing. However, in terms of the role played, Qiu Yan was undoubtedly more crucial. In addition, given his later achievements, Historians' School would naturally focus on describing him. Moreover, it was Qiu Yan's departure that stabilized the overall situation and set the tone.

The term "Northern Desert Diplomatic Mission" later came to mean a mission that was fraught with twists and turns, but ultimately achieved its goal. This is because, in historical records, the event was divided into three parts: the execution of the Left Wise King, the intimidation of the Three Waters Tribe, and the annihilation of the Rouluo Left Wise King's Tribe. These three simple labels contain many details, which, through the pen of Historians' School, have become legendary in their simplicity.

What we see before our eyes, what is etched in history books, is often only a sentence or two, yet it contains both merits and demerits, as well as the evaluations of later generations. How can we, as people today, not value it?

While he was pondering, the middleman arrived at the military camp.

This is not the original barracks; it has been moved to a different location. The barracks are much less populated and their Qi and Blood is not as strong as before—this is quite normal, since most of the soldiers have followed Xiao Lan north.

Guided by Yang Zhong, they arrived at a separately designated camp area, where wails and screams could be heard everywhere.

Walking outside the camp, you can see large patches of blood.

Yang Zhong then said, "This area was specially designated to house the wounded, as instructed by Lord Shi. However, due to the haste, there are still many shortcomings."

"This wasn't my idea, it was the top scholar's." Lord Shi chuckled, pointing at Qiu Yan. "He mentioned in his letter that this division would reduce the spread of disease. And indeed, the malevolent energy in the barracks has decreased significantly since I arrived. It's clearly a promising approach."

"So it was Qiu Xiuzhuan's idea." Yang Zhong's heart skipped a beat, and the expressions of the generals behind him also changed slightly, taking note of this division of the wounded camp.

Originally, they thought it was Lord Shi's suggestion, and they were all acting out of respect for their seniors and handling matters officially. Now that they know it was Qiu Yan's idea, their thoughts are completely different.

Qiu Yan completed the Military Canon. Although he had no battlefield achievements, he must have been accomplished in the theoretical field. In addition, his decisive action in killing the Left Wise King and his timely notification to Xiao Lan, which enabled the government troops to break through the Left Wise King's Tribe's forces, all contributed to his prestige.

At least within the Dingchang Army, the young generals held Qiu Yan in high esteem.

Therefore, he paid special attention to Qiu Yan's words and suggestions, kept them firmly in mind, and later, when he led the army alone, he indeed carried them out conscientiously.

Soon, guided by Yang Zhong and others, Qiu Yan and the others arrived outside the tent. From a distance, they could smell the blood and stench coming from inside.

This is it.

No sooner had Yang Zhong finished speaking than someone lifted the tent flap and came out. It was the military doctor Qiu Yan had met once before.

The doctor was startled to see so many people outside, but after recognizing Yang Zhong and Qiu Yan, he quickly bowed.

"How's the situation?" Yang Zhong waved his hand and then asked.

The doctor shook his head. "It's very bad. Due to the impact, his internal organs have shifted and ruptured, and his wounds are also very serious. In addition, he has lost too much blood and is already on his last legs. He's only holding on by a thread until now. Once he loses his breath, he'll be gone."

"Thank you for your trouble, sir." Yang Zhong nodded, and was about to speak when he noticed the doctor hesitated, so he asked again, "Is there anything else you haven't said, sir?"

The doctor hesitated for a moment, but still told the truth, "There are quite a few wounded inside, and many of them cannot withstand any disturbance. I know the general brought people here to offer his condolences, but if so many people are brought in at once, it might backfire."

"Is that so?" Yang Zhong frowned slightly and glanced at the people around him.

Lord Shi shook his head and said, "Young man of the Yang Family, don't feel embarrassed. We are all Military School men, what can't we say? This old man won't go in. Didn't that person say he wanted to see Qiu Yan? Let him go in alone. It's also good for him to see the condition of this wounded soldier. After all, it's not like cold words on paper."

And so, after a few words, Qiu Yan was led into the tent by the doctor.

As Qiu Yan stepped inside, the stench of blood and decay grew stronger, filling the air and making him want to vomit. But Qiu Yan felt no disgust; instead, he became even more solemn.

On both sides of the tent lay soldiers, their bodies wrapped in bandages and gauze, but it was clear that the treatment was rather rough, as the cloths were stained with blood, and from time to time, someone would turn over and wail in pain.

Each wounded soldier had a waning Qi and Blood, showing signs of decay. Moreover, each of them had a Karma connection to Qiu Yan, though not a strong one, which Qiu Yan could easily shake off with his current abilities.

But he didn't do that.

"Please come this way, sir." A doctor led the way to the innermost corner, where a person lay silently curled up in the dry grass and bedding, his body stained with blood, both legs severed at the knees.

From this person, Qiu Yan sensed traces of Blood Qi that shared the same origin as his own.

This person was none other than Old Kai, the soldier who had received Qiu Yan's True Qi. After the Qi and Blood were transferred, some remained, but they were already very thin.

The person who wanted to see Qiu Yan was this very person. (To be continued...) Monthly votes cast by "pop", "Frost-Autumn Maple Leaves", "PandaNumber1", "Face Pepper", and "Jia Ada"!

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